Elective C-section positive stories

[gonewithtthewind]

Hi,

I'm currently 35 weeks with my first baby. Due to trauma from childhood I've decided to have an elective c section on the 2nd of Feb. I would love a natural birth but feel it's not something I'd be able to cope with. My consultant has made my elective so there are no males, as few people as possible and just seem like a pleasant experience. I'm not worried about the procedure but I am worried about the catheter that I'll need and that going in. I'm also worried about the clothing situation, do I need to be completely naked? As this is what I've seen online. I'm very scared about the recovery and the recovery process.

Just wondering if anyone can talk me through the experience? How it went for you ect?

Thank you 😊

Hi OP. I completely understand where you are coming from. My recollection re the catheter is hazy but I think that was done under general anaesthetic in my case, so I expect once the anaesthetic is given. I wore a hospital gown. As I said I was under general anaesthesia because of a risk of haemorrhage and I had a complicated delivery as my DD is disabled and her little legs were like a frog (out from the hips) and rigid.
Recovery was ok.
As she was in ICU I was able to walk to her less than 24 hours after the surgery but it was slow and sore. It feels like a deep burning pain but they give medication to help. I was travelling on the London Underground within 48 hours without much pain.
I wish you the best of luck.
And ask for help with pain/getting up when you need it.

My elective was bliss, I felt absolutely in control despite being completely immobile! The catheter went in after I’d had the spinal, and I wore the hospital gown throughout so no nakedness up the top anyway! I had the screen up so couldn’t see anything (I am easily grossed out and was already super panicky) and everyone really took the time to make sure I was happy, talked me through things and left me feeling like whatever happened they knew how to get us all through it (I have twins).

Due to my bump size they got the spinal in on the second go. I’d recommend some mindfulness/YouTube hypnotherapy on how to focus your mind to a happy place for that needle, I was seriously freaked out on the first go which is why it didn’t go in properly but went to my happy place on the second go and it was all fine.

This isn’t what you asked, but make sure you have things in to help you go for the first poo after your section. I didn’t and that was agonising. Sorry for the tmi, but thought I’d mention it in case you weren’t told 🥴

Good luck!

Oh, and pop a maternity pad on top of your giant knickers over your scar/wound afterwards, it’s so much more comfortable for moving around/getting home!

Hello @gonewithtthewind congrats! I had an elective in September following an emergency 9 yrs ago. My team happened to be all women and it was FANTASTIC. I was really nervous as my emergency was GA so I had nothing to compare too. I had 2 hospital gowns on, one normally tied at the back and another like a dressing gown to cover the back. Once in theatre everyone introduced themselves and I took the outside gown off they untied the other one and gave my spinal. After the spinal once numb then they place catheter but you can't feel anything. I wasn't naked they just lifted the gown up and once they place all the drapes you are well covered. Gown was taken off one arm to allow for skin to skin and breast feeding once baby is delivered if that's part of your birth plan. Recovery is good, within half an hour in recovery I was having tea and toast and catheter out after 12 hours. Up and moving around shortly after using paracetamol and ibuprofen (they had oramorph available if needed). Good luck I hope it all goes well for you!

Hi, I just want to say that my elective section was amazing and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. In regards to nudity, I had the classic hospital gown that opens in the back with nothing underneath and my own dressing gown on while walking to theatre. I then took my dressing gown off and sat on the bed with my back exposed for the spinal to go in. Once it's working you lay down and they put the screen up. The gown stays on the whole time. The catheter goes in after the spinal and you're honestly not aware at all. The catheter stays in for a few hours after and removal was done on the ward by the midwife. I didn't really feel anything. On the day just discuss your feelings with whoever is looking after you and I'm sure they will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable. At no point did I feel undignified.

In terms of recovery, I recovered very quickly. I was expecting to really struggle but it was fine. The first night is sore but the hospital will keep on top of your pain killers and help you with anything you need. I was discharged the day after surgery, but you don't have to leave if you don't feel ready. They sent me home with plenty of pain killers. I didn't use them all. Just take it easy but don't be afraid to move. The worst thing was when I had a sudden tickly cough on the fist night.

Overall it was a wonderful experience. Just make sure to discuss your feelings and make sure to ask for help when you need it.

I can't add much more than has already been said.
I had an emergency csec with eldest, then opted for planned for my second.
It was calm, even pleasant.
The pain is as expected for surgery, but managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen. If you get stronger pain meds (as my best friend did) you can end up doing too much too soon and it hindered her healing, but she did a 3k walk 3 days after her csec!

When you get home, try tying a dressing gown cord to the bed post near your feet. Really helps to pull yourself up with!

Peppermint tablets or tea to help disperse the gas that enters the abdomen during surgery. Can feel like shoulder pain.

