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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

ELCS questions - post delivery

33 replies

Northernbeachbum · 06/04/2018 12:18

I'm hoping for an ELCS which my midwife can't see as an issue, it's my first so there's a few things I was wondering about

what are the most comfortable clothes for after the c section? Dress and above bump leggings seem most likely?
11 weeks later, if I do exactly as I'm told how much walking am I likely to be able to do (family event I want to manage expectations)
how soon could you go swimming?
I've got arnica, fybrogel, peppermint oil on a recovery list, is there anything I'm missing

OP posts:

KadabrasSpoon · 06/04/2018 12:23

Air the scar as much as possible so wear nightie or hospital gown at first.
Take a sports water bottle to have in bed as getting up for water will be hard at first plus I didn't like the buzz for it when midwives so busy.
You should be ok to walk by then. Even after a few days could do light walking. How much walking do you mean?
Not sure about swimming. Have to keep stiches clean and dry for a while.
By the way a midwife cannot sign off a c section you need to speak to your consultant

TheresALight · 06/04/2018 12:27

Hi, I've had an emcs and elcs and reccommend getting a few pairs of high waisted leggings or leggings with a thick waistband so that they don't dig in. Dresses would be good too, but your tummy might take a while to 'deflate' after the surgery so bear that in mind when shopping for styles!

Walking and recovery rates are hard to judge. My stiches came undone on both, the second pregnancy they popped open at nearly 6 weeks post partum and I had an infection at the same time. I was rough for over a week and didn't want to get dressed let alone go out anywhere. But I was better by 9 weeks and went to the swimming pool and a bit of gentle walking. However, I wouldn't have been up for an energetic holiday after 11 weeks on either one.

I guess it depends on your current fitness levels and how you recover after the delivery, but I find that I took much longer to recover after any long walks for up to 6 months after!

DearTeddyRobinson · 06/04/2018 12:55

I've had 2 ELCS. I was walking to the shops, pushing the pram, at 4 days after my second, which was way worse than my first. No problems with stitches, infection etc. You need high waisted knickers and leggings for a few weeks afterwards.
Not sure about swimming but I had my stitches out at 5 days post partum, so you can presumably ask the midwife then.
Good luck!

Cornishmumofone · 06/04/2018 13:15

It's different for everyone. I had an EmCS and walked a 5k two weeks later. By 8 weeks I was back to cross country racing and had no problems whatsoever.

MinaPaws · 06/04/2018 13:35

High waisted pure cotton knickers are important. And cotton leggings. Let the scar breathe as much as possible. I was walking easily soon after and definitely doing longish walks by 8 weeks.

I think I was told to take salt baths. A mug full of pure salt in each bath you have for the first couple of weeks. It helps lower the possibility of infection.

Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 06/04/2018 14:51

Thank you all, I'm pretty fit at the moment, wouldn't bat an eyelid at walking 10k right now at 31 weeks.

I was thinking high waisted maternity leggings and some maternity dresses as I know I won't slim down for a fair while (if at all!) does tht sound about right?

@KadabraSpoon I have a consultant meeting and they my trust follows the NICE guidlines so although midwife doesn't sign it off she talks as though it will happen with the reasons I have to request one

Salt baths will be added to the to do list, is there any reason you can't use savlon or equivalent on the scar?

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Hesburger · 06/04/2018 15:04

11 weeks post section Today. All healed up and able to walk a fair distance now. Already have a toddler so that might account for tiredness.

Been out for longer days out - still struggling to anything much more energetic exercise wise as I still have a bit of pain (like a pulled muscle in my groin).

Still not allowed to lift anything heavy but walking with the pram is fine.

Hmmalittlefishy · 06/04/2018 15:10

I would add dried apricots to the recovery bag or something to help with the post baby poo. And drink lots of water to help. Sorry if tmi
I wore my over bump maternity yoga type trousers in the early days or dresses.
11 weeks I would hope you would be fine. I was doing an uphill school run with the pram or sling after 2 weeks.
But everyone's recovery if different and t here is always someone who ran home from the hospital carrying their dh and baby and someone who couldn't walk after 6 months!!
I would suggest you give yourself the option of a little leeway for the event if possible to see how you feel

Hypermice · 06/04/2018 15:12

While you’re in the hospital a gown is best. After that yeah stretchy jersey dress and leggings was my go to. BIG big pants !

I was pottering after a week, but I couldn’t have done any serious walking (hills or long distances) until 12 weeks minimum - actually for me it’s not got much better after birth but that's the bloody Spd rather than the c section.

Nothing on the scar at all - wash daily, air it properly dry and if you even vaguely suspect infection get seen. Forbinfection control I was given a set of instructions that was basically he say before DH and I had to wash incl hair then sleep on fresh bedding that had a hot wash. Then both of us wash thoroughly the morning of the section. Hygiene is very very important. Be an arse about people sitting on your bed or not washing hands. It’s inportant.

Croc type shoes for hospital, you can wear in the showers as well. A toiletry bag with a hook so you don’t have to bend. A BF pillow to hold the baby on so they’re not resting on your scar.

