Preparing for csection - tips for good experience and recovery please

[GingerbreadPudding]

I'm having a section on 15th jan and would love to hear from ladies who have any suggestions for the section experience itself and good tips on what to pack for the hospital stay (I'll be in a private room and my husband can stay over).

Any tips for making the operation itself a more 'pleasant' experience, particularly for bonding with my little one?

Any tips for coping and experiences of if they have to take her away for resuscitation (she's being born at 37 weeks as I have obstetric cholestasis)

Anything I should be buying and taking with me to help make the recovery easier?

Anything I should prepare now or do once I'm home from hospital to make my recovery run as smoothly as it can.

Any breastfeeding tips?

I've had a horrible pregnancy with lots of pain, immobility, bile itching etc, and I am so determined that the birth will be a turning point for us. I can't wait to meet my little girl!

[Sorehead]

Just re-read my last sentence and it's not intended to imply that those who had pain when walking didn't keep on top of their pain relief! I know I was very lucky with my recovery, and never felt as bad as I thought I should have done.

I have a difficult baby though now so the universe has obviously tried to balance things out

[Sorehead]

All other tips have been given but just wanted to balance out the reports that standing up and walking is painful. I had EMCS at 1am and at around 10am (ish- time is a bit hazy but it was definitely some time in the morning) my catheter was removed and the MW got me to stand up. I was shocked at the lack of pain so asked if I was allowed to walk across the room, which was also fine. Once in my private room with DH, I didn't really need any help, except picking things off the floor for the first couple of days; I was fine picking my baby up etc and would find excuses to go for a walk across the ward to keep active. I kept on top of my paracetamol, even if I didn't feel like I needed it when I was due another dose though which probably helped.

[Number3cometome]

First C-section was stitches with a bead on each end, didn't feel much at all when they removed the stitches, they just cut the beads off and pulled through, absolutely easy peasy.

Second time round was disolveable stitches, for some reason they don't always dissolve in my skin (had the same problem with various surgeries), was painless but some had to be removed later on.

[VikingLady]

You may not need to have stitches out. My hospital uses dissolving stitches.

[VikingLady]

I was advised to take deflatine (you get trapped wind due to post-op swelling) and lactulose. Brilliant. No problems at all, and they don't interfere with breast feeding.

I wore my maternity pants after - they were primarks biggest plain black granny knickers! 22-24 I think.

The main advice afterwards is not to push stuff, and that is what will be the most uncomfortable. So definitely no hoovering!

[yellowsnownoteatwillyou]

Yes to all of above, also take a cushion or pillow, so put it between the lap part of your seatbelt for the drive home. Speed bumps are sore.
Take as much rest as you can
Also getting your stitches out is a relief rather than being more painful.
And yes to changing babies high up. No way could I have got on an off the floor.
And try and not laugh for a bit, dh and I went into a fit of giggles in the hospital after. Very sore:

[jimijack]

Yes, I think I was lucky to not have any problems due to the amount I had to do. Second baby, second section for me too. Kind of knew my limitations. Still had no choice but to get on with things.

[nilbyname]

jimijack I did what you did after my first section and was re admitted to hospital as my scar started to tear and re-open as I was doing to much! I then got MRSA. Not fun.

Second baby, second section, I did a whole lot less and by week 4 I was back to my usual routine. So I would defiantly make sure you really rest up with your snuggly new baby for the first 3 weeks. It's bliss!

[sandgrown]

Yes to big pants .not too.much housework but get out for a bit of fresh air as soon as you feel able to push the pram. It will help avoid the baby "blues" and aid recovery. Good luck x

[Goodmum1234]

Sorry about the delay, I've been busy with 15 week old all day

The mw bought me oil in a little cup and I drank it like a shot!! Didn't know about it suppressing milk supply tho but only had one.

Sadly after a week of trying to fb I just couldn't again!! Ended up feeding baby formula like the first time but this time did not beat myself up about it!!!! I have a healthy baby who Is making great progress and I am In a great mental state due to not putting pressure on myself this time.
Yes to massive pants- primark three sizes bigger to what u normally are!!!!im 16 and wore 22!!! They were beauts xxx

[imip]

Oh ffs! It's under images - sorry dd4 is insisting on drawing around my hand!

