So then, what can I expect from an 'elective' c-section?

[HonorMatopoeia]

I've got three weeks till my c-section, last time Dd1 had a very traumatic entrance into the world which ended in an emergency c-section which I remember very little about. This time (due to several factors) I've been advised to have an 'elective' section.
It all seems very close now and I realise I know nothing about what will happen. Can anyone enlighten me? What on earth do I have to take in my 'labour' bag?

My 'elective' (was actually advised to have one) was a very calm, very lovely experience. DP by my side - big screen up in front of me so I couldn't see. A sensation that I was being pulled about a bit - and voila!

I was lucky in that I recovered well and she was my first so no other littlies to consider.

Labour bag - big paper knickers that will pull up over your scar.

Elective section a breeze compared to emergency IME! You won't need any labour stuff as you will skip that part, just post-birth gear like nighties, knickers, slippers, couple of good books, wash bag. You will be in hospital for a couple of days. You may want to shave yourself rather than have a nurse do it with a dry bic- about an inch strip across the top (use your scar as a guide!). Good luck!

Can I do very cheap non-paper knicks? I have a reaction similar to the one I have with cotton wool (i.e. sets my teeth on edge!) with paper knickers. Rather worryingly can't remember wearing any after emergency section surely I must have had pants on!
Liza - good point with shaving, suppose someone muct have done that last time too!

I had a dressing over my scar for about 3 days I think. It is comfier to wear "big knickers" than low-cut bikini-stye ones, but you can just get a cheap pack of cotton ones and chuck them away when you don't need them any more. (I couldn't stand paper either!).

It's much better, calmer etc than an emergency one. I was given my epidural on the operating table (cried my eyes out because I was so frightened)and it didn't hurt at all (the one I had for my EM C/S was agony) and they got the dose right so my arms didn't go to sleep this time. The staff are all much calmer, I got to hold the baby first this time (couldn't hold dd1 at all because of said arm problem) and had a lovely long skin to skin breastfeed in recovery.

Just stuff for after the birth in you birth bag as everyone has said - I got really really thirsty while in hospital so I would recommend some drinks for when you can have them.

Thanks Liza, think I'll head to tesco's cheap knicker section!
Were you allowed music during the birth? How long does it all take?

A couple of peppermint teabags in a bag. Trapped wind after CSecs is v common - combined with dull throb of wound and afterpains everytime you feed the baby of course. The tea helps eliminate one of these.
Mine was nice, I felt very much in control, had my sis with me to protect me while DH waited in recovery. Cured me of my PTSD from previous labour attempt - would now even attempt a VBAC if I had another!

Thanks Jacanne, it's good to hear it's a lot better than an emergency! I'm really hoping I get to cuddle baby first, was way too out of it last time. Drinks are a very good idea, I've a raging thirst all of the time at the moment!

Oh yes, I vaguely remember the trapped wind! Right I'll send Dh down the shops then!

No-one mentioned music to me. I chatted with DH and the anaesthetist. IIRC it takes about 40 minutes, and most of that is stitching you up, the baby appears pretty quickly and takes your mind off the rest! I was able to do skin to skin on the operating table once they'd checked the baby was ok.

These are all very positive stories which are lovely to hear. I am deliberating over an elective or a VBAC atm!

40 minutes! Wow! Had no idea I was in for that long - really makes me realise how much I missed with Dd1. How long is baby away from you as they're doing checks? Does baby come back to you whilst you're being sewn up or do you have to wait till the recovery room? Sorry for all the questions!
Beansprout - I was so undecided between a VBAC and elective. In the end my decision was made for me but I lost so many nights sleep trying to decide before that. I hope you're happy with whatever decision you make and have a great birth.

If all's well it only takes them a couple of minutes to check the baby over. With DS2 I was allowed to have him on my chest while they were stitching up, tucked under my nightie for skin to skin. With DD (my 3rd CS and 2nd elective) she was given to DH to hold. Both times I was able to bf in the recovery room. You can ask them about all this beforehand, if you have preferences. DH was desperate to be allowed to cut the cord , and they made sure he could do that.

Thanks for sharing your experience Liza! I suppose I can say what we'd like to happen when we go to 'booking in' the day before.

arnica 200c. start popping post op - helps with healing the scar!
my elective cs was a fab experience!

