?'s about immediately after c/s.

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 10:31 AM

It's been a long time since babies let alone a c/s for me and I just forget everything.

Firstly, after the procedure has been done, do they take the epi and cetheter out straight away?
And also, say I have it in the morning, am I able to try and get up in the afternoon or do I have to wait until the next day?

Thanks in advance.

**Arimeh** · April 15th, 2008, 10:37 AM

From what I remember re: the catheter - I had mine taken out the following day and given a shower as well. I don't really know about the epi as it didn't work with me and they had to do a morphine spinal block (or something along those lines) so there wasn't actually anything left in me (except there was tape on my back for some reason?!?) strange.
My sister had a c-section 2 weeks ago in the morning, and I think they let her get up in the arvo. But it was her 4th - so she's pretty stubborn and probably just wanted to get up herself

**AnyDream** · April 15th, 2008, 10:42 AM

Re the Epi - depending on whether you have an epidural or a spinal may depend on whether the epi is left in for post-op pain management. I had a spinal so it came out but they gave me morphine via a patient controlled analgesia (click and you get a shot). The catheter was left in until the following day, so that a) they could monitor urine output (? can't remember why but the nurses would come in and measure) and b) so you don't have to get out of bed until you've gotten past the post-op bump. If you want to get up then talk to your nurses. I was happy to stay put!

**tiggerandpooh** · April 15th, 2008, 10:48 AM

having had three - the first two like you, many moons ago, my last one was so completely different, and the best! I had a spinal block too, so no epi in (depends on the who you have as your anethaetist (sp!) as what their preference is too I think -are you public or private patient?) catheter was removed the following day, and I got up the next day. but I had it at 11.05 am, so if its earlier, you may be ready sooner. I had GD too, so was being monitored, and so was Aston.

The best thing about this time around was that Aston went straight to my breast after being suctioned, he was on my chest within 2 mins I think. and he stayed there while I was stitched up, and fed. he was given 5mls of expressed colostrum, that I had done before I went in, i actually expressed 15, but they only had to give him 5, and this was more to ensure his BSL didn't drop rapidly. he was with me at the breast, cuddle up skin to skin all through recovery, transfer from recovery to the ward, and even a while there. i think he was with me, skin to skin for about 4 hours before they weighed, measured him, and went and did another BSL testing, he needed to be tested 4hrly for 48 hours. It was wonderful. definately recommend you requesting thtat. find out what the protocol in your hospital is.
do you know what you are having ?

**nic** · April 15th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Vicky, that is so beautiful that Aston was with you so soon. My OB the other day told me that they will send bub and DH back to my room for cuddles as the theatre and recovery are cold and they don't want bub there.

Nic

**AnyDream** · April 15th, 2008, 11:10 AM

Nic I was told that too, but I kept asking and other drs said yes no worries it happens all the time. In the end it was up to the theatre midwife what happened on the day. Keep asking, keep insisting, there is no real reason why baby can't stay with you, skin to skin with a blanket over the top of both of you. In recovery the issue is whether a midwife is available to care for the baby as the recovery nurses are too busy and it's not their job. Keep asking, keep insisting, quote the hospital's breastfeeding policy to them (babies should be breastfed as soon after birth as possible) as a reason why it should happen. Good luck!

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the replies ladies..

I think that my main concern is the baby, I want the baby given to me asap for skin on skin contact. The other thing that is worrying me, if I can't get up, who it going to change baby and pick him/her out of the crib during that first night. I know that my DF will stay til as late as possible, but I just have a huge fear of the baby not being near me.

My first bub was a c/s and we soooo never bonded, and I mean at all, it was awful and I blame it all on the c/s as my next two were natural and it was just love at first sight IYKWIM. My c/s was an emergency so I know that I can pin most of my anger on that as well as my age and lack of support.

I am a public patient and cannot complain at all about my care, they have been excellent not to mention thorough. I just want this to be perfect and have it all planned so I don't feel let down.

**Arimeh** · April 15th, 2008, 11:14 AM

Nic - I never really bonded with DS - not for ages anyway, but I don't think it was because of my section, I think it was because I was so overwhelmed with this little human being that I didn't have any idea what to do with!!! Hopefully I will be the same as you and bond with this next bub like you did with yours (I have been worried about it actually!!)
I was given skin to skin contact straight away in the theatre, while they stitched me up, and then allowed to initiate breastfeeding in recovery.

I'm sure all will go well - good luck!!

**AnyDream** · April 15th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Ask your hospital whether your DF can stay with you. Don't be afraid to tell them about the problems you had bonding after your first CS and stress that you want to prevent the same thing from happening again. I was in a public hospital and asked for my DH to stay especially because I was worried about being able to pick my baby up after the op, since with my first baby I'd buzz the buzzer and no nurses appeared - for hours. It was contingent on a single room being available but they had these fold out beds. The midwives were quite happy to have DH there as it was less work for them. Good luck!

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks Mel, I am really starting to get a bit upset over it all. I keep reassuring myself it will be so much different this time around and to push for my requests to be respected and met - sound like a bully dont I...
I just wish I could have my usual hour or less natural delivery and come home the say day like I did with the last two. But I suppose, I have to make do with the situation that I am in.
Best of luck with your VBAC, unreal experience and the best part is you are going to Selangor.

Marydean - I was really hoping to have my DF stay and help me out on the first night. I will see what more info they can give me at my next appointment. It would definately make me feel a whole lot better.

**Arimeh** · April 15th, 2008, 11:27 AM

Nic - you so aren't sounding like a bully - more like a MOTHER who knows what she needs for her baby....

I would ask if your partner could stay also, I had DH stay with me the entire 5 nights in hospital (but yes, Selangor is a great hospital that way!!).
But if they don't let you, start ringin that buzzer at every opportunity honey cos thats what the midwives are there for... to HELP YOU.....

Oh and thanks for the luck vibes - i think i'll need them.. this one is a big bub already... arggh!!!

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Thanks Mel, I hate worrying about this when I should be worrying more about what nappies I am going to be using LOL..
You will be just fine, I reckon the bigger the baby is the easier it is to push out. That's me anyway..

**Arimeh** · April 15th, 2008, 11:34 AM

yeah i've heard it doesn't matter how big they are, they all bloody hurt..

Try not to worry too much about things that you don't know for sure yet. Wait till you reach there - and then worry

we are all here for you anyway for support!!!!!!!

and btw - you using cloth? i'm too scared to venture out there - plus a complete dumbarse wouldn't know what I was looking for... lol

**AnyDream** · April 15th, 2008, 11:34 AM

Nicambhar, it's got nothing to do with being a bully and everything to do with claiming the empowered birthing experience that you rightly deserve! In my experience, the hospital would've been quite happy to go along with whatever the usual way is, if I'd been happy to do that as a patient. But I wasn't, I kept asking for skin to skin, for bfing in theatre and/or recovery, for having my DH stay with me, I kept telling them why it would affect my health and wellbeing. Fight the good fight hun, you have every right to be assertive when it comes to getting the 'best practice' and hte best possible care for you and your bubba. xxx

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 11:39 AM

Mel, I am completely lost when it comes to the nappies, AIO's, terry, flanel, sheesh way too much to take on board.

Marydean - I am probably panicking for no reason at all. The hospital has been so good to me. This is my first time at this hospital and I can't fault them at all so far.

**Arimeh** · April 15th, 2008, 11:41 AM

which hospital are you going to nic?

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 11:46 AM

I live at Redcliffe but flat out refused to go there so chose the Caboolture hospital after hearing some really good things about them. I did have all my kids at the Royal Womens but just felt like cattle being herded at my appointments there.