elective c section questions

[Autumn2014]

How long in recovery?
Do you go straight to ward from recovery Or back to delivery suite?
How long with catheter in?
What pain relief do have on ward?
What pain relief is best once home?
When did older children visit you and baby, same day or next day?
What was your first night post surgery like?
When did you go home? How many nights in hospital?
Do you just wear night wear on ward? How many?
How many outfits for baby needed?
When did they make you get out of bed and walk?
I'm.sure I'll think of more!
Thanks

Ooh, watching this thread with interest as I have just scheduled my ELCS for a few weeks time!

Had a c/section after being in labour for 2 days so it was pretty much elective by then!

We spent some time in recovery - probably an hour or two but were cooing over baby so it flew by. went back to Ward after that.
Catheter in until next day but didn't feel a thing.
Pain relief was very good on Ward - when home I had some painkillers given by Ward but Midwife supervised adequate painkillers when home.
Visitors came that evening, could have been from later afternoon.
First night was fine, euphoric over baby and no pain etc.
Went home 3 days later. Some hospitals have other rules - 5 days etc. Used to be one week but don't think that applies any more.
Just wore night wear on Ward. Think I brought changes and partner brought stuff from home. Probably brought too many baby outfits!
Got up and about next day.

Had a great experience - would thoroughly recommend it!

How long in recovery?
About an hour I think? They give you toast and get the baby latched on.

Do you go straight to ward from recovery Or back to delivery suite?
With first it was EMCS at 3am and I went to delivery then the ward in the morning.
Second was EMCS but more civilised and in the afternoon and I went straight to the ward.

How long with catheter in?
Until the spinal wears off and you can get up I think. 12 hours? Can't really remember!

What pain relief do have on ward?
Paracetamol, diclofenac and I also had oramorph for shoulder tip pain. That's quite rare though.
You stay numb for a good while anyway.

What pain relief is best once home?
Everything they give you, even if not in pain. Best to keep it controlled and keep inflammation down.

When did older children visit you and baby, same day or next day?
Normal visiting hours only in my hospital, so that evening.

What was your first night post surgery like?
Fine. There's plenty pain relief and they help you get up and pass you the baby to feed if you need it.

When did you go home? How many nights in hospital?
I had three days which is recommended, and my hospital was really nice so I was in no rush!

Do you just wear night wear on ward? How many?
Yes, just old, light, comfy stuff. Take slippers and light dressing gown for shuffling about in.

How many outfits for baby needed?
Just vests and babygrows. 5 of each I take as they tend to get messy.

When did they make you get out of bed and walk?
12 hours - or less. Once spinal wears off and you've rested. Best to get up and about!

I've got another planned in summer. The actual op is a uncomfortable, but not actually painful. The staff have always been really nice and caring though.

About 1-2hrs in recovery
Then to ward then a few hours later to private room
Catheter in until next morning
Any pain relief I wanted!
Parents and one year old DD visited that afternoon and the next day
First night was still a bit drugged up
Showered happily the next morning
Stayed 48hra as baby needed antibiotics otherwise would have been 1 day
Nightwear (easy for drip) and then went home joggers and t shirt. Also bought slippers and flip flops
About 5 vests and sleepwear for baby
Didn't get out of bed until catheter was out the next day
Make sure you roll out of the bed rather than twist! Bring pads to hold onto section scar when you need the loo (really helps)

Thanks so much for your quick replies. Exactly the kind of details I'm looking for. I'm nervous but excited!

I loved my ELCS as it was such a positive experience for me after having an awful birth with my first. I'll try answer all questions...

Was in recovery a couple of hours, had section at 3pm ish and my parents, DS and in laws came to visit about 6ish whilst still in recovery. Moved to ward later that evening as had to wait for a bed.
I can't remember how long I had a catheter in for but I showered the following lunch time so wouldve been out by then. The midwives were keen for me to be up and about as soon as I felt able and we're very supportive with me, I never felt rushed.
I was discharged at 6pm the day after DS2 was born so was in just over one day but I'm sure if I wanted to I could've stayed an extra night.
Felt fine at home and had some painkillers which the midwife at home arranged but I didn't need them for very long. Was back to school run one week after DS2 was born and tap dancing 6 weeks after!
I took two nighties to the hospital but only needed one in the end, they were maternity ones so easy to breastfeed with them.

Hope this helps, any more questions please ask

Had EMCS at 1.20pm and was in holding ward until gone 7pm because it was very busy. Then went straight to shared room in main ward.

My catheter was taken out that even because epi had worn off. Be aware that they will want you to wee successfully without it and show you - I was struggling to get everything working again but really didn't want them shoving the catheter back in so persevered!

Pain relief - pretty sure I was on diclofenac, codeine and paracetamol, and same at home. With lactulose prescribed for the constipation.

OH stayed with me until 9pm that night, everyone else visited the next day. No older children at the time.

First night, bit euphoric. Don't remember a lot of pain, but remember moving being hard. Had the epidural shakes though which shit me up a bit.

Three nights in hospital because baby was perfecting his latch. Might have been out earlier if he'd sorted himself quicker.

I wore button down nighties for breastfeeding, with a dressing gown and slippers for shuffling to the loo.

I think I had only take two sleepsuit, but OH kept us topped up with what we needed.

As soon as they had taken my catheter out I was encouraged to move, so about 7 hours post surgery. I gingerly took a shower and then shuffled off to the toilet through the night to try and wee. In the morning they brought my breakfast to me in case I struggled to carry a tray. The next two days I was expected to be up and getting food and water myself.

