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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

movement after c-section?

15 replies

nervousmum2be · 18/09/2005 11:49

I'm due to have an elective C-section in 8 days due to a pre-existing back problem.

I have my pre-assessment appointment this coming Tuesday morning with the consultant anaestetist, and would really appreciate some advice re how soon post surgery you can start mobilising. As far as i'm aware, they usually get you properly up and about the following day, but is it worth me asking for the earliest section time on the day (ie. approx 8.30am) so i could potentially start gently mobilising later that evening (say 6pm) to prevent my back getting too stiff and painful? Any advice / guidance / past experience would be appreciated. Thanks x

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pookstermum · 18/09/2005 12:03

Hi nm2b,

I had an emergency c section last year 5am and I still didnt get up until the next morning, so maybe it is just the way it is done. Not sure if that helps. I am sure that the MW on here will be able to help you more. Good luck for the c-section

Twiglett · 18/09/2005 12:05

I really think it might be something you need to discuss with your primary carers. But I think you might need shout a little to make your issues heard by the whole team (please don't be afraid to do this)

I have had 2 electives and each time have been asked to turn up at hospital (2 different ones) by 9am

The first was delayed till 1pm because of emergency c-sections and other cases .. I was up next day at around 10am

The second was delayed till 4pm because of emergency c-sections and other people booked in for electives going first ... I was up around 10am

I think I'm trying to say the hospital has a routine .. so if you want them to break it, make yourself heard (after having talked to consultant and anaesthetist)

Good luck

jane313 · 18/09/2005 12:10

I had mine at 10.20 (got there at 7am and I was the first, some poeple weren't done till the pm but cos I had gestational diabetes I was at the head of the queue) and didn't get up till the next morning about 7ish, the same time they took the catheter out. But the next day the midwife who was horrible to everyone but me was shouting at some woman that she had to get up 6 hours after her cs. So I'm sure someone would help you. The only thing is that in my experience hospital staff aren't very good at communicating with each other. So you have to go through the story again with each shift change.

Original poster

nervousmum2be · 18/09/2005 12:28

Thanks everyone. I thought the policy probably was to not get up until the next day, i just thought i may be able to save too much trauma to my back if i could at least sit in a chair at the end of the first day so it doesn't 'fuse' into one position. I think i'll express my concerns to the anaesthetist on Tuesday and go from there. (i can be very persuasive - i'm delivering in the same hospital where i work as a senior cardiac care staff nurse, so i already know most of the staff!)

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muppet73 · 18/09/2005 12:44

Good luck with the csection - I had an emergency one and at about 11am and was helped to the shower later on that day - very wobbly though but I think I was helped into a chair to bf that night.

Twiglett · 18/09/2005 12:48

are you arthritic??

Original poster

nervousmum2be · 18/09/2005 12:56

No, but i have 2 partially-fused prolapsed lower spinal discs and a nerve root compression so being in the same position for too long hurts like hell

OP posts:

Twiglett · 18/09/2005 12:59

ouch .. could the nursing staff possibly manipulate you into different positions (I don't know if that's possible)

northender · 18/09/2005 13:41

My first cs was at 1300 and I sat out in a chair later in the day. Only when they were happy with my blood pressure though and if you're having a spinal anaesthetic then they need to make sure you have full sensation and power back in your legs.

Donbean · 18/09/2005 14:16

IME they will get you up as and when you feel up to it within the first 24 hours.
How has the pregnancy gone with this back problem and do you still work?(obviously when you are not on mat leave).
How do you go on with lifting patients etc?

welshmum · 18/09/2005 14:54

Hello nm2b - My baby was delivered by elective at 1030am by about 6 or 7pm they let me stand up by the side of my bed a bit. It was my 2nd c section and I was determined to get up quicker so pushed for it- don't know if it aided my recovery but certainly felt a whole lot faster this time around. It may be because I was less apprehensive about moving round as I knew my insides were not going to fall out
I asked for the earliest time and was given it - with the obvious proviso that if there's an emergency you get bumped.
Hope it goes really well for you

highlander · 18/09/2005 15:19

I had mine at 8am and was up and about at 3pm. Pottering about by myself by 7pm.

My top tip............

TAKE YOUR OWN IBUPROFEN AND PARACETAMOL!!!!!!

I was given this advice by the lovely anaesthetist. he said it's very impt to go for the maximum dose of both in the first 72 hours to keep a lid on the inflammation, and thus pain. he said you simply cannot rely on the nurses to give you your meds on time.

Mak · 18/09/2005 16:56

Hi, I had my DD at 10:40 a.m. returned to the ward and by about 1.30 was asking if I could have a shower - they wouldn't let me of course, but I insisted that I went to the bathroom and cleaned myself up - which they did. I suppose the important thing to remember is only do what you feel capable of doing and don't push yourself too hard. I had had previous abdominal surgery (similar to CS) so the CS was much easier for me (something good at the end of it)Pushing yourself will only make you feel worse in the long run.
An earlier appointment would certainly make life easier - I'm sure.

Original poster

nervousmum2be · 18/09/2005 19:58

Thanks for all the advice Ladies - it will certainly help my arguement with the anaesthetist on Tuesday. Donbeam - i was working full time (12.5 hour shifts!) up to 33 weeks and i've been off since then. As i only went back to work in January after being off sick for 6 months with my back, i've been on a 'no lifting' ban anyway, so not an issue. TBH, my back has only really been playing me up badly since about 30 weeks pg, which i was pre-warned about, but it's definitely getting worse the bigger i get. Still, only another week to suffer

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Original poster

nervousmum2be · 20/09/2005 19:59

Quick update - i saw the consultant anaesthetist today. Although he couldn't guarantee that i would be first on the list, he did assure me that as soon as the epidural has worn off (approx 4 hours), i can get up and about and start mobilising as i please, which will be better for my back. Thanks again for all your helpful responses, NM2B x

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