2nd baby, first C-section - NERVES

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

Booked in for my first elective section tomorrow. To say I am nervous is an understatement! I've had a horrible pregnancy this time round and suffering horrifically with SPD. This will be my first operation too. Normally I am quite a calm, rational woman but I am completely on edge I wont lie! Though I cannot wait to finally meet my girl.
Anyone have any words of wisdom or last minute advice for a very nervous mama?

Thank you 😊 x

Anyone? 🙉

All I can say is, I know you will be nervous, but my c section was a wonderful experience. So very calm and still felt very special. We were looked after so well and we had a wonderful hour post surgery just staring at our daughter! We didn't take our phones so we could just soak up the moment.

Biggest piece of advice - take the drugs! The oramporh was just wonderful. Also get out of bed as soon as you can. The sooner you move, the sooner you can shower, have your canula and catheter out and start to feel a bit normal.

Good luck :)

@TH22 Hey thank you for replying! All the staff up at the hospital have been lovely so far so I can't fault the care on that front (been in and out of the labour ward for various reasons this pregnancy) I'll definitely take whatever drugs I can though I'm going to try breast feeding so I'm not sure if it's a bit limited on the really strong stuff lol. I think my problem is I'm getting into my head about the things that could potentially go wrong and convincing myself I'm going to be one of the unlucky ones! The only saving grace is that I'm the only elective booked in tomorrow so would only be pushed back if an emergency came through at least.
Sounds like you had a lovely experience and congrats! 😊

Luckily you can have oramorph whilst breastfeeding!

I would take things like a long charging lead and lip balm, etc. Pack a small bag of things you want to hand. A separate bag of things you need for you / baby and then a bag in the boot for spares! Rather than overpacking at the hospital. Don't forget the snacks!

Good luck again :)

I had my first c-section with my second child. Amazing experience. No problem breastfeeding and taking painkillers ( they give you appropriate ones). Keep on top of pain meds for the first week (even if you feel fine) as it really helps. My recovery was far quicker than my vaginal birth. Wishing you all the best

Had a c section with my first, honestly it's absolutely fine ❤️ just make sure you keep on top of the pain meds afterwards!

@TH22 I've got seperate bags for things I need close by and DP is going to help me set up everything up on the ward before he leaves then he's allowed to visit for a couple of hours afterwards. Thank you for the advice! 😊

@StarDanced I had a long long recovery from my vaginal birth with my DD. I only laboured for 4.5 hours but it was so intense, painful and scary. My boobs are leaking colostrum like nobodies business at the moment so I'm hoping I can establish the breastfeeding pretty quickly, again something I didn't do with my DD as I was in such shock after the birth. Thank you for the well wishes! 😊

@brushlaptop Thank you! I will be sure to keep up with the meds, I'm making it a priority for sure! X

Had a planned section with my first. I went into theatre at 11, he was born at 11.23, and I was in recovery by 12.

I didn't feel any pain during it, but did feel a bit of pressure.

Keep on top of your medication after. I have no comparison as I've never delivered vaginally but I would have no concerns if I needed another section.

@Nichola2310 how did you find the spinal/cannula? I've no idea why as I've got absolutely no fear of needles but the spinal does put the fear in me for some reason. The cannula I can probably deal with but I know I'm gonna be a bit shakey when they get me sat up on the bed 🙉

@MyGrassIsBrowner I have no recollection of it which means it mustn't have been that bad!

I also had chronic back pain so the spinal was a welcome relief. It was the first day in 18mths I was pain free.

@MyGrassIsBrowner from what iv seen a spinal and epidural are very different. Most people claim they don't even feel the spinal being done!

I am due next April and already know I need a plan section due to my previous birth! Its my worst fear so iv done lots of research and everyone seems to think its the best thing ever (after a traumatic vaginal delivery)

Heres my list iv got so far from research 😂

C-section recovery

•Get out of bed sit in chair the night baby born if goes well, ask midwife for help.
•walk little and often
•lots of water
•keep on top of pain relief
•lots of rest
•hold a cushion on scar if sneeze/cough

•put ice to numb skin before injections.

•After
Pukka herbs motherkind baby tea
Bed tray

Arnica tablets?
Belly band
Hot water bottle
Cold towel in the fridge

Medication
-Oramorph

Oh ladies thank you so much for your lovely reassuring replies! I'm nil by mouth now (more upset about that I think haha!!!)
I will be sure to update you tomorrow with the new arrival! 🥰 xx

I've had 2, one emergency one elective but both lovely. Catheter goes in after they've done your spinal and to take it out midwife just said give me a cough and pulled it out and honestly barely felt it. Be prepared to feel a bit sleepy after, I had my elective at 8.30am and after 30 mins on the recovery ward I could have fallen straight asleep but it's just the drugs wearing off. Spinal going on is fine, the staff will be chatting away to you and each other, ours had the radio on, you really get the vibe in the room of everyone being relaxed and just like any other team going about their day job. My surgeons were chatting away about brass bands during mine! Theatre will feel cold when you first go in.
Be prepared for your legs to swell for the week after, perfectly normal and will go the more walk about.
Ask for your gown to be put under your armpits once you're in theatre so you can pop baby on your chest for skin to skin.
I feel excited for you, try to enjoy the experience it's still so magical!

Why are you NBM now? What time are you going into hospital?

