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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Talk to me about your cesarean....

38 replies

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 19:35

I'm pregnant with my 2nd child - 14 yrs after my first and I've just found out that I might need a cesarean due to low lieing placenta. I know theres time for it to move but its not something I had even thought about and to be honest it terrifies me.
How was yours? Would I HAVE to be awake? How much could you feel? How long did it take to recover? Did you have stitches or staples - how/when were they removed? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
Sorry for the question-overload :(

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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noblegiraffe · 09/09/2013 19:38

I've had two, one EMCS one ELCS. Both fine. You want to be awake for the birth of your baby! It feels weird, you can feel tugging and pulling, but no pain. I had dissolvable stitches so they didn't need removing.
You get given strong painkillers so the pain on recovery isn't too bad, in fact with my ELCS I didn't take any after the first couple of days.

anchovies · 09/09/2013 19:40

I was awake for all three and they were fine. Skin to skin in theatre straight after delivery, up and walking about the next morning. You can choose to be asleep if you really want but they prefer you to be awake if possible. It felt weird but not too bad, the spinal was the worst bit and the best bit was knowing in literally a couple of minutes I would be holding my baby! I had stitches and they were removed a few weeks later at home by the midwife (can't really remember which muct be a good sign!)

I was always desperate for a natural delivery until I was with my sister for her labour and birth. After watching that I literally skipped in to theatre to have dc3!

Good luck :)

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 19:43

Thanks ladies.
Another stupid question... How long does it take?

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cathpip · 09/09/2013 19:47

Once the surgeon starts about 10 mins, then you have your baby. I think it's about 45 mins in total.

knittedslippersx3 · 09/09/2013 19:52

I had an EMCS. I didn't feel anything, had dissolvable stitches. Recovery - needed to hold on to something when I sat down or got up. Laughing was a bit painful. Was told not to lift anything heavier than the baby. Had painkillers for a couple of days.

Antidote · 09/09/2013 19:56

I had an emsc which was a bit of a nightmare done at 3am for foetal distress, but we were both fine. Felt pretty wiped out for a couple of days and rhen started to heal and made a good recovery. Driving and fully mobile within 4 weeks.

I an an elective section this time last week. It did feel very medical and rather detached at the time, right up until dd arrived over the screen and was squealing. I had skin to skin in theatre, fed in recovery, and she basically stayed glued to me like a little naked limpet from 10am to about midnight when I tried to put her in the cot!

I was in theatre from about 9am till 10.30, the actual op took about 45 mins, most of that is after the delivery.
I was home for tea the next day, although getting in and out was bed was very sore!

I am still a bit tender, but really, it was amazing and I wouldn't change a thing

ShowOfHands · 09/09/2013 19:58

It's extremely likely that your placenta will move and if it doesn't, I'm happy to give a full and frank description of both of my CS but suffice to say, both were fine. It doesn't hurt, you can feel what is happening though. Once the op is started, the baby is out in a few minutes at most, stitching up takes about half an hour but this flies by as generally, you're having skin to skin, smiling, laughing, cuddling etc.

I had two easy ops, easy recoveries, no painkillers needed. Honestly, an elective cs isn't as frightening as you're imagining right now. In fact, it can be a very positive and lovely experience. I won't give you the boring details now as chances are you won't even need them.

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 20:01

You all seem so chilled about it! haha. The thought of lieing there awake while they're slicing and stiching makes me go all sweaty. I know I'll get the gift of my baby during it all but I just think I'll be too freaked out by whats going on that I'll be distracted from her and not enjoy her enough - iykwim

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InTheRedCorner · 09/09/2013 20:05

I've had 3 ELCS and they were all fab. I dont think my DH would agree, he said itlooked awful and he was really on edge The staff were all so friendly and cheerful and all in all it took about 50 minutes.

I was BFing in the recover room - pulled my self up on a rope ladder thing.

Make sure everyone helps for a good few days after so you get real rest, that really helped me and I was up and moving as soon as allowed in hosp, I think that really helped.

Good luck

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 20:08

Aw you're all so reassuring. Thank you x

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fruitpastille · 09/09/2013 20:21

There is a barrier up so you can't see anything and you have your partner and midwife up your end to hold your hand. Lots of surgeons let you bring your own music too. You won't be aware of any slicing or stitching. I have had two wih no problems.

