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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

C-section recovery

92 replies

Yahdayah · 14/01/2018 09:08

Not quite AIBU but I’m after as much advice and as many suggestions as possible.

Second c-section is imminent and I’m so scared of the recovery. Does anyone have any advice, tips or suggestions? I struggled first time round so would like to be more prepared.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 14/01/2018 09:23

I’ve had 2 csections and 2 very different recoveries.

Before you leave hospital, ask for a physio to come and show you how to move, sit up etc. Try and walk a bit every day. Cuddle your baby (and older child) sitting down. Get a sling that puts the baby’s weight in your back rather than abs. Demand and accept lots of help!

Don’t do what I did and sit around for 6 weeks eating chocolate afterwards (put on more weight then than in pg!).

Have a sports water bottle, so you can drink lying down if needs be. Have a few strategically placed by you bed, sofa etc!

Big pants!

Soft clothes! Do you have any maternity trousers with the big jersey bump panel? Really comfy post-section.

I’m not really into “woo” but as a mountain biker I always found that Arnica helped with bruising, and it did post-section too.

Liquorice, dried fruit etc and s lot of water to help “get things moving”.

peachgreen · 14/01/2018 09:27

I've had a laparotomy rather than a C-Section but very similar recovery. My top three tips would be:

  • Stand up straight as soon as you can - it'll hurt like a bitch but the longer you leave it (and hobble round bent over), the worse it will hurt
  • Arnica - it really does make a difference.
  • Take in something pepperminty to soothe the gassy pain afterwards - it went right up to my shoulder and was by far the worst of the pain I experienced.

Good luck!

PinkyBlunder · 14/01/2018 09:29

Really interested in this too. Also due a section (very) imminently and bricking it a bit! Although it can’t be worse than the horrific tear recovery of last time...CAN IT?!

I think my philosophy is going to be drugs, drugs, drugs.....

Rebeccaslicker · 14/01/2018 09:32

I had a really easy recovery. The two things j think helped were:

  • making myself walk as much and as quickly as possible (DP had to shuffle after me carrying the baby!)
  • they gave me this magical dressing with a pump that regulated the wound by measuring moisture and applying pressure as appropriate; that made a big difference. I was the first person in obstetrics to have it at my hospital but I think they're used a lot more now, nearly 3 years later!

I was in the pub having lunch 4 days later. Ok I spent most of it huddled under a blanket learning to breastfeed, but i was there Smile

ProseccoPoppy · 14/01/2018 09:35

Same position as you op in that I have had one section (EMCS) and will be having another (ELCS). Also keen to see tips!

FWIW Peppermint tea was fab when I had a laparoscopy but i was told it isn’t good after a section if you are trying to breastfeed (my breastfeeding counsellor last time said it can decrease milk production - kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/herbs_to_avoid/ - not sure if there’s any “science” behind that but as milk can be a bit slow to come in after a section I wasn’t taking the risk). Also unlikely to need it really - the shoulder pain post laparoscopy is from the gas they use to puff up your abdomen so they can see what they are doing without opening you up, which they don’t do in a section as they are cutting right in.

PinkyBlunder · 14/01/2018 09:47

Although a laparotomy (and laparoscopy) is an incision in your stomach, similar to the one they use for a section, I don’t think it is quite the same. Foremost, the painful trapped wind you experience in your shoulders after a laparotomy is because they blow up your abdomen with a gas and it’s that gas that gets trapped and has to find its way out. This doesn’t happen in a c-section, for which I am very grateful!

RandomUsernameHere · 14/01/2018 09:47

I found it really helped to have everything I needed downstairs as well as upstairs, so a second changing mat and nappies, spare clothes etc. That way I only had to do the stairs once, as I found that really painful to begin with.

PinkyBlunder · 14/01/2018 09:48

X-post re gas ProseccoPoppy Smile

People keep telling me fibre and laxatives will be my friend but that was the same with vaginal birth for me!

Squigglypig · 14/01/2018 09:50

I had an elective section 2 days ago as my baby was very firmly breech. It was traumatic for me (and apparently unusually so according to docs) because (a) my uterus was higher than normal; (b) my placenta got stuck again (I had a previous retained placenta) so more pulling than normal and (c) he was firmly wedged into position. I lost a lot of blpod so had to spend longwr than normal in recovery room but actually recovered slightly quicker than expected and got transfered to maternity ward where I was unlucky with room companion who was very ill amd consequently I didn't sleep. So yesterday I felt absolutely dreadfull and needed morphine to keep on top of the pains (I think I also tried to move around too quickly). Anyway this is all a massive tale of woe BUT I am happy to report that after 4/5 hours of decentish sleep last night I am feeling a million times better this morning. So yesterday I went to bed very despondent thinking I'd be bedbound for months but this morning I'm getting discharged with paracetmol and ibuprofen and it's all looking much brighter! Good luck with it all x

Rhinosaur · 14/01/2018 09:53

Get up and move as soon as you can! Both sections I’ve moved about ASAP and not stayed still for too long. Even if just getting up to walk a few steps.
A good pillow to cover the area when laughing, moving, coughing.

Kerberos · 14/01/2018 09:53

I've had three.
Take the drugs. All the drugs they offer. Don't let them wear off. I found I only needed pain relief for about a week.

Don't expect too much of yourself. Ask for and accept help.

At some point you will need to poo. This will feel like your scar will rip open. It won't. If you leave it too long then lactulose will help. Get some in before your c section because if you are anything like me the embarrassment at having to explain to MIL why you need it will stay with you.

