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Childbirth

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

TOP TIPS FOR ELECTIVE CS PLEASE>>>>>

52 replies

lissielou · 18/03/2007 18:09

my SiL is 34w pg and lo is transverse, v big and v stuck. so a cs is looking like the best option. i had an ecs so wasnt prepared. i am helping her her sort her bag this week, so best dont go into hospital without tips please mners!

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McDreamy · 18/03/2007 18:56

I would say forget the paper pants they are sooo uncomfortable, cheap big granny knickers, asda tesco whatever but nice soft material rather than the paper ones. Have baby changing bits to hand when last visitor goes for the day, call bell, juice (if you're not a water fan)

Blandmum · 18/03/2007 18:57

Big knickers!

If at all possible have someone with you the first 12 hours. You will not be able to move much post epidural/spinal and you will still be expected to sort stuff out for your baby. Dh was with me during this time, until I became more mobile and it was a great help.

lissielou · 18/03/2007 19:05

all brill. sound a bit dim, but what is arnica for and is it oil, gel?

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danceswithaSPRINGinherstep · 18/03/2007 19:15

Drops I think, it's to help prevent brusing, possibly homeopathic type medicine. Blimey, I'm just awash with vagueness today

lulumama · 18/03/2007 19:17

little homepathic tablets, for help with bruising...

TuttiFrutti · 18/03/2007 19:33

Arnica, arnica, arnica...

amidaiwish · 18/03/2007 19:53

someone else might have said it already, but these c-belts are fantastic here

Bucketsofdynomite · 18/03/2007 20:03

Couple of Peppermint teabags, even if she doesn't like it - trapped wind is often an after-effect of CSecs for some reason and it works wonders.

A wooly hat - I got very cold in the recovery room (lost some blood due to vomiting LOL ) and a hat is the best way to warm up. Would def pack one if I were having another one.

Don't buy paper pants they always break when you're putting them on. Matalan do plain black non-maternity midi ones that go under a bump and are big enough to hold a big pad in place. Cheap enough to be disposable. Baggy PJ bottoms too, just a little extra help holding it all in place the next day!

Doulaklaw · 18/03/2007 21:31

If I were to need a CS I'd be taking a lot of ideas from Prof Nick Fisk and insisting my surgeons used them!

Here's the Guardian Article about his Natural Caesareans

lulumama · 18/03/2007 21:34

doualklaw..that is so spooky ! emailed to lissie about natural c.s and could not remember the name of the consult ! you are a little gem !!

zookeeper · 18/03/2007 21:40

s hsirdryer to make sure your wound is dry after washing it

zookeeper · 18/03/2007 21:40

a hairdryer!

eidsvold · 19/03/2007 05:10

arnica, big cotton knickers, tea tree oil - few drops in warm water for bathing wound - helps prevent infection and helps it to heal nicely.

nightie rather than pjs - usually have catheter in for a day or so. nightie makes it easier iyswim,.

I used paper towels to fold into a wad and lightly pat my wound dry.

They shaved first and second c-section - horrid 1st was emergency and 2nd I forgot to do it. Am due to have third section on Friday - now I have a scar to guide me - will do it myself.

peppermint teabags - also used here.

I also take clothes in - after the 1st day or so - I always feel like distinguishing between night and day so take comfy elastic waisted shorts/trousers and some loose shirts . Find it makes me feel better being in clothes rather than the same pjs for five days and nights.

lissielou · 19/03/2007 06:48

all brill, thank you so much the natural cs article is fascinating, will be using that if i ever have another!

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lissielou · 19/03/2007 12:05

.

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lissielou · 19/03/2007 16:58

.

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lissielou · 20/03/2007 08:06

boop de doop de doop

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LilRedWG · 20/03/2007 08:13

Anaesetist (sp dodgy this morning) told me not to take the Arnica I had bought as I'd have loads of other stuff in my system.

lissielou · 20/03/2007 08:22

really? hmm, found some arnica bath soak, so might get her that then

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ratfly · 21/03/2007 21:14

I had lots of snacks with me (why did I think I would use them in labous?!). Raisins, juice, cereal bars etc. They were a godsend after my emergency section as I had a little stash of goodies. Hospital food wasn't enough for me!

margoandjerry · 21/03/2007 21:16

take nice, easy slip on shoes. I took slippers for the hospital but for coming home I had my trainers - bad idea as I couldn't bend down to tie them.

Doulaklaw · 21/03/2007 23:26

Not a problem Lulumama, I never EVER want another CS but have to be prepared that this might happen. Also if more mum's asked for this it might become standard for electives and even for so called 'emergencies', although perhaps not the true Crash ones.

I'll never forget seeing that baby on Channel 5's Birth Night last year and wished they'd showed more of his 'natural' CS, but seeing that by lifting head out and waiting a while could allow the mum's body to squeeze fluid out of baby's lungs just proved to me that we need to be considering baby a hellavu lot more...

Why cut the cord, baby's only life line, when it's compromised?

Why not leave cord to finish pulsating while mum says hello to baby?

Why can't they perform resus on baby at mother's side while still attached so that baby has some extra time?

Why bring it out into bright lights and cold and shock and take it away from mum and dad for hours to 'fix' it and then wonder why we have 'difficult' babies with colic and reflux and respiratory problems?

Just because it's been done like that for 30 years doesn't mean it's right...

I'll get off my soap box and leave you to it for now.

Lissielou, your SIL is lucky to have you looking out for her and trying to find her the info so she can make an informed decision. Tell her to question everything and not to be afraid to ask for what she wants to make baby's emergence as gentle as possible, skin to skin, help with BF, dim lights, silence so that parents voices are the first ones heard, etc etc.

MarsLady · 22/03/2007 00:02

If you email me on lovelymarslady at aol dot com I'll send you my C-births made personal tips.

lissielou · 22/03/2007 07:18

have mailed you mars!. agree doulka(sp) love the idea of a natural cs, mw is trying to bully her into having the baby turned and a vb if its breech, despite the 3rd degree tears etc

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ChaCha · 22/03/2007 09:18

Haven't time to read whole thread so apologies in advance if i repeat what anyone else has said.

I had an elective section last month - totally different than EMCS i'd had the previous year. I couldn't have asked for more. The screen was lowered, i watched DS being lifted out, he was placed directly onto my chest, we had a cuddle until i asked for him to be taken away (got a bit overwhelmed and teary) and the after care was absolutely fantastic, i only stayed in hospital for 3 days and was even given my own room with ensuite. One week after DS's birth I was pushing the Power Twin round our local shopping centre and two weeks later able to pick up and play with DS1.

Having the experience from previous section made sure the following were in place:

  • Sandwiches and snacks prepared for both DH and I (was a must!)
  • Different size babygros for baby in case lighter/heavier than expected
  • lots of clean blankets/shawl etc.. (don't like hospital stuff)
  • Anti bacterial wipes (used them loads)
  • Really nice toiletries and comfy pj's/nighty (made me feel great even when shattered)
  • Flip flops and slippers
  • A good book/magazine
  • Large cheapy knickers that you can throw away
  • Maternity pads IMO are awful - normal ones were just fine

Generous doses of pain killers helped me immensely esp the liquid morph.

HTH