Sister just had her baby! But sounds like it was touch and go :(

[Bumperlicious]

After beginning contractions at 4am this morning my sister had her new baby boy at around lunch time. My mum said it was an emergency c-sec, but later she rang me to say it had been really touch and go for the both of them, the cord had torn apparently and they rushed her into theatre and put her under by the sounds of it (am hearing this through my mum, through BIL). They were both bleeding and the baby was in distress. It sounds like it was pretty serious and they are testing the baby's blood for oxygen.

I haven't spoken to my sis, she is in Germany (BIL is army). She can't move off the bed and can't hold the baby . Sounds pretty horrific, and the poor girl is in a foreign country where she doesn't speak the language (that's a whole other thread!). Anyone had a similar experience and can fill in what the details might be? It's not normal for a c-sec under GA is it?

I had a baby in Germany under GA. If it is an emergency then yes, they will do a GA - that is what happened to me.

I remember looking at the clock when they wheeled me towards theatre, and later realising that there was only 7 mins between them making the decision and the time of birth of DS. It was incredibly fast.

Where abouts in Germany is she? Is she insured through the army, or through a German insurance company?

I am sorry that she had to go through this.

ooh no experience I'm afraid, just sympathy.
Congratulations to your sis and BIL.
My friend had a bad birth with an ecs where the placenta was nicked and the baby was starved of oxygen. She had lots of tests and ongoing assessment but she's fine so far - better than fine in fact. My friend was also separated from the baby for about 4 days in different hospitals, but was breastfeeding when I last saw her when the baby was about 6mo.

I forgot to congratulate you on the birth of your wee nephew.

I found it difficult to get out of bed for the first few days, I believe that is normal after a crash section. The staff at the hospital were lovely and brought me DS to hold occasionally, but tbh, I was not really up for holding for long the first day. I was still a bit shocked and woozy.

It's not normal for a c-sec under GA is it?
Yes it is - I had an emergency c section after getting to ten cm dilated - brow presentation and as I didn't have an epidural I was in thatre and can remebr them putting the tubes down my thoat and putting me to sleep in theater. it is all really really quick if baby gets distressed as the baby needs to get out quick.

I would be getting out there - can you get some time off to go visit and help?

If she is under the German insurance system (Krankenkasse) get her to find out if they will pay for a home help for the first couple of weeks when she gets out of hospital. I had a girl come in to help me with DD (who was a very active toddler when I had DS).

I can't go out in the near future, am moving house in 2 weeks and am heavily pg myself, plus we can't afford a passport for 3yo DD atm

My mum is going out on Monday I think, then probably again when DSis is discharged.

She is insured through the military I assume. She is in Padabornne (sp?). Apparently her DH gets extra paternity leave due to the c sec. He is off out to Afghanistan in Aug . I think my sis is planning on coming over here then.

She definitely won't be breastfeeding, her breasts are pretty much shot to shit from regular absesses for the past year (unknown cause). Anyway, not sure if that means she can't bf but she has decided not to.

Thanks for your replies.

Your poor sister, what a trauma for her. I had an emergency section under GA 22 days ago so I can sympathise. They prefer to use an epidural so a GA is a bit of a last resort. The first 24 hours after the GA are hazy and she won't be capable of looking after the baby until the grogginess has passed (not an issue for me as my baby was sent to neonatal intensive care in a different hospital). By tomorrow the nurses will be forcing her into the shower and making her measure her wee!
Contrary to most people I felt physically better after this section than my first (elective), despite a 54 hour labour. In her case I suspect how she feels will be related to how much blood she lost.
I hope that the baby's cord blood gases come back normal and that they both make a good recovery.

That is hard for your, Bumperlicious.

Get her to find out if she is eligible for any kind of home help - probably not if she is insured by the military, not sure how it works there. Or if the military insure her through the German Krankenkasse.

If she has a Krankenkasse card, tell her to get in touch with them. She will need a note from her doc.

Otherwise, I would definitely recommend asking about referral to a counsellor so that she can talk about the labour. I had PND after my crash section, and I have recetnly found out htat this is not uncommon.

Thanks for the replies, and thanks for the tips MmeLindt. My mum had PND with every child, and I think I had it a bit (never pursued getting it sorted for stupid reasons) so she is probably at risk anyway. My mum is a psychotherapist though (urgh when it's your mother) but means she will hopefully be on the ball.

Glad to hear that your mum will be on the ball, Bumper.

How is your sis doing today?

Thanks for asking. She is doing better I think, she has held the baby, and it sounds like BIL can't leave him alone (which I am relieved about, he hasn't always been the most sensible of young lads over the years, though they seem to be doing ok since getting married). I think she is a bit frustrated at not being able to do anything for him, but she is in the best place and needs to recover.

Sis probably going to be in hospital for up to a week, my mum is popping out just over night then will go back when she is out. My mum is unpredictable in these sorts of situations. She is lovely and will often be very pragmatic but things can often be about 'her' (she keeps telling me how upset she was about my sister being in so much danger), and before the whole labour saga, when my mum was talking about going over to see my sis my mum was saying how she wanted to be back in time for my DD's birthday on Sunday, and apparently my sis just went silent. No wonder really! This is her time and she is the most important thing right now, not my daughter's 3rd birthday, which I said very plainly to my mum. God, I don't want my sister resenting me or there being any competition over grandchildren! Also my mum can't cope with planning anything in advance and has only started flying in the past 2 months as she is terrified so she is in a constant state of anxiety at the moment.

Families! Who have 'em?!

Ah, Mother - Daughter relationships are not the easiest, are they? Sounds like you are doing the right thing by encouraging your mum to stay as long as your sis needs her.

Typically, the German hospitals keep women in for at least 5 days after a CS, so don't be surprised if she is in till the weekend.

It's good to hear your sister is able to hold the baby now - best remedy for the pain of a c-section is to have your baby safe and warm in your arms.