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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Elective C-Sections.......

34 replies

Snailsmummy · 20/09/2011 09:17

Hi,

I just wondered if there was anyone who has had an elective c-section and what their experiences were?

I'm due in about 4 weeks time, and I opted to have one as with my first pregnancy which was in 2009 I had a 3rd degree tear. Although I had no long term damage afterwards, I was concerned about the size of this baby as my little girl was 9lb 14. I had a meeting with my consultant and was told that obviously they could not predict whether or not I would tear again this time, but my chances were greater this time if I did happen to tear again that I could possibly become incontinent, I didn't want this as I'm only 25 so I opted for an elective, I don't plan on having anymore children after this baby.

I just wondered what peoples experiences were, I hear all sorts of horror story's and I'm completely expecting it not to be a smooth ride after baby is out with recovery but I just wondered how you felt on the day you went in, how long it takes, the sensation, and roughly how soon your mobile?

Thank You x

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LolaLadybird · 22/09/2011 12:37

I had an EMCS (undiagnosed breech) with DC1 and then an ELCS with DC2. The ELCS was a breeze compared to the first one probably because I hadn't gone through labour first. The procedure itself really was fine, no pain just some interesting sensations but not even particularly unpleasant. A couple of tips:

make sure you still get skin-to-skin time with your baby. This didn't happen the first time even tho' it was in my birth plan. I think it's easier for them to forget because baby is usually whisked away while you are stitched. Make sure you remind them in recovery

hopefully you will be on a post-natal ward with other CS mothers. Again, this didn't happen the first time but did the second and it really helped to have other mothers around that had been through the same thing. Otherwise can be quite demoralising to see others going home much quicker than you

it doesn't necessarily take 6 weeks before you can drive. The first time I waited 3 weeks and the second time was a bit less but do check with your insurance - mine said it was up to how I felt

oh, and Vit E cream/lotion is brilliant for the scarring. Mine are barely noticeable although they are so low down in any case that it doesn't matter. The worst bit is the little CS 'pouch' you get above the scar where the muscles never quite seem to be the same again!

HTH

Catsycat · 22/09/2011 13:41

OMG Lola, yes, the pouch !!! All my CS friends have them, even though they are all much slimmer than me!!!! I just try to ignore it and wear big knickers to hide it / hold it in.

eastegg · 22/09/2011 15:27

Hi, pleased to see this thread. snailsmummy and Icravecheese I'm in a similar boat; 3rd degree tear last time in 2009, seemed to heal well but over the past year have a bit more faecal urgency/little bit of leakage, consultant recommended CS to avoid risk of worsening of symptoms even if a VB went well. Am booked in for next Friday the 30th and very excited indeed, whereas if I was going for a VB I'd be even more nervous than the first time!

So no direct experience to offer yet but I will try to get back to you if I have the time! Anecdotal accounts tell me that it's all going to be fine, to do less afterwards than I think I'm able to, to take the pain meds. Lola the tip about reminding them to give you skin to skin is good. With DS I was being stitched up from the tear so my DH had DS for the first 45 mins or so, then I had first skin to skin in the recovery room after that (which was fine), but I will see if I can get first dibs this time!

HPonEverything · 22/09/2011 15:49

This is a great thread, I'd like to thank all those who have posted details of their experiences. I'm having a planned cesarian one week today due to a breech baby and I am so so nervous.

For me it's not so much about the op or the pain, it's more about the aftermath. I wish I could just go straight home afterwards like I had hoped for with the VB :(

There are things I am really worried about like will I be able to lift the baby out of its cot thing, or will I have to keep ringing for a MW? I am planning on breastfeeding and I'm worried in case baby doesn't 'take' to it (I posted on another thread where people told me that CS babies may not BF too well). Should I take all the gubbins for formula feeding just in case? I don't really have anything so I guess I should buy it?

If I am knocked out, what happens to the baby during this time?

I am just dreading being on a ward and having to rely on other people to look after me and my own baby :( I could cry just thinking about it.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread, by the way.

mrsrvc · 22/09/2011 15:55

Hpon
I've not known anyone who has had a c-section struggle with BFing. Obviously some people do, but people also struggle with it after a VB.
If you are having an ELCS it is very unlikely that you will be put under a general. Usually only happens with a crash section.
WIth my DS he barely went into the cot thing. I wanted to cuddle him! Also the MW helped me to bed in with him so that I could feed him on demand.
Hope that helps!

LolaLadybird · 22/09/2011 15:56

Catsy - I know, I actually take comfort from the fact that my v slim friends still have the pouch (as I'm not quite so dainty). Nice to know dropping a stone or two wouldn't have saved the day!

eastegg - possibly you still won't get skin to skin until you get into recovery as you are completely horizontal whilst still in theatre. With both my CS's I got shown my new baby all wrapped up but only got to have a little look, no cuddles until I was in recovery. I remember it was strange to be separated from DH and DC for so long straight away. Even DH commented that it felt 'wrong' for them to not be with me at that time (and he is very non-soppy about these things). I think it's maybe strange for the father to be taking charge so soon after the birth - DH had to find the first clothes for DC from my bag for instance - but probably does them good .

Hullygully · 22/09/2011 15:58

HP - after my first cs I found I was able to sit up and move about (slowly) and lift the baby out of the cot thing, and I went home after two days. I was able to move about fine at home, just had to stop every now and then for tiredness.

My ds was taken into special care for a few hours (breathing), and I went down there in a wheelchair and breastfed him. All fine. A lot of babies don't like to eat immediately anyway. And you won't be knocked out completely! You get lovely drugs that make you all floaty. Yhe only thing I noticed was that I wanted 17 cups of tea afterwards.

It's nice to be in a small ward with other women apart from one bloody woman who let her baby scream for two hours until I went and shook her awake you can chat and admire the babuies. And the staff are really helpful, with my second cs, I couldn't lift the baby, and they just came and got her for me and then I kept her in the bed.

You'll be fine.

LolaLadybird · 22/09/2011 16:09

Hpon - I had no trouble bfing both my CS babies. I did need help getting them out of their cots for the first 24 hours but, as mrsrvc says you don't do it that much because you're cuddling them. Also, the midwives were v good IME, never made me feel I was being a nuisance ringing the bell and again, like mrsrvc, they also tucked me up with DS on the second night so that he could demand feed. I remember waking up after several hours lovely sleep and having to ring the bell to get them to 'unwrap' me as they had done such a good job of tucking us up together! By day two, I was up and about and able to get myself a cuppa so certainly able to look after DS for myself.

Catsycat · 22/09/2011 17:27

HP, Once I could stand up, there was no problem lifting my DDs and caring for them. Before that, the mws are happy to bring them to you, if you ring the bell.

DD1 never did breast feed (I expressed for her), DD2 just did it straight off, so I don't think it was the CS that stopped DD1. Both DDs had a bit of formula in hospital, DD1 because she couldn't latch on, DD2 because she completely butchered my nipples the night before my milk came in!!!!! The hospital provided the formula, but I don't know if this is the same everywhere. They seem to have rules about who can prepare milk etc. I also used the hospital's breast pump (which is massive!!!) with DD1, so no need to take one in either. Might be worth just checking the local policy in your hospital.

I was allowed to hold both babies while they finished up in the OT (sewing me up etc). They did take them away to check them over first which took a few minutes, but I could still see the baby each time. I was then given skin to skin. Did anyone else's baby wee and poo on them during skin to skin, or are my children just especially kind????

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