Scheduled C-section in the morning -- how does the rest of the day go?

[frsttimemama]

I am having a scheduled C-section at 9 in the morning next week. I had an EMCS last time at 9 at night, and having been under general anesthesia and pain meds and emotional trauma from our son being still born, I just don't know what to expect this time. I'm curious about how the rest of the day will be. I know that we are going to have tons of company, including co-workers more than likely. Do they have you stay in their gown that day? Are you up and moving? Catheter? I'm having a spinal and not general anesthesia this time.

 

[Loopy lotti]

My elective C took place at 9.30 am. Once baby was out, wrapped in a fluffy towel and held to my head for a couple of mins he was whisked out of the room with Daddy told to go with them. There all DS's vitals were checked and respiratory system cleared of fluids. I remained in the operating theatre for another half hour or so whilst they finished working on me then sewed me up.

From there I was taken to the recovery room and was given a warm air dryer type device under my blankets to keep me warm (I wasn't cold but after a few mins I began to feel cold and realised the use of the warm air blower!!). I was there for probably about 20 mins after which my husband appeared and a few mins later baby was brought to me. I think we remained in the recovery room for about an hour in total.

Once in my hospital room the day just seemed to pass like lightening! BP checks every 2 hrs, IV with fluids and pain killing meds changed ever couple of hours etc, and of course baby to see to (feed, nappy change, sleep, feed, nappy change, sleep, on going every 2 to 3 hours). My husband did all the initial nappy changes and gave baby to me for feeding whilst I remained in bed.

The aneasthetic wore off after about 4 hours (I had a spinal) at which point it really was MEGA OUCH with just the tiniest movement of my legs!! The pain meds kept this under control though so I wasn't in toooo much pain. By 8.30pm that evening they had me on my feet for what was effectively a standing up bed bath & a shuffle around the room! Catheta stayed in until the following morning.

That first night baby was taken to the hospital nursery for the night although he was brought to me a few times during the night for feeds, but I got little sleep as it was still the ongoing rounds of IV changes, BP checks, and baby's needs! The 2nd night was much easier as I felt better and the cathata was out!

All in all it was great, albeit pretty sore for those first few days. I was moving around with reasonable ease after about 48 hours, although getting in & out of bed was a killer for at least that first week. Luckily my wonderful DH was amazing that first week at home & did absolutely everything bar the feeds so I didn't have to jump around!

Oh, and I stayed in a hospital gown the whole time I was there, my beautiful (and expensive!!) specially purchased nightdress remained in my suitcase ....lol!!).

Good luck, you'll be totally fine. Enjoy your wee one once he / she arrives

x

 

[SillyMoo1983]

I'm so sorry for your loss, how heartbreaking and congratulations on your pregnancy and upcoming birth.

My EMCS was done early morning. Later that day I was given a freshen up and changed into my own nightie. That evening they got me on my feet to have a wash in the bathroom, but I was definitely not properly mobile. I remember the catheter getting in my way in the bathroom! We did have a few visitors, I tried to get some sleep (after being awake for 2 days). I remember wanting privacy as LO wouldn't latch and I really struggled to breastfeed. She was very small though. Oh, the catheter stays in 24 hours. BP is checked frequently and temperature. You're not left to rest very long!

My second section was done at lunch time and things were pretty similar, except I requested no visitors except for my DD, my mum and dad (who were looking after DD) and DHs parents, who came the next day when the catheter was gone. I had lovely skin to skin allllll afternoon with DS as me and DH had him all to ourselves. I wish I had done the same with DD.

Both experiences were nice and calm, babies never left the room. The actual surgery does feel a bit weird but not painful at all. It was all very relaxed with my ELCS and we were chatting all the way through. Oh, and I always feel much better after that first shower even though it seems a mammoth task beforehand.

 

[frsttimemama]

Thanks ladies! I appreciate the input. I imagine if they leave the catheter for 24 hours, I don't have to worry about pants after all. Lol. I didn't even think about that piece of the puzzle.

 

[fashionlover]

My advice is keep the visitors at a very minimum. I was in hospital for 3 days after the birth of my daughter. Night 2 the whole family came in to have a pizza party in the room only to be sent home because I was in debilitating pain from trapped wind. Guests are nice to have, but can be a real inconvenience in these circumstances.

 

[frsttimemama]

I know, and that soundsound great in theory, but it won't work for our family and friends lol. They are coming regardless.

