How long did you stay in hospital after a c-section?

[rosedevine]

Hi ladies,

I have opted for an elective c-section because I am absolutely terrified of giving birth, the thought has been keeping me up at night and giving me nightmares for about two months! I'm just wondering how long I will be in hospital for after? It would be great to know how long other ladies have been kept in for. I am 24 and healthy in most respects, unfortunately just not mentally strong enough to give birth!

Would appreiciate any answers the mumsnetters could offer

Xxx

[wibblywobblyfish]

I was home 24hrs after my second emergency x section. Got cabin fever and walked the half mile into town the next day to do food shopping. Driving again at 7 days post section after running it past the Dr and insurance.

However this was my second c-section and I knew what to expect. I didn't feel too great after my first one, I was kept in for 5 days for transfusions and for DSs jaundice phototherapy etc.

[PonderLand]

Had an emcs at 1am, including that night I stayed 3 nights and left in the afternoon.

[RufusTheSpartacusReindeer]

48 hours the first time

26 hours the 2nd time...and i would have left earlier

[RufusTheSpartacusReindeer]

wibbley

We drove straight to mothercare

To buy a christmas dress for my unexpected daughter

[Monkeyface26]

ELCS at 8am on Wednesday and home on Saturday morning, so 3 nights. It was a positive experience. I was out and about on the Monday - although I was using the pram for support. Good luck op.

[AndHoldTheBun]

Elective at 9.30am, home buy 2pm following day.

[NotTheBelleoftheBall]

I had an EMCS and was discharged at my insistence after 24 hours. In hindsight another night might have been good (we had a private room) but at that point, after three days of slow labour I just wanted my own bed. Not that I could get in or out of it without some help. Turning over in bed post c-section is one of he most frustrating things I've ever had to do. That having been said, if I ever have DC2 I'll absolutely have an ELCS, no question about it!

[crazycatbaby]

Had an EMCS on a Tuesday teatime and left on the Friday afternoon. I had a long labour, failure to progress, drip to get me going and finally a GA as couldn't numb me to do it. Had to stay long enough to check baby didn't have an infection, was ready to get out by then! Don't rush out. Take all the drugs

[Redtartanshoes]

Cs 1pm
Friday. Out 7pm sat.

[MiniMaxi]

2 weeks - partly as baby was 6 weeks prem and partly because I got a post op infection that needed IV antibiotics.

[Sweetninja30]

When you sign your surgical consent form they should explain it all to you, have a list of things you want to ask. It is major abdominal surgery so you mustn't expect to be bouncing around soon after. If there are no complications then approx 48 hours, but pain relief tends to be an issue. I am aware that aftercare can be hit and miss in some units so Mums self-discharge. Congratulations on your new addition.

[HiDBandSIL]

2 x ELCS and two nights both times. I wouldn't want to stay for less time but I was lucky to have a private room and DH there to help me.

Like sweet mentioned pain management was an issue especially the second time. I recommend the Oramorph. It's the only thing that worked for me.

[Pallisers]

2 ELCs. First one stayed in the recommended (at the time) 3 nights and I was miserable and lonely.

Second one I asked for discharge after 36 hours and was so glad I did. Stay as long as you need the serious meds/morphine pump.
It is still abdominal surgery - not a vaginal delivery - so not everyone is able to go home the same day.

[PatriciaHolm]

48 hours both times. Could have been earlier second time, but DH spent best part of an afternoon chasing down the Dr to sign the discharge.

[raviolidreaming]

ELCS at 2pm and home the following day at about 6pm. I'm another who felt I'd be better off at home than on the ward.

[Canters15]

Elective CS for exact same reasons as OP. Stayed for 2 nights, they would have let me go home after one but I felt I needed the extra night.
Very easy recovery, no issues lifting baby and was driving after 2 weeks, could have managed sooner.

[Falafelings]

I had a straight forward positive planned c section. My hospital stay was about 40 hours but I was told by the nurses that 3 days is average. They let me out early as I was incredibly mobile post birth and I was up and about a lot while others seemed very sluggish. It was still hard once home though as i couldn't lift properly or get upstairs comfortably. It took me about a month to feel completely 100% back to normal. And my scar itched for about a year.

I went on to have three uneventful manageable vaginal births after that. All one night stays in hospital and quick recoveries.

[Erandel]

I was in 3 nights. The c section is nothing to worry about but I found the recovery worse than a natural birth. You are more restricted in what you can do. 1 year on and I'm pretty much back to normal

[ShuttyTown]

4 days. C section is major surgery and shouldn't be seen as an easy option. Recovery is long hard and painful.

[EdgarAllenPoe]

3 nights. First two for me and third because we still hadn't managed to feed properly. We still hadn't really managed to feed properly when we left, but I was so exhausted I hoped we'd manage better at home. The staff did their best to help but it's noisy on a shared ward and my boy was awkward!

[EdgarAllenPoe]

Recovery at home was hard even though my husband was ace. I had no complications but found the pain very hard to manage for the first two weeks. I don't consider myself a total wuss (I went through 22 hours of induction with no epidural - more fool me!) But it was hard! Like having to stop halfway up the stairs for a cry! Do what's best for you but don't imagine a csection to be the easy option. That being said, I'm probably going to have a 2nd csection, and it hasn't put me off more children!

[SoAngryArghh]

I was in about 5 nights. I had an epidural complication. Basically the needle that was used to insert the epidural or I should say the anaesthetist who faffed about for 50 mins attempting to do my epidural inserted too deeply and punctured my dural space? I think that's the word.

I ended up with a leakage of fluid which meant I ended up with a severe mind numbing unbearable headache so needed a blood patch. Which meant a short trip back into theatre while 2 more competent anaesthetists did a blood patch (basically one entered my spinal space while the other immediately withdrew blood from my arm and in split seconds that blood was entered into my dural space). It is a risk of epidural that is explained (I tried to Labour first before a second category emergency section - basically a failed labour) the spinal block for a section is placed into the same place as an epidural and carries the same complications and risks

[namechange20050]

I had an ELCS at 2.30pm was up and about that night (able to walk to the loo and take a shower) and was discharged at 5pm the following day. Recovery was fine. I took the baby out in the pram when he was 4 days old. Took it slowly though! And made sure I kept on top of my painkillers though I wasn't on anything stronger than ibuprofen & paracetamol,

[dustarr73]

About 6 nights but 2 of them where before birth.Planned an induction, dint happen.Ems,2 blood transfusions and was home on the Thursday.They wanted me in longer but I knew I would recover better at home.

[Alicekeach]

Seven nights, but I had pre eclampsia and they wouldn't let me go home until my blood pressure dropped below a certain level.