Planned C Section

[brokeoutinsong]

Hi all,

I am due to have a planned C Section on Wednesday for a couple of reasons:

• baby is apparently big
• baby is in back to back position
• have experienced some bleeding in pregnancy
• don’t want to be induced and risk baby’s head getting stuck / have severe anxiety about induction and interventions. They wanted to induce me today but I didn’t want to opt for that.

However, despite all of those reasons and the c section in part being my choice, I am so nervous. I am awful with injections and pain and with the baby being back to back concerned baby may get knicked with the scalpel.

Has anyone got any positive accounts of a planned c section ? All sorts of things are running through my head from hemorrhage to being in significant pain etc.

Thank you in advance

I think it’s easy to worry when we have a build up to a particular date so I can understand your concerns.

I’ve had four c sections and for all of mine, I’ve not seen any needles at all. A local injection has been put in my back (feels like a mild scratch) so I haven’t felt the spinal go in, then what feels like some rummaging around and the baby is born.

Have a chat beforehand with everyone in theatre so they can put your mind at ease that the baby won’t get nicked by the scalpel etc. They should also be able to talk you through what is happening and your birth partner might be able to look over the shield and get some action pictures of the birth.

It has always been a very calm experience for me, despite two of my c sections being cat 1 emergencies. Everyone has their job in theatre and they know what they are doing. To them it is a very straightforward and routine operation that’s actually very quick.

Also pain wise, it does hurt afterwards. You’ll be encouraged to shower within 12 to 24 hours and are likely to be offered oramorph which will be very effective once the painkillers injected during the spinal wear off. Don’t be afraid to ask for painkillers and remember that it’s better to manage the pain before it becomes too much than let it get to a stage you need to buzz someone in straightaway.

You can ask for them to out Emla cream on you in advance of the cannula and spinal - it's the stuff they use for children to numb the skin.

My ELCS was fine, the issues I had afterwards wee caused by them not providing pain relief on schedule and I ended up with a cascade of issues from that. If you do get given oramorph it might make you sick - they failed to even do anything about that for me until we complained about the poor standard of care.

All that said, I am most likely to go for ELCS again for my current pregnancy. I will just ensure that they don't mess me around next time.

If you have chance to get hold of it before Wednesday, I'd recommend reading Why Caesarean Matters - it's got a really good explanation of what the process is.

Best of luck OP 🤞

I had a "planned" c section at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia. I knew about 36 hours in advance. Had a spinal block and it was relaxed and pain free. Felt a bit of tugging down there but that's all. Took the morphine for a while after but within a couple of days was just on paracetamol. It's definitely uncomfortable the first couple of days but if you force yourself to get up and move about very carefully it gets easier quickly. Don't do any housework or move quickly for a few weeks. No lifting other than baby. My incision healed really well, but everyone is different. Will definitely have an elective when we decide to have another baby.

To be honest ELCS are a walk in the park. Very calm, usually your choice of music playing. Lots of staff to hold your hand and talk you through it. Pain is not that bad as they usually give you a shot of diamorphi e in with the spinal block which works for a few days.
As long as you follow instructions post op recovery is usually fine. When they say don’t lift, don’t lift. When they say keep the sexy stockings on for two weeks, keep them on. When they advise painkiller regime stick to it.
There are probably ten surgical staff in theatre with you so if there is a problem they are there to deal with it. Blood is always ordered ready even if it’s not used. The teams carry out hundreds of csections every year, they have had plenty of practice, so you will be fine!

I've had two! Absolutely lovely experiences both times! It's all very calm, surprisingly quick and before you know it, baby is in your arms. I've only ever had complications (including a pph) with my vb. Recovery is fine - just bear in mind you DO need to take it easy, even if you feel ok. Keep on top of pain relief and my best advice is to get everything you'll need at home for the first few days at waist level height, as bending down and stretching up can be quite sore initially.

I've had four sections. One emergency, three planned, though one was brought forward as a semi emergency as I went into labour. The operations themselves were fine and all went to plan. I was in a lot of pain after my third and fourth but that's because I'd had so many. But you will be fine. It's a lovely exciting experience, knowing exactly when you will get to meet your baby.

I’m 7 weeks post ELCS and I would 100% do it again. No pain at all because the hospital were fantastic at keeping on top of my medication. I stayed in hospital for the full 5 nights that my insurance covered and I had lots of support at home so could recover in my own time. Most importantly my baby arrived safely which was my primary reason for requesting one It was a great experience.

I have had 3 planned c-sections. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful before the op and everything was really calm and relaxed in the operating theatre. Afterwards the midwives were incredibly busy so I had to push for things I needed. I took on board the advice to take every painkiller offered! At home again I took every help offered.

All in all each one was a positive birth experience

I've had two planned c-sections and they were both wonderful. Good luck!

I've had two planned sections. Both calm, professional, friendly to the point of jovial experiences. One recommendation I have is take some paracetamol in your bag, you need to stay on top of your pain relief and the staff will be busy.

My planned one was a very positive experience; calm and no issues. It’s how I’d chose to have any future babies

Thank you all - I am very grateful. Still very nervous but this has helped alleviate some of my worries. I have my pre-op today and booked in for tomorrow. Can’t wait to meet little baba I am hoping that will get me through the hospital stay.

All great advice upthread.

Big pants for after. Have a pad over the scar to protect when coughing, going to the loo.

When going to the loo: get your loo roll first - this seems trivial, but the dispenser was BEHIND the loo when I had mine. Involved twisting round - agony.

When getting out of bed after - for months - use your hands to roll over, then push yourself up. Don't try to engage tummy muscles at all.

Will be totally fine - those are just the things I wish I'd been told!

Good luck op, and enjoy the newborn cuddles!

Good luck @brokeoutinsong . They will look after you really well and understand how anxious women get.