?'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.

**aussienic** · April 15th, 2008, 03:01 PM

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.

I have had 3 c/s now but my last one is what I will go on experience wise

I had a spinal block and had a different type of mixture so I didn't stay numb for as long. Also the nurse in recovery put oxygen on me and slowly sat me up and I was back in my room within the hour where as the last 2 times I was numb for to long and stayed in recovery for close to 2 hours.

Catheter was taken out in the evening. DD was born at 10:30. I was up 5 hours after c/s to go see bub as she was in SCN. That in hindsight was way to soon but I felt the need and didn't suffer anything for it.. I got up again the following later that evening but bub was brought to me so I didn't have to do too much.. I left having a shower till the following morning

**Nicambhar** · April 15th, 2008, 09:59 PM

astnatlaur - LOL, I have hit panick mode quite early, just imagine what I will be like on the day..

charli'smumma - Oh I saw that book the other day at QBD and almost bought it. Will have to go and get it now.. Thanks so much for your experience with the Cab hospital, I have been given a birth plan with all my literature but thought that it was just for natural births. I am definately going to discuss all of this with a MW next time I see one.

aussienic - I think I will be the same as you, feeling the need to get up and about. Did you choose a spinal block over an epi? Will have to make a note to ask this ? too at my next visit..

Thanks so much everyone, you have made me feel more at ease. I am sure I will have a few more flipouts to come LOL..