C section questions

[BlabBlub]

I know this should go in childbirth but I'm looking for answers from those who have already c sections and probably wouldn't be looking at the childbirth section after the event.

I already have 3 DC and due to shoulder dystocia with the 3rd, I'm having an elective ç section in 3 weeks time. I'm very nervous about recovery as I will have a 23 month old toddler too.

I know I won't be able to use my stomach muscles for a while so how do you manage to get comfy on the sofa? I've tried practicing but can't work it out? And how long will it be until I can comfortably lie on my side?

I've been reading lots of past threads and something that came up quite a bit is co sleeping in the hospital so you don't need to keep lifting the baby in and out of the cot. I'm keen to do this as all of mine have co slept but How can this be done safety if you can't lie on your side?

Sorry one more thing, if the dressing over the scar stays on for a few days, how can you shower without getting it wet?

Any other tips and advice welcome, thanks in advance

Hi OP, to answer a few questions

I laid on my side straight away - didn't realise it was a thing not too! I've had two c-sections and never had a problem with this. You can co sleep!

In my hospital you only wear the dressing for one day. You have a shower in the hospital and before this they take the dressing off.

Not using your stomach muscles - you get used to it and it's easier than you think! I sort of used my back and shoulders to get up and DH helped.

My top tips are -

Get some windeze- the trapped wind is horrible!

Stay dosed up on pain killers - take everything they will give you. It will help with moving.

Keep moving if you can, it will help your recovery! But don't do too much!

Big pants - I didn't use disposable ones because they are horrid! Just cheap Tesco ones that go over your scar! Also the bleeding wasn't as much from c-section for me as a natural birth so be prepared for that (it's a bit weird so thought I would mention it!)

Good luck!

I had an emergency c section 3 years ago, I was very sick with sepsis and I found the recovery ok.
I won’t lie, was quite painful but i Found I just got on with it. I lay on my side from around day 2, it was how I was comfiest actually. I didn’t find it difficult getting up and lifting baby from cot at all.
To get up hitch your bum toward the end of the bed a bit bending your knees will take the tension off your stomach. Then roll onto your side and as you push yourself Up drop your legs off the end of the bed and you’ll be in a good sitting position.

Have you got a foot stool or reclining sofa ?
My sofa reclines so I sat with it reclined a lot which helped, a foot stool would be just as good.
Keep stuff handy, so a big flask of water and snacks save you getting up and down too much.
Once home my DP was on hand for a couple of weeks to run round after me a little, and on a couple of occasions during the night I had to ask him to pick baby up but that was more of I was sore so it was taking me a little while to get up once I was up I was fine.
Regarding a shower, the dressing will likely be shower proof, I was up in the shower the following morning even though I was so sick I just really needed it.

Good luck!

I was able to get on and off the sofa absolutely fine and slept on my side within a couple of days.

My mobility wasn't an issue apart from shuffling down the bed to get out past the next-to-me crib was a little bit more effort.

In the hospital I rang the bell for them to pass me the baby and everyone was helpful and happy to do so.

It's a lot easier than you think - amazingly so considering the scale of the operation.

I found the harder bits after the initial period eg not being able to pull a really heavy door a couple of weeks later when you're back to doing most things.

Congratulations and good luck. x

Hey, I had an emergency C section with my first (and only). It was honestly not awful! I can't remember not being able to get comfy on the sofa, nor not being able to sleep on my side? I was in hospital for 5 nights, and within a week or so the overall comfort level was MUCH better.

The dressing stayed on a while. In hospital I had some kind of machine that sucked any moisture out of the wound and I had to keep that on, even in the shower (it was in a sort of shoulder bag which I hung up by the shower curtain?!) and I remember the nurse showing me how to use the hairdryer on a low setting to make sure everything was really dry after a shower.

I changed my dressing every day or two after a shower with a new strip of sterile stuff (can't remember technical name).

All I will say is definitely keep up with medication - it's major surgery and don't stop because you don't feel in pain - the reason you're not in pain is cos of regular meds! The general rule I was told was 'don't pick up anything heavier than your baby' - so I had my mum and ex partner to do pretty much anything in the first couple of weeks - which I hope most people would have support with anyway!

The only other tips I can think of are that one of the meds made me VERY constipated, I wondered why I was given a prescription for stool softeners with the prescription for strong painkillers - but was thankful for it! Eat lots of stuff that will keep your poop soft and drink lots of water.

Finally, gentle walks really helped me recover. I started very slow - literally up the ward and back the second day, perhaps 5 minutes a week later, then 10 minutes, etc. Good luck!

I had a great recovery from my ELCS and was able to sleep any way I wanted from the start, it wasn't a problem at all to sleep on my side. I sometimes co slept in the hospital but that was by choice because of exhaustion from constant breastfeeding, rather than any physical issues.

For the first 12 hours post op I was attached to drips and urinary catheter etc so couldn't get up until they were removed and epidural worn off. The midwives helped with baby at that point. But as soon as they were out, about 12 hours post op, I was able to get out of bed, shuffle around, lift baby etc. Don't be afraid to use the call bell if you do need help though!

