Elective c section - your experience.

[Milsandmyls]

Hi all,

Im having an elective c section on Wednesday for a number of reasons. I had an emergency c section with DS1 so I am familiar with the procedure but know it won’t be as rushed / traumatic.

I just wondered what to expect on the day. We have been told to come in at 7am. I’m aware that it could be the end of the day before we’re seen due to emergencies etc but in that time does the baby get monitored on ctg etc? I read somewhere that some places even scan you beforehand.

I had my bloods done today and wondered what happens if they come back abnormal (as I’ve been anaemic). Will they still go ahead with the procedure as planned?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences from a very nervous / excited mumma.

I went in for my time, a few others were there too. Taken up to the ward. Anaesthetist came up to speak to me and midwife. Then they decided who would go first (it was me, hooray). Changed into robe and walked down to the room for surgery. My DH took a baby grow and nappy down with us.
Spoke to surgeon etc, had spinal . Had baby! He was put on my chest. Then given to my DH while they moved me onto a bed. Went to recovery briefly and then went back up to the ward. It was the best, most calm, most wonderful experience. Nothing like the emcs.

Potentially if your bloods come back abnormal it might bump you to the top of the queue.

I had ELCS 18 months ago. It was an absolute dream compared to my birth if my first child.

Went in at 8am was nil by mouth from 6am. Surgeon came to see me checked all was ok. Anaesthetist same. Went down at 4pm. He was born at 4.55pm. Delayed cord clamping and straight to chest for skin to skin as requested. He stayed with me until I shifted to bed to go to recovery. As soon as I was in bed he came back to me and camped at the boob for next few hours. They got me up and out of bed at 12am to change sheets and check I was walking but left catheter in. That came about about 8am following morning. Recovery was great. I was in until 8am on third day we left at 10am and was home by time toddler came home from nursery.

Fantastic care. Couldn't fault it.

Also no there was no monitoring as they didn't see a need

@Wedontopenyet Out of curiosity what time were you as the first one in? I need to be in for 7am but DH was going to drop me off and then run DD into nursery and be back for about 8:30. Obviously if there's a chance he's going to miss it we will have to rethink!

Mine was slightly different as I was in for 11 and baby arrived by 1.
Enjoy meeting your baby!

I was in for 7am and was the first in the list so went down about 10am. I spent most of the three hours moaning about being hungry. No monitoring or anything. I had a bit of a potter around. Read a bit. Was mainly quite bored. I felt sorry for some of the others who arrived at the same time. By the time I left recovery (about 3pm), some still hadn't gone down because there were a couple of emergencies after me.

im having a c section in June. How long do you stay in hospital for?

Thanks everyone. All the experiences I’ve heard so far seem very positive. I just feel a bit gutted about not having a natural birth as this will be my last baby but I know as long as baby gets here safely that’s the main thing. @sugarplum33 I am
sure your DH will be back within plenty of time. I have been told repeatedly to expect to wait a long wait on Wednesday. When is yours scheduled for?

I didn't get taken till 4pm cause they were busy.

Started to have post-op complications about 3-4 hours afterwards and was transferred to the high dependency unit.

Was there for 5 days then back on the normal post natal ward for another 5 days.

Recovery was long (several weeks) and painful including a wound infection. 🥲

@Whatelsecouldibecalled did you have to go from 6am until after 4pm with no food or drink? Are you allowed water? I’m due to have an elective (not for a few months) but I’m really dreading hours of fasting - it makes me feel absolutely dreadful.

OP, mine was Jan 2021, still Covid restrictions, so may not be exactly comparable. However it was an excellent experience and much preferable to my "natural" water birth with DS1!

Was in from 7am, expected to be first but the other mum was unexpectedly triaged as high-risk so she bumped me. I had a hynpbirth for c-section track on my phone and listened on repeat.

IIRC an emergency came next, so I was 3rd into the operating theatre - around 2pm. I had a playlist of music that they played for me through the speakers in the room. Had the spinal, very slight issue getting it in but nothing traumatic!

