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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

mumfor1standfinaltime · 14/02/2007 14:52

Just thought of something else - I had terrible wind after my c section, felt like lots of air got trapped when baby came out!

Midwife gave me peppermint drink. Not sure if anyone else can recommened something else. I didn't suffer with constipation!

mrsflowerpot · 14/02/2007 14:54

Make a birth plan, just so that what you want is recorded - things like skin to skin, partner to hold baby next to you while they stitch you up etc. They will look at it and it helps you feel in control.

When they put you onto the table after the spinal, they will tilt it (to the left iirc) - it's a bit of a shock if you're not expecting it but you get used to it pretty quickly.

If you feel queasy or lightheaded during, tell the anaesthetist straight away so they can adjust the meds.

BibiThree · 14/02/2007 16:42

Whats the drain for (silly question) and would I NEED to have it with with a 2nd section? I was on a ward with a woman having one removed and she screamed like I've never heard a woman scream before.

mawbroon · 14/02/2007 17:00

I would just add that you need to have faith that your insides will not fall out the first time you have a poo. It will feel that way though but it will be just fine.
Also, you will have been asked to fast from midnight or so which means you will be starving afterwards so bring loads of snacks including dried apricots to help with the constipation!
Good luck and sending turning vibes to that babe of yours!

Aloha · 14/02/2007 17:04

Yes, second birth plan idea. WOuld you like any particular music? Dimmed lights? To have the screen down so you can see your baby emerge? Lots of things are possible.

funkimummy · 14/02/2007 17:17

Ooh err. I've had 2 c-sections, and I didn't have a drain in either?!?!?!

NotQuiteCockney · 14/02/2007 17:22

Drain depends on how things go. I had one with DS1, but not with DS2.

The one advice I'd give is, have a running commentary at the anaesthetist. If your BP drops (which it does, for many women) you will feel woozy before they spot the lowered bp on their monitors. Also, any strange sensations while they're putting in the epidural are worth noting as well, to put it mildly.

ProfYaffle · 14/02/2007 17:24

What was it like having it removed NQC? I didn't have one last time round but have elective planned for next week, am worrying about drains now!

NotQuiteCockney · 14/02/2007 17:26

Slightly uncomfortable. A bit worse than the catheter maybe? I think it was my midwife who did it, rather than one of the normal ones, which probably helped. Sorry I'm a bit vague, it was 5.5 years ago now!

ProfYaffle · 14/02/2007 17:27

That doesn't sound too bad. Cathater being removed was odd but not painful.

Thanks.

funkimummy · 14/02/2007 17:28

Hmm. I feel all left out now! (joking of course!) I've had two planned C sections (one for breech and one for a grade 4 placenta Previa - I like to make things easy!)

I didn't have a drain with either of them!!

NotQuiteCockney · 14/02/2007 17:30

I am pretty sure the drain was because things Went Wrong in that csection.

Hmm, according to this presentation, 6% of surgeons just use a drain all the time, 52% use it if the op calls for it (i suspect because of things going wrong?) and 42% rarely use one.

pendulum · 14/02/2007 18:06

Definitely something for the trapped wind- I took Colpermin tablets. My lovely friend brought date loaf for the constipation.

I told them beforehand that I wanted to touch the baby as she was taken out of me and towards the scales. She grabbed my hand and looked straight at me- it was a really precious moment, apart from the surgeon snapping "Don't touch me, I'm sterile!"

Ali5 · 14/02/2007 18:29

Take cds, our theatre played music and it was Enya. I never really liked her but now it has an odd effect whenever I hear her. Take the drugs, I stupidly commented that I didn't need them because I wasn't in pain and the midwife calmly pointed out that was because I was taking the drugs - durrr. Ditto on skin to skin, food and no jobs at home. I got very itchy round face and neck too - a reaction to the spinal block I was told. I was really worred about the cathetar but it was fine because it went in when I was numb - but it didn't work properly and I had to have it redone in the middle of the night by a really rough midwife with freezing cold hands Get up and walk every day as soon as you can, even if it's just round the bed in the first couple of days, it really helped my recovery.

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 18:43

Do you get given surgical stockings from the hospital or do you need to take your own in... or are they surplus to requirement?

All this talk of drains is a new one on me too!

Good idea about the blanket though - will do that.

I can't stand Enya... may have to take something in just in case she pops up...

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 14/02/2007 19:12

They provided the stockings.

I brought my own music for DS1's birth. Haven't been able to listen to that CD again (wasn't a good csection, to put it mildly!). Maybe it's better you get put off music you don't like anyway?

NotQuiteCockney · 14/02/2007 19:14

I don't think it's been mentioned already - bring giant pants. You can't have pants anywhere near the scar. I always ended up wearing DH's pants.

StinkyPete · 14/02/2007 19:18

sorry haven't read all others posts but...

BIG PANTS

Chillout · 14/02/2007 19:21

Something cool to wear afterwards.(I mean heatwise, not funky, but it could be both..)
It was about a million degrees in the ward I was in.

Ali5 · 14/02/2007 19:25

Ditto big pants, and clothing with lovely stretchy waistbands (am I the only person who misses wearing those maternity skirts and trousers with loads of stretch?) Didn't have a drain.

MrsWaggsnapps · 14/02/2007 19:26

Big pants for afterwards that don't sit on your scar, ask someone to show you how best to sit-up afterwards so that you don't hurt yourself (you will NOT want to use your abs at all).

I had emergency CS when DS was breech and it was way easier than I thought, the spinal wore off quicker than I expected (about 2 hrs), I did get the shakes during the op because of the spinal.

I think it's a good idea to agree a calming/relaxation strategy with your partner before you go in. If you feel panicky he can then start that (I just did one that was "my fingers and hands are relaxed, my fingers and hands are completely relaxed... working up the body).

Chillout · 14/02/2007 19:28

Obviously everyone is different, but I would say don't worry. I found root canal work far more traumatic! They got me numb, started op at 10am, ds born at 10.03 and I was back on the ward at10.27. It was amazing. I was able to get up for a showere the next morning.

Original poster

muppetisacat · 14/02/2007 19:32

Blimey Chillout! That has to be the fastest c-section ever!!!

OP posts:

Chillout · 14/02/2007 19:34

Apparently my consultant has a reputation for it!

Beccadillo · 14/02/2007 19:34

I had two sections - one emergency and one planned.. Despite the second being planned I didn't plan very well so ds ended up being born to some bonkers "singing in the rain" type track - so take music...

Deffo agree on the skin to skin contact asap - b/c dd was born as an emergency section, and needed a feed asap whilst I was being stitched up I didn't hold her for ages afterwards, and it really had an effect on me (which I only noticed after ds was born and I held him really quickly).

Finally, I didn't want a running commentary because I thought I was going to faint throughout, but I spent ages (well it felt like ages it was probably about 5 minutes) bracing myself for the epidural before dh reassured me it had happened.

Also - I never had a drain, the catheter was fine, so don't worry about those.. but don't be tempted to do too much - I did that and now I look back and realise I should have sat back and done naathing at all whilst I still had the chance!! I quite enjoyed the second section once I had got over the sickness as with only 15months between mine it was the first time I had to put my feet up (literally, in fact I wish someone would give me the excuse for a quick epidural once in a while)...

HTH

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