calling all elective c section people

[hayley2u]

hi. iv just been to see consultant and asked about me wanting a c section on ground of traumatic birth last time. he agreed. but i have to come back to hospital in 3 weeks for yet another growth scan as my baby is measuring too big.when i come then he says i will be given my date for c section. i am 34 weeks now so that will take me to 37 weeks. is it normal to wait that long. and anyone knows what happens from then on

I'd just like to add I was booked in for c-section when I was 37 weeks, elective due to previous c-section for pre-eclampsia at 34wks. Was booked for 39+4. I went in the day before for blood, form filling etc. I was due back in at 7am next morning. As soon as I got home I started having contractions and at 11pm my waters broke, I went straight back to the hospital and DD was born by C-section at 2.48am. No questions asked about a natural birth at all.

Second loads of arnica and really big pants.

Sorry meant to add, good luck

I recovered really well, was up and walking about by lunchtime the next day, with very little pain, by the evening I was kneeling on the bed to get DD out of her cot and getting told off for doing do much by the MWs.

Hi Hayley, I'm not having an elective c-section, but have just been told this afternoon that I have to have a c-section due to low lying placenta at Arrowe Park and they have booked me in for this Friday. I'm 38+1 today, so 38+5 on Friday, but doesn't seem like they get booked up in advance.

Anyway, have to go to the hospital on Wednesday for Pre-operative assessment with a mid-wife, which apparently takes about an hour - then on Thursday someone will come to my house to give me an injection to thin the blood to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot. Can't eat anything from midnight Thursday and then have to be in hospital for 8am on Friday. They give you antacid tablets to take morning of c-section and night before.

If any signs of labour start before Friday they have said to go in immediately and I will have an emergency c-section straight away.

Just thought I'd let you know as it is the same hospital as you will be having yours. If there is anything else you want to know let me know as they have given me paperwork detailing what the procedures are at Arrowe Park and what happens afterwards

oh saturn. how useful are you. sorry that you have to have a c section though but at least you ll know you'll have baby on friday which i thinks lovely.
are our prtners allowed to stay with us at all times?
i wanted him to take photos will this be allowed?
i' glad you said they dont seem to get booked up, saw a midwife today and she said there should be no problem for me coming in at 39 weeks.
tnow you v said it i cant think but i had so many questions about the c sections and now i cant think.

Hi hayley, partners are allowed in the delivery suite during the birth but it then states 'After the c-section you will be moved into a recovery area. During your recovery period we do not allow birth partners to be with you in the Recovery Room (approximately 1 hour) however, your midwife and your baby will be with you during this time. When appropriate the midwife caring for you and your baby will assist you with skin to skin and the first feed' I am planning on asking when I have the assesment with the midwife on Wednesday why this is and if it is set in stone, as I'm not sure how I feel about being seperated from DH for an hour after - so I'll let you know what she says.

Photos aren't mentioned, I just assumed you would be allowed to take first pictures in the delivery suite - but not sure now. I've added that to my list of questions to ask on Wed so will let you know.

It also says on operation day prior to coming to the hospital to take bath/shower and remove all nail polish and make up. Don't know how relevant this is to you, but I had planned on having my nails done this week as dont know when the next time I'll be able to have them done will be, but not really much point now. Also I thought if having c-section you would know the time and could put on a bit of make up to look nice for the first photos after - but apparently not!!! Not one of the most important things I know, but still.

They give you a spinal block for the operation (for some reason I thought it was done with an epidural).

The day after the operation you see several members of staff including doctor, advanced midwife practitioner and physiotherapist. It states that moving around will be difficult this day and staff will help with personal hygiene and mobility. Baby has routine first check and also a hearing test. They advocate that all babies remain with their mother's at all times. You can eat a light diet this day and staff bring meals to you. You also receive regular painkillers. They recommend that you limit number of visitors this day and get plenty of rest. If baby is in Neonatal Unit midwife will take you to see him/her as many times as you want and keep you up-to-date with baby's progress.

The days following c-section 'you will notice an increase in mobility, appetite and general wellbeing and these and other factors will determine when you are ready to go home. This will be discussed with you by your midwife, we recommend that you continue to take regular pain killers and get plenty of rest'. The standard timeframe is 5 working days they keep you in hospital after, but suppose that all depends on how they see your recovery going.

And you can only have maximum two visitors at one time (excluding partners) between 3 and 4 pm and 7 and 8pm. And children not allowed unless your own children. Partners are allowed to stay between 10am and 9pm.

A single room may be available but cannot be booked until you arrive on the ward on the day of your operation. However, they recommend that for your first night you remain on a bedded ward in order that you can be closely monitored.

Bit of an essay there - sorry about that . Don't know whether any of that info is of any use to you, but like I said before any other questions let me know - if it's not on the paperwork I've been given I can ask midwife on Wed and let you know.

DH was with me in the recovery area. Necessary as movement was limited for an hour and the midwife had other mums to care for. For skin to skuin and feeding, you'll need someone by your side for the full hour to help you move around - the midwifes are too busy to give you one-to-one care.