Fasting for anaesthesia in the UK is 6hrs for food (don't have something ridiculously heavy like a fry up 6hrs before but toast/ cereal etc is fine)
2hrs for clear fluids like water/ squash/ black tea/ coffee.

As anaesthetists we like it if people aren't hungry and thirsty....

@kt12mum Oh thank you, your experience sounded lovely!! The midwife did mention they would probably have the radio on and mentioned dont be worried when you walk into theatre and it's cold haha.
I'm wanting my DP to have first hold and skin to skin as this is our last bubs and I had all that with my DD. I'm happy for skin to skin when I go round to recovery. Thank you for your kind words, feeling much more relaxed now! Although I'll be nervous in the morning haha!

@MauveMavis They told me I have to be nil by mouth from 8pm. I go into hospital for 8am in the morning x

It should be very pleasant and calm.

@Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby I have everything crossed for that to be the case 😌

It'll be lovely ☺ the spinal is just a slight bit of discomfort then your legs go all lovely and numb (like you're drunk!!) and they swing you round so you're lying down. Then it's just a bit of pushing and pulling senstaion then baby is out super quick. I felt DD slither out and all the pressure go from my chest and it felt wonderful. Nice calm sewing up job and then you're on your way to snuggle your lovely baby. My recovery was fine, I don't recall any pain so it can't have been bad, I just remember feeling a bit tender and sore to start with. Good luck, you will be absolutely fine.

I had an emergency for my first and an elective for my second & the elective was just the best thing in the world. I work in theatres so see spinal/epidurals a lot but I was just absolutely amazed by how they actually feel and got verbal diarrhoea about how amazing everything was. Slightly embarrassing when the surgeon & anaesthetist are people I work with.

I found the spinal a little uncomfortable but nothing major, afterwards as long as I kept up with my pain relief I was absolutely fine & home within 24 hours. It was just incredible from start to finish even though my husband wasn't able to be with us on the ward. We also managed to establish breastfeeding really well & are still going almost a year later!

I hope everything goes well for you in the morning (I'm sure it will), just remember that although it is totally extraordinary for you for the people who work in theatres it's their every day so they will be absolute pros at it.

[quote MyGrassIsBrowner]@kt12mum Oh thank you, your experience sounded lovely!! The midwife did mention they would probably have the radio on and mentioned dont be worried when you walk into theatre and it's cold haha.
I'm wanting my DP to have first hold and skin to skin as this is our last bubs and I had all that with my DD. I'm happy for skin to skin when I go round to recovery. Thank you for your kind words, feeling much more relaxed now! Although I'll be nervous in the morning haha!

@MauveMavis They told me I have to be nil by mouth from 8pm. I go into hospital for 8am in the morning x[/quote]
As per @MauveMavis those fasting instructions are bonkers. Might be worth phoning the labour ward if that is really what they’ve told to do to find out why (they’ll prob be able to speak to an anaesthetist and get some sensible instructions!). Over fasting is not good for you so it really is worth clarifying tonight if you can. (DOI: also an anaesthetist)

@ShipshapeShore @MrsStrongman Oh wow, you ladies are really filling me with so much positivity now! I've had really terrible SPD so deep down I'm quite excited about the prospect of being numb in that area!

I think that's what I cant quite wrap my head around, for them it's just another day at the office. All theatre staff are totally incredible!

@Greybeardy
Apparently thats the policy at my hospital, however, I have just finished a Burger King and I will be heading to bed soon anyway as I want to make sure I am well rested for the morn 😊

@MyGrassIsBrowner it won’t be hospital policy re: fasting.

We all follow the same international guidelines. The person who gave you the information got it wrong. I’m prepared to put money on it!!

Honestly it is totally fine. The recovery was way easier than I expected. I had an easier recovery and less longterm effects than my friends who had vaginal births tbh.

My top tips are:

• keep the painkillers up as frequently as they tell you to for as long as they tell you to. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security and stop taking them. Keeping pain at bay is much easier than getting it back under control. I was given this advice by a lot of people. I didn't test out what would happen if I didn't take them and I'm glad as had very minimal pain.

• get some very high waisted cotton knickers (Amazon have them if no-one can pick them up). They helped me feel a lot more comfortable and supported post surgery.
• tell everyone that will listen that you plan to breastfeed and would like support with it so that they can help you as needed.
• if your partner isn't allowed to stay with you don't be afraid to push the buzzer for help as much as you need to.

Good luck! You'll be just fine

Wishing you well for tomorrow.

I had a section for my second and yes I was very nervous, but I was never ever scared or terrified like I had been during an awful first vag childbirth.

I found the whole thing so exhilarating and positive and just so happy! I’d do it again tomorrow.

Yes, I did have a low moment when I got in a taffle with my catheter tubes and a flooded maternity pad and a crying baby, on my own in the post natal room (cheers covid!) but- they sorted me out in a flash and it was plain sailing from then.

Try and enjoy it, or at least embrace it. tell them your nervous, they will look after you.

It's probably too late as you're probably on your way to the hospital/theatre now but on the subject of cannula and spinal I'm not good with needles (I need to lie down to have bloods taken) but I've had both of those and they were absolutely fine. Take a deep breath and don't look!

I had a section with my first and the staff were fabulous- they made such an effort to make it a pleasant experience. There was no pain only pressure and my recovery was much quicker than I expected (I was able to walk to the pub the following weekend!).

Main thing is you get to meet your lovely baby- it's an operation for sure but it should be quick and straightforward.

Good luck!