Got a C Section booked - after some advice!

[Rapscallion]

Well, as the title suggests...

I am due for a C section in mid November following a scan which showed the little devil had not turned around... Grr.

Completely taken aback as obviously you prepare for the pains of labour, don't you? I had a natural, lovely 4 hour labour seven years ago and bounced back within days etc.

So, who here has had a C section? Got a few questions, if you don't mind...

How long was it before you could walk about properly - do the school run etc? (I don't drive, so no worries there)

Is your tummy proper evil looking afterwards, and how long before it heals up?

Do you bleed less?

The cathater thingy... Is it awful to come out? I have a fear of them! Shudder...

Finally, if you have had a normal delivery, then a C section, which would you say was less traumatic?

Sorry for all the questions, but I thought I would ask real people as opposed to the midwife as they can be, well.. prescriptive.

Thanks ladies x

Hi I had an emergency c-section 6.5 years ago and am booked in or a elective in 14 weeks time.

In terms of recovery i was walking about the same day (baby born just before 2am). Pain was only sore when i laughed, sneezed etc.

My tummys fine took bout 4 weeks to heal up, infact my ex-p didnt even notice the scar til i pointed it out 6 months into the relationship.

Cathater thing coming out was just a wee plop strange but not uncomfortable.

Im not sure about the bleeding less but my heavy bleeding stopped after a week.

Hope this helps.x

Rapscallion I've had two planned sections and I'm having my third early next year.

From what I've experienced, and what I've heard a booked section is a very different experience from an emergency one, in a nice way! Most of the 'nightmare' section stories that you hear are emergency ones.

Both times I was up and walking around as soon as the epidural wore off - within a few hours of the section. Catheter came out as soon as I had feeling back, and it felt a bit weird but was very quick!!

With my first section I took the painkillers regularly for the nipple pain not the section pain which was minimal. I have to say that physically I didn't feel to great after my second section (same consultant performed both so no difference in the technique) I felt very bruised over my whole stomach for a few weeks, but I guess a second section is a more complicated process than a first.

In terms of doing the school run I think I was walking DS1 to nursery with DS2 in a sling after the first week.

I didn't bleed much at all compared to friends who've had nautural deliveries.

Enjoy the slightly surreal experience!

Ahh thanks Ladies. This has really helped me - Feel a bit out of my depth and it's really encouraging to see you both were up and about pretty much after a week or so. I am on my own with a little boy and have no family so the thought of being bedbound for ages is slightly worrying as you can imagine!

I guess it's a case of listening to your body afterwards and being gentle on yourself.

Oh yes - One other thing - How long were you in hospital for? x

I've had two sections - one emergency, one planned.

In answer to your questions:

I was walking within 24 hours or less each time, and could walk fairly normally and for a while within 48 hours, both times. The school run would only have been possible, though, if my child was well behaved (with my second section, I had a 3 yr old who was prone to dashing out into roads etc - no way could I manage him for the first few weeks).

My scar didn't look 'evil' either time, although my stomach was very bloated and I still looked pregnant for several weeks, and the weight was quite slow to come off both times. The scar healed better the second time, but both times, it had started to fade almost completely after a year or so.

I have nothing to compare the bleeding with, but I didn't bleed that much after either section - just a light period-type bleeding for a few weeks (if I over exerted myself I would get a bit of a gush - TMI, sorry!).

The catheter was one of my worse fears, but both times it was inserted on the operating table after the spinal was working, so i didn't feel a thing. When it was taken out after my first, the nurse did it in a second while I lay in bed - felt nthing. Second time around, they wanted to get it out earlier 9within about 12 hours) and so got me up and walking a bit too early, I think. i fainted as they took it out, not because of pain (didn't feel a thing) but just the idea of it made me feel ill . It is nothing, though, honestly.

Can't answer the question about vaginal versus section, but an elective was so lovely and serene compared to an emergency section,if that helps!

