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

Well someone else posted that the c section procedure has recently changed. Unless it's changed in the last year, no it hasn't magically changed to some new c section procedure that can magically leave you with no overhang post op

People just talk nonsense online sometimes don't they!

They'll say anything for the sake of an argument

I wish I'd known;
It isn't as scary for most people as some try to make out. I've had an emergency and an elective.
There's hundreds of people in the room (slight exaggeration but that's how it feels) but you won't care five minutes in.
Don't be brave, when they tell you to warn them while your on the table of any dizziness or anything don't worry about moaning, warning them quick enough gets you meds that can help stop you being sick.
Don't look at the light over the table at any point before they turn it on, it is reflective.

Get moving as fast as they will let you, its uncomfortable for a day or two but the faster your moving the better and make sure you walk upright, resist the urge to hunch over so you heal straighter.
A pad over the scar to stop you sweating and it rubbing while your healing is brilliant, I also used to use two drops of tea tree oil in my bath on the recommendation of a midwife to help prevent infection.
Big pants, I'm still in them years later, why do women do tiny pants to themselves?
Also I found having something like leggings which was supportive helped, the looser my clothing was the more everything seemed to pull, I found for me personally not as tight as spanx but heading that way kept everything still and stopped a lot of pain but do ensure anything you wear has a high waistband otherwise it will hurt.
You can have your cannula out within 24 hours of the op, I only discovered this with my second, if it's bothering you unless your on a drip get it taken out.
Honestly though they aren't that bad generally speaking, I had my daughter Thursday afternoon and I walked my dogs (they don't pull) for 20 minutes on Sunday morning. Try to relax and concentrate on your little one while it's going on and it'll be over before you know it.
Congratulations!!!

You won't necessarily get an overhang. I had an overhang after my vaginal birth (slightly higher up than c section scar, caused by adhesions) but my c section got rid of it and I don't have one where my scar is.

I think it's luck as to whether you get one or not. I know people who have them and people who don't, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why some have them and others don't.

I had a great experience of c-section. Bring lots of breast pads, no one told me that, after my first shower I was leaking breast like mad. It really just depends on your body how you will after but like the pp I was cooking dinner when I got home from the hospital because I wanted too. Don't be scared, it's happening now you know? You won't feel pain, it's just like a tugging feeling but not painful or bad.As my friend described it, it's like being in a warm bath and someone pulling your legs. Not bad at all. Best wishes too you xx

https://www.yahoo.com/news/how-a-c-section-changes-your-body-110272622177.html?guccounter=1&gucereferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guceereferrersig=AQAAAIoZUd1XY1ijHjCm8uU4z5Xtmdm33RQw2t3UEd2vohNCjP0jXFmAHF4q4aK9cqlBeDPwlQg1E2i-eKeFV8OcLdBW0xrPei-CeclJ2fDk1p3xYXRO2nn6VzqI4EFrJYsuuVw-3G9uQe17fUuVGZGRLcNmOs-Xk2OzTjmvTy826z1j

This is American but explains why it happens and why it can't be avoided

Get your partner to pack the hospital bag with you. You will be stuck in bed unable and wanting to get that baby hat/lip balm/whatever that you packed and you'll be glad if DP knows exactly where it is located so you can stare lovingly at your baby while he fetches it instead of waving your arms saying 'no, the blue container!! In the other pocket! The blue one!'

Oh and I had a great c-section recovery. No numbness, no overhang, I can hardly see the scar anymore. Speaking to friends I think it's actually a lot less traumatic than many of their natural births.

If it's your first baby I'd read up on breastfeeding prior, the milk can take a little longer to come in and many women give up because they dont receive good information and think they can't do it. There's a lot of things you can do to make milk come in so if it's important to you to breastfeed, don't be discouraged if it's not clicking right away.

@MakeAWhish
I have zero overhang
The 2 friends in my antenatal group also have no overhang
Maybe you’re just unlucky?

