1 week til scheduled c section...any advice

[fashionlover]

Feeling ready but nervous. Any helpful hints and words of encouragement? Please keep it positive as I am already freaked out enough

 

[frsttimemama]

I have to say that my C-section was not as bad as everyone made it out to be prior, and that's even having had a general anesthesia and an emergency situation! You will be sore. Take the pain medication when they offer it. Get moving as soon as you can, even though you will be sore. Keep moving. Let people help you. Keep your eye on the prize as it will be well, well worth it! Good luck!

 

[boxall1983]

I was taken down for a c section after failing to dilate. I found the labour stressful! When they took me in for my c section I found the experience relaxing! Strange I know. The staff were excellent and im hoping for another one this time! I took pain killers when I needed them as the pain from mine wasnt to bad. I was up and about walking the next morning. (had c section at about 9pm the night before). I think the key is to relax as much as possible, take help when needed, move about as much as possible but dont over do it x

 

[gcgal10]

My advice is to relax (easier said than done). I was so stressed the week before mine and it was actually a very calm and positive experience and I wish I hadn't worried so much.

 

[LDC]

Definitely relax. Put your feet up and do nothing. I wish I'd have done that more before, now I'd love for time to chill!

Move afterwards as much as you can, I really think that helped my recovery and stick to the guidelines in terms of not over doing things, it might take a little while to heal which can be annoying, but pushing yourself too far will do more harm than good.

Also make sure when you've had baby and visitors leave that everything you need is on a chair next to you and not on the floor...I made tha mistake and had to get the nurse to come and get everything for me!

Maybe take a camera into theatre? I wish I'd have done that I'd have loved some pics of lo when she had just come out

Good luck. You'll be fine

 

[SillyMoo1983]

Mine was an EMCS but it was still quite calm in theatre. It didn't hurt while they operated and my OH was with me. As soon as baby was out she was held above the screen so I could see her cute little face for the first time. An amazing moment I will never forget. After she was weighed and wrapped up she was handed to my OH and we just looked at her, amazed. I did have the shakes but apparently that's normal. It calmed down once I was in recovery and able to have skin to skin. It was a relief to have her safely in my arms where she should be

Hmm advice would be:
Make sure you have MASSIVE knickers and loads of maternity pads nearby!
Walking might seem daunting to start with but once you get on your feet you'll recover much quicker. It helps with water retention (which I had) and trapped wind (which I had).
Accept any drugs offered if you need them
Don't worry about the catheter. They tend to put it in after the epidural so you don't feel it. It's also surprisingly painless to take out too! I was expecting a sting but I was like, "is that it?!".
Accept any help at home if you need it.
Don't do too much too soon. Tidying the house can wait. Cuddling baby is a much nicer activity
Oh, and just in case, you might need to have some prunes/raisins/other food to move you along a bit. Not everyone suffers but it took me 5 days to poo! Don't suffer in silence. There is stuff they can give you. I got lactulose when I eventually asked for it the day I left hospital. Wish I'd have asked sooner!

It's hard not to worry but honestly, you've just got to remember that you'll finally get to see what your beautiful baby looks like! What's more exciting than that?!

 

[chasemanzmum]

Feeling ready but nervous. Any helpful hints and words of encouragement? Please keep it positive as I am already freaked out enough

Try a nice warm bath/shower (to help relax) and think happy thoughts. GL with you and your baby.

 

[KJM2]

I had an elective section as my baby was breech.

I suppose it may depend on where you have your baby I see you are in the US. I had my baby in a uk nhs hospital. I had to be at hospital for 8am but didn't go down to theatre until about 2.30pm so there was quite a bit of waiting I kept getting bumped down the list due to emergency sections, take something to read, music etc to pass the time. You are also fasted from the night before I was starving and thirsty as couldn't drink.

Other than that it all went really well and I had a great experience post-op no complications etc. yes you are sore but take what pain relief you are offered to keep on top of it. I wish you all the best. I can honestly say having a section was absolutely fine.

 

[Mrs HM]

Stay calm, it really was quite a good experience for me and I had a totally unexpected emcs.

Bring a little bag with your toothbrush and some wet wipes in it and have someone leave it on your bed before they leave. I was so itchy from the spinal and sweaty from not being able to move that I would have loved to have freshened up a little bit overnight.

Take a front opening nightdress so you can have skin-to-skin with your LO without having to move too much.

Take lots of maternity pads and your biggest trousers just in case you swell from the surgery, which I did and my brother had to lend me trousers to wear home!

Also prepare yourself for (if it's your hospital's policy) being alone with your baby. It sounds really silly but the most difficult part was being left alone with a newborn as I had zero baby experience. I totally wasn't prepared for that to happen and I found the three nights in hospital 'recovering' the worst part of the entire experience (only because I hadn't prepared for it and I felt totally out of control). Also I couldn't move the first night either so couldn't even get to my LO.

Also, if you'd like your LO to be handed to you/your partner make sure you say so.

Good luck, you and your LO will be fine!

 

[TwinTV]

Honestly hun do not worry, a c-section isn't bad at all, i know it seems scary at the time but afterwards you'll come out thinking how okay it was. Wish I'd just had a section instead of 18hrs attempted labour too.

All I can say is try and meet up with the people you want to, maybe go and see a movie or just spend some quality time with your partner because once your LO is here there's no time for anything! xxx