I was slow and moving gingerly at the start, but felt a LOT more mobile than I did being heavily pregnant!!

You mainly have to be careful while sitting up/ getting out of bed - so instead of sitting straight up from lying, you roll onto your side and swing your legs out, and use your arms to help pull your upper half up.

I've heard of some people looping a scarf around the bottom of the bed and using that to pull themselves up either, and having a litter picker type gadget to pick up things that have fallen, I didn't bother with either of those though and was fine.

I could get up from the couch fine but I know some people use a few cushions under them, or sit on a kitchen chair for the first few days, as it's a bit easier to get up if you're sitting higher.

I wasn't in pain at all but I was advised to keep taking my pain relief without a break, and I did. And I also got mobile as quickly as possible post op - just shuffled a few steps around the room at first - no marathons or anything!

The dressing I had was fully waterproof/showerproof so no issues there.

Consider whatever steps you can take to get help at home post op - whether from your partner, family, or paid help like cleaners/ getting meals in. Just try to make provision to have the first 2 weeks as easy as possible. Don't be worrying about the house being tidy etc, just go easy on yourself as you would after any major surgery!

Altogether I found the ELCS a lovely way to have a baby. I will do it again next time with no hesitation. Very best of luck with it OP!

Hi OP! I'm coming up 3 weeks postpartum and I've had one emergency section and this one was elective. My best tips are:

• Peppermint oil capsules are amazing for the wind pain. Peppermint tea works too (I had both) I bought some Buscomints from Amazon and took them religiously for two weeks

• Ask for strong pain relief before you go home. With my last section I was sent away with paracetamol and was in agony. This time I had liquid morphine alongside paracetamol and ibuprofen and god it made such a difference (I'm breastfeeding and it was fine to take)

• Honestly I didn't find a position that was comfy getting up for a while but there's YouTube videos with suggestions. Side lying was a no go until 2 weeks PP although I did find my pregnancy pillow helped with this in my last section.

• Boots sell incontinence pants which were bloody amazing! So much easier that gaffing around with pads and they were incredibly stretchy and went right over my tummy - you don't want anything tight near your scar!

• Stay super hydrated the week prior.

• Stay mobile but know your limits and don't overdo it as tempting as it feels! Good luck OP

Forgot to add our hospital didn't encourage co sleeping (probably because of being on meds, small beds etc) but the cots are right next to the bed anyway., The dressing is taken off after 24 hours and was encouraged to shower first to make it peel off easier

I found my back was the worst pain from where I had the spinal anaesthetic put in. I used a hot water bottle constantly for about a week afterwards but it soon improved. I agree with getting mobile as soon as you can, just shuffle to the loo & back etc at first. Drink lots. The dressing I had for both of mine (EMCS and ELCS) was waterproof so I just showered with it on. I was surprised how quick my recovery was with both, at first I couldn't imagine being able to do anything again! But after a week I was able to do short walks with the pram. Good luck!

Oh yes and "parachute pants" big big pants that won't touch or rub your scar!

I had a pretty hard C section recovery and definitely did struggle to get up and down, especially for the first few days. I was comfiest lying flat on my back on the sofa but once I was lay down I could get onto my side and I co slept as soon as I got home (I couldn’t in hospital because baby was in NICU and then in a hot cot in my room but I don’t think they’d have allowed me to anyway, the bed wasn’t safely big enough plus I was on lots of opiates). I did find getting him in and out of bed to feed very difficult tbh, but the bed obviously moves positions which helps but if you need to buzz then buzz, don’t worry about being a pain. My top tips would be drink loads of peppermint tea, regular stool softener before you think you need it - before the op ideally - as well as plenty of water, huge pants and PJs, stay on top of your pain relief even when you feel fine, get out for short walks as soon as you can, and prepare DH to do pretty much everything for you/the other DC for the first wee while. You might find it much easier than I did though, most posters seem to. Even then I thought I’d never be back to normal in the first couple of weeks after my C section and I felt really good by six ish weeks and was completely back to normal by about ten weeks, it just took patience and going easy on myself.

Just wanted to add to mine that I felt almost fully mobile by the time I went home - a little slow at walking, and getting up out of bed was still quite a ginger process- but not in any pain, and by 2 weeks pp I honestly felt perfect. So it's fairly variable - but certainly not always terrible!

Usually the bandage is removed before you leave hospital, pat gently dry after each shower with a clean towel. Don't use any body wash, scrub, or any soaks on the wound to avoid infection.

Stayed one night in hospital and the nurses and midwives assured me not to try and get baby out of bassinet myself for night feeds or "you will feel it tomorrow!" They said I should call them each time I need to feed and put baby back... so I did. And they came each time. They were great. They'd rather come in every hour to get the baby for you rather than you pull a stitch trying to do it yourself. And end up staying in hospital longer... I wouldn't try co sleeping in the hospital bed as they aren't big enough. There isn't a lot of space to move around and firstly it would be painful and hard to get onto your side and be comfy in such a small bed. Then once you're on your side (less than 12 hours after the op ?!) you would need help getting onto your back again. Then need help getting back onto your side for the next feed... sounds a bit tricky to me. I'd avoid. Best to just lie on your back and use the reclining function on the NHS beds and like I said, if the midwives are doing their job correctly, they should get the baby out the bassinet and put the baby back when you've finished feeding to avoid you get up and down multiple times (which quite frankly isn't possible to do by yourself less than 12h after an op like this).

