Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Childbirth

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

ELCS any tips.....

15 replies

nearlymumofone · 23/07/2012 19:58

Hi,

Am booked in for ELCS in 4 weeks (due to bad tearing last time round).

I was just wondering if anyone had any 'tips' on how to prepare for it. After my last birth I took arnica tablets and used lavender oil in baths and seemed to heal quite well and quickly (could have been coincidence). I was just wondering with a c-section if there is anything I should buy or do to gear up it beforehand.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Newtothisstuff · 23/07/2012 20:26

I found putting a maternity pad across the wound comfortable for a couple of days, my wound weeped a bit and it saved my underware getting stuck to it. Made it feel a bit more secure as well (it will make more sense when you have had it done) good luck. I've had 2 and I've been fine Grin

tryingtonotfeckup · 23/07/2012 20:30

Big knickers - I bought a cheap pack of them and chucked them later. Make sure the band isn't on the wound line.

Organise some help with other children etc as you need to take care when lifting. Balance getting rest with moving around afterwards.

I've had two as well and been fine. Make sure you look after yourself.

Good luck

fruitybread · 23/07/2012 23:01

Peppermint oil capsules in case of trapped wind - a large refillable water bottle with a sports type cap so you can leave it lying down on the covers without it leaking. slip on shoes.

i had an elcs and it was fab - home after 2 nights and stitches out on day 5, and v swift recovery.

theborrower · 24/07/2012 21:19

Big pants! As in, come up to your waist totally unsexy cotton pants. You don't want anything rubbing on your wound. I found them so comfy I was wearing them for months Blush I think they were 5 for £4 in M&S, or something like that. Better than disposable knickers too.

That's my number 1 tip.

I have no idea if arnica etc do any good. It's probably all a bit hocus pocus. I didn't bruise though. Just remember to take your painkillers afterwards, the ibuprofen will help any swelling etc.

Newtothisstuff · 24/07/2012 22:00

Definitely don't wear disposable undies.. The ones they put on me post op made me stick to the bed it was hideous..

Susieloo · 24/07/2012 22:08

I really struggled with the big knickers I had bought because they kept rolling down over my deflated bump and settling in my wound, midwife recommended getting my boyfriend to bring in some of his boxer shorts and it was great, I needed a waist band to stop them shifting around so either boxers or knickers with a bit of weight!!

Billy11 · 25/07/2012 00:30

hi ...i am due to have mine next week wednesday ...
i was advised prune juice ... prunes and dried apricots as you can get badly constipated after ...or laxatives.
some ladies recommended a belly bandit some didnt like it

also been told the sooner you are walking around the sooner you recover good luck

nearlymumofone · 27/07/2012 13:52

Thanks for the tips- I have lots of big knicks already that I had bought from last birth and am wearing already (they are way too comfy!!). Looking forward to it now. x

OP posts:
kittybloom · 27/07/2012 14:05

In addition to the big pants tip, you should also take all pain relief regularly for the few days after ELCS and have lactulose on standby. I also recommend taking spatone (iron supplement) to counteract blood loss.

ValiumQueen · 27/07/2012 14:12

Peppermint and arnica. I bought a belt for afterwards Theraline or something. I found it helpful. Keep a record of when you take your pain relief, and take it regularly. Do not wait for the pain to build up, but keep on top of it. I was only on PCM and ibuprofen. Good luck!

PetiteRaleuse · 27/07/2012 14:31

Remember that when you take painkillers the pain is not there but the wound still is - don't overdo it. That said, walking is good, asap after the surgery (obviously not 5 minutes later, but definitely the next morning) and right through the recovery period.

You may feel like walking bent over and hunched up, and that if you stand up straight your wound will open and everything will fall out. It won't - the feeling you can't stand up straight is psychological. Holding a cushion over the wound will help. It's hard to describe - not as scary as I've made it sound though, but will be worth packing a small cushion in your hospital bag.

Great tip above about the water in a sports drink bottle - I'm going to remmeber that for ELCS coming up in three months time.

Don't lift anything heavier than your baby, and avoid certain movements like loading and unloading the dishwasher / washing machine, hanging out the washing. Not heavy work, I know, but the angle it's done makes things hard. I'd delegate for as long as you possibly can.

Stock up the freezer with easy to heat up meals.

The operation room is quite intimidating - lots of people. My arms were strapped down and I was uncontrollably shaking for some reason or other. It's normal, apparently. There will be a doctor somewhere near your head (anaesthetist) who will talk to you and be very reassuring if you do feel a bit scared.

Erm, these all seem to be post op or during op tips. Hope they help anyway.

ValiumQueen · 27/07/2012 15:34

Make sure you discuss pain relief beforehand. I was written up for Morphine but the midwives did not offer it to me as I was breastfeeding, despite me asking if I could be given anything stronger, as I was still in a lot of pain. I was furious with them when I looked at my prescription sheet prior to discharge.

ValiumQueen · 27/07/2012 15:36

I found using a changing table helpful, and got a decent breastfeeding pillow to protect my wound from baby and DD1. Make sure your older child gets used to not being lifted or sitting on your lap.

Newtothisstuff · 27/07/2012 16:06

Stock up on pain killers (strong ones) for when you get home. I was discharged with paracetamol which did absolutely nothing ! I'd been given some stronger ones for my SPD so ended up taking those for the few days I needed them !!

ValiumQueen · 27/07/2012 16:17

Accept any help you get offered, and of not offered, demand it!
Do not believe anyone who says you cannot BF with a section. That is rubbish.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page