What should I expect from C section?

[Fudgewhizz]

Having an elective due to first birth trauma. What should I expect? I don't even know what sort of stitches they are, if I'll have a dressing that'll need changing, when I'll be able to have a shower.... My mum made a rather careless comment about how she wouldn't like being able to feel while they're doing it so now I'm worrying about that too (I'm very squeamish!).

Any advice appreciated..!

You can feel it but it's numb , I had a hideous first birth and had a c section for my second due to other reasons .. it was wayyy better although the recovery was worse ( episiotomy first time ) and I have a weird bumpy tummy and a scar but it's not big deal .

I had a planned c section for my first. I couldn't feel a thing - not even the "rummaging" that some people talk about.

I had staples rather than stitches and they were taken out on day 6 by a midwife at home. That was a bit weird but not painful. I had to have anti-clotting injections for 10 days. The midwife did it in hospital and then I did it myself at home. I hate needles but these were actually fine, and that area of my belly was still numb so they didn't hurt.

You shouldn't need a dressing but I did find putting a maternity pad inside my knickers across the scar picked up the tiny bit of discharge and padded it against my waistband etc. for the first few days.

For me the worst bit was probably the cannular!

All 3 sections I have had were dissolvable stitches.

I believe you can shower but not bath for a week or something along those lines.

You feel nothing. There is a weird rummaging sensation as said above. Its bizarre but it is not painful and it's almost like you cant feel it, a bit outer body type experience.

They will probably have a dressing on it which will come off during or when you leave hospital. I used a sanitry pad stuck in my huge knickers going across my scar, I found this really helped to keep it nice and dry and stop any rubbing. I think with 3rd I did also have some wound dressings I got from boots but tbh a sanitry pad does it fine.

Main tips, drink plenty after, get moving as soon as possible, dont eat too much junk food. Midwifes on ward will want to see you weeing into bag before catheter is removed (this usually goes in once you've had epidural) and also want to know your passing wind. Gross i know but it happens and is a good sign all is working ok! The meds can make you super constipated which is no.fun with a nice big cut on your tummy, hence avoid junk and drink plenty.

You will likely get deferred pain in your shoulder. This is awful, tell midwife she will give you pain relief and it should go away.

Packing for c-section:
huge pants. No joke. Big. Like 2/3 sizes bigger. You will be swollen and sore etc. I use cheap black ones to hide any bleeding leaks.
Loose clothing, nothing with a waistband that will fall there. Think yoga pants, loose dresses, high maternity leggings, that kinda stuff.
Lip balm. Your lips will be soooooo dry when you get out theatre.

You will have to stop eating night before, some hospitals let you have water, some dont. You will go in usually first thing (6/7am) and be prepped, signed in etc. When it's your turn you usually walk down and they administer an epidural. Then it all happens fairly fast - or feels it. And baby will be there.

I have had two c sections, small scars practically on top of each other but you can't really see them. I couldn't feel anything and you won't see what they are doing because they have a big screen blocking you from waist down and you won't feel anything, maybe a bit of tugging but it feels a bit weird but not painful. You can have a partner/friend in with you for the operation too and its very quick. I had a shower i think the next day and the midwives will encourage you to start moving around as soon as poss as it helps your recovery. All i will say is you will need help afterwards because of the stitches and remember you will have a major operation and then a new baby to look after!! so accept all the help you can. Also, peppermint tea is really good afterwards if you get trapped wind which is quite normal. It will be all fine don't worry xxxx

My stitches were dissolvable, I had a dressing on for 2? Days and then it just got taken off by a midwife. The c sections itself was an emergency but still wasn't a bad experience, getting the spinal block feels the same as getting an epidural and then you can sort of feel them touching your stomach and moving round but no pain at all. I was up on my feet about 6 hours after my section but couldn't stay up for long, fully mobile after about a week with little/no pain. You might have to do those blood thinning injections afterwards, they're the only thing I hated about it

Really good advice from the posters above. Just wanted to mention that I got the shakes really badly during my c section. Normal apparently but it really scared me as they seemed so bad! Recovery, I would really advise to take pain meds even if you don't think you need them. Keep on top of them and don't let them run out. I got quite bad after pains whilst breastfeeding so that's something to be aware of too if you're planning to BF. It's all manageable but being prepared reassures you. Take a pillow to hold over your wound when getting in and out of bed, up and down off the loo and if you need to cough or sneeze. It really helps. Also if travelling by car home, use same said pillow/cushion over your tummy.

I had an emergency C section with my first and it was absolute bliss compared to the pain of trying to give birth. First time round I could feel the rummaging as described above. Recovered extremely quickly, was going out for long walks 4 days later, scar healed very quickly and don't recall any massive pain after.