I mostly lurk on mumsnet but do have to reply here. I had an elective c section (as did 3/8 of my nct class) while 2 others had scheduled ones when natural wasn't an option (so planned but not their ideal scenario). All 5 of us had a good experience and speak highly of it!

Not much to add on the details of gown / catheter etc, felt dignified, I was nervous about the spinal but no issue. I found my stress was waiting for the call the previous day to know what time I'd be going in and then I found the pain to really ramp up afterwards on day 3-5 when I turned / twisted. I was doing stairs fine and was up and walking pretty quickly. Would 100% do it again and it was the right choice for me.

Good luck and congratulations!

Just to echo what has already been said. You are never fully naked. You’ll always have a hospital gown on and everything felt very respectful. I was third on the list so had to wait a little while before I was called down, I found listening to a mindfulness meditation specific to c-sections SO helpful and despite nerves I found myself in quite a zen state when I was called down.

The catheter was put in after I was laying down and full numb. I got it taken out when I was able to stand and this was done privately in one of the bathrooms by a very kind healthcare assistant. It came out quickly and just felt like a little nip. Literally talking seconds for it to come out. Really nothing to worry about I promise! I also quite liked not having to think about getting up for a wee for a while afterwards!

Ive had both a natural birth and elective section. Recovery is different for both but the big thing about a section is you need to commit to taking it easy afterwards. Is this your first baby? It was my second and I found it rough having a child to already look after but if this is your first please don’t push yourself. The more you can relax and gently start moving again the better. Get a cleaner in if you can, let someone pass you the baby for a little bit, buy some meals from COOK in advance etc. Do not put pressure on yourself to get back to “normal”. I started cleaning and loading the washing machine at 2 weeks and that wasn’t my best move!

2 kids by c-sec both healthy, both breastfed & I don't pee my pants like some of my friends (now in our late 40's)

My elective was an amazing experience.

I had an elective after a bad vaginal birth first time and yes, it’s hard but I found the recovery from from the ELCS much easier than recovery from the traumatic (episiotomy in theatre after long transition) VB. I won’t have another probably but if I did it’d be an ELCS all day long. It meant everything to me to have a calm birth with a lovely cuddle after compared to being so shaken after my VB that I couldn’t hold DD. Good luck!

Sorry I didn't get your point? Why do your other friends pee their pants? Why don't you?

I don’t think this is super complicated? My pelvic floor was destroyed by my 3hr active labour with a large baby. Yes I have significant issues with scar and overhang but I’m delighted I didn’t ruin my already shaky pelvic floor with another vaginal birth.

Mine was an emergency section in the sense it wasn't planned but baby just wasn't for coming, and my waters had burst a day before, so between deciding a section was the best option and getting it it was about half an hour. They put my catheter in with just numbing cream, yeah it wasn't pleasant but I mean it was more the weird sensation than actual pain. After the spinal and once it wore off I didn't even know it was in. Id imagine with a planned section they'll do it after the spinal epidural and then you'll honestly not even notice it apart from wheeling it about. Apart from that my section was great, up n about in a couple of hours and only over counter co codamols after the first day. Was back home pottering about doing light bits and bobs and looking after baby the next night.

You won’t be naked, you’ll get a gown and some lovely paper pants.
I didn’t breast feed, so stayed covered up.
Catheter is painless going in, stings for a second coming out- it’s fine. A bit like three seconds of cystitis.
Incision hurts, feels like you’ve done 1,000 sit ups or been punched by Mike Tyson- so take all the meds you can/if you can. It does subside, it’s not agonising, just very uncomfortable. I think I seemed to be in a lot more pain than other mums though. I guess everyone is different.

I loved my belly band, as I’m very squeamish and didn’t like the feeling of my tummy jiggling around. It felt protected with the band. Get some big pants, you won’t want elastic digging in the incision or resting on the dressings.
I felt fine by around day 7.

I refrained from dog walking for six weeks- I’ve a huge, strong dog. You’ll be able to lift your baby though.
I didn’t bath as the advice then was to only have a quick shower and avoid getting the wound wet to avoid infection.

Ensure you have lots of sanitary products and breast pads.

I had an emcs and was so knackered I don’t remember much, but I was wearing a long baggy T-shirt in labour and kept it on for the cs. There was no way I could have changed with the epidural already in and drips
in my hand. So a gown could be negotiable. I didn’t have skin to skin afterwards as I was shaking too much but you might want to think about clothing in terms of what’s easiest for skin to skin, because hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy that time.
Catheter came out really easily.

i was booked for a elcs with my second but went into labour early and chickened out of the cs and had a VBAC instead
Both ways were fine and had pros and cons. Needed painkillers afterwards both times!

