Nervous about planned c-section

I know i'm on the wrong board but i know more ladies on B&T and i was hoping that any of the ladies that have had c-section's would reply.

I have my planned c-section booked for Tuesday and i'm now starting to become very nervous, i had a dreadful labour and birth with Scarlett and she was in SCBU for a week as didnt breath for the first 10 minutes after i finally managed to get her out (after 3 hours of pushing and a 38 hour labour!) i was in incredible pain afterwards and couldnt really walk foir a good 3 days, and even then it was only a shuffle here and there.

Anyway, i'm now really worried that i'm not gonna be able to do anything for weeks and weeks after, my husband has 2 weeks off and my mum is gonna have scarlett whilst i'm in hospital but what happens if i come out and cant do a thing, will i not even be able to pick up the new baby??

I'm starting to think that maybe i should have gone with a natural birth but i just couldnt face the same thing happening again, and what if it did happen again and this baby didnt start breathing again???????!!!!!

Ok i think i'm having a bit of panic!!

Donna, Scarlett 20 months and 38 week boy bump.
xxxxxx

Thanks for all the advice and kind words ladies, i'm defo feeling a bit better about it all now! you have all been a great help!

roll on tuesday!
xxxxxxxxx

Hi Donna,
I had a planned C-section (Lydia was breech), and I have to say, I would deff do it again!!!
You arrive at the hospital at a given time, shown to your bed, set up the TV, put things away etc. When it's your turn, you walk down, put your slippers etc away, sit on the bed, have the injections, then lay back, talk to hubby and staff, listen to music & listen to it all happening (I saw Lydia being born via reflection on the massive light)!!!! Lydia was shown to me, taken to the table to be cleared up, then rested on my chest for a wonderful hug, and those first pics, then taken away again to weigh etc!!
After you are in the recovery room for a bit, then taken back to the ward! I don't know how long I was there before they suggested feeding her, but the staff were excellent!! They picked her up and gave her to me, and put her back down to sleep! They also changed her nappies, which was great!!!
I couldn't do anything that night as you have the lovely 'bag' fitted, and these horrid blow up bags on your legs which were both noisy and VERY itchy, but I had them removed by 5 am! You have to do 3 wees for them to check, and a poo (Sorry if TMI), then I was alowed out around lunch time
I was in a bit of pain the first few days, but I was able to lay back on the sofa and get to grips with breast feeding whilst hubby ran around doing everything for me!!!
The pain killers I had were excellent (you are given them to take home with you), and I only remember taking them for a few days!!! Two days after Lydia was born we went for a short walk, by the time Martyn went back to work I was feeling fine (but annoyed that I was unable to drive)!!!
A C-section is a major opp ... but I found it was OK, no where near as bad as I thought it would be!!!!
The only thing I really found hard was the lack of food!!! I wasn't aloud to eat from 10pm, and had Lydia about 1 the following lunch time! They then listening to my stomach about 3 or 4 ish to see if I could eat!! I got a slice of toast, then an egg sandwich (would not recomend as she stank of eggs for days) and yog at tea time and that was all!!! Thankfully, I had TONS of food in my bag, so I then spent all night nibbling ... but on hind sight ... I would have taken in sandwiches etc instead of crisps and tracker bars!!!
I hope this helps to put your mind at rest hun!!!
Good luck with everything, and I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, and looking forward to hearing your birth story!!!
Janice,
xxx.

... to add ...

... sorry, meant that I was out lunch time the following day!!!!
The pain was managable on the pain killers ... walking slowly and advoiding speed humps when in the car ... but not as bad as I thought it would be!!!

Hi

Hi Donna,

I had emergency c-section at 40+2 as her heart rate slowed right down and there wasn't time for epidural etc so I had to be put to sleep and missed the whole thing, so unfortunately can't tell you what it's like

However, I did find things hard afterwards, but I supect this is because I had no pain relief before hand and they had to pump me full of morphine afterwards when I'd come round.

Having said that, I had the c-section on the Sunday lunchtime and was home by Tuesday night, they wanted me to stay another day but I found getting in and out of bed hard, so wanted to be home where hubby was constantly on hand to pass her to me when I was in bed.

