If you are having a caesarean....

[danceswithmonkeys]

I've just made up a 'hints and tips' list for my friend who is having a caesarean soon (I've had two) if you want me to e-mail it to you let me know!

[lunalovegood84]

I had a really straightforward c section recovery even though mine was unplanned. Afterwards there was nothing I would describe as acute pain. It was more a sort of odd feeling in the whole abdominal region. My belly suddenly without a baby in it felt like a big wobbly jelly strapped to my front, my abdominal muscles felt weak and I was conscious of the incision area as a sort of nagging twinge on movement, a bit like when you have an exercise injury you're trying not to strain. Sitting up in bed is the most difficult thing. The reclining bed in the hospital really helps. But to put it into perspective the shredded blistered nipples I got from breastfeeding were 10 times worse in terms of discomfort.

I was tired (2 days without sleep) but running on adrenaline. I think it didn't occur to me that there were things I couldn't manage to do so I just carried on as normal. Section Sunday evening, walking 6 hours later, showered myself midday Monday and walking around as normal, doing laundry on Wednesday, on hands and knees scrubbing poo out of the carpet on Friday. In hindsight I wonder if that was wise, in fact the last one is positively stupid, but I did feel back to normal incredibly quickly.

The worst things for me were the extreme constipation and very swollen feet and legs. If I ever have another c section I will be overdosing on dried fruit, drinking litres of water and refusing painkillers with codeine. It was not fun. The swollen legs disappeared after about 10 days. Elevating them helped temporarily.

To be that's what "rough" felt like. Hope that helps.

[hugefatso]

Everyone with c section experience is saying that they felt "rough" afterwards. Can you elaborate on what you mean?

nauseous? Dizzy? hungover? headache? fatigue?

[LouMum14]

Fantastic thread, def worthy of bump! Only wish I'd had this advice before my EMCS! Making lists as we speak!

[SpringtimeSun]

Bump for the really useful tips, hoping to avoid a CS but it's great to be prepared.

[CraicWhore]

Can I add some things to the 'before' the c-section from a medical perspective?

Please take off all your nail varnish and make up before coming to theatre. You can always put it back on again on the ward for photos, but in an operating theatre where things can go wrong, it's a bad idea.
Also for the love of God please don't get a spray tan - or any kind of all over tan! It's a really stupid thing to do.
Leave any jewellery at home. I would hate to think any of my colleagues are thrives, but in a rush things do tend to go walkies.
If we tell you not to eat, we really do mean it! We are nice people honestly! We wouldn't be so strict on the not drinking/eating if it wasn't so necessary.
Lastly . . Don't be shy or embarrassed. We really are unshockable! We have seen and done a lot of difficult/ funny/ bizarre/ sad / unbelievable things. We only want to help you, so talk to us!

Good luck!

[Tallyra]

I agree with the pads thing. You will still bleed lots even if you don't go into labour. Don't take the pack of pads out of your bag and leave them at home. Doh!

[Inglori0us]

My stuff arrived today. Now have peppermint oil capsules, windeze, flip flops & sports bottle. Also have a mountain more pads. I feel more prepared. Thanks everyone who suggested stuff.

[Madratlady]

Do not allow your dh to talk you into helping him rearrange the living room furniture less than 4 weeks post cs.

I second whoever said that if you jyst get on with it people think that you can do more than you actually can. I was carrying on as normal after a few weeks then ended up in lots of pain again.

[Inglori0us]

This thread is great. My elcs is 3 weeks today. I've been online & ordered lavender oil, peppermint capsules, windeze, new flip flops, a really long cardigan (in place of a dressing gown) and a sports bottle.
I feel more relaxed knowing I have this stuff coming.
Thank you.

[pandia]

I was wondering the same about the postnatal girdle or support belt. Anyone?

Also what is best oil for treating the scar? Anyone tried dermafix? It's been recommended to me. Or bio oil? Or someone even said boots protect and perfect serum!

[RachClapp]

Sorry - mean a postnatal girdle obviously…..

[RachClapp]

Brilliant brilliant thread! Can I ask if anyone has used a prenatal girdle after a c section? Looks like they offer lots of support and make you feel a bit more secure but haven't heard anyone mention it yet. Having CS in 4 weeks, can't wait to see my twins!

