Can I please have any tips you have for a good elective C section?!

[Babynumber2dueNov]

Hi All,

After much research and soul searching (having wanted a natural hypnobirthing birth) we have had to book an elective c section. I had a bad/traumatic birth with my DD which resulted in massive blood loss and a nasty tear which is why we’ve booked in for the end of the week.
Any tips on healing or things that took you by surprise or things you wish you’d known about c sections? I’m quite scared but understand it’s the least risky option for me! Thanks!

My experience:
I had the spinal sat astride a bench thing in the theatre which I didn't expect
Catheter doesn't hurt because you've already had the spinal
Someone talked to me throughout and husband was able to take lots of photos
It was so much quicker than I expected, ten mins after i got to theatre she was born and I was sewn up in ten mins
Vomited most of the day after but nothing too severe
Up and walking and catheter out by 15 hours post op and drip out and home following morning
Luckily did not suffer with pain but had Percocet and Naproxen, off both in 5 days
Drove within 3 weeks
Didn't lift anything heavier than baby

I'm 2 weeks post c section today ( 3rd section, previous only 18 months prior)

If your in pain ask for more pain relief as otherwise they will just give you the standard paracetamol and ibropufen, I asked for oral morphine every time and took a massive bottle home but head midwife told me unless you ask they wouldn't Offer it.
My hospital does rapid recovery so they get you up for shower after 6 hours and then home next day. Unfortunately this time I was in 3 nights as little girl was struggling to breathe so had to go special care for over 24 hours.

Colpermin peppermint capsules for trapped wind! I was literally screaming in agony the pain was under my ribs and in both shoulders and never felt pain like it, they ended up making me nil by mouth and put me on drip for 8 hours as was worried it could be bladder issue but eventually as they had previously given me lots of lactose and I had physio last down who gave me exercises to relieve that I started passing wind and eventually went but my god the pain!

Feeding pillow is a must for me.
Massive pads! I thought I had got away with no bleeding but 3 days ago it started gushing out like as if on period.

Try not to overdo things this is the hardest thing I have found as have a teen and 18 month old and live in a townhouse whereby the lounge is on 2nd floor so it's really difficult!

My hospital gives you large chart of everyday things and how long you can't do them, hoovering, washing, lifting toddler, sex, driving etc.

Take things easy and take what help you can get from family and husband/partner.

Good luck x

There is a whole board for 'childbirth'. Use it instead of clogging up this one. It is so lazy to put everything in aibu.
'it's for the traffic ' you will bleat. Well duh, if you never post in the correct thread there won't be any traffic there will there

I can't remember having trapped wind problems before but I am going to buy peppermint tomorrow. Be prepared for the sweats after, and drink plenty of water if you are feeling sick or being sick they can give you something to stop it.

how supportive of you Tvstar

Ive had two sections, one emergency and one planned, the recovery is a lot easier with the planned, it was calm and the staff were all chatty and friendly and make it as pleasant as it can be ( while they are cutting you up) and the recovery, while long was a lot easier, maybe because not being in labour beforehand maybe is less stressful on your body ( i dont know)
you still are tender, possibly have numbness around the scar ( that lasts a long time) and yes you do think each time you move your stitches will fail and your intestines will fall out ( they dont!) and yes you still bleed for a few weeks ( even if they give it a bit of a vacuum in there) but over all i felt normal within the week/fortnight afterwards ( obviously still healing and being careful, not lifting heavy things or driving)

Enema beforehand and lots and lots of water after

Mine was amazing - very civilised, no pain afterwards, was walking my elder son to feed the ducks the next day. I kept the wound dry, ate well, did a bit of exercise (walking), took my multi vitamins, generally looked after myself before and after. Took me about a week to feel completely fine. Used just paracetamol here and there if I had a twinge.

I had an elective C on 21 August.

I second (third or fourth perhaps, given how many people have already said this) peppermint oil capsules. My husband looked over the curtain during the op and said my intestines were basically laid outside my body to get to the uterus. Which might explain why my digestion was pretty ropey for weeks afterwards. They should give you laxatives like Dulcolax regularly - if they don’t, ask for it or get hold of some yourself. You must drink lots of water and keep hydrated too. I remember sitting on the toilet at home dreading trying to open my bowels because of the stabbing pains in my lower abdomen every time I did! That was a real shock. But that has now healed and nobody else has mentioned that so perhaps my guts are weird.

However, I have never been so flatulent in my whole life so just be aware!

Despite being older when my son was born (I’m 38) I am slim and relatively fit. I think this helped me as I found my actual physical recovery and mobility after the operation fine. BUT, as a result, I probably did too much too soon (lifting the pram into the bus at 4 weeks like an eejit). The effect of this has not been so much problems with my abdomen: rather, the reduced strength in my core, which I presume the operation caused means a latent lower back problem has flared as clearly my back was compensating for what my abs couldn’t do. Don’t fall into the same trap and be lulled into a false sense of security by what seems like good mobility.

All this said, I wouldn’t change the experience for the world. My son was discovered to be in breach late on, and my consultant wasn’t keen to do the turning procedure, hence the elective C. But it meant I was able to plan, knew exactly when he would be arriving and my husband was able to take pics and vids of the whole thing. It was remarkably stress free, so try not to worry!

