Elective/planned C- section - please share your experiences

[Ellycook]

Hey 👋, I will be having a planned c section - I've not had one before and am pretty terrified - I have not had a straight forward pregnancy and I'm also age 38 and BMI quite high at 37 - although I've kept my weight gain to an absolute minimum throughout, will be grateful to hear everyone's experiences and recoveries with planned c sections x

Had one with breech twins after 3 VB's, my BMI was 36vat bookingbwith them.
I was 3rd on the list, they had to find a 2nd surgeon so couldn't give me a time. Once they found one things moved quickly, dh was off getting a coffee (on crutches) but made it back in time. They got spinal in then shifted me in to position quickly, tilted table to the left which was uncomfortable with my huge bump so I supported it with my hand until the 1st was delivered. They were born 1 minute apart, weighed and checked before being passed for cuddles. I was too engrossed in them to notice them stitching me up. Spent about 8 hours in recovery as I had heavy blood loss, found the catheter a bit weird. Declined painkillers after my spinal wore off, forced me not to do too much. Got up and walked about 12 hours after surgery but felt like a lead weight, felt fine the next morning though and could carry both girls around (17lb combined birth weight). Once catheter was out I walked down the ward for lunch and a shower, nagged to be discharged, my iron levels were low but good enough for them to let me go. The girls passed all their tests and were feeding well (formula). Spent less than 36 hours in hospital. I was back doing household stuff straight away, out pushing the double pram a few days after surgery. My wound got infected a couple of weeks later as my stitches didn't dissolve but removal and antibiotics sorted it and it was painless. Didn't drive for 6 as dh was home that long, could comfortably pick up our 2 & 4 year olds after a few weeks. I only notice my scar at the start of af and after heavy deadlifts now. CS is an option for me this time, hoping I can go vbac but would be happy to go cs if I have to.

Following if you don’t mind as may be in similar situation due to breech baby - I also am 38 & have a high bmi

I had one last week after an emcs with DS 3 years ago. I was nervous but not scared like I expected. They had a bit of a palaver with the spinal block and I nearly fainted but once they had that sorted it was fine. I lay and chatted with DH, the midwife and the anaesthetist which they got on with it. It was very uncomfortable when they pushed down hard on my uterus to get DD out and lying there while they sewed me up wasn't too fun after she and DH had gone into recovery. It took about 40 minutes probably then an hour in recovery

I went home the following afternoon and so far recovery hasn't been as bad as it was with my last c section. All in all in was a relaxed and almost pleasant experience. We won't be having more children but I would pick an elective again if we did

Thanks ladies for input, @Chelyanne if you don't mind me asking how did they treat your heavy blood loss, this is something I'm really worried about with CS ? TIA @webuiltthiscityonrockandwheat thanks for your reply, if you don't mind me asking what was the palaver with the spinal? Did they struggle to find the right place etc, another thing I'm terrified about - gosh I'm just terrified full stop 🤣 @CoffeeMonkey of course, it's nice to hear I'm not alone with this x

@Ellycook It was noticed by the midwives when they came to check me and change pads, I felt fine so wouldn't have noticed if they weren't checking. They called the doctor in who shoved his hand up there as I was still totally numb, it settled down after that and they kept me in recovery to make sure it didn't get worse again. Didn't think to ask him what he did. I continued my iron tablets at home until they ran out but no other treatment.

I had a big loss in my ELCS, 2L. I didn't really realise at the time, they just told me on my way to recovery. DH said afterwards he realised something wasn't going quite to plan at the time but not to the extent that he was worried iykwim. They checked my iron and I just had to take iron tablets, but the other women in my birth group who lost that much needed transfusions. They checked again before I left the hospital and again at 6 weeks or so. It wasn't a big deal.

With the spinal, it took a few goes until someone told me to round my back rather than just bending over and then they were straight in.

I had a very calm EMCS and a slightly complicated ELCS and both were absolutely fine.

@Ellycook they struggled to sight it I think. I'm not really sure and I can't say it was painful, more uncomfortable but the position they had me in plus knowing there was a needle behind me make me feel incredibly faint. I asked if I could lie down (I lie down for blood tests!) and the got me onto my side and then it was fine. Once it was in I didn't have any problems and I've not had a sore back or anything since. But it was definitely the bit I found weirdest. With DS I was just so desperate for pain relief that I didn't care what they did to me but hopping up onto a table and having a needle in my back without being desperate for it did make me very nervous

I had one in Jan after 2 vb. I'm not going to lie I'd never go through it again. But that's because I never wanted a c section but had the choice taken away from me due to placenta previa.

I was 1st on the list but due to 2 emergencies I didn't have her until 2pm. I was so nervous but the midwives talked me through everything (was in for 10 days prior due to the issues) we went down they put a cannula in my hand then did the spinal once lay down they hook you up to monitors etc and tilt you to the side. It's a weird sensation you can't feel anything pain wise but you can feel them tugging etc. Its hard to explain. I opted for my partner to hold baby as I wasn't sure how I'd be with having a section due to the complications that could have arisen due to the previa. I had to have 4 units of blood on stand by in case. Luckily I only lost 300ml and was fine. Was in recovery until 7.30ish then by 2am I was up and about walking although once the pain killers wore off that was it.

Once I got home that's when it all hit me, I couldn't get out of bed, I was in so much pain, I had panic attacks daily due to the blood thinning injections. I was trying to breast feed and express every 2 hours as baby wasn't getting enough milk due to tongue tie so was exhausted. Which I think played a huge part in it. It took me 20+ mins to try and get out of bed.

By day 5 I managed to shower and then midwife took the dressing off and omg from then on I was a new person. I could walk better more upright, I got in and out of bed better. By day 7 I was walking with no problems and off the pain killers. Still struggled with the bed though. But by day 14ish that was all ok.

I don't mean to scare you etc that's just my experience, I think had I been ok mentally going into it recovery wouldn't have been as bad. But I never wanted a c section and didn't have a choice. I think it was bad but once the dressing came off i felt normal again.

Good luck and all the best x