 

[DrMum]

How did your c section go? I'm so sorry to hear you had a stillborn baby.

I hope this section was great and you are enjoying quality time with your new LO. I too had a c section for stillbirth earlier this year and will be a repeat section in feb if all goes well before then, so I'd be really grateful for your feedback about how the staff looked after you etc.

But most of all I hope you are able to just enjoy this LO

 

[frsttimemama]

How did your c section go? I'm so sorry to hear you had a stillborn baby.

I hope this section was great and you are enjoying quality time with your new LO. I too had a c section for stillbirth earlier this year and will be a repeat section in feb if all goes well before then, so I'd be really grateful for your feedback about how the staff looked after you etc.

But most of all I hope you are able to just enjoy this LO

It isn't until next week, but I will absolutely update you. So far though, everyone has been great! Praying that all goes well with you, too!

 

[minties]

I had both of mine at 2-something PM, so not morning. But the day that followed each was good!

After Sophie came out she was checked over and handed to me for a cuddle and her first breastfeed while they were stitching me up. My OH took her to the recovery room and waited for me.

I spent about 40 minutes in recovery having my blood pressure monitored, nursing Sophie and texting everyone.

Then I was wheeled to the ward and chose a room. My OH went home to see Thomas and have some food. A midwife brought me a sandwich and cup of tea. Sophie and I had our blood sugars taken as I had GD.

I nursed her and my midwife I had through my pregnancy swaddled her for me, said her goodbyes and I had a sleep.

Midwives came to check on me on and off. They checked my lochia, changed my pad, emptied the catheter bag, rigged up a towel over the bed for me to grab with my arms to sit up, more blood pressure checks etc. OH came to visit with Thomas at some point.

Had dinner, cared for Sophie, had lots of checks overnight etc. Shower the next morning at 8:30am.

I made sure to stay on top of the pain medication. It was a nice experience with lovely nurses and midwives.

 

[DrMum]

How did your c section go? I'm so sorry to hear you had a stillborn baby.

I hope this section was great and you are enjoying quality time with your new LO. I too had a c section for stillbirth earlier this year and will be a repeat section in feb if all goes well before then, so I'd be really grateful for your feedback about how the staff looked after you etc.

But most of all I hope you are able to just enjoy this LO

It isn't until next week, but I will absolutely update you. So far though, everyone has been great! Praying that all goes well with you, too!

Oh gosh sorry my baby brain kicked in there! I see now that it's next week! Ah well I will still be thinking of you and hoping it all goes well!! How have you found these last few weeks of pregnancy? Thanks for updating me after your baby is born- it will mean a lot to me to hear from someone who has "survived" this situation.

 

[frsttimemama]

Thanks for the input minties!

Dr. Mum, no problem. It's super stressful! Physically, the last few weeks have been exhausting. I am definitely a lot more tired and sore this time around than the last, much to my surprise. Otherwise though, up to this point, everything has gone well. My doctor tells me I'm boring despite my gestational diabetes and high blood pressure (both of which are well controlled by medication and diet at this point). How are you?

 

[DrMum]

That's great to hear things have gone well so far and I will be looking forward to your updates

I'm doing ok, thanks for asking. Not as far along as you, 15 weeks now and so far it's going fast. Way faster than any previous pregnancies which is kind of scary. Our last baby died at 34 weeks due to a heart arrythmia so we have seen lots of specialists and cardiologists all of whom think it wouldn't happen again, but it's still a stressful time and every scan I fear hearing that same terrible news.i almost don't even dare think that this time I will be given a live baby to bring home!

Bu we stay positive and try to keep strong! Sounds like you've done an amazing job of keeping it together! I hope I can be like you in another 20ish weeks!

 

[Hoping4peanut]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Xxx but thrilled to hear you have a little one on the way!

My c section was about 11 am. I delivered at a baby friendly hospital so baby kept in operating room with me. Once they took me off the table and put me into bed, baby was placed on my chest.

In recovery room where I was for a while they kept an eye on incision and bleeding and we worked on breastfeeding.

Once in mother baby unit I was on epidural so still had catheter and was woozy. Stayed in bed and husband, mom, and dad held baby unless I was feeding or holding her in bed. I didn't leave bed until next day after catheter was removed. It was annoying taking epidural iv to the bathroom with me for day. Once epidural was removed the following night after c section the nurse took me to bathroom to clean up a bit.