One ES and then one planned
Planned for me was a very good experience. I knew the date, had a good nights sleep the night before and was relaxed. There was a lovely atmosphere in the theatre - very upbeat, humour and conveying excitement that my baby was about to be born- in that sense it was lovely.
The most unpleasant bit for me was getting in spinal block. There had been difficulties with my first c-section, so they were forwarned and took a different approach very quickly when they encountered the same problem . It’s not nice, but there again it isn’t unmanageable . Try to relax and explain to them if you are not comfortable so you or they can change position to get the spinal in . They listened to me, and did what was needed to make it quick and as comfortable as possible
After that it is pretty straight forward. You will, as we all have done, be anxious when they ask if you can feel anything ..I did a lot of “umm” “maybe” 🤣🤣🤣. I think they’re used to it when you really cannot feel anything! Once they start Baby comes out very quickly- less than 10 mins . After that you don’t really register what is happening. It takes about 40 mins to close you up and sort you out, but you will have the baby by then and won’t care!
Baby should be bought to you straight away, they certainly tucked baby in the trolley with me so I was nice and close. Dad cut the cord - he was asked and said yes,
As the anaesthesia wears off you can get big shivers and shakes…all normal…ask for extra blankets. But you’ll be on morphine and be as high as a kite for first few hours anyway - all loved up with baby and weird dozy dreams 🤣
You’ll have a catheter (put in once spinal in) , don’t rush to let them take it out. Saves you having to worry about getting to loo for first night etc.
I did pay for an amenity room second time around. I also asked for them to take baby to nursery for first night except to bring him to me for breast feeding. Not sure if they can even do that these days, but if they can then do this. As I say you’ll be on morphine, drugged up and incapable of moving out of bed alone. During my first birth by Emergency they’d left baby with me, and I had to listen to him screaming and not be able to get to him. It was traumatic so I put my foot down 2nd time around. By 2nd night. It was fine as I was mobilised and on paracetamol not morphine
I asked at my visit, and we were allowed to take in a small bottle of bubbly to wet the babies head. Though I should think if you’re breast feeding they’ll probably not allow that now🤷🏼♀️…this was 25 years ago! I also packed a post birth “picnic” nibble treats to take in once back on ward- including all the things I wasn’t allowed to have during pregnancy such as pate, and soft cheese. A real treat and we had a mini party 🎉
Staff were fine about it and thought it was great.
Take all the help you can for breast feeding if you are going that route. Be prepared that baby will take longer to latch on and get the hang of it. You’ll also need to look at suitable positions for feeding with c section wounds- have a look on line these days I assume for advice. It isn’t easy for most people to learn to breast feed…c-seditions don’t make that any easier …stick with it, get help, but if you’re sitting there at week 3 with tears streaming down your face and feelings of being a totally useless mother then consider stopping and not beating yourself up. Even a few days of colostrum is a good achievement
In terms of recovery it was fine. I had a toddler so certainly couldn’t take it easy. Avoid lifting- I used a sling for first 6 weeks rather than pram. Talk with your insurance company to check if there are additional restrictions on driving- most companies just say when the doctor says it is ok, which most do once you feel ok to drive. Practice doing an emergency stop on breaks before you drive for first time. If you can do that easily and without pain or hesitation then you are probably ok- maybe 2 -3 weeks. But check.
I think recovery is easier than many vaginal birth recoveries. BUT be warned. Pelvic floor exercises are just, if not more, important- bear in mind you will have a incision that slices through your pelvic muscles, so it is important to work on physio once you have all clear . If you don’t do this you can end up with chronic back issues. I have a really weak back that causing sciatica as not enough attention was paid at time to c-section physio. Started about 10 years after and has plagued me since . I also have adhesions - but that didn’t kick in until years later and causes a variety of issues. Discuss adhesions with your consultant and ask what they will do to minimise the risk. However, no one births a baby without it having an impact on your body at time and then later in life- c sections come with their own issues in long term .
Try to relax, it’s not a walk in the park but it is not a bad experience or painful . You’ll go from walking about normally with no contractions to having a baby in your arms in a matter of less than 30 mins …you’ll probably pinch yourself to be sure it just happened as it can feel a bit remote.
Remember it is not what your birth method was that makes your motherhood experience , it is all the days that follow for the next 25 and counting 🤣🤣🤣
Good luck 💐💐