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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Tips for postnatal ward after C section?

21 replies

JerseyCow7213 · 10/05/2019 11:56

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on reaching baby from their crib next to hospital bed after c section with a catheter in ( particularly at night once partner has gone home)? I'm worrying about baby wanting to be constantly held and not settling in crib and the midwives being super busy (and maybe annoyed if I'm pressing the buzzer all the time!)

Also, has anyone tried one of those lifting blankets? Could this be a solution?

OP posts:

noreciprocityherefella · 10/05/2019 11:58

For my second (scheduled) c-section, I stayed in one night, buzzed when I needed to, and got home as quick as I could. Didn’t sleep much as baby wanted to be held the whole time and the postnatal ward was unspeakably hot and noisy. My advice would be to keep your stay to a minimum and don’t feel bad about buzzing for help in the meantime. Best of luck.

Ivestoppedreadingthenews · 10/05/2019 12:00

Are you not allowed a birth partner with you overnight?
Our hospital allowed it and I took full advantage. Otherwise you will just have to press the buzzer a lot as you’re unlikely to be able to pick the baby up to feed alone.

WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream · 10/05/2019 12:06

I've had 2 c sections and both times I've had to just move and get baby out of the crib myself. They have you up walking and showered within hours of your surgery now so you are expected to see to baby yourself.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 10/05/2019 13:35

Your catheter won't be in over night for an elective. Our local maternity hospital has them out as soon as you reach recovery unless there is bladder damage.

Roll sideways to get in/out of bed. I've had 2 emergencies and it's been fine both times.

legalseagull · 10/05/2019 13:38

I've just been through this. I couldn't stand up due to such low blood pressure making me faint. I had the catheter in for two whole days until they gave me a blood transfusion. I buzzed the midwives who gladly helped me. They passed him to me and also changed all his nappies for me. I'm sure they were busy, but not so much in the early hours of the morning. If you can do it yourself, do, but don't feel like you're being cheeky, its major surgery.

habibihabibi · 10/05/2019 13:39

Abroad , so it might be different but for the night's my babies were in the nursery so you could rest.

Drum2018 · 10/05/2019 13:46

You'll probably only have the catheter in for the first night, if even, depending on the time of your surgery. You'll be up and about the next morning all going well. Midwife took ds to the nursery for a while the first night for me. I kept him in the bed with me for a while too with the side bar up. Hopefully you will be recovering well enough to get home after a couple of days.

motheroftinydragons · 10/05/2019 14:01

If you can, ask for a room. Our NHS hospital gives them out based on medical need but a CS qualifies for this if there aren't people with a greater need. Or you can pre - book and pay for them, it's about £100 a night for a standard or £400 for a swish one with a en-suite.

I was given one of the standard ones after both births (one messy assisted and one ELCS) but I'd prebooked for the ELCS. They didn't charge me though because they had loads going spare which was nice. I made a small donation to the maternity ward fund instead.

I was in four nights first time and two for the ELCS and having my own room was a bloody godsend. Only being disturbed by my baby and people coming round for obs etc. Also meant DH could stay with me for the first birth with first baby which was so helpful. I needed more help after that than I did the ELCS!

Practically wise, I needed help lifting baby in and out of the cot by my side, and buzzed when I needed to do that. That's it I managed everything else by myself. Nappy changes on the bed in front of you between your legs. Have your tray thing over the bed with nappies, wipes, change of baby's clothes and a drink/snacks etc so you don't need to get up to get them.

I had my catheter in overnight. Baby was born at lunchtime and it was out first thing in the morning.

Morgan12 · 10/05/2019 14:21

My section was at 1.30. Catheter out at 8pm and got told to get up an walk around.

Zero help during night. Was shit and quite sore and uncomfortable but we survived and were allowed home the next afternoon.

Boris100 · 10/05/2019 14:25

I am 3 days post section, and I just had to get moving. 5 hours after op I was in the shower, home within 24. Obviously it's required to take it easy but it's fine to lift your baby.

