C-Section imminent...HELP!!!!!!

[Harry2007]

Hello everyone

I've been told this week that due to severe SPD, I will be having a CS at 38 weeks (or sooner if the pain gets worse). The problem is that although over the last couple of days I've got used to the idea of having a CS, I haven't really given much thought to the practicalities.

What actually happens beforehand, during and after? Are there any tips I should be aware of? Do I need to take anything extra into hospital with me?

The more I think about it, the more nervous I'm getting so you help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

You are doing the right thing. My dd1 was born under a general anaesthetic after a botched induction, she had apgars of 2 and 1 and had a collapsed lung, and impaired kidney and brain function. God be praised she is absolutely fine now, but another few minutes' and we'd have lost her.

· Fill your freezer up before you go
· Take Arnica before and afterwards to help with healing
· Rescue remedy is good too - it feels like you are helping yourself somehow
· Get some relaxing music for the theatre if possible
· Keep visitors at bay for at least three days
· Take some perfume and make up with you!
· Magazines are easier to read than books
· No pants are too big!
· Take your own most comfortable pillow
· Take advantage of the nursery so that you can rest (but remember to ask them to bring the baby to you for feeding)

Also.. sleep with the blanket you want to wrap the baby in.

Have only skimmed the thread but there seem to be lots and lots of good suggestions here.

yes a good pillow is vital, i used to rest ds on it so i could hold him

Just in case you haven't already had the c-section, which if you have, I hope all went smoothly, a couple of comments which may be useful...
I had an emergency c-section (having planned a drug free birth). Firstly, when I was given the epidural top-up for the c-section I started shaking uncontrollably, which rather worried me and dh. This didn't worry the medical team and I came out with a very neat wound. Secondly, the operating table was frighteningly narrow, but despite this the medical team managed to transfer me back and forth and roll me around no problems at all.
Everyone elses comments are consistent with what I experienced.

Thanks jaz - haven't had the CS yet - seeing my Consultant in a couple of days so I'll know for definite then when I'm to go in! Scary!

Read some of the posts but I will add my own thoughts.

Shave before you go, get you partner to do it if you can't reach, gillete mach25 has got to be better than a orange bic in the hands of a student nurse. Don't need to shave it all just down low enough to clear the scar area.

Give DH as much info prior as you can so he knows what to expect as well, my DH had never paid attention to all the programmes and magazines I had been glued to for 9mths so I sat him down and went through a few things like wearing scrubs and wellies.

I know others have mentioned but BIG PANTS, go to the market other cheepo shop and get big granny ones you can chuck once you are healed. DOn't even think about paper ones, they are small and FGS they are paper .

Feeding was fine for me, I used a cushion accross my tummy, brings them up to a good height too.

Changing and bathing can be a bit difficult so consider where you can set up a change mat at waist height and don't even think about lifting a bath of water or leaning over a full size bath. Can be set up on work tiop over the sink for easy filling and emptying or on a bath stand over the loo and fill with shower nozzle, pull plug and it drains into the loo.

Constipation and wind can be an issue, I took in long life small cartons of pure orange but in the end it was Sunnydelight that got me moving again.

Take it easy and stay in you PJ's as long as possible or people think you are fine and expect to see you out and about going to the shops and hanging out nappies.

PS I got very shacky too can be a bit scary but the doctors don't seem to worry about it so must be normal.

Out of interest, whereabouts is the scar? Have bought seamless short type knickers from M&S which are very very low - will these be ok?

They sound like they would be right on the scar.
This pic shows the position pretty good and is cute .

My scar is just beneath my hip bone level but I'm guessing it's not the same for everyone.

Mine is under a big overhang so knickers always end up on the scar [ouch].

Trust me (I've had 2 c-sections) you won't regret going with the massive granny pants option, no worries at all about chafing or irritation of the wound area, less risk of wound infection etc. Plus they have an ample gusset for sticking maternity towels to.

No-one's going to see them except you, midwife/health visitor.

mmh ample gusset, the joys .

Something like this should be fine for most scars

Better go knicker shopping then!

I sent DH once I was already in hospital as my knickers were chaffing on my scar and on my thighs. His idea of big knickers was totaly not enough, you need to think very old fashioned and high enough to chaff your armpits you will be about right.

Do you think these would be ok?

\link{http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatSectionView.processIWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=10996&Page_Count=1&RestartFlow=t}

Sorry if link doesn't work!

Obviously didn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something like these wish I was joking .

OK maybe these .

Have just ordered some big ones from M&S actually! And they're 2 sizes bigger than I would usually wear so they will be coming up to my armpits!

on the knicker front, after i had dd by planned cs i wore tesco value big granny knickers they were great. 65p for 2. After i had finished bleeding heavy i threw them all out. Then wore more expensive granny knickers.

another vote for big knickers,

• pillow ( i have a boomerang shaped one - good for feeding and sleeping with)

• arnica tablets

• tea tree oil - a few drops in warm water to bathe your wound - helps with healing and keeping infection at bay.

• for drying wound - I just used paper towels that I could press against wound and then discard

• nighties for hospital - as you will have a catherter in for a day or two and nighties make it easier.

I am off for my third some time in Mar.

Hope it all goes well for you.

I had Marks and spencers bodywear seamless shorts and they were perfect. Although my C-section experience was emotionally not a good one in terms of the technical bit and them getting him out it was great (it was the concept of him being born dead or about to die that made it bad) the trapped wind is possibly the worst thing and takes a few days to clear when you are tender anyway and the bloating is very painful. My advice is to get up and about as fast as possible but don't do too much. And if you have any doubts, however awful it is not having the birth you wanted having a healthy baby makes it worthwhile.

Hi there,
I found the net knickers they sometimes have on the wards the best. Kind of hold you in with no pressure, no seams either and help sanitary pads stay in place really well. Not all hospitals seem to have them readily available though. Paper ones are awful, very scratchy on the stitches and baggy. Do try and take a dressing gown belt or something in with you. I tied one end to the end of the bed and had the other end to pull on with my hands. It was invaluable for helping to ease my body upright or out of the bed without having to tense my stomach muscles.