Hello everyone,

I’ve found out that I’m going to be having a c-section at Jessops. Please could anyone tell me what to expect and how they found Jessops (I’ll be on Whirlow). Are c-section mums on a separate ward?

Also if anyone could give me any advice on what I should be taking with me, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Hi

I had an emergency c-section at Jessops with my first son in 2005 - later went on to have my second son (in 2006) the 'normal' route!
Personally, I thought the surgeon who carried out the procedure was marvellous. I was in no pain both during and after the op, but as I'm sure others will agree who have had a c-section, it does leave you feeling uncomfortable for a few weeks. My scar is hardly visible and I dont have any discomfort. Your midwife will keep a check on your stitches, which may be the dissolving type. After the c-section the hospital will give you some rather fetching tights to wear, to help the circulation. Only thing to do is keep the scar clean and dry and you'll be absolutely fine

Oh, I forgot to mention, c-section mums usally take priority over the private rooms, so if you're lucky you'll have your own bathroom with shower.

I am sure you will get lots of feedback on this, but for whats its worth here is mine! I had my daughter by CS at Jessops 10months ago and have no complaints. It was not planned (well it was going to be as she was breach, but then she turned so I went for a vaginal birth but then she got stuck so ended up with emergency CS anyway :rolleyes:) so someone else will tell you more about the pre-op side. Anyhow, all in all, they were excellent. Being in theatre was a bit weird for me as I was not expecting it but my hubby was there in his green outfit & white wellies :hihi: which is a source of amusement even in an emergency and they peg a screen up so he cant see what is happening. You cant see much but the ceiling or anyone who leans over you so its not gorey, just a bit odd that you can hear voices but dont know who they belong to so when they introduce themselves before they lie you down take a look at them (I didnt then wondered who was in the room!)

The anaesthetist sat with me and was fabulous. She told me what was going on, kept asking me how I was feeling all the time, and reporting back to me what was going on. I think it took about 20mins to get her out and maybe the same to stitch me back up but my LO was stuck on her way out so it will prob be quicker for a planned CS! I didnt feel any pain at all. I got the shakes a little bit (which apparently some people do and isnt a big deal-telling you this as it scared me a bit as I thought it meant something bad) and you sometimes get this funny sensation like you can feel what is going on, which is just a bit odd, but it doesnt hurt. When baby came out the took her off to be checked, and called my husband through, then he brought her back to me wrapped in a towel for me to see. I still had skin to skin & tried to BF straight away as soon as we came out (I asked for this). I went to the High Dependency Unit for the first night, which some people do, and they gave me a nice wash, and some breakfast and helped us dress my baby. Then I went to the ward the next day (its the same ward for all). I should have been whirlow but because it was full i went to Norfolk which was fine. There were nursery nurses around (though apparently not always in which cases the midwifes help) to help me pick up my baby when I wanted to feed her etc. After another night I got a private room, which I think you are entitled to if you have a CS. I stayed in 4 nights as I had some problems getting feeding established- I think its normally 3? Actually it was great having loads of experienced help on hand, which meant I got loads more input on babycare & feeding than if I had a natural birth. The benefits of your own room if you can get one is that Dad (or I imagine another dedicated person) can stay with you (as well as avoiding others snoring and their babies crying tho this didnt bother me). I would advise this if possible as its good to have someone to lift the baby to you when you want to feed etc as you wont be very mobile for the first 48hours. I think I wasnt allowed to get up for 24 hours and couldnt move very quickly or comfortably for a few days. At home it was still hard getting in and out of bed for a few days so its good to have some help at home if possible but it improved quite quickly and some people I know found it really easy. By four weeks I was pretty much fine and could do anything, just a bit sore. I thought a CS was a bad deal but now you can hardly see my scar and my vagina is nicely intact (!) whereas lots of my friends have had bad vaginal tearing which actually took a longer time to heal. Dont get me wrong I am not selling CS's and would not have one just for fun but I think it helps to see there are upsides when you have to have one! It hasnt affected my bonding with the baby at all :love: even though I did feel a little rough for a while but then I think having a baby does that anyway!

