Ladies who have had a c-section?

[Vici]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section? 40+2 but mine was an emergency

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)? 2 vests and 2 sleepsuits in both newborn and 0-3 months (Imi was predicted at 10lb+)

- How long did you have to stay in hospital? Just shy of 2 weeks - Imi was in SCBU for a week and I had a quite serious infection

- What pain relief was you given? I had a spinal block for the section as the 2 epidurals i'd had in labour didn't work and diclofenic,paracetemol and morphine afterwards

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it? Almost 2 hours although Imogen was out within about 5 mins

- What time of the day was your c-section at? 22:56

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them? Yes I did, I could hardly move to start with. Luckily I had DF with me for 13 hours a day!

- How long after was you up and about? About 15 hours - was horrendous but they said it was for the best. Took me about 50 mins to get up, cross the room, clean my bits over a bidet and then get back to bed!!

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly? Almost straight away. I couldn't hold her as I was unable to move my arms but DF was passed her once she had been resusitated (maybe 5 mins)

 

[rubixcyoob.]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
I had an emergency section after induced labour, so I was 41 weeks and 1 day gone.

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
No nappies, nappy bags or wipes/cotton balls were needed as my hospital provided them. I took about 4-5 vests and the same again in sleepsuits in case poo or sick got on them.

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
In on Saturday night and had LO on Sunday afternoon, let out Wednesday afternoon.

- What pain relief was you given?
For the section it was like an epidural all over my stomach kinda thing and after the section I was given cocodamol and other little brown tablets. The hospital/nurses decide what to give you based on how you gave birth.

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
I'd say about 40-50ish minutes, but I had to wait until a surgeon came and seen me because they tore my uterus a little.

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
Just after midday.

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
The first night I was bed bound because I still couldn't feel my legs, and had a cathater in, but I had no problem once out of bed.

- How long after was you up and about?
1 full day.

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
Straight away. I held him while in theatre but OH had to take him because I started freaking out and needed oxygen. We coslept in the same bed in recovery because I was in their for a while and he roomed in with me when in the post-labour ward.

 

[poppykat]

How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
34+6 weeks.

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
Bit different for me as Chloe was in nicu for a week but the bag I had packed if I'd had a straightforward birth was 4 sleepsuits newborn size, 4 vests, a pack of newborn nappies, nappy bags, cotton wool and a bowl for water.

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
I was in 4 nights but that was because Chloe was in nicu and I didn't want to leave They practically kicked me out in the end though as they needed my bed! Probably would have been 2 or 3 nights if it had been 'normal'.

- What pain relief was you given?
I had a crash section so was under general anesthetic. I had A LOT of morphine for the first two days (highly recommended!) and then went on to paracetamol and diclaphenic.

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it? From when I was under general to Chloe being delivered was 1 minute but I think I was in theatre for about 45 minuters altogether.

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
21:50

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
I didn't see Chloe for about 15 hours as I was totally wiped out by the anesthetic and mophine but I was in a lot of pain and don't think I could have held her much before her then anyway.


- How long after was you up and about?
Section was at 21:50 on the Sunday and I got up about 11am on the Monday. It was bloody awful though and took me a long time to get off the bed onto the wheelchair to be taken to special care.

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
Again different for me as I was asleep and Chloe went straight to special care. Didn't hold her until she was 2 days old though, but that was because she wasn't well enough.

I will be honest and say I found the first few days extremely painful. I think it took about a week to be able to move about properly and it was about 4 weeks until I was 'comfortable.'

 

[Freya27]

I was 40+4 when I had an emergency c section. My waters had broke 3 days earlier and labour started but after being induced on the fourth day I didn't progress past 7cm.

I was given an epidural and diamorphine. My epidural came out after 4 hours and instead of starting again the registrar suggested a c section as I'd been labouring for 67 hours.

I was prepped for theatre at 10.30pm (changed into gown, took off jewellery, took out contact lenses etc), down in theatre at 11pm. I was then given a spinal block and my little girl was born at 11.21pm.

