If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

This is going to be a stupid question but I am scheduled to go in for a c section on tuesday....

I know I have to be there 2 hours before to get an IV but then is it just a waiting game until my surgery time?? Do they break your water? If not, how does all that water get out of you?? I think I am just getting nervous since its so close that all these stupid questions are coming to me.

Thanks to anyone that can ease my nerves

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

First you'll walk in and change into a hospital gown. Then you'll either get in bed (in the case of NSUH) or lay back in an uncomfortable exam chair/table thing (in the case of LIJ) (I've had sched. c-sections at both!).

Then the nurse will place the fetal monitors on your belly and run an IV. I think you need to get a full bag of fluids in you. Basically then you'll just sit around and get anxious. After a while you'll drink a shot of antacid. Your DH will get into his scrubs. At LIJ I had these tight compression socks without toes put on; I don't remember those at NSUH. Then you'll get your shower cap on; the nurse will throw a blanket around your back and you'll walk down with the nurses--IV lines and all--down to the OR.

Your DH will need to wait outside while you get your spinal or epidural (I had a spinal with the 1st sched. c/s, a an epidural for the 2nd.). Then he'll come in and it's on!

Good luck!

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

Oh, that's a good question about the water! I have no idea what happens!!!

Oh and if I can go through THREE c-sections, by God, anyone in the world can...trust me! As the anaesthesiologist at my 2nd c-section told me, "It's an oil change."

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

Posted by Eireann

First you'll walk in and change into a hospital gown. Then you'll either get in bed (in the case of NSUH) or lay back in an uncomfortable exam chair/table thing (in the case of LIJ) (I've had sched. c-sections at both!).

Then the nurse will place the fetal monitors on your belly and run an IV. I think you need to get a full bag of fluids in you. Basically then you'll just sit around and get anxious. After a while you'll drink a shot of antacid. Your DH will get into his scrubs. At LIJ I had these tight compression socks without toes put on; I don't remember those at NSUH. Then you'll get your shower cap on; the nurse will throw a blanket around your back and you'll walk down with the nurses--IV lines and all--down to the OR.

Your DH will need to wait outside while you get your spinal or epidural (I had a spinal with the 1st sched. c/s, a an epidural for the 2nd.). Then he'll come in and it's on!

Good luck!

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

I had the same experience as Eireann at Winthrop.

I don't think they break your water. If they do, it was after my spinal, when I didn't feel anything.

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

Here's what happens to your water:

It lands on the floor!!!

When they cut you first the cut your skin, tissue, muscle and stop right at the uterus. Then, when the scalpel goes through the uterus, your water is BROKEN and it's all over the floor.

I was laying down and could see over my left shoulder a little. DH says, "I think they broke your water. And there it is." The floor was all wet. I was like, "No way that's possible." So he asked. Turns out it was.

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

One thing to be prepared for with your cs...if you are scheduled later in teh day you might be pushed.

With Ds1 I was scheduled at 930 am, went off without a hitch. Ds was out crying by 9:54.

With DS2 I was scheduled for 330pm...I was called at 2:30 and told to stay home and call hospital in 1 hour, called, they told me to stay home another 30 minutes, ps I delivered DS at 8:41pm! It was a crazy day in St Catherines that day. But just be prepared. I hadnt eaten since midnight the night before, so when they started my IV bags DS started going CRAZY!

Re: If you had a scheduled C-section...what was the process

Had DS in a NJ hospital and went so smooth.
Got there 8AM and was sched for 10AM c-section.
Nurses had me change right away, got hooked up to monitors.
Took some time b/c she had a new nurse with her. She was just from a different hospital and new to this one, but everything was explained in detail. DH and I actually appreciated it and got to know everything (which I totally forgot... LOL)
Got an IV then met the anestsialogist who happened to be someone I went to High School with... AWKWARD, but made for more good conversation catching up on people we knew. Made things even less stressful.
He asked for another IV b/c my blood pressure was low
BTW... that was another I forgot to say was they check your BP and all
Just listen to the baby's HB for a bit. They did some other little tests or monitoring then explained everything to me,
Walked to the OR and DH was asked to wait outside while I got my Spinal. It was really nothing and I FEAR needles. A little sting then pressure. They swung my legs around and laid me down.
ASked if I felt something since I assume they were pressing on my belly. I told them nothing. THe cathedar was put in, which you don't feel either.
Tell the anestsiologist you feel sick the moment you do or don't b/c they give you some stuff that makes you feel fine. Felt pulling and tugging. The nurses and Docs were great and so was DH.
Docs were discussing a new puppy one got. I was expecting to hear med talk, but it's 2nd nature to them.
Felt even more tugging and pressure then Boom... the baby is out and from there on you don't know what's going on b/c all you do is concentrate on the baby. In the recovery they put DS on me immediatly.
Went great!
Never took any of that drink b/c it was sched and I fasted b4.
Also, never had my water broken or even knew if they did. I thought they suck it out with some medical instrument when they open you.
Who knows?
Went well and then walk as soon as you can so you don't get the horrid gas pains and you get better faster.
Good luck!!