Hee hee! Now I feel special
DWM?s fluffy bunny hints and tips if you?re having a caesarean
Before you go to hospital:
Get your partner to ?shave? your girly bits (unless you like nurses scraping away with a blunt bic!)
Make sure you pack a dressing gown and slippers as you will need to walk down to theatre in an open backed theatre gown
In the theatre make sure you ask if you want the baby held up for you to see immediately (providing they are ok) otherwise they may whisk them away before you?ve had a peep
If you can, get your partner to take a damp flannel in with them as some of the meds you have can make your face really itchy and a cool flannel is nice on it
Fill your freezer up with home cooked food or ready meals. You will NOT want to cook but you will want to eat!
After the caesarean:
Relax! You are a flippin star for producing your offspring, just lie there and lap up the glory!
Find the up/down button on your bed (if you have one!) ? it helps when you are trying to reach into the crib to pick up the baby
Make sure before your partner leaves you have everything you need within reach (sounds obvious I know) : Nappies, wipes, change of clothes for the baby, spare muslins, button for the bed and to call a midwife, drink and food for you.
If your baby starts coughing like they smoke 40 a day and then produces something slimy do not be alarmed ? because C-section babies don?t get squished through the birth canal they don?t get a chance to get any gunk pushed up from their chests so they cough it out later (gross but true)
If you are having trouble breast feeding ? firstly there are usually some fab breastfeeding counsellors on call at the hospital, they can help. Also if your baby is just not being satisfied by breast feeding (usually around 3am when you are at breaking point?.) DO NOT be afraid to ask for your baby to be given a cup of formula. It will NOT stop them wanting to breast feed but will satisfy them for now and let you both get some sleep. Some midwives can be breastfeeding Nazis, don?t let them bully you.
When you get home:
KEEP TAKING YOUR MEDS (for at least the first week or two). You may feel you don?t need them but you will realise you do when you let them wear off! If necessary put on a timer to remind you to take them.
Lactulose is your friend. Unfortunately the downside of the lovely pain meds are that they make you constipated (also the caesarean shuts your body down in this dept for a short while). Keep taking the lactulose even after you have done a normal poo (I made the mistake of stopping??daaaaamn) If your constipation is bad after a few days ask your midwife for advice.
Try and take a bath each day if you can (no bubbles or smellies) and let your scar air dry (if you really don?t have time PAT it dry) , this will help keep things clean and avoid infections
If you start to feel ropey, particularly if you have a temperature you need to see your GP promptly as you may have an infection in your scar. It will clear up quickly but you will need antibiotics
Don?t do anything you don?t have to (this includes receiving the scores of visitors queuing at your door!) My midwife said to me when I was complaining about feeling so exhausted ?what do you expect dear, you?ve had major abdominal surgery!? fair point.
That's about it, I'm sure other people will add on...