What's a Caesarean like?

[Persephone1]

Okay, so I've spent 8 months of pregnancy being focused on a natural vaginal birth at a Birth Centre. We've done our reading, signed up a Doula, attended independent birth classes, written the Birth Plan...but it seems Aristotle might have some other ideas about his entrance into this world. He's sitting transverse, still, at 34+ weeks. I'm holding out hope that he'll move, and trying to move him with some positioning, acupuncture, etc, but I also need to prepare myself emotionally for that other possibility - a caesarean.

So...lay it on me. When will the hospital/birth centre start talking about scheduling a c-section? When do they try and deliver a transverse baby - or how long will they give him to move?

What happens in a c-section? I mean, I get the general idea, but can anyone take me through it step-by-step (notwithstanding that everyone's experience is different)? How long does it take? Will they allow him to be handed straight to me/DH and not take him away for weighing, etc unless I say? Will they transfer baby with me to Recovery as a matter of course? Apart from medical reasons, is there any reason why baby will be separated from me?

And afterwards - is it easy enough to have skin-to-skin contact? How long before I can sit up in bed? How long before I'm mobile enough to get myself to the toilet? How much pain relief will I need, and for how long? How long will I need to stay in hospital to recover? What's the bleeding like afterwards?

Oh, and because I've been going through the Birth Centre so far, can anyone say whether co-sleeping will be possible in the hospital maternity ward in the first days after the birth? Will I be comfortable enough to co-sleep? Or too drugged and sore?

Okay, that's probably more than enough questions for now. I'm trying to be optimistic, but my way of preparing for this is to find out now, rather than wait for it to hit me at 38 weeks. If you can answer any of the above questions, even one or two, please post!
What would you like to have known before you had a c-section?

TIA, Seph

[Janie]

It's good that you're preparing now IMO, as although your caesar should be a wonderful experience, it might take some planning on your part to make it just as you want it. I will come back later and post properly, but for now I just wanted to say that my caesar was awesome! I have had both types of delivery, and they are both truly wonderful.........after all, you are bringing your child into the world I only had two days to prepare for my caesar, and our bub was prem, so there are some differences there, but hopefully I will be able to answer to some more of your questions later

[C~Q]

Hey hun, my Caesar was pretty good too

I was booked in to have Csec on the Tues but I went into labour on the Sat night before. Went to hospy, had the spinal. Met DH in the op room and he stayed up by my head. There were loads of people in the room laughing and joking and made me feel at ease.

They took her out and showed her to us quickly over the top of the partition, I found out later that she wasn't breathing and it took them a while to get her breathing. II can't remember all that well but I think it was about 5 mins max before they gave her to me but I was worried about dropping her so DH held her next to my head.

Then I went to recovery and then my room but DH stayed with her the whole time, I think about an hour till she came up to my room with him.

I think maybe if they are breathing and everything is ok then they will go straight to you without being taken away first? I'm not sure...

I could sit up straight away (with a bit of help). She was born at 12.04am and she slept in bed with me that night. I think I was cuddling her and then we both fell asleep but I remember she slept in my arms. When I woke up the next morning I could walk and have a shower etc.

I was given a morphine drip and a little button to press whenever I needed more, I think I could only press it every five minutes or so...it did hurt but the anticipation of the things that might hurt was worse IYKWIM? As in, I was worried before I sat up and then when I did it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would! The thing I was most worried about was having my staples out the next week...but that wasn't too bad! So, I think after having the morphine for a while I moved on to Panadeine or something?

DD was born in the early hours of Feb 16th and I went home on my birthday Feb 20th but it was my second child so I was happy to go home as soon as possible

As far as I can remember the bleeding was less than with my other natural births.

I pretty much co slept...I mean, I held her till we both fell asleep and nobody told us off! It was a pain having to get somebody to move her first though if I wanted to get up because it was hard to sit up by myslef, let alone with a baby in my arms.

I think thats all your questions! It's hard to remember to be honest, it was a while ago now!

GL

[didispunk]

My first c-sec was not the best my second was FANTASTIC.

