C Section questions

[Stuckinmyownhead]

Hi all,

I am due to have my first ELCS next week and had a few questions. I would be really grateful to hear your answers if you’ve had an elective yourself.

(1) How am I likely to feel on the day of the section after the baby is here (obviously presuming everything is straightforward)? Will I be in much pain on the first day?

(2) Am I likely to be able to cope with visitors (ie my parents) on the first day or would it be better to assume that just my husband will be with me?

(3) Will I be able to care for (feed and change) my baby from the start or will I be in too much pain and my husband will be in sole charge?

(4) Is it a good idea for my husband to stay overnight in the hospital for the first night (C Section will be in the morning apparently)? He will only have a chair to sit in and I would rather he went home and had a decent night’s sleep before we both arrive home but if it’s a good idea for him to stay, then obviously we’ll do that

(5) How long am I likely to stay in hospital for, presuming everything is straightforward?

(6) How long after a C Section before I can eat? I’m not eating much at the moment due to heartburn and lack of space and I can’t wait to eat something tasty again!

(7) My husband will be off for two weeks after baby is born. Am I likely to be ok to care for my baby by then or should I rope in my Mum for extra help?

Many thanks!

How long is a piece of string?

I've had two cs (emergencies) and I ate as soon as I was back on the ward. DH was not allowed to stay as it was late and I did all care of the babies from the beginning. I was up and about within 3 hours both time and had no pain at all. Discharged after 12 hours first time round, 36 hours second time round. DD and my parents visited 90 minutes after DS was born at my request. I was back doing a school run with my eldest 4 days post cs and pretty much bounced back.

I was v lucky.

Friends have had a longer recovery. You won't know until post op so probably best to put as much support in place as possible and reduce where necessary.

Earliest you can go home is day 2 btw. Day 1 is the day of the op.

Hi it all depends in the individual. I've had an emcs & elcs & both times I recovered really quickly (approx 1 week till back to normal ) with minimal pain but there is no way of knowing beforehand how much it will impact on you. Answers to your questions for how I felt:
1 - the first day, when I'd had the op, I didn't feel any pain due to the epidural but I was completely numb & couldn't move my lower half.
2 - depends on the visitors & if everything has gone well! For my emcs (had in morning) both my family & in laws descended en masse & I hated it but this was because I was in shock (rushed into surgery at 6 months, unsure if dc1 would survive). For elcs i only wanted my family there, who were looking after dc1 & would be bringing them in to visit. Surgery was in the afternoon so only just back on the ward for visiting. Dc2 was struggling to bf so I was a bit frazzled but really wanted dc1 to visit their sibling so still glad they came. Am also very close to my family (just my dm & dsis came as visiting restricted) wouldn'the have wanted anone else there (boobs hanging out etc!!).
3 - you will be able to care for your baby in holding & feeding but won't be able to move on the first day (of the op) so someone will have to hand you the baby & take them off you as necessary. They will need to do this roughly every 2 hrs throughout the night for feeding.
4 - my dh wasn't allowed to stay, the midwife's helped me with feeding & changing Dc2 throughout the first night when I couldn'the get up. I would let him go home & get some rest so he can look after the baby on day 2 whilst you rest between feeding. I was out of bed the next morning, would have been sooner but my catheter wasn't draining properly.
5 - if all is straightforward you will be home the day after the op (day 2) as long as you are OK walking & have peed after the catheter has been removed. I was in 2 nights but my cs was the last one of the day & Dc2 struggled with feeding so I needed support with this. Don't rush to go home if all is not well. I went home on day 3, still a bit worried about feeding but thought it was getting better & wanted to get back to dc1, ended up back in on day 4 & staying 2 more nights as Dc2 lost too much weight too quickly.
6 - they will bring you something, usually tea & toast, as soon as you feel ready for it.
7 - this really depends on how the individual heals & your circumstances, is it your first baby? I was fine for getting around, lifting Dc's etc by 2 weeks but not everyone is. I also had very small babies so they were very light to pick up, compared with my friend who had a 10lb-er! However I was very tired from feeding & needed to express alot both times due to issues with feeding. Dh had 3 weeks when dc1 came out of hospital which was fine for me, with dc2 he had about 2 months off with shared leave & I really appreciated this to help with feeding, give me a lie in, do the school run with dc1 etc. However dm lives locally & came round 2-3 times a week (both times) to help with dc''s & housework etc once dh went back to work.
Hth - apologies for the huge essay! Good luck with everything xxx

I had a spinal, not an epidural. I had sensation back in recovery and was walking within 3 hours. If you have an epidural I assume sensation depends upon when it is removed. I didn't need anybody to pass the babies to me or any help with nappies and changing. Actually, our trust encourages rooming in so they were in bed with me most of the time.