Good luck, and try not to worry. x

Oh, and was in hospital for 4 days after DC1 (they wanted me to have established breastfeeding before I left), and exactly 48 hours after DC2 (a lot of hospitals have a 48 hours rule if there are no complications).

three cs

the third was the worst by far but that was because I didn't take enough pain medication on the "advice" of the ward nurses
(see if you can cope on just the paracetamol and voltarol dear type thing)
take all meds offered, in a timely fashion

my scar is better x3 than after the ecs for x1

it should be fine in terms of pain and recovery but it is major surgery and will differ from person to person

ive had 3 c/s 1 em 2 el.

1st one i was 42wks,induced then in labour for 4 days but didnt dilate and dd got distressed.was bit sore after,had anti b for inf and went home 4 days later feeling absolutely fine.

c/s 2 elective as i had placenta accreta, wasnt good ex was v unwell after but that was due to the complications.took few weeks to be properly up and about.

c/s 3 was elective-absolutely brilliant felt fine the next day best experience of the 3 by far.

i had gas and air while they put my canula and epidural in as am v needle phobic and it made it completely bearable.catheter really didnt hurt too much at all coming out just a teeny bit of a stingy sort of sensation.

my stomach looks fine,completely flat and no overhang of skin on the scar-all 3 were done over each other so only looks like one scar anyway.

I have had 2 ELCS.

Was up and walking about as soon as spinal wore off and took (drove) DS to nursery 8 days later on my own.

Tummy back to normal and scar small and neat (both times) although I didn't put on much weight with either. Felt well enough to start running again after 5 weeks.

Both times the catheter was put in after the spinal so didn't feel it - was taken out next orning and wasn't painful at all.

I bled very little with both and very light after first week.

Never had a VB so can't compare.

Good luck.

Would just like to add - in case it makes you feel a bit better about catheters - the spinal makes you feel lovely and warm from the waist down, and lying in bed with the catheter in for those few hours after birth, all cosy, after months of being up and down to the loo every twenty minutes are actually rather wonderful.

agreed balloonslayer I wanted them to leave it in forever - so convienient!

Up and about the next day. Advice about taking all the pain meds is true, then it doesnt hurt so bad. Felt fine after about 5 days, driving within 2 weeks but I could have driven home from the hospital.

Nothing to compare to with the blod, but it was like a bad period for a few day then usual period for a few weeks.

I had an emergency section 3 years ago. I was put onto the ward about 4hrs post delivery and caring for dd unassisted so up and about.

Discharged 12 hours post cs.

Blood loss was heavy. 6 weeks or so.

No pain though after the op.

You can't see the scar at all. It's well below the hairline. Was a single stitch, removed on day 5 and never had any problems with it.

Oh and couldn't even feel the catheter removal. Took about 6 seconds.

Hi there, lots of good answers already, but here's my two-penneth.

I rested loads for first two weeks which I believe led to a great recovery overall. To need to do less than you feel you can if that makes sense?!

Resting helped my scar to be minimal IMO, along with gently rubbing in Bio Oil once there was no scab left.

Catheter won't be something you notice (until they take it out and your feel a bit "harrumph" at actually having to walk to the loo

That first walk to the shower is hard. take it slowly (in mm) you will feel amazing after the shower so it's well worth it.

Bleeding will be whatever it will be no mater what your birth method. The lochia blood comes from where the placenta has come away from the uterine wall, like a wound if you will. Another reason to take it easy, as disturbing that bit when it's just healing over can cause you to bleed again after you have stopped initially.

Good luck and enjoy all that enforced bed-rest, without it I wouldn't have had such a special start with my girl as I would undoubtedly have been up and about mothering the other one quicker!

Wow - thanks for all the supportive replies, Ladies! Can you believe I am actually looking forward to it now??? I guess it beats all that pushing, shoving, screaming and cursing!!

I will let you know how it went! x x

good luck x