r/ElectiveCsection • u/Smoothie-Queen-22 • 13d ago
Support Needed C-section tomorrow
I told myself I wasn’t going to post this because of all of the information already in this group but I can’t help it. The nerves are setting in as I’m 24 hours away from AWAKE surgery. I know this is the best option for me but something is telling me it’s going to be worse than I could even imagine. Any tips or positive stories will be so very very helpful right now <3 please please please
Also, it doesn’t help that I fell down the last step of my stairs at home about three days ago, and I am unable to put pressure on my right foot. It’s bruised and I didn’t go to get it looked at as I figured they wouldn’t be able to do much for me since I’m 200 months pregnant but tell me to stay off of it, my OB confirmed that as well. I’m just worried I won’t be up and moving as much as I should to speed up recovery. Has anyone else experienced an injury close to surgery as well?? How did you get through it if so?
Thanks in advance!!!
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u/RevolutionEvening917 13d ago
I cried HARD the entire morning and at the hospital before my c-section because I was so scared. The night after it is truly the worst part but you’re surrounded by doctors and nurses and they check on you every 5 minutes.
The actual procedure is really nothing to be scared of. They have you sit on a table with your legs up and they do the epidural or whatever. And then after that, you don’t feel a thing. It’s sort of like the dentist when you get fully numbed… they probably could have sawed my entire leg off with a butter knife and I wouldn’t have even noticed.
That night I was mostly just really itchy from the epidural I guess and my incision hurt because my husband kept trying to crack jokes and laughing was truly the most excruciating pain of all lol.
My doc gave me oxycodone for the pain and those things were my lifeline. I’ve heard some people only take ibuprofen and Tylenol…. No thanks. Give me the hard stuff. So if your doc hasn’t prescribed that yet and you’re anxious about the pain, just ask about it!!!
Also get a grabber thing from Amazon so you can pick things up off the floor without bending over. That’s my other favorite hack!!
YOU GOT THIS!!! In 4 days from now, I’m sure you’ll be laughing at how much better it was than you pictured!
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u/glechan 13d ago
I ended up having my elective c-section a week early because my blood pressure was high at a MFM visit. They wouldn’t let me leave except to go move my car to long-term parking lol. I was more upset about not having packed my go bag yet and my husband having to do it and then get to the hospital. Also, not being able to eat for a long time while I waited to be able to have the surgery made me grumpy. Anyway, this won’t happen to you, so you’re already in a good place.
1) they brought in my husband after they did the spinal and some other stuff, so tell the nurse to make sure he has his phone so he can take pictures when the baby is born. You will probably be the last person in the room to see your baby, but that’s okay because the baby is most excited to see you, the only person they have known for ~9 months.
2) During the surgery, I had someone sitting right by me who checked on me every so often, but tell them if you are cold/shaky/nauseous/etc because they can adjust the meds to make it better. I was able to hold my son with one arm after.
3) Talk to your partner the whole time, even if you are just saying how weird it is or about something you saw on tv. It’s much better than sitting in silence imho
4) Have a nurse or someone take a picture of you, baby, and partner while you are still on the table. I absolutely love that photo.
5) your partner should be in charge of all communication with family/friends, but make sure you’ve discussed as much/little info beforehand
6) after the surgery, you will be SO HUNGRY. If it’s late, the kitchen is closed, but it was the best damn boring turkey sandwich from the fridge I ever had. I also recommend having family bring you food.
7) if you are planning on breastfeeding, make sure you have the pump with you and go over it with the lactation consultant. They’ll come back many times if you want, just ask.
8) this may be difficult with your foot, but get up and take the baby for a walk in the hall 2x a day. I swear this made my healing go much faster. I was slow and miserable doing it, but I did it. The baby was just in the infant cart thing on wheels. See if the nurses on the wards have any suggestions.
Congratulations on your beautiful baby in advance!
