Elective C Section Advice

[myboysmumma]

Hello all,

I have decided on medical advice from my OB that a c-section would be in our best interests, due to some medical issues from previous birth such as bad 3rd degree tearing and other reasons.

Although I appreciate those of you that have overcome odds to have a vaginal birth, we will be doing the c-section for some quite specific medical reasons, so please no negative comments.

I must say my OB was very supportive of allowing me to try vaginally first if that was my choice and did not push me into the decision at all; rather offered me objective advice.

I am a little nervous as I did not have an epidural or anything other than gas last time. I have been reading about risks etc and would like to know if anyone has any advice or would like to share their experiences with me to help me prepare? I'd be really interested to hear about the difference btween spinals and epidurals for those of you who have had both?

I'd like to know how you found the birth exp, recovery, bf, everything lol.

Please share lovely cs ladies. Help me be an informed and empowered caesarean mummy!

[principessa76]

Hi myboysmumma,

This is my first pg and so I can't offer any advice from personal experience yet.... but I'm booked in for my C/S on June 11.

I can tell you what I know about spinals and epidurals though. The choice between a spinal block and an epidural is made by the anaesthetist. Depending on the anaesthetist they will prefer to do one or the other. For the vast majority of elective C/S they do a spinal block. The spinal block is a one off injection of anaesthetic into the fluid around the spinal column. The anaesthetic works very quickly - you're numb within minutes - and you are unable to move your legs. It takes several hours to wear off. An epidural is delivered also into the fluid around the spinal column but a tube is then inserted and a different type of anaesthetic is used. It takes 20mins or so to work. The anaesthetic needs to be continually pumped into the spinal fluid to keep you numb. When the C/S is over the tube is removed and you get feeling back very quickly. There are varying degrees of anaesthesia with the epidural (eg. when having a VB they'll allow you to still to be able to move) but for a C/S you obviously have to be completely numb. HTH

As far as elective C/S experiences go I've had many friends have great experiences. A very close friend of mine had one only 6 weeks ago. For her the birth was fantastic - completely stress free. My friend kept up her pain killers in hosp and was in no discomfort at all. Her milk came in on day 3 and has been breast feeding happily (apart from the usual cracked nipples of course ) ever since. All in all she has had a wonderful experience.

My DH and I recently went to an ante-natal class at our hosp for C/S. It was really informative and interesting. I would totally recommend going to one if you can. They give heaps of info about the spinals/epis, recovery etc.

[Nadine216]

Oh my, I would not be able to help you at all!! I will rather just keep an eye on this forum, I also need to decide if I want general, spinal or epidural I''ll probably discuss it with my ob closer to by due date, but it's good to have some info before hand.

My c/s was an emergency, under general on 33+5 weeks. So that meant ... no breastfeeding (only express), no taking care of her for almost a month (NICU did that for me), that is why I am useless to you

Good luck!!

[Danielle]

Hi there!

I had my 2nd C section now 13 days ago my bubba was a big boy of 10 lbs 13 oz and 40 cm head, so I was advised to have an elective c sect due to not knowing the outcome of trying to birth such a big baby when I am not a big person. And elective c sect's are much safer than emergency c sect's as they are planned for.

With the spinal and epi, my anethisist this time gave me the spinal which worked right away this time, and incase it didnt (didnt 1st time had 3 go's), he still inserted the catheter tube in my back and connected the epidural tube thingy up and hung the thing to put the medication in over my shoulder, he says that alot of hospitals are using this method now so that if the spinal doesnt work, they can always resort to the epi instead of general straight away. I did not need my epidural at all though.

Also during the surgery its very common to have nausea, shaking and passing out and breaking out in hot and cold sweats, My anethesist now says that he gives all women suitable for the medication, some medication to bring blood pressure back up to stop the shaking and passing out and hot and cold sweats, and he also gives most women anti-nausea drugs through IV immidiately when surgery begins, cause apparently too many women get sick and have these symptoms during surgery, and he said its just a horrible way to bring a baby into the worl lying on your back vomiting or passing out, which I thought was very fair. I felt really good after the medication he gave me during the operation cause I was passing out and sweating and shaking. Just if they do go to give you blood pressure medications make sure that your fit and healthy to have it, I started having heart palpatations and needed adrenalin to stay conscious, but after that I was brilliant throughout the whole operation better than with my 1st cause I never received that medication with my 1st one.

