Any C-Section stories?

[Starlive22]

I'm booked in for a c section Monday for my first baby! Although I was warned early I might be advised of a c section we didn't actually know until yesterday.

I trust my Dr knows what's best, but it seems whenever I look for stories of c section it's either bad stories or people telling others not to have them and to ignore Dr etc and the natural way is best.

I'm a bit nervous, but would have been even if I was just being induced normally like I thought was going to happen, just wondering what to expect in a way, and if it really feels as weird as people say!

I was absolutely adamant I didn't want a CS all through my pregnancy but after 4 days of failed induction I had a lovely, calm low cat EMCS. If I had known what an amazing experience it would have been I would have opted for that (suffered anxiety through out the pregnancy, was very nervous about birth)

As others have said, try and get moving soon after as much as comfort and safety allows.
I had a PICA bandage on my scar which made the healing process much better, may be worth asking about.
I was able to take my ipod in to theatre which helped. Had a bit of difficulty getting in and out of bed for a few days but had no issues feeding baby.
I had a few comments after the birth, along the lines of me having it easy etc etc .... Didn't phase me as both me and DD were safe and happy.
Hope all goes well Monday and enjoy your lovely bundle x

Thank you everyone! Just stupidly read an awful article re: c-sections, it was incredibly biased and absolute scaremongering at its best, but I still stupidly read it. Nothing like healing guilt on top of fear!!

Still, very reassured hearing these stories. I will be re-reading them until Monday to keep me sane!

Glad my post helped OP! In terms of what it FEELS like, I was surprised to find I was paralyzed from the chest down - I'd just assumed it was waist down. Not unpleasant, just very weird! The epidural was fine, I've had worse pain from bloods being taken. I then couldn't feel anything, at one point I saw my own leg being lifted and it might as well have been wooden for all the connection I felt! Really bizarre! You don't feel the incision etc and certainly no pain, but I did feel a bit of 'rummaging'? This made me get nauseous (a physical reflex rather than an emotional reaction). Nothing terrible to report tho! Like another poster said, I didn't even realize it was 'done' until they waved DS in my face - so be ready for that moment, I feel like I almost missed it! My hands shook like crazy (these aren't paralyzed as I recall) but apparently that's common with the drugs.
Honestly don't give it any more thought, it's really really fine! I found my circumstances a bit unpleasant and overwhelming as it was done so out the blue, but going into a pre/planned scenario would have been loving life!

Thanks @Chocachoo that's a really good description! I can't believe it's tomorrow! In less than 24 hours it could all be over! I feel so many emotions, excited, anxious and a bit scared. I've had a couple of operations when I was younger this is different, it's the biggest thing I've had done, the most time I've spent in hospital.

Suppose I've been lucky!!

Same here, the section is still the only surgery I've ever had (touch wood!). Probably sounds strange but as I was fortunate to have a very 'good' section and recovery, I kind of look at it as another experience, something I can say I've done and know what it's like!
Make sure you come back on here tomorrow and let us know how it goes!! ☺️ X

*maybe not literally tomorrow as you might be quite preoccupied 🙈 But at some point!!

I had an EMCS because I was induced and labour was progressing too slowly, and there was some elevated risks to continuing. Induction was awful, and it was actually a relief to know the baby would be out in 45 mins - I didn't have time to get scared. The doctors and nurses were wonderful, so friendly and enthusiastic - they made me feel like me having a baby was the most exciting thing ever, even though they had already done several that day. I had a dream of an anaesthetist too and he was wonderful taking me through every bit of it. I came away feeling very positive about csecs afterwards.

The recovery went very well though I did struggle to lift my very large baby and get in and out of bed. I kept on top of my painkillers so I felt very little discomfort. The biggest issue I had was breastfeeding afterwards - I struggled a lot, partly because baby was jaundiced, and was never able to exclusively breastfeed and that was probably on part to having an EMCS. I'm struggling to decide now whether an elcs is something I want next time, because the cs went so well, but I would do anything to breastfeed my next one without all the problems we went through with my first.

