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Childbirth

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

C Section - advice needed Please!

10 replies

Biggem · 04/05/2011 20:19

Ok, so my ECV failed and im now booked in for a section on Friday 13th with a pre op the day before.
I'm feeling a bit caught short about what to expect and what to take in my hospital bag etc and think that having the pre op the day before doesn't leave me with much time to prepare myself! So any advice / help would be awesome. I've asked about skin to skin and they said that altho it is cold in theatre dad can do it or they will tuck the baby inside my gown :-)
(this is my first LO so I am altogether clueless btw!)

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4pudding · 04/05/2011 20:54

Hello!

Hosp bag- get some big, high waisted knickers from M&S (the ones in packs of five). Much more comfy than disposable maternity pads and won't rub the wound.

Also get some Always night time- you won't need specific maternity pads as you won't have any cuts down there, and these are much nicer & thinner than maternity pads, but just as absorbent.

You'll be in hospital longer so perhaps two pairs of pjs- I didn't change out of mine! And a few more clothes & nappies for the baby.

Books magazines as it might be a while before they can get you in, especially if they have a few emergencies.

That's all I can think of on top of the usual, I'm sure others will have more!

Good luck!

scaryfairy28 · 04/05/2011 20:55

Can't help but I'm in on 12th of ELCS after failed ECV today. I've been told no to skin to skin, I'll be watching with interest to see what folk say.

4pudding · 04/05/2011 21:04

What to expect- lots of waiting!

Then they will prob give you a spinal, which you sit down for. Mine was uncomfortable but not sore, but I was already in labour.

Once I was in theatre the surgeon broke my waters (vaginally). Then cut! It was very quick getting the baby out- the cry is the most amazing sound you will ever hear! It feels completely painless but you can feel touch, so feels a bit like you are a handbag and surgeon is rummaging around inside you- very odd.

Mine was handed to DH who had a lovely cuddle for 30-40 mins next to me while I got stitched up.

It was all very relaxed and calm :-)

Afterwards got the shivers all over my body- apparently very common, lasts for a couple of minutes and is quite strange, something to do with the shock. Then baby was straight on me for bfing.

They had me up and walking round within a couple of hours. Make sure you keep up the pain relief afterwards as it is more important you keep moving (due to risk of DVT) than try to cope with the pain!

Oh, and you get a wee bag.

I actually found the extra time in hospital as I was really confident with breastfeeding by the time I left.

4pudding · 04/05/2011 21:06

I didn't do skin to skin straight afterwards but dh held her, and I did loads once we were in post natal, and once she was home.

ChunkyPickle · 04/05/2011 21:07

The big pants are great.. but... I found that tena lady pants (or similar) were soooo easy for the first couple of days. Plus they were quite supportive, which I really appreciated since my wobbly tummy kept pulling on the scar and hurting

ChunkyPickle · 04/05/2011 21:09

Oh, as for the experience itself, I had an EMCS, 4pudding described very much what happened for me although I had the shivers all through.

DH tried the skin to skin, but he was so hairy the poor little guy was very confused :)

My lower legs did swell once I got home (2 days later) but raising them on pillows got them back to normal in a few days

Panzee · 04/05/2011 21:11

Flip flops. (I always say this on these threads.) Bending to pull shoes on is a little challenging for the first few days. If you can slide your feet into shoes then your life will be so much better!

Biggem · 04/05/2011 21:22

Ooooo thanks for all the tips! I didn't realise it would take so long to stitch back up, makes sense tho!
So are Pjs out of the window in favour of nighties?
Is it worth taking in stuff to do for after I've had the baby, whilst I'm on the ward for a few days or will I be busy or sleeping the whole time?

OP posts:
fruitybread · 04/05/2011 22:11

Slip on shoes, yes - and peppermint oil capsules. Can't recommend them highly enough. If you get trapped wind, you will want to shift it as quickly as possible, and they are fab.

I think I took in a couple of books and magazines... which came in handy while I was waiting for a slot in theatre, but once I had my baby, I spent the 2 days I was in hospital sort of going 'WHOAH, A BABY!', and I don't think I did any reading.

I would say, take some ear plugs if you on a ward, and an MP 3 player. It just helps drown out the sound of other people if you need to.

Take a flip top (sports cap) large water bottle too, so you can get people to fill it and leave it on the bed near you. You will drink a lot, but hospital cups are tiny, and it's a pain if you have to keep flagging nurses down to bring you water.

And lipsalve.

I didn't get skin to skin until recovery room, but it must have been less than 20 mins, and DS was right beside my face in a little blanket, so I could touch his face. Then in recovery, I stuffed him down the front of my nightie, with him in just a nappy and a hat, and he had a boob in his gob about 5 seconds after that. Still EBF at nearly ten months.

My planned Cs was calm, relaxed and great, really. Make sure you know what painkillers you are taking when, and stay on top of the schedule (make sure you know when your next dose is supposed to be, and ask for it promptly if it doesn't turn up).

4pudding · 04/05/2011 22:28

Yes, you won't need anything afterwards as you will have this very small bundle that you will inexplicably be happy to stare at for HOURS :-)

Although some coins/cash for a TV card would be good too, depending on what is available.

Oh, and some hospitals have private rooms you can get into (although they often want you on the main ward for a night first). Worth asking when you go in- usually a charge though, outs is £70 a night, but worth every penny for the peace and quiet.

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