Original poster

JerseyCow7213 · 10/05/2019 16:00

Thanks all for replies. I am hoping (as a few have said) that I am up and about with catheter out quickly, as things will make things so much easier!

OP posts:

Kel801 · 10/05/2019 16:06

As others have said you’ll probably be able to do it all yourself , but although he didn’t as we had a 14 month old as home, by the time I had my second, men were able to stay overnight on the maternity wards x

FoxtrotSkarloey · 10/05/2019 16:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Hugtheduggee · 11/05/2019 07:34

Just buzz for help.
Honestly, how difficult it will be depends on how busy it is to an extent. In my hospital they are often quite quiet, so with both of my children there were usually staffing ratios of between 1:1 and 1:2 staff to patients (ranged from 3-7 women, 4 members of staff), so they had plenty of time. They'd also sit and chat if you wanted it, and they were happy to do things like nappy changes, take baby for a bit if you wanted etc. I know though from on here that some wards get very busy and aren't as well staffed and that it can be tricky.

ShowOfHands · 11/05/2019 07:45

I had DS at 3.30 and my catheter was out by 5.30 and I'd had a shower before 7pm. I got up as soon as sensation returned which was pretty much as soon as I left recovery and was put on the ward.

DS didn't go in the crib unless I needed a wee. He stayed in bed with me and I didn't need help with him at all.

ImTheOnlyUpsyOne · 11/05/2019 07:53

I had my catheter in over night for a scheduled c (sometimes it feels like it depends on who has time to see to you)

You can buzz for help for the baby to be passed to you. My midwives were lovely even helping me to sort out a formula feed! (Miles different from my first baby!)

I did get up and moving the same evening, I carried my catheter bag with me, but that was because my buzzer stopped working and by chance there were no other women in my room - so I had to walk all the way down to the nurses station for help. Everyone's different and you shouldn't over-do it, but if you can get moving even a little, it will help you get home a bit sooner.

All the best!!

ImTheOnlyUpsyOne · 11/05/2019 08:03

Ooo my other tip would be to bring some Peppermint tea bags to help with wind! And possibly your own fruit and veggie snacks to help with bowel movement. Important after c-section yet the menu in an NHS hospital is all bread bread bread (toast for brekki, sandwiches at lunch...not helpful)

Reastie · 14/05/2019 18:52

I had a catheter in fir first night with dd but second night I buzzed for someone to pass her to me, seemed like that was what was expected (although always had to wait for ages). Getting out of bed was so painful it would’ve been tricky to keep getting in and out. That was 8 years ago though, I hope things haven’t changed and I’m now expected to do it all. I must ask at next apt.

welshweasel · 14/05/2019 18:57

After my most recent section (4 months ago) I was back on the ward early afternoon, had a bed bath and sat out early evening, catheter out late evening. I was in a post op bay of 4 women and we had a midwife and HCA based in the bay so no need to buzz - as soon as baby stirred they’d come and change nappies and help you latch etc. By the following morning I was up and about, showered and home by lunchtime.

LittleDoveLove · 22/05/2019 21:37

I had one 6 weeks ago, the catheter was removed 6 hours after the procedure so that isn't a problem. It was painful but I just got out of bed. My baby was in special care over night the first night so I had to go and visit him to feed him, he was then in a room with me on normal maternity ward. it was painful but I just took it slow and picked him up and bottle fed him sat down in the chair. I only really buzzed if I dropped something on the floor! They give you oramorph which is a great pain relief!

LittleDoveLove · 22/05/2019 21:41

However the night staff are a little less busy and they are there to help, on my 4th night I was so tired and emotional for lack of sleep as I can't sleep on my back they had my baby for 3 hours so I could try and sleep without being interrupted. Ask for help if you need it, our unit where lovely and they do pop in to do obvs every so often on you and baby so you will see people x

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