C section without a birthing partner?

[Beeloux]

Morning all 😊
Looking for some advice. I’m a single mum and due in a month. DF insisted he would take annual leave and watch DS overnight as I am having a planned section (due to medical reasons).

The plan was for DGM to be my birthing partner (DM no longer with us and the babies father cheated/walked out early on in the pregnancy).

DF has now said last minute he can no longer watch DS due to work and I will need to make alternative childcare arrangements. DGM and DGF will now need to watch DS leaving me with no birthing partner (XH who is DS father lives hours away so he won’t be able to have DS so last minute).

Is it possible to have a planned section on your own or is it frowned upon? I had one with DS but XH was present so able to help pass DS over/lift and pass things to me. I guess one of my friends would help but I hate being a burden and most of them are single mums or work full time.

Any advice appreciated!

Yes you can have a planned c-section alone. When I had mine, my DH was with me, but actually the main support came from my midwife and one of the anaesthetist team. For both my c-sections my midwife was the person talking me through everything, holding my hand etc, and for my second , the female anaesthetist was also amazing. As you won’t have a partner with you I think whoever is responsible for you at the time will take extra care to talk to you and look after you.
Your other option is to ask a good friend, or to hire a doula.

@CharlesChickens thats great to hear thanks! :)

Absolutely fine on your own. My DH was in the room for both my sections, but I didn’t see him / hold his hand / chat with him through the whole thing. It’s the anaesthetist and the nursing staff who talk you through what is happening. You’ll be grand.

Absolutely fine

I think you'll be fine for the birth itself but it's really helpful to have a companion on the postnatal ward. The midwives/HCAs don't help enough with little things like fetching you water or lifting/changing the baby and that can be hard work the first 24h after a section.

I've had two, one in lockdown when my dh wasn't allowed overnight, and one recently where he was. The difference was night and day.

Can DGM come visit you for several hours a day, leaving your DS with DGF for periods of time? You might only be on the ward 1-2 nights