C section this afternoon- any last minute tips/ things to take?

[lil226]

Got my planned c section this afternoon any last minute tips or things to take? Thanks!

Some lovely scented toiletries for that first shower after birth!

Good luck OP agree with pp I found the recovery easier than anticipated but definitely make sure you take the painkillers they give you.

Good luck! 😀👶🏼

Good luck!!

Agree with all the comments about trapped wind and pain relief. I had shoulder tip pain with both my c-sections which was so confusing - I couldn't understand why my shoulder was in agony when it was my stomach that should be hurting!! I honestly thought the first time that maybe I just hadn't noticed someone wrenching my shoulder out of its socket... eventually someone told me that you can get referred pain to other parts of your body, including from your stomach to your shoulder. Also you might get the shakes/shivers while the anaesthetic wears off, which freaked me out a bit the first time as I wasn't expecting it but is totally normal and will go away.

Don’t be brave, take as many painkillers as you’re offered.

I had very intense itching of my entire upper body (lower half was numb) for hours after surgery, which is apparently a fairly common reaction to something in the spinal anaesthetic. I was really freaked out but it did go after a few hours.

@WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps

BIGGG knickers.

This ^

Earplugs, eyemask, phone charger, painkillers ( in case you miss drug rounds), cooling face spray, really big soft comfy knickers and clothes to leave hospital in that don't brush on your tummy, a long handled bath sponge/squeegy thing so you can wash your feet without bending, flip flops or shoes you can put on without bending down. Snacks, in case the hospital food is grim.

Good luck.😊

Good luck!

My advice is to sit up as soon as possible, and move around asap. The longer you stay in one place the more it'll hurt to shift around.

I honestly can't remember if C-section babies are more likely to become jaundiced than V-births or not (please check facts/ask your consultant), but DS4 was at 5 days.
he was my only C-section baby and something about a correlation rings a bell.

so if you suspect a few days in that your newborn is jaundiced don't wait for hours to decide if she/he might need treatment (I hesitated unnecessarily), just call the hospital for advice.

Laxatives (or at least, be ready to ask about this post-delivery).

The combination of spinal block and painkillers means that bowel function can be really affected. Honestly, the first time I had a poo after all three of my sections was absolutely awful and really quite frightening. It wasn't until quite a bit later that I discovered that constipation is extremely common after a c-section and I am still quite angry that I wasn't given such a basic piece of information.

TMI warning: One of my friends (when drunk) said she had to set on the toilet picking poo out with a teaspoon while sobbing in pain after her section. We laughed about it but honestly it is actually terrible - something that could be so easily addressed with proper care.

Apart from this all three of my sections were easy and stress-free! Good luck!

I had a vb but would echo the above comment - glycerin suppositories are your friend to avoid said teaspoon scenario!

Flannels and ziplock bags.

Hospitals are hotter than the sun. A damp flannel is so refreshing. If you bring ziplock bags you can refresh them in batches.