Baby was out on my chest for skin-to-skin before I knew it! Like a PP I asked for delayed cord clamping, they gave him about 5 minutes on the cord I think, until it had completely drained.

Then just cuddles as they stitched me up! Into the recovery room with bubs and DH, we got left there for a few hours as the ward was busy - heaven! Then onto the ward and had very good care from the busy MWs who helped me to get out of bed into the chair before midnight - at my request, because I'm not a fan of hospitals and wanted to get home ASAP, so they could write on my notes "mum is mobilising well" and I'd get discharged promptly!

We were home by 2pm the next day and recovery was a breeze. Much more straightforward than ouchy stitched up vagina! If someone I loved was asking for my honest opinion about how to give birth, having had one "natural" and one ELCS, I'd say ELCS all the way (obviously everyone is different but that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!)

All best of luck for Weds

I wasn’t monitored, went on at 8am was taken first as the only unelective c sec (breech).

Spinal went in, was told it might hurt a tiny bit, didn’t feel a thing! Popped on the bed, a few minutes later baby was handed to DH (what I wanted). Then he gave her to me.

They’ll tell you as much, or in my case as little as you want! (I’m squeamish). But you can watch the whole thing if you’d like to, they’ll show you the placenta, ask if you want baby cleaned or straight on you.

It was calm, organised and over in around twenty mins from start to finish.

If you want to breastfeed, perhaps ask for some help as I didn’t get any milk for 5 -7 days.

My actual ELCS was much as others describe. Into the room, spinal, a few minutes of chat with the doctors (mainly about the cricket and house prices in south west London) and baby was pulled out. DH carried him until we were back in recovery. Then alternate cuddles and biscuits. We were out by lunchtime the next day after Is had a shower and done a wee.

Its worth bringing a playlist...they normally let you pick your music.

We had a nice chat with the team about various things - i had the same surgeon both times for mine.

I've had 2 elective sections. Honestly a breeze both times. So relaxed and controlled which suited me perfectly. Arrived at 7am, was first on the list both times. Stayed in recovery for a couple hours both times, then up to the ward. I expressed a wish to get up and about ASAP with both my babies, and had my catheter out and managed to walk to the loo the same evening both times. Up and showered in the morning and home by lunchtime each time as well. Get on the arnica tablets on the day of your op, and stay on top of the paracetamol and ibuprofen from the get go. Keep moving regularly but nothing too heavy. Good luck, the two best days of my life without doubt.
Also, if you're not squeamish ask for lots of photos to be taken. I hardly had any first time round, and I treasure the "lion King moment" photo I have of DS being held up above the drapes so I could see him the minute they got him out 💖

My ELCS was a breeze. I had one due to previous birth injury.

Think I was told to get there for 8, the MW, surgeon and anaesthetist will come and chat to you about the process (or they do at our trust) we went down at around 1.30! The waiting was full of anticipation. It was my first section. I also had tubal ligation during so was a little longer than just section alone.

I did unfortunately have a couple of complications, I lost more blood than expected and as I was already anaemic I had two transfusions before going home. I also had an issue with going for a wee after the catheter was removed. I couldn’t! So had to have a catheter again. However after a good few hours I was finally able to go for a wee.

I stayed in for 4 days in total. Even with those things though I still think it was a lovely experience.

Best of luck for Wednesday when you get to meet your baby. ❤️

Hope it all went great OP! Enjoy your toast and sugary tea... and your baby!

@Dinosaurus86 yes I had a dip or two of water at 11 but that was it. I was dreading it but felt ok. The excitement/ nerves got me through

Thanks everyone. Everything went so well on Wednesday. Arrived at 7am and she was born by 9:15. It was so calm and everything felt under control. Just waiting to be discharged now as I haven’t yet been able to pass urine. I will definitely be recommending an ELCS to others now.

@Milsandmyls fantastic news and huge congratulations. Hope you've been able to have a pee too!

I was 1st one in for my elective c section. DD born at 9.30.

Just seen you had your baby and it went well. Congratulations,🎉💐

Congratulations!!