types of c-sections

[Ricci2]

Hi, I had planned a c-section with my daughter 3 years ago and went into labour @ 37 weeks and she was delivered via emergency c-section with anestesia. I want to breast feed and was told that if you go for a spinal that you have to lie flat for a day. What are my options for a c-section?

[yama]

I had a section with spinal and was b/feeding minutes after - as soon as we were out of theatre really.

[titchy]

A day?! with a spinal you don't feel anything from the waist down for a couple of hours, and you'll have a catheter in and be unable to get out of bed for a day, but you won't be lying flat on your back and you'll be able to hold your lo and breast feed just fine.

[colie]

I had epidural for 1st section, followed by two spinals for following two sections. I was breast feeding as soon as I was out of theatre with all three.First time I was up and walking within hours of section. Was up and about not long after theatre with second. Third felt it a bit more but was sitting up in a chair 4 or 5 hours after.

Hope this puts your mind at ease a bit. Don't think there is much difference between a spinal and an epidural (presume your 1st section was an epidural?).

[meep]

I have had one emergency and one planned c-section. I was breastfeeding as soon as I was out of theatre for both of them.

In the recovery room they help you get onto your side and the baby lies beside you to latch on for his/her first feed.

In my hospital they also helped me to breastfeed lying down - so I was flat on my back and they put the baby dd2 onto my tummy/chest and she sort of wriggled her way to my boob to feed

Once you get the feeling back in your legs you can get yourself up into a sitting position to feed. You are more mobile than you think you will be after a c-section.

[MrsHappy]

I've had 2 emergency sections (was unconscious for 1) and my experience is that the medical people want you up and about the same day as the op, even if that means carrying your bag of wee with you. I never got much help with BF but was propped up when in bed so put the baby near a nipple and both latched themselves on.

[Sunshinemummy]

I've had an emergency and a planned section and breast feeding was not an issue with either, although you do have your catheter in for a day so are kind of tied to your bed area (you can get up very quickly, I was out of bed in a couple of hours, but you have to carry your wee around with you).

I found a V shaped pillow really useful for propping me and DD up to get into position.