Scheduled c section this week - looking for hand hold

[Abombflower]

Just that really!

I have a planned c section on Friday due to low lying placenta and I am so nervous! I’ve never had any kind of surgery so feeling horribly overwhelmed by the thought of it.

Id really like to hear some positive stories from people who’ve also had planned sections. I’m very worried about not going numb, having some kind of terrible reaction and dying (extreme I know!) or blood clots after.

Any hand holding and positive stories very welcome❤️

My scheduled C-section was such a lovely experience. I don’t think the thoughts of dying or complications are extreme, a normal thing to worry about here. I was so scared going in but everyone was lovely and explained what was going on. There was a problem with my dressing which took longer to put on but they explained to me what was going on and that it wasn’t me it was just the type dressing not working so had to do it again. I had baby on my chest the entire time after the initial checks once he’d been pulled out!

Oh wow, just think you will meet your baby in a few days ! Exciting, but yes it's perfectly normal to be nervous. I suppose it's the fear of the unknown isn't it. My Section wasn't planned, but needless to say I was shitting myself!( I like to be in control 🤣). My experience was positive in that medical staff were incredibly reassuring and talked me through everything. I had a spinal, took a while to get in but i didnt know this (told me after)Baby came out fine and she was on my chest before I knew it. Don't forget these people do this day in day out. They are incredible. Make sure you tell them you're nervous etc and ask lots of questions!. Post op, I had a shower in the hospital the morning after, and they encouraged me to be up and about. Overall , a very positive experience for me and i was a single parent navigating it on my own. Good luck OP. Please come back and update us if you can x

Oh I loved mine, really chilled experience and super exciting as you get to meet your baby, definitely something to be looked forward to - good luck!

I’ve had two - both planned, one brought forward because I went in to labour early.

Honestly I found them absolutely fine. The surgical teams were excellent. The anaesthetist is person who is there 100% for you, they’ll be right by your head and checking that you are ok. The whole thing is a bit weird, I’ve never had surgery before, but you are in good hands.

The worst bits for me were feeling nauseous (I told the anaesthetist, he gave me something that stopped it), and shaking after (totally normal). No pain at all during the operation.

You’ll be encouraged to get up and about within a few hours. It’s scary but fine once you’re up! Expect to move slowly and stiffly for a while.

I wasn’t prescribed, and didn’t feel I needed, anything beyond paracetamol and ibuprofen after. Some women get other drugs, if you feel you need more then don’t be shy in advocating for yourself. My top tip is before you are discharged, check your timings for these and set recurring alarms on your phone to take them. Take them religiously for a week at least, don’t wait until you feel pain. Move around lots, but slowly and don’t push yourself to do too much too quickly. Take the time to look after your incision, keep it washed and dried properly. It’s easy to forget about looking after yourself properly in the whirlwind of a newborn, so don’t forget! I found recovery much easier than friends who had difficult vaginal births, though not as quick as those with straightforward births.

Mine was very straightforward and easy. You’re very well looked after and it was over so quickly. My main memory is the consultant and one of the other doctors discussions house prices in London while they did it which I found oddly reassuring, it was just another day at the office for them! My recovery was very easy too.

I had an elective c section after my first labour ended in an emergency section. I was nervous, but it was honestly the most incredible peaceful experience and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. The moment they lifted my baby above the curtain is one I will cherish forever, I was present and able to soak in every moment. Bit different to my first after I was shattered from 3 days in labour! Good luck!❤️

Thank you very much everyone! This replies are really helpful!

One to think about for the recovery. Get really really big pants that come up to your waist so that you don't have any pressure on the scar. They're also good for holding maternity pads which are still needed for a c sec

C section was my first surgery too -I’ve had two now and with my first the one absolute mistake I made was not ‘pottering about’ enough - I’m not talking about the 1-3 mile walks people claim they go on after a few days post-section though, I just mean literally pottering around the house, or garden with baby, up and down to make yourself a cuppa tea, just get up and stretch a bit. I was sore for about 6 whole weeks after my first (planned uneventful, no infections ect just generally sore) and felt like I took a really long time to get over it.

with my second I knew better (and refused to read c section stories on the internet) pottering about a bit and by day 4/5 post section I didn’t need any pain relief at all, by 10 days I felt like I’d not even had surgery pretty much, was still careful and gentle in my body but I felt so much better for moving more.

the second mistake I made was reading horror stories on forums and the internet, avoid ‘post c section poo’ stories.. i read far too much into it and scared myself shitless (excuse the pun) and asked my mum to come to my house and stand by the door while I did my first poo - which I did and it was absolutely nothing like he stories online, was absolutey fine, but muscle sore on my tummy when pushing, but just feels like you’ve done 1000 push ups 🤣

honestly, I truly believe in the placebo effect when reading online. You’ll be grand! 🫶

