Do they break your waters in a c section?

[PixieCake]

When you have an elective c-section, do they break your waters? If so, how? And do they suck it out of your belly or down below?
Thanks

Hi there, your waters just come out as they make the incision in the membranes.
Mine had already gone when I had my EMCS but I have been in ELCS's and there is a distinct "splash" when the fluid comes out!
HTH

They must ....

They suck them out of your tum when they may the incision. You can hear them going schlurrrrph!

Oh good, so there is no sucking it out from your fanjo then?
Can you keep your knickers on? (daft question maybe but I have no idea!)
Thanks

No, they take your knickers off and shave you so you might want to do that in advance as the dry bic razor isn't that great.

Good tip about the shaving, thanks. Why do your knickers have to be off? Even if they are hipsters? Or hospital paper pants?

So they can put a catheter in I think, also my incision is very low and any pants I own would have got in the way.

My semi-ELCS was an unusual one as DS was very tiny and early but they pulled him out waters and all, he was born in the sack. So no splashing or schlurp noises!

LOL

btw not all hospitals shave you - there is no need, and shaving can increase chances of infection (according to the info I got from the hosp where my 3 DC were born)

pants off as you will need a catheter to protect your bladder during the op

Because it's a surgical procedure and they don't want anything unsterile near your incision - risk of infection. They do make the cut very low down so that it's pretty much hidden when you wear most clothes. Are you uncomfortable with not having knickers on?

pixie I used to work in theatres and recently had an EMCS.

If its elective you will wear a gown and paper/net pants. Once youve had your spinal/epidural they will normally rip off the pants and insert your catheter.
They may shave you depending on policy, I was shaved as my incision is very low.
They will probably just put a pad between your legs for your lochia and will check it regularly until you can manage yourself

HTH

...also you still bleed vaginally, so do not want to be getting pants up and down to change pads.
Catheter stays in post op usually about 24 hours.

Pixie, there are some really good detailed descriptions of elec CS's on the childbirth board if you want to get more info -

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/954494-Support-thread-for-those-of-us-who-are-requesting-an?reverse= 1.

Lovethesea wrote a fantastically detailed and easy to read account of her recent CS a couple of days ago.

A elec CS shouldn't involve anything vaginally intrusive (no exams/instruments) - there's no need. However, you will need to have a catheter inserted via your urethra into your bladder. You can request that this is done after you have been given your spinal/epidural, and also when the surgical screen is already up and across your body, so you are numb and don't need to see it.

As others have said, catheters usually stay in for 24 hours, and during this time, obviously knickers aren't practical because of the catheter tube. They might have you lying on an absorbent pad, with a maternity towel 'wedged' in between your legs to catch the bleeding.

You may also get a painkilling suppository up your bum! Again, this will be done while your epidural/spinal is in place, and with the screen up, so you don't need to feel it or be aware of it.

Thanks all.
And thanks Barkfox, I will take a look at that link - I probably posted in the wrong section. I can't stand the though of anything vaginally intrusive so it's good to know that they won't need to do to much meddling 'up there', apart from the catheter.

catheter goes into your urethra not your vagina but Im sure thats what you meant

It all counts as 'meddling down there' to me!

I had ECsection and waters were not broken yet. You hear a big splush and then you hear the suction (which is done from the incision).

My midwife told me that from the moment you hear the suction the baby will be out in a few seconds )) and so it was.

It saved her life ))