First time LARGE mum, LARGE baby, C section likely - terrified!

[DoesntChristmasDragOn]

Another thread with no initial post!

[HappyMumof2]

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[janeybops]

HM2 - just looked up ds records and he was 65 cm, but no record of head circumference at birth. Although it was 41cm when he was 5 weeks old!

Yes it hurt me too!

[janeybops]

Skribble - you beat me by 3 oz. ds was 11 lb 4 oz!

Totally agree with the bath support thing, but after 3 weeks of struggling wiht baby bath I gave up and just used the big bath. He didn't really fit in anyway by this point!

Did you feel you missed out on the "ohhhh and how old is this little baby phase?" NO one said this to me about ds as YES he did look like a 3 month old already!

[Skribble]

I don't know what the head circumference was but mine weighed 11lb7oz!!!!, not chubby he looked more like a 3 month old. Right up until they sectioned me they were saying 8.5 to 9lbs ( so so wrong).

I know artyjoe might not be on for a while but any other large mums or mums of large babies or even just having a C section I strongly recommend the bath supports for baby that go into baby baths.
I couldn't bath my baby at first, but eventually I managed by being able to lie the baby in the support so that I didn't have to lean right down all the time to get my hand behind their neck.

My other baby bath tip for struggling mums is to set it up on the stand with the plug over the toilet. I had a very small toilet so it was the only way to fit it in anyway. If you are lucky your shower head might reach to fill it if not use a jug from the sink or bath. Once your done just pull the plug and let it drain down the loo.
It could never have lifted the bath even with a little water in.

[HappyMumof2]

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[janeybops]

Good luck artyjoe - have been following this thread. Let us know how big this 'big' baby really is won't you!! I am holding my breath in anticipation!!!! Will it beat my 11 lb 4 oz?????

[SoupDragon]

Good luck!!

[artyjoe]

Thanks so much for all your advice, lots of things I would never have thought of or anticipated so I feel a bit more armed now I have more information.

I'm still in denial at the moment so no doubt I'll need therapy after tomorrow, but hey, if it gets me through the night...

Lets hope I'll be out by saturday to post a lovely birth story

[highlander]

good luck artyjoe

the first view of theatre is frightening, but just say 'hello, I'm terrified' in a breezy voice and the nurses will be falling over themselves to reassure you. It will be freezing but you'll get warm blankets over you while they faff. Any pain you feel whilst they do the spinal is helpful to the anaesthetist as to how he's placing the needle - don't be frightened to tell them what you feel e.g. I'm feeling a nervey, tingling pain going down my RH side.

Get up ASAP after surgery - 5 hours should do it. Sit on the edge of the bed first and if you're OK, pretend to stand up but then sit down again. If that's OK then stand up. Don't go mad, just walk around the bed then lie down again. After another few hours make a trip to the loo - but ALWAYS make sure your DH is with you. For the first afternoon I let DH to the changing etc - he loved it!

Next day - your dressing should come off - get in the shower and make sure the wound is kept clean - a good dose of shower gel is as good as anything. I had glue and metal staples which were removed on day 4.

Don't be in a rush to get your catheter out. Whilst it's in, do go mad with fluids and fruit juices - both will help to stimulate your bowel. You should fart like crazy a few hours after surgery!

Let the nurses know that you want to self medicate with painkillers. The morphine in your spine will be good for up to 24 hours but you should take paracetamol and Ibuprofen as well to combat inflammation BEFORE you start to feel it. Take the maximum dose for 3-4 days then taper back.

Walk a lot after 48 hours, but SLOWLY! After 48 hours, my DH (a doctor) assured me that the healing process was well under way and that only a huge strain on the wound cause it to burst.

DS howling now!

Very best of luck - you'll have a wee munchkin tomorrow

[HappyMumof2]

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[SecondhandRose]

Hi, just to let you know you will def. need pads, after the surgery you will have a catheter until the next day and also a drip in place.

I got up the next day with help from DH with the idea of going for a wash. I walked behind him with my hands on his shoulders dragging my drip with me. To be honest I didn't feel at all well when we got there (quite dizzy) so we turned round and came back.

