BTDT moms - C-Section

I am going in for a scheduled C-section on the 8th and I am getting nervous, mostly because I do not know what to expect since I had DD naturally.
Can anyone tell me what I should expect when I get to the hospital?
FYI: I am delivering at Southside
TIA

BTDT moms - C-Section

My c-section was scheduled for 9:30AM. I had to get there 2 hours before. The 2hours of waiting is just annoying- they hook you up to an IV and monitor you (all the while you have to pee every 10 minutes b/c you have fluid being pumped into you!). It was pretty much just watch TV and wait. I had all my pre-surgical testing done the day before.
I was brought into the OR at exactly 9:30. DS was born at 10:03. They numb you pretty much from the chest down. There's also a huge curtain so you can't see anything. It's very quick, I just felt a lot of tugging as they were pulling him out. Recovery is painful, but as long as you start walking asap, you'll be okay. The only scary part for me was walking INTO the OR because its just so scary looking! But the whole process is very, very quick.

BTDT moms - C-Section

My c-section was scheduled for 9:30AM. I had to get there 2 hours before. The 2hours of waiting is just annoying- they hook you up to an IV and monitor you (all the while you have to pee every 10 minutes b/c you have fluid being pumped into you!). It was pretty much just watch TV and wait. I had all my pre-surgical testing done the day before.
I was brought into the OR at exactly 9:30. DS was born at 10:03. They numb you pretty much from the chest down. There's also a huge curtain so you can't see anything. It's very quick, I just felt a lot of tugging as they were pulling him out. Recovery is painful, but as long as you start walking asap, you'll be okay. The only scary part for me was walking INTO the OR because its just so scary looking! But the whole process is very, very quick.

BTDT moms - C-Section

My s section wasn't scheduled so I can't help with that. But they switched me over from a delivery room to the OR and DS was out within 1/2 an hour. I felt nothing....not even pulling. You can't see anything and DH was sitting by my head and got to look over as they were pulling DS out. DH went with DS upstairs to get checekd out in the nursery and I went to recovery for a bit.

Recovery for me was a piece of cake. no pain. I never even too motrin. I was up and walking asap but I had to because I had 3 DVT's during pregnancy and was not allowed to sit for any real length of time.

Re: BTDT moms - C-Section

I had a c-section w/ my 1st after a failed induction and hours of labor. I just had a scheduled section and it was a breeze in comparison.

I was scheduled for 7:30am and had to be there by 5:30am

Once I was there (I pre-registered the day before during pre-surgical testing) we went up to L &D and was given a labor room, and changed into a gown, hooked up to IV and asked a bunch of questions about medical history, etc. I had to pee a lot too. The 2 hours went quickly. The Dr came in a little bit before to check in and briefly go over what would happen. Then, when it was time, my delivery nurse walked me to the OR. DH changed into his scrubs and waited to be let into the OR. I got the spinal (wasn't bad at all), and laid back on the table and got the catheter. Then a nurse shaved the area to prep for the surgery. After that DH came in, followed by the Drs and surgery began at 7:59. I really didn't feel anything...just pressure...it seemed like FOREVER and I started to get a little nervous, but then I heard the baby cry and they said it was 8:07-so basically he was out after 8 minutes. Since this was my second c-section, I was warned that closing could take longer depending on my scar tissue...but luckily my scar tissue wasn't bad at all, and we were back in our labor room/recovery (where we started) by 8:50. I nursed DS in recovery and he was with me for over an hour before going to the nursery for the routine check-up.

The only negative was at one point while they were closing me up, the pressure up near my stomach/rib cage was intense and I said something about it and the anesthiologist immediately gave me something in my IV and I felt instantly better. So definitely tell them how you're feeling.

I had the catheter in was 24 hours...so it came out the following morning 1st thing. I was able to get up and sit in a chair later the same day of the c-section. And once the cath was out I was up and walking around. I took Motrin for the pain and that did the trick.

Good luck. A scheduled C-section is way better than a crash c or even an unscheduled one.

Message edited 3/27/2014 6:44:16 PM.

Re: BTDT moms - C-Section

My experience (just had my scheduled csection a week ago) is pretty much similar to the other ladies here.

The things that I recall most are:

- at the recovery room, before you went into the OR, they ask you a bunch of questions and made you drink some neutralizing liquid that reminds me of bad prune juice.

- it gets VERY cold in the OR so make sure to ask the nurse for a warm blanket for your upper half! I was shivering the whole time in the OR.

- when the anesthesiologist injects your back, it can hurt like a bad bee sting.

- when the doctors (there were 2) start the incision you can't see or feel it but can smell the burning. Sorry if this is TMI!

- they may give you benadryl directly in the IV at some point and that stuff can make you VERY drowsy very quickly! i had a really hard time staying awake if not for the tugging the doctors were doing

- prepare to wait in the recovery room for at least 1 or 2 hours or until you can move your legs

Good luck! After a week of recovery I'm almost back to normal but still have to be careful not to cough, sneeze or laugh because doing any of those things hurt!

Your doctor will also likely not let you drive for at least 2 or 3 weeks so prepare to have someone chauffeur you around or run errands for you.

Message edited 3/27/2014 10:32:57 PM.

Re: BTDT moms - C-Section

Re: BTDT moms - C-Section

For my scheduled c section I was more anxious than with my failed induction c section. But the good thing was I was much more awake. The epidural was a pain and it really does make a difference in who does it. First time it was in and I was numb in 4 min but second time or took a bit longer for him to get the spot. I was chatting with the anesthesiologist and dh when the Doctors told me they started already. Didn't feel pressure other than when they were closing. I felt chest pain pressure and nauseous but I was warned about it so the anesthesiologist gave me something and I immediately felt better. I definitely felt better faster with this one and I guess cause I wasnt laboring for hours before the surgery. I agree with the op walking into the room is probably the most scary but if you have good staff you will be in good hands. Just take deep breath cause you will get to meet your new baby in minutes!

Re: BTDT moms - C-Section

Message edited 3/28/2014 2:19:23 PM.