Things you wish you'd known about c sections

[MakeAWhish]

Hi all, ok, I am having my first c section (third baby) in 5 weeks time.
Any words of advice from those of you who've had one? What do you wish you'd known/done? Essential items to have to help with recovery? Best piece of advice you were given?
Thanks wise ladies xx

@mumto2babyboys I know! Imagine if he hadn't known what to do and there was me barely conscious from the GA and bed-bound!

TBH it wasn't a private room as such it was the labour suite and they wheeled me back there post-op, maybe because it was midnight by then, or maybe that's their protocol. I was taken down to the ward at some point the next day, but they had no restrictions on visiting hours so DH could stay as long as he wanted, including overnight. Not the comfiest though....

@LittleAndOften
Awh thank God everything was ok. That is scary after a GA x

Ladies, thank you, thank you, thank you. Each and every one of you. Your advice and support and good wishes are so appreciated, what amazing advice you've all given - I truly feel far more prepared and am showing this thread to DP as well so he can feel prepared! Women are great. Thank you all, again. Is it weird to say you've actually made me look forward to the surgery?!

I've had four and each one was an amazing experience. Recovery was slow for my third and fourth was slower, but fine. With my fourth, my scar started to smell a bit and was red in places on the brink of becoming infected, so I used Dettol soap on it and let the air get to it and it was sorted in a matter of days.

I wish I'd known to ask for the screen to be lowered when he was delivered and for him to be put on me skin to skin (think about how your gown is tied to allow this) straight away (obviously if there are no complications). It felt a bit odd that my first sight of him was him bundled up in a towel! Don't be surprised if you feel a bit shaky though. The anaesthetist is your friend - their role is to look after you so do let them know how you're feeling. There's a mumsnet thread where an obstetric anaesthetist was answering questions and you may find it useful.

The book caesarian recovery is worth getting - lots of advice on how to move post section, building up to gentle exercises to regain mobility.

You'll be fine - I had an ELCS for massive fear of birth, and it was great. Only thing I would stress (as it freaked me out at the time) was that you can still 'feel with the spinal block in. You just won't feel pain. I was really worried that I could feel the sheets being moved over me and the area being swabbed in theatre, but didn't actually feel the cut (it was probably what I thought was still swabbing!) and getting the baby out is a pretty rough procedure of pushing and pulling, and suddenly releases the pressure baby has been putting on your lungs. I felt that sensation like after you've winded yourself as my dd was shifting down and out. Also being moved from the theatre bed to the bed for the ward was weird as it felt as though I was going to fall off, but you're quite safe! Afterwards do move as much as possible as you'll seize up a bit and it will hurt more, keep on top of the painkillers (see if they'll allow you to self administer and keep your own records) and HUGE pants - so comfy. Avoid any clothing with a seam close to your scar, aka most maternity trousers.

The anti clot injections put in your belly below your belly button. It stays numb for a long time after section so you won't feel it. I didn't find them that bad before I knew that anyway and did them myself in top of legs. Did bruise a lot though.

But seriously, in your tummy where its still numb. Have a prod around first to check.

I've had three sections! you've already got loads of advice here, but briefly:-

1. I was so frightened - each time - but it was fine. Get the anaesthetist to talk to you ALL THE TIME. My first one was great. She was chattering on about Strictly etc and answered my questions about WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON (!) and I found it really reassuring. You may shake a lot - it's normal. related to anaesthetic. Expect it and then it won't worry you.
2. Using a toddler step or something similar so you can put your feet in as close as possible to a squatting position for the first poo is the most important advice. That and to take lactulose by the gallon, and basically any form of extreme fibre. I practically called 999 after my first section.
3. Use silicone gel and dressings (Amazon have them - the black and white brand beginning with D) on the scar after the scab has fallen off. I scar badly but the dressings in particular are great.
4. Make sure you have support at home if you have other small children. You can't lift...

It will be fine.

remember to ask for skin to skin and for the theatre staff to take photos in theatre! mine was an emcs and just after DD was born they bundled her up in a blanket and placed her between us to look at. then the anaesthetist gave me some diamorphine. I think he thought he was doing me a favour, but tbh being a nurse myself if i’d known he was going to give me that i’d have felt it was unnecessary and refused it- my epidural was working perfectly. the next 4 hours are a complete blur tbh because of the diamorph. I barely remember a thing and we missed out on the skin to skin immediately after birth and we didn’t get any photos of us in theatre, didn’t ask but no one offered either. me and DD we’re both a bit unwell and i think it triggered the start of a rocky first few weeks Mental-health-wise.

Had an elective c-section almost 2 years ago. It all went fairly smoothly. Didn't feel the spinal block being administered (have acupuncture to thank for that - very used to needles!). There are definitely lots of people in the theatre but there was someone talking to me all the way through and I didn't realise they'd started until she said 'we started 5 minutes ago' DH was sitting by me and they encouraged him to take photos so we have a great one of the surgeon lifting DD above the curtain. I had skin to skin once they'd cut the cord etc. The rest was a bit of a blur. I don't think it was long before I was told to start trying to walk around.

