C Section tomorrow and anxious of what’s to come.

[JuicyOrange01]

Hello,

As the title says I have a C section booked for tomorrow and I’m so so scared so looking for reassurance.

I already have a 20 month old so will be 2 under 2.

Im scared about everything.

Scared of the C section itself. I had one with my first but that wasn’t planned so I had no time to think about it and don’t remember much tbh as I was so exhausted from the labour before.

It feels unnatural knowing for weeks and weeks that tomorrow I will be having my baby and major surgery. Too much time to think and build it up in my head I think.

How I will manage 2 under 2s after a c section.

How difficult life is about to come with them both.

Baby was planned and I have a VERY hands on supportive DP and a supportive hands on wider family and grandparents and friends. So I know I’ll have support and help whilst I recover. I guess I’m scared about life after recovery and the C section itself.

any words of advice?

No advice specifically, however my SIL just had a planned c section, My brother is super hands on and he had 2 DC from previous marriage. They, to be fair are older.
I feel planned are much more calm in the sense that there's no urgency and means they are not rushing the procedureq. She was a bit sore but otherwise absolutely fine. She's been holding her baby just fine and my brother was very helpful with doing as many feeds and changes as possible. My nieces (his DCs have also helped although they're a little nervous as they're still young but trying!)

She says she feels better post c section than she did at 8-9months!

I know every person is different with different recoveries and experiences, however she made it look like a breeze.
I was terrified of one (I'm due myself soon) but because of her experience, I'm feeling much calmer about it if it comes to it.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it could well be absolutely fine, recovery ok and if you have a hands on partner, you've more than got this.

I've been batch cooking meals to freeze for us for when we're in that post birth period and would make enough to take them a meal too, which they really appreciated and still do. So maybe ask if anyone can make some extra dinner now and again to drop off a meal for you both to at least take dinner/cooking pressure off you both.

Both Brother and SIL said that small thing of a nice, healthy meal made a big difference for them so I'm still cooking extra to give them a meal a month on whenever i can. My mum is too.

I had an emcs with a 3 year old 2 year old and a newborn, I was a lone parent so didn’t really have a choice but to get on with it. It was fine tbh. I had to ignore all the no lifting etc as didn’t have a choice but everything was fine no scar bursting open or infections etc

Thank you both for your replies! They are reassuring.

@WinterSnowFox can I ask how you found having a newborn and toddlers at the same time on your own? How was your mood? Any tips to keep mood up?

Im quite down atm so worried ill get pnd but i think its just anxiety.

The unknown is horrible, but I've had 2 electives and when the second came round, I was actually really excited and thoroughly looking forward to the spinal and getting the first comfortable lay down in months. I've not had an emergency CS, but it sounds like tomorrow will be very different in terms of prep - hanging around in waiting rooms for meetings with the surgeon, the anesthetist, the midwife - getting gowned up and measured for surgical stockings. Lots of waiting around (often with other couples in the same boat, so making small talk) then off you wander into theatre with some chilled out medics. You won't be exhausted after labour too, so should feel pretty perky in recovery with your new baby. Afterwards my DH was good at lifting DD up onto my bed and keeping her clear of the wound, but TBH the newborn is usually where you don't want the toddler climbing so acts as a bit of a barrier. Enjoy meeting your new baby tomorrow!

@FluffMagnet thank you so much for your response. Very reassuring!

were you scared the night before or morning of? How long did it take you to be able to feel your legs and get to the loo?

was it morning or afternoon surgery? I have to be there first thing and they said I’d be with other people on the list in the waiting room.

I am excited but it’s overruled often by anxiety of what’s to come. Knowing it’s actually happening and this time tomorrow I’ll have a newborn and have had a major surgery is crazy!

Hey!!
I've had both EMCS and then an elective with twins when DC1 was 21months.

Honestly the elective was 100x easier than the EMCS, sounds strange but it was almost a relaxing experience.

I was to be at the hospital for 8am and twins were born at 10.30(ish)

Was up on the ward about 3pm and was up and in the shower at approx 8.30pm (ish)

I also ignored all the heavy lifting rules they gave as was near enough impossible to follow with 3 under 2.

