Preparing for elective c-section...seeking practical tips

[lampback]

I've googled this a bit and most of the information is advice about medical recovery. I'd love to hear weird tips and practical solutions to make life easy after my c section.

We live in a property with stairs, the kitchen and living room are downstairs and the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. We have a 9 year old and 11 year old from previous relationships who spend time with their other parents. We also have a dog. I have a supportive DH, who is due to start a new job at around the time I give birth so we are unsure as yet how much time off he will get. I have my mum and my PIL who live half hour and hour away respectively. They can help I'm sure.

I assume I will have to base myself upstairs for the first couple of weeks, so that I don't have to climb stairs to use the toilet. We have a small fridge we will put in our bedroom for snacks. Perhaps I can bring the kettle and tea bags upstairs too!

I have organised all school drop offs and pick ups for dc during that time...have paid for a TA to do this

Currently training dc to prepare all school stuff the night before...uniform, lunches, homework. Maybe give them each a set of keys so I don't have to go downstairs to let them in

I guess I will have to arrange a dog walker...any thoughts on this? Could ask mum or PIL to help

Big pants or some of those post c section bands things

Should I co sleep with baby, or a moses basket by the bed?

Am I thinking along the right lines? I really want to make life as easy as possible. Am I missing anything really obvious or not so obvious?

Stairgates on various rooms for the dog's and your benefit, a comfy quiet place for the dog that is just theirs behind one of them, down stairs hall or similar, useful way before you end up with moving around baby. Also helpful when you have visitors coming in and out, midwife, hv, friends and family who might not like them or might leave a door you'd prefer closed or whatever. Have some food for the next day ready the night before like a packed lunch your dh can make you, same for always having breakfast stuff in, also stock up on paracetamol beforehand, never run out or miss a dose and the pain is manageable, but you don't get many in a pack.

I couldn't sleep on my side because I couldn't physically get in to that position and it would have hurt my stomach a lot to be on my side because gravity would have moved it, if that makes sense...

A very kind nurse who helped me stand for the first time stopped me from leaning forwards to get off the bed and showed me how I needed to lean back to get off a bed or chair so I wasn't using my stomach muscles.

Noticed another comment about breast milk coming in... My first birth was vaginal and I lost over a litre of blood. milk came in at the earliest I would say on day 6. With my c section I lost only 200ml blood and milk came in after 4 days. Didn't need to give water to the baby either time. I didn't even know that was a thing!

Thank you everyone, lots of helpful tips.

WRT breastfeeding - yes I want to try to breastfeed. I heard you should try and collect colustrum before a c section - anyone know about this?

WRT the dog - I am really going to need to research this properly. It didn't occur to me that the pup might get jealous if I keep them separate, but also I have just realised that if I am upstairs all the time, the pup will be alone all day. We don't allow the pup upstairs and have a stairgate to stop him. This has been because I wanted my upstairs to be dog hair / smell free, and because he loves having what we call a "luxury wee" - as soon as he's on carpet he wees everywhere. I know we need to train him but I have been putting this part of training off, because well, I don't want him upstairs in the first place. Maybe long term this isn't feasible though. Hmmm.

WRT the dog - I am really going to need to research this properly. It didn't occur to me that the pup might get jealous if I keep them separate, but also I have just realised that if I am upstairs all the time, the pup will be alone all day. We don't allow the pup upstairs and have a stairgate to stop him. This has been because I wanted my upstairs to be dog hair / smell free, and because he loves having what we call a "luxury wee" - as soon as he's on carpet he wees everywhere. I know we need to train him but I have been putting this part of training off, because well, I don't want him upstairs in the first place. Maybe long term this isn't feasible though. Hmmm.

There are dog behaviourists who could help you with this OP, I'd recommend researching what's available in your area and contacting one sooner rather than later to get a workable plan in place. But honestly, if done right it'll all be fine. We have two rotties and they absolutely adore our (almost) 3 year old, because they had chance to bond with him in a safe way from birth and now he's just one of their own

You need to keep moving as much as possible so don’t just stay upstairs. Plus your puppy will still need attention and to be let out.

Set up a changing and sleeping area upstairs and downstairs so you don’t have to cart extra stuff around. If your kitchen is warm it’s perfectly ok to bathe the baby in the sink if required during the day. Again, saves unnecessary trips up and down, but also lifting water into a baby bath or leaning over the main bath.

It was long ago for me but I do recall using a pillow on my tummy when breastfeeding to avoid pressure on the scar.
If you are not given prophylactic antibiotics keep a close eye on the scar for redness/inflammation/signs of infection and get it checked if in any doubt.

I breastfed both of mine fine after both cesareans. High blood loss with the first, lower with the second and milk was in both times by day 3 which is perfectly normal. Everyone will be different it's nothing to do with method of birth.

You don't need to harvest colostrum but obvs can if you want.

My recovery wasn’t too bad after mine, but the end of pregnancy was hell so it felt easy in comparison!

A maternity pad on top of the giant knickers over your scar was absolute bliss for moving around. And lots and lots of painkillers - even if you think you don’t need the next dose as it’s not hurting too much, take them on time for the first week or so. I got cocky and holy shit it hurt!

Mainly I’d say keep mobile but listen to your body and don’t overdo it. Oh, and get in something to help you poo afterwards, I didn’t know that I’d struggle and it was agony.

You can drive before 6 weeks if you feel up to it, I was back to driving 2 weeks afterwards.

Three sections here. Two emergency and one elective. One very very emergency.
I think it all varies but your chances of a smooth recovery are greater with elective as they are not under same pressure.
My main tips are:
No major overhead movements and no major bending. Keep it all at waist level.
Move as much as you feel able to. I was able to go for quite a decent walk as the buggy helped for propping up / balance.
When getting out of bed sit up in bed first, then put your legs out on to the floor and then turn your body out. Don't twist your body and legs all in one movement.
Get your children / OH to carry anything large downstairs for you in the morning.
If you can, set up a downstairs and upstairs changing area and sleeping area for baby (crib or similar).
I kept a few mugs down on the kitchen counter so I didn't have to stretch in to the cupboard for them when I wanted a cuppa. (I'm short and our cupboards are very high)
On my emergency sections I found getting in and out of both a low down and high cars / SUV hard. Again it's the stretch / bend movement.
Do not lift the car seat up if it's on the floor.
Don't overdo it. If it feels sore then stop what you are doing - after playing on the floor with my older child and getting up awkwardly I reopened the wound a week after my second section. Warm blood gushing out of the wound and back in to hospital for more stitches. Won't forget that in a hurry.
Best of luck.

Thanks all so much this is all really useful stuff

Baby is keeping me awake every night lately. Preparing me for what's to come I guess!

Will definitely have a set up downstairs and upstairs for baby. Good idea on keeping the tea and mugs out so I don't have to stretch...shorty here too!

Every one is different of course, but hopefully yours will go fine so don't worry. I've had two and definitely didn't need to stay in bed or be based upstairs or anything. I took it easy but was back to normal activities like shopping, taking walks, driving, etc, within two days.

fingers crossed!! up and about after 2 days would be ideal :)

How did you get on OP? How long was your hospital stay?

I had a planned c section last year when I was 36. I was encouraged by the hospital to get up and mobile at around 6-8 hours post section. I took regular paracetamol and ibuprofen, drank peppermint tea and made sure I took small walks round the ward and at home regularly. After 3 days, I felt loads better, didn’t need regular pain relief and could manage stairs no problems. Baby slept in Moses basket and my husband brought that downstairs for me every morning. I think try and get downstairs during the day if you can. It’s miserable being stuck upstairs.