Just had an elective section 5 weeks ago. They give you a spinal before the surgery which completely numbed me to the point where I didn't even feel the rummaging at all this time. Didn't even realise they'd pulled the baby out until I heard a cry. I found walking a bit more painful this time round, and probably for about 6/7 days it was hard to get out of bed etc, but after that it was great. They asked me to shower the same day I had the baby and they changed the dressing after a few days as mine was weeping a tiny bit. They give you some injections (can't remember what they were sorry) to do in your stomach every day for ten days which don't hurt. But overall, for me, a much nicer experience than attempting to give birth.

You might feel some rummaging (they always say ‘like someone doing washing up in your tummy’ and it’s remarkably accurate) but shouldn’t feel pain. If you do start to have any pain at all, let your anaesthetic team know (you’ll have an anaesthetist and an ODP) and they’ll give you some additional pain medication (morphine is great! I look so chilled out in the photos from DS’ birth!). Rarely if a spinal block doesn’t work at all they have to convert to general anaesthetic but it’s very uncommon and always a last result.

Stitches are usually internal and dissolve on their own. Some surgeons use prolene beads which have to be snipped by your community midwife and pulled out. It’s really easy and usually painless if they do (and they heal beautifully in my experience!). Some ladies (usually with a higher BMI but it is down to surgeon preference) may have staples which need to be removed by the community midwife. Dressing changes will depend on the local policy. Ours is day 5 and day 10, some units remove them after 48 hours so it really varies!

The more you can move around after the surgery the better. Make a conscious effort to get out of bed as soon as you feel like your legs work. Take all the painkillers offered and ask if you need more. Take your laxatives! You’ll be able to shower as soon as you can move around independently. I was up by 6 hours. I had a face wash etc that evening and showered properly in the morning. I went home exactly 24 hours after the surgery.

I really recommend scar massage once the wound is healed externally.

I had an emergency section 10 days ago. I imagine a planned section would be much more calmer! However the procedure itself was fine. I did feel the tugging around but it feels strange rather than uncomfortable in any way. I was able to walk maybe 6-7hrs after the op. Showered the next morning.

My stitches were dissolvable so really easy and the pack that was placed over the incision site was removed on day 5. Was dreading them removing it but actually it was totally fine.

Everyone says to stay on top of your pain meds and this is sound advice! Having a regular dose rather than waiting for it to hurt is a much better idea. I missed a few doses one day and really struggled.

People always mention the first poo - it was fine for me but do take a stool softener to help things along.

Also the first car ride home wasn't pleasant lol. I'd advice to ask the driver to go very slowly and brace yourself for bumps!

For me I think the first week of recovery was the worst. But slowly getting better every day. Good luck and hope it goes well!

Oh and make sure to keep the scar really dry and clean! After I shower I use the hair drier on the cool setting just to make sure it's really dry before putting my clothes on. Midwife commented that the scar was healing really well.

I was lucky, my midwife said to be ask the surgeon for the dissolvable stitches, the staples will leave you in a mess. So I did. The surgeon said he would see and gave me them, basically it’s stitched with a line of something through it, with beads on either end, which after a few days they snip and remove (just the line with the beads) my scar looks like a piece of white thread on my tummy, so make sure to ask just in case.

What to expect? I was taken in and given a spinal anaesthetic, so I was awake throughout, you don’t feel pain, you feel tugging. The screen is up so you cannot see, or was with me.

The baby comes out very quickly, like in the first five mins, and then the next forty mins are spent stitching you up. There is nine layers of stiching inside. Hence why it takes so long.

They hand you your baby when they do it, sort of nestled in your arm, so they can’t fall.

Then you’re wheeled out to an anti room, they take the baby, you’re cleaned up by some nurses, as your tummy is covered in the sort of orangey brown sterlizing fluid and other stuff, and then you’re taken to recovery whilst the anaesthetic wears off and they keep an eye on you.

After you’re given diamorphone on a time release drip, so you can’t over dose. I hated it, absolutely hated it and asked for it to be removed. They didn’t want to, but I refused to use it, it made me feel like I was asleep but wasn’t, spaced out. So they then gave me pain killing suppositories instead, yup, bend over time. But god they worked. I was all but knocking on the nurses station door at the allotted time pulling my knickers down. 😂

I had some complications that I won’t go into that were nothing to do with the c section itself.

I’d also say it took me a good week to want to look at the scar. It hurt. I walked on tip toes because the act of putting my full foot down sent pain through me, but it heals quickly. Eventually I walked into the loo. Plucked up the courage to look, stood in front of the mirror, lifted my night shirt,,,and another mum walked in..I was like eh, I’m just going to look at my scar.🤣

Lastly you are given elastic stockings to wear to stop blood clots post surgery.

My elective was a lovely experience. Everyone was so nice and calming. Talked me through everything as it was happening.

A million miles different than my traumatic vaginal birth.

Get windeze for after. Never miss your paracetamol dose and take something stronger if you need it. Don't lie right down when sleeping, use pillows to prop yourself up. It took me a while to sit up for night feeds.

Thanks so much everyone - this is really helpful!