TMI here but I was sat on my arse for 5 days straight after the op, on the sofa... and got such a spotty bum from sitting I think! But worth it because after 5 days I had a lot of mobility back. No infections or complications with the scar. My husband did EVERYTHING. Meals. Food shop. Bedtime with preschooler. Take her to school. Baby's nappies. Cleaning. Everything. So I would say you'll need someone VERY hands on in the early days.

If your partner is the type who can't do anything for himself/you/the kids () then I'd seriously consider getting mum/sister/friend/mil-sil to come round the first week and help... doing too much or pulling your stitches in the early days WILL seriously make your recovery longer.

After the first 5 days when I had mobility back, when I was up and about it was no longer than 5 to 15 minutes before I felt very tired again and went back to rest. So little and often. Like trip a to the loo and make a cup of tea. That's all.

Took painkillers back to back for at least three weeks. Keep yourself topped up even when you feel ok in those first few weeks. It can catch you out and you can suddenly feel in a lot of pain otherwise.

Husband also helped with all night feeds getting baby from bassinet and putting back. If you co sleep at home that should work well but just new in mind it's really not easy to change side or move at all for that matter so just make sure you have someone to help you get comfy, turn light on/off (you can buy light sockets with a remote control so you can turn light on and off for feeding from the bed. From Amazon. Dimmable too so doesn't wake baby too much).

Also, what's super handy similar to what pp said is to have a little basket next to you on the sofa with pills/medication, hand cream, nipple cream, wipes, tissues, water bottle, snacks, feeding equipment? Floss ? Phone charger... anything you need :)

@Topjoe19

I found my back was the worst pain from where I had the spinal anaesthetic put in. I used a hot water bottle constantly for about a week afterwards but it soon improved. I agree with getting mobile as soon as you can, just shuffle to the loo & back etc at first. Drink lots. The dressing I had for both of mine (EMCS and ELCS) was waterproof so I just showered with it on. I was surprised how quick my recovery was with both, at first I couldn't imagine being able to do anything again! But after a week I was able to do short walks with the pram. Good luck!

This.

At first I thought how on earth will I do anything again or move ever again ?! But after a week I was so much better. Best of luck op.

Thank you all so much, you've really put my mind at rest. I'm glad most of you have had a positive recovery!

As someone else said, the first few days were fine, I suppose you automatically protect your tummy, but watch out for a couple of weeks down the line. That was when I found I has the really think about things.

I found a changing table handy for those first few months, as I couldn't easily pick up my babies after changing them on a mat on the floor (lesson learned the hard way!) We also had a step stool thing which my toddler was able to climb up onto herself, that was really useful for avoiding needing to bend down quite so much, wiping nose, putting on coat/shoes, brushing her hair were all easier if I didn't have to bend down.

Sofa was fine, and no more difficult getting comfortable or standing than at the end of pregnancy for me. It was a bit more difficult finding a comfortable position in bed at first. I didn't have my baby in bed eith me till I finished the painkillers and felt I was moving ok.

Oh God, yes don't underestimate the trapped wind and constipation. Get up and do some gentle walking as soon as you can in the hospital and don't skimp on the painkillers. I would go easy on the peppermint though if you are breastfeeding. Its great for the trapped wind but too much can cause milk supply to drop. kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Just a couple of things that I don’t think have been mentioned - if you want to breastfeed, get one of the big chunky pillows that goes around you so there’s no pressure on your tummy. I had a “My Brest Friend”, cringey name but fantastic product. Also, I didn’t have stitches on the outside, it was more like a piece of thin wire with a coloured bead at each end, so that was a surprise (though kind of interesting in a weird jewellery/piercings I would never choose kind of way).

Also you will probably be given an anticoagulant to inject every day for a week or so, that was another surprise as I thought the nurse was joking when she told me - sadly no. Luckily there was plenty of room in my sides to find a patch to inject but that was the worst part, I actually never needed the super strong painkillers they gave me but kept them for later period pain and was fine on paracetamol, no issues with healing and no overhang after I healed up. (At least there wasn’t until I gained many pounds in lockdown!)

Lying on your side for the first few days can be weird as my muscles certainly didn’t “ping back” instantly, so I could feel internal organs sliding about, which was a bit disconcerting but it stopped after a while. But in terms of healing it was fine, you will feel quite nervous of straining your muscles but I was surprised at how it all knit back together so well and nothing tore when I was moving about. Best of luck!

Lactulose. Because I was anaemic and on iron tablets I didn't poo for a week.

I was allowed to shower with the dressing and stitches I had, just not touch it, stitches were removed day after I came home from hospital anyway.

Those of you who mentioned the peppermint tea/capsules for trapped wind; sorry if this is a stupid question but when would I start taking these?