C-Section?

[shattered25]

I have pre-eclampsia so unfortunately been in hospital since 31 weeks. I'm hoping if I can remain fairly stable to stay in till 30th March for c-section... may be earlier if things deteriorate.

I am scared :( anyone have a c-section and can say how it is? I've read a bit online and it says you can feel them tugging and pulling when numb :( also they use the epidural which I'm also scared about as I have a massive fear of needles.

They do say if I can make it till 30th March I do have the option of induction, but it all depends nearer the time on risks. So I have sort of ruled it out. Unless anyone thinks it's preferable? Thank you 😊

Hi OP. I had an emergency section. It hadn't even dawned on me it was a possibility and I had done absolutely no research. Because it all happened so fast I was in a complete panic and cried my way through.
In hindsight I wish I had looked it up and watched a couple of YouTube videos on it so I could have relaxed and enjoyed it more!
It's a very quick procedure once you get in the theatre. You don't see the needle as the anesthesiologist is behind you and once you are numb, they just go ahead and get the baby out really quickly.

You do feel a bit of tugging but it's not painful at all. Then you meet the baby, they remove the placenta and you are stitched up and head off to recovery. I remember being surprised at how short the incision was.

The hard part of a section is the few weeks after the birth. I found that I was a bit paranoid about hurting or splitting open the wound, and that coupled with the general soreness after the operation made me feel quite vulnerable.
Stairs were a bit sore to climb and you can't drive, so you are a bit out of action for a few weeks.

It has been a while now, but I remember these being helpful:
Wear really high waisted Granny pants and stick a thick sanitary pad in them against your belly, so it's like a little cushion against the wound.
Use the hairdryer on cold to dry the wound after a shower, so it isn't damp and itchy
When you need to cough hold a cushion against your belly and it is much more comfortable.

I also was induced with another DC, and they do highly recommended an epidural when you are induced, but again, you can't see it, so hopefully that is some consolation!

I feel for you OP. I was in for a long period when I had my DS because my waters broke early and they wouldn't let me home. There was alot of time for thinking and all kinds of labour sounds going on day and night! I hope you are comfortable 😊

See if you can get hold of the positive birth book.

Some great information in there about having a positive c section.

Just curious about the high-waisted pants since I have some really low-cut maternity ones that were recommended for a section since it won't touch the wound. I'm confused now lol, would high-waisted be better than low-waisted?

Sorry meant to quote @Mrshawshouse ! I'm new here :)

@lexicodes I'm can't imagine how low rise would work. Wod the wound not just rub off your clothes? My incision was quite low, like just at the top of where public hair stops!
If you have a good high waisted pair of knickers that don't budge too much, then nothing will be rubbing off the wound.
As I mentioned above, one of the midwives recommended sticking a sanitary pad horizontally inside the top of the front of your knickers, and it acts as a cushion, just incase you are a bit sore initially in the days after.
Best of look whether you go high or low 😊

I think planned c sections are pretty straightforward - they take much more of a toll if you have one after being in labour all day!

But I found my two planned ones fairly easy and recovery as fast, nor was I as limited in movement as I'd expect. Does depend a bit on how good obstetrician and colleagues are at stitching up as well as there's quite a lot of layers, so while I was lucky healing can be a bit Moor fraught if things aren't stitched perfectly.

I had an elective at 39 weeks after being recommended by doctors it was the safest option (I could have had an induction if I’d really wanted one but I didn’t so an easy decision!).

Firstly, it’s normal to be nervous. I think we have these ideas that everyone else getting a section is totally chill about it and skipping into surgery. But the reality is that 99% of us are freaking out (or have done at some stage leading up to it). Be very honest with your anaesthetist if you have any concerns. Mine was a lovely young guy who chatted to me throughout and I can still remember the sentence he was in the middle of saying when my DC2 was born!

I’ll be honest that I didn’t feel a single thing during the procedure, not even the tugging or washing machine feeling some people spoke about. My baby was out within 10 minutes and as soon as they were here I was so consumed by looking at them I barely noticed the time passing before it was all over with.

I’ve had a natural birth with DC1 and having my DC2 by section was absolutely no less magical or special.

Postnatally days 2 and 3 hurt like a bitch. But it’s not in unmanageable if you just keep on top of the meds. I also took arnica which I would recommend. Get a big granny nightie and huge granny pants to wear, don’t be precious on sizing, go big!!!

Hi OP congratulations on your pregnancy and soon to be new baby!

I'm 5wpp after an emergency section and I've found recovery to be faster than I expected but painful especially the first week. I highly recommend peppermint teabags for gas pain, the gas pains were as bad as contractions for me. Also Tenna lady pants - not the most attractive but so comfortable on the incision and good protection for bleeding, go for the larger size so they go nice and high over your scar. Stock up on Paracetamol and ibuprofen now as you will go through them. Also some spray to help remove the sticky bandage/pad they put over your incision, they ripped mine off to change it like it was a plaster and it killed, but my midwife used spray a few days later and it was much easier.

Try not to panic you will get through it, mine was quite rough but its nothing you can't grit your teeth through, you will be fine x