Elective c section booked- tell me your stories....

[angelpuffs]

I've got a date for my elective c- section when I'll be 38+6. Did anyone go into labour before their c section date? Any advice/dos and donts? I had a ventouse delivery with DD1 so would like to hear people's experiences of the op itself, post natal care and recovery- and anything else you can think of. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations Hully she's beautiful x

Congrats hully!! And thanks for the encouragement too!

twodrifters hope you're not waiting too much longer! Like 5madthings both my DS were 2 weeks late so know how you feel!! Very odd this time to know I won't go over due date..

Hi all I have my pre op tomorrow, does anyone know what to expect? I'm not sure how I'm feeling as the day gets closer, I can't concentrate on anything and I'm not sleeping, after 3 natural deliveries I'm in unknown waters here, so to speak.
The fear of the unknown is getting to me I think.

Hi Turkey, I didn't get as far as my pre-op but I believe at my hospital the appointment covers-

1. Taking bloods (some hospitals do this the week before)
2. Telling you which drugs to take the night before and which in the morning of the op (one anti-sickness And one anti-nausea)
3. When to stop eating
4. When to stop drinking
5. Talk you through the procedure

Hi Turkey
I had my pre op yesterday (although my c section is still 2 weeks away). It covered the following:

1. Weighing me
2. Measuring my calves for surgical stockings
3. Telling what time to come into hospital and what time to have your last meal and take your ranitidine tablet- depending on whether you had an afternoon or morning slot for your op
4. General info like how they prep you for the op
5. MRSA swabs were taken
6. Checked we had blood test forms for the bloods we have to have done the day before the op
7. One to one chat with the anaesthetist about pain medication and catheter etc during the op and after- how spinal is administered etc
8. What to expect during the operation itself
9. Recovery and post natal ward etc

Hope this helps. X

turkey I think the other posters have it covered, my hospital do things slightly differently and I had my pre-op at pregnancy assessment unit in the same appointment where they did my scan, confirmed breech and booked c section.
The Dr went through the consent form, midwife took MRSA swabs and gave me my prescription for ranitadine to take the night before and on the day. Given some 'about your procedure' type leaflets.

I have to go for bloods on monday.
6 days and counting! How much longer for you?

Thanks for the information.
I have been told nothing really, I had some mrsa swabs done after my last scan when they booked the elcs and I was told I'd need a blood test because I haven't had any done during pregnancy so far and that was about it, I guess I'll find out tomorrow!
BakedPotato it's on Tuesday!!!

I would also mention if you are particularly anxious in the pre op-they can pre measure doses of relaxant!

Congratulations hully-she's beautiful and a fab name!

So happy to tell you that my DD arrived yesterday morning. Still had an elcs and was a really positive experience.
The post natal ward not so much!

Wow Baked congratulations!
Did you go into Labour then?
Hope your feeling ok today, is the ward terrible? I'm dreading that part! Hopefully they will move you to a side room x

I went in to be checked because I thought my waters had gone, they hadn't but while I was on the monitor I started contracting!

They've said I might be able to go home today which I'm seriously considering. Got 2 hours sleep on the ward

Congratulations Baked x

Congratulations Baked! Lucky you were there. How many weeks + days were you when you started contracting?

Congrats Baked!! If feeding is going well then definitely push to go home ASAP!!

2 hours! Im hoping I can get some sleep with my ear plugs and eye mask but I won't hold my breath!
Must have been a shock yesterday how is baby doing? X

Hope you got home today Baked.

I got my date today for my section - Fri 22nd. That's next week eeeekkkkk!

IslaMann- same date as me

Ooh how exciting angel. Do you know what you're having? I'm team yellow.

I'm team pink- for the second time

Ooh lovely x

Got home on Sunday evening so thankfully only 1 night on the ward. My advice would be if you want to go home quickly get up and about as soon as you can and if you can manage without morphine after the first day then do. The midwives saw me pacing the corridor with DD and said I looked ready to go! Obviously if you feel you need longer or help with feeding etc then stay.

Day 3 post section here and I'm feeling quite ok. As others have said do be regimented with your pain relief, if you miss a dose or are late you will know about it!

Ahh congrats baked that's so strange you have your baby and we were elcs buddies!! I can't believe mine is on thurs I'm scaaaredd!! But amazing you got to go home so soon. I think I'd rather stay in 2 nights as I have 2 mad DSs at home, sure I'd be getting more rest on the ward

Cloud that's my thinking- I have 2 ds at home and quite fancy 2-3 night break in!! Although I do remember previously it can be noisy and I'm sure the be night ds slept I was kept awake by all the other babies!! Think I'll see how it goes!
Do you know what you're having cloud? I'm having a surprise (probably another ds to add to the collection!!)

Yep I feel the same zippy, I remember it being noisy on the ward when I had ds1 (had a private room for ds2) but don't think I'll mind so much this time, won't have been up all night in labour for one thing, & can sleep during the day when baby sleeps hopefully!!! How old are your DS? Mine are 5 and 3. And when is your date?? No we don't know what we're having but eeeeveryone has been saying girl cos apparently I'm carrying smaller this time so I've got it into my head its a girl! But I'm happy either way, love the boys!!

Off for pre-op in a few mins! Eek.