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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

C section on xmas eve…. quite anxious now

15 replies

Bkk13 · 22/12/2013 16:08

Hi all,

So I have low lying placenta and its borderline so after much deliberation I'm now down to have a section on xmas eve. This is so far from the hypnobirthing home birth I had planned! Nevertheless I wrapped my head around it with the help of my lovely midwives. Today however, I met the midwife who would be with me on the day. I struggled to relate to her and her methods of guiding me through what is essentially supposed to be one of the best days of my life! All the other midwives I have seen have been really supportive and ready to listen to my concerns. The one I saw today was abrupt and pretty much fell into my perceptions of how clinical the whole experience is going to be. I am extremely extremely lucky in that my midwives have done all their visits in my home and they have all been wonderful. The one that came today is from a different team and she was like an alien compared to the rest of the midwives. There is nothing I can do to change her because they will be working a christmas rota.

I don't doubt her medical experience or ability to perform the job but I am feeling quite emotional and very nervous about the section as I have another underlying condition which is set off by strip lights in places like hospitals leaving me with complete vertigo. I feel like I am going to be going through it on my own and will have little emotional support other than from my lovely husband.

Any advice of people who've had sections over the xmas period and the care that they received whilst in recovery? Will it all be ok? urgh!!

Thanks in advance!

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Yama · 22/12/2013 16:17

I've had 2 planned C Sections. I remember the midwife from dc1's birth as she told me her youngest dd had the same name as my dd. She was great.

Can't remember the midwife from ds's birth and that was only 3 years ago. I remember both Anesthetists and Registrars (all lovely).

What am I trying to say? It will be fine. It will be the best day of your life. You might be home by Thursday.

Good luck.

thehouseoflego · 22/12/2013 16:20

You are legally entitled to request a new midwife on the day for whatever reason you wish. It maybe something as simple as a personality clash. It may take in half an hour an hour to sort, but they will change them over for you.

PenguinsDontEatStollen · 22/12/2013 16:23

Yes, if you have a real issue with her, she can be swapped. Whilst your community team who you know may not be available, she won't be the only mw on duty on labour ward that day.

Have you spoken to them about the strip lighting problem? Obviously not a lot they can do in theatre, but other places there should be room to help you.

thehouseoflego · 22/12/2013 16:23

In all honesty I remember the anaesthetist and surgeon more, than the midwifes. Mainly because I had three changeovers of midwives. However they all popped in the next day to say hello and have a cuddle.

I remember the anaesthetist as he had the drugs

redcaryellowcar · 22/12/2013 16:30

i didn't have a section, but was induced and has less than ideal experience, which i won't bore you with, but there are a few things i have reflected on since, one of which is that i should have asked to see the supervisor of midwive. there are people more senior too who you could discuss this with sooner than on the day, which hopefully will put your mind at rest, you are absolutely right in saying this is a one off for you you may only have one or a small number of children and each birth is exceptionally import.

cathpip · 22/12/2013 16:37

I remember my anesthetist, she is my boss. I had asked if she could be there as another friendly face. It's the anesthetist who chats to you as they are right next to your head, the surgeon I vaguely remember the midwife I can't remember at all. As for recovery it was fine they were all really helpful and I just met my consultant for this section and he reminded me that he was the consultant at my last delivery, lovely chap, can't remember him either! :)

winterpansy · 22/12/2013 17:59

bkk I'm having a section on Xmas Eve too due to dc being breech and a few other reasons so I'm interested in others experiences too. I'm so worried about being away from DS (2.5) that I've kind of lost sight of the new baby coming! I had a lovely easy waterbirth with him so this is all new to me. Hope you get the midwife issues sorted. I'll hopefully meet ours tomorrow at the pre op appt. Good luck!

Original poster

Bkk13 · 22/12/2013 19:49

Thanks everyone, will be calling my midwives tomorrow to see if anything can be done. Very odd feelings like im going to loose something which is so strange as I'm about to gain my beautiful baby! Maybe it's all because it's all in my head? Good luck winter pansy! Xx

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comfyonesie2 · 23/12/2013 21:44

Good luck! Hope it all goes really well for you and this time tomorrow you'll be cuddling your new baby! It's understandable to be apprehensive under the circumstances, and I hope you can get your midwife changed. But, if you can't, it will still be the best day of your life, for sure. Do please come back and tell us how it went when you have a minute!

Yama · 24/12/2013 09:00

BKK13 and WinterPansy - hope all goes well today!

elliejjtiny · 24/12/2013 09:49

Good luck with your C-section. I remember the midwife who was there at mine but it was the anaesthetist who was stood by my head, reassuring me. There were 2 midwives with me in theatre. They came to see me on labour ward and did all the preparation bits like giving me a gown, asking me if I had any questions and took me and DH down to NICU for a quick look because DS was going to be prem.

They walked with us down to theatre and then the anaesthetist took over at my head end. I think the midwives did my catheter and shaved me but not sure. They stood and waited until DS was born and then they were looking after him. It was the midwives who came and explained that DS had to go to NICU and helped me give him a cuddle first.

They took DS to NICU and came back in time to help shift me from the operating table to bed. They pushed my bed back to labour ward and brought me tea, toast and a sick bowl. They looked after me on labour ward for a couple of hours and then moved me to the postnatal ward.

Original poster

Bkk13 · 24/12/2013 14:27

Thanks for the messages, my section was cancelled as the consultant wanted another scan last minute. It seems my placenta has moved to safe distances and therefore no op..... My god the relief but what a day! With no sleep, nil by mouth, getting the theatre stockings on etc I am emotionally and mentally knackered.

So now I'm hopefully going to last another week and fingers crossed all goes ok moving forward. I'll have to have a managed 3rd stage but can get over that. Strangely missing not seeing baby as I was so mentally prepared for it. What a weird weird time in my life,

Thanks for all your support and hoping winterpansy is recovering well now.

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comfyonesie2 · 24/12/2013 15:30

Blimey! What a roller coaster for you! I'm really pleased you are able to have a natural delivery, but sorry you had to go through all that turmoil preparing for the section and thought you'd be meeting your baby today - that must be hard. The uncertainty is the worst thing with pp, but it just goes to show things can still change at the 11th hour. Hope you are ok and the baby arrives naturally soon. Try and enjoy Xmas....bet you could do with a stiff drink after today!

comfyonesie2 · 24/12/2013 15:32

Hope you're having a more straightforward day Winterpansy and cuddling your baby now!

PoppyAmex · 24/12/2013 15:33

That's good news but in case things change I'm also adding my experience to agree with posters up thread and say that in two c-sections I can't remember seeing my midwives or even talking to them.

Anaesthesiologists were my best friends though.

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