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Childbirth

Preparing for csection - tips for good experience and recovery please

34 replies

GingerbreadPudding · 07/01/2015 09:58

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!

OP posts:

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sandgrown · 07/01/2015 19:58

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

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nilbyname · 07/01/2015 20:12

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!

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jimijack · 08/01/2015 08:57

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.

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yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 08/01/2015 09:08

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:

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VikingLady · 08/01/2015 09:18

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!

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VikingLady · 08/01/2015 09:19

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

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Number3cometome · 08/01/2015 09:27

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.

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Sorehead · 09/01/2015 06:42

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.

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Sorehead · 09/01/2015 06:45

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