Elective c section booked- tell me your stories....

[angelpuffs]

I've got a date for my elective c- section when I'll be 38+6. Did anyone go into labour before their c section date? Any advice/dos and donts? I had a ventouse delivery with DD1 so would like to hear people's experiences of the op itself, post natal care and recovery- and anything else you can think of. Thanks in advance!

Hi ladies sorry not to update yet, I had my gorgeous dd Nancy on Thursday at 9.58am. The theatre experience was actually lovely & calm, so quick too. Recovery is OK, I am in pain & slow moving but we're home now & everything was straightforward..just got to accept that I need to let dh do things for a while.. Finding it hard that I can't do anything for my boys but dd is an absolute dream so far, we're in love good luck to all you ladies!

Hi everyone I had my elcs on Tuesday, my gorgeous boy was born at 4.27pm. 8lb3oz. The hospital staff were brilliant, things didn't quite go to plan as I hemorraged on the table and I have now got cellulitis in my abdomen so I'm still in hospital on iv antibiotics and I need iron as well .
I have my own room so I'm quite comfortable and being very well looked after so I can't complain.
Glass to hear everyone is doing ok

Glad*

Oh turkey, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope it gets better and you get discharged soon.

Cloud! A girl!!! Congrats. Beautiful name. Glad all went well.

Turkey congrats on your boy! Wishing you a quick and comfortable recovery.

Thanks ladies! zippy I couldn't believe it when dh said girl it's so weird!! She didn't feel like she could be mine when they handed her to me! She's so gorgeous though we're obsessed. Can't wait to hear if you have a girl too! (Although obviously a boy is equally amazing!!) My boys are besotted with their sis its lovely. I'm feeling better/happier again today, yesterday was day 3 and I was tearful all day but think it was just the hormones and milk coming in! As others have said, when the painkillers are working you feel fine, as they wear off you do feel it!! But generally I am well and its nice not to have swollen/painful lady bits!!!

Congrats Turkey! Sorry to hear there were complications though but glad youre recovering. My DD was 8lb 3oz too, good weight!! (After my 10lb ds2 she feels dinky too!!)

Cloud- congrats on Nancy! What a lovely name too What are you finding hardest to do at home? Have you managed to go for a short walk orbits that out of the question?
Turkey- congrats on your little boy. Hope you're recovering well and manage to get home soon.

Congrats to you both Cloud & Turkey

angel the hardest thing for me is the night feeds..in hospital was OK with electronic bed, wheelie cot etc but here, sitting up & down, twisting/bending to get DD from cot was exhausting last night. Ended up moving cot to dh side so he can pass her over to me but getting up & down still no fun. Have only had one night at home though & she was on a feeding frenzy to bring my milk in, hoping she'll be more settled tonight. Are you planning to breastfeed?

Also came on to give my top tip which is fybogel sachets, take them into hospital with you (can buy in supermarket) its a gentle laxative you take morning & evening & it really takes the trauma out of pooing after birth (vaginal or cs!) Can highly recommend!

Oh angel sorry didn't answer your other q, I can walk OK just taking it slower..I haven't been out for a walk, showering etc is my biggest use of energy at the mo! But physically I could go out for 10 min walk I'd just be exhausted!!

Cloud- so it's moving positions that's awkward. Is it ok once you're in eg a sitting position for a while? Good idea about getting DH to pass the baby across- though I guess you've got to still sit up to feed? Maybe master the art of feeding lying down?! A lot of people swear by this
I planning to breastfeed if I can- it didn't work with dd1 so I'll do what I can but not stress over it. It made me really miserable last time and I felt like I'd failed as a mum before I'd even begun so I'm just going to see how it goes this time.
Keep us posted with how your recovery is going in a few days- my op is scheduled for Friday so counting down now....

Cloud that all sounds familiar from my last c section. Sounds like you're doing well. I found it didn't take long to really start improving but you just need to remember not to
Overdo it. Good tip with the laxative. I vaguely recall that from last time but had forgotten until you said. So thank you!
I get my date on tues at the consultant appointment. I think I'm still 3 weeks off.

I found last week that if I pulled one leg up whilst lying down and then put my hand under my thigh I could use my own leg to help pull myself up which helped with the lack of stomach muscles. It gets better very quickly though. I am two weeks post op tomorrow and sitting up is now fine.

Hopefully we can go home tomorrow! It's been a long week to say the least.

I'm finding recovery slow, pain wise I'm ok but I just have no energy at all, a shower exhausts me as does walking around my room. I think that might have something to do with the amount of blood I lost.
I'm going to be going home on iron as well as 2 antibiotics and 6 weeks of blood thinner injections.

Turkey that definitely sounds like its from the blood loss. I only lost 700ml in theatre & was very lightheaded the first day and exhausted walking to the toilet so bless you you must be having a hard time of it.

badger good tip with the leg thanks!! I'll be trying that and so glad to hear that 2 weeks in is much better.

Yes angel I'm finding its moving that's painful, once I'm sat/lying down I'm fine, the actual transition to standing/sitting is sore but then OK again. I'm reluctant to feed lying down as I did this with ds1 after a badly infected episiotomy and ended up with horribly cracked nipples and having to express from one side.. Maybe in a few days once feeding more established I would try it again. Exciting you'll be meeting your baby soon!!

Turkey- did you manage to get home yesterday? How are things going?
I'm getting very excited about meeting my baby- feel huge now but getting a little anxious about all the stories of blood loss!

Also getting a bit anxious about the blood loss! I lost .75 litre with both my natural delivery and elcs which they didn't bat an eye at so I suppose it's not really a big deal. Angel when's your date? I get my today and hoping its 2-3 weeks.

Hi Zippy
My date is Friday 22nd- 3 days away! Just seen a doctor at the hospital who said they consider normal blood loss to be 500-1000ml and they'd only transfuse over 1000ml. I'm glad I won't be able to see it!
Let me know when your date is

3 days! Excellent! When was your due date? I'm wondering how close to my due date it will be.

My due date was January 30th so I'll be 38+6. Because my due date was a Saturday I asked for the day before rather than waiting until the Monday....

My due date is 11th Feb. So I could be looking anytime from thurs 4th?

Yes- they'll probably try and do it on the 4th as that's a weekday and you'll be exactly 39 weeks. X

Wow!!! I'd love that!

I can't see why they'd make you wait longer but if they do, push for the 4th...!