C section tomorrow any advice x

[4658Lou]

Abit scared for a c section tomorrow more
of the unknown and why I’m having one, been brought forward at 37 weeks 3 days due to PLFG blood test high risk for preeclampsia (my blood pressure was high at 36 weeks went into hospital for 2 days and was put on lebetalol blood pressure medication) that did seem to lower it so was discharged with the section being moved forward. My platelets were low so it was up up in the air if I needed a general anaesthetic not spinal, they seem to have raised now and ok from my pre op blood result and ok for spinal but they took them again to check again ready for tomorrow. I’m just abit scared of all this, the process, the c section what if my blood pressure goes really high from being do nervous? and the waiting around wouldn’t help it. I was told up 4 ladies can have a c section on the day and delays can happen if there is an emergency. I’m just wondering aswell with mine bring brought forward would I be priority over a lady that is 39 weeks and that’s her day of surgery due to why mine is being brought forward?

Please don’t worry too much. The hospital will be very well used to this situation and will have it all in hand. They will manage your blood pressure and make sure it stays within acceptable limits. Your BP will probably be taken every hour so if it does go up, there’s plenty of time to give you medication to reduce it.

The doctors will prioritise who gets a c-section based on medical need. If they feel that your baby needs to be delivered tomorrow then you’ll take priority over someone who can wait safely for an extra day. Doctors do this all the time.

It’s natural for you to be anxious when this is a new situation for you so please ask the midwives to explain what’s happening so they can reassure you. I’m sure everything will go well and soon you’ll have your baby to hold.

My advice would be make sure you take big pants that will not sit on the scar.
Take snacks for overnight (I took granola bars). This was one of the best pieces of advice I had!
Take nappies, baby clothes and a little hat for baby.

@4658Lou i would try to relax enjoy packing babies bag as little one will be here before u know it and your have a bundle of joy in your arms

Chewing gum and peppermint tea help with trapped wind. Order a grabber stick from Amazon for picking things up after. You'll probably need paracetamol/ibuprofen for once you get home. Enjoy the cuddles x

I had a C Section 3 weeks ago and I also have borderline/high-ish blood pressure. They took my BP a few times before the op and it slowly went down after some relaxing, breathing etc.

In recovery my blood pressure was perfect and I felt really relaxed, probably all the painkillers!

I felt quite anxious before but it was actually a really calm and relaxing experience so don't worry too much.

Good luck!

Get lots of paracetamol and ibuprofen in. Put some clothes above waist hight you won't want to be bending over to pick anything up

Peppermint oil or peppermint tea! Does wonders for the wind pain that will follow xx

They will prioritise the planned c section in the morning and as you sound like my situation, you will have a higher priority. They don't like to leave anxious ladies with blood pressure and platelet issues. You may have to wait if they decide to defrost some platelets incase you need an infusion.

Try some calming music, try and relax watch a film, eat a warm meal while you can! Good luck for tomorrow

Lots of snacks, magazines, tablet, charger.

I had my emergency c section at about 4.30pm and then was left on the post natal ward until the next morning and when they asked me to stand up and check I could walk etc, no one warned me that there would be a flood of blood that would just gush onto the floor. I was so embarrassed but they said it's normal. So just be aware of that.

It isn't scary, it's just weird. Somebody once said to me that it's like you're a handbag and somebody is rummaging in you looking for a lost key. That's quite apt! You can feel sensation but no pain so you are aware of the tugging and pulling.

It's really quick from spinal to baby, usually only minutes. And once the baby's here, you're busy gazing at them and marvelling while they stitch you up.

I had an adrenalin crash in recovery. Nothing worrying but I just felt very shaky. The anaesthetist fixed it for me.

Also, be aware that your bowels will be sluggish post op and you might feel it as trapped wind, including pain in your shoulder like you've slept funny. Peppermint is the best fix.

You will sweat a lot afterwards. If you prefer squash in you water, take some with you as you'll need to drink lots and lots of fluids, particularly as the ward will be hot.

Snacks are a v good idea. I was starving.

Get up and about asap and you'll feel like hunching over to protect your stomach, but don't. Stand tall and walk slowly.

You'll be fine. Good luck!

