"Maternity - c section"

The consultant i was under was a lovely gentleman very thorough made me feel at ease and understood my history. Booked my planned c section. And put my mind at ease over all my concerns

Another consultant performed the c section assisted by a nurse, two gentleman very friendly and kind I felt at ease and in good hands.

Unfortunately during theatre I had some complications with the spinal block.

I had a previous c section in 2011 but with an epidural which went well I didn’t feel anything apart from the odd pull. This time round I had a spinal block. Unfortunately the first spinal block didn’t seem to take at all I could still move and feel everything so I had to have a second spinal block. It worked better than the 1st but still not fully. So I felt quite a lot of discomfort throughout the section. I know that it’s normal to feel some tugging and pulling but not pain Unfortunately I had a fair bit of pain which was quite traumatic. I was very tearful after with the shakes.

The head midwife who looks after all c sections is wonderful, you meet her a week before and she runs through what to expect on the day and then she stays with you throughout the section. She held my hand when I needed it & afterwards brought me tea and toast and within a few hours she had me washed cleaned up and transferred to the ward. By the time I got to the ward I felt pretty good.

My baby was born at 9.42 by 6pm that evening the midwifes on the ward removed my catheter & I was encouraged to get up and walking. This is very different to my previous section where they encourage complete bed rest for 24 hours. My husband was allowed to stay with me on the ward which was great because although I was up & moving I was incredibly sore. They don’t offer your partner a blanket or a pillow so if you are reading this and having a c section at dvh take these items along for your partner. Hospital staff don’t acknowledge your partner at all they don’t offer them cup of tea or anything. So it’s very hard for them.

The very next morning they discharged me. I felt ok. But in hindsight it was too soon. The walk from the ward to the car was excruciating not offered a wheelchair or any assistance. Once home I thought I was ok but by day 3 I developed the worse migraines. A side affect from the spinal block the migraine was so severe I ended up back in dvh. I do think discharging a c section patient after just 24 hours is too soon. I think you need to stay 2 nights minimum.