Second this - but also the big thick maternity pads are also useful for sticking on the inside of your giant pants, over your incision to use as a bit of a cushion for holding while getting up and down/coughing/sneezing ect. - also draws out moisture and keep the wound really healthy, did it with both of mine, had compliments from the midwives and never had a single issue with my incisions ☺️

I had a planned c/section with my second after an emergency with the first. The staff conduct c/sections 24/7. They’ll have a list of planned ones Monday-Friday and emergency ones throughout the day on top of that and also out of hours. ie They’re very experienced. Secondly, they’ll know your history and the Drs will discuss your case on their morning rounds before the surgery takes place. Your pre op bloods will be reviewed beforehand too. ie They’ll be well prepared for you. The midwives will understand your fears. Tips: heed pre op advice. Fast when they tell you to. Put the socks on as advised. Might be worth getting a bikini line wax beforehand. Buy big knickers to cover your scar. You might have to have blood thinning injections for a few days afterwards. Do not rub your skin after injecting coz it’ll sting like mad. Buy yourself some lavender and tea tree oil for your bath afterwards, when you’re up and about. Prep some meals to have ready in the fridge when you get home. Take a photo of your partner in their theatre hat & gown. Make a packed lunch for your partner and have plenty of drinks for them so they don’t need to leave you afterwards. I kept my planned date a secret. I didn’t want texts from the grandparents throughout the day asking for updates. I’m glad I did that. When you get home, potter about, but don’t clean/hoover/entertain visitors. I found to my cost that if you don’t rest it’ll come back to haunt you. Finally, you’re going to meet your baby!! How exciting!!! Wishing you well. Take care.

I’ve had two, though the first baby decided to come ten days before scheduled so a bit of a rush and I wasn’t t fully prepared. It went fine, used all my maternity pads after my waters broke and before baby was delivered though! Numb for about 12 hours after and felt a bit out if it but things settled down and I stayed in hospital for a couple days. But once home felt fine was up and about receiving visitors and going out to eat when baby was five days old! Breastfed in public all ok glad o gig over that hurdle quick.
Second was more traumatic as baby had to go into NICU for a few days and I had done my back in the month before so could barely walk. Also had a drain. But that was me rather than the section itself and again once home all went well.

I had 2 planned sections and both experiences were great 👍
My main advice is to get up and moving asap post op ,it helped my recovery and definitely ask for regular pain relief for a few days even if you think you are managing without .Good luck OP you will be meeting your baby so soon.X

I had a planned section with my second , it was a breeze compared with my vaginal delivery , I was out of hospital quicker and moving about much quicker . If I had my time again I’d definitely choose 2 sections . Good luck and think positive, that really does make a difference.

Good luck! How exciting. My C-section was also my first (and so far, only) surgery and I was pretty nervous - feels weird that you’ll be awake for it. As others have said, they give you your baby so quickly and it’s difficult to concentrate on much else after that.

My friend gave me some advice which I found helpful. Firstly, not to look at your legs/ feet too much while you have the spinal block in as it can be a bit confusing for your brain! And, second, to take a pillow with you in the car on the way home from hospital to hold under your seatbelt and protect your stomach muscles a bit from the corners and roundabouts.

My tip is that, if you have shoulder pain, keep drinking peppermint tea. I don’t understand why it helps - but it’s like a miracle cure!

Good luck OP! I had mine 13 months ago for a low lying placenta too, as well as vasa praevia. I was scared SHITLESS. I hate needles, hospitals, everything. I have no idea how, but on the day I was like in a trance. I just walked into theatre, sat down, bent over and 10 minutes later my baby was here. I think adrenaline just took over!

The spinal genuinely doesn't hurt. The cannula going into your hand hurts more, ask for numbing cream as soon as you arrive - it takes the edge off. And ask for an anaesthetist to do it, not a nurse!

Bring more clothes than you think. Pack a mug!

Mine went really well, no complications with me, my scar is neat and tidy. Baby on the other hand was in NICU for 2 weeks. Some babies just don't tolerate sections well and need extra help with their breathing - i wish someone had told me this so I could have prepared for this eventuality, so I am mentioning it here.

I’ve had two elective c sections after a difficult vaginal birth, and my only regret with the first one is that I was too nervous to enjoy the moment. I really wish I had, and I did much more for the second c section. Funnily enough I was also worried o wouldn’t go numb - but I did just fine. They do very thorough checks before operating to make sure the spinal is working, so don’t worry. The moment the baby is born and given to you is really the most so wonderful - enjoy it.