@Honeysuckle16 thank you I just read your message. So yeah if needed they could lower my blood pressure when monitoring I’m just worried if I get myself worried and worked up it will go up and with having my blood pressure being high it’s a concern. I will ask what’s the run down tomorrow too I think if I knew on day then that might make me feel abit better

@OhamIreally thank you x
I have these packed :) x

@Twimum23 thank you I’m all packed now x

This is all good advice just reading other responses. Got gum now and peppermint tea 👍🏻 aware of few things too that people have said. On one of the comments it’s minutes from spinal to having the baby? So it’s the rest of time the operation, it sounds like the baby is quicker than the rest of the operation x

Hi op I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I have my c section in 3 weeks

@4658Lou it doesn’t take long I went down to theater at 11.40pm twin one was born 12.08 & twin two was 12.09 and I was in recovery 12.27pm my partner noted it all down as I wanted to know how long it all took

You will start farting a lot on day 2. Please tell whoever is with you that although it will be funny they can't laugh, they have to leave the room if they want to laugh .' My friend with my laughed so much which made me laugh a lot and THE PAIN from the stitches was awful awful I literally cried from the pain of laughing.
No one warned me about this so I am warning you to warn you partner or helper!

I agree with the handbag.
Someone else said it's like someone is going the washing up in your tummy. I agree.

Honestly while sits happening you're just so so so excited as meeting your baby is getting so near and then suddenly you what a cry and see them!!!

DO have a playlist so that you can't hear them snipping you xx

@Unexpectedlysinglemum I don’t have a playlist but that’s a good idea, how do I get this? My husband will have his phone does it have to be hooked up on the phone or given the surgery team?

@Honeysuckle16 thank you I just read your message. So yeah if needed they could lower my blood pressure when monitoring I’m just worried if I get myself worried and worked up it will go up and with having my blood pressure being high it’s a concern. I will ask what’s the run down tomorrow too I think if I knew on day then that might make me feel abit better.

Yes, the doctors will give you medication to control your blood pressure if it starts to rise. They can also give you a sedative so you don’t get so anxious. This is standard procedure for them so they’ll take care of it for you. They’ll continue to monitor it and will adjust the medication to keep your BP within normal limits. Even if you become very anxious, it can be controlled.

They’ll continue to monitor your BP after your baby is delivered to make sure it returns to normal. We have pre-eclampsia in our family so we’re very used to the medical procedures involved with it.

Please be sure that you’ll be taken care of and that you and your baby will be ok.

Mainly just try to see it as exciting that you will meet your baby! I have had two sections and each time wished I had been more excited and less anxious. Easier said than done...

You can ask the doctors on the day if you can be as early as possible because you are anxious - they will take it into consideration.

Make sure you have a camera or camera phone and the theatre staff will probably help re photos.

Afterwards drink as much as possible ... it flushes out your system and will help. Also, as soon as you have the catheter out try moving, even if it's just a bit of standing. It all helps to avoid constipation, which can be painful.

Pack way more snacks than you think and a long phone charger cable.

You are in great hands!

Yup you just plug your phone in. Don't over think it just play a song you like and then the algorithms should play similar! (I did ask someone to note which song was playing as baby arrived though!)

Long phone charger and a peg to clip the cable to side of your bed - I found the peg very valuable as it meant the cable didn't fall on the floor!

Wishing you a safe delivery 💖

Make sure you go home with a proper prescription for painkillers. None of this paracetamol nonsense.

The spinal itself also has a tendency to lower blood pressure. If you feel nauseous or lightheaded at any point during the operation, tell your anaesthetist and they'll give you some medication to fix it. Beforehand, you'll be monitored closely, and medications given if your BP starts doing tricksy things. As your C-section has been brought forward due to medical reasons, yours will be prioritised over most others. The doctors will decide in the morning in what order the list will be.

I can only echo the feeling of washing up. I'd been telling people it for years before I had a C-section myself, but it's true! They may also have to press quite hard in the top of your tummy to help get baby out. Spinal to incision is more than a few minutes, as the block needs time to rise. But the time from incision to baby is usually incredibly quick. Only a couple of minutes. Most of the operation time is stitching all the layers back together.

Regarding music, it's usually the case that someone in theatre will have Spotify and a speaker. If you tell them the type of music you'd like playing, they'll put it on for you. If not, then absolutely put something on your husband's phone. But make sure it's ready for taking photos, and get as many as you can! Don't be afraid of asking a staff member (if they aren't already offering). We love taking photos!

Other than long phone charger cable, a large water bottle, and loads of snacks, I would suggest your own pillow. Hospital pillows are crap unless they're brand new. While I didn't get much sleep postnatally, I slept better thanks to my pillow.