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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Hours after c section

36 replies

nutelladipper · 31/05/2015 17:14

I have a few questions! Any experience appreciated.

Will someone dress me? (Assuming spinal will mean I can't dress myself!), if so will they put a pad on or will I just be sat on a sheet? I'm assuming I'll bleed pretty much straight away? I remember with both previous vaginal births that as soon as I stood up it gushed out and I can't help thinking if I don't stand for 12+ hrs then the floor isn't going to look pretty!

How quickly were you up on your feet?

People say where big pants so they don't rub on wound - how big are we talking?

Any other pearls of wisdom you can share that'll be fab!

Thanks

OP posts:
MrsNextDoor · 31/05/2015 17:34

Do you know I can't remember! I've had two...one emergency and one planned.

from what I can recall, I am thinking that I was taken to a bed on a trolley...my wound had been stitched and I had no underwear on at all. The bed had a pad on it...after a couple of hours or less, a nurse had a check of this...there wasn't anything coming out of my vagina at this point.

I was encouraged to go for a shower that evening! It was my planned section and I felt fine.

I did need help...as I felt wobbly. BUt nurses made me do it alone...there's a seat in the shower though.

When we say big pants we mean BIG. Like...right up to your waist.

Don't be surprised when they try to get you moving...it's better for you.

Do ring a nurse to help you get your baby out of his or her crib...they're next to you but you won't be able to reach over very well.

Do expect the stomach area to be all flabby looking but it does go down.

Laughing hurts like hell. BUt after 2 weeks I was pushing the pram to the shops alone.

Original poster
nutelladipper · 31/05/2015 17:51

Mrsnextdoor - thank you. All really helpful. I've still got 12 wks but it's been troubling me! Haha

OP posts:
meglet · 31/05/2015 17:53

belly button height pants Grin .

trilbydoll · 31/05/2015 17:57

I was sat on one of those absorbent sheets plus a maternity towel. The feeling comes back in your legs fairly quickly but you'll have a catheter in - I can't really cope with the logistics of knickers + pad + catheter so just left it until the catheter was removed.

I wore a nightshirt, DH helped me out of the hospital gown.

Asda have high waisted knickers that are working pretty well for me, I am wearing size 18 and was in size 14 mat clothes if that helps as a guide.

I have fairly strong arms so didn't have any problem pulling myself up on the bed guard, but don't overdo it, it'll just slow down your recovery.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 31/05/2015 18:02

Mine was emergency so perhaps slightly different. I stayed in the gown until I was up, partly due to not having my stuff with me! Anyway, might as well mess up their gown for the first day not your own.
Pads - the midwives changed them, there was a pad and a sheet thing, a bit like a disposable changing mat.
I was up and disconnected from everything the next morning, not sure how long but less than a day. I could walk ok, but slowly.
Use the shower with the seat in it in case you feel dizzy
I got quite swollen, so baggy trousers would be better - I couldn't get my maternity jeans on!
Its not as bad as I thought - all the best

bonzo77 · 31/05/2015 18:08

They sit you on an intontinence pad and put a maternity pad between your legs. You'll be in a hospital gown with surgical stockings. After my first I just was like that till the catheter came out. No one changed the pad and it was grim when I finally realised. Second time I was not on the post natal ward so got really good, kind care. Discreetly changing pads, washing me, changing the bed.

Once the catheter is out (I think around 12 hours) you'll be asked to wee in a jug so they can monitor out put. When you first stand up the pad that was between your legs will just fall down. I got blood every where the first time. Second time the nurses helped me to put on pants and a pad before I got up. You can shower then too, someone should go with you. Then you can put your own clothes or nightie on.

Big knickers: big belly warmers, black, in at least 2 sizes bigger than your pre baby size. Actually, I'd recommend tena pants for the first few days. No faffing with sticking the pads in and you can just tear them off and throw them so less bending.

hazelnutlatte · 31/05/2015 18:10

My c section was late in the evening so might be a bit different to a planned section. Got to the ward at about 11pm, was wearing hospital gown and no underwear, and lying on top of a pad.
Didn't get out of bed until the next morning. They took my catheter out and then I went for a shower. Sheets and pad were covered in blood, the ward staff changed them whilst I was in the shower. Then I wore comfy clothes, big knickers and a big maternity pad. I'd brought the pads in myself but I presume they have some if you ask.

