C-Sections!

[mrslillian]

Can people please give me their experiences of planned c-sections? I'm booking a date for mine on Monday when I see the consultant, last baby was a forceps delivery so I've no idea what to expect. Also what will I need to take to hospital for the section? So far I just have giant knickers on the list

[Lily2020]

Following! I'm only 12 weeks but same as you had forceps last time & will be requesting c section. Good luck OP

[milney25]

I packed quite similar things to if I were having a 'normal' delivery. Lots of snacks because you can't eat before!

Water bottle with straw that your DH can fill up, I was so thirsty after, and once they remove the catheter you need to get that first week out!

Nightie, because of catheter you won't be able to put leggings on etc.

Make sure your baby clothes are bundled together, maybe in a ziplock, because you won't be able to rummage in the bag.

Yes - big pants. You'll need maternity pads.

Painkillers, in case the midwives are awol.

Book, game, crossword for the waiting before you go in.

[userabcname]

Mine was lovely. Arrived at the hospital at 7am. They got me fully prepped - spoke to the midwife, consultant and anesthesist, they took blood, did checks on the baby etc. Then DH and I were left to wait (take a book!). Got called at 11.15am. We were taken to theatre via recovery where we left our bag. Then the procedure- cannula in (the worst part imo), they numb the spine before putting in the spinal so I didn't feel that go in, then you lie down and a lovely warm feeling spreads up from your feet as you go numb. The screen goes up and they get everything ready. In comes the consultant and the baby is out really quickly - baby was born at 12.01. The stitching up takes longer but they plonk the baby on you which is a lovely distraction! Once done, you're wheeled to recovery where I had tea and toast and then to the ward. I was home the following day.

As for what to take - nothing majorly different from a VB. Big pants, high waisted leggings. If your partner has to leave make sure everything you need is waist height as bending down can be tricky. Same at home - make sure nothing is too high or too low.
Good luck!

[SparkyBlue]

No experience of planned sections as my three were all premature but you will need the same stuff in your bag as you would need for a normal delivery. I would always say have couple of extra nighties /pairs of pjs than you think you will need as the hospital will be so hot and you get so sweaty and it's nice to have extra and not to have to send home for them. Lots of high waisted knickers and after a section you can get really bad trapped wind so peppermint oil tablets are fabulous. Also drink tons of water afterwards it really helps recovery

[user1493413286]

I had a planned section and it was very calm and a really positive experience.
I’d pack big knickers, clothes without a waistband although maternity leggings are pretty good, a nightie with buttons so you’re not lifting your arms above your head and have no waistband. To have at home make sure you have a good supply of painkillers and peppermint tea to help with the wind and anything to help you “go” as the first time can be a bit scary.
We were waiting from 7am to 3pm for our turn so books or iPad is useful.
Also make sure you’ve got the help at home for a few weeks; my mum came to stay to help with my older child after my DH went back to work.
I also found that a spare baby blanket for the way home was useful as I put it between my tummy and the seatbelt so it didn’t push on it and if we braked sharply I had some padding.

[BabyG123]

Not sure if it's been said as just popped on...... buy peppermint tea for after. Serious trapped gas!

[TiggeryBear]

For me, socks & cardigan. The spinal made me extra cold & I hated having cold numb toes waiting for it to wear off. A long cardigan / or thin dressing gown was great as I shuffled back from the shower with my stuff in the pockets I felt cold & weak. Don't underestimate how tired you'll feel too. Slip on slippers / flip flops to wear to / from the loo / shower. Hospital floors are very slippery, especially when feeling unsteady.

[mrslillian]

Thank you! Some things I definitely wouldn't have thought of

[mrslillian]

Thank you! Some things I definitely wouldn't have thought of

[Avearage]

@mrslillian I guess your all packed ready to go.... Now just waiting excited and scared!!
Let us know how you get on!! I'm reading up so much about sections as it's becoming more likely I will have one so any handy tips or bits you wished you had let me know!!!
Will be thinking of you ❤️❤️

[Notlostjustexploring]

Because you'll be there a couple of nights, take your own pillow!!!
Extra long phone charging wire,

[HullabalooToo]

Arnica pillules are meant to be great for bruising. Don’t start taking before op tho as the can thin the blood. Iron supplements v important too as you lose a touch more blood via csection.
Both mine were fab,...one planned, one a calm ‘emergency’ after a placental abruption. It’ll all be good!

[HullabalooToo]

Flip flops for the shower too!

