Elective C Section

[lilwelshyrs]

Morning all,

Just wanted some advice about my upcoming c sec. It's been booked for 9th nov. I have a fibroid which has stopped bubba from going head down or engaging in any way which has made my bump humungous!

I'm scared - the surgery whilst i'm awake scares me. The thought of feeling "tugging" sensations scares me. I cant really get my head around it.
I'm also mourning the fact I can't give birth naturally - i was planning on doing hypnobirthing and was really looking forward to that. When i see a tv show that has someone giving birth naturally on it, it makes me cry... I don't sit and feel sorry for myself or anything... I'm quite accepting as it's the safest option for me and bubba which is most important.

My DH is going to be by my side and we had discussed that my mum wouldn't be around initially - but that was when we thought I was giving birth naturally. Now, I really want my mum with me too... Is that strange?

Any c section tips or advice would be much appreciated. I honestly have never been so scared of anything in my entire life!

Thanks!

I had an emcs as DS was breech and it was great.

Didn't feel any tugging - best way to describe it was imagine someone put a pile of towels on your tummy and then lightly pressed down on the towels.

Was awake for the entire thing, bear in mind they realised DS was breech when I was 5cms, this was at 8.30 am and he was born at 9.36am! So entire procedure very quick.

DH was more nervous than me! I told him to keep talking to me, even utter nonsense.

DS was fine, came out red and screaming.

Took me half an hour to be cleaned up, then an hour in recovery. DS was given to me as soon as I got to recovery.

No pain afterwards and scar healed quickly. Drink loads and loads of water afterwards and get on your feet as soon as they let you.

If I'd have known beforehand that I was gonna has a section I would have been as panicky as you. I'm a worrier. But honestly, it was awesome.

Good luck, you'll be fine!

I wasn't shaved for any of my 3 sections. I asked my midwife recently as the hospital leaflet said it was routine and she said it depends how hairy you are. My scar is above the hairline.

My friend said she farted on her midwife's head whilst checking her episiotomy stitches

I will deff take off the top bit... Cant imagine dealing with itchy ingrown hairs and a healing scar!

I am so blown away by all your lovely responses! Only 6 days to go!!

I have another question!

So the mucus plug... what happens to that?! I haven't lost mine yet... Does it miraculously vanish or will I expect that as a nice surprise sometime after baby's been born?!

I think it must get removed along with the placenta and everything in surgery as I never got sight of mine!

I never came across that delightful phenomenon with either of my pregnancy's but I'm guessing for a CS it just all comes out with the other post pregnancy gack!

Don't they suck out all the blood and gunk afterwards? It must come out then.

I guess i'll soon find out... Will ask at my pre assessment! Soooo glamorous haha

Didn't see any of that kind of stuff.

Quite glad

I have never seen the mucous plug. Either it gets sucked out during the op or comes out during the bleeding afterwards.

Seems like mucus plug and amniotic fluid all go together so no nasty surprises there.
DH can stay overnight and DM cant come in during the op but will be able to wait outside.

Getting very nervous now! Only 2 and a half days to go!

Haha, im sure it can feel like a war and not a ward!
Yes i'd be livid if DH was asleep if i was awake on my own in the hospital too!!

I do feel better about it now... I had a strange epiphany... One of the things the surgeon said was that they push down quite hard on your belly to pop baby out... I left with images of this surgeons hands inside my open abdomen pushing down on me... But of course this isnt the case, as they only do a tiny incision down below so no opening to my chest as i keep picturing

So now i feel better... What a donut... And it's bizarre knowing it's definitely happening on monday!

All the very best for tomorrow lil!

Thank you!! I have the craziest butterflies in my tummy... I think my family are more excited than me at the mo! I cannot imagine this happening even though my front room is full of baby stuff!!

Best of luck for tomorrow! Do let us know how it goes :)

Thank you :)

The current worst bit of today will be the definite lack of food until after the c section... Also no more water from now!! Aaaah!! How am I going to cope in a hot hospital?!
breathe

Hope it goes well today. The no food bit is never fun is it but it's a necessary evil.

If you have to wait I'd try and sleep. Saves energy.

We totally did it :)
A very chunky boy at 1:24 this afternoon weighing 9lbs 4ozs!!

C sec was good... Recovery is hard... But it's all temporary and I have a beautiful baby boy who i'm totally in love with :)

Thank you everyone for your support and words of wisdom :)

Congratulations!

Take all the painkillers on offer!

Congrats! . I second the painkillers. And eat well, take vits once you're home.

You're right about c-section recovery being temporary. Hard at first but with rest it all heals up.

Well done and congratulations! Just do as you're told and take it easy in the early days and you will be amazed at how rapidly you repair. Enjoy your newborn - these big baby boys don't stay babies for long!