hope you are on the mend now Simone - yes you are right it is our choice if we have one.

I am sorry you have an awful time with your c/s.No one can judge what choices we make for ourselves and our babies.It is definately not the easy way out. Though you didn't have any choice this time.I am so glad your little princess is home and doing so well.

I too had an emergency c/s @35wks 4 days (but not a dramatic one) due to developing Cholestasis which affects the liver and is more common in multiple pregnancies but can lead to stillbirth,haemorrhage and other nasties.Incredible itchign was my main symptom - though I now know I had others - exhaustion etc. So they decided to do c/s earlier. The boys were both breech anyway so I was booked to have one for this reason on 14th July.

I had a spinal -which I didn't find painful -though very awkward due to my huge belly ... however I did kind of feel the sting/pull of the first incision.

The ice test ... left my forehead dripping but didn't really gauge the numbness well. The anaesthetist was very nice and keep reassuring me and cupping my face with his hands telling me it was okay and asking how I was doing. I don't remember that much it is kind of a blur.I don't remember any nausea or other problems.

Afterwards in recovery I was in a lot of pain and the PCA (patient controlled analgesia) didn't touch it. I had a few bolus doses but was in a lot of pain for hours - till they moved the machine where I could see it and press the button every 5 mins - because you can see the countdown... and says available now !

My sons were NICU for 3-4 days and have been in SCN for 2 weeks tomorrow - I understand how hard the constant to and froing from the hospital ... lucky the walk to SCN isn't too far and I got dropped off at entrance. But regardless I would have crawled in if I had too to be with my miracles.

The first night they wheeled me down in the bed to see them about 7 -8 hrs after their birth. I had only a 10 sec glimpse - blurry with tears and without my glasses or contact lenses LOL - after they were born.