[mrslillian]

@Avearage not quite, still got 7 weeks to go until due date but section will be booked for around 39 weeks so I've got about 6 weeks to get things sorted :) slowly getting things ready now for her to arrive ❤️

Some fab tips thank you! Will order an extra long charger wire on amazon today, getting a handheld fan too because I'm expecting to boil on the ward 🙈

[My2catsarefab]

They take you down to the operating theatre & get you all ready. A midwife came and 'dry shaved' me beforehand - lord only knows what it looked like down there as my bump meant I'd not seen it for months! There'll be form-signing and a consent discussion too.

In the theatre room after they put the spinal in (this hurts but only when the needle goes in) they immediately lie you down flat on the table - after sleeping almost upright, propped up with a million pillows for 4 months previously, this felt very strange and I felt like I couldn't breathe. They will reassure you.

They will then test how numb you are by poking & prodding various parts of you and asking you if you can feel anything. They then asked me to try and lift my legs - it's a VERY strange feeling when you can't!

Then they put a really high screen up, you really won't be able to see anything after that, just the tops of the staff heads.

Depending on why you're having a planned CS section, they'll be numerous staff coming in and out. I was in for polyhydramnious, so I remember seeing one poor member of the team absolutely soaked in amniotic fluid - they came round the screen and showed me!

I know people have described a CS as feeling like 'they're (the doctors) doing the washing up' inside of you but I honestly didn't feel a thing!

Wish I'd thought about taking my own painkillers in for afterwards. For the time hours afterwards, when the spinal wears off and you've been moved to the post natal ward and there's no staff about - you will need them.

Other than that, like PP have said: big nighties, big knickers, lots of huge fanny pads.

[SephrinaX]

Slip on slippers! So you don't have to bend down or reach to put them on.

[mrslillian]

@My2catsarefab this is great thank you. I have Polyhydramnios too, it was picked up at my 28 week scan, over 4cm too much fluid apparently which is odd because my bump is actually quite small in comparison to when I was pregnant with my son!

[My2catsarefab]

@mrslillian Mine was picked up at 34 weeks - I was measuring 43 weeks! Had CS booked for 38 weeks. Was given steroid injections at 35 weeks to develop baby's lungs incase of early birth. Had to be admitted to hospital at 36 weeks for bedrest as the risks involved of early spontaneous labour were too high. I was so huge that they brought the CS forward to 37 weeks. Had all the pre & post-natal tests - no cause was ever found for the polyhydramnios.

[mrslillian]

@My2catsarefab crikey measuring 9 weeks ahead! my midwife doesn't bother measuring me as I have growth scans every 4 weeks anyway. That sounds really scary but sounds like you were well looked after! I had to have a GTT when they picked it up as they said it might be caused by GD but that was negative so who knows! I guess sometimes there isn't a cause, I'd never even heard of it until they said I had it

[kidsareok]

Hi! Great thread - thanks for starting OP! I am a bit of a medical procedure phobe! I'm ok with knowing what goes on but I think I'd freak out if I couldn't move my legs etc. Stupid question but even though you're numb from the spinal, can you still wiggle your toes or lift your knee up for example?! Does the spinal just numb the sensory nerves or the motor nerves too? How long does it take to wear off and when can you get up and walk etc? Might sound like a silly question (it defo is!) but I've had a dental procedure with anaesthetic go wrong in the past so I just have these irrational thoughts! Thank you x

[kidsareok]

Hi! Great thread - thanks for starting OP! I am a bit of a medical procedure phobe! I'm ok with knowing what goes on but I think I'd freak out if I couldn't move my legs etc. Stupid question but even though you're numb from the spinal, can you still wiggle your toes or lift your knee up for example?! Does the spinal just numb the sensory nerves or the motor nerves too? How long does it take to wear off and when can you get up and walk etc? Might sound like a silly question (it defo is!) but I've had a dental procedure with anaesthetic go wrong in the past so I just have these irrational thoughts! Thank you x

[mrslillian]

@kidsareok I had a spinal with my first before forceps and episiotomy and I couldn't feel anything from chest down, couldn't move my legs or feet for a good 4-6 hours after they'd put it in. Couldn't stand or walk for about 12 hours but that was mostly due to them securing the catheter bag to the bed so I was literally stuck in one place Sensory and motor nerves are numbed, so expecting this when they do the spinal for my section as well. If you're really concerned you can have a general anaesthetic instead but then partner can't be with you for the procedure x