So be sure to discuss the effects of the procedure at your pre-op appointment and make it clear you would medications to help you through it if you begin to feel under the weather.

My 2nd c section was a wonderful experience once i had the meds, my 1st was horrible without them, I am successfully breast feeding its not that long from when they pull them out to when they put you in recovery and they put bub straight on the boob, my little boy took to it right away he didnt stop screaming in surgery until we got out and got him on the booby.

Recovery is slow and got to remember to take it easy even on the days you do feel a little better - the day after is the worst getting out of bed to walk takes the wind out of you, but you get pain killers and in the end you do get there!

The main thing is that the surgery was safest for you and your baby!

I wish you all the best with your c section let us know how you went!

[Mother Goose]

Hi There,

The girls have given you some great responses. In terms of some of the things you might expect that haven't been mentioned;
You might develop a sensitivity to light as a result of the anesthetic - not much you can do about this one other than be prepared to ask them to turn the lights off over your head if possible.
During a C-Section, morphine is often given towards the end for anticipated pain relief - this itself can have side effects such as itchiness. Last time I had it, a nurse told me I looked like I was trying to rub my nose off my face There is something they can give to help that if it occurs.
With a c-sect, you can expect to be confined to bed for 24 hours. This is due to the anesthetic. Although some people report feeling in their limbs very soon after, they want to be very sure. They also need to give your body time to adjust back - esp with things like BP.
Any anesthetic can give a patient what we refer to as PONV - Post Op Nausea and Vomiting. Just let the nurses know you feel nauseated and they will give you some maxalon or similar.
I know many people try to shy away from pain relief which I completely understand and respect - but as a nurse, I ALWAYS educate patients to take regular pain relief after surgry to keep the pain at bay. If you wait until the pain gets too bad, you then have to continue to suffer whilst the medication kicks in and it often takes a higher dose of analgesia to make you comfortable. So don't be afraid to take pain relief if you need it. How much you need and for how long will depend on your individual pain threshold.
Some people report experiencing severe headaches after an epidural. There has been a lot of research done on this and the research shows it is not very common (although common enough). I forget the exact stats. The headache can be similar in intensity to a migrane for some people. If you get one, lay as flat as possible and take analgesia. There is a patch they can put over the epidural insertion location to help with the headache.

I hope I haven't scared you - not my intention at all. I had an epidural during my labour which turned in to an emergency C-Sect. I had few problems other than the sensitivity to light and nausea during the Op. They also had difficulty getting the epi into my spine due to calcified ligaments in my back (which we didn't know about until afterwards). Other than those few minor things - I had no problems. I had movement and sensation back in my legs before I left recovery and had full mobility by 8pm (DD was born at 1535 hours).

HTH and good luck!

MG

[Beach Mama]

Great advice and I second what MG said about pain relief. I hesitate to take panadol at the best of times, but while in hospital I told the nurses not to ask me for pain relief - if I was due give it!!! I wanted to feel good and not be in pain, while trying to recover and look after my girl so I strongly suggest it!

I had the epidural during labour and didn't really feel a thing, and then because I was numb from that when they gave me the spinal I couldn't feel it. The other reason you are in bed for at least 24 hours is because you will have a catheter so you don't have to get up and go to the toilet.

I had no complications afterwards and my midwife was able to come with us to recovery and put her skin to skin to breastfeed the minute the recovery nurses back was turned which was just lovely! Definately ask about this because if you can't have the midwife with you, your partner will be with bubby while you are in recovery but it is great if you can have time in recovery with bub to bond and breastfeed.

One thing I know that lots of people on here who have had elective c/s have said, particularly after an emergency one, is that it is alot calmer than having people rush around to get you organised.

There is also a thread somewhere around about writing a c/s birth plan - I will see if I can dig it up for you. Good luck with it all!

[myboysmumma]

Thanks for that so far guys!

It's all very helpful, not scary at all, I need to know I'll feel better knowing more!

