C section - essential tips

[Gigondas]

Am likely to have elective c section in 2 weeks if baby doesnt move. What do I need to know about prep or recovery? Or point me in right direction of a thread as know it will have been done before .

Constipation was also horrid, if I was doing it again I would be drinking prune juice as soon as I got home!

Have to say whist ELCS was calmer, it is more worrying. The emergency is all about safely getting baby out, an ELCS is much more time to worry!! In addition you walk into theatre absolutely fine. Trust your surgeon, I was lucky as I had the top dog last time!, and the team. Usually very very friendly.

Can honestly say ELCS was a lovely experience, prior to that I had a GA where we didn't know who would survive and dc2 had to be resuscitated. .

Feeding lying on your side is really helpful, and if you are happy to do so, keep the baby in bed with you (you can put the rails up) so you don't have to keep getting up to see to him/her. Do ask for help with lifting the baby, or for someone else to change them (if you don't have a handy visitor with you). If you can get visitors at least regularly, that helps too. My hospital had a kitchen where they expected you to get your own snacks, drinks and breakfast, but that meant wheeling baby in the crib around the corridors, and I couldn't do this for myself.
I would second the keeping upright, it is more comfortable in the short term to stoop when standing, or sit up a bit in bed, but you get stiff in that position and it hurts like hell when you need to move.

Thanks again- will be making copious notes a elcs booked for two weeks time.

This is really helpful! Thank you ladies.
I have had two vaginal births, but am having to have an ELCS this time

Very worried about the wind! I have never even passed wind in frot of my DH so ridiculously this is freaking me out more than anything?!

How much arnica and how often? I'm going to get some this afternoon and some peppermint caps too.

If you can afford it then pay for private room (on first night you will probably have to be on ward due to them needing to keep a close eye on you) but to me that made the difference in experience between the first EMCS and the second ELCS.

Also baubleybobbityhat where did you have your c-sections to need 2 or 3 anaesthatists? Usually there would just be one.

Thanks queen- luckily have private care so room booked.

What do people think about visitors? Am told will be in 3 nights (assume no likelihood of getting out earlier as not mad about hospitals). I don't know how I will feel (was in for 2 nights last time and had no visitors as didn't feel up to it).

Part of me wants to get it over but also my family can be quite wearing (whole other thread) and not keen on Being overrun when still weak and vulnerable (dh policed visits last time but my dm was ott, stayed too long and left me feeling a bit drained).

Take mirror and make up in, others on ward laughed at me but were borrowing my stuff by the 2nd day.

If bed doesn't go up and down electronically, tie a dressing gown belt to bottom of bed and pull on it to ease yourself upright.

Net knickers fantastic, snug fit and let the wound breathe. Not always available though.

Take paracetemol in with you.

To experience what it'll feel like not to be able to feel your legs, sit next to someone now and touch their leg and pretend it's yours, so weird!

My surgeon was lovely, chatted to me. But he wouldn't remove any fat whilst he was in there, said there wasn't any...yeah right!

Hope all goes well!

xx

If you are having ELCS because of breach baby be aware that the baby may turn even after you arrive at the hospital and they will send you home still pregnant. DD turned on the operating table.
The memory of it still makes me cry. Especially as I had a failed induction 2 weeks later and a EMCS a week after that.

Aware of the turning (dh turned in last 20 minutes) but secondary reason is have such bad pgp that can barely stand and not sure even with pain relief could manage a natural delivery. Plus am going private