They tell you not to lean over and pick the baby out of the moses basket or whatever, but by the Friday I was, just very very slowly and carefully.
Within a week I was doing most things (walked round the block for 10 mins, slowly and carefully). My hubby also had 2 weeks off, and was preparing for a 3rd but I didn't feel it was necessary.

If we had another, and I could elect for a c-section again, I would.

Hope this helps. You will be absolutely fine, just go at your own pace afterwards, look forward to seeing you on here afterwards with birth story!
Love N & Isla (1) xx

One more thing

Sorry - not very nice, but I wish I'd been forewarned, the next day they got me up and about to have a shower as they like you to try and walk, I went along to the shower (thinking I was going quite slowly), and promptly fainted when I got in the shower, having never fainted before in my life!!

I managed to pull the emergency chord on the way down, and when I came round the midwives there were all jolly and "oh yes, don't worry - quite common to faint after a c-section" !!!!! I thought "thanks for telling me AFTER!!!!". So when you are up and about, don't feel pressured to rush!! xxx

Hi there

I had an emergency c-section 4 weeks ago and although the birth wasnt ideal and what id planned i can honestly say the c-section part was no where near as bad as i thought it would be.

From the consultant deciding to do a c-secxtion and my daughter being born took less than 20 minutes. I had a spinal injection to numb me from the chest down which worked in a matter of seconds but the only problem i had with it was that i was numb from my boobs down and it felt like i had someone sat on my chest.

The spinal wore off after about 4 or 5 hours and then i was able to sit in a chair. I was uncomfortable but not in a lot of pain. After 24 hours i was up and about and able to walk albeit very slowly but once again i wasnt in a lot of pain. I can honestly say the whole experience was a lot better than i thought it would be. 2 weeks after having the c-section i was able to drive again, although i had to notify my insurance company, and 4 weeks later i feel back to my old self.

I hope this has helped put your mind at ease because i was terrified about having a c-section and thought i wouldnt be able to do anything for 6+ weeks which wasnt the case.

Wishing you all the best.

Katie and 29 day old Jessica xx

Hey hunni

Well I had a 28 hr labour with megan and her heart stopped so had an emergency section.

This time round I was booked in at 39 weeks for a section which was mad as it didn't feel real lol. I have serious anxiety attacks and was petrified!! I was physically sick and shakin on the day.

It really wasn't as bad as I thought you know! Itcwas a little uncomfortable but on the whole I was fine!

If u have any questions or want a blow by blow account of what happened just let me know!

But honestly I am the most uptight and panicy person, and I was actually rocking in the anesthetic room lol!! And I was fine... I promise!!!

Lv alex, megan 5 and joe 5 weeks xxx

Hey hun

I had an elective C-Sec as Archie was breech
I didnt have the best experience in the world as I bled a lot after he was removed and my Uterus wouldnt contract BUT I blame the fact they tried to turn him 2 days before!!
I turned up at hosp at 8am, I walked to theatre at 1020. Archie was delivered at 1050. I was back on the ward by 1200. I had a urinary catheter in for the first 24 hrs so I couldnt get up and walk around, (the MW do everything for you the first night). As soon as it was removed I was encouraged to have a Lavender bath but like one of the others said, I think this was a bit too much in one go coz I was shattered after. I had a bad second night, I was in an awful lot of pain and the MW expect you to be able to do everything, I didnt sleep, because of this I had to stay in another night, I was on Oral Morphine which was great stuff DO NOT refuse it!!
I went home on the Sun (he was born on Thur). Matt stayed home for the first 2 weeks and my mum the next 2 weeks but to be honest by the 2nd week I was up and about doing most normal things just at a slower pace.
I have had problems since with what they first thought were infections but now think may be Endometriosis which is just bad luck on my part.

Even with my problems I would still not be that bothered if I had to have another one next time round.

Everyone is different and in most cases bounce back really quickly after. And YES you will be able to pick your baby up just probaly not the first night.

Hope you get on ok hun xx

Adele xx

Hi donna

My experience was much like the others have said. I had an emergency section after Sam's heart was being a bit erratic during induced labour, it was all quite calm tho. That day I was just zonked (in a nice way!) and the midwives changed nappies etc then the next day I was allowed up and it was painful but managed with diclofenac and paracetamol and to be honest didn't need it as often as they offered.