Hi Hayley and Saturn, I had DS at Arropwe Park 10 weeks ago. Your DP will definitely not be allowed in recovery. My husband works at the hospital and knew most of the people doing my section but he was still not allowed in the theatre while the spnal was done or in the recovery room afterwards. (He works in theatres too so it is not like he hasn't seen it all being done before!)
When you are in recovery your Dh can go and make all the necessary phone calls. I was there for about 2 hours I think, as my blood pressure was extremely low. I lay on the bad feeding DS and desperately trying to wiggle my toes as they like you to have some movement back in your legs before you go to the ward. I had two midwives with me the whole time in recovery as they do near constant blood pressure readings, temperature and pulse etc.
Take a camera and ask them to take pictures, the ODA took LOADS for us, of DS on the scales with his weight showing, with us cuddling him etc. They are lovely to look back on.

I was told I had to stay on the post-section ward for the first night, but then at 5.30 am I was awake and begging for a private room. I believe you have to pay for this normally, but I got it free as DH is NHS staff..
I was up the next day and went and got a shower etc. Try to walk standing as straight as possible from day one. The temptation is to hunch over but you will feel better faster if you can straighten up as much as possible (in my own experience that is).

Saturn. thanks for that.its great to hear that other people are n arrowe park too. geting so nervous now, bet you are too.
i cant believe dp cant stay with you in recovery. 1 hour feels such a long time, id thought they stay with you. just as long as he does not think he can dissapear home then i'll survive.

really want my own room, so i'll beg all i can for that.
how on earth do you tell people to go if more than 2 people, i can be bossy but not that bossy. glad your children can come in though as would really want my ds to be there, he cant wait to meet his little sister.
i was hoping to put a bit of slap on before the operation to lok good for photos,not liking the idea of being so pale, might put bit of self tanning on face that way i wont look so pale.
are you allowed to eat that night

redfraggle.
two hours you poor thing. i' pretty nervous about the scaring. i am a wimp at the best of time. can you take photos of the actual operation though as she is coming out or not?
i'm going to be bottle feeding, do you think they'll be ok with this, i did originally say i wanted to try bf but gone right off the idea now.

My DP was with me throughout both my CSs - while I had the spinal, during the CS itself, and then afterwards in recovery too, so different hospitals have different policies. Yours might well let him stay. Personally I can't see why a DP can't stay in recovery when he's been in theatre with you....what difference does it make?!

They don't like you to wear make-up, btw, as it masks your natural colour, which is important for the anaesthetist! But don't suppose there's much they can do about fake tan.

I don't think they mind about what you photograph, but they tend to keep your DP down the 'head end' with you behind a screen until the baby is born. And bottle feeding was fine when I did it.

Good luck, and don't be nervous! Once the spinal is in it's actually quite a relaxing way to give birth.

"i was hoping to put a bit of slap on before the operation to lok good for photos,"

You won't be allowed to wear make-up and I sugeest not to wear fake tan either, there are genuine medical reasons they need to be able to see your skin colour properly!!

You can always put a bit of slap on after the op if it's that important.

Different hospitals must have different policies on dhs being allowed to stay with you, because I had a c-s in February this year and my dh stayed with me the whole time: while I had the spinal, during the operation and with me in recovery afterwards.

I had my dd at the Countess by crash section and my DH could stay with me the whole time, for the spinal, op and in recovery but arrowe's policy is different. It is just the rules they have.
I didn't have photos of the actual op - wouldn't want them to be honest! They might not do it for legal reasons but if you wanted photos of this just ask - they can only say no!
Don't worry about your dh not being in recovery with you - the time goes really quickly and you have your baby so I was a little distracted by him!
It is now 10 weeks since I had my section and I feel completely normal again, have done for a while. Just try not to rush your recovery and you will fine. Also, Hayley don't worry about scarring, it is not that bad. Mine is already fading nicely.
They should be fine with you bottle feeding, it is your decision after all. Just hold firm if it is what you want to do. The midwives were lovely when I was in there, really helpful and pleasant.

Thanks for that info/advice Red Fraggle. btw how long did you stay in for afterwards? and did you take the arnica tablets - they have been recommended on here, but the high strength ones have to be ordered and I've no chance of getting them before Thursday!! Referring to your earlier post I've only got 2 b/f nighties, will that not be enough? Is there anything else I need to pack different to what they tell you to take for a normal delivery? Going to have to nip to asda at some point to get some big pants, as I only have disposable ones which are under bump so won't be any good.

Sorry to hijack your thread there Hayley. It doesn't say about being given anything to eat until the day after the operation, but it is on my list of questions to ask tomorrow - don't know if it is the spinal block makes you not want to eat (?), but otherwise I'll be starving if not able to eat since midnight on Thursday until Saturday!!!

I'm also going to ask how rigid they are about visitors. I appreciate why they don't want tons of people surrounding the beds as it would all get a bit chaotic, but PIL and my mum want to come on Sunday afternoon and they don't live in the area. When we went for the tour of the ward there is an area for visitors - I think they would have to take it in turns spending time round the bed and in this visitors area, but 1 hour isn't really a long time when they have travelled so far - so I'm hoping there will be a bit of leniancy as we are not expecting any visitors for the rest of my stay there. I'll let you know what they say.