I would add that I wish we'd had more skin to skin and tried breastfeeding in the operating theatre, but my gown was the wrong was around. So OP, I'd suggest wearing it open at the front 😊.

All the best for tomorrow!

I’ve had two planned CS and both have been fine. It’s understandable to be nervous but you will be absolutely fine. It does feel a bit weird when they are pulling the baby about - you can feel a lot of rummaging - but doesn’t hurt. It’s over before you know and it you’re too busy marvelling at the fact you have a baby for the latter part of it. The healing isn’t hideous. The worst pain for me was on the skin surface as a nerve felt like it was knitting back together both times in the same place but that was over in a few days and dealt with pain meds. They say you can have really bad shoulder tip pain from the air entering your body. I didn’t get it with my sections but did recently have it after a laparoscopy and it was awful. For the sections I took peppermint oil tablets - from Holland and Barrett - so maybe that helped prevent this. So all in all whilst I didn’t love my sections they were not scary once I was having them and over in a flash.

Thank you so much everyone, these stories are keeping my mind focused and keeping me as sane as can be. I seem to be having all kind of weird thoughts which isn't usually like me, but I guess I'm more nervous and less confident than I thought. Hoping tomorrow I wake up (assuming I sleep!) and feel more confident as it's the actual day, no more anticipation!

I feel just so odd having no control over it, but then again I suppose you don't have any control over vaginal delivery, anything can happen then so I guess I'll have to think of it like the c section takes away some of the relative unpredictability. Gotta take my positives where I can find them!

I have the vaginal birth from Hell, and the C-section was a blessed relief. Predictable, calm, quiet. I had a bit of mixed info about whether or not to shower etc, but it was all fine. And I had a toddler at the time, too. Good luck.

^had

I had a planned section for DC2 - extended/frank breech and measuring large (she was 9lb 9oz in the end at 39 weeks!) on the consultants advice. I was terrified to be honest as I had problems following a difficult multi-attempt spinal for repair of 3rd degree tear from my first, and they said for c section they'd attempt a spinal but would not attempt multiple times.

The theatre team were fantastic, they reassured me beforehand and were calm and everything was taken steady. The anaesthetist successfully did the spinal. I felt a bit woozy during but they were on top of everything. It feels odd having them rummage around but doesn't last long - it's the stitching up that takes the time. The midwife helped me breastfeed in recovery. It was brilliant care, much better than in my first delivery.

Things I wish I'd known: diamorphine can make you itch like crazy. They can give you antihistamines though, but I spent hours itching all over, if I'd known I'd have asked sooner. Keep on top of the painkillers. C sections can make your milk come in later than with a vaginal delivery.

Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who posted with tips and experiences. Even though I'm very nervous I'm ever so grateful to hear some good stories, hopefully tomorrow I can add mine to these tomorrow!!

Keep feeling like I've forgotten to pack something but I'm sure I packed less for my last holiday!!

Better to be prepared I always say ha!

Good luck for tomorrow @Starlive22
I have my first section planned for next week and I'm so glad you started this thread!

Hope all goes well for you and baby

Thank you for this thread and I hope everything today is going well.

So glad I found this thread. Today I had an unsuccessful ECV so I'll be having a ELCS. The hospital don't actually have any free dates on my 39th week (I'm 37 weeks at the moment) but they seem fairly sure they'll fit me in. All these stories have helped calm my worries, so thank you.

@Starlive22, I hope everything went well and @MrsDishavingaB, I hope it goes well next week!

@Strongarms27 good luck!!

Mine was fine, a very odd experience as I wasn't really sure what to expect, but the procedure itself only took an hour and a half!

Did get very shaky from the spinal and my bladder hasn't started working again yet so still have the catheter in for another week but other than that it wasn't as scary as I expected!