scheduled c section?

Question

Anyone ever had a scheduled c section?...wat was the process like?

how long is the hospital stay?

Answer 1

Usually you have a pre-op visit where you are given instructions regarding when to stop eating and drinking, what or what not to bring, who may accompany you into the OR and when to arrive. Be sure to ask if you are to continue taking any medications including over the counter ones. You will also need to have lab work done. This is usually done 1-2 days before your scheduled date. Be sure to ask as many questions as you can (start writing them down now to bring with you) When you arrive at the hospital on your scheduled date you will check in and be taken to a room where you will have an IV started and the baby's heart rate will be monitored. The nurse will ask you many questions and have you sign some consents. Be sure to have pre-selected your pediatrician and verified with your insurance company that they will do newborn checks at the hospital. You will have a shave prep across the lower abdomen around the bikini line and possibly a foley catheter (to collect urine) will be placed at this time. Most hospitals however will do this after you get anesthesia. If yours does not, ask if they will. Your OB and the anesthesiologist will visit briefly with you. You will need to remove all jewelry before going to the OR so it is best if you leave it at home. Once in the OR, you will be given some form of anesthesia. This will usually be a spinal which is an injection into your mid back which will numb you completely below the breasts. Many people will be present. Usually 2 doctors, a scrub tech, RN circulator, anesthesiologist, and a nursery RN, resipatory tech and pediatrician for the baby. Your husband or partner will be brought in right before the surgery starts. Once started, the baby is out within 5 min or so. You will not feel pain but you will feel a lot of pulling and tugging. Do not be alarmed. Once baby is out, it will be looked over by the team and is brought to you for a brief bonding period. Usually the baby is then taken to the newborn nursery accompanied by the dad. You will be repaired and taken to a recovery room. Once there and you are stable and comfortable, dad and baby come in for bonding and breastfeeding. You will stay in recovery approx 2 hours then be taken to your room. Not all but most hospitals work this way so when you go to your pre-op be sure to ask what their procecedure is. You usually stay 3-4 days and the day after your surgery they will get you up to walk. Bring non slip slippers. There will be pain medication available. Do not hesitate to ask for it BEFORE your pain is severe. You may only be allowed liquids for the first 24 hours depending on the doctors's orders. Keep visitors to a minimum and try not to have any for the first 24 hours. This may be a common surgery for those of us who do it every day but it still is considered major surgery and you need to rest in order to recuperate. Use the first 24 hours to be with your baby and partner. Ask for a lactation specialist if you are having a problem breastfeeding. Good luck!

Answer 2

I had a C-section with my youngest child. They gave me an epidural so I could be alert during the process. I felt a slight tugging as they cut my son out of me. When he was born they held him up to my face so I can see him and give him a kiss. He was so precious. He is six now and an terror. LoL
But anyway, I stayed in the the hospital for 3 days. It was mandatory for me to have an bowel movement before I left. They do that to make sure everything is working correctly.The also had me doing some kind of breathing exercises to get the toxins from the epidural out of me. I had to blow into some sort of device several time a day. They came and check me often to see if the feeling had returned to my legs. It was real freaky because I had no control over them. The feeling came back quickly though. I was sent home with some Tylenol 10's but I really didn't take them often. I really wasn't in alot of pain. When I got home I couldn't lift anything over ten pounds so I had a lot of help. I recovered pretty fast though. I would say I was fine after about the second or third week.

Answer 3

My first birth was an emergency C-section after 52 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing. They went in fast, and it took two sets of hands and a vacuum extractor to get her out. Also, they used my epidural line to deliver anaethesia, so I had the shakes when they were done, and I had to go to a recovery room for an hour afterward.

My second birth was a scheduled C-section (preeclampsia for the second time, plus a skeletal abnormality that was discovered during the first surgery). WAY better. I got a spinal instead of an epidural, so no shakes, and no recovery room. Because they weren't in such a hurry, they could take time cutting and sewing, and the OR staff could pay attention to me (no surgical drapes in my face, etc.).

I wouldn't do a C-section again if I could help it. I would much rather have had a totally natural birth. But, since I HAD to do it both times, the scheduled one was easier.

You come in to the hospital with an empty stomach. You take off all your jewelry and get into a gown. The anaesthesiologist comes and decides what you're going to get, drug-wise. They take you to the OR and do all their prep (betadine on your belly, arranging the lights, drapes, surgical kits, etc.). They put in a catheter. And then they let your partner come in, and they start. A lot of pressure and a lot of chatter, but no pain. And then they show you the baby, stitch you up, and you're on your way.

Get up and get moving ASAP. Taking a shower will make you feel WAY more human. And stay on your pain meds schedule.

Answer 4

This was my first baby and I had a scheduled c-section 8 months ago, it was the best thing I could ever go through, I received an epideral after they induced my labor, I wouldn't dialate more than 4 centemeters, so they prep me for the c-section, meaning they hooked me up to a catheter, IV of course, gave me the epideral and wheeled me to the delivery room, they made sure that I could not feel anything below my waist, they strapped my hands down (for what I don't know, because you can't feel a thing) they cut me open and I didn't even know it, I wanted to go to sleep to tell you the truth, it took everything in me not to fall asleep because I wanted to see my baby. Basically that was pretty much it. There is soreness afterwards, but nothing us women can't handle. If I had another child, I would do a c-section again. Good luck on your c-section. I know you'll do fine

Answer 5

You mean the process of the c-section?

Well, I stayed with my sis when she had hers, and first they tell you not to eat anything I think for 12 hours before you have it, so you will be really hungry. They admitted her as soon as we arrived, and they put her in the room she delivered in. They asked her to bend as far over as she could, and they put a red like gel on her back where the needle was going. Then they put a long needle into her back, which she said it stung, but not an unbearable sting, and it had a chord connected to the needle. they taped that thingy down on her back and had her lay back down. After what seemed like an hour, which they said it wasn't that long they pulled a curtain on top of her around the top of her breasts. They started the surgery and it only took like 15 minutes to complete the procedure.

My sis said it was a breeze compared to child birth, but the recovery time for the c-section was doubled compared to a natural birth.

Answer 6

I had one with my 2nd b/c my 1st was an emercengy c-sec. My doctor didn't like the idea of a vag delivery after a c-sec. I loved picking the birthday, knowing when, and not playing the waiting game. I could plan everything.

The operation was no problem, and I came out fine. The only thing with a c-sec is that you can't go to a room until the anesth. wears off. That was kind of a bummer. But I got to hold the baby, nurse, and everything in recovery.

Answer 7

my sister had c sec on oct. 2006 she was 2 wks past due date and her last day we went for a check up to the hospital she was doing fine and i ask the dr. when will the baby pop out and he was like well i dont know.......shes doing fine and mommy as well and my sister was like i wanna see my baby allready so he was like ok....so lets schedule a c sec for the afternoon.lets take baby measurements and my sister had c sec that evening.....

Answer 8

Mine was an emergency, but they obviously give you some kind of anesthesia. And you will have a day of recovering. Then the next day they will get you to walk. Depending on if you can walk by yourself they will release you. Goodluck and congratualtions on your soon to be new baby.

Answer 9

I'll just say that it's easier the second time around because you know what to expect.

Here's another question that another user asked... take a look at the answers:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqRXNJLp2a_nC5bUwZEGdpvsy6IX?qid=20070531132907AAU5THY&show=7#profile-info-2a8276278071f0395444cc71ed3566adaa

Answer 10

I delivered my oldest vaginally and my next 2 c-section. I think the c-section was much easier. Recovery was quicker and I overall felt better. Take care!