Was discharged the following day at 4pm with no complications

The one thing I did insist was that they sent me home with dihydracodine as the paracetamol and ipbrofen from the EMCS did not touch the sides.

Recovery from the elective was easier, but prob because I remembered which way I could / couldn't move and they slow, roll over and slide off the bed rather than Try and just sit up 🤣🤣

Good luck!!!!

My ELCS was honestly the most calm and lovely experience! I was absolutely terrified too. But I walked calmly into theatre and I would choose it 10009909999 times over a vaginal birth.

Yes it was painful afterwards but recovery was fast and good painkillers helped:

Good luck OP!

It’s all a blur really as it was a long time ago they are now 12 11 and 9, the oldest 2 are the same age for a few days that’s how close in age they are 😂 I do look back on the baby years and miss them massively though. A sling was a life saver for me and double buggy! I lived in a 3rd floor flat with no lift though that wasnt fun so couldn’t listen to the no heavy lifting thing as I would have bed housebound for months! My recovery was really easy and straight forward though.

I loved my two planned c-sections. Genuinely. I am horrified that anyone has to give birth any other way and have had far far more minor medical procedures that I’ve found more stressful.

At no point was I in anything approaching ‘pain’. Keep taking the painkillers you’re told to take and you’ll be fine. I felt nothing even approaching period pain bad in recovery. I was obviously a bit slow and fragile for a few days afterwards but you say you have a supportive partner and family/friends so you’ll be absolutely fine.

I had a section with my second when my first was 21 months and it was fine. Just focus on taking care of your newborn and spending time cuddling with your toddler and leave the rest to someone else. Your partner and family can manage the house, etc.

And keep taking the painkillers as long as you need to, there's no award for the person who comes off them soonest.

My ex and family were around for three weeks after and then I was on my own, and in all honesty was ready to be.

I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious op!

I had 2 planned c sections with 18 months in between, so I know the 2 under 2 situation well! A planned section, in my experience, is amazing! When you get to the ward in the morning you'll be shown to your bed and there will be a little crib next to you with babies card for details, your hospital gown and some surgical stockings (they will check they're the right size), and you can pop babies nappy, vest, hat, clothes etc in the crib ready to take down with you, Everyone comes and introduces themselves to you over time, and you'll find out roughly what number you will be to go down. When it's your turn, you will walk down to theatre with your DP or whoever you are taking with you, and they will be asked to wait outside while you have your spinal. You'll be asked your name and date of birth for the millionth time and then they'll pop you on the bed and get you to squeeze into a cushion while they pop the spinal in, then they'll quickly lift your legs onto the bed, then your DP will come into the room. When I had both of mine, the surgeons were chatting away about their normal lives and everything was really relaxed, and the anaesthetist was amazing just talking to me. If they have students, they'll ask if you mind if they observe, too.
Once back home, you'll soon find your own way of doing things. DH would pass me baby, and would also pass me out-then 18 month old, who surprisingly was very careful around me,
We just had lots of chats about my poorly tummy etc.

Another vote here for the slow roll to the side and slide off somewhere! And also to grab a cushion and squeeze into it if you need to sneeze!

Honestly, the thought of it I found harder than the reality. You will be amazing, and I wish you all the best tomorrow, enjoy your beautiful new baby!

Hey @JuicyOrange01 I have an elective booked exactly 5 weeks tomorrow, my dd is 21 months and will just have turned 22 months when dd2 arrives, I have an extremely hands on partner too & had a failed induction that led to an emcs with my first, so again, like you, not much time to think about it!

so far, I am just really excited that I am not going to be exhausted with lack of sleep for 3 nights before going through this massive life changing event again! I am sure closer to the time, I might start worrying too as I am afraid I might get pnd (pretty sure I had it last time and the trauma of the failed induction probably didnt give me a good start on motherhood)

i guess I am not much help but I am trying to focus on the positives - alot more rest beforehand this time and kind of having the motherhood thing nailed down now so will be less terrified of being in charge of a little human!

good luck 😊

Awh thank you for each and every one of your replies! I’ve read them all several times over.

it’s lovely that you all say it was a calm experience!

