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Original poster

C-section experiences

12 replies

lilmisslibrarian · 22/04/2015 22:43

I'm having a lot of bother with back due to previous medical conditions. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and my midwife has suggested that it may be better for me to ask my consultant about having an elective csection as I am limited in giving birth naturally due to my back and various other conditions.
I'm nervous though-it's a big operation and as always I have heard all the horror stories.
I'm just wondering if some of you could share your experiences with me cause I really don't want to google! Also how were you after the operation, what could you do/not do afterwards?
Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
Brandysnapper · 22/04/2015 22:52

I've had two, no horror stories here. Recovery takes a while - once you're moving about fine remember to still go easy on lifting things. If can hurt a lot if you pull your wound! The birth itself was good and I held the baby very quickly and breastfed while still in recovery.

MummyPiggy87 · 23/04/2015 01:04

I had a emergency c-section with my first son after being in labour 32 hours. He just would not come out and his heartbeat started to fall. So they gave me an epidural which was fine, then we went into the operating theatre and it was so chilled! He was born safe and sound! We stayed in hospital and left on day 3. Don't worry, people don't hear the good stories. I'm having a c-section with this little one Smile x

MummyPiggy87 · 23/04/2015 01:06

... sorry, afterwards I think it took me around 2 weeks to get back to a normal routine. After having my baby I was walking around the next day. You'll be a little nervous understandably, but you'll be absolutely fine x

madwomanbackintheattic · 23/04/2015 01:20

Elective here. All fine, but you do need a bit more help after the birth for lifting etc.

My two vbacs were hideous, awful, and damaged both me and dc3 permanently. After dc3 the consultant suggested that I should never vb again. I agreed. Grin

WhatsGoingOnEh · 23/04/2015 02:09

I loved both my c-sections! And I'm a total scaredy-cat who needs sedation to have a filling in a tooth - so if I say it's easy, you know it's easy. :)

Really not a big deal at all. They put the spinal block in, then honestly about 5 minutes later, your baby is out, weighed, checked, and lying in your arms. The rest of the op passes in a blur as you're holding your baby.

I was walking that same day, home by day 4, and driving (with my doctor's permission) by week 4.

I would nevvvvvver have preferred to have had a natural birth. I had a c-section with DS1 because he was 2 weeks' late and there were complications stopping my labour. I was so relieved. :)

sophiaclair1 · 23/04/2015 03:11

I had an emergency section 4 weeks ago for bleeding but baby was breech so was meant to be having an elective section anyway!

I was extremely upset about the idea of a section and had quite a few tears at the idea however in reality I still feel I got my personal "birth experience "

The surgeon, midwives and anaesthetists were brilliant and we made them aware we didn't know the sex of our baby and that I wanted my husband to be the person to tell me.

Despite the emergency section the whole process was oddly calm, my husband was there holding my hand the whole time, he watched my daughter come out and told me she was a girl, they left the cord longer so he still got to cut the cord, I had skin to skin within 1-2 minutes once baby had been checked whilst they stitched me up and my husband then helped with getting baby weighed etc, I then was given baby back as soon as we got to recovery and breast fed there.

In terms of recovery the hospital I was at do an enhanced recovery programme where my catheter came out at 6 hours post op and I was encouraged to get out of bed at this point and I went home the following day!( I was expecting 3-4 days in!)

I won't lie I was in pain and the first week was tough in terms of feeling tired and moving around but I'm now 4 weeks down the line and feel find ( sleep deprived lol) but recovery has been surprisingly better than I expected!

Hope that essay helps ?? x

sophiaclair1 · 23/04/2015 03:11

I had an emergency section 4 weeks ago for bleeding but baby was breech so was meant to be having an elective section anyway!

I was extremely upset about the idea of a section and had quite a few tears at the idea however in reality I still feel I got my personal "birth experience "

The surgeon, midwives and anaesthetists were brilliant and we made them aware we didn't know the sex of our baby and that I wanted my husband to be the person to tell me.

