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 vicky I have this too, 3 weeks post section I'm off painkillers now but still have this 'catching' sensation on either end of my scar where there are 2 little scabs.. I assume it takes longer to heal at the ends of the scar I don't know.. When i walk longer than a few minutes it starts to tug a bit, can be quite painful.. I have midwife coming to discharge me tomorrow so was going to ask her about it!

I'm having the same tugging pain, I thought it was just me!
I saw the midwife today and she said I'm fine but still need to take it easy and rest up as much as I can, It's been 3 weeks now and I still feel pretty ropey some days if I do too much housework.
How is everyone else getting on now? How much can you do now?

I attempted hoovering the other day but it hurt so I stopped.. Otherwise I'm doing very little.. A bit of washing is all I've managed, and we walked up the street and back- was an achievement!

I walked a mile and a half today. Not sure if that was a good idea but i feel ok....

Morning all. Sorry I haven't been in to update. I've barely done a thing but sleep.
Baby boy 8lbs12 born at 9.30 on Tuesday 2nd. Still no name!!
All went well wth c section. I lost 600ml blood which was less than previous abd they kept on top of my blood pressure abd sickness by more fluids.
I have been crazy tired though since. It hits me all of a sudden and I can barely keep my eyes open. Is This normal.? Talking of which I'll finish update later I'm completely whacked. I'm on day 3 btw.

Congratulations zippy another boy how wonderful so glad all went OK and yes I'm sure the tiredness is normal especially only 3 days in..I think I cried all day on day 3!! Are you home?

Congrats zippy! Have you managed to walk around a bit yet?

Yes I'm walking about the house. Finding it much easier today than yesterday to get about. And the pain isn't as bad either.

Had a bit of a panic attack or something last night. Felt I couldn't breathe and had palpitations. Not sure what all that was about but it passed eventually.

Can we sleep on our side yet? It's how I feel most comfortable and I think I was more aware of palpitations and tight chest because I was on my back last night.

Glad to hear all doing well you've all been a great support through this.

I have been sleeping on my side since fairly early post op as that's how I prefer to sleep (when the baby will allow me as she likes to sleep on me when I am sat upright!). Pillows between the legs help.

I am 4.5 weeks post op now and generally things are all good - I am enjoying striding about with the baby in a sling or pushing a pram. There is still a small gap/weepy bit in the middle of my wound but the mideife said that is normal as long as it doesn't get hot or smelly which would be a sign of infection. I would like it to be closed up soon though! There s the odd twinge but I am so pleased I went fir an ELCS. Especially when hearing stories from my new mum friends about 2nd and 3rd degree tears and episiotomies...!

P.s. zippy your palpitations could be the adrenalin wearing off of the whole experience! I hope it was a one off.

zippy I started sleeping on my side after a few days..I carried on using my pregnancy pillow to support my back and tummy though as that just felt better. Now I'm sleeping normally on my side.

badger I had a tiny hole that was seeping a bit, went to GP last week who put another small dressing on it and gave me 2 more to change it.. After a couple of days that area has started to heal up now.. Might it be worth you covering the gap again for a bit just to keep it dry?

Right think little lady has finally dropped off so I am off to bed!!

Ooh actually wanted to reply to Turkey to say I am the same as you- 3 weeks in and still get exhausted if I do too much around the house. Just done first solo week with kids &totally shattered by the time they're in bed! I'm still taking it easy, have only walked 20 mins or so with pram, and light housework like a bit of sweeping.. Just don't think it's worth pushing it and having a setback. Insurance company have said I'm allowed to drive when I want so might try some short journeys next week.

How's everyone getting on?

Day 6 for me and pain much better. Still on pain relief though just in case!!

I can't believe I'm asking this as I sound so vain but how's your stomach looking. I still look massive and it looks like I'm going to have a massive apron/overhang. I could cry.

It's weird I'm so in love with my new baby but have been really anxious about lots of other things since the birth.

Ps. Sorry for the typos I'm typing this with bone eye half open!!

Hi zippy. Don't be too hard on yourself- it's totally normal to be really hormonal at this point. Between days 6 and 12 everything made me cry! Sleep deprivation doesn't help but it's mainly the hormonal let down after pregnancy. I looked about 6 months pregnant until the end of the first week but my stomach has gone down a lot now (16 days after). Still look saggy but things are improving! Hope you feel better soon xx

Ah thanks angel. That makes me feel much better. This is my third dc but I just struggle to recall things about the previous ones!! M

Hi everyone
How are you feeling now? I'm 3.5 weeks post op and generally feeling ok but get v tired doing things I used to do. Anyone else feeling like this? By yesterday evening I was absolutely knackered- aching back and shoulders. Is this normal? X

I think that's normal Angel. From what i recall. Still early days. I had mastitis last week and only feeling better from that today. I'm getting about easier but can't walk far or My wound starts to hurt. I'm 2 weeks past elcs and feel I'm doing ok. Quite constipated though. I seem to do a weeks worth of poo in a day?!!

Hi Zippy
Glad to hear it's normal but I'm not used to being so tired from doing so little!
Re the constipation- have you taken anything for it? I had it for the first 3-4 days but not since. I was on lactulose for the first week or so.

Hi ladies 😊 I'm now 4.5 weeks post cs and feeling pretty much back to normal, and very happy about it!!
I've been really paranoid about small holes in my scar but have found as long as its kept clean & dry they do heal up.. Now my scar looks well sealed so I'm starting to relax a bit more about it!
angel yes I got extremely tired doing anything until last week, even just standing at the hob cooking..the last few days i think I've really turned a corner..I've been on several long walks without any pain and going to start driving this week. I still have some dull pain in my wound but I find I go for hours without thinking about it which is a good sign! The only annoying thing now is not being able to wear normal clothes!! The only thing that doesn't irritate my scar is maternity leggings so I'm having to rotate only 3 front-opening dresses in order to be able to breastfeed! can't wait to get back into trousers!

I've had a fair bit of help from dh and family but after half term its going to be just me with 3 dc so that will be the real test!!

Hi cloud- glad you're feeling better . Have you had a bath yet? I'm dying to have one but not sure if I'm allowed...!

I've had lots of baths! Shouldn't I have? Oops.

I am six week post op tomorrow and back to normal now. The small hole in my wound had finally healed this week which took longer than I anticipated and I am very relieved.

I think it makes sense for your shoulders and back ache as they must be compensating for the lack of stomach muscles...

I have been having baths too!

I think a bath is probably fine- I'm just not sure! Zippy- you're obviously not having any ill effects from the baths so maybe I'll give it a go....?
Glad everyone's recovering well. At what point did you start driving again?

I haven't had a bath yet either..was worried about soaking the scar in case it did something weird but I guess it doesn't so I will have one!!
I haven't driven yet but insurers said I could anytime I wanted so I will be this week, almost 5 weeks post cs.. But I could have done it last week, I felt fine, just didn't need to as my sis was staying to drive us round
Glad everyone is on the mend!
I keep dreaming that there's a twin inside and I have to be cut open again paranoid much?!

Warning! I got slack with drying my scar area properly after baths. The skin is pretty red angry and a bit sore. Just to warn you all. I can't see the scar area properly as I have an overhang (depressing). But it was doing so well and thus us a bit of a setback.

Does anyone else have an overhang? I'm 2 weeks last birth and it's improved- but will it improve more or am u stuck with it?