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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Top tips during caesarean

59 replies

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 14:13

Due for elective caesarean in 2 weeks if breech baby doesn't turn.

Have had 2 natural deliveries before so now idea what to expect.

Come on ladies - top tips of things you wish you'd known b4 or been told previously.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

funkimummy · 14/02/2007 14:19

I've had two, let me think....

Make sure you shave or wax your lady bits before you go in, otherwise they do it for you (dry!!!) with a bic razor!!!!!!!

Pretty straight forward really. You go down gowned up. They make DP go into a side room to get gowned and clogged up whilst they give you the spinal block. (then he's allowed in.)they lay you down, they'll insert a catheter into your lady bits, and put some drips in your hand to control meds.

Once they're ready to go, they open the sunroof and get baby out. You won't feel anything, but you will feel a bit like you're being tugged around on your tummy.

You might feel a little light-headed. Let them know if you do, and they can re-organise the med dose to make you feel better.

They don't tell you that you'll get constipated afterwards, so make sure you don't eat things that will bung you up! (sorry yuk I know!)

BF is a bit sore to begin with, but you soon get over it.

As soon as you're allowed, get up and start walking around, it makes for a much nicer healing process!

TooTicky · 14/02/2007 14:20

Don't panic or they will knock you out completely.

funkimummy · 14/02/2007 14:21

Buy some large disposable pants as well, and plenty of loose clothing, as everything else smarts!

Twiglett · 14/02/2007 14:23

if they say turn up at 9am .. turn up at 8.50am ..even if they unofficially tell you you can be there at 9.30 because barring emergencies they do a first come first served

with DD we turned up at 9.14 and didn't have c-section until 5pm .. it was 'noying

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 14:25

Will certainly do the shaving then - don't fancy a dry shave thanks very much!

Is the setting up of a spinal the same as an epidural - or are they the same thing anyway??

Tooticky - will try not to panic! Don't fancy being knocked out either!

OP posts:

dressedupnowheretogo · 14/02/2007 14:25

take yr digital camera with you i have pics taken by the aenesthetist of her being lifted out of me on the resus thingy the scales etc also they put oasis on for me when i made a sarcy comment about jimmy somerville i have lots to drink i felt really dry and all they could give where sponge lollypops yuck

also i shook uncontrollably all the way through so much my teeth wetre chattering and i had no control at all

sorry if been too blunt

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 14:26

OMG - didn't realise you all just turned up on same day and waited your turn. Will certainly get there early in that case - can't imagine having to wait around all day...

OP posts:

sunnywong · 14/02/2007 14:27

don't EVER ask them what they are doing

" They've just got your womb out" is not what you want to hear

or "She's lost about 1.5 litres"

just take the drugs and keep shtum

TooTicky · 14/02/2007 14:28

At least you know yours is going to happen. Mine was an emergency, and dp decided he wasn't coming in with me, and I hate spreading numbness, and the midwives didn't talk to me at all - think they just thought I was too young and stupid. YOU WILL BE FINE

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 14:28

Is the music thing a good idea in terms of hiding the sucking squelching noises i imagine are to be heard!

Hadn't thought I'd bother as no idea what on earth i'd fancy listening to whilst it was going on...

OP posts:

dressedupnowheretogo · 14/02/2007 14:29

agree also to the loose clothing and getting up and about as soon as you can but at the same time dont try to do too much

also change into a feeding bra if you plan to bf before you go in

mysection was an emergency so they just topped up my epidual and gave me a load of morphine and anti sickness meds thru a drip

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 14:30

Sunnywong They've just got your womb out!!!!!!!!

Ye Gads!!!

Will not be asking for running commentary then!

