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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 :(

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HumphreyCobbler · 09/09/2013 21:06

there is a lot to be said for morphine, frankly

Thanks for your good wishes, best of luck StillPukin

Blurry29 · 09/09/2013 22:04

Can you decline a catheter??

I had a CS in 2006 with my son for various reasons. I am pregnant again now and will be having another CS after Xmas, do I have to have a catheter? Can I "opt" out of it? X

CrispyFB · 09/09/2013 22:04

I've had two - EMCS (although it was about as un-emergency as you could get) and ELCS. Both were absolutely fine.

I'm a big fan of natural birth and had a natural birth with DC1, but was honestly left with no medical choice after that due to cervix issues.. even me, the big fan of "natural birth whatever" knew it was a no-go.

You feel really oddly detached from what they're doing down there, and anything you do feel is not pain, just "something". It's not freaky at all.

The only bit I didn't like is when I try and move my legs and they don't move, and then of course I try again and end up in a vicious spiral of "argh, legs!" but if you tell someone they can distract you easily enough! Baby is a pretty good distraction and as mentioned shows up very early in the proceedings! And the numb legs thing applies to epidurals during a vaginal birth anyhow. And also seemingly I'm the only person who has this issue with numb legs anyhow as nobody else ever reports it..

It's all so relaxed and chilled and everyone is always super friendly and cheerful. Most of the time you can get skin to skin afterwards too, especially if you put your gown on the wrong way.

The recovery is not great obviously, but often vaginal births can be horrendous to recover from as well. And you get better drugs with a c-section.

This one has to be ELCS again.. kind of looking forward to it!

noblegiraffe · 09/09/2013 22:11

I wouldn't have thought you could decline a catheter as you are numb from the waist down so would have no control over your bladder and probably just wee everywhere. Plus you wouldn't be able to get out of bed to have a wee anyway!

Andanotherthing123 · 09/09/2013 22:17

Just on the catheter, you'll have to have one for the reason noble mentions but having had them done for two CS and twice (without anaesthetic) for another hospital stay, they really don't hurt at all. I was so surprised that even sans anaesthetic, there was no pain at all!

InTheRedCorner · 09/09/2013 22:19

Oh I did decline with my third.

I wasn't offered one with my first at all and had no problems

I had one with my second and it stopped me being able to go home as early as I could have because I couldn't pass urine after it was taken out and had to be re inserted etc bloody nightmare thing after such an easy experience.

Baby number 3 and I said no, told them I would make sure to fill and empty my bladder and all went fine.

That was 6 years ago though.

mrsvilliers · 09/09/2013 22:33

CrispyFB I had the numb legs! In fact I had two epidurals so ended up with a dead leg for two weeks after.

OP the only thing I would say is to ask for a pin test if you are not 100% sure that you are numb. They spray you with a very cold water spray and you have to say if you can feel it. If you are not sure ask for them to do a pin prick test. I wasn't sure and ended up feeling more 'tugging' than I would have liked!

Excited2meetmyprincess · 09/09/2013 22:44

Thanx still got a while to go yet as I'm 30 weeks in a couple of days but can't wait to have her here just nervous about the section xx

10oclocknews · 09/09/2013 22:51

I've had 2 sections. First emergency and second elective. .... both were fine. ... elective was much better. ...I was more nervous about the spinal block when I had my elective but it was fine can't remember any pain. .. It was a little uncomfortable but didn't hurt. .... during the section you can feel the sensation of pulling and pushing but not any pain. .... I'd liken it to when you get a dead arm and you can feel sensation but not touch iyswim....... recovery is a little slower with a section but a good excuse to rest and enjoy newborn cuddles whilst everyone else looks after you. The first few days are the hardest with a section but keep on top of the pain relief and light mobility and you'll soon be feeling great again. ..... hopefully your placenta will move but if it doesn't a section can still be very positive. .... you can be a little more organised and you will at least know your baby's birth date. ... and you won't go overdue x x

CrispyFB · 09/09/2013 23:51

mrsvilliers - ouch! (or rather not ouch, I guess!) Mine have always cleared up just fine after it wears off.. I've not had them numb for longer than they're supposed to be. How horrible, I think I would go completely batty!

It is indeed like a dead arm after you've been sleeping on it. If only I could sit up and have a good old curious prod of my dead leg I would (back in recovery obviously, not during the operation!!) but circumstances of nasty incision and baby on you tend to prevent that. The pins and needles when the feeling comes back are quite nice though, or perhaps I'm a bit weird!

Never minded the catheter, although make sure they don't let it get full up because that does hurt. This has happened twice on separate occasions to me, and each time they've told me "oh, it's the incision, have some more morphine.." (oh, okay then..) despite me saying "NO, IT'S ME BLADDER" and it takes them some convincing to check the bag. They look sheepish then. And I got extra morphine.

Meglet · 10/09/2013 07:29

stillpukin I've just remembered that after both cs's (both around 10am) I experienced sickness + trembling around 3pm in the afternoon. That bit really was grim, it lasted around 20 mins or so. IIRC it was a combination of the epidural + aneasthetic wearing off and the painkillers kicking it. I also reacted badly to intravenous morphine and had to stick to the tablets. But it might just be I'm a lightweight .

Felt more human by tea time and had toast and tea.

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2013 09:54

I had a really weird sensation with the epidural that it felt like my legs were actually bent at the knee (I guess a phantom sensation from when the needle went in?) but they were actually lying flat on the trolley. It was so bizarre, like I was looking at someone else's legs. It went away when the epidural wore off, thankfully!

tinkerbell666 · 10/09/2013 12:17

I had 4 'normal' births and one section due to placenta previa, and i must say the section was bloody awful ! the spinal numbed up to my neck ! I felt awful afterwards, really drugged and yuck, then started throwing up. I was on my feet using the loo 6 hours after, and could walk, pick up baby etc, but would never ever choose to go through that again :(

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