[Bellini28]

Angelina sounds like my hospital. My c section is in the morning and pleased to have found this thread... Message being sent to hubby immediately regarding a few items. Am super nervous as it's first c section.... Excited too though.
Anyway thanks to all the contributors, very very helpful thread :)

[AngelinaBalerina]

Thanks for this thread. I am 4-5 weeks away from my third Cs, and though some things are different where I live, this thread is helpful esp. for things I've forgotten (like massive lochia in the shower). (Differences include hospital bags, for instance - the hospital where I give birth provides nighties, pads, plush bath gowns, slippers, baby nappies, clothes, etc.; you can only bring toiletries, if you wish. Plus no food except a couple of biscuits, tea, apple juice and prunes for 2 days, which is tough, and you can't bring in food from outside. Hospital stay is 5 days w/ a Cs, and only on the third day do they bring you food, which is actually very nice. The baby is only brought to you a little at a time in the beginning, unless you ask otherwise. Etc.)
Anyway, I cannot stress enough the importance of walking as soon as possible, and as much as you can afterwards. Cs1 was tough, I barely got up, stayed in bed a lot and only fully recovered over a month later. Cs2, got up some 9 hours after, kept moving, showering, etc. (resting as well, of course), and it hurt infinitely less (only paracetamol after day 3), plus I was practically normal 5 days later.
Cannot emphasize this enough, the experiences were worlds apart. No depression the second time around, no crankiness, joy galore even though baby No.2 was/is as demanding as they make them.
As cheesy as it sounds, not feeling scared and sorry for yourself makes a massive difference as well.

[Dylanlovesbaez]

Thank you so much for this. I'm 6 weeks pregnant with dc2 and it's quite likely I will be opting for a c-section. I've really struggled to get my head around it but this has really helped. Thank you.

[CheeseandGherkins]

Bumping for others as I've found this so useful, might be needing a section in a couple of weeks and terrified!

[AmIGoingMad]

Thanks so much for bumping! Have my section on weds due to baby being breech. Had pre op today but these tips are invaluable! Thank you!

[ella0]

It must vary by area redwelly, as I had a c-section a few weeks ago and was told to shave beforehand.

[redwellybluewelly]

Some of this info is out of date. For example my recent CS info pack says NOT to shave beforehand because this can be a cause of infection.

[Nataliejane88]

Brilliant thread with some invaluable advice! I'm unsure if I'm having a c section but it is looking more and more likely so after being adament about a natural birth all along this has really helped me to plan and prepare!!

[Melody3boys]

Lots of great advice here already. I've had three C-sections, here are my tips. .
Water bottles with sports caps to drink from whilst laying down.
Buzz, buzz, buzz that buzzer. Don't try to stretch to lift baby from cot. I even asked mws to change baby's nappy when no relatives were there to help me.
After a few days, a dressing gown cord tied to the end of the bed to help you pull yourself up to sitting.
Don't rush to go home. I recommend pushing to stay a third night.
I'm seriously thinking about paying for a cleaner if there is a next time. Like an earlier poster, I really struggle to leave little jobs and actually can't relax very well.

The day of the surgery is a shock but spinal and top up drugs, as well as not being allowed out of bed, make it ok.
Day 2 is always the worse for me, the day they get you up.
Each day after that gets slightly easier.
The first week is pretty hellish so just do nothing. Improved slightly once stitches are removed (approx day 5).
The second week is still tough but after that it gradually begins to improve.
After about five weeks I feel back to normal.

Hope that adds some helpful tips to the already great advice on here.

Mx

[Tucktalking]

a light diet afterwards helps. I survived on having 2 pieces of brown bread with frozen boiled vegs with loads of spinach added to it. I had it together with the water it was cooked in. anything heavy gave me a tummy ache.

[tinkletinklestar]

Bumping this for anyone due soon.

I'm having a section in 2 weeks, its very handy x

[elizaregina]

re getting up - its very common to faint or feel light headed when you first get up - so do make sure you have your DH and a care assistant or two really helping you to a chair first. if you can do that - then aim for bathroom.

they tried to push me to bathroom and i said i wasnt ready - so instead got a chair right by bed for me - good job, seconds later i was passed out.

please dont push yourself on moving, wiggle toes in bed -raise up legs rotoate ankles....sqeeze all muscles you can - wave arms around.

a MW came round to me and got me to turn on my side - i tweaked something and got horrific side pains since...other ladies on ward all had really nasty deliveries - emergency sections - they were more mobile and in less pain than me ebcayse of this stupid woman,
there is encouraging movement and stupid movement.

move gently in your bed - but dont attempt a fulll side turn!

the babies that cried all night on the ward were the ones that werent fed. if baby cries - feed feed feed.

if you can wedge pillows round you - bars up on bed, sleep with baby if you feel safe to do so...much much much easier - not offically recomened but loads of MW saw us and said nothing. i got myself into a postion where literally neither of us could move an inch.

check what medication they will give you if breast feeding a few people have been told can only have certian things ,....

oramorph is available for break through pain, its not the same as the other drugs they give you - so you can have it in between the other drugs.

be aware - often one mw will come round and tell you one thing then another will come round and say excalty the opposite!!!

[Rowanhart]

I'm having a casaerian in 10 days and this is the best thread ever. Thank you all.