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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Planned c-section this Friday!

21 replies

Sappholit · 15/02/2010 13:07

I'm going in for a c-section this Friday and am starting to get a bit nervous about it.

I know it will all be fine once the baby's out. It's just that bit before she's out that bothers me.

Can anyone tell me what to expect? I know there's meant to be a lot of pushing and pulling as they rummage around in your insides. I'm not entirely sure how I'll cope with that sensation.

OP posts:

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Finbar · 15/02/2010 13:11

It will be fine - ring teh hospital and ask if you can have your own CD of music playing in the theatre. I did and it was a great distraction and now I have certain songs associated with my DD's birth.

yes there is a little rocking sensation - but it feels like nothing more than that - really

It will be great and so wonderful !

EightiesChick · 15/02/2010 13:19

My section was great. I didn't feel any of the 'washing up being done in your tummy' stuff that I'd heard about. The epidural was the grit-your-teeth bit and for everything after that I couldn't feel anything at all.

I would:

take in music of your choice but make sure it's on something battery operated - our hospital wouldn't allow plug-ins. I borrowed a travel speaker thingy to go with an ipod.

take a digital camera - one of the staff used ours and took pictures of DS straight after the birth, so we could concentrate on being overwhelmed!

potplant · 15/02/2010 13:24

How exciting for you. This time next week you'll have your baby!

I think that the weirdness of the sensation is that you can feel you are moving from your top half but your brain can't process why. Like when you have a dead arm.

Its not a horrible just a bit odd and you'll be a bit high on drugs and excitement that you probably wont notice most of it.

CDs are good - they had a small selection of CDs and DH chose 80's compilation album. I probably would have picked something more gentle and soothing.

Original poster

Sappholit · 15/02/2010 13:30

Thanks!

I've just found out the hospital is infected with Norovirus, so no one except partners are allowed to visit Maternity. It's been around since the beginning of teh month, and we were hoping it would be clear by the time I go in, but that's looking unlikley now.

My mother is beside herself.

OP posts:

MrsJamin · 15/02/2010 13:38

Are you in Reading by any chance? They're being v careful about monitoring everyone.

tallbirduk · 15/02/2010 14:10

I did feel the rummaging, but it was just a bit odd - not painful and not really unpleasant - just odd.

To be honest I didn't really want to know what was going on down at the business end (and still don't - haven't read up on c-sections or how they do it!) and just let them get on with it.

The thing that got me was the shakes - got them really badly not long after DS came out, apparently a quite common reaction to the epidural.

mazzystartled · 15/02/2010 14:17

I didn't find the C/S itself so bad (hardly felt a thing), but be prepared (books, magazines, music, etc) for the wait beforehand as it is easy to be bumped down the list if there are emergencies. That was the stressful part for me.

Original poster

Sappholit · 15/02/2010 14:21

MrsJamin - Yes, I'm in Reading. It's a real bummer. I was hoping it would be clear by Friday, but I think that's unlikely now.

OP posts:

happywheezer · 15/02/2010 14:23

Have a lovely time on Friday. I was really worried about the spinal but I didn't feel anything. A bit weird with the rocking though, didn't mind it. It was over really quickly and I have such lovely memories of my DS birth.It was very calm too and everybody was really friendly. Let us know about your day!

happyatlast · 15/02/2010 14:53

My section is booked for this weds, hoping I dont get the shaking thing like I did last time I had a GA, not nice, am excited but also unsure of what happens as this is my third baby but my first section.

Good luck on Friday!

Gurraun · 15/02/2010 18:37

hi sappholit

I had an el cs at Reading on weds. Was a fantastic experience. I was pooing myself but nothing to worry about - barely felt the spinal and they chatted all the way through the op so didn't notice that either!

I've felt really good since too although the no visitors thing was gutting - mind you was more concerned with NOT getting the virus at the time. Mind you they told me they'd eradicated the virus from the wards by weekend so they may lift the ban.

Top tips:

-my consultant told me to get dried fruits boiled in orange juice brought in as far more effective against constipation than senna or lactulose. I hate dried fruit so just had figs in orange juice - worked like a charm!!

the staff are busy which can delay the drug round - if you're in pain ring bell and ask for drugs. I didn't and on thurs midwives had a nightmare day and missed the 6pm drug round. Was miserable by thevtime they came round at 10 :-(

the food is grim but m and a simply food has opened. Get your dp to get your meals and lots of bottles of water. Due to the virus the are giving bottles of water out but they are tiny.