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 20:27

I know I wont be able to see anything but I'm edgy about how much I could feel - and I think the cringe factor lol

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Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 20:30

Another really stupid question..... will I need a catheter!?

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Meglet · 09/09/2013 20:40

In both my EMCS and ELCS the theatre staff were lovely. They answered all my questions about what would happen next / what that tube was / what that machine was for etc etc. They lowered the screen in my EMCS and let me see the placenta after my ELCS. Even though the staff in that room must have had hundreds of c-sections behind them they didn't make me feel like I was on a production line and there were many 'aaaaaws' when each baby was whipped out .

What I wish I knew then that I know now is to stay in your pj's and do not move from the sofa for a couple of weeks. No visitors either. It's a time for takeaway pizza, ready meals, box sets and sleb magazines.

Recovery was hard after my EMCS as I didn't rest. But I rested for at least 2 weeks after my ELCS, and didn't bother really doing much until after 6 weeks.

Jojo3973 · 09/09/2013 20:41

Hi, I have had 2 sections, both were fine. You will have a catheter but you won't notice them putting it in as they do it when you're numb and the cover thing is up. First I knew of it really was when the nurse took it out in the morning. Not the nicest thing but really not as bad as I expected.

Meglet · 09/09/2013 20:42

Yes, catheter for up to 24hrs afterwards (I've known other mums have them in for only a few hours). I bloody loved not having to get up to wee after weeing constantly in pregnancy.

Jojo3973 · 09/09/2013 20:43

Also, I made the mistake of only taking pyjamas to wear after, not good with a catheter, I had to sleep in just my pyjama top the first night. Not great!!

HumphreyCobbler · 09/09/2013 20:44

I was so fed up with constantly getting up for a wee every two seconds that I didn't want them to take the catheter out

I was nervous before my planned section but I remember it really happily as a lovely experience.

I am doing it again in four weeks and can't wait.

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 20:49

I'm stunned at all your positivity! You're all bloody amazing!

Good luck HumphreyCobbler I hope your next experience is a good as the last one :) x

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Teabird · 09/09/2013 20:52

I had an emcs due to dropping heart rate of dd and can honestly say I didn't feel a thing, a combination of epidural and spinal block. I was awake the whole time and saw her immediately. My dh took her and dressed her and also had to do the first dirty nappy! !! I had lovely skin to skin and breastfeed her quite easily. The main thing is to take your painkillers regularly snd remember not to do too much too quickly. Just cuddle on the sofa and let people look after you x good luck x

Excited2meetmyprincess · 09/09/2013 20:53

I am so glad you posted this. I am having a section due to health issues and you have asked all the questions I have been thinking about! I am so nervous about what I will be able to feel so totally understand were you are coming from but after reading this it doesn't seem as bad as I am expecting. Xx

ohmeohmyforgotlogin · 09/09/2013 20:55

I desperately didn't want a section but needed one and actually didn't find it that bad at all. Staff are very reassuring and distracting and it is over fairly quickly. You have your baby when they are sewing you p so have something lovely to think about. I was surprised about the catheter as no one had mentioned it. Take any painkillers offered. I found full recovery difficult and had VBAC second time round.

AFishWithoutABicycle · 09/09/2013 20:58

I too had a really good experience. I was completely pain free. My patrner was really good at taking my mind off what was happening by talking to me about stuff, can't remember what probably baby names. It's not what I would have wanted but it was totally fine. Also the baby doesnt get all squishy headed.

weebarra · 09/09/2013 21:01

I've had 3 EMCS, the most recent 3 weeks ago (was schedulwd for an ELCS but DD decided to come early).
Didn't really feel any pulling or pushing with either DD or DS1, did with DS2. Worst bit was definitely getting the spinal but the theatre staff were just lovely and talked me through everything.
Spent a couple of hours in recovery then up to post-natal, catheter in overnight, got in the way a bit when showering, but not too bad!
Had stitches, removed painlessly by mw when home.
Scar a wee bit sore if I do too much (lifting the 3 yr old today was a bad idea) but ok doing school run etc.

Original poster

StillPukin · 09/09/2013 21:02

Hope it goes well for you Exited2meetmyprincess and that you arent too worried about it (ha, says me!). Make sure you update us on here how it goes .

ohmeohmy I'm glad the staff think to distract you!

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