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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Elective Caesarian - Really Stupid Question

28 replies

missedith01 · 18/03/2010 09:15

I'm booked for a CS on Monday due to complications (first baby - 39 weeks) and I can't find the answer to this stupid question:

If my waters haven't broken by then, what happens to them?

I mean, I've seen videos of emergency caesarians but by then waters have broken and gone. Pre-op is Sunday but if it's a really stupid question I'd prefer to be forewarned. I have visions of the surgeon being hit in the eye by a large spout ... sure that can't be right ...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ealey · 18/03/2010 09:17

I haven't had one, but I think that the waters get suctioned out as they perform the operation. Much like the sucky thing the dentist uses!

Chynah · 18/03/2010 09:45

I had ELCS with DS. They do suction the waters out as ealey says - honestly you wont even realise they're doing it.

Original poster

missedith01 · 18/03/2010 09:51

Thanks both - another worry ticked off the list!

OP posts:

FatSeal · 18/03/2010 14:21

I hadn't thought of that! Great. While we're on the subject of silly questions, may I chip in and ask, er, about the shaving your pubes thing?!

Do you have to shave ALL of it off the night before? i.e. baby girl naked down there, or just the hair covering your mound?!

Don't want to look like a weirdy if I've shaved it all off, or have a nurse do my lips if I haven't and I was supposed to (not sure which is worse tbh)!!!

Thanks MNers, not too much teasing please!

RuthBlackett · 18/03/2010 14:24

They don't do any shaving at all!

StarlightMcKenzie · 18/03/2010 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MrsHappy · 18/03/2010 14:28

Just take the top inch or two off, that will be enough.

harimosmummy · 18/03/2010 14:33

Hi!

I've had two CS with my two kids.

I wasn't asked to shave at all.

If it's totally elective (no labour) then you should take some drugs about 24 hours beforehand to prepare your tummy.

my CS's were private but I did get a lot of choices as to how things happened, so still worth having a birth plan.

MrsHappy · 18/03/2010 14:35

I must be extra hairy
I've had 2 emcs and both times was treated to a dry bic as I lay on the operating table.
Mind you, my scar is lovely and low.

Fanfare · 18/03/2010 15:00

Fatseal , some hospitals now request that you don't shave beforehand as they do it for you at the time of the operation, I believe it's something to do with reducing risk of infection. But as MrsHappy says, if they ask you to do it just do the top inch or two. They should tell you which way your hospital does it when they book your CS date.

ButterPie · 18/03/2010 15:05

Put on some "hipster" style knickers and shave anything that pokes out of the top.

LilRedWG · 18/03/2010 15:05

My hospital requested that they shaved me and it was only the top inch.

WRT water. DH said I flooded the operating room floor. Not spurts of water though, but the surgeon did get a spray of blood up her face.

MrsHappy · 18/03/2010 15:53

I've seen elcs on the tele, and there was quite a gush when they reached the baby.

Lovethesea · 18/03/2010 16:10

I was prepped for an emcs in theatre with DD (forceps worked so not needed) and they just shaved the top inch off - no idea when as it was all kicking off at the time!

I'm elective this time and am hoping they say they will do it again - I won't be able to see a thing down there and get shaving rashes with my daft sensitive skin. My only option would be to get DH to do it .... and that scares both of us!

FatSeal · 18/03/2010 16:35

Right, thanks. DH is steeling himself for the job as I'm not waving a razor around where I can't see it! Think I will need to actually ask MW when she does bloods the week before- the prep leaflet I got at the booking date doesn't mention it at all.

QTPie · 18/03/2010 17:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

flowerybeanbag · 18/03/2010 17:36

I was specifically told not to shave, as they preferred to do it themselves.

WRT water, apparently I drenched everyone in sight...

Wasn't aware of it myself though.

Nymphadora · 18/03/2010 17:43

I was planning on waxing , don't fancy itchy regrowth on the scar area

Shaz10 · 18/03/2010 17:44

I wasn't touched! Was a bit eye watering when the dressing came off...

Shaz10 · 18/03/2010 17:45

Oh and it won't be itchy regrowth, you'll be numb for a good few weeks!

Bumpinthenight · 18/03/2010 18:06

I was offered to be shaven when in the hospital fortunately (actually unfortunately when you read the next bit)I had already got my husband to immac me, he decided to be funny and do a smiley face, i ended up bare!!

Waters were sunctioned out, no waterfalls here!!

pumperspumpkin · 18/03/2010 19:37

With my first c section the anaesthetist said "You hear that? That's your waters!" - the noise was just like a bucket of water being emptied. Second time they must have got the suctioning right as I was waiting for the gushing and didn't hear anything.

Re shaving - first time round one of my strongest memories (I was in shock for most of it) is the world's campest (male) midwife sauntering into a room full of people brandishing a dry Bic and saying "So, do we have to shave you?" and whipping off my gown and doing just that. Second time round I had a wax of the first couple of inches (my scar for both is about an inch below the natural hairline but they want to take another two inches off or so below that).

Good luck on Monday!

Nymphadora · 18/03/2010 19:42

Shaz10 My last two were awfully itchy!

smokinaces · 18/03/2010 19:52

DS1 I was shaved the top inch or so. He was a scheduled section.

DS2 19m later was an emergency section and I didnt get shaved at all - even the midwife commented on the hairs in the stitches But he was a real emergency section so I suppose it was one less thing to do when they were trying to grab him out in a hurry.

I;d shave the top inch or so that morning - or ask the MW in the theatre to do it for you if you cant reach

BigMomma3 · 18/03/2010 20:17

Well the docs were shocked at how much water I had with my twins (and a bit wet). They did not suction there!

I was asked to shave on the morning of the op. Midwife sent me into the loos with a razor. Was rather difficult with ginormous bump!! Don't know why I did'nt ask DH to do it.

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