Planned c section Qs

[user1490285009]

Hi everyone

I'm due for a c section in a few days. Baby is breech and refused to turn. I'm a FTM and quite unsure about what to expect I hoped some of you who had planned or elective c sections could give me some of your insight. Please, no one whose had an emergency c section as I believe your experience is quite different.

• does the epidural hurt? I mean going into sober not after 75h of labour etc.

-how long did it take to go from OP to recovery ward?

• could your partner cut the cord?

• did you have to have an intravenous antiobiotic as a prophylaxis?

-what sort of stuff did you do to make the first solids toilet trip :) tolerable?

• did you use a belt/band? Was it helpful? I've seen some websites say it's great others saying your muscles should do the work and the belt makes them lazy.

-is celexane (sp?) anti coagulant injections given to everyone or those with risk factor?

-how long did it take to recover?

-overall was it worse/easier than you thought it might be?

Thanks In advance
X

Hi congrats ! I'm pregnant and due a section in march. I also had a planned one with my dd so il answer what I can.

I had a spinal, honestly didn't hurt at all. I want to recovery room for about 30 mins that back up to my room. Was high on the morphine at this stage so in great form

Dh didn't cut the cord but may do it this time. We didn't think to ask last time!
Didn't get any antibiotics.
I did get two saline drips in space of an hour straight after op.

Didn't have a problem at all going to the toilet after.
Didn't use a belt/ band
I did take arnica tablets which I think helped healing/recovery massively

I got some clotting injection every morning for the three days I was in hospital
I recovered well. I took painkillers for two weeks and I was absolutely fine if I kept on top of them.
I was driving within 4 weeks.

Much better experience then I thought it would be .

Best of luck!

Hi.
I’ve had two EMCS but I can still answer your questions.
The first, I had the the epidural “sober” as they were trying to slow down my (5 weeks early) labour. The needle didn’t hurt too much at all but I did get very painful electric shock pains in one leg for about 3 mins. But no pain after that.
I had a spinal block with my second section.
It was more painful going in that the epidural but no leg pain!

First cut to baby coming out was 4 mins for my first and a bit more for the less urgent section.
About 30 mins (iirc) while they suck out the fluid, sew you up etc.
About 2/3 hours in recovery and then to the ward/room.

Yes DH was able to cut the cord.

No to the IV antibiotics

Lactulose liquid for the first trip to loo. Bring it with you to the hospital. It’s easy to buy over the counter.

Injections are given to all as far as I’m aware. They’re not painful and over in half a second as they don’t have to be directly done into a vein. Just into the stomach area.

I was off all painkillers (nurofen/paracetamol) within 2 weeks. But still had to be careful not to hurt myself.
Recovery was easier than I thought it would be but I also did Pilates as soon as it was safe afterwards

I've had two EMCS, very different from each other. My second one I was not in labour at all, so it was like a planned section in that regard.

I don't actually remember the spinal at all so it can't have been too painful. It was very quick round to recovery. I found really concentrating on moving my toes, then feet, then legs helped the spinal wear off and get me back on my feet.

There wasn't a chance for my DP to cut the cord as baby was very unwell, and I must admit I didn't know that was a possibility for a c section.

I didn't have any antibiotics. The first toilet trip was ok, drink lots of water and don't panic.

I think clexane is given to everyone post c section. I found them extremely painful, I got bruises and continuing pain at the injection site, and eventually refused them as it was the worst pain I was experiencing - worse than the c section wound or after pains.

Recovery from my second c section where I hadn't been in labour was fairly easy compared to the first one where I'd be in labour for 24hrs plus. I was up and walking that day, and felt generally ok. You just have to think carefully about getting up from sitting or lying, getting in and out of cars etc. Anywhere where you would use your core stomach muscles. Pain was fine with regular painkillers and the wound healed quickly

Obviously this wasn't a planned section, so this maybe unhelpful advice, apologies.

Hiya I'm due my 3rd c section on 14th December.

Planned c section is much nicer than an emergency. My first was an emergency and 2nd planned and so on.
I remember feeling the sharp scratch of the needle going in the back but that was it and no further pain.

My partner cut the cord in the emergency and planned section.

You go to recovery until they are happy with you and then take you back to maternity ward.

