Silly c-section questions

[Wildwaterfalls]

Hi all

May have a c-section in early Sep, and just wondering:

• should I pack my own pain killers? Not for the operation itself obviously (!) but I read you need regular painkillers afterwards. Do you get these in hospital?

• I have also read shaving is required pre operation. Rather do this myself if I can - not have it done in hospital, but how 'drastic' does it need to be? Roughly where is the incision??

Feeling very silly

I had my c-section 6 months ago. I was told to shave to an inch below bikini line - incision actually was on the bikini line so yes, high waisted Granny knickers are a must.

I would only take the painkillers prescribed - especially as head was muzzy so hard to remember what I took, let them keep the records! Also need to be careful with breastfeeding and painkillers.

I got sent home with loads but found them not enough. Have the out of hours doctor number handy so you can get stronger stuff if you need it.

If they offer you painkillers, take 'Em even if not in pain at the time and buzz for help if you need more.

When you're offered food choose the least gassy option and no carbonated drinks.

Do ask any other questions you have - lots of experience here on the forum. Good luck

Hello again

I got booked in for my c-section today, and was given a patient information leaflet. It says not to shave the top of the hairline for 4 weeks beforehand to miminise risk of infection and also to stock up on painkillers for home.

Hope yours goes well

I didn't shave and wasn't shaved, I didn't take pain killers either. (with me I mean, I took anything and everything they offered me!)
I would suggest ear plugs for the first night, I was in a ward with loads of other mums and babies and the loudest snoring woman, I was tempted to record her on my phone...... Lastly take your dressing off very slowly as I didn't and now have a huge scar where it tore off half my skin. AND the 'special doctor' (litigation doctor!?!?) who came to inspect it was totally gorgeous too....

I was given stacks of co-codamol 7.5 years ago. In fact the leftovers lasted me for about 5 years (not taking them very frequently, obviously).

My scar is just above my hairline.

For the first few days at least take the painkillers on a schedule rather than waiting to start hurting.

Consider something for constipation as well (drugs compatible with bf or prunes/dried apricots/etc.) - drugs they can give you are quite constipating, plus you may end up on iron which is more constipating, plus having any kind of operation is quite constipating in the first place, and every medical professional you meet will be obsessed with whether you've had a poo yet (and you'll be idly wondering whether your scar will split when you do).

I have a (silly) question:

I've had a myomectomy - the cut is the same size as a c-section (about 8 inches along my bikini line)

I've read that doctors will push for me a c-section - which I would actually prefer anyway.

Did they give you the choice or do they ultimately say that if you've had the cut once, you have it again?

Assuming the uterine incision is also like a c-section, I would expect that the policy would be similar to a prior c-section (where it would be largely up to you whether you tried a VBAC or went straight for a repeat c-section). Other factors like location of placenta would come into play, though.

I would have a wax unless your hair grows back really, really slowly. I didn't because mine was an unexpected, early emergency so they shaved me and I ended up with itchy prickles that I couldn't do anything about for about 8 weeks until the scar had healed closed.

Having type 1 diabetes too?

Thanks again! Lots of good tips here, also re taking dressing off and constipation. Now wondering if I should/can actually build up the courage to have a proper wax... Only had one once a long time ago. Maybe I can ask them to focus on the top bit (hairline) only, if you see what I mean .

Sorry Kick I don't know the answer to your question... Hope you get the birth you want though!

Another bit of advice. Think carefully about your nightwear for after. I had stocked up on cheap silk type primark black pjs as I was advised that they were easier to slip in and out of bed with, but the band on the pj bottoms hit just at the site of the incision and dug in, so they didn't get much wear. I ended up in jersey nighties and found them more comfortable.

I found that the knickers they doled out in the hospital were the most comfortable ones - despite the fact that they come in a huge tear-off roll and look like very stringy dishcloths.

I second the lady who said take the painkillers even if not in pain in first few days - if you let the pain build up they don't work as well.

Hide any painkillers you do take in cos they make take them off you and put them in a locked cupboard!

Take in a bag that will fit on top of your locker
and have a smaller one for trips to the bathroom to brush teeth, have shower etc with long handles so you can hook it over the taps if there are no shelves. ie avoid bending down scenarios

Take plastic bags in for sending first shower towel and dirty clothes home.

Check husband/partner knows where your clean clothes are in case u r in longer than expected. Or take pen and paper so you can write down "bras: 2nd drawer down on left hand side of dressing table"

With Type 1 diabetes and a previous myomectomy I think most doctors will be strongly in favour of a c-section; the diabetes will mean they are likely to want to deliver the baby a little early (or at least not overdue) and previous uterine surgery suggests that induction isn't a good idea, plus controlling blood sugar during labour is challenging. If you really wanted a vaginal birth then it's probably something you could fight for if you went into labour spontaneously, but as you'd prefer a c-section anyway I think you and the doctors will be abke to easily agree that it's the best option and schedule one in.

hospital paper pants are fab, they were the best.

EMCS hospital shaved me but quite frankly by that point I couldn't have cared less, just in the top of the hair line for me.

I too didn't get any pain killers to go home with so I would recommend having a stock at home even if not in hospital just in case. Weirdly I was given co-codamal after natural birth however no harm in stocking up on paracetamol and codeine?

yes i took my own disposable pants. great.

I got paracetamol and diclaphenac (sp?) at hospital, both of which were good enough.

Wax rather than shave, though it is rather itchy when if grows back!

Top tip from above too - the granny pants. A couple of sizes too big too. I didn't do this an ended up in paper knickers for my stay.

It's no where near as scary as you think it will be. It's fine.

(top tip from DP - tell your partner to be careful where he looks. Mine ended up at the south end of the curtain whilst helping to weigh our DS. He saw everything. Everything. And stopped talking for 3 hrs. I kid you not) :)

Sorry for the thread hijack and thanks for the replies, Casey. :)

The biggest piece of advice I was given was to walk upright immediately. I wasn't shaved at all though - the incision is about 1inch higher than my bikini line.

waxing is far better if you can, my scar is about an inch lower than my natural hair line, less itchy when it re grows.
i second the gas afterwards is awful, i had trapped gas and my stomach was swolen, peppermint tea a must, someone said peppermint drops in hot water is even more effective,
i agree choose lots of foods before and after the help you go, no straining required,
the shower the following day will be the best of your life! take none perfumed items and i flannel to clean your bits properly as your tummy/scar area will feel very sore,
the painkillers are wonderful and ask for them regulary before the pain returns iykwim,
ask the midwife to take pictures during the op if she will/can, i have amazing pictures of ds being born!
good luck x

Wrote a long post and lost it so in summary -
Get the dressing v wet before trying to remove it
Babycentre.com has template c-section birth plans
Read the great advice on recovery on other threads on this site e.g. Stay in hospital as long as you can afterwards
Take snacks and drinks for night time/early morning

just a thought, I'm going to start taking the lactulose before the birth this time, and stock up on glycerine suppositories for afterwards, they help dissolve any, um, blockages ;)

Also mens trunk style underwear, I've been wearing it for months now as its great around the bump, but will be fab afterwards too!

I wasn't shaved during my emcs but prior to going in to hospital I had used one of those bikini line trimmers all over so hair very short - maybe worth considering as less infection risk than shaving and no pain involved! But I had to stand in front of a mirror (we have one in the bath) as bump meant I couldn't see a thing!
Definitely pack big pants and for going home pack clothes that don't have waistbands that sit on your scar - I wore maternity leggings for weeks afterwards.
Avoid codeine - very constipating which is the last thing you need!
Ask a nurse to take off your dressing for you, they will be happy to do so.