Just a few questions about a c-section...?

I'm going in Wednesday morning for a c-section, and had a few unanswered questions about the procedure.





If I get the epidural or spinal will they put me out to stitch me up after I see the baby, or am I awake for all that too??





Do I have to have an enima too??? And, when will they insert my catheter, before my anesthesia or after??/





Also, will they give me nausea meds because I tend to throw up with anesthesia??? How long before your meds wear off, the epidural or spinal that is???





Any other advice would be helpful...thank you all so much.

Just a few questions about a c-section...?
First off... Congratulations on becoming a mommy...


It is a spinal, you'll get something to numb that area on your back. You do feel something, but it's not bad at all... They did put me out after the baby was born, that was my 1st baby, my second baby I started having contractions on the table during surgery so they knocked me out. Sadly, I didn't get to see her till after I woke up. My first and my last, which was my 3rd section, I got to see my babies right away, which was wonderful. My first section was an emergency, so I had the catheter put in way before the actual surgery. I didn't care for that at all. With my 2nd, and 3rd sections they were scheduled and the catheter was put in after my spinal, so you don't feel it. They will put you out to stitch you up after you get to see your baby. No enemas, thank goodness... You will meet with your anesthesiologist before your surgery, so you can go over anything you may have on your mind with him/her then. I don't really remember how long it took for the spinal to wear off. You can ask before your surgery. I hope I helped in answering your questions. Good luck on your new baby. It's so exciting welcoming that lil' person into the world. I wish you the best, I'll be thinking of you on wednesday morning. Keep busy from now till you enter the hospital, I know you'll be worried, I was too... It will be fine... Just keep thinking about that beautiful baby of yours. :-)





Wishing you and yours the very best. And a speedy recovery. Make sure you get plenty of pampering afterwards ! ! !
Reply:DWs scheduled c-sections were done with a spinal (more reliable than epidurals).





Since you are awake during the cutting ceremony, you will be awake for the stitching procedure. How ever, you won't be able to see a thing, there will be a curtain between your head and body.





I don't expect you to need nausea meds because you won't be given general anesthesia.





The spinal leaves you numb from your abdomen to your toes for about 6 hours.





I don't recall an enema being required, but then I don't recall a catheter being used either. But given that you're numb down there, you'd think these things might be in place (because I also don't recall a bed-pan, but then again, it wasn't me in the hospital bed).





While c-section is major abdominal surgury, DW thinks they are a breeze (compared to the labor stories she's heard).
Reply:you have an epidural which numbs you to top of your breasts and they keep you awake the whole time!! give you catheter whilst your still numb and i think they give you a pessary up the bum, but you dont know bout any of it. when there taking baby out it feels really weird, like washing up in your tummy, its a weird feeling. 10 mins from cutting me open and 35 for stitching me up. when they take the catheter out its jus a little pop n you dont really feel it come out either. good luck, it will be fine.
Reply:Do you have to have a c-section????
Reply:You'll more than likely get a spinal. You'll be COMPLETELY numb and won't feel anything. They will stitch you up while you're still awake and you won't even know what they're doing!!





No enimas, they will put a cathedar in while you're on the operating table.





Before you go in to the OR they will give you this drink, it's a small shot glass full of something and it tastes AWFUL, but it helps with the nausea feeling while you're back there. Also if you're feeling sick they will give you meds through your IV to help. They did me! It took about 4-5 hours before my spinal wore off, but everyone is different.





Try not to worry about the c-section. You're unaware of everything that is going on. They put a sheet up so you can't see anything, but your partner will be right beside you through the whole thing. The only thing I felt was tugging and pulling. I know it sounds scary, but it's really not! I think the worst part was just after the pain meds wore off. And you'll have bad gas pains afterwards too.





Good Luck to you and congrats.. you'll be a mommy soon!!