Speaking of C-sections...I don't know what to expect. Can anyone shed some light on that for me please? How long does it take? What med options do I have? Which is best to keep me awake?? How long does it take to recover?? When will I get to see my baby?? How much will it hurt?? I'm REALLY scared! I'm not a fan of the spinal since I had it for the stitch. I just don't like not being able to walk. It's an odd feeling...one that I think has more to do with the inability to control my movement, etc.
When I had my emergency c-section I already had an epidural in my back so they just pumped up the drugs to completely numb me and off we went. The proceedure is kinda weird. Your husband will go off and get his gear on while the nurses take you to the surgery and move you to the surgical bed. Then it's about prepping your body. Cleaning up you belly and your private area (they don't shave you anymore in Canada, not sure about USA or UK). I was REALLY REALLY fat last time around so they fudged around taping up my excess skin/belly to their satisfaction. I was embarrassed but you just really don't care anymore at that point. Thankfully this time around I weighed a lot less before getting preggers. Anyway. Ummm the anesthesiologist sat by my left ear and told me that if I needed any more meds because I was feeling uncomfortable to just let him know. I was also hooked up to an automatic BP machine that he was watching. DH was on my right ear, holding my hand and reassuring me. They basically explain what they are going to do and then put up the curtain so you cannot see things. You don't want to. My husband peeked and it freaked him out. Then they are off to work. You feel pressure and know kinda what they are up to but no pain per say. Eventually you feel relief of the pressure and seconds later a nice crying baby. They quickly showed DD to us, went to weigh her and do the medical stuff and a few minutes later they brought her back for another quick visit. Meanwhile they were already stitching my layers back together. They asked if I wanted to try BFing right away or just to have a bottle. I opted for the bottle because I was shaking violently from shivers. DH went with DD to feed a bottle and they finished up with me. Then you go to a recovery room and they monitor you for a little while. I was still numb when they were giving me a sponge bath (I was embarrassed during that part but thankful since I'd been in labor for 22 hours or so and knew I wasn't going to bathe that day by myself). DD came in with DH before that part even started. Baby was then placed in my arms since I was still a fair bit numb and a little shaky and we had pictures taken by the nurse and we hung out together for a little while until my room was ready and they were satidfied I was good. then off I went to my room like any other new mom.
My understanding is that if it is a planned c-section their preference is to give a spinal block which has a specific amount of time it works for. I don't think it's all that long though sicne my friend who had triplets told me hers was wearing off as they were pulling out the third baby. It's probably something they cater to the surgery itself.
It is also my understanding that with feeding the baby, a newborn doesn't actually NEED to feed for the first 2 days or so and the initial feeding right after birth is just to help establish the suckling response by baby while you are still in the hospital so they can help you if there are problems. So if you want to BF right after birth but don't feel quite comfortable doing so you can decline having a bottle being given to the baby. that being said my DD didn't have a problem with BFing after having a bottle, it was my milk supply that was the issue for me deciding to FF.
After a section, at least in Canada, you get an extra day in the hospital for recovery. So for me that was 3 days. Another bonus is you are ahead of the vaginal ladies for a private room availability and can have baby stay in the nurses' nursery for the first night if you want (which is reserved for only special cases where there is an issue with the baby or parent, at least in the hospital I delivered in). I was very sore and felt like the incision was on fire, literally. BUT despite that feeling I could still walk slowly and move around as needed and lift baby. I will also point out, I was on nothing stronger than extra strength tylenol because there was a mix up and blah blah. So despite that I survived but you can be sure I will get the good stuff this time around! lol
The extreme pain for me started to relieve itself after a few days and after a week I was sore but very functional and taking care of baby. I just had to be careful of sudden movements.
By three weeks afterwards there was very slight pain left but don't tell my husband that. I plan on milking things again! Muhahahaha!
How long did the surgery take? not long.. probably 15 minutes but with another 15 minutes of prepping. Medication options before, during and after can be discussed with the doctor. I know I'll definitely talking about pain management with him this time around. Also am going for an anesthesiologist consult next week regarding mild scoliosis and a bone spur on my spine. Both the epi and spinal will have you staying awake. I would doubt that you could get put under general anesthesia unless there were extenuating circumstances because it's more dangerous. You won't want to walk anywhere for the first day with the exception of going potty, and even then I fought to keep my catheter in extra long because I was scared to try. Also, I was put on a liquid/soft food diet for the first 48 hours.. I don't it was longer than that. But I was loving the pineapple juice so that was okay with me.
Despite having been through all of that I am opting to have a c-section even if the twins are in position because I'd rather have a planned section than deliver one vaginally and then have an emergency section anyway. Kinda like 'the devil you know'. Thus I can understand your apprehension because your delivery previously was natural.
Moral of my story: C-sections kinda suck on the recovery end but it's totally manageable and doable and you'll survive and be stronger for it.
I know they say that B-H should go away when you sit down and rest, but for me it takes several hours of rest for them to really calm down. So. I'm going to try to work from home as much as possible from now on, when I do have to go to the office I'll try to figure out the bus system, and I'll use my roller bag instead of a backpack.
haha xx
also i don't want to be ill after if possible so will be quite happy if they've got some blood on standby for me if need be! 
how exciting! iv done my nursery, packed hospital bags (apart from clothes for me) and have the moses basket in its space in our room all ready, i think im well and truly ready for baby 
I MUST learn to be flexible...ESPECIALLY with a baby on the way.
I think she's the first to go early!