The majority of that 20 minutes was them sorting me out getting me ready and putting different stuff into my drip etc. They gave something that felt really cold going into my hand and then throughout the entire thing I was shivering uncontrolably. The anethatist said that was normal though.

I'd say it was only 5 minutes from when I felt the tugging to her being out and them holding her above the curtain.

Because my waters broke so early and there was a risk of infection to my baby and me she was taken straight down to scbu to be put on an antibiotic drip as a precaution (she never developed an infection though thank god). So I didn't get to hold her straight away although they did bring her up to my head and let me touch her.

It was another 15/20 minutes or so before they were finished with me in theatre and they wheeled me into recovery where a midwife helped get me washed and freshen up. At 2am I was wheeled down in my bed to scbu to see my little girl then I was taken up to the ward.

When I woke at 8am I was still numb but had tingling sensations where the feeling was comng back. I think by lunch time I was able to get up and about. I never experienced any pain or anything and after my first walk about I was walking all the time. My baby was in scbu for 48 hours and I was breastfeeding so walked down to see her all the time.

She came back up on the ward with me on day 3 in hospital and we went home on day 5. So my total stay was 5 days including the day I was induced and actually had her. But other girls on my ward that had c sections went home the next day as soon as they'd had their catheters removed and had been able to go to the loo on their own.
My stay was longer than usual due to Summer bring in scbu and then she was a bit jaundiced and needed to have the bili light on her.

I held her as soon as I saw her in scbu and had no trouble whatsover feeding and changing her.

I took a pack of nappies with me, 6 vests, 6 babygrows, a couple of hats, scratchmits (although never used them).

I was absolutley terrified of surgery before my section and had never been in hospital ever before. I found the most painful/uncomfortable thing was the drip in my hand (I've always had a phobia of things going into my vein). The epidural I barely felt as I was in so much pain from contractions and then the spinal I didn't feel at all. The most painful part in theatre was when they put the cold stuff into my drip. But I think that's just me. I'm a massive wimp when it comes to needles and stuff like that!

You'll be fine. It was nowhere near as bad as I'd have thought and now I have no fear at all about having a c section next time (which I plan to do).

Good luck!

Xxx

sorry I rambled on a bit!

 

[Freya27]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that my pain relief afterwards was codrydemol and diclaphenic!

 

[BoBo14]

I was 40+1 - induced due to reduced fetal movement. After pessary x2 and waters breaking naturally i was in labour for 16 hours (diamorphine, epidural and entonox) As i didnt progress past 5 cm they decided on emergency c section which was good as when lo was born they realised he had been in distress.
I went into theatre thursday night - took about 45 mins - most of that was prep and sewing back up
My LO was given to me but i couldnt feel anything (also had shaking which was the worst feeling) and was worried i would drop him
i had to go back to labour suite as they realise i had developed pre-eclampsia during labour. My LO had to go to NICU due to poor cord gases and low blood sugar.
I was in labour suite til midday next day and was then wheeled in my bed to NICU to look at my baby.
He was discharged up onto my ward on saturday night once he had stabilised. We went home monday afternoon.
I got up 12 hours after surgery as catheter had come out and i didnt want it repassing. It was painful getting in and out of bed/chair but not holding or feeding baby.
I got uterine infection once home (6 days pp) and so still in pain.
I had paracetemol, oramorph and codeine (as im allergic to aspirin) - Beware of codeine though as it makes baby constipated if you breast feed!

 

[binxyboo]

Beware of codeine though as it makes baby constipated if you breast feed!

and it makes you constipated too - not something you really want with a stomach wound!!

 

[ellie27]

I had a failed ECV......

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
39+3

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
hospital provided nappies etc. I took in 3 vests and 3 sleepsuits

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
Went in monday morning and out wednesday lunchtime

- What pain relief was you given?
Dont know what they were called! 2 tablets given every 4 hours or so afterwards.

