c section tips

[Ladypug]

Any tips on healing from a c section? I'm in a lot of pain. They've given me paracetamol and ibruprufen but is there anything I can do or take that will help me to walk and stand or heal faster? All tips from previous sectioners welcome!

Take it easy. Don't rush it and you will heal faster and better.

Women who push themselves end up with ripped stitches, infections and long term damage.

I had a pretty restful recovery after my c/s (looking after newborn DS only) and no issues whatsoever.

I have had three emcs within 3 years.

I was the opposite to the poster above. I just can't sit around or relax and even ended up at crossfit 7 weeks post the last section.

However I did make sure I was eating well and keeping hydrated. Nice baths with lavender to heal the scar and topical creams to keep it from itching etc.

If you are in lots of pain in might be worth checking out just to rule out infection etc

Within 5 years not 3

Congratulations by the way

Thanks guys, any advice on dealing with trapped wind and or going for that first poo? It feels like my stomach will split open :-(

Trapped wind - mint tea!
First poo - get a grocery box or step stool to put your feet to raise your knees up when you are in the loo.if your knees are at a right angle, there will be less pressure on your stomach.

Also, get a pillow and hold it across your tummy when you poo, this helps hold everything in place.

Drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit and veg too. Did the hospital give you any Lactulose? That helps to keep your poo soft. You can buy it over the counter too and is safe if you are breastfeeding.

Ps Congratulations !!!!
Good luck with the poo.

I went and bought some co-codamol and had that with the ibuprofen instead of plain paracetamol. I took them like clockwork for the first week to keep on top of the pain.

For first poop I second holding a pillow to your belly. Lean forward so the pillow supports your tummy muscles as you poo and push gently.

The trapped wind gets better if you move around so walk about when you feel too sore (I found the trapped wind horrendous after my second section 2 weeks ago!) Peppermint tea is meant to help as well but I didn't use it so can't confirm if it worked for me.

Drink lots of water to flush your insides and keep hydrated. Eat lots of healthy food to help yourself heal even if you have no appetite.

If the pain is too much or you really can't get up and move see your GP in case of infection.

Are you still in hospital? Ask for some peppermint water and stronger painkillers. I had oramorph the day after my section as paracetamol and ibuprofen weren't enough.

Drink lots and lots of water and eat dried apricots to help with that poo. You need to avoid constipation.

Thank you everyone, still in hospital so will ask about these!

Ps when will I be able to get out of bed without being in utter agony?

When was your section? In had mine on a Friday morning, spent all of friday in bed. Catheter out Saturday morning and hobbled to toilet and shower, by Sunday it was easier.

Ask the midwives for help with baby, especially getting the baby back into the cot. Have the midwives shown you how to get out of bed properly? That will help too.

Take all the drugs they offer, and if it still hurts, ask for more.

YY to peppermint tea, and a midwife recommended peppermint oil to me last time. Drink lots of water.

Massage your tummy around the belly button area to get things moving along on the poo front (annt clockwise) pepper mint tea laxitives

You are still very early days, each day things will improve 100% so this time next week you shouldn't be feeling nearly as much pain as now.

When you get home have a warm bath, mix tea trea oil (2 drops) with some milk and add too the water. Do this for the first week and then change the tea tree for lavender the second week. This helps with healing the scar.

If all else fails, stay in bed, eat chocolate and snuggle to new baby.

Bliss

Trapped wind
Plenty of peppermint tea, as hot as you can bear.
Wind-eeze (yes you can take it, no need to tell the staff as they'll uhhm, ahh and dither about it).
Charcoal tablets.
Soft meals. I ordered things like fish, yogurt etc from the 'elderly' part of the menu.
Lots and lots to drink.

Move around if you can.
Good luck, it's miserable isn't it. By 3rd cs I had a plan of of things I needed to happen before I left. First fart, first poo and milk finally coming in.

Oh, and I was told (quietly) that I could have a dose of oromorph every couple of hours. Blissful stuff, morphine, but apparently not great for the bowels (remember trainspotting?).

Yeah if you're still in hospital ask for oramorph, you can have it between your doses of tablets it's amazing stuff!

You need much stronger pain killers than those - I suffered for a day or two when I got home then had to ask midwife for advice and she was shocked I'd managed that length of time!

Dr gave me heavy duty stuff and it helped a lot - get something substantial - you've just had a major operation !

Have they offered voltarol? I was on that and morphine for 3 days. Then voltarol / paracetamol / ibuprofen / co-codamol at home for about 3 weeks.

Take everything that is offered and speak up if it still really hurts. It does get better..

Thank you so much everyone, with your help I have just done first poo! It was v scary and in pain now but manageable! All they have given me is diahydrpcodeine (spelling!), ibruprufen and paracetamol and I'm being discharged today so not sure I can take anything stronger at home

I had a section 2 weeks ago and the girl in the bed next to me was discharged with oramorph. Ask if you can get anything to take home. Also, don't forget that your go can prescribe painkillers if you need anything when you are home.

Enjoy being at home with your new baby.