Tell me your c section story's

[whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho]

Hi This is my first child and I have a c section booked in two weeks. I am really nervous tell me some of your experiences

I had a planned c section when I had my twins. It was very calm, I had a great sleep the night before so I was well rested and although it felt a bit surreal the whole experience was fine. I had so many people in theatre because I was having twins and they were all completely calm and lovely.

Obviously it’s painful but I found that I recovered quite quickly and it’s very manageable.

There is no point worrying about it (I know it’s hard not to) as it is still a couple of weeks away but try to put it to the back of your mind. Also remember it’s exciting- you will be meeting your baby for the first time.

Good luck- it will be fine.

@Della1 how painful was it x

I've had two emergency c sections and both were fine considering they were emergencies. Yours is planned so should go like clockwork.
Pre section ask what pain relief will be available after section as you need to keep on top of your pain relief. It is very sore because you've never been cut open before but it does get better. Take it easy and do not do too much too soon even if you feel better. I felt super after my first but ended back in A&E as my scar opened 10 days later because I was flying around and back to normal. I didn't repeat it the second time. Make sure you rest the days leading up to it, massage, meditation, music whatever calms you down.
Remember you're meeting your baby, best of luck!

@Mishmased thank you xx

I've had two, both brilliant.

The actual op is fine. They give you the spinal and then check you're numb before starting - I had no clue they'd actually started. When they're getting the baby out you feel some tugging, someone described the feelings during the op as being like they're doing the washing up in your tummy which is about right! You'll probably feel a bit lightheaded and nauseous at the start because your blood pressure will drop, but they'll give you something for it and you'll quickly feel better.

They'll hold the baby up for you to see, then bring them over to be checked. They take the placenta out with the baby, so on DC1, DH cut the cord. DC2 needed a bit of help so he didn't get to on her. They give the baby a quick check, weigh etc then bring them over to you. That's very quick provided all is well. You can hold the baby then, although i preferred not to while lying down so DH held them and sat by my head.

DH took the babies to recovery while they cleaned me up, moved me from the table back to the bed etc (just a couple of minutes). I then breastfed both in recovery, and ebf with no issues at all.

I never had much pain. Take the painkillers given to keep on top of it, don't wait to tell pain before taking them. If you're still in pain, they can give you something stronger so don't be shy about asking (I never needed it but some do). Get in lots of paracetamol and ibuprofen in advance - you go through a lot and with the restrictions on the amount you can buy it's a bit of a pain, so start picking up a couple of packs with each shop now.

Drink lots of water and eat things like dried fruit to prevent constipation.

Honestly, it's fine. I felt much more human once the catheter was out and felt a little bit better each day. Good luck!

I really didn't want one even though it was clearly the most sensible option for me. I cried after my first meeting with the consultant because I really wanted to try again 'naturally' but didn't feel like I could justify the risks involved. I used to have this weird (totally unfounded) worry that not being born when they were meant to would affect my baby mentally and we wouldn't bond or something.

Prior to my section the consultant walked my through a sort of birth plan. Did I want to bring my own music, did I want curtain up or down when baby was delivered, who would cut the cord, would we have skin on skin, what type of stitches would I prefer etc. That really helped me feel like I wasn't just a passive participant in the process and speaking to other people that have had sections at my hospital, is normal procedure and not just because I was being a right whinge over the whole thing.

The actual thing felt like a really civilised way to have a baby. We dropped ds off at my mums and then went in and waited around for a bit. There was six people due to have sections that day. Then when it was my turn to go in, I was amazed at how quickly they got the baby out. The doctors were chatting to me the whole time and said that getting the baby out is the quick bit, it's stitching you back up that takes a while. Smooth radio was playing and they put the baby on my chest for skin on skin while they stitched me back up and it was just lovely. It didn't hurt but some parts felt a bit weird as though someone had their hands in my stomach.

I found the first couple of days of recovery tough but was amazed by how much better I felt each day. By day 6 I felt fine and by day 10 back to normal although the midwife did remind me that there was still a bit of healing going on under the surface.

Basically I loved my section and I wish I hadn't spend the months prior to it whinging about it. 8/10 would definitely recommend 🙂.

Also it definitely didn't 'mentally affect' my baby - they're very chilled and affectionate so don't know why the fuck I was worrying about that

I've had two. I'm type 1 diabetic, almst 6' and both babies were over 10lbs. With my first my waters broke at 37 weeks so I had to go in earlier than booked. I felt sick after the spinal but the op itself was fine. Afterwards you cant move and have a catheter. The tricky bit was it was a very busy ward and I couldn't pick my baby up and was kind of left, but once I could move it was ok. Going to the toilet was uncomfortable at first. And I must have missed the memo in antenatal class about how much and for how long you bleed after giving birth.
Went home after four days and went out to a restaurant the next day - felt fine and breastfed in public so got that over with! No one could believe he was just five days old as he looked a good three months!
Second I lost a lot of blood and had to have a drain attached afterwards. My baby was ill so stayed in NICU for a few days. But I was ok - again out and about as soon as we got home.
I stuck to the rules about not driving for six weeks, which just made me walk everywhere which was a good thing.

@Pipandmum im sacred about losing a lot of blood as I am anemic

I had an emergency C section 4 months ago.

I went from labour to C section in like 5 minutes so didn't have time to worry about it prior but I would have another one. I felt nothing during and yes there is pain afterwards but by day 9 I was pretty much back to normal. It is frustrating not being able to do everything you want to but the time passes very quickly

[quote whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho]@Pipandmum im sacred about losing a lot of blood as I am anemic [/quote]
With a planned section, there's every chance you won't lose much more blood than in an uncomplicated natural delivery.

