Prep for a c-section

Hi Ladies,

For those that have been through a planned c-section, I just had a few questions.
Is there any pre-op that you have to go through? If so, what did you do?
Also, would anyone know if there was a mild medication that can be given to calm me down so that I don't loose it on the table? I have not asked my doc as of yet but will I guess.

Thanks so much!!!!!

Joanna

 

My only prep was walking down the hall to the OR..yes, I walked myself right in! I have to say that I was scared $&*!less, but never let it show. I was off food and liquids from midnight the day before, but they did let me brush my teeth, as we ended up waiting until 5:00 the next evening...I was STARVING. Do you know if you're getting an epidural, spinal or combo? I have to admit, that hurt worse than anything else. I think it hurt so badly only because you're in absolutely no pain, then walk into the OR and get stuck in the back. I think it would not be as bad if you were in labor. After that, it was all a medicine induced haze, but in a good way. I DO remember it all, just no "pain" per se. You'll hurt the next day and the first trip out of bed is the worst. Just make yourself push through it and it will get easier each time. Stay out of the wheelchair and make yourself walk, no matter how slow you are. You'll feel so much better much faster that way. Oh, and the number one advice...take your pain meds!!!!!!

Good luck Joanna, I'm so thrilled for you to finally meet your sweet babies. When is the big day?

 

I had pre-op done at the hospital on friday, answering a bunch of questions/paperwork for insurance, and bloodwork done.

C/S was scheduled for tuesday morning, I had to be at the hospital around 5:30am I think it was. I was given a special soap to shower with the day before. Don't wear jewelery, no hair ties/clips, no deodorant, perfume...etc anything with smells. Nothing to eat after midnight the night before.

My water ended up breaking at 12:30 am and we were at the hospital around 1:30am. I was monitored on the monitor for about an hour and a half to make sure dd was still okay, while they did the rest of the paperwork, got the IV started and sent 2 bags of fluid coursing thru my veins!

Walked to the OR, stopping to use the bathroom on the way I agree the spinal hurt like a bugger, mostly because you aren't in any pain unless you are already laboring! My spinal with my ds didn't hurt but I was also laboring with him! Anyways, once the spinal is done, they lay you down, inserted the catheter, and away we went!

I know they can give you anti-nausea meds if needed, be warned tho if you get the IV pain meds, they *will* calm you down but you may not remember much or it may be foggy....I had them, with my son and wish I hadn't, I don't remember 90% of his birth, I vaguely remember seeing him for a second but that's about it, don't remember hubby coming in, leaving with ds, recovery or anything else.

 

Mine was the same as PP's. I walked into the OR, sat on the edge of the table and the spinal was the worst part. It hurt really bad, but then it was gone. I had really bad anxiety and when I realized I couldn't move my legs I started to panic. They wouldn't give me anything for that until the babies were out, but man when they did I was so relieved! It wasn't as bad as I'd made it out to be in my mind.

 

I've had two planned c-sections. I honestly don't remember not being able to eat beforehand, but mine were both at 8 am so they were before I would have had breakfast anyway. I definitely wasn't given any special soap and I was allowed to wear my cross, earrings, and my wedding rings into the OR. I also had my hair in a ponytail both times and with my second time I made a point of putting on some makeup because I was hoping to look a tad better than I had the first time around.

For my first section, I was a disaster. It was a semi-emergency for pre-clampsia and it took me completely by surprise because my situation had turned very quickly. I was shaking as I walked to the ER, but once that spinal was in I was fine. Once those meds kicked in life was good. I remember everything from both births, but I was feeling no pain, no anxiety, and completely lost any inhibitions I had about being naked in a room full of people.

One thing that I did differently in my second is that I made sure that I shaved my bikini line before going to the hospital. It never occured to me the first time and being dry shaved with a bic razor by a nurse was not a pleasant experience. :blush:

Also, with a section the normal procedure is to strap the patients hands to boards so that you don't move during the surgery. I am a tad claustiphobic (sp?) and I was able to talk to the anestiologist beforehand about it. Both times they agreed to leave me unstrapped so it may be something you want to bringup.

 

I was given two bags of fluids thru IV, no food after midnight, same as pps. However, my spinal did not hurt. I was so nervous I was crying. After the spinal they put warm blankets on me (heaven) and inserted catheter. The Drs and nurses were great and kept talking to me. I got anti-nausea meds after delivery and then felt VERY foggy. It was no where near as bad as I expected, I was SOOOOOOO nervous about the spinal and the surgery itself. (I was on inpatient monitoring for 62 day for monoamniotic pregnancy that 's why the c-section was scheduled). The morphine pump was great and I pushed that button every time it would let me. Of course I don't remember anything from that day except the birth and when they brought the boys to see me before taking the to the hospital with the NICU.