There have been good clinical trials (control groups and blinded etc.) that show arnica has the same effect as placebo on soft tissue injuries (i.e. none), so wouldn't waste my £ personally. Sorry to be the voice of dissent!

Hi Saturn.
I had the section on Tuesday around 2pm and was home on the friday around 5pm. I didn't use arnica, can't be bothered taking yet more drugs - I didn't find recovery particularly gruesome for either of my sections though.
I'd take an extra nightie just in case... I had a horrid "leakage" TMI one night and everyone was too busy with emergencies to help me for over an hour so by time someone came my nightie was a mess - nice to have spares...
People seemed to have more than just 2 visitors when I was there - I wouldn't worry, they didn't seem to be monitoring it at all!

saturn dont appoligise, hijack all you want. your questions are helpful to me also.

Thanks shergar and Red Fraggle. Really useful to know. Just feeling a bit anxious about it all at the moment - sure everything will be fine though.

Hi, I haven't read all the thread but I just wanted to say good luck to those of you having elective c-sections. I had an elective c-section in Feb as I had a previous traumatic birth. It was the best choice I ever made. I had to fight my consultant for the c-section but it was worth it and the experience of the section and the recovery did not compare to my previous birth which I still feel traumatised by (4 years later). I recovered quite well and went home 2 days after the c-section. I have to say the most important thing for me and my recovery was doing nothing! I spent a week in bed once I got home as my dh had 5 weeks off work so I was lucky that he was there to do everything. Best of wishes and enjoy your new lo's

hayley, just to let you know went for pre-op with midwife this morning and info she told me basically confirmed what Red Fraggle has said previously. photos can be taken in delivery suite once baby has been born (not during) as many as you want. under no circumstances are partners allowed in recovery area as not enough room, but usually will not be in there longer than half an hour. they are not completely ridgid re visitors, as long as people aren't taking advantage too much. you need to have a vest, baby gro and hat for the delivery suite for them to dress the baby in - but they will put it in a nappy. you can have your own music on during the birth. they do skin to skin straight away as they would with a normal labour (and would try breastfeeding straight away - but I think you said you were bottle feeding). they never take the baby away from you (read on another thread someone said the baby was taken out of the room to be cleaned up - but they don't at Arrowe Park). Takes about 4 to 5 hours for spinal block to wear off. Wear a hospital gown in delivery suite, but need nightie for after to go onto ward. Don't need anything extra for hospital bag than you would for normal labour. They let you go home now after 3 days, but will let you stay in for longer if you want. recovery period seems to alter dramtically from person to person - she said some people are absolutely fine after a week, some can take up to 6 weeks. You can eat the same day as the operation if you want - but something like soup and ice cream rather than a full roast dinner. Hope this helps

hi saturn. are you getting nervous now?.
thanks that really clears up few things, i think its all about knowing what to expect is nt it.
at least we can eat as cant se m wanting not to eat for that long i'm a pig lol.
ok i'll have to look again at my baby stuff need it all to go, especially a hat.do you think i need to buy a coat for baby leaving hospital or a cardigan will be fine?. thats good that its 3 days, sometimes its easier to recover in your own surroundings x

hi hayley, actually feeling a lot calmer now about it after discussing it with the midwife yesterday. Like you say it's knowing what to expect and I now feel like I know exactly what is going to happen and what the procedures are. I'm sure the nerves will be back when I have to go in tomorrow morning .

I have a little jacket with a hood for baby to come home in. We were told the midwife carries the baby outside the maternity ward and whoever picks you up will be able to do so outside the maternity ward so I would think a cardigan would be fine - maybe with a blanket round if the weather is a bit grim, but this will be my first so I'm not speaking from experience.

Just to reassure you she did say yesterday if anything happened before Friday there is no way I would be expected to have a natural labour, I would go straight in for an emergency c-section - I know that was something you were concerned about.

Anyway, I hope everything goes to plan for you .

oh,thanks saturn, just gave my dp a whole new list of things to get in text for when we go shoping o sat. have you invested in one of those changing units,might see about geting cheap one as i wont be able to bend over to change baby..
your so lucky going in tommorrow,i wish i was you'll be holding ya baby in no time at all.
wish you lots of luck and let us know how you get on, i'm so jelous lol. xxx

Just to let you know - I had no problems changing both babies on a mat on the floor after the sections I had - never needed a changing unit so you could save yourself some money if you want to...

red fraggle were you not sore at all. i dont know what to expect you see, thats why i thought bending might be pretty sore. they have one in ikea for just under 15 pound so it might do until i cure

With regard to your partner being with you during the c-section I just wanted to add that my DH spent the whole operation lying on the floor as he fainted shortly before it began. I was lying on the op table ready for it to start, when suddenly all the doctors and nurses were surrounding him and getting oxygen and I was by myself - I think he was just attention seeking! It was only a lightening passing out (he would have been removed otherwise) but he stayed lying down to be on the safe side - oh well, it was a distraction for me. So a word of warning - make sure your partner has eaten beforehand and doesn't watch the needle going in if he has a phobia about it (as mine did) .