I can only share with you the experience of C-section delivery as all of my babies were delivered via C-Section.
Before checking into the hospital, you should prepare a backpack comprises of the following basic stuff:-
For yourself
Before C-Section
Cesarean section is delivery a baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen. This can be scheduled in advance or done in response to an unforeseen complication. A C-section is major abdominal surgery, so it is riskier than vaginal delivery.
Conditions that may require a planned C-Section: -
- you may have a previous delivery via C-section
- you have some other kind of invasive uterine surgery
- you are carrying more than one baby
- You are expecting a large baby (especially if you are diabetic)
- Your baby is in breech position
- You have placenta previa (placenta is very low in the uterus)
- The baby has illness
- You are HIV positive
Conditions that may require an unplanned C-section :
- Your cervix stop dilating or your baby stop moving down the canal
- Your baby's heart rate is of concern
- The umbilical cord slips through your cervix
- Your baby is not getting enough oxygen
- You have a genital herpes outbreak
My first born was in breach position and I were having twins for my 2nd pregnancy. Those were the reasons for my C-section.
Before checking into the hospital, you should prepare a backpack comprises of the following basic stuff:-
For yourself
- Sanitary Pad (hospital will provide some, included in the bill anyway)
- Disposal panties ( I find this useful, in case of 'accident' as you are having problem moving around)
- A pair of going home clothes
- Your glasses (in case you are wearing contact lenses, You need to remove them during the C-Section)
- General cleaning stuffs (e.g toothbrush, toothpaste, facial cleanser and etc.)
- Wrap cloth / blanket (for bringing home the baby)
- Bring home baby clothes (including socks/booties and mitten, hat, diapers)
- Small tin of formula and feeding bottles(just in case you can't produce milk or some pediatrician will provide you some sample)
- handkerchief
Before C-Section
- Signed a consent form
- Check into the hospital earlier (upto a day). You will need to pay deposit. You will be taken to the room of your choice (depend on your budget)
- The top section of your pubic hair is shaved.
- Change into the clothes provided by the hospital (this include your husband, if he is going in with you to the operation theater)
- You will be moved to an operating room.
- Anesthesiologist will give you and epidural (usually) or general anesthesia
- Your husband can now enter the room and sit or stand beside you while the doctor performs the operation.
I know you will be so anxious and worry. Trust me, time could pass so fast. You will be hearing your baby's cry soon enough and there you go, tears are already in your eyes.
You will have a chance to see the baby briefly before he is handed off to a nurse. While the staff is examining your newborn, the doctor will deliver your placenta and begin closing you up.
After the baby has been examined, the nurse may hand him to your husband, who can hold him right next to you so you can admire and kiss him while you are being stitched up. This procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.
After the surgery is complete, you will be wheeled into a recovery area/room and you be closely monitored for 1-2 hours before moving you back into your room. Unless you are so drug-up by the anesthesia, you will be so impatient and looking forward to go back to your room to see your baby and husband.
My husband was worried that the nurse will get mix up of his baby with others. So he will usually follow the nurse to see through himself his babies being bathed, dried and checked by the pediatrician and hold the babies himself till I got back to the room.
My husband was worried that the nurse will get mix up of his baby with others. So he will usually follow the nurse to see through himself his babies being bathed, dried and checked by the pediatrician and hold the babies himself till I got back to the room.
You are expected to stay in the hospital for 3 days before going home. By the time you are back to the room, you may feel drowsy and on off, the nurse will bring your baby for you to try to breastfeed.
The nurses are usually helpful and will try to teach you to breastfeed. You will feel a tightening effect on your stomach but trust me, try to get up and walk on the 2nd day. It will be hard. It is hard the 1st time, the 2nd time even the 3rd time. It will definitely get easier. After all, you need to be strong for your baby. If you really can't do that, please do consult your doctor.
So, after all, it is not that hard. Taken so long to carry a baby but so short time to get him out.
Now, you can enjoy admiring, holding and kissing your baby all the time!!!