Despite the emergency section the whole process was oddly calm, my husband was there holding my hand the whole time, he watched my daughter come out and told me she was a girl, they left the cord longer so he still got to cut the cord, I had skin to skin within 1-2 minutes once baby had been checked whilst they stitched me up and my husband then helped with getting baby weighed etc, I then was given baby back as soon as we got to recovery and breast fed there.

In terms of recovery the hospital I was at do an enhanced recovery programme where my catheter came out at 6 hours post op and I was encouraged to get out of bed at this point and I went home the following day!( I was expecting 3-4 days in!)

I won't lie I was in pain and the first week was tough in terms of feeling tired and moving around but I'm now 4 weeks down the line and feel find ( sleep deprived lol) but recovery has been surprisingly better than I expected!

Hope that essay helps ?? x

sophiaclair1 · 23/04/2015 03:12

I had an emergency section 4 weeks ago for bleeding but baby was breech so was meant to be having an elective section anyway!

I was extremely upset about the idea of a section and had quite a few tears at the idea however in reality I still feel I got my personal "birth experience "

The surgeon, midwives and anaesthetists were brilliant and we made them aware we didn't know the sex of our baby and that I wanted my husband to be the person to tell me.

Despite the emergency section the whole process was oddly calm, my husband was there holding my hand the whole time, he watched my daughter come out and told me she was a girl, they left the cord longer so he still got to cut the cord, I had skin to skin within 1-2 minutes once baby had been checked whilst they stitched me up and my husband then helped with getting baby weighed etc, I then was given baby back as soon as we got to recovery and breast fed there.

In terms of recovery the hospital I was at do an enhanced recovery programme where my catheter came out at 6 hours post op and I was encouraged to get out of bed at this point and I went home the following day!( I was expecting 3-4 days in!)

I won't lie I was in pain and the first week was tough in terms of feeling tired and moving around but I'm now 4 weeks down the line and feel find ( sleep deprived lol) but recovery has been surprisingly better than I expected!

Hope that essay helps ?? x

chloechloe · 23/04/2015 05:23

I was completely intent on having a natural birth but ended up being wheeled into theatre for an EMCS on about 10 minutes' notice. It was, and still is, a shock as to how it all turned out, but the OP itself and recovery were absolutely fine. I had a spinal and held DD straight after while they stitched me up, DH was there the whole time. I also called the midwife into the recovery room so she could help me to BF within the hour.

I had the OP at 9pm and they got me up and walking first thing the next morning. Getting up that first time is horrific, and getting out of bed is hard the first few days. But I found that being mobile really sped up my recovery and gets your system working properly again. I went home after 3 days (but live in Germany where they keep you in for longer). Since being home I pretty much did everything as normal, but just took care when bending and lifting. I have been doing lots of things I was told not to do, like carrying the shopping, but life has to go on and personally I think it's fine as long as you listen to your own body.

The only thing that surprised me was how numb to area around my scar is, which I never knew about. As the nerves get damaged, it can take up to a year apparently for the feeling to return.

All in all I had a positive experience, despite the fact I never saw myself having a CS and was totally unprepared for it.

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best and a healthy baby!

Original poster
lilmisslibrarian · 23/04/2015 07:34

Thank you all so much Smile I have been worrying for weeks as I know a lot of people think women who get them are 'too posh to push' and all I really want is a birth where my baby and me aren't stressed out (anymore than we need to be). I'm glad that DH would be able to stay with me and tell me the sex as that is my only stipulation!

OP posts:
Number3cometome · 23/04/2015 11:04

Due to have my 3rd c-section in July - first was EMCS, second ELCS.

I have a spinal fusion (not the reason for my c-sections) so will be asleep this time, last time I had a spinal block (didn't have the fusion then)

The experience was amazing!! Very calm and relaxing, didn't feel any pain and was home after 2 days.

Just be careful with your back as you may feel you are stooping forward to prevent stomach pain. Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

I won't have anyone in with me as it is a GA, but I have asked OH (who will have baby given to him immediately outside) not to tell me anything about the baby (apart from the sex which I know already!) until I can look for myself.

Foxeym · 23/04/2015 13:48

I've had 1 emergency and 2 elective the last one being at age 42 and have recovered well from all, no problems at all

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