I'm glad to hear you didn't need help with changes shofhands
I am anxious about my first night in hospital after the birth. With my EMCS I wasn't able to get up and change the baby. Hopefully with an ELCS I won't be in so much pain?

OP I'm unsure if I want my husband to stay the night on one of those uncomfortable chairs or go home for a proper nights sleep. I really want/need him to be on top form and full of energy for the proceeding days! I suppose it depends on how much sleep your DH needs.

I have had 1 emcs and 3 elcs, so shall answer as if it was me, but everyone is different.
1, untill your spinal wears off fine, then discomfort when moving but managable with paracetemol, peppermint oil is a must as the trapped wind pain is awful!
2, i had my other dc visit and a couple of friends, they didnt stay long as was quite tired.
3, untill your spinal has worn off you will ring for a midwife to change your baby or hand baby to you for a feed, after you are up and walking you can do it all yourself.
4, no need for husband to stay, you should be up and about.
5, most trusts like you to stay in a min of 24 hrs
6, as soon as you are back on the ward you can eat and midwives will most likely ask you if you want some toast as soon as you are settled.
7, if dc is your first and you do little and i mean very little, no saying on day 5 post op, ooo i could go for a walk! You should be good to go within reason after 2 weeks. But you could always tap your mum up for a couple of extra days.
Good luck op.

Varies hugely I'm afraid.

1. I've only had an emcs but I felt fine and was up and dressed as soon as my legs worked. Never had trapped wind or any issues with going to the toilet both of which can be helped by movement apparently but only if you feel up to it.

2 & 3 I could manage both but I think that's very much linked to 1.

1. Is it an option? our hospital wouldn't allow it on the ward, partners were thrown out at 9pm. I think one of you getting proper sleep in a comfortable bed is possibly a good idea.

1. I've been quoted 24 to 48 hours for my upcoming elective. I escaped on day 4 after my emcs but that would have been earlier if ds hadn't ended up in NICU for a bit.

1. I had tea and toast in recovery within 2 hours I think (and that's after a very long labour and a category 1 emcs with every alarm in theater shrieking it's head off). Ds was born at 7.29 am and I was expected to eat lunch on the ward at lunch time and from then on whenever I wanted. Dh bought me Fry's turkish delight and cherry coke... it was heavenly (although you are meant to avoid carbonated drinks I think but I suffered no ill effects).

1. Depends on 1 really. What I'm planning on doing after my elective is having dh take his paternity leave and then get my dm to come and stay for a week or so. That way all bases should be covered.

For me...

1. first day, I felt invincible!! No pain, I kept wondering when it would hit. Got my first bit of pain just before morning the next day (med rounds meant I was totally uneducated at that point), I had a bit of oramorph and was fine. No worse than mild period pain though.

2)i was itching for visitors. You may have a a catheter etc still, but personally I didn't care less, and it's by the side of your bed, so I don't think any visits even saw it (it was on the wall side, not where seats were).
3) I didn't change her first first few days. Bending to pick her up was a no-no, but once she was in my arms it was fine. Husband or midwives did nappy change, and brought me her and milk when I wanted it.
4) my husband stayed the second night ut not the first (I was on the ward first night and not allowed to stay). We were bottle feeding, so he basically did the night whilst I slept and recovered. It helped me immensely.
5) 24-48 hours.
6) they wouldn't let me eat for 6 hours, by which point I was starving.
7) by 2 weeks, I was back to normal, baking and hosting a big party for friends, going for lunches with people etc. I didn't need any help, though was careful not to lift too much.
My tummy was fine, though I think I was still popping the occasional paracetamol just in case it started to hurt. I was comfortable to be left with baby for an hour or so (ie could sort out feed, change nappy) by day 4. Recovery seems to vary wildly though.

Oh, yes to the peppermint water, the only real pain I experienced (except for moving) was due to trapped wind.

When standing the first few times you will feel like your stomach has been velcroed together and get the urge to slump, for worry of splitting everything. Don't worry, and try to stand straight, it really helps.

I had my first shower at 48 hours, and the shower head accidentally spun, and shot icy water at my face. I jumped out of my skin. That made my tummy hurt, but the fact that I then just got on with the shower, found it funny, and was able to jump out of my skin, should give you some reassurance.