#1, Ben. I had preclampsia bad and high blood pressure etc.. So booked in
Went in 12 epidurals later they were finally able to numb my right leg.. 10th time DH was about to pass out and was sent to theater as he was no use to me then.

Then in theater I asked for a "running tally" of what was going on. I just didnt want them to say oh and out he comes.. i wanted to know.. cutting through first layer of skin, and ok soon.. ok yup get the camera out.. etc.. They were fantastic..

Then ben was sent to the table., cleaned up etc,, and then found out his bloods were not fab... as they were sewing me up my DH was holding Ben.

Then into recovery for about 30 min and tried B-feeding..
Then ben was sent to special care nursary and I went down there 5 hours later to see him. i was wheeled down there.. 10 hours later I had a shower and cleaned up and started walking around.


DD #2,
I laboured for 24 hours with broken waters, after that risk of infection too high so c-sec it was again.
1 epidural , fantastic, and there were heaps of lovely people... joking and once again I asked for someone to tell me what was going on every step of the way, That was the BEST thing i have done. is be informed with waht was happening.

Oh ya both times when they were topping up the drugs in my IV>. it STUNG SOOO BAD>> so I asked for some pain relief for my hand. was like a million bee stings.

I was up and walking as soon as i was able to feel my feet, the nurses showered me and 2 weeks later the doc and insurance company gave me the ok to drive and do things.. was fantastic..

so this is c-sec #3 to come! in 14 weekd

[feeb]

I have had 2 cs and they are not as bad as people make out.

1 was emerg and 1 elective. It depends on your hospital and how they do things.

Emerg I was IOL for PE a d after 14 hrs I was 9cm and obstructed, had epidural topped up and had a short cuddle in theatre but it was so cold him and DH taken out and were back with me asap in recovery. I was up less than 12 hrs later walking and showered and bathed DS1.

But my elective cs was fantastic couldn't fault the care or running of things.
Admitted 0630 had obs etc done.
0820 down to theatre and sat with DH and mw until we were taken thru.
Sat on edge of bed and IV and spinal inserted followed by catheter.
DH bought back in for cs.
Once they were were suctioning amniotic fluid DH stood up to watch, Baby held up for me to see, handed to mw beside me to put a towel around and me to kiss baby then taken for 2 mins for very quick check and wrap in warm blankets.
Placed on my chest until they were stiching skin (approx 30 mins) then DH and baby taken to a room to wait for me.
Once they washed some of betadine opff etc approx 5 mins then taken to room and baby attached to breast and fed well. We stayed there for 40 mins then transfered to ward with baby still in bed with me.

As it was AM cs i wasnt allowed up till next day but as soon as I could was up showerd bathed baby etc.
After about 2 hrs on ward baby was weigh and dressed.

[{sarah}]

Have a look at this article on the main BB website - Caesarean Sections - What Actually Happens? - my first c/s birth story is on there as well as some others

[Ryatha]

My first c-section was pretty bad but my second one was really good, just about to find the links for you as I have them written in BB somewhere.

But on a positive note I thought I would let you know that I was transverse when my mum went into labour with me and I turned about 4 hours before I was born. Mum really didn't want a c-section so it is possible.

ETA - links

DD1 https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...c-section.html

DD2 https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...c-section.html

I also have a pretty bad reaction to the drugs so I was pretty woosy for the first few days, but by a week I was find

[entreat]

Thanks for posting these questions Seph. I've been quietly ignoring the possibility of CS, but it's something that may be out of my control (best laid plans some time just don't work).

Reading these stories is really comforting, and has put me at ease about the procedure should I need to take that path.

Thanks ladies!

[~Kim~]

I think it's a great idea to be prepared so well done hun.