Good luck you'll be fine :-)

InmaculadaConcepcion · 16/02/2010 07:47

Recently had an EmCS and actually, it was fine. The sensations are odd, but nothing to freak out about. It all happens very quickly - the longest part of the operation is when they're sewing up the incision.

Hurts when the epidural wears off, but make sure you ask for extra pain relief and it'll soon go.

Your abdominals are pretty sore for a while afterward, but take it easy and it's bearable. I was out of bed within 24 hours of my CS.

And hey - at least your baby's head will be the right shape (!)

Original poster

Sappholit · 16/02/2010 10:33

Thanks, everyone. I'm still quite new to MN, so still get a bit surprised that complete starngers are prepared to be so nice!

Gurraun Thank you for those tips. That's great. I did notice that about the M&S SImply Food and my bf is under strict instrcutions that I want a rare roast beef baguette, and to hell with his vegetarian aversion to such things.

Dried fruit boiled in orange juice. I shall make a note of this.

OP posts:

Monstermuncher · 16/02/2010 14:50

I had an elective cs and it was wonderful - a very calm, relaxed experience. I was very keen to know what was going on so had DH giving me a commentary (he was wearing a surgical gown and mask, very George Clooney in ER - I loved it)!
DD had no problems at all, I breastfed her on the trolley back to the ward. No one had warned me that I would have to wear what I can only describe as breathing leg warmers for about 24 hours afterwards! Like the sleeve you wear when having your blood pressure read but up to your shins and kind of breathing in and out all night which meant I didn't get a lot of sleep! Was up and about the next day too. I can understand why people might worry about the experience - I did but it was all very easy.
I hope all goes just as well for you on Friday!

Gurraun · 16/02/2010 17:02

sappholit
No breathing leg warmers in Reading - just sexy bottle green surgical stockings!

InmaculadaConcepcion · 16/02/2010 18:41

Get high-waisted knickers!

This is very important!!

MrsJamin · 16/02/2010 21:17

... or very low ones which were just as good. You just don't want knickers which rub the scar.

McDreamy · 16/02/2010 21:22

I've had 3 and they've all been fine. Listen out for lots of suction during the section as right after that you should hear your beautiful baby cry and then be handed to you. The 3 sections were done in different hospitals and the staff were great in each one. They explain everything to you.

He/she will be born on my birthday!!! Shared with my little brother, Prince Andrew, Smokey Robinson,

Gurraun · 16/02/2010 21:55

Oh yes - big knickers are the answer. I have full briefs from Tesco - very erotic. All the packs of disposable pants are unused.
Tescos sell packs that work out at 50p per pair (so no distress to chuck aferwards). Pre-prenancy I was a 10/12 pant, when went in for c-sec was wearing a 14 - bought size 18 pants and they are just right!

Also, whilst you do need maternity pads to begin with my blood loss has been incredibly light so I'd also take some normal pads so you don't feel totally bulked out if you don't need it.

skibelle · 17/02/2010 00:25

This was me last week! Had my CS Fri morn and our hosp (not Reading) has a 'no visitors except partners' rule due to Norovirus. I was SO nervous. Went from expecting a normal birth, with DH and my Mum for support, to finding out baby was breech, needing ELCS and my Mum not able to come at all. It was a huge downer. But the whole experience was fine. I came home Sun, which was poss a bit soon given that I'm now having feeding issues, but I think that actually that time in hosp just the 3 of us was brilliant. I spoke to Mum lots on the phone.

As for the actual experience, it was also after baby was born that I felt the rummaging and pulling. I had a bit of gas and air for that as it was uncomfortable, but nothing I wouldn't go through again.

Good luck. It'll be great.

MrsJamin · 23/02/2010 20:34

sappholit - really hope you check back on this thread when you are discharged from hospital! I had DS2 (surprise arrival at 35+6wks) on Friday and we both must have been in RBH at the same time! I was listening out to other mums' chat just to see if they'd had elective C-sections but didn't work out anyone was you. Anyway I hope it went well and you're home or nearly home.

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