myboysmumma

I had an emergency c/s after not progressing. I was scared because I knew some of the possible side affects of an epi but definitely didn't want a general anesthitic. I remember asking the anethetist (sp?) if he had good aim which he assured me he did.
Wednesday description is pretty accurate but I did want to add:
when they had me in the prep room I was me sitting on a bed, they gave me a pillow which I had to cuddle & put my chin to my chest so I was curled around the pillow. When they told me they had put the needle in I lifted my head up as I thought they were all done but I wasn't suppose to then & I think that may have been a reason I ended up with a headache for a week or two. So remember to do what they tell you when they tell you.
In terms of painkillers I am not normally someone who takes anything but as everyone kept reminding me it is major abdominal surgery & they have cut through several layers of skin/muscels etc.., as my doctor explained to me, it is better to stay ahead of the surgery pain as it allows me to be more relaxed (as much as you can be anyway) & you heal faster.
My DS escaped via the emergency exit @ 9.31 pm on a Tues night & they would have given me some pain relief then, I was given a pethadine shot about 4 am, I think mainly because I hadn't been given anything else since the surgery. After that I only had ponstan & panadol (occasionally panedine forte instead of the panadol). On the first day I did make the mistake of not keeping track of when I should get the painkillers & because all the beds were full the midwives were flat out & didn't give them to me ontime the first day & I paid for it but I made sure that I got them on time after that. I took a panadol when I went home for the headache as mentioned above & it took care of it.
I was up walking the next day. It did take a while for my milk to come in (a possible side affect of the pethadine) but I was able to leave the hospital by day 5 & my DS has almost doubled his birthweight already so no lasting consequences.

My tips for both myboysmumma & mrs S
No matter how busy the maternity section is for your baby's sake, if you need help helping with the baby so you can feed/change or painkillers) ask for it, it is their job afterall to help you. Grannies undies are great - they miss the scar completely. I had my own toilet & shower so found the toilet great to sit on to put undies/pants etc... on. My DP helped a lot with clothes the first day so I was lucky there as well. As painful as it is try to get moving as soon as you can it will make recovery overall better. Oh & besides no sneezing try not to laugh without holding your belly at least - I have a wierd sense of humour & thought my DS look a lot like ET when he would frown as a baby cause of all the wrinkles & I couldn't help but crack up

Overall for someone like me who is from a large family where there has been lot's of babies born mostly by vag & the general consensus being no-one wants or should have a c/s I have to say for me that given the right circumstances I would do it again (& yes if I do go back I am hoping for a VBAC) & only you can decide which is the best option for you. Yes there was pain but there is pain with a vag birth, yes it is a hassel not being able to do much in the first 6 weeks but I found a long pair of tongs invaluable for picking up things so I didn't have to bend over so much. There are always ways around things & where theres a will theres a way.

Goodluck ladies I look forward to hearing how you go !! & I'm sure you will be fine.