Terrified about my C-Section, 1st time mum any advice appriciated :)

[Sammydodger]

Hi ladies,

im booked to have my c section on the 31st may as Tyler-James has been breech since 30 weeks, had a failed evc last friday and the only option is for me to have him by c section im absolutely devastated as since the day we found out i was pregnant i have said i didnt want a c section but unfortunately this is something beyond my control!!!!!!!

i have so many worries not just about the op itself , worries about being able to breastfeed and bonding with him as i wont be as mobile as i would have been had i have been having a natural birth.

any advice or words of wisdom would be fab ladies im so scared :-S xxx

 

[Bradpittswife]

Make sure you get skin to skin immediately and if you feel sick let them know as they can give you meds to help. You will be fine and whilst Initially it can be painful the more you move the quicker you will recover. Keep taking the painkillers and drink lots of water- i drank loads and never had any problem with my bowels which is unusual for me lol! The midwives can pass you the baby for feeding to start with and dont be afraid to ask them for help even in the middle of the night. My baby was an emcsec but the experience was
actually very calm and the staff were fantastic it really isn't as bad as you think! Good luck xx

 

[Bradpittswife]

Oh and get one of those pillows that sit around you- bobby flopeze or something similar as you don't want baby resting on your incision x

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Agree fully with the above. If you can't do initial skin to skin, your OH can step in and do it for you until you get back to recovery. Ask for help any time you need it! Your milk might come in a bit late (mine came in on day four), but keep feeding and don't let them convince you to supplement. Best of luck

 

[megangrohl]

I agree skin to skin is important. The nurses should help u the first day or two. I was up walking around the day after my surgery and it was painful but u have to do it to get rolling on feeling better. I went home after 2 nights. I've been walking like crazy and it helps so much. As for the actual procedure it doesnt take long and you're given a spinal so u don't feel anything. It's coping with how your body looks after I found the hardest. Good luck

 

[Taz]

Hey Sammy!

I had a c-section with my son. Everything went fine and as soon as he was out the midwife placed him onto my chest as the other girls have pointed out that 1st skin to skin contact is super important! My fiance helped me out so much and as I chose to breastfeed I was worried about him resting on my incision so I asked my midwife the best position to hold him to feed. She was awesome and showed me the most comfortable position.

You will be just fine, you will bond so well with your little man c-section or not!

Good luck chick

Loads of hugz

xoxo

 

[BintUmmi]

I was absolutely devistated when I was told I needed a section & was terrified too but it really wasn`t as bad as I expected so don`t be scared!

Like others have said get skin to skin as soon as, I didn`t get to have skin to skin straight away, well for a while actually and I`m breastfeeding just fine, good supply etc.. so even if you don`t get it for whatever reason you can still breastfeed & bond!

Also although it is really hard those first few hours post op get moving as soon as you feel you can as that helps. I was moving within a few hours and I know that definitely helped my speedy recovery that said don`t push yourself too hard and relax as much as possible, focus on you & the baby leave housework, cooking etc.. to someone else for a while until you feel up to it and your body can handle it!

Wishing you all the best!

 

[chubbin]

I agree with all the above. I would elect for c-sec again, I only spent 2 nights in hospital and was out and about within a week.
I was shocked when I first looked in the mirror - my tummy looked like it had sagged. If this happens dont worry - its normal, and improves over time. Magic pants type underwear and leggings help firm you back up/hold your tummy in.
You'll be great, good luck xx

 

[Mork]

Hey hon,
As the others have said, skin to skin is great to encourage the breastfeeding - I didn't get to hold lo until about 40mins after she had been born, but we breastfed asap and are still going strong today (one week away from 2 years!).
On a practical note, maybe take some dry shampoo as i had difficulty in washing my hair for a couple of days after due to a pulling feeling on my scar.
Good luck xx

 

[KrissyG]

Hi there,
I have had 3 sections. 1st one was an emergency and the rest were elective. I'll be having number 4 next Jan!
If you are worried about anything or have any questions then just shout out, and I'd be happy to chat.
K xxx

 

[GHPBWoman]

I'd like to add, I had an emergency c-section and skin to skin wasn't an option for me until nearly 2 days later (baby was in intensive care within an hour of delivery and wasn't released from NICU until day 4 of our hospital stay). If skin to skin isn't possible, it is OK. Ask for a breast pump and start pumping away! I was able to pump colostrum to send to baby while we were seperated, and by the time he was up in my room with me on day 4 I was able to start breast feeding.

