1st baby via c-section in 4 wks any advise????

[Sarah:)]

I am booked in for a c-section in 4 wks and it is just clicking that its not just a little cut, now i am stressing about everything. i guess it does not help i have been on bed/home rest for the last 3 wks and got 4 wks to go, been at home alone all day makes u look into things 2 much i think.

does anyone have any advice about there experience or anything that took them by suprise that they can warn me about???

Thanks

[*Belle*]

Hi Sarah!

Congrats on your first baby being born soon!

I wrote this post a while back to Scooby but wanted to repost it to you as you may find it helpful!

Hi there Ive had 2 CS, first one emergency CS, 2nd one Elective CS.

I totally recommend during the CS
- talk to your anesthetist before the operation, mine called me 3 days prior to make sure of the procedure and if I wanted spinal block or epi and also because im allergic to morphine he confirmed he was using fentenyl instead of morphine.

- during the spinal block/EPI focus on a spot or an object or look/smile at your partner and think about the baby going going to be born. The anethetist will be talking to you throughout the procedure asking you how you are feeling as the needle goes in. The 30mins I had to wait between the spinal block and being wheeled into the theatre operating table was the longest wait as I just couldnt wait to have our baby born! It was just DH and I in the room and honestly it was exciting to focus on the birth of our baby!
- Once they put you on the OP table it all happens really quick. The OB makes sure you are ok, the Anethetist is by your side the whole time as is your partner, focus on talking to your partner about the birth of your baby and how exciting it is that the baby will be born very shortly!
- When they prep you to make sure you cant feel anything, they top up the spinal block or epi last minute and you feel warmth of the anesthetic go up your body, if it feels weird ask for oxygen, they gave me some as my chest felt heavy, then they test your belly with ice and you talk to your OB and then they dont tell you when they start, I coudnt feel anything, but honestly it was only really less than 10mins before Tara was born! all I cared about was hearing her cry and seeing her! Once she was born I was so happy! and then she was put on my chest the whole time they stitched me up!
- I was only in recovery for 45mins then back at the ward with my hubby and baby Tara and BF straight away. Tip for first BF after CS dont lean too far forward it will hurt or twinge your stomach a bit, even though you are on painkillers. Have someone help prop you up as you wont be able to feel your legs for a while after.
- Take the painkiller meds they offer. I got offered PDA of Fentenyl cause I cant take Morphine it was great and wonderful, I was allowed to give myself a dose every 10mins it worked wonders. If they give you your own pain relief you press they have to give you oxygen apparently a rule I didnt know cause I wondered why I had oxygen also. The oxygen was actually fantastic.
- As soon as you can get up after the catheter is out try and walk a few steps, yes your ankles/feet will be swollen thats normal and you maybe shakey but try a few steps and get someone to help you. The sooner you walk the better your recovery will be.
- with my emergency c/s I was in heaps of pain due to labour and c/s and could hardly move for days, and on painkillers panadine forte for 3 weeks with elective c/s there was no as much stress on my body so by day 4 I was off all painkillers and had no issues walking around.
-Pads - the kotex brand was best for me others didnt last as long
- disposable toilet wipes, bring some best things and so handy or just some wipes for yourself incase it hurts down there
-make sure you eat cereal in the morning and fibre, very very important, no one tells you this, they make sure how long it takes for bowel movements and if you dont eat these it will be really difficult and they will offer dispositories or whatever they are called as they wont release you from hospy until they know everything is working ok

Feedign and looking after the baby - place Baby in the cradle close to you so you can rock them if they cry, you wont be able to lift them, so make sure you buzz the midwifes about 5mins before you want to feed as they maybe busy/flat out and take ages to respond to your buzzer. Sometimes I had to wait for ages. Also tell them your BF or formula feeding plans, ie, demand feeding or 3 hourly feeding if they are good midwifes they will come in and ask how you are going and if you want to start now etc... mine did.

Hope this helps and goodluck with everything!

Bel
xxx

[~Kim~]

I was a theatre nurse in a previous life, so before I had my first c/sec I knew technically what was going to happen to me, my body and my baby.

I didn't have much time to think about my first, but my second I did, and no we are thinking about a third I am definitely stressing about it. So you are definitley not unusual.

My tips would probaly be:

discuss the anaesthetic/block/epidural at length with the aneasthetist. If you can book in with them in advance. This way they can giude you through what will happen, wht drugs they will use and what outcomes you expect. They can also advise you of hospital protocol. For example some hossys don't use a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) post-op. This is a device attached to your epidural with a button you can press if the pain is too much. Generally if used they are only in use 24hrs post-op, but some do allow it until the pt hasn't pressed it for 24hrs. The first hossy I went to didn't and it wasn't discussed so I didn't have one. Second one didn't either, but because I asked for different drugs (due to reaction to the first type) the anaesthetist thought that I needed one so it was arranged.

make sure post op you roll up a towel to use as a brace on your wound when rolling/standing/coughing.

