CS next week and getting cold feet

[OuchBollocks]

38+3 today, CS booked in for 39+2. I had a thread before, my last labour ended in forceps and 4th degree tear (from a 'buttonhole' tear), still have some wind problems and faecal urgency which pregnancy seems to have exacerbated somewhat. Consensus was that I'd be daft not to go for the ELCS.

But I'm shit scared. Scared of the surgery a bit, scared of the post surgical pain and not being able to pick up my baby and certainly not being able to pick up my toddler. I already have a broken leg so am fairly immobile - I have to go upstairs on my arse as it is, how the fuck am I meant to get to bed when I get home?? I almost wish I would go into labour and deliver too fast for the CS but then I'm scared of doing my poor anus and bowel more damage and ending up never able to go more than 30 seconds from a loo (which would make my job untenable), or worse. :(

I had an emcs after ten natural births. I was a state when they told me. . Honestly it was fine. . Don't feel the epidural and I am a total needle phobe. Was up and about the same day, dressing off the next day and in the shower,amazed bf ony own. Managed stairs and loo alone at home. Was def nowhere near as awful as I was expecting it to be. Bought some super granny pants and was fine with the wound and using pads!!

You'll be ok,you can do this.One day at a time.if you need to sleep downstairs somehow,maybe it's possible to hire a hospital bed for the living room for a while.you can do it.

Mwah stampy, sure you know DD would use a bed in the living room as a bloody launchpad panic fear!

She would,your DD is a mad rebel.you have an army behind you,seriously,you can do this,it'll be ok.xx

I had an ELCS. It was honestly a really relaxed atmosphere. Took about 40 mins. There is post surgical pain but nothing too bad. More like soreness and that faded after 2/3 weeks. If you can help then do, to do shopping and practical stuff and looking after your toddler. But it was a breeze and much more preferable to the EMCS I had previously.

I am a BIG FAN of caesareans. I had one crash section after a very lengthy and unproductive (hah) labour and then an elective 2.5yrs later. The recovery was similar with both but unsurprisingly worse with the EMCS as I was exhausted after 60+ hours of contractions, but I guess my experience of the elective will be more relevant to you. The earlier you can go into the theatre the better, as you'll have had to fast from the night before. Also it gives you less time to get worked up! In all honesty, my elective was fine - it was pretty much as I expected, and I remember I was crawling around on the floor after my toddler a week or so after! They key is too rest up, but keep moving. Stay relatively mobile, but don't strain or put stress on your body. Keep alternating the painkillers even when you feel better. If you have any questions at all then please give me a shout.

It's the staying mobile part that's a big problem as I have a broken leg in an orthopaedic boot and it's strictly non weight-bearing for almost another 4 weeks....

Hmmm I do see your problem! Can you borrow a wheelchair? Other than that I would advise you to focus on making sure you keep some gentle movement around your midsection - so alternate between lying down and sitting up in bed/on the sofa, don't stay in exactly the same position for too long if you can avoid it. Can you apeak to your midwife about your concerns and ask her to put you in touch with the hospital physio team?

I want to put my hands on your shoulders, stare intensely and inappropriately close into your eyes and say: 'GIRL, YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE'.

My electives have been fine. They were less painful than a wisdom tooth removal. The main pain is a fleeting thing from the spinal or epidural. I am a total wuss with pain and was fine.

Demand all the pain killers, including morphine post birth (they will try to fob you off with ibropofen. Say you are in pain and want morphine). Make sure you change to cocodamol BEFOREHAND leaving hospital as you can't take morphine with you but can take codeine-based stuff. Adhere strictly to the cocodamol/paracetamol/ibruprofen regime. And I swear, you SHOULD not feel much pain at all.

As for being immobile, try to sit totally straight up or lie flat, not proposed half-up (which can cause wound to heal in a way that feels stretchy).

Try to eat healthily as you won't be walking around, and the wound heals worse when you have a massive overhang.

I second what dustoff said. The morphine (oramorph) was awesome! They advise against codeine now though if you're breastfeeding so will def try to fob you off with paracetamol. Get a supply of codydramol for when you get home. That's fine to take (I did a LOT of research!). Good luck, you'll be fine

You will be fine because women are amazing and we keep going even with a toddler, broken leg and a newborn baby. Because we have to. So strap on your big girl pants (literally) and sort yourself out with some rewards for after the op. If you can afford it, get a mother's help and say yes to everyone who offers to do anything for you. In fact, call everyone and marshal help.
Just as everyone has already said, wobbles are fine but it's all going to be okay. I promise.

I have half a bottle of oramorph left that they sent me home with after my leg surgeries it was the second leg surgery that's put the fear in me, the post op pain was worse than labour and a 4th degree tear by a mile so I'm worried the CS pain will be the same.

I sympathise. I had a badly broken ankle (pinned and plated) while pregnant. I was out of plaster and starting to weight bear but still using crutches when I had cs (for breech). I managed. I had the pram downstairs to help move baby. I put him in sling and went downstairs on my bum as I felt it was safer than carrying. It was tricky but doable. HV came to my home for weighing etc for first few weeks instead of me going to clinic. I don't really think the cs made it worse except for the first few days when you have lots of help around anyway. Good luck!

I had a planned cs and it was beautiful. I got a bit tearful and scared when it was epidural time but everyone reassured me and kept me chatting and it was done in no time. I personally found recovery a walk in the park, I had an infection which slowed me down a bit but I was walking round happy as Larry day 2, weekly shop on day 3 and driving after 2 weeks. I was lucky but surely the prospect of a less traumatic birth and nicer, more planned recovery helps put your mind at rest.

I hope it goes swimmingly and enjoy your new addition!

Also they gave me oramorph and codeine no problems despite breastfeeding last year. Take peppermint capsules and the trapped wind was the worst bit for me!!

My first and so far only delivery was by non-emergency section.

Compared to what you have described your first birth to have been like it was a walk in the park. As with any surgery the risks are clearly pointed out to you but the pain was totally manageable (due to a mix up at the hospital I was on paracetamol only for the first 24 hours and was honestly fine), my scar healed quickly and cleanly and I don't recall ever being unable to pick up my son. I was driving within 3 weeks and successfully breastfed for 2 years.

Sections get such a lot of bad press (which I find borderline offensive having had no choice in the matter) but honestly compared to a 4th degree tear and follow up surgery I know which I'd pick!!

A planned cs is v different to an emergency. I had virtually no pain - certainly less than my friend who had to sit on a rubber ring for 8 weeks after her labour! - and could pick up DD no problem. (Couldn't change nappies for 6 weeks though.... )

Try not to worry OP, it is scary but honestly it's v routine for the team doing the surgery. I was terrified but if we have another I will be asking for it, that's how easy it can be. Fingers crossed for you.