First c-section

Hey! I had an elective with no medical reasons (personal choice, won’t go into it) and it was amazing! So calm and beautiful! Didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. Had skin to skin, gender reveal, cutting cord etc. More than happy to answer any questions you may have. I did give lots of advice and a recount of my experience here. If I’m lucky to have another I’ll choose c section again without a 2nd thought xx https://www.peanut-app.io/posts/3pxnz-hcn/c-section-mamas

Following ❤️ as due to have mine in 12 days 😬 xx

Both of my daughters were born via C-section. Honestly, the surgery team was amazing and answered all of my questions. At your pre op appointment bring up any concerns you may have regarding the spinal block. I wasn't sick from it, but if you are worried about it talk to your team. You got this mama

I had an emergency C-section and the experience itself was fine, they were very helpful and even put a playlist on for me, it was the post c section I wish I had been given advice for. Best things in my hospital bag were always disposable pants (cheapest in Morrisons, wet wipes, long cables for charging phones and iPad, chewing gum to get stomach working, lactulose because you won’t want to be having hard stools! A fan as it’s boiling in hospital and cooling down spray. NHS list says take flip flops but also take ones without toe bit in case you need surgical stockings. A big insulated water bottle is a must I always wanted cold water but it warmed quickly in the room. We needed two or three cellular blankets as she would vomit on them! We took both newborn/first size and 0-3 months as we were told she would be big. She didn’t fit newborn so glad we took a variety! We also took ready made aptimal bottles with teats for feeding and then we didn’t have to wait for the midwife.

My whole experience with the c section was so peaceful and relaxing. The spinal block is only a little uncomfortable and once everything goes numb, I has so much relief from carrying the heavy belly around for so long. It’s a quick procedure, in and out in under 45 minutes if all goes well and then you get to cuddle your baby right away. The recovery is also not that bad. You’re able to get up and walk around 8-12 hours after. And should be able to go home the next day if no issues. I’d 100% do it again if I had the choice.

I had a elective c section a month ago and honestly I wish I had one with my older two even tho i had issues after they got my baby out but that was due to past trauma in my womb. Only part that I felt that was uncomfortable was the cold spray they use. The feeling when they are doing everything is werid. Post c section only part I found hard was not being able to lean over to pick her up but when I got home I was back doing my usual routine 2 days after the c section. Personally I would say it sounds worse than it actually is

I had a c section due to developing pre eclampsia. I was nervous about the spinal block as well but other than making me incredibly itchy for a day and a half, it wasn't horrendous. The very worse part of it was the discomfort of getting around but staying dosed on pain killers really helped.

I’ve had 2 electives and 1 emergency section. The electives are really chilled out. They’ll be a midwife and anaesthetist who keep you talking through the whole thing. Not going to lie the spinal is the worst bit but again the midwife will stand there and do their best to keep you calm. Once that’s over they have the baby out it what feels like no time at all and after that you don’t really notice what’s going on your just focused on the baby. Side note as it's not your first you'll probably appreciate just having a lay down and not being 'allowed' to rush around the house. I know i did! X

I had my first c section nearly 5 weeks ago, it’s honestly not as bad as you think it will be, you don’t see anything to do with the spinal block just like a bee sting and a weird feeling of pressure from what’s injected and once your feet start to go numb they take it out and lay you down. I get really bad anxiety over stuff like that and I was completely fine as soon as I went in. Let them know your a bit anxious and they will do anything to comfort you xx

Hey I've had two c sections I was allowed to pick music but I decided to listen to the radio instead 😂. My experience was that the procedure went well and positive prenatal care was amazing. But postnatal care wasn't great to be totally honest but that wasnt all the nurses fault only a few.. highly recommend green tea capsules helps with gas which can happen after C-sections. Bring snacks and plenty of drinks I was really thirsty and hot afterwards. The ward was really warm.. but just remember you get your little baby afterwards and that's what makes it worth it xx

I had a bad first birth, also advised to have an epidural in the end and got the baby out. Second, advised to try a vagainal birth, ended up needed an epidural again and then emergency section. I wish I'd been allowed an elective section from the get go with my second. Recovery, don't be fooled by thinking the next day you're all right, wait until the spinal and strong painkillers have worn off and judge how you feel, day 2 I found really bad. Don't rush home, stay in hospital and make the most of the electric bed to get you up and down to get baby and also their pain killers. Once you think being off the liquid morphine is ok and you can manage on just dihydrotestosterone, then go home. I stayed in 3 nights in the end and I don't regret it at all

Thank you everyone! Appreciated!

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.

Re: the spinal... The nerves in the lead up and as they do it are the worst bit but it's not that bad. It really is more "the thought" than anything you actually feel. They give you a local beforehand which stings for a second or two then the actual spinal feels more like pressure. My advice, tell the anaesthetist your fears and how they can help you... do you want to look away and avoid seeing any needles in theatre? Can they help by counting you down until each step is over? Can someone hold you?/distract you? Etc. Once it's done they get you to lie down quickly and your legs feel warm and tingly, sheet goes up and they do lots of tests to check you can't feel anything. When I had mine they asked if i wanted to know when they'd started/ made the incision... (I declined) and it couldn't have been 5/10 minutes and they said he'll be out in a second.

The anaesthetist will be by your head the whole time ... chatting/asking how you are feeling etc. They will be your best mate in there.. if you feel faint/ sick/anything they'll have something for it (I was told). That said I was fine and didn't need anything.

@Vicky I’m not on this app much but always try to come on to help re: c sections as all of your posts helped me so much when I wasn’t sure how to go about getting one (elective, no reasons) and then preparing me for what would happen so I’ve been looking out for you to say thank you so much 🙏🏻

@Nicola so glad you had a great experience too and that some of what I've said has helped atleaat one woman. ❤️ Your comment has been really lovely and reassuring to read after "debating" with the "it's major surgery" "You won't be able to hold your baby" "it's 7 layers they cut through" fear brigade. 🙄 Hope you stick around in Peanut to spread some c section positivity with me. Thank you. X👍❤️