Ive never had a surgery or anything and this is my first baby.. I have to get a c section because shes giant which I really wasnt planning for, Ive always wanted naturally but now that there is no choice, Im feelin super nervous. I have my C section on monday, and Im terrified of what will happen. Can anyone help put my nerves at ease? Thank you..

I can sympathise. I had a c section due to lo being unstable lie. Tbh the op was absolutely fine and as it was elective the theatre staff were relaxed and chatty. Once the spinal block went in I really didn't feel a thing. The anaesthetist will be talking to you most to check on you and in mine they also let me know how things were going (not too detailed though I don't think I could have coped with tmi!). Lo was taken to be checked and good breathing established for 3-5 mins. Afterwards lo was laid with me and dh until dh took her back to a labour room. When I was finished in theatre I was taken back to the room and managed to establish breastfeeding.

OK, now the hard part begins. You ache bad and find getting out of bed a nightmare. You are tired out from the sleepless nights and can't drive. However, you now have your gorgeous baby to love and care for. And things get better each day..... Lo is now 2 weeks old and I do more each day. Still got to take it easy though.

Having gone through a natural birth with dd1 and a section with dd2 neither is easy. Just the recovery from my natural birth was faster.

Hope this helps. And good luck.

Xxx

It's natural to be worried but please don't be!

I had an emcs due to non progressive labour, back to back big baby, she was 10lb 1oz although they were prepared to let me go naturally!

I was crapping myself about maybe needing a section, but honestly it was a positive experience overall considering I thought I'd have a natural birth.

I was worried about not being numb enough but as pp said you have the anesthetist there all the time and the staff just chat to you and make you feel so relaxed. I wasn't even thinking about what was going on, the excitement of baby being there soon keeps you going!

They took LO to get checked right after the birth and oh went with her, they were gone about 3 minutes, then she was brought bak to me by him, weighed and measured in front of me whilst I was stitched.

I was taken to recovery to have my obs monitored for half hour before being taken to the ward.

The only issues is the recovery, although mine went smoothly. I recommend getting up and about as soon as you can, I was up within 12 hours. You can't drive, lift, twist or pull for 6 weeks so its a great opportunity to just sit and be with your baby. Don't try and do anything because pull do yourself more harm than good.

I chilled in fresh pjs all day!

Coughing, laughing and sneezing hurts!

You still bleed for a while so make sure you have pads.

Good luck, honestly you'll be fine. Only three days until you meet your baby!!

I had an emergency c section on Tuesday and it was not bad at all. The recovery takes some time, but if you have good support from your partner and family it is fine. Good luck and let us know how it went xx

Ladies, I'm having my c section on Monday and I'm toying with a general. How painful was the spinal block (not epidural or spinal/epi combo)? x

Hello.

In my experience the spinal block was fine. Took about 10 mins to prepare me and then lasted for some hours afterwards. I started to be able to waggle my knees about an hour afterwards then my feet woke up next.

It's not unpleasant at all. You just have to stay really still while they administer it.

I was a bit like you and would have preferred a ga before, but knowing what I know now I would have the spinal again. Nothing beats meeting your lo for the first time. The sooner the better for me :-)

Hope all goes well

Xxx

Thanks babylou. What is it that takes 10 mins for them to do it though? I would have thought the local was a quick injection and then the spinal thereafter bring another quick second to do. Was the local painful? Did you feel the second injection? x

Firstly I had a cannula put in. This is there in case you need iv or do need a ga.( I needed fluids after my op.)Then they connected me to monitoring equipment (bp, pulse etc). Then I was asked to sit side ways on the bed and lean over curling my back. I was encouraged to lean on a member of the theatre team. You must keep very still and relax your shoulders. The anaesthetist then locally numbed the area on my back ( I hardly felt this) then he spent a few mins locating and then inserting the spinal I think. My legs just started to go tingly so i told them. Then they laid me down and left me a couple of mins before spraying me with cold spray to see how my sense of touch was from my feet to my armpits. This was checked a couple of times. Then they brought oh in and set up the screen.

That's it really.

I am sure other ladies have different experiences but this was mine :-)

I was petrified before going in for my emcs. Really wanted to run away but couldn't move because I'd already had an epidural! But it was fine, really. And I looked good for the pics, no sweaty, exhausted faces from me! The only thing was I felt super nauseous during the op. stuck up my hand and said uh, excuse me but I'm gonna be sick. The anesthetist was taking pics (with my camera, highly recommended as hubby was a bit overwhelmed!). He dropped the camera and injected something into my drip. Instant relief! I also shivered uncontrollably while in recovery but that's normal after anaesthetic I believe. You are going to do great! Good luck!

so glad someone asked about the epidural thats scary just thinkin about it.