I was discharged the next day each time and sent home previously with 5days of injections to stop blood clots but I have been informed that this time around it will be 7. If you arnt happy injecting yourself you can ask midwife if they are able to assist at home. My midwife has agreed to do mine.

I never used anything to help recover quicker all I wanted was my pain killers. Last time I was sent home with tramadol. You do have to rest. Isn't obviously easy with new baby but try to plan ahead and make things easier for yourself. Ask people to help with cooking etc. I brought pre made sma bottles with disposable teats because I was bottle feeding but this way I could keep the next feed near by without having to make bottles.

First time round I recovered quicker but my second c section I suffered an internal infection within a week of surgery so i was put onto antibiotics but soon cleared up.

As for pooing I requested at hospital before I left this powder which helps soften the poo and make first time round alot easier! It took me a week before I could poo again...pretty awfull but not everyone suffers with this.

You will be fine. You can request things like skin to skin contact when baby is born to even choosing music you would like played in theatre.

For me c section is my only option however i dont feel like I missed out on anything.

Any questions and I will happily answer what i can. But do also speak to your midwife for advice and any concerns you have

Thank you all so much this is really helpful. One thing I'm
Still unsure about is the belt. Did anyone try the compression belts? Are they generally thought to aid or delay natural recovery.

I didn't try a belt. Personally I hated any pressure or contact on my c section wound area. I wanted to wear loose clothing that wouldn't press or dig in to that area. I don't think I would have liked the feeling of a compression band on that area.

I had a planned c section with my 4th as she too was breech and refused to turn. The spinal didn’t hurt one bit and I was terrified it would! It was very relaxed and a controlled environment unlike being in labour with lots of things going wrong, which had happened in my previous deliveries. I had fragmentin (sp?) in my thigh for clots which was worse than the c section-never ever rub the injection site-it fucking hurts. . I was walking on day ‘0’ and had a poo on day ‘1’. It was very solid so I recommend having something to soften it.
I didn’t have antibiotics and was off painkillers on day ‘10’.

It’ll be fine I’m sure.

• does the epidural hurt? Not really although I can feel where it was done , a sort of dull ache which comes and goes.

-how long did it take to go from OP to recovery ward? Not too long, I had to be stitched up of course.

• could your partner cut the cord? He neatened it on the incubator table.

• did you have to have an intravenous antiobiotic as a prophylaxis? Yes

-what sort of stuff did you do to make the first solids toilet trip :) tolerable? Peppermint tea, Laxative tea, prunes, coffee and water

• did you use a belt/band? Was it helpful? I've seen some websites say it's great others saying your muscles should do the work and the belt makes them lazy. Nope

-is celexane (sp?) anti coagulant injections given to everyone or those with risk factor? Given to everyone I think

-how long did it take to recover? I’m 19 days post ELCS. Left 22 hours after delivery, was at softplay with 2 year old DS on Day 3 and driving by Day 6. Can barely even see the wound now.

-overall was it worse/easier than you thought it might be? An absolute breeze , I had a 3rd degree tear/episiotomy/forcep rotation in theatre with my first birth following a long induction. That was harder.

I didn’t use a band or belt post section. Like another poster said, the thought is any pressure around there after the operation did not appeal at all.
I did use a support belt before the section and that really helped my back but I don’t think that’s what you’re referring to.

No band here either. My wound healed really well and I think it was a combination of massive granny pants / elasticated high waisted trousers & leggings / letting the wound have some air after a shower. I wouldn’t have wanted anything pushing on or close to it.

Also, on the epidural, I had a spinal block which I think it more common for c sections. They had real trouble getting mine in - over an hour of attempts and ended up leaving theatre and waiting for a consultant to arrive before trying again.

The bit that hurt was actually the local anaesthetic injection they do immediately before. Felt like an elastic band snapping me hard. Then I couldn’t feel the spinal go in.

- does the epidural hurt? I mean going into sober not after 75h of labour etc. I had a spinal and it didn't really hurt at all despite them needing several attempts.

-how long did it take to go from OP to recovery ward? I'm not sure exactly, 30 mins maybe? I was surprised at how quick it was, and once the baby is out you have that to distract you while they sew you back up etc.

- could your partner cut the cord? DH didn't cut the cord. The issue never came up (they didn't mention it and we didn't ask) so perhaps if we'd asked he would have been allowed.