The one thing I did struggle with immediately after was going for a wee! I was still numb and even the morning after it took ages (they wouldn't release me until I'd passed enough urine) - I had to sit in the loo with the tap running to try and encourage my bowel to cooperate!! I ended up getting a uti because for a few days afterwards I had no urgency to go to the loo and often forgot. All rather bizarre!

Apart from that though, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit of a faff getting in and out of bed. I bought some horribly overpriced c-section knickers from John Lewis - they did however work wonders as they have a pressure panel at the front that helps you feel less 'wobbly' and like your insides are going to fall out!

Overall it was fine - it's a major operation so not to be taken lightly but recovery nowadays for the most part is fairly swift

Wish you all the best!

Bowel? I meant bladder!! X

I had to have a blood transfusion after my emergency c section. Had no idea until 3 days afterwards when I was actually expecting to be allowed home. Had to stay in overnight while having it and was (reluctantly, on their part) allowed home with iron tablets. Not uncommon I believe but I wish I'd known it was a possibility. I felt ok, no more tired than to be expected do was a shock to hear I needed it as I'd list a lot of blood.Mind you, I wasnt exactly expecting an emergency c section! Good luck xxx

I found it hurt way more than I expected, but I might just be a wimp! But I also recovered way quicker than I thought I would 😊 xx

I had a planned section at 36 weeks last year.
My first (2 days after section) didn’t hurt at all, was much better than during pregnancy. I suspect that dreading it will make it worse.
I have no overhang (neither do the two friends I know who had sections) and my stomach is flatter than before I was pregnant — I wonder how long ago those who are reporting their overhang had their sections as things do change. I had a misgav-ladach section which is supposed to be gentler than a pfannenstiel-kerr section so maybe that’s why.
You don’t feel the spinal injection.
It’s freezing in the theatre, nothing you can do about it, just to know.
Only have people you are happy to fart in front of visit you in hospital.
I watched YouTube videos of sections from the doctor’s perspective. It was helpful to me to know what they were doing — might not be what everyone wants to see though.
It’s tough when they come to take the catheter out and change you etc. but you feel so much better afterwards.
Take something to attach the end of the phone charger to the bed. I kept losing mine and couldn’t get up to get it back.

My first poo that should say.

I had an emergency c section last year my only thing to add is put a carrier bag on your seat when getting into the car. Get your partner to lower you in and then swivel your legs round. It took about ten mins for me to get into the car, partly the pain and secondly the fear of the pain! I'm having an elective next time and have got so many fab tips from mumsnet! Good luck!

@QuickRedFox
Please do tell what the new procedure for a planned c section is and what has changed in the last year....

Big pants. As high as you can get. 6 months later I still wear em. Comfyyy!

But extra surgical stockings as they give you one pair but you are meant to wear them 23.5 hours a day for six weeks.

Research shoulder tip pain so you are prepared.

Wind after a CS can be awful. Peppermint oil is way better than peppermint tea to help ease it.

The anti clotting injections aren’t nice to self administer. But they are quick.

Keep everything like shampoo etc in the shower off the floor. It is hard to bend down to reach something and get up without having anything to hold onto.

You realise how much you use your abs once you don’t have them!

Both my CS were EMCS though, so I’d already done god knows how many hours of labour before the CS. I was knackered. I would imagine an ELCS would be a different experience.

Just to add my first poo didn't bother me at all.

I massively worked myself up about removing the dressing too from what I had read and heard and honestly trying to get into the bath to remove the dressing was a million times more painful than taking it off. Im so fat my belly didn't even go in the water anyway

I've had electives and they were all pretty positive experiences - painful recovery but the worst was over in a few days.

You may fart uncontrollably during the procedure!

The c-section scar fat bulge/ over hang / mothers apron .. I've been 8 stone, exercised and it's still there .

@Kalamatanostril

It is unfortunately true. I do not believe any person who says they have no overhang at all after a c section

But it was something I was never warned about so I thought it's important op should know and not blame herself for the lose skin after a section as it happens to everyone

Can't even have a private tummy tuck to remove it unless you are sure you are finished having children as another pregnancy and another section would ruin the tummy tuck results

Still glad I have my c sections as there are so many horror stories about giving birth

That a calm planned section is an amazing way to welcome baby into the world!!

Co sleeper cot was a godsend.
Prune juice. . air scar every day
Take everything slowly for two Weeks,no lifting... anything.

V pillow. Tucked baby next to me in it... rest baby on it, not scar.

I wish we hadn't had on line shopping then!

I had a csection with my first 14 weeks ago. It was an emergency one so I was not at all prepared. However

1. pack huge knickers that have little to no lace on them
2. it will hurt to stand up straight after it but power through. The stretching is the painful bit but once you're upright it's a lot better
3. your first poo after it will the most pain you've ever experienced - don't skip the lactulose
4. do not over do it after - however likewise - try and move as soon as you can. It really will help
5. have the dressing removed earlier rather than later

In terms of what PP has said - fully agree if you're able to make some sort of pulley system to help yourself sit up then definitely go for it