1st baby via c-section in 4 wks any advise????

[fourthontheway]

I shook so bad that I couldn't hold my baby so ... yeah it could just be shaking but shaking isn't very nice My arse was numb for weeks afterwards too, which was great coz I spent so much time sitting on it under a baby!

[PlonkeeMumma]

Hi Sarah

Ive had 3 c/s (1 emerg & 2 'elective'). My advice (to be taken with pinch of salt :-)) would be;

if you have a spinal and you start feeling sick make sure you tell them - forcefully. I felt really quesy with my 2nd and they gave me some drugs while still operating and i was fine within a few minutes. With my third they just said that was normal and fobbed me off. I started throwing up once i'd got back to my room and it didn't stop for quite a few hours and a fair few different types of drugs they kept trying.

You don't have to have your cathater (sp) in until you have your spinal/epi. They will try and get you to have it in your room and i let them do it with my first elective and really wished i hadn't. With #3 I nicely said they coudl do it in the op theatre and didn't budge and they were fine with that - you just have a bit more of an ordience but as you can't feel it - who cares?

Walk as soon as alowd (after 24 hours) - it's uncomfy at the start but it's really true what the middies say - the more you walk the better it gets and fast!

Can your bf/dh stay with you the night? You can't get up to change nappies or even get your bubs out of the cot for the first few nights so it's nice to have hubby with you. The middies will do it if not but nicer to have someone in your room with you.

Most of all - try to relax. It's not pleasant at the time but it's over so quick and then you get your wonderful bub and you forget it so quickly (hopefully) afterwards. I didn't find it 'painful' just uncomfy so don't worry about it.

metameucil (sp) and a big tin at that :-)

DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT HAVING A C/S!!!! Even though i didn't have any choice i still manage to feel guilty sometimes and it's silly and annoying and pointless. Some people still look at me funny when i mention that i've had 3 c/s and if i hear 'too posh to push' once more i will not hold back on said person.

Wishing you all the best for a great birthing experience and meeting your little bub

x

[Sarah:)]

One more thing.....

I alway get told you have to stay very still when the spinal goes in, what happens if you are a little emotional (i am sure i will be)????

Thanks Again.....

[fourthontheway]

They know what they're doing

[*Infinity*]

I alway get told you have to stay very still when the spinal goes in, what happens if you are a little emotional (i am sure i will be)????

Hi Sarah,

The advice you've been given so far is great, not much more I can really add. My son was born by emergency c-section last year, and everything happened REALLY quickly. In relation to the spinal, yes you do need to be still, but they will guide you through everything. For me, I was in the operating theatre, sitting sideways on the table with my legs hanging over. They put a chair underneath my feet to support them. Then I had to hunch over while they administered the spinal. At that stage I was still having contractions, so it was not easy to stay still at all, but with the support of my partner (who was right in front of me) I managed to stay as calm and still as possible. They were very professional and talked me through everything.

For me it was totally unplanned so I had no idea that the spinal would take so long to wear off. When they took us up to our ward I asked them if I could get in the shower and put some knickers on. The midwives just looked at me sympathetically and told me no, it was going to be a while before I could feel my legs. Plus I had totally forgotten I had a catheter in too. So be prepared for that. I also got a bit itchy as the spinal was wearing off - felt like I was going to scratch my nose off. Other than that I had no reaction to the spinal at all.

Have you thought about asking them to pass bub to you straight away for skin to skin contact? If there is nothing wrong then there is no reason why bub should be taken away, and those first moments are something I will never forget. Getting that first breast feed in as soon as you can is also something they can help you achieve.

Good luck for your birth.

[skeetaboat]

You've had heaps of great advice already. The only thing I would add is try not to stress about the spinal, think about something else while they do it. I didn't feel a thing at all when mine was done. Also, when you decide to get up for the first time, do it about half an hour after you get a dose of pain meds - makes it much more comfortable and easy to do. Sometimes the midwives will offer to help with the first shower but you can ask for your DH to do it if you'd prefer. Oh and one last thing, if there's anything you particularly want to happen (skin on skin, no separation, anxiolosis, catheter after spinal, etc) talk to your care provider before the day and get them to make a note in your file. 'Hospital policy' sounds like it can't be argued with, but it darn well can be!