I will say, nothing makes you want to start moving around after a c-section like having your baby kept in another unit. I pushed through the pain to get down to see & hold my baby in NICU as often as possible.

 

[futuremama88]

I was also terrified of C-section and very disappointed that my first baby ended up being delivered by one. But guess what? As long as you and your baby are healthy that's what matters in the end. As for the breastfeeding, just don't let them bully you into giving your baby formula. I had problems BFing but I attribute it to that. And we are totally fine now after having worked through the problems. Make sure you BF your baby often in the first few days. The C-section itself doesn't hurt, you won't feel anything, and you'll get to see your baby within a few minutes! Think on the positive side. You won't have to deal with hemorrhoids or a perineal tear. Don't get yourself down about it hun, just focus on your baby. It hurts a little bit afterwards, but take your pain meds and try to get up and moving around. Don't just stay in bed or it will make you feel stiff and makes it feel a lot worse. Wishing you the best!

 

[CupcakesKate]

Hey

I had an emcsec with my Lily because I had pre-eclampsia. The first thing I'd say is obviously skin to skin contact because it helps with the bonding experience and pillows are your friend! You won't be able to do much until your spinal wears off but when it does make sure not to over extert yourself for the risk of the wound re-opening.

Looking in the mirror the first time you see scar isn't the greatest thing, but after time it fades and heals

 

[tkeith8109]

I have had 2 c sections, the first one I was put to sleep because of my blood platelets being low and wasn't able to meet my little girl until she was about 6 hours old so of course I was really worried about not being able to spend a lot of time with my little boy right after the surgery. Luckily this was not the case. Once Blake was out they took him over to get examined and my husband was able to stand over there with him, once they were done, which took about 5 minutes or so they gave him to his daddy and they both sat right next to me until they were completely done. Once I was done, they put him on my bed and they wheeled us to recovery where I got to hold him and spend time with him, about an hour after the surgery they put him back on my bed and we were wheeled to my room. So the entire time after I was able to spend as much time as possible with him. I was terrified of having the c section this time since I was put under I didn't know what to expect, but I shared my concerns with my dr and she did everything possible to make me comfortable. Even the anesthesiologist was great about making sure I was comfortable and talked me through the spinal(that was my hugest fear). It wasn't as bad as I thought. I was completely numb from the waste down, which actually was great because I was able to move around and pull myself up with my arms, which is really helpful because you're able to start moving your muscles without the pain, it was a huge help. I didn't hurt nearly as bad as before when I was put under. You will do great! Good luck, if you need anyone to talk to or if you have any questions about the surgery message me, I'll be happy to talk!

 

[jd11]

I have had 2 emerg csects and agree with the others about skin to skin contact asap. If you arent able to and they are in special care definitely get a pump to start expressing. Make sure you also have spare pads to put over your scar to stop your underwear from rubbing on it, it helps so much. Whilst in surgery let them know when you are cold or not feeling well. I ended up with shivers whilst on the table with no2 they had to put hot blankets on my chest to help warm me up.

 

[Baby321]

I have had 3 sections, wil be having my fourth in september. Had no probems with my sections, feel a little nervous about this one because it is my fourth. I breastfed all my kids, as long as you don't let the baby rest on your scar, you'll be ok, place a pillow across your belly. Wishing you the best of luck x

 

[littleANDlost]

i had an emergency c-section and Livy was stuck so the cut was bigger than it should have been and i was very bruised and in pain. but had normal skin to skin and breat feed her for an hour as soonas she was born with her layong on me, i breast feed with her laying on the bed and me leaning over once the feeling came back and it hurt to lay her on my tummy, we still had cuddles though and after about 2 days i was doing everything for her. It was heart braking the first night though as i was on a cathater and couldn't get out of bed when she cried so had to call for a midwife to get her and pass her to me, but it was only for about 30 seconds that i felt helpless. she slept the rest of the first night in bed with me cuddeled up in the crook of my arm. I never elt as if i couldn't bond with her.