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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

C section on Wednesday...fairly terrified

14 replies

CathyandHeathcliff · 15/10/2018 21:28

So one full day to go and two sleeps. It’s a planned c section and my first one, also first surgery, first time in theatre and first baby!

I’m scared about having a panic attack when I’m in there.

OP posts:

glastogal · 15/10/2018 21:41

Congratulations on your impending arrival!!

I had a c-section in Nov.. it was an emergency one, so I didn't have the chance to psyche myself out about it, but I totally would have in your position.. HOWEVER, it was fine! Honestly, you only have to get through about 5 mins and then your baby will be out and you will not even notice the rest as you will be far too distracted by your wriggly, pink, newborn.

Can you take in your own music? Something that calms you. Chat to the anaesthetist about potential names while the docs do their thing.

It's always nerve-wracking having surgery but this is the one time you get an excellent prize at the end.

GreenMeerkat · 15/10/2018 21:43

Mine is a week today!

I've had two emergencies previously. From what I've heard from people who've had planned sections is they are actually a really pleasant experience. It's very calm and controlled and the staff will talk you through everything. You should have an enhanced recovery plan for afterwards too.

Recovery is of course more difficult than after a vaginal birth but honestly it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Good luck!!!

DwangelaForever · 15/10/2018 21:53

Ive had an emergency section and a planned one (4 weeks ago) and honestly it's the most relaxing calm way to bring a baby into the world. Worst part about it was getting the spinal in - and that was because I was feeling crap from fasting! You will be fine. I just admit I was quite apprehensive with my planned one as I was off my face on painkillers for my emergency so just went with it but it's fine. The theatre staff were all lovely.

For recovery - stay on top of your meds, get up out of bed as soon as you can and then don't overdo it when you are mobile but keep moving so you don't seize up!

DwangelaForever · 15/10/2018 21:55

Also what @GreenMeerkat the recovery ward is far better with planned section. With my emergency they just threw me back into the delivery suite I'd been labouring in, with my elective they brought me to a specific recovery ward with a heated vacuum blanket and I was closely monitored for a few hours before being moved to my postnatal ward. Plenty of time for skin to skin and bonding

makingtime · 15/10/2018 21:56

Have had two. First emergency, second elective.

The elective was the best experience I could have hoped for. Calm, happy, everyone in theatre smiling. I asked for the screen to be lowered before delivery and so I saw him being lifted out (you can't see anything gory from that angle!) and he was put on me straight away. I held him all the time I was closed up. The worst bit was the spinal being done but I'm a total wuss about that kind of stuff, and even that wasn't really that bad at all.

Very easy recovery afterwards. Honestly I cannot recommend a calm elective section enough! (As opposed to my emergency section which was so emergency they didn't have time for a spinal and I had it under general - that was not cool!)

Hermie12 · 15/10/2018 21:57

My first was a planned c section on advice of gynae. It was a calm experience and felt quite in control throughout. Like most things not half as scary as you imagine. Good luck and congratulations

Kindlethefourth · 15/10/2018 22:00

Make sure you get your legs comfy before the epidural sets in is the best advice I can give having had an emergency and then a planned one. The planned one is all very calm indeed. All the best you will be fine

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 15/10/2018 22:04

Thank you everyone.

I just keep thinking the worst, especially when you read --look up- horror stories!

So those who said they didn’t like the spinal...what was it like? Painful? And did it make you feel unwell after they’d done it?...I’ve hesrd it can cause your BP to drop dramatically.
I’m also scared about the cannula. I hate needles, hate my blood taken today and felt anxious in the lead up!

OP posts:

Hedgehog80 · 15/10/2018 22:08

I’ve had 5. 1 emcs the rest elcs
Honestly don’t worry, an elcs can be a lovely calm experience
Good luck

makingtime · 15/10/2018 22:14

Spinal isn't so much painful as uncomfortable. But it's very quick. Ditto the canula - uncomfortable but quick. And once they're both in you'll be meeting your baby in a matter of minutes! BP and heart rate are monitored and you'll have an anaesthetist right next to you making sure everything's ok. If BP does drop - mine did - there's something they put through the canula (no idea what - someone more medical can jump in there!) that will sort it out.

justilou1 · 15/10/2018 22:47

I have had three babies from two c-sections, and that’s all I know about childbirth. I had no terrible side effects. The pain was managed well. I was walking easily the very next morning. (As soon as the catheter was removed.) My kids are now 14 & 12. While my friends are off getting their prolapses and fistulae fixed and having to buy incontinence pants, I am not at all concerned about sneezing and coughing and am peeing normally and only when I want to. My bits and pieces are all nicely in order as well. While I wasn’t thrilled at the time, I’m rather grateful at the way things have worked out - especially every time I look at my son’s rather large head.

Hermie12 · 15/10/2018 22:50

The spinal didn’t hurt, little uncomfortable. I had been warned about bp drop but didn’t get that at all.

IvysMum12 · 15/10/2018 23:04

My BP dropped. No big deal, they just speeded up the intravenous fluids.
I had 2 sections, the first an emergency, the second elective.
Both babies healthy and I was absolutely fine.
Please don't listen to horror stories: just look forward to welcoming your beautiful baby.

bluechameleon · 15/10/2018 23:04

I wasn't nervous about mine, having had several surgeries including an EMCS previously, but I panicked when I was being prepared and started crying uncontrollably. They were really nice about it and brought my husband in early to look after me. As soon as DS2 was born I was fine. So even if you do panic it will be ok!

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