Penfold007 · 31/05/2015 18:11

I had my c section and spinal mid afternoon so wasn't encouraged to stand until next morning. Came out of theatre on those attractive stretchy net theatre, maternity pad and theatre nightie thingy. The ward staff checked and changed my pad. I didn't get a chance to put on my own nightie and knickers until the catheter and drips were removed just after breakfast. I second Asda cheap big knickers a couple of sizes bigger than normal.

AndThisIsTrue · 31/05/2015 18:18

Pretty much the same as here, EMCS at about 4am but I was just in my top, no clothes on my lower half until the next morning. Then they came and changed the pad thing and gave me a bed bath which was a bit grim. Clean top on but catheter still in so still no clothes on bottom half. Think it was the next day before I got a shower but I wasn't very well so couldn't have managed before then.
I wore normal shorts type pants in my normal size (12) and they were fine.

Original poster
nutelladipper · 31/05/2015 18:23

Thanks all.

With regards to pads I've previously had the thick ones as they acted as a cushion to protect my "war wounds" - I assume normal maternity pads are ok?

Looks like I need a trip to asda for some tummy warmers then! Smile

OP posts:
EachPeachPearPlum83 · 31/05/2015 18:23

I had an emcs late in the evening after a long labour so some of my memories are a bit hazy! Spent that night still on labour ward (not sure why, think post natal was over crowded!) wearing theatre nightie, no underwear and a catheter. There must have been a pad placed under me. The next morning midwife changed the pad and helped me have a wash. On the post natal ward the staff changed the pad fairly regularly - still no underwear until catheter was removed. The first time I stood up though there was a bit of a gush of blood, but staff were very good and discrete about clearing it up!

MrsCorr · 31/05/2015 18:26

I had an EMCS 3 weeks ago so it's quite fresh for me still. My son was born at 9.30 am & I was able to walk by myself around 1ish. I was just wearing my own tshirt I wore into hospital & nothing on the bottom. Had a pad in between my legs & was sitting on a mat. Once I was up I had a shower by myself & catheter removed around 9.30 that night. It really wasn't a bad experience but it's better if you're prepared. Good luck when the time comes Smile

Original poster
nutelladipper · 31/05/2015 18:41

Thanks & congrats Mrscorr

OP posts:
BeanCalledPickle · 31/05/2015 18:59

Had elcs four weeks ago. Second planned one. Pads wedged between legs in theatre and changed in recovery. When back on the ward I was lying on a mat still with the pads. Asked for it to be changed but it had leaked by the time they got to me. So I had some morphine and they changed everything!

Section at midday catheter out at six or seven. Me up shortly after. I very cautiously got my big pants and pad on myself.

It is painful and awkward but gets better quickly though!

Don't make the mistake I did and leave after 24 hours. Huge error!

SaulGood · 31/05/2015 19:09

I had my first at nearly 10pm at night. I had to wait until they had a bed for me so didn't go to postnatal until 2am. I had my catheter removed then (so 4hrs post op) and was up and about looking after dd overnight and was discharged in the morning (so 12hrs post emcs).

My second was born at 3.30pm ish and I was back on the ward by 4.30pm. I had my catheter out at 6pm and went for a shower and got changed and came back to my bed in time for dinner.

Nobody needed to dress me at any point. I agree with others, they will put a pad between your legs and you will lie on an inco pad. They discreetly check this for blood loss and will change if necessary.

You can move around pretty normally quite quickly. You'd be surprised. In recovery you'll have full feeling in terms of being able to sit up, move your legs, shift around etc. You aren't numb and immobile by any stretch. The spinal isn't like an epidural. It wears off pretty quickly.