Not sure if you are after the technical bits but basically they'll put in a spinal block, lay you down and make sure you're comfy. Then they put on the BP cuff (spinals drop your pressures quite significantly unless you're a 'special' PE pt) and the chest dots to monitor your heart trace. SOmeone will insert a urinary catheter.
When all is good they'll do a couple of tests with a pin ***** and ice to check you can't feel anything and they'll tell you they're going to start.
They'll put up a screen so you can't see and your DH will be seated near your head.
Then they'll do a skin incision, and work their way down (skin, fat, fascia, muscle etc) until they find your uterus. They have a feel of bub to find the head and there, they make a small incision and suck some fluid out (some docs to lots some only a bit). Then they make the incision larger (some cut with scissors some tear) and lift bub out. Usually they'll show you straight away - tell them exactly what YOU want. You will need to specify if you want to have the cord intact for DH to cut or to stop pulsating as many will just cut straight away without a thought of it. While you're in awe of your new creation, they'll take out the placenta and give that a good going over to make sure it's in tact and check it's condition.

I got to cuddle both of mine after they had been suctioned and wrapped. Both of mine had issues out of the womb (mec for both, DD had trouble breathing and DS I had a uterine rupture) but once they were right they couldn't get them to us fast enough. DH held them while I was sewn up. Takes about 45-hour.

Neither could I take to recovery and not in any hossy I have assisted with c-secs have done it either. That is usually because a middy has to be with you and often one can't be spared for that sole purpose, but make sure you ask them and specify that's what you really want. You never know if you don't ask.

For both of mine I've been in recovery a bit longer than average (average is an hour), but me and babies/anaesthetics don't go well together. Bub has had DH by their side until I got back. Weighing etc was done then.

DD I didn't get to BF for a few hours and had heaps of trouble. DS I latched on straight away and he was sensational.

Speak to the aneasthetist in depth if you can before the surgery. Tell him what your tolerance is and what you want to be able to do. I didn't know when I had DD that morphine causes me great issues. With DS I did and could work out with the aneasthetist what was best for me. Not all hospitals offer a PCA (patient controlled analgesia that CQ mentioned) after a c-sec but will give you one if it's needed or asked for.

It is major surgery. All your muscles are cut/torn. Recovery is a big deal, but if you take it as you can, just like labour - small positive steps towards a great outcome, you will be fine. Take the analgesia if it's offered or if you fell you need - ask. Take it slowly. I only needed oral analegesia after the first couple of days and panadol after about day 4 for both. However everyone deals with pain differently and if you need painrelief I can't stress enough that there is no point being a martyr. Some people really find it unbearable for a really long time.

You will stay in hossy about 5-7days depending on the hospital (5public, 7 private).

I sat up within an hour and had skin to skin with DS as soon as I got back (I just got my gear off). With DD I was too unwell. You will have the catheter until at the very earliest you can weight bear and the spinal has worn off completely (usually 4-8hours I think). Some hospitals have an overnight policy. Even so I found it relatively easy to move myself up and down the bed. If the babe was next to the bed I could lift them in and out OK. Obviusly found it a bit difficult to change nappies that first day.

I co-slept with DS straight away. I knew the midwives and they were sympathetic to my choices. I know many hossys are not, so it always pays to sus it out beforehand so you don't get a shock and are angry and upset when you should be happy and recouperating.

Um bleeding for me was just like a heavy period for a fortnight, but that is really dependent on the person.

HTH some.

[Doing my best]

I hope you get the natural birth you have planned for..

I had 2 elective c sections and different experiences. I react badly to anesthetic and forgot to tell the anesthetist (cause I had it in my head the spinal was different to a GA), I didn't spend too much time aware of my surroundings for the 1st day, but the 2nd time they reduced the morphine and it was all good..

The time schedules for the ops were both similar to what Feeb explained for her 2nd one.

I was holding DS the moment I got back to my room. He was an arvo delivery and I was walking to the toilet the next morning. I bled heavily for a week. And stayed in hospital for 3 nights. I took painkillers as offered in hospital, but took about 3 doses once I left as I would forget and didn't really feel like I needed them unless I overdid it.

Our hospital didn't allow co-sleeping in the single beds, but I am not sure on the doubles. Something you will need to check with the hospital. But if I had wanted to, pain wise, I would've been able to.

But I would also go to the maternity ward at the hospital and ask these questions. They are the ones that you will be looking after you, if you have to go down this track.

