Was the spinal block/epidural painful? No not at all, it is a strange sensation, it was the local that stung a little.

When was the catheter inserted, did it hurt? Not at all as it was inserted after the spinal was put into place.

Was your partner with you the whole time? Yes during the procedure, only time he left was to get into the lovely party outfit and this was before I was wheeled into theatre, they waited for Mark to come back before taking me in. Mark also went with Matthew to be weighed etc while I was in recovery for 2 hours.

Do they check that you are fully numb before they cut? (Huge fear on that one) No not with me, the aneasthestis did say to me can they start now, I didn`t know what to say, he then said it`s okay they have already statred and your baby will be here soon.

How long did the birth take and then how much longer to remove the placenta, sew you up etc? I looked at the clock at 5.05pm, this was before the first cut, Matthew was born at 5.15pm, I was sewn up etc by 5.45pm.

How long were you in recovery for and could your partner and baby there? I was in recovery for 2 hours as the spinal went too hight and they can`t move you into post natal as the midwives can`t keep a close eye on you like they can in recovery, they said the spinal was still a bit high but I`d be ojay to go back to the ward as I`d only seen Matthew for maximum of 2 minutes, so no Matthew and Mark weren`t with me,.

When were the drip and catheter removed? The next day, about 22 hours after the c/s.

When were you up and walking? After they took the drip and catheter out, so the next afternoon - 22 hours later, I wouldn`t say walking more like hobbling.

Was the bleeding(lochia) heavy/how long did it last? I had two big gushes after the c/s in the ward, it gave me such a fright, not sure if it is normal or not. I bleed on and off for just under 6 weeks, some times I`d go 2 or 3 days with no bleeding then it would start again.

What pain relief did you have and for how long? I had pethidene via the drip, then when the drip was taken out I was given panadeiene forte, then went onto 1 panadeine forte and 1 codene, I was on that for 1 week then panadol for about 2 on and off, mainly just at night time. for the panadol.

I had to have a c/s in the end as I was diagnosed with CPD, luckily they found out before labour had started.