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Childbirth

Preparing for a Caesar

35 replies

eidsvold · 10/11/2004 10:12

Despite my best intentions and desires - I am unable to have a VBAC and so will be having an elective caesar on Monday. Last time it was an emergency caesar and I did not have time to dwell on it or worry about it....

Okay - so anything I need to consider this time to prepare myself for this surgery?!?!

OP posts:

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Jeannette · 26/11/2004 19:11

Hey all, I am new on here and would love to hear some tips on Labour, I had an emergency C-section with my first and i am now 25 weeks pregant with my 2nd, a girl....I have been told at my scan that the placenta is lying low and have to have another scan done at 34 weeks, if its low then I will have to have another c-section..But i dont remember much about the last one, si I am kida looking fo some advice on how to deal with it...:0

eidsvold · 20/11/2004 07:22

well had to wait for a number of hours due to two emergency c-sections and another op but managed to finally get into theatre at about 3pm - so different from dd1 - got to hold her, nurse her in recovery, dh got to see her being born, and cuddle her etc, take pics whilst she was being sorted, and dh got to cut the cord.

Worst thing - fasting from 9pm sunday night - waiting in day surgery room to be taken to theatre with the TV showing adverts for all sorts of food as well as some cooking show ( made me ravenous)

This was brilliant although I am knackered.. no rest in hospital - just glad to be home. Most of the midwives were brilliant... one in particular was soo helpful and professional.

thanks for all your hints and best wishes. Have posted a birth announcement.

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beansprout · 15/11/2004 13:27

Best of luck Eidsvoid! Hope it all went well and you recover quickly

collision · 14/11/2004 10:57

Oxocube!! LOL at the salad......chicken, lettuce, parmesan,mmmmmmm am hungry now!!

All the best Eidsvold. Wish I was having mine tomorrow.

Twiglett · 14/11/2004 10:53

good luck

have fun

I've had 2 c-sections and heartily recommend them (both were elective and much calmer than crash sections)

Gem13 · 14/11/2004 10:52

eidsvold - just realised you must be very close to having your baby now.

I had an elective c-section with my second and it was a lovely experience.

Enjoy the day! I bet you can't wait.

misdee · 14/11/2004 09:39

ooooo you all excited. what the little one going to be called? we will be waiting for an update as soon as you get home lol.

eidsvold · 14/11/2004 09:37

thanks so much for all your hints and ideas... I am off tomorrow morning for my caesar and baby eidsvold should be here about 1 am Monday morning your time....

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NotQuiteCockney · 11/11/2004 15:19

Straws! So you can drink lying down. Lots of books to read in hospital.

I had my second section 7 weeks ago. First was elective, second was emergency, but not hurried. Before the second one, I went through my memories of the first one to work out what went wrong (not enough oxygen in my brain, so I rejected the oxygen mask, duh, and a few more things besides). Then I worked out how to avoid those problems. So if there are specific problems from the first one, it's best to face those now.

My second section was much better than my first. No oxygen problems, no feeding problems with DS2, and I got out after 30 hours or so! So good luck!

tweetyfish · 11/11/2004 10:40

I am also booked in for an elective caesar next friday... I have bought a tub of 30 Arnica and was just wondering when I should start taking it and how much/often? I have only ever used the cream for DS's bruises before...
So nice to hear of positive experiences, I had an emergency Caesar last time and keep dreaming this time round that the consultant wants to do the surgery in my back garden!!

oxocube · 11/11/2004 07:19

I quickly read the title of this thread and thought you meant the salad

unicorn · 11/11/2004 00:35

Don't try to do too much when you are out of the hospital.. (and if you can- stay in as long as possible.. it's much nicer having people looking after you!!!)

All the best.. let us know how it goes.. and pass on your tips too!!!!

highlander · 11/11/2004 00:31

do write a birth plan and make sure everyone in theatre reads it BEFORE they start!

I also requested oral vit K for my baby which went against the grain but they did it anyway.

Extra pillows cos they never give you enough.