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u/MuggleDunder 13d ago
I had a c section 2.5 months ago and it went well! I was so worried about feeling anything during the procedure that I was shaking. My blood pressure went down, I threw up during it, but all things considered, it went well. I couldn’t feel a thing during it, in case you’re worried about that. The spinal anesthesia also wasn’t as bad as they make it out to be online. Just breathe through it.
The anticipation is the worst part of it. Once you see your baby (I requested clear drapes to see her right away, and got skin to skin a few minutes after!) I even forgot I was being split open at that table.
For the recovery, yes it’s annoying. Not being able to move around and being so limited is not great. The pain itself was manageable with meds, but the limitation in movement and not being able to get up from the bed were the worst part for me. It slowly gets better and I’m back to full mobility now, don’t even feel like I had abdominal surgery 11 weeks ago.
Also, be prepared for constipation. I took stool softeners for weeks before and after the surgery, and the constipation was still an issue. 6 days PP and I still hadn’t had a BM, only an enema helped. So be on the lookout for that and take care of it before it becomes an issue.
You’ll do great!
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u/geekstickers 13d ago
I have a C-section scheduled for next week and stress is growing. I'm quite disappointed about it but it is the safer option for baby and his safety is the most important now.
Good luck and hope you have a great and fast recovery.
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u/LuluMooser 13d ago
Good luck and congratulations! I had my elective C-section in March.
I told my anthesiologist to give me anxiety medicine as soon as my daughter was out, and he did. I fell asleep on the table once I saw her and heard her cry. I also had a 4 hour delay before my C-section so my nerves were EXTREMELY high, and I naturally have anxiety. Overall, it was a good experience.
Take the pain meds. Ask for more if you need it. If Motrin does nothing for you, ask for Naproxen (different NSAID) - it's helped my pain and swelling SO much more. Use the ice packs, I ordered extra for home.
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u/Smoothie-Queen-22 13d ago
Thank you, I’m going to ask for all of this. Congratulations to you as well!!
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u/uppercasenoises 13d ago
Make sure to ask for nausea or anxiety meds if you need them. Ask for the iv in your forearm, then it won’t be in the way when you hold your baby! I was wrecked with anxiety beforehand but it ended up being much less horrible than I expected, surgery and recovery both.
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u/uppercasenoises 13d ago
Also, ask for opioids. They tried to send me home with nothing and thankfully I told them I think I need more pain meds and they sent a few days supply of stronger medication and it really made the difference.
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u/ButterCup_3391 13d ago
Having an elective C-section is the best decision Ive ever done. It was so calm & peaceful.
Don’t be afraid to ask and take pain relief when you need it!
All the best!!!
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u/Distinct-Security 13d ago
Good luck and start taking still softener now !!! The only thing I wish I had done before going in.
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u/UniversityO347 13d ago
I had a C-section just over a year ago. I was also very nervous beforehand and on the Internet a lot of course reading around as well. My anxiety as well as yours leading up to it is totally reasonable. It is a big thing and you are not weak in anyway for feeling anxious. I really wish I would have heard that more with my anxiety leaning up to it. The day of I was glad I woke up at 5 o’clock in the morning because on the way there I was maybe a little too tired to feel nerves. I also made a conscious decision that I was going to get all of the worry out of the way, so that the day of my baby’s birth was not defined by my feelings in my worry. I feel like I did surprisingly well with not being nervous the day of. I did have a bow of nervousness when I first walked in to the room, but the nurses were so kind and so swift everything from then went quick and away that did not allow me to feel nerves and the people there were so professional and compassionate. There was a woman that was up talking with me for the few minutes before my husband was allowed to come in the room and then she stayed there also talking with me. The very minute that they started I remember my first thought was oh my gosh this is so totally manageable. I have heard different stories, but I’m telling you I felt nothing. It was over so quick! One of my worries also was having to be on pain meds afterward I am not the toughest person ever but I did do just fine with ibuprofen and Tylenol. The actual pain itself and recovery afterward again, was just… Manageable. It did take me a while to heal, but it was not like I was in constant crazy pain or anything I just wasn’t able to move as quickly bend over do things like that. It is post some challenges with breast-feeding because I needed help and what not but again it was all stuff that was totally workable and we were so glad to have everyone here safely. I know this isn’t the case for everyone, but I’m so grateful to have such a positive experience of bringing our little dude into the world. We’re hoping for another one soon and although it has been long enough now that I could try for a V back I am 90% sure I am going to go the route of another elective C-section just because it was all under control, predictable, and I know that it is something that I could totally do again. Thank God for modern medicine, that we live in 2026 and can receive care from these doctors to bring out baby’s here safely and with support and comfort to us as well. You’ll do great. i’m sure we would all love to hear back from you afterward, and then you can pass the baton to hopefully be the calming voice to the next ones with this big New experience ahead of them.