- did you have to have an intravenous antiobiotic as a prophylaxis? No antibiotics, before or afterwards.

-what sort of stuff did you do to make the first solids toilet trip smile tolerable? Nothing special. I had no problem going to the toilet.

- did you use a belt/band? Was it helpful? I've seen some websites say it's great others saying your muscles should do the work and the belt makes them lazy. No belts or bands. I didn't want anything pressing on or rubbing directly against the wound, so wore high-waisted pants and loose trousers/leggings until it had healed.

-is celexane (sp?) anti coagulant injections given to everyone or those with risk factor? I think they're given to everyone as the risk of clotting is there with all pelvic surgeries. They usually give them to you to take home and give yourself. Tbh administering the clexane myself was a lot easier than I was expecting once I got used to it - I just varied the injection site a little each time.

-how long did it take to recover? Not long at all. I was moving about (carefully!) within 24 hours, and stopped taking paracetamol after a couple of days as I didn't need them. Unexpected twisting was quite sore, so I had to make a conscious effort to keep myself in line all the time, but I was back to normal and fully healed within a few weeks.

-overall was it worse/easier than you thought it might be? Much much easier, although I think I may be towards the 'easy' end of the spectrum. Everyone had 'prepared' me for prolonged recovery and advised I keep taking the painkillers just in case etc., but really I was left wondering what all the fuss was about because I felt fine. (Although, as I say, I was very conscious of how I was moving, wound care to keep it clean, dry and not irritated, and generally how to help myself heal.)

Everyone gets IV antibiotics! If you think you didn't it generally means you didn't notice! It's a very bad idea not to have them.

Thank you all so so so! Very much. My section is planned for next Friday and I'm really disappointed at what little information I've been offered so far. Of course everyone's bodies is different, but at least I can get a general picture of what could happen. So thank you again for everyone whose replied.

I suppose my concern with the antibiotic is that. Being a c section my baby won't go through the birth canal and benefit from the 'good bacteria' that would otherwise be transmitted. I drink a lot of keffir and have been on a high fermented diet in the hopes I can at least enrich my breast milk. But if I am given a shot of antibiotics that will wipe clean my own good bacteria too. So I won't even be able to transfer anything via feeding.

In theory infections shouldn't be routine. There should be a standard of hygiene. I know antibiotics reduce incidence of infection but form what % to what? If it's like from 50% to 1% then I would take it. But if from 2% to 0.5% for me personally it wouldn't be worth it.

General lack of information/ statistics is one thing I've struggled with through out this whole process.

I found this research which says that iv antibiotics reduces the incidence of infection by 60 to 70%.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0014480/

You can always refuse consent for antibiotics. The hospital staff can't force you to have them if you'd rather not.

I had no clexane. They said you only needed it if you had 2 risk factors and a planned c section is 1 (emcs is 2).

A band would have been really sore. Anything touching it hurt.

• does the epidural hurt? I mean going into sober not after 75h of labour etc.

Not at all - a scratch was all I felt.

-how long did it take to go from OP to recovery ward?
About an hour? Maybe less.

• could your partner cut the cord?

Yep

• did you have to have an intravenous antiobiotic as a prophylaxis?

Yep

-what sort of stuff did you do to make the first solids toilet trip :) tolerable?
Nothing, it was scary but absolutely fine.

• did you use a belt/band? Was it helpful? I've seen some websites say it's great others saying your muscles should do the work and the belt makes them lazy.

Nope, just had pants that didn't cut into the scar, that was the most important thing!

-is celexane (sp?) anti coagulant injections given to everyone or those with risk factor?
Not sure but I think everyone has them if only for a short time. *
*

-how long did it take to recover?
About 3 weeks. I was up and walking normally by then.

-overall was it worse/easier than you thought it might be?

Far far* easier. Honestly didn't have any issues and was so surprised by how easy it was. No after effects and I barely notice I had a major op 14 months on.*

Thank you for sharing the link Assassinatedbeauty. I will make it my bed time reading.

Good luck OP! I have a planned section early next week - can’t wait to meet the little one.

I had a thread on earlier and got some useful advice on prepping for a CS on it and recovering after : link here

I’ve got a belly bandit belt but not sure I’ll end up using it given other’s experiences. And I haven’t been told about IV antibiotics and prophylaxis or any other injections. Have a consultant appointment tomorrow so will ask about that!

