C-Section at Chch Womens

I had a cs at Chch Womens for a breech baby. I was planning on, and hoping for a natural drug-free birth, but I found the c-section to be a really positive experience still.

On the day you are booked in, arrive early as they work on a first in, first served basis. I think we got there around 7ish. You will need your pubes shaved, just the first inch or two, and I would recommend doing it at home before you go in.
Once you are there, you just wait in a room til it is your turn. Emergency c-sections go first. In the room people come and check on you, check the baby etc. It is pretty boring, and slightly nerve-wracking. When it is your turn, DH will be taken away to put his scrubs on, and you will be taken down to the operating theatre. DH can't be in the room while you get the spinal put in. I found the anesthetist to be a really really lovely caring women, and after the local was put in, I felt no pain from the needle, just a bit of pressure. All the staff in the operating room were friendly and explained everything they were doing. DH came in after the spinal was done, and about 5 mins later I was numb and the surgery began. DS was born a few mins later, and was taken over to a bench beside me to be weighed and wrapped. DH cut the cord. A nurse took photos of everything for us. the anesthetist was so nice and took off my glasses and dried my tears (your arms are kind of tied down). A few minutes later my son was laid beside me in the bed, and the stitching up took about 10 or 15 minutes.
Then we went to the recovery room where I was able to breastfeed and have skin to skin time, we were there for maybe half an hour before moving to a room.
DS was born at 11.02am, and by about 3.30ish I was off the morphine drip. I didn't ever really feel pain, just slightly uncomfortable. After DH went home I was a bit nervous, and I would have rung the bell about 15 times that night, to get help with moving me or DS around. The staff always were pleasant, and patient and caring.
The next day I was up and about showering myself, and feeling quite well. I did have to take it easy for a few weeks, but I found the recovery to be easy.

I wouldn't worry about having a c-section, even if it isn't how you imagined your birth to be, it is the safest option in some circumstances, and I think if you go into it with a positive attitude, you are more likely to have a positive experience. I was scared before hand, but it all went really well.
And I am planning a home VBAC this time, so fingers crossed things work out as planned!!!

I had elective c/s for breach at cwh as well and it was pretty much as hila1 said, except I was in recovery for a while longer, maybe 2 hours, as I had very low bp and I think they gave me some extra drugs to help bring it back up (low bp is caused by the spinal, mine is already really low to start with so doesn't happen to most women).
DH was with me the whole time except the spinal so he walked next to the bed when they wheeled me from surgery to recovery then was in recovery the whole time, he got to dress baby after he had been fed and had lots of skin to skin with me, and then when we transferred to maternity ward he just walked up next to the bed. Baby was with me pretty much the whole time, they just weighed him etc, then he was on me having cuddles whilst they stitched me up, fed him 20 mins after he was born.

The rooms in the maternity ward are all single with your own toilet and shower, baby bath, change table and you have a tv as well. The staff are really lovely and don't hestitate to the ring as often as you need.

They may transfer you out after 24 hours but I know a few women that have done 4 whole days at womens so they don't always.

Oh I turned up at 7am and was told I was second on the list and baby was born at 10.40am, just to give you an idea, not sure if they had emergencies to do or not. You are in a single room on the same floor as the birthing suites/theatres whilst you wait and it's pretty boring so you might want a book just in case.

I've just had a c section at Chch womens so will give you a run down.  Sorry if I pretty much repeat what Hila and others have told you.

 

I arrive at 7.30 am go to the birthing suite on level 3 and you are directed to the assessment unit at the end of that.  In there you get your own waiting room where they will change you straight away into a gown and they changed my Mum who was my support person into scrubs.  DH was there but he wasn't coming to theatre with me (he has needle phobia's and didn't think he would be very good at supporting me in theatre)

They had 2 hospital MW's that were pretty much in charge of the elective c sections from what I could see and they both came to talk to me and explain everything and get consents etc.  Both of them were really nice.  I also met the anaethetist there who also went through some questions etc.

You wait in your room til its time.  There is a lounge area where your DH or support person can make a cuppa and there is a tv in there and a great view over hadley park.  This is where my DH waited while I went to theatre

Once they come and get you things happen so quick.  You walk through the birthing suite as the the theatres are down the opposite end to where you are.   Mum had to sit outside the theatre while they did the spinal on me.  My own MW was there with me so she came in and held my hand while they did the spinal.

I was pleasantly surprised getting this done.  The local they inject first was a bit stingy but after that I only felt pressure no pain when they put the spinal in.  When the spinal starts taking effect its a weird sensation.....different for each person I guess but its funny that although you feel your legs there's no sensation if you know what I mean.

Once the spinal took effect they put me up on the table and waited a wee bit before testing the effect of it.  Mum came in then and sat up by my head.  They tested the spinal had worked and once they were happy they cleaned and draped me up. 

I was amazed after that how quick it was til baby came out.  My MW said "She's just about here"  and I said " Have they started already!!"  thats how quick it was.  You don't feel any pain but do feel pushing and tugging but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Next thing ya know...................My baby is delivered.

They held her up to see but it was really quick as they have to cut the cord quick and she needed some suction.  Mum went over to watch them clean her up and weigh her etc etc.  I was able to look out the side of the drape and watch as best I could.

