Nervous and riddled with anxiety!

3 c sections here. My second was by far my best. I had skin to skin photos, delayed cord clamping. I healed amazing and was jumping on and off the bed by day 5 with no pain. I was so anxious as you know what's coming this time round in terms of recovery etc. Explain to them about your anxiety and they be even more supportive and reassuring xx

Honestly elective c sections are nothing like the horror stories.

You'll only be in theatre around an hour and baby will be out in first 10/15 mins... the rest of the time flys by! All being well they'll probably discharge you the next day.

The only pain I felt was a few seconds sting for the needles and the recovery was achey but totally manageable on paracetamol and ibuprofen taken religiously for 2 weeks. I was able to carry him in car seat briefly the next day. Got down to change him on the floor. Was putting washing in and wiping spills on the floor a few days later... it's all doable slowly and carefully.

We were out walking week 2 and visiting family. Week 3 I drove.

The anxiety in the lead up is the worst bit, peaked at the spinal (it was fine though) and then everything is pretty chilled from that point on xx

At home:
Arnica for bruising
Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen
Windeaze and constipation relief
Gum and fibre bars.
Still lucozade

Caddy up and downstairs with
Muslins
Nappy, nappy bags, wipes, dummy
Cream, snacks.

Put everything you'll need at arm level, so no bending. For example in the shower... towel over the rail, shampoo/gel on the sink.

I bought a range of pads... always discreet, maternity pads, always night/ultra. To be honest my pp bleeding was a lot lighter than I expected so it was nice to have a selection and pick. (I hated waddling around in maternity pads)

Stock up on snacks and quick and easy food.

One emergency and one elective.
After my first was an emergency I was absolutely adamant that I wanted an elective for my 2nd, but for the 2 weeks before I went in, I was a nervous wreck. Like u said all the stuff u didn't know or worry about on the emergency where right there. My first was the most horrific experience and we both nearly died, so I was adamant that I wasn't having anymore kids anyways 5 yrs later we did.
Omg I was absolutely shitting it 😳
But it was honestly amazing. I think if u had an emergency first this will be like staying at a 5 star hotel in comparison, it's calm, cool and collected... I felt in control, I.made choices, talked to people it was truly awesome.

Thankyou to everyone who has commented 🥰 it’s so nice to hear everyone else’s stories and experiences! I will definitely be re-reading all these comments on the morning of the c section xxx

With thr elective u have all the wonderful parts of labour u was more than likely robbed of with the emergency... photos, skin to skin, delayed clamping, honestly it's amazing to be part of the birth 😍

what a beautiful photo 🥹🥹

@Megan I didn't get skin to skin or even hold or see my son for hours after he was born, due to the emergency and the mess we where both in. So this photo every.single time makes me realise how thankful I was to be able to do it all again and be present at my own birth story. 😘
I love hearing birth story's, but hate telling mine, until my daughter came along and I had a positive story to tell.

You will be nervous, it's only natural, but what I can tell you, is how proud you will be to stand strong and deliver your baby into the world in a way u decided was right for you!!!
Your strong 💪 , and totally capable 💪, and this will be amazing xx

wow 🥺

he posed her for a few seconds and said cheese nanny 😭😭. My daughter was very poorly and so I didn't see her for 9 hours. This is all I got and it made it easier x

I got nothing with my first but it was complicated and I needed emergancy bowel surgery. My second I got a very graphic photo in between my legs have delayed cord clamping (can see surgeons hands in my stomach etc) and then this is my third x