C-section

[Mumtobelee]

Hi mums I'm here because I have a question regarding c-sections

Do they tell you they are going to cut you before they do it or just announce baby because I don't want to know when they are about to cut me as it's such a scary thought and I think I'd have a panic attack .

I had an emergency C-section after a difficult failed labour. I seem to remember being on the surgery table for a while (although husband says it was all really quick). I could see the team but no idea what they were doing. There was a surgeon or anaesthetist (can't quite remember) sitting next to me talking the entire time. He was so lovely and kept me distracted, however, I do remember him saying that things were underway and I honestly had no idea they'd even started. I think if you don't want to know when they'll cut, you could definitely tell them beforehand and they'll respect that.

I've had an emergency cesarean. They don't tell you when they make the incision. They'll test to make sure you can't feel anything and then you don't know what happens from there because there's a low sheet that blocks your view. Baby will be out in less than 10 mins. For us they told us they were about to show us the baby and they lifted him up above their heads Lion King style. 😂 Then they gave him to me.

We're having a planned cesarean early next year. You can ask for things to make you feel less anxious - music, more/less information during the procedure, whatever helps.

I've had an emergency and a planned c section - they don't tell you. They will tell you as they administer the drugs at the beginning but then they will leave you with your partner (plus one doctor and midwife) and you won't know what they are doing - it will be fine

it's usually pretty obvious when they've started (and if you look at the lights then you can often see for yourself what they're up to because there are mirrors behind the lights). Lots of us also normally check that a woman's still comfortable after the first incision, which does give the game away a bit too!

Mine was so fast I didn't even realise they were about to pull DD out until suddenly she was out. I felt nothing and I was feeling good the whole process though it was EMCS. All the best with yours! 💞

If you make this clear to the staff before they start, they won't inform you. Explain your reasons, you won't be the first or the last to feel this way. I'm having a ELCS in a few weeks time and made this explicitly clear in my birth plan. You may also want to consider having the drape lowered if you fear you may see something you don't want too and may become panicked or screamish, I've asked for it to only be lowered half way and baby held higher (think simba 😂) so I don't risk seeing anything I don't want too.

Just be sure to explain your worries to the staff, they are there to support you and they'll have your best interests in mind. ❤️ good luck xxx

There's not one standard practice for this sort of thing. I've anaesthetised for hundreds of C-sections with dozens of different surgeons. Some tell you when they're starting, some don't say anything. If you are really worried about panicking and don't want to know, TELL THEM - surgeon, anaesthetist, midwife - so they can adapt their usual style if needed.

Most people don't feel the initial skin incision, but may feel stretching or pressure as the surgeons get closer to getting baby out. So you may have some idea of what's going on.

I wasn’t aware they’d even started my section. They had checked a few times to make sure I was numb and must have just started then

They told me but also I could feel it, I could feel everything they did just not the pain of it. So they didn’t need to tell me it was very obvious 😄

Honestly don’t let this be a worry in the lead up. If you have a planned one when you check in, tell the midwife who looks after you. The doctor will come and see you before the c-section for a chat, tell them then. When you enter the room, the anaesthetist will largely look after you, tell them. Just a friendly reminder. You can have a birth plan for a c-section and yours could simply say this. Honestly you’ll be moments away from meeting your baby, and you’ll be feeling so many emotions about the fact you’re about to see them, those emotions will likely take over.

I think they read how nervous you are quite well. I was paranoid I could still feel (they do this hot and cold test) and I made them check loads that I was numb. Then they just spent lots of time distracting and soothing me. I think i asked if they had started after a while and they said yes it won’t be long.