Anyone else's tips - keep 'em coming - this is great!

[Beach Mama]

Here is the link for an article about birth plans - there is a specific thread about a c/s one but I'm still searching!

Found it Here it is!!

[myboysmumma]

Thanks!

[Wednesday]

I have had 2 c/s. My first was an emergency and all went well as my DH and I were just happy that our DS came out healthy. My 2nd was an elective and was a much more enjoyable process as it is not as rushed and you can have some sort of a birth plan to have it the way you want your birth. I had a spinal block for both and it is not that bad. I am someone who hates needles and pain and if the person knows what they are doing (which most do) it is a reasonable painless process. You get 2 needles one it and anaesthetic and the other is the block it wears off in about 3-4 hours and the whole process from start to finish with the needles is about 5 - 10 mins and this includes prep time. They disinfect you back and use a tape marker to pinpoint the area to put the needle. Then they give you the anaesthetic which is quick and then they take there time to find the correct area to put the spinal block. The worst part is you have to completely relax your back while that are puting needles in your back. Don't worry you will be fine. Goodluck with everything.

[Mrs S]

Glad i found this topic - I too am choosing to have a c-section due to a couple of medical reasons. My ob didnt force me to have a cs but thinks its a good idea for the future as do i.

Its great to hear nice stories about this topic. Im not worried about the actual procedure as ive had an epidural before, been in hospital 10 days with a blood clot and have to have a needle everyday to thin my blood so that kinda stuff doesnt worry me.

Im more worried about the care i will get from the midwives afterwards as i wasnt treated the best when i had my son(had a natural birth but with an apidural, episiotomy and forceps)

Id also be interested in what is a good idea to take to hospital e.g. big undies etc.

I remember wearing a bra in the hospital after having my son as my boobs wear leaking and had to wear dispoable pads. Did anyone have to wear a bra after a c-section and how did you go putting it on?

[Nadine216]

Mrs S - I just had to smile when I read your question about putting on a bra after a c/s. I can see the dilema, but you do that just like you do EVERYTHING else after a c/s .... SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY You can try fastening the clips in front (cups on your back, straps NOT on your shoulders) and then just turn the bra back-side back and flip on the straps.

Taking to the hospital - don't forget your sanitary pads (I just used normal "canoe-style" pads) and yes, spossies for your bra is a must. Also pick clothes that are fitted in your middle, or lower than your "hair-line". The last thing you want is a pj bottoms (or undies) that rubs against your scar, kwim? Don't know the rules over there, but I asked for extra pillow's. I found that lying down for a nap was really hurtfull on my tummy, so cranking the bed up and using extra pillows to sleep in a sitting position was a god's send.

If I think of anything else, I'll post

HTH

[nic]

Mrs S, have you had a hospital tour/visit and been given any info on what they suggest you take along?
With DD we went public, and all we had to take was baby wipes and disposible nappies if we didn't want to use the cloth ones they supplied.

Have you asked what the hospital's policy is on the care of bub? Do they expect you to look after bub after the c/s? Our OB told us last week that for the first night of my c/s we can leave bub with the midwives in the nursery (plus every other night if we want to as well) With DD and going public, even after my c/s, I was still expected to have her room in with me, it was only because the midwives felt sorry for me that they took her.

I can't remember having trouble with my bra? Thought my c/s was 8 years ago now! I do remember having more trouble with my knickers though, trying to reach down to put your legs through, and then pulling them up was a nightmare for me. Like Nadine said, just go slowly. I sat on the loo to put my knickers on as well. Didn't have to bed so far down that way

A pillow over your scar/incision while coughing is helpful too. Will probably make you feel more secure than anything else, which is what it did for me.

Are you going to the same hospital as when you had your son? Have you spoken to them about what kind of care you will get from them after your c/s? How early will they expect you to get out of bed? Do they expect bub to room in with you or will they take bub for a night? Hopefully you will have a wonderful midwife or two looking after you this time.

Have you had a read through the rest of the c/s forum? I know there was a thread on here about helpful c/s tips.

Nic

[Nadine216]

Just a reminder (after the great tip about the pillow when you cough) ...

Whatever you do .... DON'T SNEEZE!!!!!!!!!