OP posts:

dressedupnowheretogo · 14/02/2007 14:31

the aenethetist chatted to me all the way thru

my dp is incredibly squeamish so i was on my own

Twiglett · 14/02/2007 14:32

talk to DH whilst its being done .. music would have annoyed me I think

its over really quickly and then you can focus on baby whilst they stitch you up

put baby to breast (if bf) in recovery room

brief people to visit laden with M&S food

take the drugs afterwards for as long as you feel you need them to take the edge off

Once you're up on your feet .. it gets easier and easier exponentially

make the most of not being able to push / pick things up .. ie no hoovering / cleaning for 6 weeks

saintmaybe · 14/02/2007 14:34

The constipation can be harsh, - painkillers with codeine will make it worse, so avoid. It's really fine, though, I've had three emergency cs, and wasn't shaved, so might be worth checking local policy if you want to avoid the itching!
Good luck !

snowleopard · 14/02/2007 14:36

In retrospect, I wish I'd been able to see DS coming out so I'd ask for a mirror if I did it again, and have a look - or at least have the option - or a camera or video camera might be a good idea.

Keep the wound clean and don't touch it - I got an infection. You can have lavender/tea-tree baths to help it heal, but be careful if breastfeeding to wash breasts separately as the strong scents can be offputting for the baby.

I didn't have music but asked for running commentary from the midwife, which actually really helped - it depends on you. Also ask to see the baby briefly before s/he is whisked away and wrapped up, if possible.

Don't go in the bathroom/shower alone for the first few days, and especially don't lock the door. You can faint if you've lost a lot of blood.

These may sound a bit alarming, but i would also say try to enjoy it - it is your baby's birth, and if it's an elective it won't be a panicky situation - I look back on mine fondly now.

magnolia1 · 14/02/2007 14:37

Sleep with a cotton blanket/sheet the night before. Give this to the midwife to wrap baby in after he/she is cleaned up. They get mums smell straight away
Dh took pics with his camera while they were doing the section
Most hospitals do skin to skin, imsist on it!!! Baby is kept naked (except for nappy and blanket) In recovery they can pop you on your side and put baby in bed with you to feed. It was the most memorable birth I have have had because of his

Ask if they are going to put a drain in your wound?? If they are ask them not to. Its not neccessary for a 1st c section and It bloody hurts like hell coming out

Take painkillers when offered, don't refuse even if you feel fine. Its horrible to wait for he pain before asking for meds, takes to long to kick in if you wait.

magnolia1 · 14/02/2007 14:38

We had music, ds1 was born to Leo Sayer's 'Say You Say Me'

snowleopard · 14/02/2007 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Twiglett · 14/02/2007 14:42

if you want to see the placenta ask before they start

I've never seen one of my placentas and by the time I remembered to ask with DD they'd disposed of it already

Twiglett · 14/02/2007 14:43

I never had constipation

snowleopard · 14/02/2007 14:45

I did remember to ask to see the placenta, I've always wanted to see one. Midwife looked baffled but went ahead and collected it, in what looked like a Lidl carrier bag, and brought it up to the head end for me to have a look. But by that time I was out of it from the drugs and blood loss and stared at her equally baffled, like "wtf is that?" It looked like an absolutley enormous slice of liver, with frilly bits.

Aloha · 14/02/2007 14:45

If you want to see what is going on, look in the big overhead light and you'll see the reflection - fascinating! if not, avert your eyes. Agree with skin to skin, nice and cuddly. I also chatted to the anaesthetist - dh went very quiet! I insisted on being told jokes first time, and said, 'of course you know jokes. You used to be a medical student'!
Oh, you get tipped slighly on your side for the op, which I found really weird first time. And to distract myself from havig no feeling in my legs I pretended I was in yoga doing deep breathing and relaxing and letting myself go limp. It was v effective. By the time ds and dd emerged I didn't think about anything but my baby.

dressedupnowheretogo · 14/02/2007 14:49

i didnt get skin to skin for at least an hour so would deffo mention it

mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2007 14:50

I had em section, so didn't really get to prepare. I would say though to buy one of those v shape pillows because it can be uncomfortable to lay little one on your tum for feeding especially whilst lying down in bed(if bf, could try lying on your side).

Don't do too much in the way of lifting or stretching to start with, but do try to get up as soon as you are allowed, you won't feel like getting up - but once you are it feels better!

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