Herewegoagain01 · 14/01/2018 09:53

3 c sections here. Get up an move about as soon as you can, but do not over do it. Just pottering around will help, doing too much will hurt a lot. Lots of cushions etc to get comfy if you’re breastfeeding. Soft baggy clothes with a high waistline are the most comfy. Ask for help with anything more than caring for baby!

After my 1st and 2nd c section I had shoulder pain from wind. After the baby is delivered the doctor will clean out your uterus, and somehow fill your whole abdomen with air! I found peppermint tea helped. My 3rd was more gentle and I didn’t get it.

Good luck! Hope it all goes well for you.

greenmagpie · 14/01/2018 09:54

Thanks for starting this thread op as I want to know too!

I read someone previously saying 'you won't want to lift your arms above your head' - is this true? I was going to take some sleep bras to hold breast pads in but these are all crop top types that go overhead - can't remember with my first when my boobs started leaking but want to avoid that.

Any suggestions where to get comfy button-down nightie or long shirt thing?

Amanduh · 14/01/2018 09:58

But very painful trapped wind is very common in csection recovery so that is helpful.

hazeyjane · 14/01/2018 10:01

I found the difference between a laparoscopy and a csection a universe apart in terms of recovery!

I did have the shoulder pain after both though. Sipping peppermint oil in hot water helped (and morphine)

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 14/01/2018 10:01

Men's boxer shorts. As the incision is basically on your knicker line, if you wear normal pants it sits right on it. I bought some men's soft cotton boxer shorts. They sit higher up plus I felt more contained and it was easier to put maternity pads in

Plus when it's early days, my midwife suggested putting a maternity pad against the scar. And with big pants you can just stick them in.

Otherwise as everyone else has said, move as soon as they let you. But give yourself time and go at your own pace.

And slings! Get a sling! (And a close to me side bed. I found it next to impossible to lift him in and out of a Moses basket when in bed. It was all such an effort!)

Original poster
Yahdayah · 14/01/2018 10:05

Wow, thank you all so much! A friend sent me a parcel this week and it included a sports bottle and some arnica tablets. I’ve never used them before, would it be best to take them before the c-section?

I have some massive knickers which are so comfy (may have tested them out!!) and I was planning on using my maternity leggings after, they are over the bump ones and very soft.

Also, would mints help or does it need to be tea?

Thanks again all Smile

OP posts:
greenmagpie · 14/01/2018 10:07

I've got peppermint oil capsules, will those do? I remember the bloating from my laparoscopy.
I've also bought some vv high waisted soft 'breathe' knickers from Gap which are super soft. Hope they will do.

Mummabearof2 · 14/01/2018 10:09

My musts were arnica tablets, peppermint tea, big soft underwear and high waisted soft trousers, a moon shaped baby feeding pillow to take the pressure off your lap when holding/feeding baby & help help and more help from anyone who offers. Good luck!

MrsBobDylan · 14/01/2018 10:16

I've had three elective c-sections and what I knew by the third one was this:

Holland and Barratt sell peppermint pills to rid you of the wind, and they worked!

A feeding pillow round your middle helps protect the scar when feeding baby.

Get up and moving as soon as you can and take that first shower, it is your first step back to normality.

Oramorph is your friend and will help with pain and cheer you up. Take all the pain relief on offer, if it's not enough ask for more.

I go contractions after baby 3 and hadn't a clue what they were as I'd never laboured. They did pass but made me scared that something was up until the midwife told me it was my uterous contracting back into place.

I recovered really well from all three of my sections, no probs. Hope you have a great experience op, and enjoy that lovely snuggly baby, how wonderful!

Welshmaenad · 14/01/2018 10:17

Theraline caesarean belt.

Manila honey on the wound and to eat.

Peppermint tea to prevent trapped wind.

Loads of drugs.

Get yourself moving.

Welshmaenad · 14/01/2018 10:19

Sorry, make that MANUKA honey Grin

DeadButDelicious · 14/01/2018 10:20

- they gave me this magical dressing with a pump that regulated the wound by measuring moisture and applying pressure as appropriate; that made a big difference. I was the first person in obstetrics to have it at my hospital but I think they're used a lot more now, nearly 3 years later!

The PICO! I had one of them, bloody marvellous bit of kit. Ask about it OP they make a world of difference! I kept the pump and put it in DD's baby box.

Stand up as soon as they let you, take all the pain meds they offer, accept any and all help offered and don't be afraid to ask for it either, use a hairdryer on the cool setting after you've had a shower to make sure the area around the incision is dry before dressing, big pants, comfy clothes, keep active but don't push it and elevate your legs when sat down as they probably will puff up.

Eyeroller100 · 14/01/2018 10:24

Get out of bed as soon as they think you're able. Stay mobile - if you don't you will seize up. Have loads of pillows waiting for you to make a pillow fort with when you get out of hospital - it's the only way I could sleep at night/sit on my sofa!

Laughing will make you sore lol!! Keep the wound clean but dry it off immediately, I used cotton wool to make sure it was dry as I didn't trust my towels not to cause an infection (even though I was using clean ones, I'm just a weirdo lol)

ButIamrightright · 14/01/2018 10:26

Second the arnica & peppermint water/tea. The surgeon recommended the peppermint to me. Take the drugs.

I moved about but did spent quite a long time in bed breastfeeding as this was the easiest position. Don’t fall asleep in a chair with one leg on a footstool! My other leg was twice the size.