Before I had my c-section, I would imagine the worse, the scariest sensations, and the most excruciating pain. However, because so many friends had done this before me, I imagined that despite all the suffering, everything will be ok in the end. And indeed it was good, but it wasn't even as scary as I thought it was. Here is my account.
On the morning of my c-section, I arrived at the hospital hungry and parched. There was a strict 12 hour fast required and all I could do to quench myself was swallow saliva. I felt a bit like Aron Ralston when he was trapped for 127 hours in the desert, and I pleaded with every nurse to let me have sips of water. But besides the little I was allowed for some tablets, I had to wait.
After a procedure of paperwork, urine tests, and having a nurse shave my nether regions, I proceeded to change into a hospital gown, and all those disposable things they can give you for your hair, body, feet... A bunch of nice nurses made me fill in more paperwork, and then a very wonderful nurse called Narindar Kaur took me to the operating theatre. It wasn't my first time in an OT, but this one was bigger and had more equipment. I was strapped to blood pressure and heartbeat monitors, and the anaethesiologist Dr Sandeep injected a series of numbing chemicals into the sides of my spine. Narindar was fantastic, covering me with a blanket and warm air-blower, talking to me and giving me advice, and making me feel at home (if that made any sense to have an OT as 'home"!) I was asked to curl my back into a "C" shape, but how I could do that with a huge belly, I dunno! I tried my best with a pillow I was hugging. I think there were 3 injections to the back, one of which hit a nerve and was actually a tad bit painful. I was sprayed with icy water on the back as well, which I suppose was to further numb my back to the injections.
There was a long wait after that for my gynae to arrive. Narindar amicably indulged me in chatter, telling me about her children and breastfeeding. I was visibly nervous, and my blood pressure was in the 180 range. It was apparently normal to have it this high with nervousness although I was alarmed. Around me were other nurses and doctors texting on their iPhones and waiting for the operation to start. It was all very casual. When the gynae arrived, everyone snapped into action. Dr Sandeep administered the epidural, which was completely painless due to the numbing injections earlier. I was pleased, I had expected a huge-ass needle to hurt, but it didn't! The epidural was quick to work, and I was moved into a lying position. Dr Sandeep kept touching me with an ice-pack to check if I was suitably numb...I'd say I was numb to my collarbone. A cloth screen was erected in front of me and my legs were strapped to the blood pressure monitors. Kimmy was then ushered in to sit with me at the head of the table, and in 5 minutes, the incision on my bikini line was made. It was all a bit strange to feel pushing and tugging sensations but without any pain. I felt anxious and the blood pressure monitor was skyrocketing, with a loud disturbing beep. Thank goodness Dr Sandeep was reassuring, with a soft calming voice in my ear.
What's next was one of the doctors/nurses pressing hard on my belly, kinda like doing a massage, and then a squawk was heard - Amelie was out! Before I knew it, more belly jiggling and Astelle came out crying as well. They and Kimmy were whisked away in seconds, and I was alone again. More pushing and tugging. I was groggy and it felt so comfortable, like a body massage. I presume the doctors were removing the placenta and other unwanted stuff, and then stitching me up. This part took quite a long while, and I was happy to close my eyes and nap. I felt very tired suddenly. When it was over, they moved me to a recovery room where I was monitored for an hour before bringing me up to the ward. My temperature and blood pressure was taken at (what felt like) 5 minute intervals. I was also attached to a catheter so I need not get up to go to the toilet.
After some time, I was brought up to the ward, which was really cosy and nice (A-class wards at KKH - worth your money!). I then found out that Astelle had been checked into Special Care Nursery for low blood sugar, and Amelie was fine but they brought her for scans on her heart. My parents and in laws were there, and Kimmy, who was a fabulous help in doing everything I could not.
I had a great 4 day stay at KKH, except for the extreme itch I had as an after-effect of the epidural. The nurses were friendly, polite and nice, the lactation consultant Sharon was a tremendous help, and the food was good too! The most painful part was getting up on the second day though. I cannot describe how painful my belly felt when I had to sit up from bed. I forced myself with sheer willpower, and was rewarded because sitting up and even walking felt so much better than lying on the bed and being unable to move. Peeing for the first time was tough too but the nurses were very reassuring and helpful. I shan't describe the contents in the toilet...shall spare you the gruesome details. :)
I am not sure if I would dare to go through a c-section again, but if I had to, I guess I should be heartened that it would heal and everything will eventually be fine.