I made myself get up asap because I have seen the effects of not doing so HOWEVER no-one can predict how you and your body will cope with the c/sec so make sure that you do not get bullied into getting up/moving around faster than you can manage. Stand your ground, and make sure DH is aware too.

If you are in pain - take the offer of pain relief.

Feed feed feed. With DD my milk took 6 days to come in because I was feeing when they said I should feed. With DS I feed pretty much every time he whimpered - voila - milk on day 2

ummm....I'll probably think about some more this arvie. I can run through the procedure if you want, but it's probably better to get a blow by blow from your Ob/nursing staff too.

BBL

[teresa]

i am having a c section and this is our first baby. thank you sarah so much for asking questions and thank you so much girls for answering. i am a little scared about having one but due to many many complications with my pregnancy, i have to have one.
sarah - good luck and i hope u have a speedy recovery!!

[HollyC]

Some great advice here already.

The thing that took me by surprise, I was back in my room after it was all over and a midwife asked me if I farted. I was like wtf!? Turns out that is a sign that your bowels are working properly and they like you to fart before you eat anything.

Definitely go for cereal and fruit for breakfast. Prunes are good, but metamucil did wonders for me in the end.

[fourthontheway]

You can always seek a second opinion from another care provider, a dr or a independent midwife if you don't want surgery .

Ask questions about whether the baby will be with you in recovery and whether skin to skin we be an option.

Ask what stitching technique will be used, you don't want staples, and there is a surer stitching method - but I can't remember what it's called.

Waiting until labour starts is the best way to ensure that your baby's lungs are mature enough to breathe on their own.

I'm sure there's more but I'm in a hurry ... sorry! And good luck xxx

[Sarah:)]

Thank you soo much Ladies, and yes Kim if you have time i would love to hear all you can tell me!!!

I have spoke to my doctor about some stuff but i guess it is just a normal thing for her to do, so her answers are very basic and straight forward.
I will be getting a spinal does this normal happen in ur room or in the OR?
I am worried that i will have a reaction from the spinal, but doc seems to think its only ever shaking or vomiting.


thanks again

[*Belle*]

Sarah

My Spinal for my 2nd c/s was one in the room next to the OR called the anesthetist room guess it depends how the hospital is set up. I did have an Epi for my first c/s and this was done in my room. I didnt have any reaction to the spinal, however I did have severe shakes from the Epi as I had the Epi for over 12 hours. I was offered an Epi again or Spinal for my elective c/s and my anesthetist recommended the Spinal as the amount of anesthetic is much less than the Epi. Also if you know you are allergic to any drugs such as morphine like I am make sure you tell the anesthetist and also your concerns about reaction or allergies hon. I was also very scared of a reaction to the drugs and the anethestist was wonderful, he actually sent me an email also outlining our discussion with the facts.

hope this helps.

[fourthontheway]

I shook so bad that I couldn't hold my baby so ... yeah it could just be shaking but shaking isn't very nice My arse was numb for weeks afterwards too, which was great coz I spent so much time sitting on it under a baby!

[PlonkeeMumma]

Hi Sarah

Ive had 3 c/s (1 emerg & 2 'elective'). My advice (to be taken with pinch of salt :-)) would be;

if you have a spinal and you start feeling sick make sure you tell them - forcefully. I felt really quesy with my 2nd and they gave me some drugs while still operating and i was fine within a few minutes. With my third they just said that was normal and fobbed me off. I started throwing up once i'd got back to my room and it didn't stop for quite a few hours and a fair few different types of drugs they kept trying.

You don't have to have your cathater (sp) in until you have your spinal/epi. They will try and get you to have it in your room and i let them do it with my first elective and really wished i hadn't. With #3 I nicely said they coudl do it in the op theatre and didn't budge and they were fine with that - you just have a bit more of an ordience but as you can't feel it - who cares?

Walk as soon as alowd (after 24 hours) - it's uncomfy at the start but it's really true what the middies say - the more you walk the better it gets and fast!

Can your bf/dh stay with you the night? You can't get up to change nappies or even get your bubs out of the cot for the first few nights so it's nice to have hubby with you. The middies will do it if not but nicer to have someone in your room with you.

