Hi all - thanks so much for keeping us in your thoughts. We came home yesterday with our beautiful baby girl (Darcey Rose), and I thought I'd come on here to update you all while I have two minutes to myself. I decided that I'll be totally upfront about all the pros and cons, as that's what I always wanted to know.
We went in early Tuesday, and waited in a single room for 3 hours until it was our turn. The staff were absolutely lovely, and very good at keeping us informed about everything, but I must admit that this was one of the most terrifying parts. I kept saying to hubbie 'let's do a runner'! So I went into theatre at 11 and hubbie went to get scrubbed up while I had the spinal block etc. The atmosphere was very odd, almost like in a garage! A few people prepping things, radio blasting etc. I had taken along a CD, but decided that I quite liked the laid back atmosphere so left things as they were. They put the canula in my hand (again, probably one of the worst bits, but totally bearable), sprayed my back with local anaesthetic, and a very sweet midwife stroked me and talked to me while I hugged a pillow and they put the spinal block in. This bit was fine. They then had me lie down, tilted the bed, and told me to tell them if I felt sick which I did almost immediately. I think they had to give me drugs three times to bring my blood pressure back up, but then I was fine. Once I'd passed the ice test (to check everything was numb) hubbie came and sat with me, and I asked him to tell me a story. It felt like he'd only been talking for a minute, when I felt lots of pressure, tugging and suction. One of the staff pointed above the screen to hubbie who said 'I'd rather not look' , then we heard an almighty wail and the midwife brought the baby around to show hubbie. I heard him exclaim 'it's a girl!' in amazement (we were assuming it would be another boy), then the midwife got him to cut her cord and gave her to him to cuddle next to me. I asked later what her Apgar score was, and was told it was 9 or 10 out of 10, as she apparently started shrieking before she was even lifted out of me!
The three of us sat together like that while they cleaned everything out and stitched me back up. It was a very surreal experience. No pain at all, but it was much more visceral than I expected. I felt like I was being pummelled from the inside out! In retrospect I wonder if they were using a technique that I've read about in which they try to roll the excess wind out of you before stitching you up, because I had no post-op wind pain at all. It didn't seem to take very long, and before I knew it the midwife had opened my robe, put my naked daughter on to me, and I was being wheeled in the CS postnatal ward.
The afternoon, evening and night went in a bit of a haze. The staff on the ward were great, constantly checking me, doing things for the baby and me etc. The thing I found hardest for the next 24 hours was the nausea, which was something I really wasn't expecting. I couldn't bring myself to eat anything, so I was just guzzling lots of water and painkillers which I think aggravated my stomach. I ended up throwing a lot of water back up just before midnight which was rather scary just after a stomach operation, but everything was fine. As I said, all the staff were brilliant, I was so pleased I'd checked into that hospital. They couldn't have been more helpful. Baby Darcey fed constantly all night long, but I was just so happy to have her and be done with it all that I didn't mind, and just dozed and fed her all night.
The next day I was moved to the regular ward. I was still feeling pretty ropey (nausea-wise) until early pm, but then I picked up quite quickly. I had a shower at lunchtime which was very hard, but things did quickly start to get easier afterwards. By that evening I was easily able to get up and look after Darcey myself, and I've been amazed by how much ability I still have in my stomach muscles. Obviously I have to take things easy, but the worries about not being able to move easily have come to nothing. I'd say my movement and ability really isn't any worse than after my VB, and obviously I don't have the toilet/sitting issues etc. So the next morning we came home, and were walking out of the hospital 48 hours after coming in. I had a combination of stitches and staples which should come out in the next few days.
Overall, it's been a MUCH more positive experience than last time. While I wouldn't say that the birth itself was the peaceful idyllic experience described by some, at least it was calm and respectful and non-traumatic. The hardest part has been the nausea and weakness I suffered for the next 24 hours, but I think I was particularly susceptible to the painkillers they were using as noone else on the CS ward was having the same problems that night. One of the best things has been that I've been up to the job of looking after my new baby this time, rather than being wracked by days and nights of pain and exhaustion.
Breastfeeding hasn't been a problem AT ALL. I was feeding her within half an hour of the operation, and I haven't felt any discomfort or pain when it comes to feeding (other than cracked nipples and raging hormones, but they're inevitable!). After the first night, noone has had to pass her to me, it's quite easy to do it all myself.
I hope you got on OK 30ish? I still wouldn't say it's an 'easy' option by any stretch, but mine was certainly a lot easier/happier than my previous experience. I feel very at peace now, and whenever I start feeling a bit hormonal and sorry for myself, I remind myself how lucky I am to have two healthy beautiful children, and to have put pregnancy and childbearing behind me for ever!
Well, a bit of an epic ramble! I think I've covered all the main bits, but feel free to ask any questions.