Take it Really easy when you get home. It’s a cliche but if you overdo it those first two weeks you will pay for it. Hygiene hygiene hygiene. You do NOT want an infection!

mommybear1 · 06/04/2018 15:13

I wouldn't use savlon until it's healed I used bio oil once it was completely sealed after about 6 weeks. Also look at getting big granny pants that go up to your bellybutton to stop rubbing and I would recommend oversized yoga pants. From personal experience eat as much fibre as you can and take some dulco ease (stool softener) it will help. I was up and walking same day but did push myself as baby was in NICU I was able to drive after 3 weeks and out and walking with the pram about the same time. A friend of mine also used slim sanitary towels to stop the wound "sweating" she would put the absorbent side against the wound. Good luck OP

TroubledLichen · 06/04/2018 15:18

So immediately afterwards I wore a nightie, once the catheter was out I swapped to fancy PJs. Size up and pull them up so the waistband doesn’t sit on your scar. Massive cotton pants a must too. Then roll it all down and air the scar when you don’t have company. Once home from hospital I mostly wore stretch chinos from Gap as they were nice and high waisted. Dresses are good too, or high waisted skirts.

Walk as much as you possibly can and as soon as you can. I was doing laps round my hospital room by day 2 and I attribute that to my relatively easy recovery. No twisting or bending. At 11 weeks ab exercises would be a huge no but walking based you should be fine.

Unsure about the advice re salt baths as I was told explicitly no baths until all was heeled and to let shower gel/soap run over the scar in the shower but not to specifically put anything on it. As the point was to keep it as dry as possible to avoid infection. Then I did gently massage the scar with bio oil but only once it was completely heeled.

Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 06/04/2018 15:33

Perfect thank you! I'm trying to point out to family no matter how baby arrives 11 weeks later I might be still recovering, it's been a real mix with friends as to who has recovered first whether it be CS or VB

OP posts:

MsJuniper · 06/04/2018 15:39

If you are hoping to breastfeed then my advisor said avoid peppermint.

I had a CS last week and was up and about the next morning once the catheter had come out - and I could have been up sooner. I had dissolvable stitches and steristrips and once the steristrips came off after a few days I felt fine. The hospital had these inflatable pressure stockings which were fantastic as the feeling came back to my legs and I think they helped too. Worth asking your hospital about this stuff and the kind of pain relief they will offer too. Probably the hardest days were once home as the anaesthetic and lovely lovely morphine had fully left my body.

I have been wearing maternity yoga pants as the waistband feels very comfy and supportive over my tummy, with nursing vests and thin cardigans.

MsJuniper · 06/04/2018 15:40

Oh and I am a complete wuss btw.

Kintan · 06/04/2018 15:54

I was advised not to have a bath until the wound had healed. Also it would be quite hard getting in and out if a bath at first while your muscles are healing. High waisted knickers and legging/yoga pants with a baggy t shift and a pad over the wound is what I found most comfortable. Hope it all goes well!

Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 06/04/2018 15:56

Thanks @MrsJuniper and congrats on the very new arrival! I've got a very high pain threshold as I'm good at zoning out from it so I have to be careful to not push it too hard too soon

Lovely to hear so many positive experience

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NerrSnerr · 06/04/2018 16:03

I wore a nighty when in hospital. For my first section I had some complications and was bleeding for many weeks afterwards and the recovery was long. For my second it was much more straightforward (technically I still had a pph but it was a lot more controlled). I was up and about a lot earlier with my second and was swimming fairly soon (about a month or so)

MinaPaws · 06/04/2018 16:53

And get hold of loads of fenugreek and milk thistle if you are breastfeeding as the spinal (I think) stops your milk from coming down for ages. No one told me that and I wish they had. I didn't get that under the armpit tingle of milk release until DC were three months old!

Hypermice · 06/04/2018 16:57

I've got a very high pain threshold

Me too but it’s not really an issue of pain - the pain I had from the SPD was much worse than the pain of the wound. It’s more a feeling of being non functional somehow- like things don’t quite work the way they should. It’s quite peculiar - you feel yourself leaning forward to protect the wound for example - it must be some sort of built in damage response.

didireallysaythat · 06/04/2018 17:04

Post natal classes at 6 week's ELCS, up to 10,000 steps a day by 9 weeks and back to work at 12. Not sure there's a typical recovery though - I had no problems with stitches etc

Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 06/04/2018 17:39

Thats all really good to know, thank you!!!

@didireallysaythat I will be aiming for your recovery I think (I'm not serious, I know everyone heals at different rates and some of it is pure luck - but taking all the tips I can from here so thank you!)

OP posts:

didireallysaythat · 06/04/2018 18:05

I found tracking steps useful. The first week I didn't walk a lot (just around the block) but I did a bit more every day which helped I think (the days I did a LOT more I felt completely washed out!).

KadabrasSpoon · 06/04/2018 23:49

You'll have a pre op meeting to ask questions too and they'll tell you how to look after your stitches.
I think bathing / swimming advice varies partly due to stitches type. Mine were disolveable so had to be kept dry for a while.

Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 07/04/2018 09:38

I already wear my fitbit daily so that's handy.

Really do appreciate you all taking the time to answer, thank you!

Has anyone had physio after? I'm wondering whether I could get it on my private medical care

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Original poster

Northernbeachbum · 07/04/2018 09:42

So I found out today a friend is planning a surprise baby shower.....I REALLY don't want one, any ideas how to prevent it without sounding ungrateful and rude?

OP posts:

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