Like natural birth everybody has different experiences however here are a few things to expect and what I experienced with a scheduled C Section!!
DONT GIVE YOURSELF TOO MUCH TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT!!
Unlike natural birth, you know exactly what time and date you will be having your baby however this can be a blessing and a curse!! Try to book the first appointment for the day if you can, so you can get a good nights rest and then go straight in in the morning!! If you are later on in the day, then keep busy!!
My husband and I went and had breakfast, a walk on the beach, looked at some cars and then before we knew it, it was time to go and have our baby.
PICK AN OBSTETRICIAN YOU TRUST:
There is nothing wrong with trying a few if you don't feel comfortable with your first pick. Remember you will be seeing a lot of each other throughout your pregnancy and birth so you want someone who makes you feel comfortable.
I got recommended to our obstetrician by a friend and she was amazing!! Very easy to deal with and very professional!! With hundreds of babies under her belt I knew I was in good hands with her and her team.
Don't get me wrong I was still very very nervous. This was my first operation ever so, not only did I not know what to expect having a baby, I also didn't know what to expect from the whole experience.
I got very faint and dizzy when they put in the epidural in but the anesthetists got that under control very fast. I Felt A LOT of pressure and pulling because Indy was stuck under my ribs and they had to pull her out of there!! You can feel them moving you and pressure then kind of a gushing feeling when they take baby out, but not pain.
If all is going well it is a short operation and you are holding your baby in your arms in no time at all.
EMOTIONS:
Again everyone is so different!! but something that I kept hearing about natural birth is that you get a rush of overwhelming emotion when you are handed your baby after pushing them out, but I never experienced that with a C-Section.
I think because you can't feel anything, you don't know what is going on or how long it will take, your just lying there waiting.
Then they hold your baby up for you to see and its such a surreal feeling!!
If everything is ok with baby, after they have cut the cord and done all checks, weight and measurements you get them back straight away and its from there that the bonding and reality really kicks in!!
This is when I felt my most emotional because this little newborn baby latched on and started feeding without anyone showing them what to do and just snuggled into me like she was as happy to meet me as I was her.
AFTER THE OPERATION:
They let you rest for about 6-8 hours until all of the anesthetic has worn off and then they remove your catheter and get you standing for the first time. Now this is when I highly highly recommend you ask for pain killers before they do this!!
With my first daughter, the nurse accidentally removed my catheter while changing the pad that was underneath me and so she had to get me out of bed to change my bedding.
This was done without any painkillers and she stood me up very fast to get it all done, this made me very dizzy and faint and vomit which is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
However the next time I got out of bed was much better!! Moving around, going for small walks and standing makes for a better recovery. Try not to stay in bed or sit in the same spot for long periods of time.
PACK FOR COMFORT!!
Bamboo high waisted comfortable underwear and stretchy comfortable pants are a must!! You will be very tender on your scar so the last thing you want is clothing or underwear sitting right on top of it.
Slip on shoes or slippers so you don't have to bend down to put your shoes on
Bonds has the most comfortable nursing singlets and jumpers or if you don't feel like wearing clothes then pack a really comfy pair of p.j's and a robe but remember if you are going to breast feed you will need easy boob access
TOILETRIES:
Some hospitals provide some of these things for you, but remember your maternity pads, breast pads and moisturizer because hospital air dries you out everywhere!! Also put in some good quality prune juice!! The first number 2 is a bit scary because you feel like if you push, all of your insides are going to fall out but have no fair some good old prune juice makes everything a little easier
PILLOWS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND:
You will be sore and uncomfortable at first so anything to help you when it comes to sleeping is great right!! A simple body pillow was wonderful for me!! In fact, I still till this day sleep with a body pillow!! I am a side sleeper and with a body pillow in the right position, it helps to keep your knees, shoulder, belly all in a comfortable spot!!
DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP:
Always, Always remember to ask for help and ask, what you think might be silly questions!!
When you have your first baby, everything is new so if you feel different or if something just isn't right then ask for help!!
Also it defiantly aids with your recovery if you have someone to help out with even the simplest of things, like lifting the laundry basket!!
RECOVERY IS SLOWER THAN NATURAL:
However you can pick up your baby (slowly and carefully) do the laundry, vacuum but just use your common sense and don't over exert yourself. If it hurts don't do it!! You just have to take it easier than normal.
NO YOU DIDNT NOT TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT:
This really shits me when I hear people say that C-Section is the "easy" way to give birth!! They are usually people who haven't experienced ones for themselves!!
You didn't push so you didn't give birth???
Other than not been rushed into hospital with a selective C-Section there is nothing easy about it!!
I am a very planned person so i loved the fact that you book it in and that is the time and date that you will have your baby but recover is hard and long but like natural birth so, so worth it.
So please don't listen to those haters!!
I hope listening to a few of my experiences helps you with yours but just know.. YOU GOT THIS MUMMA!!!!!
X
