I had my second baby by caesarean last week. It was class as an emergency caesarean because baby was breech, I was 40+3, and had labour signs but I wasn't actually in labour so the process for elective caesareans was followed.
I was really nervous but I had gone in expecting an ECV (where they turn the baby) and instead ended up booked for a same-day section. I think if I'd had longer to deal with it I'd have been less nervous, even though I had nerves I was still fairly calm.
The surgeon came down to maternity assessment to do the consent forms with me, she explained everything including what would happen and the risks, etc and let me ask any questions I had or tell her any concerns. Once I'd done those forms they got me to change into a gown and surgical stockings (sexy!), take an antacid tablet, and I had to wash off my make-up too (so they can keep an eye on skin tone).
The anaesthetist came along next to put a canola in my hand and discuss the anaesthetic and what she would be doing, she asked a load of safety questions and ran through the risks and the consent forms again.
Finally the theatre midwife came along and introduced herself. She explained that she'd be looking after me and the baby in theatre and in recovery until we transferred to the post-natal ward.
After that we walked down to theatre (remember to take a dressing gown because the hospital gowns are backless!). DH changed into scrubs and some very fetching rubber clogs while the surgical team introduced themselves to me and ran through the consent form again - they must have checked about five times that I was aware of what I had signed, they even checked again right before they started. The walk down to theatre is awful because you know what's waiting at the end of it but the team were lovely and because they're used to nerves they're very good at putting people at ease.
Once in theatre they did a local and then the spinal. The local stung but the spinal just felt like the anaesthetist pressing on my lower back, didn't hurt at all and I got to hold hands with the rather lovely student doctor while she was doing it. The spinal was weird, they helped me lie down as soon as it kicked in and it felt like warm water spreading down my legs - I thought I'd pee'd myself (but hadn't). It was a bit freaky once it fully took effect as I was immobile from the boobs down, very disorientating, plus they tilt the bed and shuffle you round. I got a bit antsy so they dumped some anti-anxiety stuff and anti-sickness stuff in my IV and I felt instantly better.
They pin a curtain up and then it feels like more tugging and pulling. They block the pain but can't block sensation, it felt like the baby kicking but harder and rougher, I thought they were still positioning me until I heard crying - I didn't even know they'd started. They held DD round the curtains for us to see then checked her, wrapped her, and brought her back. I got a quick kiss and thblen DH held her while they stitched me. It took 40 minutes to close up but I didn't feel it and was too busy looking at DD. The anaesthetist chats throughout, like a hairdresser in scrubs with drugs, to gauge your wellbeing from your responses. She put a load of antibiotics in my IV and a painkiller just as the surgery ended.
I was moved to recovery afterwards, I was on a fluids drip with a catheter in too. In recovery they undid the top of my gown, stripped DD, and chucked her inside it for some skin-to-skin and I was able to BF. They sat me up gradually, bit by bit every 20 minutes or so, and once the spinal had worn off as far as my hips (they check using the cold spray) I was allowed a drink of water. Once I could wiggle my toes I was moved to the post-natal ward but had to stay in bed as I was still numb despite the movement. I had the section at 11am and was in bed with the catheter and drip until 7am next morning when they removed both and helpe me stand up. I got a shower a few hours later. I went home after two nights (on Friday), the MW came out and removed the dressing on Saturday, and I'm getting external stitch removed today.
It hasn't been a picnic and I was very down about it to begin with but I think that was more because I didn't plan for a section. Things are better now, I'm still sore but every day it's a little less, I'm hoping when this stitch comes out it'll pinch less.
The most important thing is to remember to take the painkillers, there's no medals for being brave and once the pain takes a grip it's hard to get back on top of it so pain management is key.
Also take some lactulose or fibogel and eat plenty of fibre foods to make the first poop easier, last thing you want is to strain.
Big pants are a must and by big I mean biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig. I got wrong off the MW because I had bought big knickers but not big enough so DH was packed off to Matalan for half a dozen belly-button warmers.
Stock some peppermint tea or peppermint cordial, you won't believe the trapped wind afterwards - it's common to have shoulder pain due to it too. The MW recommended half a co-codomol dissolved in a cup of peppermint cordial and warm water and it really does work.
Take a comfortable nightie for when they help you change out of the gown on the post-natal ward. I felt like deep fried crap, knackered and sore, but having a favourite comfy nightie and some fluffy socks to put over my stockings was a nice little comfort and made me feel a bit better, ditto having a nice smelling shower gel for my shower the next day.