c-section question

[timework]

Hi..It's been awhile since I last posted.  I've just been cooking away and finally made it to 35 weeks.  I will be having a scheduled c-section next week and had a silly question for the pros out there.  Since I (hopefully) will not be going into labor on my own before surgery, what happens to the amniotic sac?  Will the doc break my water before surgery?  Just wondering where it all goes.  Also, for those experienced with having sections...is there anything I should bring to the hospital to make  this a little easier.
Thanks for any advice

[kerstyn]

I had a scheduled c-section w/ my daughter and I had no labor at all. They did not break my water before i went to surgery. I was awake for the whole thing(i had the spinal). AS for what to bring, well I was pretty young w/ my daughter and that's a pretty funny story because I brought EVERYTHING that the books told me to, and i mean everything, and that is my only child so I will leave that to the pros out there... keep us posted

[rhealene]

Hi. I had a c-section with my first child. I went into labor first, water bag did not break on it's own. Doctor didn't break it either. I was put to sleep when they did the c-section.

As for what to bring, I would suggest stuff for the baby. (when I had my first one, the hospital provided diapers and wipes and all that stuff, but with my last two they didn't provide much. had to use soft paper towels for baby wipes till hubby went and got some.) Also bring whatever you want to feel comfortable. Also, if you want to have your baby get a pacifier (better for tetth then a thumb and you can throw it away when they get older) bring a newborn on with you.

I wanted to tell you a few ideas for after the c-section. It's going to hurt, but you'll get threw it. Get up and MOVE AROUND AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE. If you don't, it will hurt worse.

They will give you these cool little panties that are throw awayable. Ask for some to take home. These are perfect for the pads and they help hold the belly in a little, so it doesn't hurt so bad.

Also, I don't know about being awake during the c-section, but when they put me to sleep, the medicine to do that made my body kind of weird. My nipples went flat and took about 5 days for them to pop out again. Making it hard to feed the baby. You can get a normal bottle nipple (like play tex) and put it over your nipple, so the baby can breast feed, and try to pop that nipple back out sooner. I don't know if you plan on breast feeding, or if this will even be your case. but if it happens, don't feel bad about it. I felt like I wasn't woman enough because I couldn't breast feed my son with out a fake nipple. But the nurses said it happens alot and it is concidered normal.

I hope this helps and good luck to you. You'll do just fine, dear. Keep smiling, Rhealene

[Austinsmom28]

With my c-section they broke my water during the surgery... as for things you should bring.. Here is what I brought and will be bringing again when this baby is born..

A very comfortable nightgown

4 or 5 pairs of underwear.. I went through a ton of them

All my bath stuff- shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth brush & paste, hair brush, deoderant, stuff you normal use everyday.. I say bring all this stuff cause the hospital stuff stinks..lol.. Plus as soon as you are able to get up and walk.. you will WANT to take a shower!!

Extra clothes for going home in-- which you knew this anyway :-)

Snacks for hubby.. just something little

Clothes for hubby and all of his bath stuff too.. (mine stayed with me in the hospital the whole time)

I bought music the last time.. But my room had cable and a vcr so I won't be bringing that this time..

Then just the normal stuff like couple outfits for the baby, carseat, a ready to use diaper bag, CAMERA with lots of film, or video recorder..

I don't know if you are breast feeding or bottle feeding.. But if you are bottle feeding.. bring your own nipples!!! I had the hardest time trying to get my son of the hospital nipples and on to the ones I wanted him to use!!

That's all I can think of..lol.. if I think of more.. I will be back..lol

[chey101]

why are you having a c-section at 36 weeks?
there could still be guite a few problems with the baby when born 4 weeks early.
as for where the water goes, i'm pretty sure the doc suctions it up with a tube agter he breaks it.
watch a baby's story on tlc, they usually show alot of c-sections.
good luck
chey

[timework]

Thanks to you all for your comments and helpful hints.  I'm having a scheduled section at 36 1/2 weeks because I had a c-section last year.... (A classical c-section where my uterus was cut vertically) because my son was premature, breech and I had ruptured my membranes 12 weeks prior to the c-section. My high risk doc doesn't want me to go into labor on my own for fear of possible uterine rupture.  I lost my son only 7 hours after he was born so we didn't want to take any chances at all with this baby.   I will be having an amnio the day before to check on her lung development and my doc thinks this is the best possible scenerio.  Not your standard delivery but as long as I have a healthy baby at the end of the day I don't care what I have to go through.

[Kassimom]

First of all I am so sorry about your son. And congrats on your new little daughter.

I had a c-section.

I agree with the comfy night gown thing, but as for things like chap stick and mints. Only bring those if you normally use that stuff. Once you go in, things move so quickly that the LAST thing on your mind is moisturizing your lips! (Every book I read mentioned bringing those things)

Do not take an extra pillow the hospital has plenty and you do not want your DH making a thousand trips to the car on go home day just to pack it.

I disagree with the pacifier vs. thumb thing just because as an early childhood development grad I can tell you there is really no difference in weaning difficulties OR dental problems with either. The nurses will try your baby on a pacifier but will basically let her make her own decision in the nursery when it comes to self soothing. But that is a matter of preference as well. You may choose to have your daughter not do either and that's fine too. Mine wouldn't suck anything but boob!!

As for coming home clothes, my section was also my first child and I was silly enough to buy a cute little dress to wear home. Here's a hint-you will still look preggers when you leave so take comfy maternity clothes to wear home. Maybe from your first months and something easy to change pads in.

Also, I took a sleeper for my baby in case the nurses would let her wear her own clothes. They didn't at first, but my lil one HATED to be swaddled so I insisted on the sleeper so she wouldn't get cold.I also took several caps so she could wear pink ones instead of those pink and blue ones provided by the hosp. It helped visiting family and friends locate her in the nursery!

[nurse12hr]

I can't believe it has been that long!

The others are right; your doc breaks your water after the uterine incision has been made, and suctions the amniotic fluid away prior to the baby being delivered.

Don't be surprised if the lungs aren't mature yet.  It happens sometimes.  Hopefully, all will go as planned and you will be writing us with the good news!

Can't wait.  I'll think of you next week, and send some good thoughts your way.

[GinGib]

One thing I found extremely helpful after my c-section and these are cheap and easy to install was a pull down shower head!! It made it so much easier to rinse especially that incision area!! Maybe I am the only one but I literally (gross!!) had to pull that loose skin up to rinse that area and they had one in the hospital and I decided I just had to have one when I got home. Anyway that is my 2 cents. Good Luck!! My scheduled c-section is March 24th woo hoo!!!! Ginger

[Kassimom]

I just remembered when Ginger mentioned that shower head (me too!) that I found it more comfortable to sleep inclined for a few weeks after surgery. You might want to try to prop yourself on a few pillows when you sleep and see if you like it. I couldn't sleep anywhere but in a recliner for about 2 weeks. Plus, it was easier to get out of than laying down flat in a bed!!

[kerstyn]

I definately have to agree with the recliner thing_ I had surgery last week for my ectopic but it was the same incision just like my c-section and I feel so much better sleeping in our recliner. As for the shower head thing I definately agree w/ that too. It really helps, I didnt have that after my child was born but after my surgery last week I told dh that i wanted one of them. Good luck to you