Hi mums! Writing this post in the hopes it will reassure any ladies who are booked for elective cesarean section and don't know what to expect. I delivered my second son by planned section 2 weeks ago.
Firstly, I know c sections cause a lot of controversy. I am not "too posh to push", I'm not lazy and I didn't want "the easy way out" (actually can't believe people say that!). 2 years ago I had a pretty traumatic delivery with my first chi. Waters broke Monday night, induced Wednesday morning, took an allergic reaction to something in the drip, had muscle relaxant injections, a failed epidural attempt followed by a successful insertion, ended up on oxygen, clip put on my sons head and scrapings taken to check his blood. Got to 10 cm after 24 hours only to be rushed to theatre for an emergency section because my wee ones heart was dipping and he was distressed. In the haste to deliver him I was given too much spinal which numbed me up to my shoulders. This resulted in me taking a panic attack because I couldn't feel myself breathing. It was awful. I struggled to breastfeed, I felt like a terrible mum and my recovery both emotionally and physically was slow and painful.
This time, my consultant advised that as I couldn't be induced we would schedule an elective section for 39 weeks and if I went into labour myself I would be allowed to try and deliver naturally for a set amount of time.
On the 11th of July at 39+2 weeks my beautiful baby boy was born in Glasgows Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by planned c section. The experience was completely different from my first birth.
At my pre op appointment I was given ranitidine to take the night before and the morning of my surgery. And the day of my section went as follows :
06:45 admitted to the hospital. Lovely midwife did my observations and I put on my sexy surgical stockings and my gown for theatre. Hubby was offered tea and we were advised to get nice and comfy.
11:45 midwife came to escort hubby and I down to theatre. We were given a bay in recovery where we could leave our stuff. Theatre sister came in to talk us through the procedure and what to expect. She asked if we had any questions, I asked for the radio, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin and whether my husband could take some pictures of the baby in theatre. She agreed to all of the above. Then the anaesthetist came in and put the cannula in my hand, he talked me through the spinal block and I signed the paperwork. Lastly the consultant came through and introduced herself, at that point I was a bit nervous and shaky. She was lovely and really calmed me down.
13:40 hubby was taken away to get scrubbed up and I was led into theatre. The team all introduced themselves, and I sat up on the table for my spinal. I have a real fear of needles so my hubby was allowed to sit beside me in theatre for the block. My back was sprayed then I was given a local anesthetic to numb the area. The spinal itself was nothing compared to the epidural I'd had previously. Nice and quickly it was over and I lay down on the table, the lovely anaesthetist checked I was numb and they began the operation. The surgeon spoke to me throughout and music was playing. It was lovely and calm. Completely different from my first birth experience.
14:05 "are you coming out?" the surgeon asked my little boy as she lifted him from my tummy. As promised he was laid across my legs for a few minutes before the cord was cut, he was shown quickly to me as I asked,before the midwife turned to my husband and asked him to get the camera out. He was allowed to video our boys apgar scoring, him being weighed and wrapped up and then I finally got my skin to skin when my little boy was laid on my chest.
15:00 iwas wheeled into recovery with my beautiful baby boy in my arms.
The only annoyance was the drugs made me a bit sick and I was kept in recovery for 7 hours because I wasn't peeing enough (probably because I couldn't even keep water down!).
After two nights we were allowed home. The recovery has been easier this time I think despite having scar tissue removed and having a toddler to look after.
I feel like this delivery has put to rest the trauma from the last birth. To any girls in a similar situation I'd say try not to worry. I know it's frightening, and very likely not how you pictured meeting your baby. But it's such a controlled environment.
My first pregnancy I was planning a water birth, i did hypnobirthing, i was determined to have no drugs etc. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way, and after the last time this was a genuinely positive experience.
We're now settling into life as a family of four, so happy and honestly, I wouldn't change my boys delivery for the world.