C-Section: What to expect?

[MamaC]

I am leaving a message for the first time! V. nervous.

I am 28 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. My first two (both healthy boys) were delivered vaginally but both were traumatic and assisted deliveries. After my second was born I was left in such a mess - I couldn't walk or sit properly for 8 days and, therefore, came about as close to getting post-natal depression as I could without actually getting it! (I knew I wasn't feeling good physically & mentally). Myself and my GP decided that it would be best for me to have C-section with my third - I am very happy about this - i know it won't be a walk in the park (being laid up for a long time, unable to drive etc) but I feel quite strongly against a vaginal delivery for me personally.

What I don't know though is what really to expect? How bad is the op pain? How long does it last? How bad is the wound? What knickers to wear after? PJ's or nightdresses? How easy to breastfeed? Basically if anyone can give me a bit of info I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Big cotton knickers - M&S size 20 or something. No op pain - I had no sensations whatsoever. All fine. And I drove after the first ten days (during which I was either in hospital or too disorganised to get out of the house ) and felt normal after a couple of weeks.
Good luck.

You do get a lot of wind afterwards and I recommend peppermint tea. They gave it to met at the hospital and it really helped.

I think you can drive whenever you're ready. It basically depends on when you have the abdominal strength to do an emergency stop. Make sure your insurance company will cover you if you want to drive before the normal six week wait. You can send them a note from your doctor saying you're able, if necessary.

I prefered c section to natural, it was far less taumatic, the only downer is you have to wear big knickers for a while.

Am I the only person to have a c-section and not be troubled by wind?
BTW There was nothing in my insurance documents that said ANYTHING about c-sections or six week waits. I honestly think this is an urban myth. I'd say, do what you want and what you feel able to do comfortably.

Had natural with my first and c-sec with my second (low placenta). The c-sec was much better - a bit wierd lying awake as your stomach is cut open but no pain and it was all over in 10 mins! Recovery was a little longer but I was driving within 3 weeks - I still get a slight pain where the epidural needle was inserted. Ds seems a happier baby - maybe because he did not have a traumatic birth. Big knickers a must!

Am I the only person to have a c-section and not be troubled by wind?
BTW There was nothing in my insurance documents that said ANYTHING about c-sections or six week waits. I honestly think this is an urban myth. I'd say, do what you want and what you feel able to do comfortably.

MamaC, jsut like to add had 2 sections. Yes you do get pain afterwards, but you can have pain relief take this option it works great and will help you to cope with your baby a bit better.
Usually they take the baby the first night to the nursing station so that you can get some rest as your movement is restricted although if your breastfeeding it may be difficult to do that. Don't worry too much.
My sister has had both vaginal delivery and section. She said section is far better, that's because she did have a difficult time though. Just a word of advice the sooner you get up to walk afterwards the quicker you seem to recover( day after of course). Keep your back straight really helps with walking. If you are like me I didn't realise how bad my posture was until then. Also just to add you do get some wind afterwards. Good luck Larsxx

Aloha...yep, you were the only (lucky) one to avoid wind!
I'd forgotten about the crap posture; spent a few days walking on tiptoes with a hunched back, for no explicable reason!
If the driving insurance thing is an urban myth, then the NHS have fallen for it too, as it was actually stated in my discharge info.

Whatever you do ... don't let anyone funny come and see you the day you have the baby.
We have a friend who is one of the funniest people on the planet ... and he just couldn't help making jokes when he came to visit ...
I thought I would pop my stitches and had to send him home

Be prepare for them to not let you eat after the birth.
Here in NZ they wouldn't let me eat until I had 'broken wind' ... In the end I lied and told the m/w that I had done a big fart just before she came in ... so I then got something to eat!
Aloha ... I didn't have problem with wind either
I found that rule so strange because there was nothing like that when I had DS ...

Aloha, I didn't have any problem with wind either. Or constipation...

Also, I couldn't feel them doing anything during the op, and I nearly fell asleep while they were stitching me up. (had a spinal)

You could ask if you can take your own cd to play during the op.

Pain wasn't at all bad afterwards, but it was hard to get from lying to sitting for about a week.

Breastfeeding was fine from my point of view but dd wasn't ready to be born and just wanted to sleep so that caused problems. If I ever have an elective cs again I'm not letting them do it till 40 weeks!

I was exhausted for a couple of months (more than other mums who delivered vaginally so I don't think it was just the lack of sleep).

The area a few inches above and below my scar was numb for 20 months but feeling is coming back now; it's still slightly pink but maybe will eventually fade?