C-Section at QM - Twins

Hello, this is my first post. I'd really appreciate comments and advice.

I'm having twins in Nov08, my first pregnancy, at 39. Quite certain it'll be c-section, even at QM, as mine is IVF, advanced age, slight placenta previa. I'm TERRIFIED. I really want to go private, but have no insurance, & not sure whether can afford (as no idea how much it can come out to be if complications arise). So it'll be Queen Mary public hospital.

Can anyone please share QM c-section experiences? good AND bad? Esp. bad, as I'd like to be prepared. ie) how's yr scar? horizontal or vertical? how painful? are they really butchers? what to expect, what food to bring? do they expect me to take care of 2 b's when I can't get up out of bed? do nurses help me go to bathroom? ANYTHING. I'm really scared...

My wife had our first baby at QM. Excellent surgeon, beautiful scar, really professional. Crap bedside manner of the nurses, and they do NOT help you breastfeed (contrary to all their public face) but she was well treated. No need for fear - top class management, poor communication skills. Go for it!

I had IVF twins at QM in April (1st pregnancy also). In terms of the C-Section I was really surprised how quick the whole procedure was and my husband was there with me so that all went really well. I was up and walking the next day and although I had pain killers whilst I was in the hospital (5days in total) I didn't need them at all once I was discharged. I have a small horizontal scar, which has been done very neatly - so very happy with the job they did. It can still be a little painful now, when I wear jeans, but like any scar it's just gonna take a while to heal.

Being non-Asian I found the food disgusting, but my husband brought food for me at lunchtime and dinner and there is a Starbucks there if you get really desperate. I also took a box of cereal with me and snacks so that I could eat when I felt like it - would really advise you to do this. The visiting hours are pretty shocking as well - 6 - 8 and when I was there they'd cancelled the lunchtime visiting hours - check if they're back on. However, you can leave the ward and see your husband any time you want!

The nurses don't offer help with anything - breastfeeding, helping out of bed, looking after twins - but if you ask for help then I found one or two of the nurses to be absolutely wonderful, especially if you have a laugh with them (and I sweetened them up with chocolates :)), but really you should be prepared to fend for yourself (even though you have 2 babies) especially at night. That said I would choose to deliver there again, the money saved compared to going private is phenomenal (you'll need the extra cash with twins) and they were extremely professional and the twins got the best medical treatment and at the end of the day, that's what matters, right?

Good luck with everything.

Meejh,


I am due to give birth at QMH next month, and I have a high chance of caesarian due to placenta previa as well.

Can I suggest the best thing to do at this stage is attend a tour of QMH? They do them every second Saturday at 11am - you can book direct or through Tsan Yuk Hospital.

I found the tour really helped me - you can ask as many questions as you like and at least see it all for yourself. There are a lot of horror stories on these forums about the public system - I think if you prepare yourself with as much 1st hand information as possible you will have a much more positive experience.


A few things I'd like to add....

Visiting hours are probably the worst thing about the public system. They are currently 6-8pm only (they cancelled lunch time visits due to the flu season). There is every chance these hours will change by November. And as mentioned above, provided you can get out of bed and walk to the waiting room (just outside the ward) you can meet your husband/friends/family there any time of the day or night.


You are expected to look after your babies once you have had a few hours to recover from the delivery. However, if you need help, or you need them to be taken to the nursery, you need to ask (and just keep asking if you feel your needs aren't being met).


Keep in mind that if you were delivering at a private hospital and there were any complications with either the birth or the babies, you would be transferred to QMH regardless, as they have the specialist ward there. Private hospitals are not equipped for complications.


I had to attend QMH last week for a different matter (breast lump) and I was really impressed with the level of service. They fit me into a public clinic without an appointment, and a lovely nurse came and chatted with me while they did a biopsy and she made sure my followup appointments were made for this week (because of the pregnancy). Once you get an idea of how the system works, it really is very good. My advice for any clinic check ups - take a good book and a big dose of patience.


Good luck and all the best.

I had a c-section 18 months ago . I can echo the posts above - I have a small very thin horizantal scar, medical wise can not fault the QM, bedside manner wise yes there are issues. When I was in I put it down to being hugely overworked, the ward was overflowing. Mostly they left you to your own devices, however, if you ask for help someone alswys will unless they feel you should be able to cope then they will "push" you to cope yourself. On the other hand if they can see you are striggling they will send someone to help....sometimes cultural / emotionally the help may appear not to be very sympathetic though, from my own opinion culturally Chinese can seem quite blunt and rude to a westerner when it is not at all meant to be, so just make allowances for this.


Food is diabolically as other posters mention ensure you have a "stash" and have visitors being in meals as much as possible. For me I had a low appetite for several days so this was not a big issue - probably a throwowver form medication.