With my elective, I did have a big loss (2L) because I had a big baby in an awkward position. They told me on the way to recovery that I may need a transfusion and would feel very tired, but it was actually fine. I didn't need a transfusion (although everyone else in my FB group who had a loss that big did), just iron tablets and I didn't feel any more tired than on DC1 where I'd had a more normal loss for a c section.

Also, remember that there is no pain free, guaranteed easy way to get a baby out! Everyone should be mentally planning in some recovery time, regardless of how the baby arrives.

@whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho It was sore and hurt to walk for the first couple of days but you get given lots of pain relief. Also remember that they had to get two babies out of me. I would do it all again. Think of the baby at the end.

Also, I’m anemic and had a blood transfusion after my 3dc.
It made me feel better immediately.

But as above you will be given the option of iron tablets. I went from ghostly white to normal in a matter of minutes with the transfusion.

[quote whoeverthrewthatpaperyamomsaho]@Pipandmum im sacred about losing a lot of blood as I am anemic [/quote]
I am due my third section in May and I requested my notes from previous sections. I lost 400ml of blood on both times. I am borderline anemic with platelet issues so I had a spinal block for my first instead of an epidural. They take all this into consideration. I'm sure you're seeing a hematologist and closer to the time you will see an anesthetist so they plan well in advance.
Honestly it is over in minutes, dont be stressing. This is coming from someone with two crash c sections 😁

@Mishmased not been told anything about seeing anyone like that only person I'm seeing is my midwife and when they booked me in at the hospital they just said to come in on the 23rd of November to have blood tests and a COVID test then return on the 26th for the actual c section

Was in and out the room Within like 10 minutes they didn't explain much to me just signed the papers and Told me the dates 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

If you have any conditions noted on your file, they will plan accordingly. Maybe raise it with your midwife on your next visit. And take it easy, you will be meeting your baby soon.x

Virtually pain free, wonderful experiences.
Back to normal within a few days.
I lost 250ml of blood, which is less than they expect for an uncomplicated vaginal birth.
I felt great and was sat up, cuddling a baby, and munching chocolate biscuits within an hour, on the ward.

I was induced due to reduced movements. 36 hours later i was on 2cm dilated. Had the epidural and then the baby was in distress so emergency c section.

I just remember shaking the whole time, couldn't control my hands and teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

I didn't feel thing, next thing u know baby is out and I couldn't physically hold her as couldn't stop shaking.

I don't remember any pain and I literally went home within 14 hours.

Was constipated for days. Staples were removed a week later and never had any pain in between.

Remember at day 3/4 after the c-section you will be an emotional mess and will cry at the drop of a hat (i found out after lol but it's a real thing). Xx

I had an emergency c-section after pushing for well over an hour due to baby's position. I lost 2.5l of blood and had to have a transfusion. I also had to have a drain attached to collect blood. It was very hectic and frantic experience. I didn't have time to be scared as it happened so quickly. I was in a lot of pain after and very immobile.

My surprise elcs was magic. I saw on my notes I lost 500ml of blood I think, I was also anaemic so they gave me some iron tablets to go home with.

I was terrified of having a section, but the anaesthetist really took the time to put my mind at rest. She checked multiple times that I was numb, told me that whatever happened she had my back and could counter it (scared I’d freak out, I’d be sick, I’d feel it, the meds would stop working etc etc), and nothing started happening until I was ready. Basically, she made me feel in complete control of the situation and that we would be absolutely fine.

She was right. Each twin had their own team as did I, and when DD was born struggling to breathe the room filled up with more medics who’d been on standby. It was utterly amazing how quickly everything happened and that there were so many people who cared and were there to help us. DD was fine btw, we joke now that there wasn’t anything wrong with her, she just didn’t like not being first and the centre of attention

If I were to have any more babies, I’d definitely have another section. It was wonderful!

Oh yeah a pp has reminded me about the constipation afterwards. I was more scared of having the poo I'd been brewing for ten days after my kid was born than I was of any of my previous vaginal births. Do yourself a favour and get yourself some dulcolax and maybe start to think about taking it if you haven't been by day 3. Don't leave it a week and a half like this dickhead.

I've had all 4 of mine by cs. First was because his heart rate dropped very low during a labour which wasn't progressing quickly enough. It was my dad who noticed because the midwife buggered off even though I was supposed to be continuously monitored and had a scalp monitor on. He almost died and spent 10 days in scbu. I also developed a couple of nasty infections which took me off my feet and an allergy to antibiotics which made me hallucinate. I suffered ptsd and pnd afterwards and couldn't establish bf, which really upset me. When I found out I was having dc2, I was given the choice of Vbac or cs. I chose cs because I wanted more control of the situation. Best decision ever. It was fantastic I felt so much under control and was up and about the same day. Only paracetamol after 24 hours and I even managed to bf for a bit. I went on to have another 2 cs births both wonderful joyful experiences with no issues whatsoever.

To add actually, I read today that only 6 in 1000 c-sections result in blood loss equal to and over 2.5l. My section was cat 1 and blood loss life threatening.

I have had two, both emergencies because of life threatening complications in labour.
It was a long time ago now so times have changed for the better so I have been informed.Because of this I am not going to tell you anymore.
I will only say congratulations for being allowed to have a planned section!.That was unheard of when I had mine.