We were allowed home on the Sunday (had Sam on the Fri) and at first things like stairs and getting in and out of bed were a bit sore but nowhere near as bad as I expected and I was able to pick Sam up and feed ok altho I did find lying down to feed him was easier as he wasn't resting on my scar. I just found that I needed to do things much slower but luckily had help from Dan and family for housework etc (or just ignored it!) I just sat on my bum a lot!

I remember taking Sam down to the children's centre when he was 3 weeks cos I was stir crazy and that's a 15 min walk away. Don't think my HV was too impressed but she didn't actually say anything. Actually the Monday after Sam was born on the fri I walked up to our local town 15 min walk again with OH to register birth...def shouldn't have done that but I made it altho very slowly!

Try not to worry, most people I know have found sections easier than you would think. I found it a positive experience and would def do it again. Just accept all help and make sure you eat well to promote the healing (sorry don't mean that to be patronising - I'm sure you know how to look after yourself!)

Good luck and it only seems like last week that you got your BFP...time is flying!

Rach and Sam x x x

Hi donna

I had an emergency c-section after a 30 hour labour. When they were preping me the doc kept saying things like, you wont be able to drive for six weeks, or pick this up, or pick that up, we will give you painkillers for the first two weeks etc etc

It wasnt anything close to that bad!! The following day was probably the worst. I was able to walk to the shower but after showering felt the need to take it easy. By day two - I was a little further ahead but I could tell when I had over done it by a little mild discomfort. By day three I was up and down the stairs in my house and carrying baby no probs. I even stopped taking the painkillers after the first five days as really I didnt need them.

You are uncomfortable but it is not as bad as I was told or what I thought.

Good luck

Hey hun,
Well I havent had a c section but my mate has had 2 now. Her 1st was like urs, an emergency one. She had a bad labour n was rushed in after hours of trying n baby becomin destressed etc. She didnt have a nice time.
With her 2nd she had a planned section n was absolutely fine she was out of hospital 2 days later n was moving around( doin 2 much if u ask me!) within a matter of days! She came 2 mine the day after she was hm for a curry!!!
She wud recommend them 2 anyone.(More so the planned sections!!!)
Im sure anyone wud worry with past history but Im sure u will b fine like my mate!
Fingers crossed 4 u hun. Good luck n look 4ward 2 reading ur labour story shortly!
mummyand2.xx

Hey hun

I had an emergency c-section after getting to 9cm & god knows how long of labour. This post isn't going to be of much help as I suffered diastasis recti (split muscles), but at first it was thought I'd had an umbilical hernia...anyway, my point being is that I think hindered my recovery. Having said that, I was out of bed within 24 hours 'cos the nurses want you up & sitting. I was up & walking (hobbling) to the loo the next day - which reminds me - don't let your knickers fall to the floor it's a bit of a git trying to bend to pick them up
Just try not to stretch out too much but try not to be sat up too much - if that makes sense, 'cos if you sit up & not "stretch out the muscles then it could be a bit more sore than if you started off lying down (soz that was a bit babbled).
Make sure you have a pillow or a rolled towel ready for when you cough or sneeze, lean forward & hold it on the wound.
It's nice to let the water run over it in the shower, then when you're ready for a bath it's good to put a few drops of tea tree in the water to help the healing process.
When the wound has scabbed over I put bio oil on it with cotton wall pad (not cotton balls) & I still do it now as it dries out so it's good to keep it oiled so that it doesn't itch.
Errm what else - ooh my friend also had an emergency c-section & had non-dissolvable stitches so had to have them taken out - ouch! So try to see what stitches they use, I had dissolvable ones that were done from the inside out.
The plaster thing that was over it was taken off me without being soaked so make sure before they take it off that they soak it - unless you want a few little hairs

Mine still pulls now sometimes but it's only when I over stretch. Part of it is still numb too but I've heard this ca go on for years, it feels weird but that's fine.

I'm contemplating my next one & whether to have a planned c-section. I feel I cheated the first time & that I didn't go "all the way" & I really want to experience that. However, 'cos Thomas was too big for me to push out, I'm thinking the next one will probably be bigger but I wll discuss this nearer the time (shouldn't take it for granted that I will get pg again as it took a year to get caught with Thomas - just a short spell compared with others)...but this means I wouldn't rule it out & I would recommend one.

Hope this helps

all the best
Caz & Thomas 5 months soon!!