Most of all - try to relax. It's not pleasant at the time but it's over so quick and then you get your wonderful bub and you forget it so quickly (hopefully) afterwards. I didn't find it 'painful' just uncomfy so don't worry about it.

metameucil (sp) and a big tin at that :-)

DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT HAVING A C/S!!!! Even though i didn't have any choice i still manage to feel guilty sometimes and it's silly and annoying and pointless. Some people still look at me funny when i mention that i've had 3 c/s and if i hear 'too posh to push' once more i will not hold back on said person.

Wishing you all the best for a great birthing experience and meeting your little bub

x

[Sarah:)]

One more thing.....

I alway get told you have to stay very still when the spinal goes in, what happens if you are a little emotional (i am sure i will be)????

Thanks Again.....

[fourthontheway]

They know what they're doing

[*Infinity*]

I alway get told you have to stay very still when the spinal goes in, what happens if you are a little emotional (i am sure i will be)????

Hi Sarah,

The advice you've been given so far is great, not much more I can really add. My son was born by emergency c-section last year, and everything happened REALLY quickly. In relation to the spinal, yes you do need to be still, but they will guide you through everything. For me, I was in the operating theatre, sitting sideways on the table with my legs hanging over. They put a chair underneath my feet to support them. Then I had to hunch over while they administered the spinal. At that stage I was still having contractions, so it was not easy to stay still at all, but with the support of my partner (who was right in front of me) I managed to stay as calm and still as possible. They were very professional and talked me through everything.

For me it was totally unplanned so I had no idea that the spinal would take so long to wear off. When they took us up to our ward I asked them if I could get in the shower and put some knickers on. The midwives just looked at me sympathetically and told me no, it was going to be a while before I could feel my legs. Plus I had totally forgotten I had a catheter in too. So be prepared for that. I also got a bit itchy as the spinal was wearing off - felt like I was going to scratch my nose off. Other than that I had no reaction to the spinal at all.

Have you thought about asking them to pass bub to you straight away for skin to skin contact? If there is nothing wrong then there is no reason why bub should be taken away, and those first moments are something I will never forget. Getting that first breast feed in as soon as you can is also something they can help you achieve.

Good luck for your birth.

[skeetaboat]

You've had heaps of great advice already. The only thing I would add is try not to stress about the spinal, think about something else while they do it. I didn't feel a thing at all when mine was done. Also, when you decide to get up for the first time, do it about half an hour after you get a dose of pain meds - makes it much more comfortable and easy to do. Sometimes the midwives will offer to help with the first shower but you can ask for your DH to do it if you'd prefer. Oh and one last thing, if there's anything you particularly want to happen (skin on skin, no separation, anxiolosis, catheter after spinal, etc) talk to your care provider before the day and get them to make a note in your file. 'Hospital policy' sounds like it can't be argued with, but it darn well can be!

[Dotti8]

make sure post op you roll up a towel to use as a brace on your wound when rolling/standing/coughing.

and when you vomit or laugh! I can't believe the pain that caused. In fact its the only pain I remember and its easily minimised!

My DD was via c-section (and she's my first) and I was very nervous. Like you I was off work early and prescribed bed rest due to blood pressure issues. Too much time to think!

So many great posts here I just wanted to add the above. I started vomiting as soon as they gave me DD to bf (about seven hours after the surgery). I was told it was a side effect from the morphine. DD's weight on my chest/stomach triggered it. I was disappointed about not being able to feed her straight away.

The other tidbit I would like to share is to give in to your emotions. Its an emotional day (one you will never forget) and there are so many things throughout the day which can trigger tears. Let them flow I say! DD was taken to ICU after she was born because of fluid in her lungs. I was assured that it was just precautionary and she would be sent up to my room in a few hours but I just cried and cried! Surprisingly I felt better for it and I think its the only time people don't look at you and wonder why you are crying or when you will stop!

I also cried when my DH brought her to the room an hour later and each time I looked at her throughout the day.

Enjoy the experience and all the best!

[skeetaboat]

oh and one more thing.. if you've got too much time on your hands and negative stories are spooking you, google 'positive cesarean story' to give you some inspiration and reassurance.

[Jandals]

Hi Sarah. I haven't had a c-section yet - I will be in about 4 or 5 weeks. And I totally understand your anxiety! I had a spinal with my DD (vaginal birth) and it was all over very quickly. The longest part seemed to be the anethestist getting everything ready, and they may be all ready to go before you arrive with an elective c-section. I was having some pretty serious contractions at the time and I managed to keep still so I'm sure a bit of crying will be fine.

Good luck! And I'd love to hear how it all goes for you

Great thread - so many pearls of wisdom ladies

[starangelk]

Hi Sarah

I was just wondering how your CS went? I have been booked in for next Friday and I am feeling quite anxious so would love to hear your experience if you don't mind sharing?