What to take with you, well I didnt take enough nighties or pants. I took 3 nighties but could have done with a couple more so hubby didnt have to keep taking them to wash them though I went through a couple in early labour. I got stretchy lycra cheapo ones from primark. Also rather than scratchy paper knickers I got some cotton (black) high waisted pants from Sainsbury's in big sizes. They are cheap enough to throw away but actually I just washed and kept mine as they are quite comfy :hihi:. I took a pack of 5 but could have used a couple more. You want loose things that will rest above your scar (so bring on the simon cowell trousers!). Maybe a little washbag or carrier bag for dirty stuff. I wished I had had some loose PJ's with v gentle elastic for walking round the ward or for when you have visitors as my legs started to look a bit hairy (!!)and some loose joggers or something for going home. As after any baby your tummy will still be quite big. Some snacks for when you are feeling better are good-biscuits etc You will need quite a few changes of clothes for baby too and we had a couple of our own blankets. My hubby brought in a breast feeding cushion too (we seriously moved in gradually over a few days!). A change of clothes and wash stuff for him if he is hanging around is good too. Really all the normal stuff you pack in your hospital bag (there is a thread on this somewhere) but just a bit more as you will be in a bit longer.

OMG i have written an essay! Just wanted to share anything that might be helpful. Good luck & feel free to ask any more though sure you will get lots more advice from different people :)

I'd say something, but I think Sam covered it, lol.

My experience was similar ish to Sams but the night of the CS and after OH was sent home, around 2am, I was left alone with twins and unable to lift them on a ward with 3 other woman and their newborns. I could have cheerfully shot someone. Don't stand for it!
On the ther hand the surgical team were great. I asked specifically for them not to say things like 'first incision' or 'we are going in' or anything else and it was all fine.
I'd recommend using tea tree shower gel, it helps fight infection and works against most bacteria so you can owrry less about hospital hygiene. Everything becomes a worry!

Why do you HAVE to have it, if you don't mind me asking?

i can give some advise on the pre-op part as I was having a planned C-Section - I can also give some advice on the emergency c-section as I ended up with one of those!

My baby was breech and couldn't be turned so I was booked in for a cs, I must admit i was totally gutted and cried for ages about it. Looking back it really wasn't bad at all.

At the pre-op they take some blood from you to match it with the blood bank just in case, they measure you for your surgical stockings (passion killers they call them - you need to wear them for 6 weeks to help prevent dvt) your blood pressure is taken and you get to meet the anesthetist who goes through the procedure the risks the type of anesthetic that will be used and they will confirm your arrival time on the day of the cs. They also tell you what number in the list you are so you know. They will arrange for you to have the community midwife come to your house or for you to visit them to be given a shot of clexane (I was to adminster my own as I am diabetic and used to needles) this is a blood thiner to prevent clots also.

As it happened at this appointment they said my blood pressure was high and the comm midwife was to call in and see me the next day to check it. This was the thurs and I was booked for my cs for the monday. Anyway the comm mw came to see me on the friday morning and said my bp was fine but the babies heart rate was v. high at 190bpm and I had to go to the jessop. I got there about 20 mins after she said I should go and the baby's heart rate had dropped to 70bpm so I was transfered straight to labour ward. I wasn't in pain or anything but they checked me and said I was 1 cm dilated so I had to have a cs that day instead of on the monday (only cause the baby was breech and they couldn't risk sending me home and me going into full blown labour) They said there's no rush and it'll be early evening when I go down to theatre which was fine. However, I started to contract every 1-2mins and had to be taken "straight away"

I was given my surgical stockings and my bikini line was shaved (at pre-op the ask you to do it yourself which I was planning on doing on sun night lol) when we got down to the theatre everyone was introduced and were lovely. The anesthetist was lovely and had a really strong barnsley accent she talked me through everything she was doing and when the spinal went in and I was crying my eyes out saying "I can't feel my legs, why can't i feel my legs" she didn't laugh lol. I started to be really sick and she was fab helping me with that and then I shivered uncontrolably which is a side effect of the spinal so don't worry if that happens.