Nobody seems to have mentioned but a straw bottle to drink out of afterwards is absolutely essential (in my opinion). Also food and lots of it. I was ravenous after my CSs and, it not being breakfast, lunch, or dinner time, there was nothing on offer. Luckily I had tonnes of fruit and chocolates and cereal. Which lasted about five minutes. DH had to go hunting for sushi. Crocs that are about three sizes too big are great for swollen feet and fantastic for wading through the detritus people leave in the shower. And do take the painkillers.

...and I have a lovely overhang. Better after the third CS than the second.

Koskenkorva
Nobody seems to have mentioned but a straw bottle to drink out of afterwards is absolutely essential (in my opinion)
Yy to this, I forgot about that, it make it so much easier.

From memory (which is not great at the minute due to serious health issues) and the fact that my youngest is 15 now, the milk doesn't come in properly until day 4 after the op.

@mumto2babyboys rather than seeing a consultant perhaps you should see a councellor to talk through your feelings regarding your overhang. Asking a stranger on the internet to post a picture of herself because you don’t believe her isn’t normal. Sorry you’re unlucky and you ended up with an overhang but please think about how you’re talking to people.

I'm another with no overhang either, not particularly toned just a normal size 10-12 when not pregnant

I have an overhang but it's not that big and it doesn't bother me.

@mumto2babyboys that article you posted says you can't prevent it, but does say not everyone gets one.

Quite - it actually says:

"Unless you’re one of the lucky few who never developed a C-section “shelf,” you know exactly what I’m talking about."

I'm almost ashamed to say (now) I had an emcs in 2015 and didn't get an overhang. Had another in March and too soon to tell. I'm four years older now so might be different, or I could be one of the" lucky ones" again.

PS I will not be posting a picture of myself!

I wish I'd know I was going to have one haha. But the one thing I wish I'd prepared myself for it the terror of coughing or sneezing. I had a terrible frog in my throat for two weeks that I just refused to clear. People say to hold a pillow across your incision whilst you cough but I was still to scared. Apart from that I'm actually glad we ended up having an EMCS, recovered really well and was down the shops by day 3 but everyone is different x

I have a bit of an overhang, but I was fully expecting it because it's talked about all the bloody time! I've read plenty of threads on here that mention it - so always knew it was a possibility, but certainly not an inevitability.

Also, slight counterpoint to one of the posts above: my milk came in on day three. I believe there is a slight delay sometimes associated with sections, but that is "slight" and "sometimes"!

Thank you all, for great advice! And I get the picture re the overhang 😝 To be honest, that's the last thing on my mind. After a tricky pregnancy and two previous traumatic birth experiences, I just want him here safely. But at least now I'm prepared for it! I tend to heal really quickly so it's so good to hear about lol of you who have been up and about so quickly.
The midwife the other day warned me that they 'clear out' your vag whilst they're stitching you up too, I'm glad she told me that, I had no idea!

Peppermint oil capsules for the trapped wind.. it was the most painful asoect for me, more than the massive wound!

Take my own big pants, I assumed I would be wearing hospital ones but they didn't have them in my size (size 16 )

Hot food helped me recover quicker as daft as that sounds.. DP had stocked me up with lots of sandwiches, cold pasta etc in hospital but it was finally getting a hot cooked meal that made me feel alive.

I have an overhang but I had one anyway from being overweight when younger so doesn't bother me, and goes flat in good underwear so you can't see it

Clear out!? What!?

I know about the bum pessary but the V clear out is news to me... (my elective is in three weeks )

I took arnica tablets for my c-section and a operation, it is herbal but helps with swelling and bruising.
Make sure you have a pillow or something to hand to hold close when you laugh, sneeze or cough as it helps a little with the pain.
Just take your time with everything and don't do to much to soon.
Good luck 😃

I also want to say thanks to everyone for this thread. Having an elective on health grounds in a few weeks and I'm going to compile a list from all of these posts! It's much more reassuring, having some idea of what to expect.