And I was also told to moderate the peppermint tea if planning to breastfeed.

Apart from that just freezing loads of single serve meals at the moment so we all have something easy to keep us going after. Hope it all goes very well for you!

Ask your consultant if they do enhanced recovery c sections. I had one and it was great. You take antacid medication the night before, wash 12 hours before, can eat up until midnight and then drink still lucozade up until 6am on the day of the section.
They encourage you to walk around on the same day as the section and have your catheter removed and then go home the next day.
I really enjoyed it.
The spinal doesn't hurt particularly.
Your partner cannot cut the cord due to infection risks although you can ask for delayed cord clamping.
I did not have the blood clotting injections as was low risk.
I was feeling much more like myself after a week and was going on short walks 16 days after my c section (30 minute slow walks)
I did not try a belt.

1. It did for me, but for some reason I am super resistant to local anaesthetic! It wasn't for long though.

1. About 2 hours in the recovery room before heading on to the ward. That was actually great, as I had one on one MW care and she helped to make sure that breastfeeding was established.

1. Yes, he did.

1. Yep - think is standard most places.

1. Lactulose. It was brought round on the drug rounds as standard. Very helpful. They also sent the bottle home with me.

1. Don't think I used a belt, can't really remember despite it only being two years ago.

1. In my NHS trust, yes. I didn't like that bit, oddly enough as I have no issues with needles usually. I think it was the having to do it myself that I didn't like!

1. Four weeks or so to be pretty much back to normal. Walked 3 miles to the pub and back on day seven...

1. Better, I think. I wasn't particularly anxious about the operation as it was my preferred way of giving birth so was happy to be having it. Even so, the recovery was better than expected. My hospital were pretty good and brought round / prescribed decent pain relief, which I think really helped (make sure you keep on top of the pain relief!).

All the best

Both my births have been ELCS.

• does the epidural hurt? I mean going into sober not after 75h of labour etc.

• I had a spinal first time and epidural second time. Both times the anaesthetist really struggled and it took several attempts. Both hurt a bit.

-how long did it take to go from OP to recovery ward? Not long. Half an hour or so, maybe

• could your partner cut the cord?

First one we weren't asked, second time yes, but he declined.

• did you have to have an intravenous antiobiotic as a prophylaxis?

Yes

-what sort of stuff did you do to make the first solids toilet trip :) tolerable?
Lactulose in meds rounds while in Hospital but nothing after that. Should have learnt from the first one as second time this was the worst part of the whole experience. The dihydrocodeine made things much worse.

• did you use a belt/band? Was it helpful? I've seen some websites say it's great others saying your muscles should do the work and the belt makes them lazy.

No

-is celexane (sp?) anti coagulant injections given to everyone or those with risk factor?
First time I had fragmented and had to take daily for a few weeks. Second time I had clexane and only had to take for several days. I had 2 risk factors

-how long did it take to recover?
First time ages - weeks. Second time only days.

-overall was it worse/easier than you thought it might be? Worse the first time and easier the second.

Good luck to you

• Fragmin

I think a lot of your questions have been answered but I would definitely recommend taking the lactulose every time it’s offered until you have your first movement as I found it quite uncomfortable. Also be ready for the wind, nobody told me about that and I was quite surprised by it.
To be honest the recovery for me was tough but 7 months on I feel like me again whereas quite a few of my friends are still recovering from the longer term effects of a vaginal birth. I felt totally recovered by 3 months but by 6 weeks almost there with it all.

I thought I would write and share my own experience as I had my c-section yesterday. The epidural was not particularly painful BUT I was ( unknowingly) allergic to a drug called phenylepherin. It sent me into a tail spin and I got very sick, they injected it into me twice and both times ended up calling for emergency help. It was extremely stressful. It also affected the baby, leading to her heart rate drop and I ended up having a slap dash emergency style section rather than the calm careful surgery I had hoped for. It was all very chaotic and awful.
Not to frighten anyone but worth bringing up with your dr/consultant to maybe do an allergy test ( of such a thing even exists).

Also for me personally.. recovery it looks like will not be easy. It's almost 24h since surgery and while I am sort of up, it is very painful to get in and out of bed.