I felt some tugging on my tummy but no pain and about 10 mins after the screen went up I heard the most glorious sound of my daughter crying. she was quickly shown to me and taken to be examined (they always do this) after she was checked over she was handed to her daddy whilst I was stictched up. This took about 20 mins and we were then transfs to hdu for a couple of hours.

We went to norfolk ward and if you've had a c-s you have to spend the first night on a ward they say for safety reasons and the next night your given your own room. I didn't bleed at all not one little bit so all of the knickers and packs of towels just took up space in my bag. The midwife said it's rare for you not to bleed at all but can happen. The reason I'm telling you this as I got freaked out thinking I had some sort of blockage that was making me not bleed.

All you have to do is buzz when your in your room or on the ward and someone will help lift the baby and assist with feeding helping you get the baby latched on and positioning. They are also brilliant with fetching a bottle if you choose to bottle feed and will help you bath/shower if you want. Just ask!

I was a bit sore for a few days but felt really good. Nobody could believe how well I was and even when I came home the midwife was amazed with how active I was from day one. However as I thought I was wonder woman and went to meadowhall the day after I got home I got an infection in my wound which wasn't nice.

The biggest tip i can give is when it comes to drying your wound when your home get your oh or someone else to use the hair dryer on a cool/cold setting it stops the irritation of the towel and your more likely to really look at it to keep it clean and are more aware of any changes and infection.

A very positive experience for me thanks to the staff but I want a normal delv next time just cause it's easier!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

I didn't intend to write as much. Sorry

I,ve had 2 emergency sections,one at Northern Gen in 2000 and one at Jessops 2004.Both times staff great,especially cleaners/domestics!much more timeto chat than nurses.It helps you feel normal again just to have a luagh with them.
I,ve got 5 kiddies now,so the sections didnt put me off!

I'd say something, but I think Sam covered it, lol.
:hihi: :hihi: ;)
thanks anniec for joining me in the verbose camp

lol i know I just started then couldn't stop!

Haven't read what others have put.. but I had an emergency CS. Dr Macdonald did mine. I was put on Whirlow after & everyone on there - Great. Especially Faith (Shes a student MW but amazing..) I had kathleen green in labour then the CS etc... Everyone was perfect. If you feel you need a hand with anything.. Buzz your midwife! I did.... (:

So you guys all got good service when buzzing? I'm obviously not going about it the right way.
On the way in, with waters broken I was told it was an inconvenient time since they were busy and I would now have to have an emergency c-section (erm.. waters broken, two breech babies and you're inconvenienced? get a grip! ).
Then they put the buzzer out of reach and gave me grief when I did buzz.
Not impressed but I am glad everyone else got more help, it shows that maybe they are human, they were just unable to be human that night.

lol i know I just started then couldn't stop!

I think its part of processing the labour experience :hihi:

Hi, i had my lo there 11 months ago. by planned c/s as she was breech. I didnt enjoy my time at all in jessops. the op went fine. but then when I got on the ward. if i buzzed them during the night for them to pass me my lo, if she was crying, all I could hear her, walking back was bitching. go she had a c section 2 days ago and she cant get out of bed etc. something like that.
and then one of them made a caf report on things/me. it didnt go through. when i got home my hv. was like whats this. totally shocked that that had happened.!!

It got to the point 1 night, I was too upset by feeling of not being welcome. I was too scared to buzzthe nurses for help to put my baby back. I didnt get to sleep til about 5am. and I just slept with her on my knee. i know that was v. wrong. I cried and cried and cried.!!!

im sort of on zebras side. i had lovely midwives and the sergical team were excellent (started normal then it just spiraled into about 10 problems and ended in emergency cs)then on the ward they could be quite discouraging at time's. the first night is a bluer but the next two nights if i buzzed for help with breastfeeding, appart from a couple of the nurses they would take my lo away and top him up with a bottle. this ended with the day midwife basically talking me out of breastfeeding as i wouldnt be able to cope with satisfying such a hungry baby. this left me feeling really useless and completly defeated as my family had aready vioced thier unfavourable views of breastfeeding and i had been stuburn about doing it lol. next time i will be much more forcefull with what i want from the staff