Im being kept in 3-5 days due to a few health issues they need to observe before discharge. So I’m hoping those few days will give me a chance to get my strength back a bit before launching back into reality with 2 under 2.

In trying to relax tonight and going to have a bath and pamper to chill me out.

I’m veering between excitement and anxiety so keep popping back to all your responses for reassurance.

How long did you all have you catheters in if you don’t mind me asking?

My catheter was out by 5pm (baby born at 9am). I was up and about by 4, took my own dressing off the next morning, had a shower, was home by 5pm the next day.

Great insight from a PP, however my husband was with me the whole time during the section prep and the section itself, he didn't have to leave while I had my spinal etc.

I genuinely loved my elective section. Absolutely amazing mind blowing experience. Recovery was so, so much better than I ever thought it could be. Take the pain relief as a blocker, don't take your medicine later than it's due.

You'll be fine. Lay back and enjoy!!!

With DD1, born at 8:30am and catheter out about 4, and with DD2 born at 12ish and catheter out by 7, shower both mornings after to feel a bit more human! Hope you're out soon enough, and that time you're in hospital will be lovely for bonding with your new arrival

Good luck tomorrow! I've never had a c section but a friend of mine recently had an emergency cs and she said apart from it feeling a bit weird, it was absolutely fine and they welcomed a little baby girl. She's so cute and tiny! And that was an emergency cs, so I'd imagine with your planned one it'll be very calm and controlled environment. I hear they're very quick as well (relatively speaking). You'll be great!

Just want to thank everyone for your responses on here. I'm currently researching c sections as I'm 34 weeks and my baby is breech so I might need an elective section if he doesn't turn.
After a difficult first birth which involved induction, ventouse and episiotomy, I'm really nervous about having to be induced again if he does turn.
I've found myself secretly hoping he stays breech so I can have a planned section and this thread reinforces that.

Op, I'm glad you are feeling a bit better and wish you all the luck in the world tomorrow! I hope you come back and tell us how it went

I’m not going to lie, I found sitting up and standing outrageously painful after my section. However after 48 hours or so it wasn’t as bad, within 4-5 days it had reduced to discomfort, and a few days after that I was moving about pretty normally.

All the best for tomorrrow!

Thank you for your responses!!

Another question: Can you drink water before going in for a c sec? As in on your way in etc?

My hospital has given me barely any information or leaflets or anything so I’m having to try and follow protocol via memory!

I will probably ring labour ward to double check everything too!

@Hankthehonk I hope you get a lovely birth no matter what way it happens x

I had elective with my first and only child. The recovery was very good. I can't say much more than that as don't have other kids but I think you will be fine. You have loads of support

Had elective, it was weird not being off my face like I was with my emergency one, but otherwise a great experience. Our hospital used an accelerated recovery procedure that involved drinking isotonic drinks and encouraged me to get up and moving as soon as I felt able. Baby was born at 9.30am and think I got my catheter out at 11pm - went home at 3pm the next day!

My main advice is
Keep taking painkillers round the clock
Rest as much as possible for 6 weeks after
Take some peppermint tea - you can get this weird pain in your shoulders after? Like gas pain? Agony with first, drank 3 cups of peppermint tea after secondbirth and didn't have it again.

Also take an extra pillow from home to get comfy.

Second the peppermint tea tip!!

I had 2 electives after a ventouse birth with my first. Honestly recovering from the CS was a doddle in comparison to an episiotomy.

After both the CS I was up and about the following day, and only needed painkillers for the first couple of days. By the time I went home I didn't need any pain relief. Having a newborn and a toddler is a bit chaotic anyway ( you'll find a routine that works for you all) but the CS didn't really impact on it, I felt fine.

Wishing you the very best x

@JuicyOrange01 sorry op you're probably already there so this may be no good, but I was told nil by mouth except a mouthful to take a tablet on the morning - can't remember what tablet it was now annoyingly but that was both times.

Hope you're first on the list so you have less time to worry - don't worry if you do what I did and go in crying your eyes out! I was ridiculous I'll admit it 😂 but staff were lovely, and once I was given the spinal the first time I was deliriously happy and found everything so funny for the first ten minutes or so, looking back, it makes me cringe!

Not long now for newborn cuddles - best of luck!