I was a theatre nurse in a previous life, so before I had my first c/sec I knew technically what was going to happen to me, my body and my baby.

I didn't have much time to think about my first, but my second I did, and no we are thinking about a third I am definitely stressing about it. So you are definitley not unusual.

My tips would probaly be:

discuss the anaesthetic/block/epidural at length with the aneasthetist. If you can book in with them in advance. This way they can giude you through what will happen, wht drugs they will use and what outcomes you expect. They can also advise you of hospital protocol. For example some hossys don't use a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) post-op. This is a device attached to your epidural with a button you can press if the pain is too much. Generally if used they are only in use 24hrs post-op, but some do allow it until the pt hasn't pressed it for 24hrs. The first hossy I went to didn't and it wasn't discussed so I didn't have one. Second one didn't either, but because I asked for different drugs (due to reaction to the first type) the anaesthetist thought that I needed one so it was arranged.

make sure post op you roll up a towel to use as a brace on your wound when rolling/standing/coughing.

I made myself get up asap because I have seen the effects of not doing so HOWEVER no-one can predict how you and your body will cope with the c/sec so make sure that you do not get bullied into getting up/moving around faster than you can manage. Stand your ground, and make sure DH is aware too.

If you are in pain - take the offer of pain relief.

Feed feed feed. With DD my milk took 6 days to come in because I was feeing when they said I should feed. With DS I feed pretty much every time he whimpered - voila - milk on day 2

ummm....I'll probably think about some more this arvie. I can run through the procedure if you want, but it's probably better to get a blow by blow from your Ob/nursing staff too.

BBL