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Childbirth

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

Original poster

What's your list of DOs and DON'Ts for a successful c-section recovery?

38 replies

MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 10:04

I'm having to have an ELCS for DC2 as it's footling breech and as I'm generally quite a control freak an organised person I'm trying to find out what's best to do and not do afterwards for a successful (not necessarily speedy) recovery. I'm very lucky that I'll have DP and DD(13) around for the first couple of weeks to lend a hand, and I'm usually a quick healer but have never had major surgery like this so am papping myself a little nervous about the aftermath.

I've been told various things from various people - not to move for 48 hours Hmm, not to lift anything, to wear support pants asap, to take full dose of painkillers, not to take full dose of painkillers, etc.

Would be interested to hear your tips/experiences.

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VivaLeBeaver · 23/05/2011 10:10

Get some mintec tablets.
Take regular, full dose of painkillers even if not in pain. You need to keep on top of the pain, if it gets on top of you it can then be hard to get under control.
Get up, out of bed and gentlre mobilising as soon as you can. The longer you leave it the worse it is.
Get big granny pants.
Do not sit straight up when in bed, turn onto your side first and then sit.
Don't lift anything heavier than your baby or a kettle for first week, or longer if painful.
Don't push yourself, don't expect to be racing around. Some people can and if you can its a nice suprise but don't be disappointed if you can't.
Don't let anyone make you laugh the day after surgery.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 23/05/2011 10:11

Do
Take your painkillers religiously
Move around as soon as you can - moving improves blood flow and aids healing.
Take out/off the surgical stockings, catheter and canula as soon as you want them off/out.
Go home as soon as you can. You get more rest and better care at home than in hospital - imo - less likely to pick up a nasty bug at home as well.
Drink and eat regularly - this will help the first poo!
Leave the housework to your dp, friends and relatives. You look after the baby, dp looks after you.
Wash regularly, and pat (not rub!) your scar dry. Also let it air dry if possible.
Take very little walks when you are home, it stops yous stiffening up.
Walk with you shoulders back and up straight. Although you feel like you want to hunch, don't.

Good luck Smile

Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 10:12

thanks viva

"don't let anyone make you laugh" Grin

what are mintec tablets?

OP posts:
Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 10:13

ugh, trying not to think about the catheter and canula

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 23/05/2011 10:17

Mintec tablets are peppermint capsules. They help with any referred shoulder tip pain that can be quite common after abdominal surgery.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 10:18

ah I see, is that to do with the trapped air inside your body?

OP posts:
kickingking · 23/05/2011 10:25

Do get out of bed as soon as you can - if you stay in bed too long, it's harder when you get out.
Do take your painkillers and move about as much as you are able to.
Do try to stand up straight
Do wear comfy clothes and big knickers.
If you plan to breastfeed, do insist on help with positioning - I found it very hard to get into a good position as I couldn't sit up straight enough, and ended up with severe nipple issues. Sit down, and get someone to pass the baby to you. Get a breastfeeding pillow as well.

Don't walk up or down slopes for a while - they mention stairs being hard but walking up a slope from an underground carpark when DC was a week old nearly killed me.
Don't listen to anyone who says you can't lift the baby for x amount of time, it's not true.

Agree with the go home as soon as possible - I caught a cough and cold from another lady on the ward, which turned into a double chest infection as I was unable to cough effectively after the cs. Not fun.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 10:40

Yes I plan to breastfeed and was a bit worried about that - a friend has given me a 'V' pillow which should hopefully help with positioning

OP posts:
harrygracejessica · 23/05/2011 10:48

Def get out of bed asap!!! But make sure they lower the bed as low as possible so you don't end up almost jumping off the bed!! (yes lesson learnt from 1st section!!!)

I never took the maximum painkillers as needed it to hurt a bit to stop me over doing it!!

Def mints of some sort and big knickers

trying to think now as only had last section 5 weeks ago!

4pudding · 23/05/2011 11:02

These have all been said but:

Take full dose of painkillers.

Get up & moving round- but take it easy!

Avoid lifting for as long as possible. This is really important.

Get granny pants (all cotton high-waisted in packs of 5 from M&S or supermarket).

When you're in the hospital afterwards don't feel bad ringing for the midwife! Make sure they keep up your pain relief and give you the baby when she cries and give you lots of help with bf. Yes, they are busy, but it's their job.

mrsravelstein · 23/05/2011 11:06

my top tip, as a veteran Smile of 3 sections : start taking a natural laxative (califig is good) before the section - sorry for TMI, but the 1st poo after my 1st section took about 10 days to arrive and was unbelievably awful, i was crying in the loo for about an hour. nobody had warned me, but when i told friends afterwards they all said they'd had the same experience.

seoladair · 23/05/2011 11:11

Yes, I agree about not laughing! I had an elective section 10 days ago. Recovery has been fantastic, which is why I've been in the mood for laughing! But it does pull on the scar, so be careful.
Getting out of bed is uncomfortable. Use the strength in your arms and legs to push out, or get your partner to gently push you out.
Otherwise it's all fine. I haven't had any true pain, just occasional discomfort. Just enjoy it!