I'm also having the same dilemna as beansprout - VBAC or elective. My mw will go spare if I have an elective.

I had an emergency cs the first time and I remember the recovery being pretty grim. That's what puts me off another really.

Hello beansprout - glad you are doing ok

Don't forget your dressing gown and slippers or you will end up walking down to the theatre in your hospital gown with another nightie over the top and wearing your trainers....ahem....

That would be soooooo something I'd do Dances!
Dal - had heard arnica was supposed to be good, Dh's shopping list is growing!
Sideways - do what you think is right, don't let anyone 'bully' you! My last recovery wasn't great but I've heard elective is a lot less 'rough' iyswim so recovery can be totally different.

I was absolutely terrified as a first time mum when I was told I should have an elective section as dd was breech. I have to say, it was a fabulous experience. I had her on Thursday and was home by Saturday evening. The whole thing was completely calm, no rushing, no drama, just went in at 9.30am and she was delivered at 10.11am to the sound of 'Oh what a night' on the radio.

Recovery was fine, I only took paracetomol for two days when I came home. I would say to make sure that you keep your pain relief topped up in hospital, I asked for it every time I fed dd to remind me, which meant that the pain never had the opportunity to get to a point that I couldn't stand. I never experienced any complications at all.

I'm sure everyone's experience is different, but from someone who was petrified, it was great.

I had an elective c/s 'cos dd1 was breech. I tried EVERYTHING to avoid it, & hoped babe would decided to arrive early and really fast so that she'd arrive en route to hospital & avoid the need for surgery (just goes to show how mad one gets during latter stages of PG !). However, luckily for babe & my nether regions this didn't happen and c/s was a really positive experience. The spinal wasn't much fun (but only 'cos I'd got myself into a state about it beforehand) but the op was a doddle, I thought they were still scrubbing me up when it was actually them pulling out the bean! Literally, baby born 5min after I was wheeled in. Recovery was pretty easy, they would have let me go home the following day but I was enjoying the pain relief too much (and the ward was empty!).

Don't forget to take a skirt/tracksuit bottoms, etc with you for journey, my maternity trousers somehow managed to catch the wound. As a result had to sent DH out to buy trews & ended up returing home in fuschia jogging bottoms - I may have missed out on the labour embarassment but won't ever live that bit down!

Good luck!

My elective (due to dd being breech) was a lovely experience, very calm and emotional. They kept talking to me which kept my mind off what they were actually doing to me. dd was handed to dp after a couple of mins then I had a wee hold but as I was feeling queasy and a bit shaky she went back to dp.
My dressing was taken off the very next day and I was up having a shower.

I had the trapped wind too which was very uncomfortable but the midwife gave me some mintec which helped a lot. I didn't wear paper knickers, just bought huge full cotton briefs from asda which were great. They wanted to send me home after two nights but I didn't feel ready (quite sick with the pain meds) so stayed in an extra night.

All in all it was a really good experience and I would do it again! Good luck with yours hope it all goes well, don't worry x

Thank you ladies, three really positive stories which I'm really pleased to read about. Glad your sections were so good for you . Good advice on the pain meds - and the comfy trousers!

Take your big pants, nighties, sanitary towels, mags to read on way (you might be put back for an emergency), clothes for baby nappies etc.

But best of all, sit back and enjoy, they are really really nice and relaxed. If they have radio f**king 2 on as you enter, tell them you want radio 4 or whatever, they will acquiesce, I promise. Chat to the people around you. We had a debate about policing in GB as my birth partner was my best mate who is a copper and it was all very like being on Mumsnet really.

Then all of a sudden you tell them to get on with it and your baby cries. It's lovely.

Radio 2?! I could cope if it was Steve Wright maybe.... Wonder if they'd have digital? Rather partial to Radio 7 myself!
I can't wait to hear that cry - getting myself worked up after someone told me that elective section babies can have problems getting their breathing started.

DS didnt' cry until they stuck the pin in, but DD was crying whilst still inside. They are all different. I can tell you now that the 2nd time, I really didn't think I was having a baby as I was too busy debating, but the cry does it.

It is a lovely experience and I wish you all the the best.