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
From entering, Anna was born within what felt like 5 mins. Dont know how long I was there as I was so amazed by it all and so in love with the baby snuggling into me and looking into my eyes!

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
I was told to be at the hospital for 7am. Anna was born at 10.43. I was not in a room/gown/bed til about 15 mins before it!

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
I guess it was sore, but I just got on with it - the midwives are not going to change nappy/feed LO!!

- How long after was you up and about?
Anna was born at 10.43am and I was out the bed and in the shower on my own around 10pm.

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
She was given straight to me, I think she was with me since she was born - dont think she was ever taken away except a min or so to be weighed.

I had a fantastic experience and I hope you do so too! I went in with no worries - all I thought about was meeting my baby!

 

[LeahsMummy]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
I had an emergency section. I had been in labour when baby got stuck.

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
I wasnt expecting a section so had to get my partner to bring more stuff in... my hospital provided nappies and milk... I would say make sure you have at least 6 vests/sleepsuits. You might wanna take your own blankets too, NHS ones are the nicest or softest

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
I had my section on the Thursday morning and was out on Saturday afternoon. Everyone commented on how quickly I got out - I was desperate to get home so asked if I could be discharged and was told that was totally fine but I could have stayed another night if I wanted to.

- What pain relief was you given?
Paracetamol and ibuprofen. They told me they could give me "something else" - dont know what - if I really was in agony but I never asked for it

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
It was about an hour. They get you ready, then actually do it, and then stitch you up and thats definelty what takes the longest, but you've got ur lil baby with you so the time flies

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
It was at half 7 in the morning, it was an emergency section though

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
Yes. Thats the one thing that really got my down. The first day its not possible at all for you to move from your bed meaning if you baby is in cot and starts crying, you have to call for a midwife/nurse to come and pick her up. Made me feel totally useless. Also the epidural made me really really shakey - they said it was a side effect and only some people get this - so I felt unable to hold my daughter because I really was shaking violently.... I wanted to breastfeed my baby but it was really difficult after section... had to have someone there helping me. I was also very very worn out as had been in labour for 50 hours so felt I had no strength so this didnt help. Midwife asked me if I wanted to switch to formula so they could feed baby for me and I agreed to this as was just really too difficult for me

- How long after was you up and about?
The next day, about lunchtime. a midwife came and helped me get out of bed and took me for a shower, helped me get washed and dressed, it was really sore but totally bearable and you will just be relieved to get up from bed and be able to care for your baby better

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
They brought baby to me straight after she was born but I couldnt hold her as was shaking too much. Held her for a bit about half an hour later.

 

[Heavencanwait]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?

I was 11 days overdue and had been in labour for 20 hours. I had an emergency C section due to failure to progress.

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?

2 nights.

- What pain relief was you given?
I had an epidural 5 hours before the surgery.

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
Can't really remember, it was the end of a long labour and I was out of it. I would say about an hour. But you know, small details like this just aren't important because when the time comes, the last thing you will be doing is looking at your watch.

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
LO was born at 23:21.

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
As I had a catheter I couldn't get out of bed for 24 hours, so I couldn't reach LO in the cot next to me. The nurses said that if I wanted to hold her to call them and they would pass her to me. But DH was with me most of the time, and when he wasn't LO slept and I lay next to her in bed staring at her instead of sleeping!

- How long after was you up and about?
After 24 hours when the catheter was taken out, I was able to walk about.

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
After LO was born and she had been washed and weighed, they gave her to DH to hold. He was sitting next to me during the operation, I couldn't really hold her as I was lying down flat. Then I was taken into recovery and LO was laid on my skin and I cuddled her and breast fed her.

I wouldn't worry too much about this to be honest. For one, you can't change what's coming so best to roll with it. Secondly, the care you will recieve will be brilliant, you will be in safe hands.
Personally, I am glad I had a C section and didn't experience the tearing and damage 'down there'. Yes, the recovery afterwards was hard, but if I got pregnant again I would choose a C section if I could.

