Elective C Section Advice

[myboysmumma]

Thanks!

[Danielle]

The advice mothergoose has given is brilliant! Pain releif I was told by the midwives, that they wanted to keep my pain low enough for me be able to move about without screaming and if that meant meant morphine then so be it, because of the risk of blood clotting etc after surgery they like to get you up as soon as possible to get blood flowing again, I was up 5 hours post op but only to go to the toilet then back in bed, and because I only had a spinal block my anethesist didnt need to use the epidural, where last time he did have to and I could not feel my legs until the next day theres another difference with epidurals and spinals. I felt full force of the pain from the spinal as soon as they were lifting me off the bed when i got from recovery back to maternity, so they dosed me up on morphine and boy did that help, I also found the endome tablets in the middle of the night fantastic!

Just make sure you get the pain releif if you need it at least for the 1st 2 days, cause nothing will prepare you for the pain just trying to cope with paracetamol after serious abdominal surgery. I did it with my 1st with no pain killers cause they werent offered, this time it made it such a more pleasurable experience.

wish you well

[Doing my best]

Hi there,

I was very apprehensive about having a c-section, but after having DD via elective c-section, not sure if I could mentally prepare myself for a VBAC when the time comes for number 2.

I had a spinal block and although I passed out (my fault for not advising the dr's of my reactions to anesthetics), I was happy with the whole process. I recovered really well and walked the length of the maternity ward the next morning. I took painkillers as offered/advised in hospital and only a few doses of panadol once I came home.

I was not aware of this site when I was pg, and had only heard horror stories about c-sections, so I was very freaked out, but all the staff were great at calming my nerves when they knew of my apprehensions.

HTH a little and GL..

[aussienic]

I have had 3 c-s

All went smoothly.. I had a spinal for all 3 but the 3rd one was the best.. All the others have given you good info ect but in recovery I recommend asking what was done for me which was....

The nurse sat me up a little and gave me oxygen. She said it helps the drug go through your system faster and it really did. I spent around an hour in recovery compared to 2+ hours for my previous 2 c/s.

Also I personally don't think you 'have' to be bed bound for 24 hours. I got up at 5 hours after my last one. It was a little too soon but I did it. I got up 11 hours with my 2nd and showered and felt great sore but great. My first I didn't get out for over 12 hours but I had a c/s late in the afternoon so I didn't expect to..

I also had a drip in that I could press a button and give myself a little something if the pain became to bad. I never used it with my first 2 but last time I though may as well its there lol.. but it was morphine and I couldn't understand why I was always falling asleep until my mum told me it was the morphine so I stopped using it. Went to Panadol and felt fine after that. Morphine was just horrible but thats my personal experience of it..

Oh and no matter what when you stand try and stand tall. Do not slouch it really does make things worse.. Same with sitting.. and when you stand for the first time be prepared it hurts. It really hurts but i believe if you are prepared for the pain and take some very deep breaths and stand tall it isn't as bad.. After my first c/s the pain was so bad I had a panic attack.. when I had my 2nd I kept repeating to myself its gunna hurt but breath breath..

Ask about breast feeding in Recovery. I did but it was hospital policy that I couldn't. I expressed some milk prior to the Cs and bub was given that while I was in recovery. Other then that I had no trouble with BF with my last 2. with my 1st c/s he was unwell due to other reasons so I expressed but I still had plenty of milk..

Gosh.. I hope that wasn't too much.. Was just typing as it came to my mind.. Any questions ask away

[~mamaspice~]

There has been some great advice on here so far!

Definately write a cs birth plan. You can include things like wanting the screen lowered so you can see bub being born, requesting skin-to-skin in theatre, and having bub with you while you are in recovery.

My recovery from the surgery was fantastic (other than a bladder infection from the catheter) I was up and walking around 24 hours after the Op and only really experienced a little discomfort - no real pain.

RE: the mode of anaesthesia. I would never have a general again unless it was absolutely necessary. The anaesthetist couldn't get the epi in and all of a sudden told me I had to have the general and knocked me out before I had time to comprehend anything. Missing my baby's birth really had a bad affect on me emotionally because I felt I was robbed of a birth experience. I wish I had have had someone video bubs birth and also her first hour of life so I could see it and hear her first cries etc.
Please do not let my experience scare you as it's only about 1% of caesar mums who end up needing a general. I just thought I'd mention it because it's always good to be prepared for anything.

HTH, and best of luck with everything

[LisaL]

Hi there,

I had an emergency c/ section and I was suprised at how well things went. After over 27hrs of labour (I just wouldnt give up - I wanted my drug free vaginal delivery) my OB finally convinced me to stop trying and she had let me go further than she should have, but only to appease my desire to keep going. I had an epi, which was v difficult to administer as I was having 1 min contractions! Off to theatre, great OB and supportive nurses (even though they had to come in at midnight on a Fri night), bub was born within 10 mins and I will never forget that first cry. they brought her straight over for a cuddle, and I was back in the delivery suite with her in 15 mins. Yep 15mins was all that I was in recovery. I was up and about the second day and by the time I went home I was generally walking well. I was driving within 3 weeks and i have healed really well. If I had to have another c/s I would ask about is the possibility of BF in recovery (i didnt think of that at the time).

Writing a c/s birth plan is a great idea and will definatley empower you. ALso you need to think of your partner and children, will they be there, who will take photos (nurses more than happy to).

Best of luck
Lisa

[Lukesmum]

Everyone has given great advice. I have had 2 c-sections and will be having a 3rd next pregnancy. I shake and shiver lots from the minute I enter the theatre room until a few hours after the c-section. I shiver that much I can't talk because my teeth are shattering. Someone told me this is because my body is in shock but I don't know about that because it starts before they do anything. They always have to put a heat blanket on me. I had an epidural for the first one and a spinal for the second. They had trouble putting the spinal in but once it worked it was all good. My second one was a lot better than the first and I did enjoy it mainly because I knew what was going to happen and had read and spoken to a lot of peeople about it so you are doing the right thing finding everything out now.

The best advice I was given was given by the ob's assistant and someone has already posted this but it helps a lot. The first time you get out of bed and stand up stand tall. It is going to hurt and your reaction will probably be to curl over but don't do it. Stand nice and straight. Do little bits at a time. And take the painkillers. Take the painkillers BEFORE the pain gets too bad because then it takes a lot longer to feel better and when the pain gets too bad you start to feel like crap both physically and emotionally. You'll probably only be on painkillers for a week or 2. Some people are off them in a few days but if you need them take them. I'm all for painkillers with a c-section. It is a major op and then you have to care for a gorgeous baby straight away so you have to feel ok. I breastfed both my babies and the c-section did not interfere at all. I was unable to feed them in recovery but as soon as I got to my room they were both feeding. My husband cuddled them until I got there which gives him bonding time. Some women who have c-sections find this part the hardest. Being separated from their baby right at the beginning. My milk supply came in on day 3 for my second bub. I had the second c-section at about 5pm and I was up at 7am the next morning showering. Becasue I couldn't get out of bed and my husband was not able to stay with me overnight at the hospital bub spent the first night in the nursery but after I got up the next morning I was able to continue getting up to change nappies etc so he didnt have to go back to the nursery at all.

Overall my c-section experiences were positive. If you empower yourself with knowledge, just like with a natural birth you will more than likely have a positive experience too. Write a c-section birth plan and talk to your ob about it. All the best.