[black_rose]

I had an emergency c sec, the idea of having one terrified me I was taking hypno birthing and was hoping for a drug free birth but dd had other ideas. My waters broke at 34 weeks and she was breech. It happened pretty quickly the hardest part was the spinal block. Because she was so early she went straight to the scu and into a humi crib.

I always throw up after a ga too which is unpleasant, normally I react to morphine and pethidine but I was ok with the mprphine given with the spinal block. I avoided it afterwards I has oxycontin and panedine inbetween. I didn't see dd for 12 hours I finally cracked it and the day staff took me to see her.

I was up and walking within 24hrs o couldn't drive for three weeks though and dd was in the nursery all that time so I had to rely on family.

I chose a vbac for number 2 as the no lifting and driving would have been too hard when looking after a toddler but I wasn't scared to have another c sect.

[littlebear]

I haven't read through anyone else's answers but thought I'd just add my experience/opinions

The good thing about having warning for a c-section is that you can tell them exactly what you want. So about holding bubs as soon as bubs is out etc they will know beforehand what you want, and the only reason they can not follow your orders is if bubs is not healthy. If I had known I was having a section I would have said that I wanted him in recovery with me etc,even though he was healthy they kept him in the nursery for an extra 2 hours for a doctor to check him over.

Skin to skin contact and general handling of bubs is easy, but i'd say as long as someone is with you. It's going to be hard to sit up on your first day, in fact it'll probably hurt for all your movement except your legs, so having someone help you get comfortable with your bubs first was the way to go for me. I was encouraged to get up the morning after to have a shower/toilet. They like to get you up and moving sooner rather than later as it seems to help with healing. I was allowed to go home when bubs was 2 and ahalf days old, but that's the quickest i've ever heard of, everyone else sort of says 4-5 days. Depends how you feel and if you want to go home.

About co-sleeping, i'm not sure if your hospital will allow that, it's really up to the hospital I think? They'll let you room in (bubs in a crib) but I found this really hard because it hurt so much to get up and down. First night DH stayed and second night I had bubs in the nursery.

Also about drugs, I felt like I had a lot, but only used them for the first week and a half then i didn't need anything at all, not even panadol.

I think you can have a really positive c-section experience if you are prepared for it because you can ask for what you want to happen and make it how you want it to be.

HTH and best of luck!

[blackduckies]

Transverse position at 34 weeks is not uncommon I think you will find baby turns before you get to term..but still a good idea to think about and ask qustion JIC.

I have just had my 4th CS...this one was elective and i was scared..it seemed so much easier with the emergency ones baby was in distress and had to be born etc, no time to think or be scared I just wanted the babies to born and safe!!!!
Reasons for being scared< ireally hate the thought of surgery, especially awake???? I hate being immobolised and feel vunerable and at "their" mercy, having said that my CS was well planned and a very good experince..my OB listened to my concerns< i talked with my anethestic (sorry spelling)he was excelelnt during the surgery stroking my hair and talking to me throughout..I asked for my stomach muscles to be pulled apart verus cut which was done (my recovery has been very quick, I felt pretty normal after about 10 days, although will be taking it carefully for the recommended time limit) I asked for video/photos of the birth, which they took for us..absolutely amazing pics and very glad to have them..I asked for skin to skin contact, after a quick check my midwife made sure they brought Tilly back approx 2 mins later and we lay there for the rest of the surgery both of us coverd with a warm blanket the midwife checked on occasion to make sure she was'nt gettign cold etc.. as soon a s I got to hold her all my fears about th surgery went out the window..I felt relaxed/calm and completely over the moon..I even found myself dozing on and off.they took DH and Tilly for the last 15 minutes of surgery and met me in recovery where i was able to BF. I was back on ward within 2 hours from start of surgery, the CS took about 45 mins start to finsih, baby was born after 15mins, the rest is stitching up..I started to get movement back in my legs in recovery and had it cmpletely back after about 3 hours so was able to push myself up in bed to feed etc..got up and showered the next morning..DH stayed to help me for the 4 nights I was in hospital with nappy changes etc, we co-slept..I have with each of my babies, no one has ever said we could'nt..I just made sure the sides of the bed were up and stuck a pillow flat in the sides (the gaps seem huge with a tiny newborn) Pain releif morphine capsules for the first 24-48 hours then onto panadine..
Fianlly I would say that my recovery from my c-sections have acutually been better than my recovery from my VB..I would still have preferred a VB and have tried with every baby except this last time..but if you have to go with the CS option you can still have a rewarding, amazing experince.. write a birth plan. don't ask if you can have something..say that you wnat it eg: skin to skin contact, father to cut the cord, Bf in recovery, you're much more likely to get it that way going my past experinces.
Good luck!!! I bet your baby turns and you don't have to worry about it.