They then wrapped her up and mum bought her over to me.  I had skin on skin straight away while they stitched me up.  Was awesome.  Mum sat there and made sure she was secure on my chest............wasn't hard as Zoe was tiny and I have a big chest   

Took a little longer for them to stitch me up as a muscle of mine cause a few probs but as soon as all was stitched they gave bubs back to mum while I got transferred onto my bed.  They got me comfy as poss and put baby back to me.  I then went to recovery where my DH was bought in straight away so he could meet his little girl. 

 

I was in recovery for about 1/2 hr maybe 45 mins where I tried my first feed then they transferred me up to the ward which is on level 5.

You have your own room with an ensuite and a tv and change table and baby bath.  Very clean nice rooms and I'm guessing sound proof as while in my room I couldn't hear other babies crying.  Had a great view too.

 

All the staff were great right from the beginning.  They are great at explaining things and great at answering your questions.  I was really nervous and they really understand this and know how to put you at ease.

The hospital MW's were awesome.  2 of them were fantastic but all were great.  They were good at either leaving me to it if I wanted or if I needed them they came when I called.

The first 24 hrs after your section you stay in bed so they come and change baby for you, help lift baby to you etc etc. 

As far as pain relief afterwards..........they are big on it and kept checking I was OK.  They will give you pain relief for "your" pain ...........more painful, the stronger the drugs.  The spinal has morphine in it that is long lasting and before they stitch you up they do 2 nerve blocks at each end of the cut so this is a long lasting pain relief too. 

Oh and you also have a bladder catheter in place which they put in after your spinal before they operate and take out the next day.  It didn't hurt coming out for me.  Was great not having to go to the loo for 24 hrs!!!

The next day I found I was very slow on my feet and limited in what I could do but you will work it out for yourself what you can and can't do.  I liked going for a short walk every so often and I think it helped.  The ward is a big loop so you can go for a walk around it and sus out whats there.  There is a patient kitchen and a lounge...............I didn't find these til about day 3.

 

I think going in there armed with info really helps so I hope my HUGE post has helped you and goodluck for the birth of your baby

 

You wont take your bags with you into the assessment unit.  They advise you leave those in the car but they'll ask you to take hat and booties for baby and your camera of course.  They put your clothes etc in a property bag.  I had DH looking after that but I would say they will put those things somewhere secure while you are in theatre.

 

I would say the best thing would be for DH to text (on the sly) your mum when you are about to be transferred to the ward and she can meet you up there.  DH can go get your bags later.............honestly you wont need them for a wee bit

They dont give you morphine afterwards anymore unless you really need it. They gave me a nice cocktail of other things instead which was awesome. You wont feel any pain until 6-8 hours afterwards. The spinal should have worn off completely after 6 hours but they'll suggest you stay in bed. I was out of bed after 6 hours :P Only went as far as the chair they have in there however. I HATE laying in one place for too long!
Oh, if you get cold or need more pillows etc - make sure you ask for them. They have no problem getting you more.

You can take one small bag with you when you go in for your section - they'll put it into recovery for you. Dont expect that you'll be out of recovery really fast like Buttersmum (you sod). Theres a LOT of variables which go on - I had lots of clotting and bleeding and was in there for 3 hours. The time before I was only in there for an hour. I'd be getting the rest of your team to head on over once you're in the ward - they could have a long boring wait otherwise. My poor mum bought my wee boy along to see us, and I only got to see him for 5 mins after they waited for the whole 3 hours :( he was way too tired and upset to stay longer! The average is usually 1hr - 2hrs in recovery.

Buttersmum - funny that Brad wouldnt go in cuz of his needle phobia - there isnt any needles while you're getting anything done! Its all done before your support person is allowed in anyway hehehe. Matt did really well in theatre with me - I even saw him shed a sneeky tear when he saw Lily for the first time!

I transferred out to Rangiora the day after - they'll keep you at womens until at least lunchtime. Rangiora was great as well - I wasnt allowed to leave womens because of something odd (cant remember quite what it was - something to do with something in my urine?) but I fought to leave because I wanted to go home - i'm a terrible patient LOL. And the following morning after going out there I went home. I suggest tho unless you're really good with pain and stress that you stay wherever you're transferring to for a couple of days at least. I personally found that recovering at home in my own bed was the best for me - not everyone is like that tho!

Oh, and I also discovered that having visitors in the hospital was better than having them at home - the nurses will kick them all out when you've had enough! Much easier than being rude at home and booting them out :P

Lastly - FEET UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!!!!! Dont do too much - it will make healing time longer. I speak from experience. Believe me - when you're a week out and feeling great and you want to go out into the wide world and get your groceries/go for coffee/go shopping - for gods sake get someone to bash you over the head to stop you.

Hi,
I have had 2 c-sections at ChCh womans, though both where emergency, both times i had good experiences, the staff were really helpful and supportive, you just have to ask if you need anything, and if you are in pain just ask, with my 2nd i had a tear so had to have a drip, which caused a bit of pain, but they where great with toping up with other pain medicine, plus it helped that i had a great midwife who is very supportive and she even recorded the whole thing on our video camera!!
Good luck