Hello!

My baby was breech. They tried to do an ECV at week 37, didn't work, so I was booked in for a c-section for bang on week 39.

They prefer to extract a week early so you don't have as high of a risk of going into labour.

An 'elective' c-section has benefits over an emergency c-section, they have your bloods etc... all prepared, they can take their time making the incision and preparing you.

On the day we arrived at hospital with my bag etc... checked in with the pre-surgery place, then went to the maternity ward (where people go after baby arrives usually). Got weighed, shown to my bed, unpacked. Then, I got given these hideous stockings that are supposed to help with circulation.

I was meant to go in at 2pm, but due to emergency c-sections I ended up going down at 6pm.

I was wheeled in my bed (despite being able to walk) down to the surgical unit. Hubby was taken aside and given scrubs. I was taken in to get my Spinal Tap. Usually hubbys aren't allowed to be there for this, which is a shame, because a huge needle in the spine is quite a scary thing to think about. My advice, be calm, they do it several times a day. A lovely orderly helped me lean forward (hard as babys head was jammed between my ribs) and told me to squeeze his hand to distract myself from the pain of the needle, he also said wiggling my toes might help, it did. Lol. It wasn't overly painful for me, but it did feel strange.

I was then wheeled into theatre with my body already numbing. The Anaesthetist was using ice to check if I was numbing up. With a Spinal Tap you can feel pressure etc... but no pain or temp, different receptors apparently. She was finally convinced I was numb. I mentioned my keloid scarring and the surgeon pinched my keloid scar on my belly button to see it and I yelped. IT HURT! They redid my spinal and I was fine (turns out it was a faulty batch of anasthetic).

They cut me open and then began the weirdest experience of my life. A pulling sensation and pressure. It was bizare. It feels like someone has a giant hook in your tummy and it is attached to a rope and they are on the other side of the room running back and forth tugging. Lol. Not painful though, not at all.

I did get nauseous and threw up, apparently this wasn't the anaesthetic, but the surgeons applying pressure to my stomach.

Baby was removed, we were told 5 minutes later, he was fine, hubby went over and recut the cord. Soren was brought to me and put next to me so I could kiss him and didn't leave our sight after that.

I was stitched up and got very cold. Shivering like crazy. The Anaethetist the whole way through was wonderful, she talked me through everything and was hilarious.

Wheeled into recovery, given pain relief for when the spinal wore off. Wheeled upstairs.

I co-slept with no issues, but had to buzz midwives if I wanted them to change baby etc...

The next morning I was showered by a midwife who removed my catheter (ew). Then slowly could walk again.

Recovery was 2 weeks until I could move confidently. Just had nurofen and panadol for pain relief, just make sure you take it on schedule once at home or pain will crop up a bit.

I am keen for another c-section, it was great!