[Bridg]

With Jake and Zac, I had an emergency c/s. With Logan, I had a VB. I would definately have a VB any day over a c/s.

When they have numbed you, all you feel is a pulling and tugging sensation, which feels horrible. Then when the spinal wears off, man does it hurt!

They got me out of bed the next day, and I could hardly walk, and when I did, I held my tummy as it felt like everything was going to fall out.
It wasn't until day 5 that I could actually walk without holding onto my tummy.

I took pain killers for the first 2 weeks. Your not allowed to drive for 6 weeks. With a VB, I was out of hospital the next day, and 2 days later was dropping the kids at kinder.

Because the scar stays numb from the cutting, it felt weird whenever anyone touched it. It took over a year for it to feel normal again, and even now still has it's numb bits.

GL with it all.

[maz]

were do I start

DS1 - emergency c-s was NOT prepared. I wanted the whole natural, no drugs, calm birth. 23 hours later and alittle boy who's head was stuck in my twisted pelvis made mehave an emergency c/s. BUT due to having fussed together discs I had to have a general. Very tramtic start to motherhood I can tell you. People screaming in the op theatre to get me 'under' as my contractions rolled one after the other. J man wasnt aloud in and I was very frightened. I dont remember much of the first night...to much pain and no help. I remember trying to co sleep with hima nd the nurses kept taking him away into his own crib

DS2 - planned c/s. Wonderful. Ran smooth. Tried to have a spinal put in but could feel the needle hitting my spine and the anethatis said no. J man was permitted to coem back into theatre once I was out. DS2's birth is the only one he watched so to speak...he said he could never do that again.

DD - planned c/s again on the tuesday...went into natural labour on the friday before at midnight. Begged for a VBAC but foudn out that my pelvis is to badly damaged for me to give birth naturally...well I tried . Had another GA. Had a birth plan this time...was to be woken up in recovery to breast feed with baby and J man straight away. It worked and the 3 of us spent alot of time in there in happiness. I had my c/s eat 3.30am and i was in the shower at 6.30am...3 hours later. I had no pain what so ever. I felt lik I had gone to sleep and woken up to find a baby an the last 9 months a dream. I never needed pain killers, had no pain, nothing! Awesome c/s. I was home on day 3.

DS3 - was a nightmare planed GA c/s. Went in and asked for pics to be taken...eveyrone happy. (had a very bad last 2 months of pg). woke in recovery alone. Crying my eyes out in pain and that my baby wasnt with me. he was in SCN as the cord was around his neck 3 times, he was blue and very sick. MIdwives would not let me see him until that night and wouldnt let me breast feed him until I screamed at him. In all this was my worst one but I think that had alot to do with me emotionally at the time.

I had my tubes removed with his birth....and if I didnt have them, as bad as my last birth was, Id probably be either pg or have a nb by now.

Good luck and well done for getting yourself organised before hand.

[Miss E]

My CS was an emergency one, so a little different in the lead up, but I had talked to my OB about my wishes at length before hand so in some ways we were prepared. All in all I can say that it was a good experience and while I had hoped for a natural birth that wasn't to be. Anyway to answer your questions...

What happens in a c-section? I mean, I get the general idea, but can anyone take me through it step-by-step (notwithstanding that everyone's experience is different)? How long does it take? Will they allow him to be handed straight to me/DH and not take him away for weighing, etc unless I say? Will they transfer baby with me to Recovery as a matter of course? Apart from medical reasons, is there any reason why baby will be separated from me?