WhenASuitcaseJustWontDo · 31/05/2015 19:57

I had a planned c section last week, so different to my emergency one a few years ago!
Baby was born at noon, could feel my body getting back to normal later that evening but didn't have the catheter out till 7 the next morning. Got up and showered straight away. I did have to ask throughout the night for my pad to be changed and also for baby's nappy to be changed too, don't be afraid to. Last time I bought normal maternity pads but midwives insisted that my dh leave the recovery room to buy the mattress style ones, so get some of those just in case.
Buy the highest knickers you can, past your belly button if possible!
Also, as you may be quite stiff, I found having straws for my drinks really useful.

Original poster
nutelladipper · 31/05/2015 20:26

Thanks all and thanks for tips

OP posts:
MrsCorr · 31/05/2015 21:25

Just remembered that I took arnica tablets for about 5 weeks or so before having the baby & I really think it helped with my recovery. It helps with bruising & swelling & I only took paracetomol for 3 days after then no pain relief at all Smile

jellycake · 31/05/2015 21:37

Yes, yes, yes to the belly button knickers. DS was an emergency and was in special baby care so I got out of bed ASAP. I believe that it was only 4 hours after the op that I tried to stand up and the floor felt spongy and I nearly went down - gave the nurses and my dp a heart attack and they insisted I get into a wheelchair to go down to the unit. I was up and about the next day pulling my catheter bag with me. I got off really lightly and didn't need any other pain relief after the op.

EightFiftySix · 31/05/2015 21:45

I'd recommend those awful net pad support pants, like these:
Net Pants

Really unattractive, but soooo comfy on the scar and throw away after use.

I also kept DS in bed beside me as soon as I felt alert because the ward was really busy and there was no one to pass him to me. They put cot-bumpers on the hospital bed, but he lay on my chest all night anyway!

In theatre I asked for the drapes to be lowered so I could watch him emerging, it was lovely. Also asked for them to do all the newborn checks beside me rather than in the ante-room, so he wasn't taken away. I needed that. Think about how you'd like it to go and ask for it.

cantbelieveimonhere · 31/05/2015 21:52

No one told me about post anasthaetic itch -for me scalp and legs, was advised to use Johnsons baby shampoo and it did take some heat out of itch.

SaulGood · 01/06/2015 19:43

In our hospital they give the baby straight to you where possible. They never take it away if they can help it. I also had the baby in with me (hospital encourages bed sharing) from the second they were born. DH watched the whole cs with dc2 (dc1 was a cat 1 emergency, dc2 not so hurried at all) and described it as it happened. They lowered the screen for me too.

I never took painkillers either. I suffered no pain whatsoever post op. Listen to your body and if you do need painkillers, keep on top of them.

The post anaesthetic itch is usually due to the morphine they put in your cannula while you're still in theatre. If it's really bad, the anaesthetist can give you something to take the itch away. I wanted to claw off my face and chest at one point.

Bear in mind you might also suffer night sweats. Hospitals are hotter than hell anyway but post cs, you lose a lot of fluid. Lots of clean PJs, fluids and a fan help.

Wind pain too (you'll have sluggish bowels), quite uncomfortable if you get it and you can feel it in your shoulder. Much like you've slept funny. Peppermint water will magically remove this. Just ask the midwives.

ChickenLaVidaLoca · 01/06/2015 21:27

I found the blood loss was less after my section than my vaginal birth, they tend to clean you out somewhat during the op so there's not as much left for the body to get rid of. Would also say that moving around, which they're likely to want you to do by 12-15 hours later, wasn't as bad as I thought. It did hurt, but it's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me.

Lastly, I'd also advise some low cut knickers too, as a small but significant minority prefer them. And elasticated waist trousers. Not even drawstring, that was far too fitted for me for a couple of weeks after!

Original poster
nutelladipper · 02/06/2015 07:40

Thanks all

OP posts:
SaulGood · 02/06/2015 09:21

Chicken is right that they do clean you out during the op so your immediate blood loss may be less. However, you don't bleed any differently post cs than you do post vaginal birth. The placental wound is the size of a dinner plate and that is where most of your loss comes from.

I bled for 7 weeks with my first emcs and for 2 weeks with my second.

That side of things is down to luck. Same as with a vaginal birth though, if your blood loss increases or goes back to bright red, it's often a sign you're doing too much.