Top tips during caesarean

[muppetisacat]

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.

Oh yes - and in the night following the section, take all the drugs they offer you. It really is fine, but don't stint on what they offer - I woke up and wondered if I should, then took the morphine, and then wondered why I wondered whether to take it..

Personally having experienced caesarian and vaginal births I'd say you have nothing to fear. In fact, if like me you gave birth previously without an epidural you'll find this a piece of cake. There is no real pain - I mean obviously there is pain of a kind afterwards when ur sore, but it'll be manageable and controlled - none of those scary contractions and thinking OMG what've i done!! Def agree about the shaving - a dry shave is a little rough! And be prepared for feeling that it's a very medicalised experience - there'll seem like a lot of gowned people in that theatre, which can seem a bit overwhelming if you had just you, partner and midwife with natural births. Overall I'm glad i experienced both ways - my natural births felt like an incredible achievement by me; the cs while awake under epidural felt like the incredible achievement of modern medicine.

God i think Mumsnet is GREAT!

Such good tips so far ladies...

as a recap i am listing

Big pants
take in smelly blanket from night b4
grab all pain relief offered
ask for skin to skin asap
bring some music (if only to protect against Enya)
Shave your own bits
Take anti-constipation foods
Try to get up and walk a bit asap
Arrive early
Let the anaesthetist know if feel light headed
Don't overdo things when you get home

All good stuff!

Flight mask and ear plugs were the only thing that let me have any sleep whilst in hospital.

don't try to get up on your own .. they'll come and help you first time

I'd also add to take arnica beforehand - you can get a super-strength 200c one from helios.co.uk. I took it, and definitely healed more quickly than I expected.

Also, don't be surprised by the number of people in the theatre, there could be up to fourteen or so medics, midwives etc in there with you. I was warned about this at my ante-natal class, and otherwise would have been worried by this, but it's completely normal.

We were given dd almost straight away - dh asked what she weighed after a bit, and they said, well, let's find out - they didn't even do that before handing her over, which was lovely.

Good luck - but I'm sure you'll be fine.

oh, and make sure everything you need afterwards (drink, tissues, snacks etc) is within arms' reach of your bed otherwise you'll be ringing the bell for the midwife all night.

But they will come and lift the baby onto you for feeding or even change it if you're not up to it the first night.

if you need to sneeze, cough or cry - basically anything that pulls on your tummy- put some pressure on your scar with both hands or a pillow etc.
try and cough from your throat rather than your tummy.
ask a physio to show you a comfortable way of getting out of bed.
good luck

God yeah - forgot about the tummy muscles thing! I remember trying to pull a paper towel out of one of those dispensers in the hospital bathroom and it hurt like f*ck! Didn't realise you use stomach muscles for that!!
Oh and another thing i remember - because you have a drip in your hand during the op they can whack any drug in and it takes effect IMMEDIATELY - bliss! I said 'I'm gonna be sick' during the op, the anaesthetist said 'ok, i can sort that', whacked some wonder drug in and instant relief.