 

[mammyy]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
30 weeks
- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
nothing!
- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
nearly 4 hours!!! (due to complications)
- What time of the day was your c-section at?
not to long after midnight, they were about to send the staff home aswell cos the theatre team dont work at night unless they get called in

 

[chele]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
37+3

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
I took 3 sleepsuits, 3 vests, 10 nappies but bought some more when I knew I was staying in a couple of days, I took 2 blankets, 3 hats

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
I was induced Friday, had my section on Sunday and was discharged Tuesday

- What pain relief was you given?
As I was induced, I just had gas and air, then when things went crazy I was just about to have an epdiural when a crash section was decided. I had a spinal block which was so amazing as took all my pain away. Afterwards I had paracetamol and diclofenac but had no pain. I also woke up with an itchy face and was told it was the morphene so at some point during my op I must have had morphene

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
I'm not sure if this applies to you as you won't be having a crash section, but I remember being haughled onto the bed at 3am, Max was born 3.28 and I was stitched up and out at about 4.10am. So just over an hour. I then spent about 1.5 hours in recovery before being moved to the ward.

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
Middle of the night

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
Only the first 24 hours, but all you needed to do was press a call button and the nurse/midwife would come and change baby/pick them up/hand them to you etc. I felt so guilty about asking someone to help me but it couldn't be helped. By the Monday though I could do it all myself

- How long after was you up and about?
My section was 3.28am and I had a shower at 4pm, from then I was up and down all the time

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
LO was shown to me as soon as he was brought out so we could see the sex. DH went off with the midwife to cut the rest of the chord and tidy him up, He was then brought back to me too look at while DH held him while I was being stitched. Once in recovery he was placed skin to skin on my chest for about 3 hours when I had to put him down as I just wanted to sleep

Despite having an emergecny section I really enjoyed the experience of it all. I think the gas and air made me a bit hyper though to be honest. I was up and about really easily and everyone was amazed at my speed within 24 hours and then each day got easier and easier. I had key hole surgery 2 years ago and struggled so much getting back on my feet - took nearly 2 weeks until I felt better, but 24 hours after having LO I felt fine.

 

[SmokyJoe78]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
42 wks +4

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
I think a packet of nappies and about 6/8 vests

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
4 nights

- What pain relief was you given?
paracetamol, co-codamol and ibruprofen (after the operation)

- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
about 30-45 mins - baby was out after 10 minutes!


- What time of the day was your c-section at?
baby born at 10pm

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
yes that was quite hard, but my OH stayed all day, and the staff were wonderful. I wasn't sent home until they knew I could cope. Once I was sitting up holding LO was fine.

- How long after was you up and about?
The next day I had a shower and then it was gradually more and more each day.

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
Straight-away - it really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be (I was really worried and it was a bit of an emergency - the spinal was nothing to worry about either - honestly you'll be fine ) and there was a woman on my ward who had a 'natural' birth and had so many stitches that she struggled just as much as me!

Good luck! You'll be fine and just think once it's over you'll have your little baby

 

[Charlii Lou]

- How far gone were you when you had your c-section?
39 weeks & 4 days

- How many of each item for baby did you take (eg nappies, vests etc)?
1 pack of pampers micro nappies (24) Take a few vests and babygrows i took about 5 of each as i didnt know how long i was gonna be in for

- How long did you have to stay in hospital?
Went in on the Wednesday & came out on the Saturday
- What pain relief was you given?
Spinal
- How long did the operation take from entering theatre to leaving it?
20 Mins

- What time of the day was your c-section at?
12.00pm & baby was born at 12.08pm

- Did you struggle with picking up baby and changing their nappy/feeding them?
The midwifes are really helpful and hand you the baby whenever you want them but i was up and doing it the same night
- How long after was you up and about?
10pm that night

- How long after the surgery was you able to hold your baby and see them properly?
Straight away in recovery i was given skin to skin and they taught me to breastfeed

Hope that helped

Seriously nothing to worry about its not as bad as people say it is