All the best and enjoy your baby when he or she arrives.

I've had 4 c sections. I'd advise resting as long as you feel you need it but getting up and about as soon as you feel able. It just helps you feel more independent when you're on the ward. And I think for me it helped with recovery, reducing risk of DVT. They try and have you discharged within 24 hours now anyway.
The longer I lay there the harder it was to get up again.
Take all painkillers offered even if you don't feel you need them.
And something to ease wind such as peppermint tea and you may need laxatives as the lower stomach muscles feel a bit dead for a while afterwards.

Ask if they can lower the curtain when hey deliver the baby so you can see them be born (you can't see your insides, it's not gory!)

Afterwards you won't be able to bend down for a about a week so have everything you need at waist height. Giant pants are a must! It hurt more than my previous 'natural' birth but I felt better quicker and each day there was a noticeable improvement on the previous day. I was driving by 4 weeks but couldn't lift the baby in the car seat for a while and lifting the pram in and out of the car was sore for a bit but manageable.

I was discharged with multiple medications- codeine, paracetamol, antibiotics, wind tablets, lactulose and blood thinning jabs.
My partner labelled the boxes a,b,c etc and drew up a rota

6am 1xa 2xc one injection
9am 1xb

Honestly in the haze of recovery newborn visitors and establishing breastfeeding it was the best idea to keep me on top of my meds!

Huge knickers and I preferred dresses / nighties for first few days instead of any bending over pulling up shorts or leggings.

I healed very nicely and the recovery was smooth. Just take it easy!

Massive cotton knickers. Needs to be cotton to let the scar/wound breathe.
Something solid on your side of the bed you can use to pull yourself up with, like a piece of furniture or something.
Prune juice ready in the fridge. That first poo is something else.

I had an elective section and loved it.

Dried apricots regularly afterwards helped me to go to the toilet without straining.

Take all the pain killers.

Plan to rest for a couple of weeks afterwards as PP have said.

All the best for your new arrival.

Can I just say thank you to everyone on this thread...I’m leaning towards a c section for my second child and the tips on here are really helpful and putting my mind at ease about making this choice!

Hi everyone,
I'd been thinking about an ELCS too and hospital have provisionally booked it in for me (due early March) without any fuss.
These tips are completely amazing and I'm so pleased to have found this thread. Massive pants, all the pain relief, everything peppermint and how much that first poop is going to end me.
Can't wait!

I have had EMCS and ELCS and recovery on latter was a dream. I hardly needed any pain relief after first couple of days. I agree with tips for huge knickers and lots of pads.

I had an emergency first time so went elective second time. It was great. Really calm and relaxed atmosphere. Positive mindset helps recover quickly and you will have limitations as your insides will not feel like yours for up to six months. They just feel a bit weird. I had no pain following the elective at all. I think I had a bit of paracetamol and that’s it. What I will say is beware of the constipation. It is awful. Make sure you have a laxative ready. Other than that just be positive I can honestly say I recovered really quickly.

Same advice as others really. Peppermint for the gas (10 x worse than the section) and try not to get constipated. And don't let the pain relief run out-take it on schedule 24 hours a day!

Everyone is different and recovers differently. I had two fabulous sections thst were about as pain free a birth as is possible I think. After the section I had gas pain,and in had after cramps, but aside from a warm/slightly burning sensation across my scar I had zero pain from the section. I had a mild bruising sensation for a few weeks if I pushed on my tummy. I was religious about pain relief thoigh,so maybe that's why. Disregarding the gas issues, I've honestly had worse periods pains.

I was able to run (literally) by the end of the week, by which point I was fully back to normal levels of activity etc. I was able to carry my toddler comfortably within a couple of weeks. Seriously, After my surgery I was googling "when does it start to hurt " and it never did.

Despite having a great recovery, I was in no rush at hospital. I had my catheter in for almost 24 hours and enjoyed resting in bed like a queen her. I loved that I could drink and drink without having to get up to pee. I stayed 2 nights because of the gas pain and also because it was quite nice tbh and the hospital was quiet (my hospital let's you choose when you get discharged if there's space.) So if you want to be up hours after your surgery that's fine, but it's possible to take it slower and recover well too.

Obviously I was lucky with my recoveries, but I think it can be a wonderful way to have a baby. You have the oppertunity to meet your baby without hours of agony first, refreshed, not exhausted.

Get your partner and the theatre staff to take lots of pictures!!!

I rested a lot like they suggested - well as much as is possible with a newborn, I also got those special pants and wore them for a month after (they look like net shorts) with the pads and it helped the air get to my scar and you can barely see it now.

Have someone (female as men aren’t usually allowed) stay with you on the first night. If you’re not able to move, your baby is crying and staff aren’t around it will really help to have someone there.

Good idea but this may not be allowed. No one stayed overnight in my hospital.

(No non-patients I mean!)

I've had 2 sections. Big Pants, snacks and drinks for the night after in hospital, I was starving after being nbm all day - I didn't go down until 5pm despite being there at 7am. Unless you're early on the list it can be a long day. Have your essentials within easy access to the bed, the first time my bag was under the chair and I couldn't get to it at all. I was in for 3 nights the first time because my son was little but was home by 10.30am the next day with number 2. Good luck xx