supertabby
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Before I went for my elective section 3 and a half weeks ago I was very anxious of the unknown. My daughter had been born by emergency section under general because I was too ill for a spinal - because of this not only was it traumatic but I also had no memories of the actual operation to know what to expect. So I thought I'd share how my elective section went, I know not everyone has identical experiences but this may be helpful to anyone wanting to know what to expect.
I signed consent forms when the date was booked and I had a pre-op the day before my section (checking vitals and a blood test).
I arrived at the hospital at 8am, I was told I was first on the schedule but there was an emergency about to go into theatre so I'd have a little wait. We were put into a private room with a bed, the midwife took my vitals and measured me for compression stockings. The anesthetist came to see me and so did the surgeon. At about 10.30 they came to get me and take me down to theatre.
Hubby was sent into a side room to change into scrubs and to wait while my spinal was done. I was taken into the theatre. There were a lot of people in the theatre but they were friendly even telling me jokes etc. I was connected up to an iv. I had to sit on the edge of the bed for my spinal - slightly slumped forward - I felt two scratches no worse than a blood test needle and then a couple of seconds pressure as though she was pushing her thumb in my back, then it was done. They swung my legs up onto the bed and I instantly felt the numbness start to take effect - I panicked as I could only feel my right lrg going numb but when she tested it (spraying cold on my legs and asking me to try moving) I found both legs and everything from chest down was numb. A catheter was put in after I was numb.
I did start feeling a bit woozy and nauseous so the anesthetist adjusted my iv to compensate and after a couple of minutes I felt ok. Then hubby was brought in and a low screen set up across my chest. Supports were put up at the side of the bed to keep my arms across my chest without me having to hold them up (basically to keep your arms out of the way I think).
Then they started operating. I felt no pain whatsoever but could feel tugging sensations - it was very similar to how it feels when baby is wriggling during later stages of pregnancy. I had been worried that this would freak me out but actually it was fine. The baby (my son Oscar) was born within a few minutes of starting the surgery - they lifted him up for me to see, it was amazing! Then the midwife took him off for checks and gave him to hubby a couple minutes later. I couldn't hold him as I had the screen across my chest and my arms were restricted but hubby held him close so I could give him a kiss.
It took another 30-45 mins I think to stitch me up but it was all very calm and I was more interested in baby than anything else. Then 4 staff helped move me onto a bed and wheeled me into recovery where I got to hold Oscar straight away and feed him. I was in recovery for about an hour with us being regularly checked over and eventually sent to the normal ward. My daughter was allowed to visit us in recovery.
The next morning my catheter was removed and I was encouraged to get up and shower (midwife helped me get around), it was very hard to move and very painful but this wears off after a day or two for most people - some residual pain lasts for a few weeks but is easily managed with paracetamol. I stayed in hospital 3 nights (could've been 2 but I was finding pain a struggle so chose to stay another night).
I had dissolvable stitches so nothing to remove but last time I had the type that need removing and it really wasn't a big deal being taken out, just a quick clip and done. I had clexane injections for a week (to prevent clots) which the midwives did in hospital and hubby did for me at home. It's kind of like an epi pen so really easy to do, it goes in your stomach and the needle itself is painless but the area feels sore a minute later but within 5 mins the soreness is gone.
I can't think of anything else that I can tell you. I had a fairly easy experience really compared to some, so there are complications obviously that other people might have. But hopefully the above will help someone
I signed consent forms when the date was booked and I had a pre-op the day before my section (checking vitals and a blood test).
I arrived at the hospital at 8am, I was told I was first on the schedule but there was an emergency about to go into theatre so I'd have a little wait. We were put into a private room with a bed, the midwife took my vitals and measured me for compression stockings. The anesthetist came to see me and so did the surgeon. At about 10.30 they came to get me and take me down to theatre.
Hubby was sent into a side room to change into scrubs and to wait while my spinal was done. I was taken into the theatre. There were a lot of people in the theatre but they were friendly even telling me jokes etc. I was connected up to an iv. I had to sit on the edge of the bed for my spinal - slightly slumped forward - I felt two scratches no worse than a blood test needle and then a couple of seconds pressure as though she was pushing her thumb in my back, then it was done. They swung my legs up onto the bed and I instantly felt the numbness start to take effect - I panicked as I could only feel my right lrg going numb but when she tested it (spraying cold on my legs and asking me to try moving) I found both legs and everything from chest down was numb. A catheter was put in after I was numb.
I did start feeling a bit woozy and nauseous so the anesthetist adjusted my iv to compensate and after a couple of minutes I felt ok. Then hubby was brought in and a low screen set up across my chest. Supports were put up at the side of the bed to keep my arms across my chest without me having to hold them up (basically to keep your arms out of the way I think).
Then they started operating. I felt no pain whatsoever but could feel tugging sensations - it was very similar to how it feels when baby is wriggling during later stages of pregnancy. I had been worried that this would freak me out but actually it was fine. The baby (my son Oscar) was born within a few minutes of starting the surgery - they lifted him up for me to see, it was amazing! Then the midwife took him off for checks and gave him to hubby a couple minutes later. I couldn't hold him as I had the screen across my chest and my arms were restricted but hubby held him close so I could give him a kiss.
It took another 30-45 mins I think to stitch me up but it was all very calm and I was more interested in baby than anything else. Then 4 staff helped move me onto a bed and wheeled me into recovery where I got to hold Oscar straight away and feed him. I was in recovery for about an hour with us being regularly checked over and eventually sent to the normal ward. My daughter was allowed to visit us in recovery.
The next morning my catheter was removed and I was encouraged to get up and shower (midwife helped me get around), it was very hard to move and very painful but this wears off after a day or two for most people - some residual pain lasts for a few weeks but is easily managed with paracetamol. I stayed in hospital 3 nights (could've been 2 but I was finding pain a struggle so chose to stay another night).
I had dissolvable stitches so nothing to remove but last time I had the type that need removing and it really wasn't a big deal being taken out, just a quick clip and done. I had clexane injections for a week (to prevent clots) which the midwives did in hospital and hubby did for me at home. It's kind of like an epi pen so really easy to do, it goes in your stomach and the needle itself is painless but the area feels sore a minute later but within 5 mins the soreness is gone.
I can't think of anything else that I can tell you. I had a fairly easy experience really compared to some, so there are complications obviously that other people might have. But hopefully the above will help someone
