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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

How long did you stay in after ELCS

28 replies

CrowieGirl432 · 02/11/2016 10:48

Hi all
I had my first baby while we were living in another country - emergency c-section - and seven days in hospital - a combination of me recovering and some problems with DS. Pretty much the worst week of my life.

I'm scheduled for an ELCS at 38 weeks this time round. I'm not worried about the op at all but so nervous about the recovery while on a shared ward with very busy midwives. Have heard so many bad stories. I'd been expecting to be in for three nights but a friend has just told me she was out within 24 hours!

So how long did you stay in for after your ELCS? And tell me some good stories about the care you received!

Thank you from an anxious pregnant lady!

OP posts:
laulea82 · 02/11/2016 10:55

I had an elcs at 39 weeks after a emcs with first. First time around stayed in 3 nights due to complications loss of blood etc.
Second time around I was offered home after 24 hours but refused. I could barely walk was in a lot of pain (after pains were awful) and in no position to be at home. So left the next day. It wasn't as bad as I had expected I did get some rest and the only thing that stopped me was my own baby wanting feeding constantly.
In short it's up to you to decide on the day and only leave when you're ready.
Good luck.

Fluffsnuts · 02/11/2016 10:55

I didn't have a section but did end up with an operation and resulting catheter and 2 night stay. The staff were obviously busy but really made an effort not to let that affect care provided to patients and one spent ages helping me change a nappy ( I couldn't move to get stuff due to spinal block) and hand express to syringe feed DS.

janinlondon · 02/11/2016 11:04

36 hours.

ToujeoQueen · 02/11/2016 11:06

A week for me, but I'd had pre-eclampsia.

Stormwhale · 02/11/2016 11:07

I had dd at 12.16 on the wednesday I was out by the friday morning at around 11.

welshweasel · 02/11/2016 11:25

At my hospital they generally discharge you after 24 hours. I stayed 3 nights but only because DS was 5 weeks early and needing monitoring. I felt well enough that I could have gone home the following day and to be honest I struggled at night time without DH there, I think I'd have been better off at home.

Imnotaslimjim · 02/11/2016 11:33

4 days for me though mine was slightly complicated by the after effects of SPD. I was bed-bound for 3 days apart from help in the shower. Day 4 I practically bounded out of bed, it was bizarre. I went home that afternoon.

eurochick · 02/11/2016 11:34

About 40 hours. I was glad to be out and even managed a slow hobble around mothercare on the way home.

Boosiehs · 02/11/2016 11:38

Got to hospital 7.30 am Weds. Had DS at 11am Weds, home 3pm Thursday. Bloody brilliant. Was up and about by 10pm Weds night, had a shower, all good. V little after pain not managed by paracetamol/ibuprofen.

With my so called "natural" birth I was in hospital from Tuesday 4pm, had DS Wednesday night 11pm, left hospital 5pm Saturday. Meh. Had codeine to deal with pains for a week after. Yuck.

tissuesosoft · 02/11/2016 11:41

I had DD at 11am on a Wednesday and we were discharged by 5pm on the Thursday. Can you ask if someone can stay with you? My DP was allowed as the midwives said they were understaffed.

5minutestobed · 02/11/2016 11:46

First time I was in for three days as I had an infection. Second time I could have left after 24 hours but had to keep the catheter in so it was two days in the end. I don't think I would have been ready to leave after 24 hours though. Two days felt about right to me.

FizzyFeet · 02/11/2016 11:51

I was in for 8 days - but unusual because of preeclampsia, complications during the c section and then an infection. But the care was wonderful! I was lucky to be in a private room and DH could stay which helped enormously. Do ask for one if you can. Our hospital advertised them as paid rooms but in the event they didn't charge us (probably because all the complications required the extra attention).

Gardencentregroupie · 02/11/2016 11:52

Not a CS but forceps, 4th degree tear, spinal block and catheter and I was still out within 18 hours of delivery. Tbh I was happy enough as the post natal ward was shit - too hot, no help (I had to wobble out of bed and lift DD and change her dirty nappy and feed her with no help in the middle of the night with a catheter in and still very wobbly from the spinal), food crap, painkillers hours late. I was bloody glad to get home.

Original poster
CrowieGirl432 · 02/11/2016 12:07

Good idea. I'm sort of strangely looking forward to the actual section but aim so worried about being left in pain, not able to sit up with a crying baby :/ My OH would definitely stay if allowed and we'd definitely go a private room if available. I've looked into doing the whole thing privately because I'm so worried about the after bit on the ward but I don't think we're going to be able to so I'm just going to have to man up!

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowieGirl432 · 02/11/2016 12:09

Thanks for sharing everyone. It's making me feel better to think I could be out quickly if I'm feeling okay - and if the babe is okay. I'd love to hear any more positive stories about the ward! :)

OP posts:
LuckySantangelo1 · 02/11/2016 12:17

I was in one night. Baby born about 3pm, discharged at 5pm the following day. I found the experience on the ward was good. Great nursing staff and I found the pain manageable. I had loads of help to establish breastfeeding too. One down side was the food was dire! I took in homemade cake, fruit and loads and loads of snacks which proved vital.

LuckySantangelo1 · 02/11/2016 12:18

Just to add OP I was also really anxious about being on the ward but in the end it was a positive experience. The staff couldn't have been nicer.

Original poster
CrowieGirl432 · 02/11/2016 13:16

Thank you LuckySantegelo1. I'm trying to think positively. Why is always the bad stories that stick in your mind?! Good tip on the food!

OP posts:
FantasticMax · 02/11/2016 14:11

I stayed 3 nights, could have left after 2 but had bf issues so encouraged to stay an extra night. Tbh I was very sore afterwards so it was nice to be looked after. Don't worry about sitting up, you'll have a remote control to manoeuvre the bed into your preferred position.

R0bins · 02/11/2016 20:03

Very timely thread - I have my ELCS booked for next week so it's really nice to hear these positive stories! Good luck to you Crowie Star

Original poster
CrowieGirl432 · 03/11/2016 15:01

Thank you R0bins - best of luck to you too. It's a pretty anxious time whichever way they're going to come out! X

OP posts:
EchoesOfLeon · 03/11/2016 15:19

Had an emcs last week early hours of Wednesday morning and out Friday afternoon. Wasn't too bad on the ward but I was so ready to come home! Good luck!

2014newme · 03/11/2016 15:22

A month.

2014newme · 03/11/2016 15:23

But I had complications. And twins

Sparrowlegs248 · 04/11/2016 16:59

2days/nights. They asked if I had young children at home, when I said no they asked if I was ready to go home. I could stay another night if not. They were great, I didn't get movement back for quite a while so the first night the mw would pass ds to me.