My c-section experience in BAires: abdominal binders and no talking

Three months after my c-section I have the scar, separated stomach muscles, and a post-pregnancy belly. Most importantly, however, I have a gorgeous baby girl.

Like many women, I imagined I would have had a natural birth. Alas this was not the case as my baby didn’t turn. I don’t know why she didn’t turn (not that it even matters now), but what I can say is that the c-section turned out to be a truly beautiful experience. Plus I didn't have to endure contractions or go through endless hours of labour. I certainly don’t feel disappointed or cheated in any way that I wasn’t able to have a natural birth.

I think that ad our baby abroad, in Argentina, made it all the more memorable, although often frustrating and at times comical.   

Scheduled as planned 
It was the height of summer in Buenos Aires and it was scorching. I had got myself into such a state a few days before the operation that I thought my contractions had started and that I would have to have an emergency C-section. It turned out to be just a case of really bad trapped wind. So my elective C-section would be going ahead as planned in a hospital in Quilmes, a suburb of BA. 

On the sofa 
My husband is a teacher and one of the benefits of working in the international sector is getting private health insurance as part of his job. This meant that he was allowed to stay with us in hospital for the duration of our stay. Admittedly on the sofa, but having him there was an absolute godsend. I honestly don’t know how I would have coped on my own with the baby when I could barely get out of bed. 

Sticklers for admin 
On C-Day, we arrived at the hospital at 6.15am, 15 minutes earlier than instructed to sort out the necessary paperwork and secure our room.

While I was laying on the operating bed, my husband Alistair was stuck downstairs in admin because the photocopier had broken down. Obviously processing paperwork was more important than him being able to witness the birth of our child. It was only because my obstetrician had turned up late that Alistair made it just before the baby was yanked out. She was so beautiful, just absolutely perfect! 

Quick and hassle-free 
The operation itself was like clockwork, it was so quick and over before I knew it. The longest part was being stitched up, which took about half an hour compared to 10 minutes for the birth of our baby. 

No talking 
I couldn’t feel my legs for what seemed like ages. However, worse than that was I advised not to talk for the next 10 to 12 hours after the surgery. Apparently this was to prevent gasses building up in my stomach. It was a bit difficult when the nurses kept on asking me questions. 

Abdominal binder 
To top it off, Alistair had to buy me an abdominal binder, which I had to wear immediately after surgery. The nurses, and even my obstetrician, insisted that I had to wear the faja for up to 60 days after the operation. I hated every minute of it - it was uncomfortable, pretty skank and it’s made no difference in reducing my belly. But hey who was I to argue in my less-than-perfect Spanish..? 

24-hour food ban 
I wasn’t allowed to eat for the first 24 hours which was ok as I was too drugged up to care. Alistair did pretty much everything, he was the one to first change her nappy, the first one to hold her etc. We had to ask the nurse what to do as we had learnt pretty much nothing in our antenatal classes, except that I shouldn’t talk. 

Extra services 
As part of our care, we were told that we could get the baby’s ears pierced, her head shaved and baptised all at the hospital. I opted for more painkillers instead. 

Fragmented healthcare system 
I should have realised at this stage just how fragmented the Argentine healthcare system is. What I mean by that is that you have to see a different specialist for everything, and I mean everything. There isn’t just one consultant who you can speak to. For example, on our last day, I was discharged by my obstetrician at midday but we had to wait until 5pm for the paediatrician to come and discharge our baby.  

Home sweet home 
We stayed just two nights at the hospital which I initially thought would be too short a time. Come the third day I was itching to leave as we had barely left the room we were staying in, it felt too much like the novel Room.

Ideally, I’d like to experience a natural birth if we have another baby, but hand on heart the method is irrelevant, for me anyway. I'm just so grateful that our baby girl was delivered safe and sound. I even quite like my scar, but I’m happy for the belly to go.