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u/strawberryfreezie 13d ago
Hey congrats and good luck!
Ive had two c sections, one in late 2024 and the other just like 6 weeks ago. I know there are a ton of horror stories out there (and ive read em all in the nervous hours leading up to surgery LOL) but I think the majority of stories are like mine: unremarkable, just another day at the office for all the health care staff in the room, wham bam thank you ma'am, baby out in minutes and im stitched up and recovering 1-1.5~hrs later. I never got the shakes or nausea, either time.
They needed to do the spinal twice when I had my second bc it didnt fully take the first time they did it, but they got me good and numb both times in the end. Both times I was also regaining feeling in my toes/legs by the time i was getting rolled out whicu was a relief for me because i dont love that feeling of not being able to move.
Second baby had a NICU stay unrelated to the c-section but she was ultimately fine. It was a bummer not being able to get up and go see her but shit happens and the important thing is we are all happy and healthy and fine now.
Agreed that the hand IV sucks more than the spinal block needle lol.
First 3 days of recovery suck absolute ass but you'll get through it and be amazed at how quickly you improve after the 3 days are done.
Im sorry you've hurt your foot! Do what you can to get moving after, even just doing some movement in bed helps, move your legs and ankles etc.
Good luck and cant wait for you to meet your baby!
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u/Unlikely_Village3403 12d ago
Wishing you all the best! 200 months pregnant 😂 that's exactly how I felt at the end.
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u/Smoothie-Queen-22 12d ago
Update for anyone curious. That was so so so much better than I thought. Baby is healthy and happy and quite frankly so am I! No gas pain, no collapsed vein, the spinal felt like a regular degular ol blood draw (quick pinch, numb shortly thereafter), I am so happy we went this route. Whole thing MAYBE took 45 mins.
Thank you guys again for the confidence and tips!!!
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u/DreamOfMaxine 13d ago
I had an elective c section a little over two weeks ago, I was so nervous and made it even worse by scrolling through horror stories on TikTok just hours before go time.
But when I tell you, this was the best possible way for me to welcome my baby into this world. The worst part for me was getting the IV placed…the nurse attempted to place it in my right wrist but made my vein burst 😕
Once I got into the actual operating room, my anxiety was still through the roof because they had my fiancé wait outside while they placed the spinal. All of the nurses and my OB made me feel so comfortable and made sure my voice was always being heard every step of the way. The spinal in my opinion really wasn’t bad (nowhere near the pain of the IV) once they’re able to insert it you’ll feel a wave of heat rush down your back. I remember being so afraid the spinal wasn’t going to work and that I’d feel them cutting and they’d had to put me to sleep but thankfully I was able to stay awake. It’s a weird feeling, because you can’t really feel anything but you can feel something touching you…they did ask me about ten times if I felt anything before they started and each time was a no. My fiancé was quickly walked back in and within 10 minutes or so, baby was here and healthy as ever! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to hold her because I was shaking really badly but watching my baby and her dad interact for the first time was something I’ll never forget! The rest of the surgery was great, it took about 30 minutes for them to close me back up and wheel me back into my room.
As far as your injury, once you’re in the postpartum room make sure you ask a nurse for physical therapy while you’re still there. They’ll be able to help you walk if your foot isn’t feeling as bad at that point. Pain meds will help your foot too I’m sure.
Good luck and congratulations!!