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Original poster

C section survival

29 replies

Sassenach85 · 27/01/2019 17:58

Hi, I'm due a section this time round and have been reading loads of the threads about prep and recovery which are great. But I am concerned about the period in hospital and can't find any info specifically about that.

Basically I want to be prepared for the worst and my DM told me about her friends daughter who was left crying next to her hungry wet baby for over half an hour as she couldn't sit up.....

I suppose my question is does anyone have tips for managing in the hosp? I know people might say ring the buzzer but this girl did and nobody came for ages.

I had pretty appalling care after my traumatic delivery with DD, long story TBH but I was at least able to force myself into a sitting position.

OP posts:
sniffysnifferson · 27/01/2019 18:19

Our hospitals had the Electric beds with controller...that helped immensley with sitting and then sitting to standing post c section

sniffysnifferson · 27/01/2019 18:21

And c section 2, my baby practically lived in bed with me the night i was in post section. Saved having to get up/out of bed constantly.
Boob out for reclined feeding and nappy/wipes on table for nappy changes on bed with baby between/on legs.

Woohoo1 · 27/01/2019 18:21

Posted this in a few times but a healthcare assistant tied a long scarf to the bottom of my bed! I used it as a hoist so I could pull myself up after about an hour! A god send, that lady was an angel.

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Jackshouse · 27/01/2019 18:23

Ask to see a physio before your c section so they can show you how to get out of bed.

tenbob · 27/01/2019 18:24

Do you have a partner, and will they be able to stay with you after the birth?

DH stayed with me for about 12 hours and by then, my spinal had worn off and catheter had been removed so I could get up if I needed to

But I had the crib near me, and the bed went up and down with a button so feeding was fine

Original poster
Sassenach85 · 27/01/2019 18:24

Thanks these are the kind of things I was looking for. It's sad to think this way but I'd rather be prepared. I was going to try a sleepyhead this time as my DD just didn't sleep... if I took it to hospital would it come in handy or just be an extra thing to carry? Any thoughts?

OP posts:
EarthboundMisfit · 27/01/2019 18:25

It's hard to prep for. I've had two sections. The first left me so weak that I struggled to care for my babies, though I didn't have a lot of choice. With the second I was up, showered and makeup on within a few hours and never looked back.
My tips would be to take all pain relief offered, since the anaesthesia will mask pain at first and sometimes if you refuse morphine and get paracetamol, they then won't let you ramp up. To get up, raise the bed, roll onto your side and push up. Get up and about as soon as you're allowed but don't pressure yourself or feel guilty for what you can and can't do. After every other major surgery you'd be encouraged to take it easy, but this time you'll be up all hours with a newborn!

Jackshouse · 27/01/2019 18:26

EarthboundMisfit that’s interested - was the first one an EMCS and the second an ELCS? If not why do you think they were different. Sorry for detailing but I need to decide what to do this time round.

Original poster
Sassenach85 · 27/01/2019 18:28

DH can stay but I don't know what time of day I will be taken for section/put on ward and he has to get home to get DD from my mums.

With my first, I was in a right state after a long labour, drip, failed epidurals, loss of blood and feeling faint. I couldn't even find the words to describe how fragile and alone I felt left in the dark feeling like death and being in charge of a baby. She was born at 5pm and after a couple hours together he had to leave me alone on the ward trusting that someone would look after me. They didn't.

Anyhow! Appreciate any and all tips, thanks!

OP posts:
EarthboundMisfit · 27/01/2019 18:34

@Jackshouse yes, first EMCS and second ELCS

EarthboundMisfit · 27/01/2019 18:34

First I lost 1000ml of blood, 2nd less than 300ml.

importantkath · 27/01/2019 18:39

Like @EarthboundMisfit , it's hard to prep. I have had 4 c-sections, the first one and second ones, I was absolutely fine. The third one, the nurses asked me to move out of bed before I was ready and I couldn't stand up straight for a week. The fourth, the doctor told them to leave me 24 hours before getting me out of bed and again, I was fine. I had an electric bed to help me sit up and a triangle hanging above me so that I could pull myself up.

I would advise you to take it easy, and accept all offers of help. It is an everyday event, but still major surgery. Some people bounce back, some people take a little longer. Listen to your body, and you will be fine. Good luck!

Endofrelationship · 27/01/2019 18:41

Make sure the sides of your bed (the bars) are up so you can pull yourself up. Also make sure that the controller for the bed and the call bell are in reach.

Use the bars to pull yourself up after using the riser to sit you up a bit.

Honestly though it really wasn't that bad. As soon as I was out of theatre I could pull myself up to sitting and dress and change baby.

Do not expect ward staff to help. Mine were great but I can imagine in other circumstances they'd be too busy.