I came home after 4 nights for my second section and didn't feel well enough before then. Don't expect to be running around straight after. It's a major op. don't forget.

Don't forget to take BIG knickers for the pads, I also took ear plugs to help me sleep at night (you'll hear the baby, don't worry). They are handy as they'll stop you waking when everyone else's baby cries.

I took my own pillow in for comfort. Take some drinks and snacks and make sure your visitors bring food with them. My Mum was really cross when all they offered me was a curled up corned beef sandwich.

You may want to shave yourself before you go in too (not completely bald but just the top bit).

Ask them not to put the catheter in until you've had the epidural.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[artyjoe]

I must admit I'm very frightened of the scar as I'm big anyway and the baby sat exceptionally low for a long time and has now left a large piece of skin flapping and hanging below my pubic bone - gross I know but I'm worried that this skin will sit over exactly where the cut is...do you think they'll cut it off or is that wishful thinking

Maternity pad is a good tip, and I'll definitely be using mascara and lipgloss!

With regards to the pain I've been in so much due to SPD and both kneecaps 'going' the last two weeks, swollen legs, toes and ankles that I'm actually looking forward to getting a huge amount of drugs in my system

[Gem13]

How exciting!!!

Agree with the answers but wanted to add that a good tip I had was to put a maternity pad against the scar so that it provides extra padding when you are holding your baby.

I got thrown out on the Sunday morning after DD was born Friday lunchtime. She was my second baby though (still felt a bit early!).

IME you have to have a shower but there are usually plastic chairs in the shower so you can sit if you want to. I felt very dizzy when I had my first shower so it's a good idea. I am a bit of a fainter too so I only showered when someone was visiting just in case I passed out! The two hospitals I was in no one would have noticed.

Do ask questions of the staff at any time. I found the delivery staff were really helpful.

Have a lovely day. My DD's birth was one of the best days of my life (DS's 'natural birth' was traumatic) - just wonderful.

[aloha]

Oh, and good luck! It's so lovely to see your baby for the first time.

[aloha]

It WILL hurt a bit afterwards, so don't be at all shy about asking for painkillers. Also sitting up can be tricky - you'll need to hoist yourself up using your arms. I had an excellent electronic bed so I could sit up at the press of a button, but that's a private room for you!

[aloha]

Definitely having a c section tomorrow but can't get certain questions answered to prepare me...

1. Will I still need maternity pads (assuming so but wanted to check) - You will need pads. I hated maternity pads (like bricks!) and used night strength normal pads with wings
   
2. Will I be up and about enough to change nappies and babygrows? - I was - I think (!) but happy to let dh do nappies too. I dressed ds. Actually I dressed him in the recovery room about an hour or two after the surgery - it's all coming back now! I wanted him to have skin to skin before then and just bundled him under my gown and a blanket. Lovely.
   
3. Will hospital sterilise bottles etc and give me the formula I want? My experience was of pre-sterilised little plastic bottles and teats - disposable ones, and the formula that the hospital uses. It's all pretty much the same though, really.
   
4. Will the stay be 3 or 5 days (st peters hospital) Don't know about your hospital but usually you will stay between 3-5 days depending on how you and your baby are. Often women go home earlier esp with second babies, but you may not want to.
   
5. Will baby be sleepy/dopey or alert? Depends on the baby!! No rules here.
   
6. Can I have a bath the next day? No, iirc, normally showers are advised for a few days until your stitches come out. I just washed down until I got home, tbh.
   
7. Will I be able to pick up baby unaided? I could. In fact I was holding him within five minutes of his birth or therabouts, had him all to myself in recovery and carried him (in bed) back to my room.
   
8. (totally vain question!) Can I wear makeup!!! For the procedure? They said no (so they can see if you suddenly go white as a sheet, for example), but I sneaked on a bit of lipgloss and mascara - after all, eyelashes don't go white! I'm vain too. You can't have coloured nail varnish or jewellery either so don't take anything precious in with you.

