Hi - I had a fantastic experience at Kings. It was a planned c (breach) and like others on this post I did feel a little bit of pressure from the midwives to turn the baby rather than having the op. They tried to turn but it wasn't successful. On the day, I saw my consultant just beforehand and he went through everything with me, I also saw him again on the ward which was nice. The midwives, anethastist, and whole team were excellent and helped me calm down before the op. The whole experience was relaxed and as good as it can be in a bright room with quite a few people in it! I found everyone to be relaxed (assuming its a different environment when unplanned)and so it all happened very quickly. My birth plan went out the window a bit but I actually enjoyed the experience for what it was. It's never going to be intimate but we actually had quite a laugh (ask for the radio on as that eases the tention somewhat). My tips would be: Get to the hospital really early so you're the first one in if possible (I arrived 40mins before as I think everyone is told to arrive at the same time) Take lots of magazines as we still had a half day wait (due to emergencys and it being Xmas) Psych yourself up - visualise what's going to happen to you and how you're going to feel before, during, after After the op Try and ask for a corner / window area when you get onto the ward - its nice being by window just for some light but also because I got a few hot flushes Don't worry if you're not ready to leave after 24 hrs. I took arnica which helped make sure you're pampered for a week after op as it is quite painful (good time to feel pampered and bark orders!) Buy loads of really baggy comfy trousers and big granny pants - loose around where scar will be I got hot flushes so was glad of some water spray Agree re the food try and bring your own Ok for partner to stay but bring a mat I didn't realise but depending on the surgeons choice, they may use dissolvable or non dissolvable stitches. My pal from NCT had non dissolvable and the home visit midwives didn't check properly (they are supposed to take them out - doesn't hurt). This didn't happen so poor thing had to go back up to kings to get unstitched/ restitched which did hurt! Good luck to you - try and enjoy the experience for what it is I say! I am pretty much certain I'd go for another if I end up having another.