Do get up and walk around the same day - I had a CS at 8am and was walking by 3pm. Within reason, the more you move in those early days the better your recovery will be.

Don't rush to get the catheter removed - if you have a CS in the morning you may feel able to get to the loo by night but I personally found it nice not to have to worry about walking there and it meant I could really go mad with rehydration - necessary for your first easy bowel movement!

Don't rush to get home - those 'adjustomatic' hospital beds are great for the first few days

Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!

PS sorry if this rambles a bit - DS's naps are a bit short!

Quackers · 10/11/2004 20:22

Good luck!!! xxx

eidsvold · 10/11/2004 19:14

thanks so much for all your messages and ideas.... although I am up early ( my time) can't sleep - unusual for me... I am feeling a lot calmer about all of this.

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mummytummy · 10/11/2004 14:42

Like you, first was emergency after a v. lengthy labour, 2nd I was told my pelvis was too small (thanks for letting me go through such a long labour 1st time then!!) Second time is much calmer and a much better experience plus you get a full nights sleep! Take plenty of pillows with you. Take a carrier bag of things you may need once transferred to your hospital bed, so these can be put by your bedside within reach. Lots of magazines as you will be in there for a few nights, and things that you can do with your youngest when they visit. We bought some childrens magazines and jigsaws, together with a supply of sweeties which we put in the baby's hospital cot every time she came to visit so she could find them and show interest in the baby!! There is also a book called Ceasarean Recovery which my husband bought, and it has lots of postnatal exercises. Recovery for me was much quicker 2nd time round.

aloha · 10/11/2004 14:39

And agree with birth plan - this time they won't weigh my baby before she comes to us. Longest five minutes of my life!

aloha · 10/11/2004 14:36

Big pants!

fio2 · 10/11/2004 13:56

agree with merlot and mancmum. My elective was a dream compared to the horrendous emergency section I had the first time. Lot of luck eidsvold xxx

lulupop · 10/11/2004 13:52

Get a bikini wax so you don't have itchy regrowth!

zephyrcat · 10/11/2004 11:08

My first was an emergency caesar, secont time i fought hard to get an elective and it was just amazing! You will find it an extremely calm and wonderful experience. I couldn't think of a better way to give birth!! Because you aren't tired from a labour you are able to spend the whole day with dh/dp and the baby. My scar healed really quickly and with no problems.
All the best with yours - you'll be fine

MancMum · 10/11/2004 11:00

I have had 2 electives - and I would prepare yourself for an amazing, painfree experience - I had nopain, was walking around 12 hours later, would recommned a V shaped pillow for feeding if your scar is sore - mine never was and coped with 10lb baby lying on it...

My only regrets from first one are not having music playing and not having baby given to mequicker - although wrestling out of my DH's arms would have taken a couple of grown men!! With second I bf 45 mins after DD was born...

Both mine were excellent experiences - in fact we were told off for laughing during both of them.. which could explain the wobbly scar!!

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merlot · 10/11/2004 10:43

My second caesar (elective) first caesar was emergency, was such a calm and positive experience There was no rush and I had some sleep the night before and it was beautiful. Hope yours is the same

Marina · 10/11/2004 10:41

Definitely arnica. Also lay in some Floradix iron tonic if they have that in Oz, much more digestible than ferrous sulphate pills, and some oil of peppermint which is wonderful for any trapped wind.
eidsvold, do also consider the possibility that you may be more laid low by the op than you imagined. My second elective went fine up to a point...but I had to have both a drain and a blood transfusion, and seeing me all tubed up spooked ds (a bit older than your dd at the time and that might make a difference, of course).
If you had planned to have dd visit the day of the surgery, or the next, it might be helpful to have a contingency babysitter available.
Best of luck, I never got my VBAC either. But I do have two gorgeous children and so will you soon I hope.

eidsvold · 10/11/2004 10:34

going in Fri for preadmission appt - discuss all things with midwife and prep for surgery so will go through birthplan again with her I think.

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