[imip]

uk.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A9mSs2Qoda1UgQ4AH8iA3YlQ;_ylc=X1MDMTM1MTIxMjQxNgRfcgMyBGJjawMxNHA1bmQ5OXIwdXBxJTI2YiUzRDMlMjZzJTNEYmoEZnIDaXBhZARncHJpZANBVFBDelVDZ1FISzlCaTJTTWtodWFBBG10ZXN0aWQDQVNTVF9UJTNEVFNBVUswNCUyNlVJMDFfVCUzRFRBVUswMQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDNARvcmlnaW4DdWsuc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMQRwcXN0cgNwYW50cyBhZnRlciBjIHNlYwRwcXN0cmwDMTcEcXN0cmwDMjEEcXVlcnkDcGFudHMgYWZ0ZXIgYyBzZWN0aW9uBHRfc3RtcAMxNDIwNjUzOTA0Mjk1BHZ0ZXN0aWQDVEFVSzAx?gprid=ATPCzUCgQHK9Bi2SMkhuaA&pvid=pu3PVjIxMi4SZLdqU7B7OgdnNzcuMQAAAADA.Ipl&p=pants+after+c+section&fr2=sa-gp&fr=ipad&rd=r1 at least they could use a real life model!

[TinyTear]

use a maternity pad on the scar to absorb any leakage, but yes, after shower and if you can, lie down with it getting some fresh air

[jimijack]

Big knickers are a MUST. Preferably v cheap ones so you can bin them.

Have a wee table by your chair/ sofa for:
Remote control
Drinks
Snacks
Tissues
Wipes
Phone.

Bf was no issue, I was given steroids 3 days before my cs at 37 weeks. Baby was absolutely fine just tiny. Soon fed him up with bm.

Get up & do stuff as soon as poss. It really helps with recovery time.

I had no choice. I was pushing the pram through the snow taking ds 1 to & from school 2 weeks after section as dh had gone back to work & we had no one at all to help. Also had washing, cooking, cleaning & dishwasher to sort. Took painkillers & cracked on. The really annoying thing was that I was so fat &swollen, I couldn't do my coat up, so was bloody freezing on that track to school!

[DidThatJustHappen]

Number3 yes exactly the baby will be in great hands! My DS was delivered at 29 weeks and 2lbs by semi elective c section (I had a few hours warning after a couple of weeks of hospital bed rest) and he is now doing great. The baby doctors work miracles. My first baby so I didn't find it too weird not having him with me to start with as the only thing I knew. After a few days I found it really tough but at 37 weeks hopefully if your DC does need help they won't be away from you for too long.

I second M&S very very large black pants (bought them on recommendation of my consultant who recommended them over the surgical ones - I got size 16 and am usually a 12).

[mupperoon]

Dunno whether this applies to you but my other half set up 2 changing stations at worktop height, one upstairs one downstairs, so I didn't have to go too far or bend unnecessarily.

I had a c-section belt from Mothercare that was really good.

My milk took 6 days to come in and was not plentiful - I started on fenugreek capsules and 5 months later my girl is EBF and I have tons of milk. Definitely don't give up on the advice of midwives or HVs or MILs, I was told for weeks to give up but I am bloody glad I didn't.

Good luck!

[Number3cometome]

And if they do have to resuscitate it is scary but doctors are pretty amazing in my experience

Absolutely, baby is in the best hands.

