Elective section advice please.

[hercfreak]

Hi ladies,

I'm in need of some advice. 3 weeks (32 weeks pregnant) ago I was diagnosed with hydronephrosis with my right kidney. At the hospital where I was diagnosed (was in the area where I work rather than where I live so was at a different hospital to where I will be delivering) they said that if I was booked in there they would probably look to book me in for induction/section around 38 weeks as the only way the condition will get any better is to remove what is causing the blockage and unfortunately my little girl is causing the blockage!
When I saw my midwife for my 34 week appointment I explained all that had happened but she didn't fully understand the condition. She had referred me off to see a consultant over here. Originally the consultants over here weren't interested in seeing me but I phoned the hospital on Monday morning as I'd spent most of the weekend crying with the pain that I've been in, it even got to the point where I could just about lift my legs to go up and down the stairs. I've now been given an appointment with her/him on Monday next week. I just can't go on with this pain for another 5-7 weeks and it's making me consider requesting a c section. My DH will be getting his 2 weeks paternity and will then have to go back to work for about a week or so and will then finish work completely. (He's just completed his 22 years service with the RAF so will be on annual, resettlement and terminal leave from the service)

How early would I get the section?
What's the recovery going to be like? How long?
What's the process for the procedure?
How long on average do you have to stay in hospital?
Can DH still cut the cord and stay with me throughout?
Can I still get skin to skin contact once she's delivered and bf?
Does the epidural/spinal block hurt when being administered?
Do you have to have a catheter?


Sorry that's quite a few questions but I'd like to hear from people who have been through it as well as what the doctor will say next week.

 

[ebayfreak]

hi hun i havent had c section but i did have a spinal for an assisted delivery and i didnt feel any pain when it went in. I wasnt given an option with the catheter as i couldnt walk for several hours.

 

[Jenny_J]

The experience depends on you and baby, here was what happened with my two...

How early would I get the section?
Your docs might do it earlier, as your in pain, so would be best to ask them.

What's the recovery going to be like? How long?
It's a bit hard in the beginning, you have to stay in bed for 12 hrs, and not move, they will pass baby to you, recovery is about 6 weeks

What's the process for the procedure?
They remove baby within about 10 to 15 mins, the other 30 to 40 mins is stitching you back up.

How long on average do you have to stay in hospital?
I was in 7 days

Can DH still cut the cord and stay with me throughout?
I dont know if he can cut the cord, depends, what is he like with gor? As he is going to see your open stomach if he goes down that end.

Can I still get skin to skin contact once she's delivered and bf?
I didnt get to see mine for 2 hrs after the birth, as with a section the mucous in the lungs has not been pushed out by contractions, so they had to be taken and sorted out.

Does the epidural/spinal block hurt when being administered?
No it doesn't hurt, but ti does feel odd.

Do you have to have a catheter?
Yes

 

[hercfreak]

Thanks ladies,
Think I've made my mind up now and will request the section. I just can't take the pain much longer and to top it all off my feet are now starting to swell so I have to go in for observation again tomorrow morning. Will mention it when I'm there as want to get the ball rolling as quick as I can so that I don't get an appointment.

 

[Jenny_J]

Thanks ladies,
Think I've made my mind up now and will request the section. I just can't take the pain much longer and to top it all off my feet are now starting to swell so I have to go in for observation again tomorrow morning. Will mention it when I'm there as want to get the ball rolling as quick as I can so that I don't get an appointment.

Good luck with everything hun, let us know how things go.

 

[Sproglet]

How early would I get the section?
I was booked in for mine (also for medical reasons) at 38 weeks. They won't do it before 37 weeks unless it's a life or death situation.

What's the recovery going to be like? How long?
2 weeks on I feel more or less normal but can't do anything strenuous and I do still get a bit sore if I move funny or knock my tummy.

What's the process for the procedure?
The midwife checked if I needed shaving down there. then I put on a gown, had an IV inserted, then had to sit on the table hunched over for the spinal to be put in. Then the doctors laid me down and put a screen up. The doctors disinfected my tummy and the anaesthetist checked the spinal was working. He stayed next to my head and talked to me and OH the whole time.

How long on average do you have to stay in hospital?
I was out in 2 days.

Can DH still cut the cord and stay with me throughout?
My OH wasn't allowed to cut the cord as my abdomen was a sterile area. However once the doctors took Robyn to be weighed he was allowed to trim the cord to size (originally they cut it in half)

Can I still get skin to skin contact once she's delivered and bf?
Yes! Robyn was popped on my chest as soon as she came out, they took her for 5 minutes to check her over and towel her off, then she was placed back on my chest while they wheeled me into recovery. Once there a midwife helped me with our first feed.

Does the epidural/spinal block hurt when being administered?
Nope, they injected a local anaesthetic first, besides I was too busy with contractions to notice!

Do you have to have a catheter?
Yes, but they put it in after you are numbed so you don't notice. And it was only a little uncomfortable coming out. I will warn you though, peeing on your own again is weird at first!

 

[Liesje]

If you're in pain, ask for the c section, they're nothing to be afraid of. Ask your hospital about a natural c section, that way you get skin to skin right away. I had a natural section and was in and out of the hospital in 48 hours, it was no big deal.
Good luch

 

[Scuba]

Just to add, don't be scared! I was terrified before my elective 3 weeks 5 days ago - terrified - but it was an amazing, wonderful, enjoyable experience! I loved it! I had a very traumatic natural delivery 4 and a half years ago that I have never fully come to terms with and recovered from, to the point I almost didn't want to become pregnant again, but my section was perfect and I would do it again in a heartbeat!xx