Things I wish Id known before my Caesarean

When I was told at 34 weeks pregnant that I needed a Caesarean I was overwhelmed with all the questions I had. Whilst I felt totally prepared before I went into the operating theatre, but there are some things I hadn't even thought about and wish I had known about them. For the value of others, I share them here.

1. Anaesthetic
The anaesthetic can make you feel quite sick. My poor husband had to hold a sick bowl by my head the whole time!

2. Blood pressure
Your blood pressure can drop quite low during the procedure which can make you feel light headed and sleepy. It wasn't a totally unpleasant feeling, but I felt out of control, similar to some women's experience of gas and air.

3. Someone needs to push
The medical team need to push on your upper abdomen to help get your baby safely out. I could feel the pressure of this and see elbows working the other side of the screen but it didn't hurt.

4. The scar
My scar is very neat and has healed well. It's also very low down and not as ugly as I expected it. I have since discovered the term Caesarean pouch though, and this accurately describes the little overhang that is going to need a fair few sit ups to lose!

5. Delayed first cuddle
As soon as my son arrived he was held up for me to see and then I got to give him a kiss before he was taken to be cleaned up. It was a while before I got my first cuddle but the wait was worth it.



6. Moving beds
After the surgery you'll have to move beds before going to recovery. The team place a patient slide under you and transfer you. I'd had surgery before but always under general anaesthic so I hadn't really thought about the logistics of moving from operating table to bed.

7. Don't look up...
There a lot of lights and shiny medical equipment which can reflect what's going on behind the screen. Don't look up if you're squeamish!

8. Your womb takes longer to contract back
I remember my bump disappearing to a deflated balloon right after I'd had my first son but after my c section, I looked heavily pregnant still for a good few weeks. My midwife explained that the hormonal changes in your body during labour are switched on much later after a Caesarean.



9. Numbness
Nearly a year on I still have numbness around the incision. I also still get the odd pain which my doctor reassured me is normal.

10. It can be a positive experience
The medical team helped make it very memorable and fun. Meeting your baby is absolutely no less special than after a vaginal birth, I was expecting to feel very detached from everything but meeting my second son was just as amazing as meeting my first.



Have you had a C Section? Do you have anything to add that could help our readers?


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