Sister having baby as I type - C-section, any advice/tips of things to get her/help her?

[Lucy1977]

Hi

My sister is having a c-section as I type!

I've got her 200c Arnica, peppermint cordial, and big pants.

Can anyone recommend anything else to get her to help her recovering/make life easier?
Her wonderful DH has a month off work (2 weeks paternity then annual leave) so I know she really wont have to lift a finger at home so hopefully this will help her recover.

Also, she's hoping to breastfeed - my friend had a c-section in June and said it was just too painful to bf with her wee baby, any tips on how to overcome this? I've told her to feed the baby lying down as much as possible in the first few days.

Thanks

Lucy
Really excited, she's the Godmother to my 10 month old DD, and going to get a last minute flight down (Scotland to England at the weekend to see them!)

Oh, btw I posted the 3 items I had for her to her DH so she will have those from today.

Lovely, you are a good sister!!!

can;t emphasise the big pants enough !!! and if she has DH at home... then rest, rest, rest and rest...

recovery from surgery and having a new born and breast feeding is all she needs to worry about.....

the sheila kitzinger book, breastfeeding your baby, has great tips for feeding after c.s aswell as pics of lots of different positions to feed in ...

and if she struggles to bf..then she should contact someone sooner rather than later......ABM, LLL, NCT and have a look at the kellymom website ,,,,,,

congratulations in advance,,,,!

I'd suggest some luxurious smellies for her, some choccies to keep strength up for breast feeding a Baby Feed Wheel to keep track of feed times (makes a lovely congratulations card, too)

I have no experience of c-section recovery needs, but this may bump the thread for some more advice...

A caesarean birth shouldn't stop her from breastfeeding. It can be painful initially as it causes contractions so that the uterus can contract and go back into place.

I successfully bfed for 18 months after a caesarean birth.

You can always point her in the direction of MN she should find lots of tips here.

I need to go out but I'm sure others will be along shortly.

oo - how exciting!
My midwife gave me great advice after my c-section last year, and that was to eat polo mints/drink mint tea as the mint really helps to counteract the build up of gas in the stomach after the op. Sometimes the simplest things are the best!
Other advice is to take the painkillers offered in the first few days.
I BF my little one after the op with no probs. Placing the baby on a soft comfy pillow on your tummy whilst feeding really helps.
Enjoy your new niece/nephew!

Thanks for your replies. I went out and constantly was checking my phone for news but only just got the call just now.. baby Erin Jane was born at 10.56am weighing 8lbs 8oz.

Thanks for your replies, I am so excited that I've just paid £307 for a flight down hope DH understands my sisterly need to go down and be with them!

Lucy

Straws! So she can drink lying down.

She should seriously use the time that her dh is off work to rest, rest and rest but with plenty of gentle walking exercise as well. A daily stroll with the pram/pushchair to grip onto is good.

I slowed down my recovery by doing to much (hoovering and other housework) as I thought I felt fine when I was doing it.

Can her dh bring the baby to her when she needs a feed rather than her having to bend down and lift baby out of moses basket or cot/crib.

Eat loads of fruit/veg or take stool softener to lessen the effect of the first poo.

Wear soft trackie bottom type trousers with high waists to avoid pressure on the wound area.

Use a hairdryer to ensure the wound is dry after it has got wet in shower or bath. Try to let air get to the wound which can be difficult with a c-section overhang.

They haven't bought a pram/pushchair because they live in the sticks so no where to walk to and when they go shopping its always to busy towns so they have bought a Babybjorn sling. Don't think she'll be able to use that for a while though? Her Dh can carry the baby whenever they go out, they are inseparable usually so I imagine even more so now they have their wee dream baby.

Thanks for the feeding card idea, I've just ordered one.
Lucy

I found M&S ready meals a god-send when recovering from c-section.

Congratulations to youe sister

I have had two sections and have breastfed. My top tip is to take her a triangular pillow or breastfeeding pillow into hospital. Makes the whole process so much more comfortable and there are never enough pillows in hospital to go around.

I was also told to take vit c with zinc to help recovery after a c-sec. I had some effervescent tablets so might be worth getting her some of those if you can.

she'll be able to use the sling straight away, she just shouldn't carry anything heavier than her baby for 6 weeks or so.

I've helped a lot of family members after their sections.

All you can really do is offer your services. Be there to make meals, and help clean up, or just talk.

Don't let her over do it, but don't let her get away with not doing anything. (My sil had people do everything for her for 6 weeks, and when they left she was really suffering since she hadn't pushed herself to recover)

Congratulations on being an Auntie!!

Hi

Thanks for all your replies.

I'll get some vit c + zinc tabs for her. She's got a v-shaped pillow but she's going home in the morning (they said she could go tonight but she'd rather go in the morning) so its not worth getting her pillow to her now.
I've spoken to her on the phone and so far the feeding is going ok so that's good news.

Sadly, I live in Scotland and she's in the South of England and I have no where to stay if I came down for more than a day trip so I'm coming down a wk tomorrow for a day. I've been on the phone to her a lot during the day , she says she's very sore and emotional but so happy and proud.

Thanks again

Lucy