3womeninaboat · 27/01/2019 18:42

The had to have the baby in the bed with me the first night as I couldn’t reach him otherwise. The nurse came twice to change his nappy but said she couldn’t come when he was hungry to pass him to me. I couldn’t have got up because of the catheter. My OH was at home with our firstborn. It was pretty grim to be honest.
Don’t bring the sleepyhead, they are huge and I don’t have the impression that they help until later.

beeline · 27/01/2019 18:44

Frankly the only thing important in a C section as I found out in 2005 is that it matches with the time your natural milk will arrive ie. due date - mine was 3 days before so DD could not get milk in the first solo suite @ Swindon so no help and being left with a newborn and no milk was horrible, no sleep for 48 hrs and of course by the time they got her onto formula 2.5 days later my milk had come #nogood

EarthboundMisfit · 27/01/2019 18:46

OP, your experience first time round sounds a lot like mine. It was much less traumatic second time round because of the simple fact it wasn't all alien to me. I was actually happy!

Bear2014 · 27/01/2019 18:50

It's best if you have it in the morning, not that you can control that of course. My first was born at 5pm and my second 10am. Made a huge difference as there are loads more staff to help out during the day. I couldn't move either time for 10-12 hours and really struggled to manoevre with the baby or get up for a few days.

It is sometimes ages so definitely ring the buzzer as soon as you need something. Ask for pain killers an hour before you will need them. Ask for oromorph before you try to move to remove catheter. First time standing is a bitch. Really take your time.

Take a couple of pillows plus a bf pillow.

The first shower is hard going so make it easy on yourself with minimal, easy products. Take flip flops and an old bath towel from home.

I found both times the first week was hard but things rapidly improved after that. Take a little walk out every day, keep on top of meds and don't push it. Good luck!

weekfour · 27/01/2019 18:56

I've had three and they were all different. The second was the hardest- I just couldn't lift my (admittedly huge) baby. I buzzed for assistance and was asked where my partner was. I'd sent him home as he'd already been at hospital all day. The ward had recently changed their policy so men could stay 24 hours and it was expected that they would. It was a horrible 24 hours.

I've never taken a sleepyhead with me. If you're on a ward then you don't really have a lot of room.

I'd say try and have a shower as soon as possible. It makes you feel human again. And take knickers bigger than you'd ever think you needed. Proper belly warmers.

themartinipolice · 27/01/2019 18:58

Definitely take all the pain relief offered, even if you don't feel you need it. Also buy big pants that come right up your tummy so they don't irritate your scar, and either buy big pj bottoms or have a comfy nightie for the same reason. Make sure your buzzer is within reach at all times.

TreesoftheField · 27/01/2019 19:06

Sorry to hear you had such a tough time.
I've been lucky with both my EMCS and ELCS -the emergency was after only 6 hours of labour which helped.
My hospital encouraged this accelerated recovery plan this time - I had to drink an isotonic drink before and after and they supported me to get out of bed asap. Had op at 9am and catheter out at 11pm (at my insistence!) I then started hobbling up and down to the toilet every couple of hours and went home at 4.30pm the next day. Didn't need any painkillers other than paracetamol and ibuprofen this time either. Make sure you keep taking them round the clock.
Peppermint tea as soon as allowed after op will prevent the wind pain.

Your op should be in the morning so hopefully partner will be around to help. Take in some cushions to help prop you and baby up and make sure everything is left within your reach. Only thing I struggled with was changing nappy on first night - I was lucky this time that the ward was QUIET (NO one wants babies in August 😁) and I couldn't have been better cared for. Best of luck

Original poster
Sassenach85 · 27/01/2019 19:42

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was left fairly shocked at the lack of care last time and so am looking to be captain prepared this time!

I have heard a lot of people say make sure you take your painkillers but some donsay you need to ask. I was in such a state of shock last time I was afraid to speak to anyone and felt badly treated with regards to painkillers etc but didn't have the courage to say anything.

Should I go in assuming this time I will have to fight for everything I am owed? Help as well as painkillers? Hopefully with it being an ELCS I won't be so out of it and more in control of what I'm being given (or not being given as the case may be).

Oh, also - when people say they slept with baby beside them on first night - how did that work? Slotted in beside you or on chest? The bed they gave me after my forceps delivery was broken .... I was flat for hours and couldn't hold DD properly. The whole thing was a nightmare TBH. The bed felt very narrow and trying to picture best way to keep baby in the bed.

Thanks again all!

OP posts:
EarthboundMisfit · 27/01/2019 19:58

Staffing levels often mean you have to ask directly for what you need. It also depends how busy they are on the day and how well the unit is run.

importantkath · 27/01/2019 20:56

Wow, I am a little surprised to hear not to expect help! (I am not in the UK). Do you really have to tak your own bath towels?

Original poster
Sassenach85 · 27/01/2019 21:01

Basically I went in with my first pregnancy thinking I would have caring professionals to help me and keep me safe. I was brought up on that idea. This time I know better and want to go in armed with what I need and what I need to know to get through it until I get home and my DH can look after us. Scary but seems very common in UK.

OP posts:
SharkSave · 27/01/2019 21:07

I had the bed so the rail was the same height as the top of the cot. I had it right up near my waist so could reach over and lift the baby ok. MWs changed nappies for me though. I managed fine tbh, better than I thought I would!

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