Good luck! I wouldn't want another c sec if i could help it but found the care in our hospital to be excellent.

A few hours, but that's unusual (my blood pressure crashed and my spinal went wrong) then they had to vacuum ds out and had to extend the incision to do it .,,most people just go straight back to their room with the baby I was told.
About 24 hrs with catheter. It was totally fine, couldn't feel it when in, was ok gettinh it removed. You wee an astonishing amount!
Up and walking to the sink to brush my teeth in about four hours. A nurse on each side. Painful but not unbearably so.
No older kids so can't answer that
Pain relief was paracetamol and ibuprofen- I also had morphine as I'd had some complications which meant they needed to extend the incision- take every pill you can lay your hands on!
First night was surreal - I was very tired but ds just wanted to be cuddled so we took turns in doing that. It was lovely. Exhausting, surreal, wonderful
Gave birth Monday morning and was home Friday lunchtime
I wore stretchy long t shirt nighties which button up. Anything comfy that you can feed in is fine.
We took five outfits in and only used a couple.
Things that were useful - breastfeeding cushion, shower shoes, tea bags! Earplugs too if you're on a ward (luckily no postnatal wards here!)

Good luck! I'd have another section if I can. Mine was complex with a few things that went wrong (no ones fault just the way it went) and it was still fine. Ds fed on the operating table!

One big, big thing though - after the initial 'fucking hell I feel like I've been run over' you do start to feel better pretty fast. Do not, I repeat do NOT overdo it. Take it really easy for the first couple of weeks and you will heal a lot faster.

How long in recovery? - not long, 30 mins i think? Maybe 60?
Do you go straight to ward from recovery Or back to delivery suite? - straight to ward
How long with catheter in? - till the next morning when i was ready to move (about 12 hours after)
What pain relief do have on ward? - Ibuprofen and paracetamol
What pain relief is best once home? - Ibuprofen and paracetamol - regularly!! dont wait until you are in pain, take it when it is due
When did older children visit you and baby, same day or next day? was first child :)
What was your first night post surgery like? comfortable but not much sleep due to general noise on ward. also you need the nurses to help you get the bubs out of the cot and give them to you and then put them back
When did you go home? How many nights in hospital? 1 night as ward v busy. Had DS at 11am on the Saturday and was discharged by 11pm on the Sunday
Do you just wear night wear on ward? How many? vest top and pj bottoms.
How many outfits for baby needed? we only used 1 or 2 i think.
When did they make you get out of bed and walk? the next morning, so about 10 hours after c section? but i wanted to get out by then

good luck :)

Thank you - this is really useful as got ELCS 2 weeks today.

Will also pass on the facts to DP as tends to only show empathy when specifically instructed to do so

The toast thing in hospital makes me laugh a bit - can remember when I had DD1 (2day labour, no sleep, epidural, induction, forceps, episiotomy) and they brought me toast and I nearly cried because I was obsessed with the thought of a McDonald's breakfast. DP has clear instructions this time, even if it is a 4 mile round trip from the hospital...

I've got a question... Having an ELCS but told if I go into labour before then it's an EMCS - how would this differ? And how long would it be before they carried it out?

Am in a slightly precarious situation as DP is 2/3 hours away during most of the week (he's away overnight too) and have a toddler as well. She arrived at 40+10 so just hoping this baby has similar intentions...

It differs by hospital trust on timings and also depends on any complications etc. I will say that once you go home if you can manage without ibuprofen / diclofenic then do so as its a NSAID it actually delays wound healing so it's a case of balancing out it being required for pain relief and leaving yourself open to more infections as your wound isn't healed.

How long in recovery? About 2-3 hours?
Do you go straight to ward from recovery Or back to delivery suite? Went down to ward after about 2-3 hours in a private room.
How long with catheter in? Probably about 6 hours after DD was born
What pain relief do have on ward? I had only paracetamol & ibuprofen.
What pain relief is best once home? Ibuprofen & paracetamol that they sent me home with.
When did older children visit you and baby, same day or next day? No other children, but my sister visited after work the same day. (DD was born at midday
What was your first night post surgery like?
When did you go home? How many nights in hospital?
Do you just wear night wear on ward? How many?
How many outfits for baby needed?
When did they make you get out of bed and walk?
I'm.sure I'll think of more!

Sorry OP, DD wanted to contribute! She kicked the post button! (Copied your post so I could remember the questions you were asking )
What was your first night post surgery like? They got me up once my OH had gone home after visiting hours, about 8pm? (they removed the catheter 1st) then helped me to stand. Went to the loo for a wee (weed in a cardboard thing as they need to check the volume or something - if it's not enough they may need to re- catheter I believe) then I had a shower independently, but needed help to put my socks on and to pick up the dropped toiletries after. They helped me to give DD her 1st bottle - my OH had done one early in the afternoon when I was eating some cereal following the c-section & a 2nd whilst I still had a catheter & was stuck in bed.
When did you go home? How many nights in hospital? I went home the afternoon of the day following the section (I'd been in 5 days already - I had a failed induction resulting in the c-section)
Do you just wear night wear on ward? How many? I wore a massive long sleeve nightie (oh so attractive, but seriously comfy) Although the ward was rather warm I felt a little chilly & was glad of it, but think that might have been due to the epidural coming out of my system.
How many outfits for baby needed? I took 3 vests & 3 babygrows & didn't need them all.
When did they make you get out of bed and walk? After having had the catheter removed & to have a shower so maybe 8-9 hours after DD's birth?

Thanks again everyone. Really helpful.