theborrower · 23/05/2011 11:13

Hi again Madre,

  • Get the big granny pants in (that go up to your waist) as normal pants will rub your scar
  • take slip on shoes for hospital (flip flops would be good for getting to the shower!
  • forgot about the wind! Let rip :) alternatively, some mints or peppermint tea might help
  • Get up and move about as soon as you can, it's hard at first but it will help and becomes easier. That said, do take it easy, if you see what I mean
  • take your painkillers, don't wait until it gets sore. The anti-inflammatories should keep things under control
  • turn onto your side and swing your legs round when getting out of bed
  • don't lift anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks! Get others to lift the car seat, your hospital bag etc, and be careful bending - use your knees
  • get everyone else to do all the household chores so you concentrate on the baby and recovering
  • give buggy pushing duties to your OH/someone else if you're going up a hill

basically, take it easy and listen to your body. Lots of people will be excited about the baby and forget that you've just had a major operation, but don't be pressured into lots of visitors etc until you're feeling up to it. - and if they do come over, make sure that they make the tea! Stay in your jammies as long as you can! Reminds them that you're still recovering :) It might seem hard at first, but I was feeling almost fully recovered after about a fortnight (until I tried to push the buggy up a hill!), so hang in there :)

elfandsafeT · 23/05/2011 11:13

dry the scar with hairdryer on low heat - its the most effective way of making sure the scar is properly dry. Good tip when i got an infection after first CS and has worked a dream this time healing really well.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 11:14

right, good point about the poo (I have hyperemesis and have been horribly constipated all through this pregnancy, often sitting for 40+ minutes on the loo so wouldn't want to add post-op pain to that too!)

Also, I was so looking forward to sleeping on my front too when the baby was born, but guess I'll have to wait a little longer

OP posts:
feckwit · 23/05/2011 11:17

Disagree re painkillers, they made me puke so I stopped them within 24 hours of birth with all of mine (have had 4 sections).

For me, keep moving around, if you sit still you stiffen up and it is more sore then.

Take lots of baths to keep away any infection and keep comfortable.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 23/05/2011 11:20

slip ons - good idea as my slippers are ugg-booty-type fluffy things and I struggle to reach to get them on now!

are baths or showers more comfortable?

OP posts:
Thebonkers · 23/05/2011 11:25

Take arnica from 2 days before and up dose straight after, I am no hippy but I really did think they helped enormously....

if its any consolation my em c-section was a much better exp than my friend who gave birth naturally in terms of recovery afterwards - she had 10 stiches and was sitting on an inflatable ring for about 6 weeks wheras I was well up and about after just a couple.

DO take it easy though and don't forget it is major surgery!
good luck!

anon4now · 23/05/2011 11:31

Take as much arnica (for bruising) and calendula (for open wounds) as possible.
Get an abdominal binder and wear it - they are standard issue where I live and meant for regaining shape, keeping it all "held in" but I found it super helpful in holding my abdomen together, keeping pressure on the scar to help it heal and reminding me not to bend from the waist etc. It's like a huge wrap made of velcro and super strong elastic - don't know if they are the norm in the UK but it was excellent

vintageteacups · 23/05/2011 11:32

hold your wound with two hands when coughing/sneezing.

Showers will be easier and I'm sure they tell you not to bath for at least a few days/possibly a week but can't remember.

vintageteacups · 23/05/2011 11:32

and check any products, natural or otherwise, before taking if breastfeeding Smile

LadyWord · 23/05/2011 11:41

Do:
Let everyone do as much for you as possible
Take painkillers
Go for little walks with pram or buggy - it helps support you - but avoid anything energetic
Sleep whenever you can - it aids healing
Watch your wound for any new redness or seepage (yuk sorry) and talk to the hospital asap if you suddenly feel really ill, as it could be an infection.
Even better then M&S big knickers, the hospital will give you special "netting" stretchy knickers that look like a hideous giant teabag, but soooooo comfy for your stitches etc. I asked the hosp for more to take home and they gave me several.
Take large pile of chocolate and fruit (or other treats/snacks) into hospital.

DON'T
Don't be scared - I found it all hurt much less than I expected
Don't try to do anything you don't really have to. Once home, lie on the sofa with your baby surrounded by mess - do not get up to try to sort it.
Don't have visitors until/unless you want them - arrange with your DP and DD to have a signal that means "I really need these guests to bugger off now" so they can shoo them out.

Oh and DON't think it would be a good idea to pop over to a friends BBQ on the first night you get out of hospital to show off your baby and get back into the social whirl. Blush Go home and go to sleep!

AitchTwoOh · 23/05/2011 11:46

madre, imo it's labour that is the problem, not the cs. people who have laboured for hours and then go into a section seem to have much worse difficulties afterwards.

i've had one straightforward labour and one cs (after it was discovered in a scan that dd2 was in trouble, so no labour). cs was infinitely easier to recover from, i didn't even need painkillers... used to take paracetamol just to shut the nurses up.

diyqueen · 23/05/2011 14:49

Everyone's said most of it already, but I'd add to be prepared for some ups and downs in the first couple of weeks with recovery. I felt fantastic in the 24 hours straight after the op (all those lovely drugs) and wondered what all the fuss was about, but then felt dreadful by day 3! I think everyone has different experiences, just take it as it comes and do whatever you can manage. Hope it all goes well.

whitechocolatebuttons · 23/05/2011 15:07

Don't drive! - The 'no driving' rule might seem silly when you want to be out and about but the driving position and working the pedals (not to mention the seatbelt!) puts so much stress on your wound, it could reopen. I thought I would be able to drive over the pennines in my DH's truck after 4 weeks... Of course, horror movie ensued and my recovery was set back by 6 weeks or so. Its not worth it. Take care of yourself and don't be a Superwoman!! ASK for help if its not offered.

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