My sister had DN at 37 weeks with OC, she was born absolutely fine weighing a healthy 7 1/2lb xx

[DidThatJustHappen]

If there is a risk baby might go to NICU / SCBU then check with the team / DH about what you want to do - they asked us if DH wanted to go with them upstairs and I was in no state to make decisions with a bunch of surgeons fiddling about inside me. He stayed with me but then I was lying there thinking he should have gone.... I would have liked them to have asked us before, as I knew DS would definitely be going to the NICU. The c section itself was not too bad at all - just weird. My DH cleverly kept chatting to me about random stuff like holidays and all the food I had missed in pregnancy which kept me relaxed. I was worried about the catheter and spinal block hurting when they came out... Didn't hurt at all. Don't be afraid to ask for painkillers after - particularly if you have to get out of bed to see DC in NICU - one midwife refused to give me codeine day 2 after section as "you won't be able to take it home with you". I went home with a big pack of it so she was VERY wrong and I couldn't get out of bed without it!

And if they do have to resuscitate it is scary but doctors are pretty amazing in my experience.

All the best!

[Number3cometome]

Hold a sanitary towel or pillow over your wound when you cough or laugh or sneeze!

V pillow is amazing.

Try and get up and about as soon as possible (and safe) afterwards.

Listen to the advice about nil by mouth - very very important.

Take some simple linctus with you, for some reason I developed a cough after my C-section (1st one -GA) and the coughing made it horrendous.

Make sure you don't try and bend or lift anything. Nice loose nightdress or very loose pjs.

Don't be put off by paracetamol - it is incredibly effective IF taken in regular doses. On it's own, it's shit!

[Jackiebrambles]

Yes to nighties rather than pjs. Get one with buttons so you can bf easily.

I bought a pack of 5 black 'granny pants' from M&S in a 14-16 size (I'm normally 10-12). They go right over your wound so won't hurt or irritate it. Plus they are black so good for the post birth lochia.

They are also the most comfortable pants known to man!!

[nilbyname]

Stay on tip of pain, don't wait to feel sore, take your meds post section regularly.

You'll have injections at home to be given by the mw, they are not scary or sore, but are in your tummy so a bit freaky.

Rest. Reat lots. Stay in bed, have a babymoon and say yes to people dropping off food, running errands.

Big pants with a sanitary pad runnin horizontally across your scar feels nice.

Take arnica orally and , tea tree oil and lavender in your bath helps healing.

You will get constipated so eat well. The fist poo is scary but you can do it!

[fruitpastille]

I've had 3 sections.
For the op... You can often take your own CD to play (my dh lovingly made his own then forgot it!)
Agree with surgeon beforehand that you can have skin to skin straightaway if baby is OK. I had dd on my chest while they sewed me up.
Op itself is fine, worst part is canula and keeping still for spinal but you have a midwife to support you. I was a bit emotional but they get baby out quite quickly - within 15 mins and then you can relax a bit.
You can't eat or drink beforehand so a nice snack for after might be good but personally I felt a bit nauseous.
Have plenty of water and orange juice to help prevent constipation.
First trip to the toilet can be tricky after spinal but you will have a catheter initially.
It is a struggle to walk for the first few days but each day is better than the last. I drove at around 4 weeks.
NO hoovering for a few weeks. The outside heals quickly but inside takes longer. Take your painkillers.
Breast feeding - was v hard for me but not due to section. V shape pillow is handy.
Big size high waist pants and over the bump yoga trousers to wear. I was also fine with bigger size PJ bottoms in hospital.

[thelittlebooktroll]

I had a planned section and it was a calm lovely experience. I had no problem bonding or breastfeeding and recovered really quickly even though it was my second section. Best of luck

[Northernexile]

Yes trapped wind and also constipation can be a problem, so plenty of fluids and Windeze and Lactulose if necessary.

Make sure you take nighties not pjs for after, and pants-wise I just bought some granny pants a couple of sizes too big and they we're perfect.

I have found a widgey cushion useful for feeding (I'm 6 weeks post my second CS), and DH did all the changing, lifting her in to bed etc for me for the first week or two at night.

Just take it really easy, and make sure you take all the medication offered to keep on top of the pain. I felt pretty good after two weeks this time.

Good luck!

[GingerbreadPudding]

I can't find post surgery pants on amazon imip. I don't have a mothercare near me. Are they called something different? I've found what look like super control pants but I'm thinking they might be sore on the wound.