C section experiences

MrsB2105

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
2,357
Reaction score
0
I don't mean horror stories, but I'm booked for a section, I was given leaflets from the dr but they slightly contradict each other. So I am hoping some of you lovely ladies could tell me your experiences in a brief overview including your partners role etc so I can have a better understanding of what will happen in theatre apart from slice open, remove babies and stitch up thanks in advance x
 
Ive had 2 sections. One emergency due to failed forceps and my second was elective. For the first my husband was given scrubs and he came with me to theatre and sat on a seat next to my head. As we were team yellow as baby was born she was lifted up and hubby got to tell me it was a girl. He stood beside the midwife as she was weighed and he cut the cord. He then brought baby back to me and held her right beside me as I was stitched back up. She was then placed on my chest skin to skin under my hospital gown as we were wheeled back to recovery.

Second one felt more relaxed. Again hubby was given scrubs to wear then we both walked to theatre with the midwife. Hubby stood in front of my in theatre and held me as I was getting my spinal. Then seat next to my head. We knew we were having a boy this time. Again when he was born he went with the midwife as they done their checks and cut the cord. My son was placed on my chest again skin to skin under the hospital gown and wheeled back to recovery. Whole process from ward to baby being born was about 40 mins xx


 
I had an emergency C-section with my daughter and then a planned one with my son. The planned one was really relaxed. I walked into the operating theatre with my husband and he sat on a chair while I sat on the bed and they gave me the spinal anaesthetic. Then I was laid down. There's a screen up so you can't see them operating and my OH was right next to me, holding my hand. When our son was born, he was taken to be weighed and passed straight to me to hold (laying down because obviously the spinal knocks your legs out of action for quite a while). When everything was finished, we were wheeled out to recovery, where I was able to breastfeed him. Then we were taken up to the ward.

Good luck with yours. I found it a positive experience xx
 
Thanks ladies, one of my leaflets says that my husband cannot come in until everything is ready including the spinal. And that's the one bit I am petrified of x
 
I don't see why he can't to be honest. I would definitely ask at your next appointment x


 
I had an emergency section with my last baby and my husband wasn't allowed in until the spinal was complete, but I guess all hospitals have different policy. It was a good experience though, even though it was emerganvh and everyone says elective are even better. The spinal was really nothing to worry about, they give you some local anesthetic first anyway to numb the area. My husband came In once I was all set up and got to go and see the being weighed while they stitched me up. Then they gave her straight to me and wheeled us to recovery xx
 
Just curiously what area are you from? X
 
Ah, I'm from near Manchester and have to got to their specialist hospital, their leaflet says they do the same as what you experienced, I really wanted my husband to be there all the way through :( x
 
Whole process from ward to baby being born was about 40 mins xx

Wow that's not so long really. Sounds quite straightforward despite being major surgery!
I've been told that due to my having several health conditions I will need an interventional C Section. I'm quite pleased in a way, as I've heard absolute horror stories about tearing so badly from vaginal birth that women are having reconstructive surgery afterwards.

I'm also a VERY private person and the thought of having all your bits and pieces on show, being poked about isn't a nice one. I'm used to being poked and prodded in hospital, but because I have a neurological condition. They are up by my head and not down there interfering with my goolies.

At least there is 1 benefit to my having a lifelong illness. Silver linings.
 
Thanks ladies, one of my leaflets says that my husband cannot come in until everything is ready including the spinal. And that's the one bit I am petrified of x

I've had four epidurals in the side of my neck - tried attaching the picture to the thread, not sure if you'll see it. It looks more painful than I remember it being. Once it's been done you forget all about it.

As this was a surgical procedure my husband wasn't allowed in but my doctor was great and spoke to me throughout. If you've got a good, friendly doctor he'll take his/her time and do the injection slowly.

These injections are a bit cringe I guess, but NOTHING to be scared of. It's just the prep, just think of it as getting the alcoholic wipe on your skin before you give blood. Nothing to worry about I assure you.

If you happen to suffer, like me, with any anxiety disorders or panic attacks, you can make this clear to them when you arrive at the unit and I'm sure they'll let your husband in with you. It's their responsibility to ensure you are safe above all, however, as some people have commented the policies change from one hospital to the next, and it's your right to ask if your husband is allowed in on this occasion.
 
Last edited:
I had an emergency csec with my first and an elective with my second daughter. With my elective, my partner wasn't allowed in until the spinal had been administered, which surprised and scared me! The staff were all lovely, but I just kept saying "Where's Jac?!" I'm in Norwich.

Once that was out of the way, he came in and they quickly got baby out! There's a screen so you can't see anything and baby was then shown to me. Oh went and watched as they did her checks and they stitched me up. We then went to recovery.

I stayed in hospital for two nights and then came home.

My top tips would be:

Take your pain meds!!
The worst thing is getting up from laying down. I slept sitting up in a chair for the first week, ad I remembered how hard it was the first time round.
I had a little v shape pillow which I held to my scar, which was good to protect it from my toddler or others and also fab for feeding.
Don't do anything too strenuous for the first few weeks, but also make sure to get up and walk about quite often. The more you do (within reason!) the quicker you recover.
Every day will get a bit easier so stay positive xxx
 
I had an emergency section with my first and will have an elective with my second in December. With my emergency, hubby had to wait outside to begin with. They topped up my epidural twice, but both times it only left me numb on one side, so they did the spinal and then I was fully numb. I did have to have a oxygen mask as a precaution because I had too much anesthesia in my body, but that was simply due to the combo of the epidural and spinal. I remember being surprised by how quick baby arrived. I think the oxygen mask made me feel a bit high and I sort of forgot why I was there until I heard baby cry! Stitching up takes longer, but the whole procedure wasn't long at all.

I went to recovery and had tea and toast! Best tea and toast ever after no food for ages and got to breastfeed baby. I was taken up to the ward a few hours later and fairly numb for a while. When baby needed a feed/change, the midwife would come help. I only packed normal underwear (briefs to fit the maternity pads) and had to buy massive granny pants that went over my tummy to not lie on my scar. I had a shower the next morning which was sore, but ok. I actually found after 2 days I was getting in and out of bed quite easily and even tidying up my stuff.

I found for the first two weeks, I'd feel a little sore in the morning. It felt like I'd seized up a bit whilst sleeping. After 1 week I walked 10 mins to Tesco and 10 mins back and actually found myself having to remind myself not to over do it as I felt ok. I found a pillow placed on my tummy when I needed to sneeze or laugh seemed to help. I had a good recovery. Neat scar and no infection. I'm hoping for a similar recovery in December as we're hoping to travel 2.5 hours North post section.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Members online

No members online now.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
473,572
Messages
4,654,624
Members
110,012
Latest member
lauramayne90
Back
Top