Honestly I am the biggest wimp on planet earth (hence having a csection for anxiety) and it was so completely FINE! 🤩 I’m doing it again this time, that’s how good it was! Naked under the gown, you hold it shut until you get up on the bed. I had the cannula put in my hand at this point, it was the biggest nip of the entire procedure. The spinal I had built up so much but was completely fine, I don’t even remember it, I just remember the pain in my hand was worse. Lay back, cold spray, left me a little while to make sure I was numb, nurse asked if it was okay to insert the catheter to the anaesthetist and I kind of wish I hadn’t heard that bit as I wanted to be oblivious, I saw her lift the blanket up that was covering me (reassuring that something was covering me!) and she put it in, I expected to feel it but really didn’t, curtain went up and within 90 seconds the curtain was back down and my son was there! Stitched back up, baby on my chest while we waited, wheeled round to recovery and stayed there for a few hours just in disbelief at how straightforward and quick the whole thing was. I was moved up to the ward and could move the bed on the controls to sit up and eat dinner. 8/9 hours after he was born I was helped up to my feet and went extremely slowly to the chair beside the bed. I thought the numbness would be horrible but it’s actually a really nice feeling, I think you’re just on cloud 9 from the baby being there and don’t have to move to do anything or even pee so it’s quite nice! During the night the catheter was taken back out. I dreaded this bit more because I was obviously not numb anymore but she just went under my blanket and slowly pulled it out, there was no pain. It took me a bit of time after going to the toilet and sitting down again and again to actually be able to pee, I just mentally couldn’t. The nurse said it was best to stand up and sit back down. Every time any painkillers were going round I asked for some. The girl next to me asking for liquid morphine at one point just as sensation was coming back in my scar area, it wasn’t at all sore but I was just becoming aware it was there so took the painkillers as well. I’m really glad I did as I was so comfortable all night! Day 2-5 at home is the hardest bit I think. You bleed quite a bit and move about a lot more than you did in hospital. Walking is completely fine and didn’t hurt but obviously you have to walk slow, it’s the sitting down too far into a chair or lying back in bed that’s the killer. It’s so much easier in hospital with the remote controlled bed! I sat on a hard chair a lot of the time so it was easier to get up, rather than sitting back into our deep sofa. Getting out of bed was a mission and I got my husband to push me over a few times to sort of roll my way to the edge and put my feet down. Eventually I slept propped up in my pregnancy pillow for a few nights to save the hassle. By week 2 it gets much easier and by week 3 I was pretty much fine, other than being aware of a really sensitive bit in that area.

Honestly it will be fine, even the recovery was nothing compared to what I expected. Get some peppermint tea or colparmin capsules to get rid of any trapped air from the surgery, that’s what some people say is the sorest but I took colparmin and didn’t have any. Good luck with it

I had an elective c-section last July. It was honestly a truly lovely experience. Everyone was so nice and I felt very in control. I left hospital on an absolute high because I’d had a safe, straight forward birth with a healthy baby - I can honestly say I didn’t experience baby blues at all.

Recovery wasn’t all that bad, a bit sore obviously but I felt pretty good after 2 weeks. It gave me a really good excuse to sit in bed & establish breastfeeding which has continued exclusively & without issues to 6 months+. I drove at 4.5 weeks.

The catheter is placed after the anaesthetic is finished. You can choose to ask that no one stands at that end except for the nurse when it is put in. You do not need to be naked at any point, you will always have a theatre gown on.

Yeah I did assume that was your point. Just didn't understand the need for it. I must have missed that question.

It was just brilliant .I was walking around and picked him up from the nursery24 hrs later.He is 22 yrs old now.

I wasn’t the person you quoted. I just found your pretend confusion a bit twatty

Well I assume you both have the same point to make so it still answered my question. It's called passive aggression I think 🤔 (Though Twatty if you are just as defensive) Either way, the op asked a question so I'm not going to derail the thread.

I didn't even feel the catheter going on as I was numb by that point, it had been a huge worry for me too. Didn't even realise I was naked waist down (must have been) as big screen up from waist down. Never out about the spinal but was very quick and easy. Just relax and take your time. They know what they're doing. The whole experience was bliss and I'd do it in a heartbeat.

*nervous about - not "never out" I meant to say. And to agree with a pp, the cannula in the hand was the bit I hated most (very squeamish in general), so if thats the worst bit I know you'll be fine op! Heard lots of success stories and positive ones about Elcs before I had one and pleased to say they were all true!

I loved my c-section. Mine was an elective due to a breech baby, but I’m fairly certain I would take another one if offered.

I was naked from the waist down for mine though-I assume that’s fairly standard?