The C-Section Experience

I had opted for a c section very early on as I knew that’s what I wanted, especially when I found out I was having twins. We were booked in for 37 weeks and 5 days….I was determined not to go into labour sooner as I had a plan and wanted to stick to it! Haha I was horizontal for about 90% of the time in the week leading up to the section so I was ‘relaxed’ Haha

For a planned section you aren’t allowed to eat after midnight the day before and can only drink water up to so many hours before the procedure. I remember the nurse telling me I’ll probably want to eat tea around 10pm so I don’t get too hungry….I remember thinking that if midnight is my cut-off then I’ll be eating at 11.59pm…..and I was completely right! A very large bowl of Rice Krispies just before midnight to keep me going.

I was up at 4.30am and we set off around 5.20am for the hospital. We had to be there for 6am and literally live 15 minutes away but once you add in all my faffing we made it to the ward right on time.

We were given our own room which I was so grateful for but I suppose having multiples can have some perks at this stage! Two screaming babies out of the way for them at least! We were also first in the queue for the section. Again, this was purely because we were having twins and the slightly higher risk. I was given my gown to get changed into, my husband was given his scrubs and were ready to go for around 8.15am. I was actually so calm waiting it was very unlike me!

We had their first outfits ready to go with us then I was wheeled down to theatre. Despite the pandemic the hospitals were allowing partners in for sections so my husband followed us down and waited outside until I was fully prepped.

For anyone who knows me, I’m the biggest worrier and least chilled person EVER….so it was a shock to everyone, including me, just how calm I was throughout the whole morning.

Someone at work had told me everything to expect with a section. It made me feel so much better….if you’re expecting and considering a section then here’s the info….or just anyone who is interested …

I was taken down to theatre and in the room there’s this huge team of people- for twins obviously there two sets of the delivery team so one for each baby. The anaesthetist runs the show essentially and will keep an eye on you throughout.

I had to hunch over a pillow while they injected the spinal block. This wasn’t comfortable but I don’t recall it being extremely painful either. At first they hit a nerve and I felt it right down my left leg. They adjusted the needle and all was fine. You then lay down and the spinal block starts to take effect. One huge worry for me was feeling any of it but they triple check that you’re numb up to your waist before anything starts.

One really awkward part was when I could see the reflection of my fully starkers lower half in the reflection of the silver light above me. I could see the catheter laid on my legs about to go in as well…..it was then I was reminded that everyone in the room was getting an up close view of my private parts….but hey ho there goes the dignity! I let someone know and they lifted the Screen up for me so I didn’t have to see my own c-section IMAGINE!?!

After that my husband came in and it started….a lot of people had said it feels like someone washing up in your belly but for me it was just like the babies were having a kicking session in there.

My husband and I didn’t really know what to chat about and ended up talking about our football fantasy teams…I do wonder what people thought of that haha! Abut it’s so surreal you almost can’t process what’s happening.

Out of nowhere we heard a ‘waahhhh wahhhh wahhhh’ – our little girl had arrived. We didn’t know the genders so they announced it was a girl, then we had a Lion King moment where she was passed over the screen so we could see! Then a minute later they told us we had a baby boy too….I immediately cried…and then the weirdest thing happened…which I then couldn’t stop going on about even though I had just had babies. As I cried I got a few tears then my mouth went completely dry…but to the point where I was peeling my tongue and lips off my teeth! It was so so strange and I couldn’t even speak properly when they asked about feeding them. The anaesthetist had to give me a few drops of sterile water but couldn’t give me more so I was just obsessed with pulling my lips off my teeth…..I don’t know if this is normal because I hadn’t had any water for so long….maybe the tears emptied me of my last bit of liquid but honestly was this just me?!?!

My husband and one of the nurses then fed the babies and the midwife had put them in their clothes. We were then wheeled out to another room as it was over so soon. I remember seeing a lot of cotton wool covered in blood as we left…so strange!once they had checked us all over, were happy we were all doing well and I had finally had some water we went back up to the ward for the rest of the day. My husband had to leave at 8pm which was tough but we understood the reasons!

I honestly look back and don’t know how I did it overnight with two kids, absolutely shattered, catheter in and recovering from a c section. Ofcourse I had help with the feed and burping on a night but the second night I did it all and even managed to lift them both onto my chest and bottle fed them at the same time. I swear those painkillers must have been amazing….and the adrenaline must have kicked in. I also had the most amazing nurses looking after me and that really made the whole experience so much better!

It was still sinking in that the babies were mine…it’s crazy to think how small they were as well…5lbs and 5lbs 3oz. We were allowed to go home on the third day, but reality is I still had a catheter in which I had to go back and get removed the next morning to check I could pee (lovely I know!)….my bladder didn’t kick back in after the operation so I had to have it back in so I could go to the toilet. We also had to go back in a few days later with our little boy as he had a very low temperature and that was awful….but we got through it and both were soon home, safe and sound….but keeping us up all night!