DS was delivered and shown quickly to me before the paed took him. I think he had him for all of 2 minutes (if that) to do his APGAR and bundle him up so he didn't get to cold. He was then placed on my chest and I got to cuddle him while they stitched me up. Once they were done with me I was taken off to recovery and DS went with DH to be weighed etc. Some hospitals will let you have your baby in recovery with you, but unfortunately mine wasn't one. But I would ask your hossy beforehand and see what they say.

I was out of recovery within about 30 mins from memory. They took me to my room and DS and DH got there about 5 minutes later. Then we spent the first night together as a family.

And afterwards - is it easy enough to have skin-to-skin contact? How long before I can sit up in bed? How long before I'm mobile enough to get myself to the toilet? How much pain relief will I need, and for how long? How long will I need to stay in hospital to recover? What's the bleeding like afterwards?

Afterwards skin to skin contact isn't a problem. The nurses propped me up a bit so I was half sitting. I stayed in that position all night and DS slept on my chest, it was such a wonderful night. They kept my catheter in overnight (DS was born at about 8pm) and took it out the next morning. They then got me up, helped me have a shower and made sure I could go to the bathroom okay etc. i could move around, but was still a bit sore and tender so I spent most of the time in bed or in the chair. The bleeding is there and yes you do go through the pads, but I expect it is pretty much the same as a natural birth.

Oh, and because I've been going through the Birth Centre so far, can anyone say whether co-sleeping will be possible in the hospital maternity ward in the first days after the birth? Will I be comfortable enough to co-sleep? Or too drugged and sore?

Not sure, like I said DS spent the first night on my chest, so I guess if you wanted to co-sleep they would be okay with it. Because you're pretty tender I don't think you would have to many worries about moving and squishing you LO, you'll definately wake up before you try to move in your sleep.

HTH, whatever way your LO enters the world I'm sure it will be a magical experience. GL hon

[kyliealysha]

Mine was an emergency c section. I wish I'd thought about them more prior or had some plans.

Basically I was wheeled into theatre and given an epi/spinal. This was tough as I was having contractions but had to keep as still as possible Then I was laid down and one arm strapped to the BP monitor and the other one strapped across my chest. I really didn't like this and would be requesting this to not happen next time. I guess it is standard at the hospy? It meant I couldn't hold Emma as both arms were restrained. So they checked I was numb and started cutting. Not sure at what point DH came in but he was there too. It seemed like no time at all before the OB was pulling her out and telling us we had a girl. She was checked and then DH and a midwife took her to be weighed etc while I was stitched up, then I had to wait in recovery on my own hanging to get back and see my baby. If there's a next time I'd definitely be requesting the baby came to recovery with me.

I was returned to my room with self dosing pain meds hooked in to my epi site. I wasn't in pain though so kept forgettng to press the button. The midwives would press it for me. I didn't co sleep with Emma but I could have although officially it is against hospital policy a few of the midwives suggested it. I was too scared to though. The next morning I was begging them to unhook me so I could get up. Getting up and down was painful but I used that handle thing above the bed. Oh and if you are about to cough, sneeze or laugh hold your belly first! So day two they were giving me oral Endone for pain but I asked them to stop as it was making me feel really out of it and they brought panadol instead. Day 3 I told them to stop bringing the panadol too as I wasn't in pain unless I was getting up or down.

FYI it's not true that you can't drive for 6 weeks afterwards. We checked with our insurance company and they said it's up to my doctor, who cleared me to drive at 4 weeks.

[Persephone1]

WOW! Thank you ladies, so much, for sharing your experiences and wisdom. It's gone a long way to demystify the c-section for me, and I'm really grateful for that.

To be honest, I'm not at all sure that Bub is transverse - personally I think he's still got lots of room to move, because his head appears at all angles under my ribs and to the side... although perhaps that's his bum I'm off to see the MWs tomorrow so will have some questions answered and hopefully start to feel more calm about the whole thing. If nothing else, I'll go into a c-section knowing all my options and having made an educated decision.

{Sarah}, thanks for link, that was really informative. And thanks again to everyone for sharing their stories.

You all rock