[LIZS]

1. Will I still need maternity pads (assuming so but wanted to check) Yes
   
2. Will I be up and about enough to change nappies and babygrows? Not sure, probably not immediately
   
3. Will hospital sterilise bottles etc and give me the formula I want? Usually have pre- sterilised bottles and teats but may not have a particular formula available

[artyjoe]

Definitely having a c section tomorrow but can't get certain questions answered to prepare me...

1. Will I still need maternity pads (assuming so but wanted to check)
   
2. Will I be up and about enough to change nappies and babygrows?
   
3. Will hospital sterilise bottles etc and give me the formula I want?
   
4. Will the stay be 3 or 5 days (st peters hospital)
   
5. Will baby be sleepy/dopey or alert?
   
6. Can I have a bath the next day?
   
7. Will I be able to pick up baby unaided?
   
8. (totally vain question!) Can I wear makeup!!!
   
   Any advice would be great, can't get anyone to talk to me at the hospital until the morning I go in which feels too late.
   
   Thanks - Joe

[furballmad]

hi I am 5ft 6" and my little boy weighed 9lb 10 oz his shoulders got stuck but only for a short time. I am due on 15th Jan and it is another large baby soam hoping they don't let me go over this time. Last time 10 days over and was induced. Had epidural last time and have opted for one this time was offered the choice of c.section but am a coward and hate having to spend time in hospital.

[artyjoe]

Happymumof2, that's made me feel much better about trying a natural birth, I'm 5'4 so not as petite as you...looks terrifying when you put it together on a tape measure though!

[HappyMumOf2]

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[beachyhead]

Frankly I think I would be more scared of a vaginal birth with measurements like that!!! Honestly, as a veteran of two C-Sections, I wouldn't be worried about it. It can be a pleasant and peaceful experience and the certainty of timing and just seeing your perfect baby emerge is great. Good Luck whatever happens....

[artyjoe]

Had the final growth scan today (am 38 weeks) which put the baby at 8.5 pounds but the head circumferance at 36.5 cms...higher than the 95% charts, so still have no idea whether a C section is likely...the consultant will tell me tomorrow no doubt.

Fingers crossed a decision is made soon as I'm beginning to fear a home birth again due to the head size

[artyjoe]

Hi chicpea, the consultant is now saying to wait for yet another scan as he now doesn't think I should have a c section...i got the distinct impression last time I met with him that he had just come from a budget review! In the meantime I am planning for a home birth now until they tell me different. He tried telling me that the last scan I had, which was off the chart, was 'probably' just a blip and he really doesn't take SPD seriously at all, or my other gynae problems relating to my cervix...he also told me that no one would believe my cervix was giving me pain so I'd get no pain relief for the first stages of labour...as you can imagine, I'm not amused.

I'm currently measuring 49 weeks and I'm actually 37 weeks..but if they say I can have a vaginal birth in the hospital then I'll bloody well have one at home rather than let him terrorise me as he has for the last 6 weeks.

I'm still secretly hoping for a New Years Eve home birth, but then this is probably just wishful thinking!

[ChicPea]

Hi ArtyJoe, just read this thread and was interested as I had two C-Sections. My first baby was breech and second normal but I chose an elective C-Section.

I remember being soooo scared in the hospital lift at 6am for my first. A midwife came into the lift and knew I was in for an elective C-Section cos of the time I was being admitted and aked me how I was feeling. I told her I was terrified (I was as white as a sheet) and she told me to only think of the baby. That's exactly what I did and I can only describe this as a very positive experience. The whole thing was wonderful. I just lay there waiting to meet my baby. When I was preg with my second,I watched the video of the first op one week before the second op date to see if I would get butterflies. I didn't. And I skipped into hospital at 6am for the second baby. Again, another wonderful C-Section. Not terrifying at all. The day after, the catheter was removed (feels like a tampon) and I got out of bed. Felt like I had been doing abdominal exercies and a bit tender.

What I am trying to say is, if you do have a C-Section, please don't be so scared of it. It's the emergency ones which are unpleasant (if unpleasant at all) not the elective ones. I noticed on one of your postings that you have SPD. I think whether you have a large baby or not, Consultants prefer to do C-Sections with that condition. Are you in any pain?