As others have said, do stay on top of your pain relief. I had Oramorph in hospital, and a week’s worth of dihydrocodeine at home on top of the ibuprofen and paracetamol. There are some nurses who are reluctant to give painkillers for some reason - insist if you feel you need them. As the anaesthetist told me, you are not supposed to be in pain. It’s much better for your recovery to be comfortable and able to mobilise.

Yes to pottering gently, big yes to a pillow to put between the scar and the seatbelt in the car home. Let your scar air as much as possible and keep it completely dry. I wore mesh pants under maternity dresses at home to air it as much as possible.

But - only have showers (no baths!) to start, and only use water on the scar. And absolutely don’t get any tea tree oil anywhere near it. I was warned by a doctor when I was discharged - it dissolves the stitches!

Very best of luck, and enjoy meeting your baby!

Another positive c-section story from me! It was also my first ever procedure and the worst thing about it was that there were about 40 people in the room (prem twins so two full neonatal crash teams).

Before I had my section someone described the feeling of a section as someone rooting around in your handbag - it was a fairly apt description! But not painful or uncomfortable in any way, just weird.

Chewing gum helps with getting your intestines moving again after the spinal. I had minimal pain relief and was up and about by 6pm after my morning op.

I had an ‘emergency’ c section which I requested after failed inductions, not dilating more than 1cm in 10 days and being 13 days over my due date.
I loved it, it was so calming, everyone was so nice in the surgery room. They let me put my own music on and the nurses took my phone to document everything (they literally took a photo of him being pulled out, not my fav photo) to being weighed, clothed, cord cutting etc.

It felt to me like getting a massage, the only pain I had in the surgery room is when they put a sticker on my back to see where to inject me - the needle didn’t hurt, the sticker being pulled off did!

My only advice is make sure you have A LOT of paracetamol and ibuprofen and set alarms on when to take them. Sometimes I felt like the pain was going but once the drugs wore off it was bad, once I started being on it I was fine.

The after care was probably the worst bit, standing, getting up from the sofa and laughing felt uncomfortable.

I would choose a c section for my next pregnancy 100%

I remember reading on here a medic’s comment that an operating theatre is the safest place you can be as you’re being very carefully monitored. Wise words.
You and your baby will be extremely well looked after. Talk about your fears. The staff understand and can answer you. To them this is a routine op which they do daily and seamlessly. I can vouch for this as another member of the ECS club.
Post-operatively ASAP take some steps and walk a few metres. It’ll be slower than normal but it’s part of the recovery.
Take all help offered.
Put a few cushions in the car for your journey home, one to sit on, the other between the seat belt and your bump.
Friday will be the most exciting day of your life. Trust me.

3 c sections here. 1 emergency, 2 planned. Recovery after the planned ones was way way easier. The only thing I don't see mentioned so far is your comment about feeling pain. Just to let you know they numb you up then they spray this really cold spray on you from the top of your torso down in wee squirts so you can show where you cam stop feeling it. And they are sure your are fully numb before making any incision. Now you do feel them sort of pulling and tugging but it does not hurt. Just weird. Can make you feel sick. If it does, tell the anaesthetist and they will fix it immediately. Lastly, be prepared for a possible wait before hand as any real emergencies will jump ahead of you in the queue. Take a book, music, that sort of thing. Congratulations!

Mine was wonderful. It was the strangest thing when they come and get you to walk you down to the theatre as they say, ‘don’t forget the nappy and the hat!’ and you think oh wow, this is really happening!

The theatre was bright, airy and calm. I remember the radio was on and everyone was cheerful. The spinal was absolutely fine, I’d built it up to be something awful but it was absolutely fine!

From them starting the procedure to DS being born was only three minutes! It feels like someone is doing the washing up in your stomach, it’s odd but you can’t feel any pain or discomfort. I was just looking at DH and breathing together. All of a sudden, I felt the pressure in my stomach lift - and there he was - DS. It was the best day of my life.

Sending all good wishes! ♥️

That’s a perfect description!

Another positive story! I was very nervous. For me one of best decisions in life - I did have complications mid surgery but the staff were so supportive/ reassuring despite the pain I have never been so well looked after. I didn’t feel by myself. Baby is born within first ten minutes typically
For me- because I knew baby was safe and well - everything else was a blip - even the hard bit. I wasn’t scared as I knew baby was ok
Really manageable
spinal was grand
appreciate going to theatre is scary
recovery went well - although I did take it very very gently and was well supported at home
hope you have great experience
please come back and tell us

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to comment and share your experience- it really helped me!

I hope this thread helps other ladies who are feeling as scared as me!

My section went amazingly. I was lying there waiting for them to start and then suddenly baby was there in front of me!🥲