Experience of c section during Covid restictions - panicking

[espressogin]

I have an ELCS on Monday and my DH can be there for the op and then whilst I am in recovery but then has to leave. Visiting is restricted to one 2 hour slot a day. I am panicking because last time I was on the ward for 4 nights and it was horrendously understaffed and my husband pretty much did everything to help me.

I'm worried about how I will manage without him there - does any one have any recent experience of this/tips to manage on your own?

A friend of mine had twins late May by C Section, it was better than she thought it would be, she had plenty of help whilst in hospital.

I had an EMCS during Covid and it was fine. I posted about my experience a few weeks ago cos someone else asked this question and got lots of replies, maybe worth an AS?

My top tip is don’t overpack your bags, take stuff like a long phone charger cable and portable charger. Don’t be afraid to ask the midwives for help, I was buzzing my buzzer a lot asking for nappy changes and stuff.

You’ll be fine. Good luck!

I'm going in next Friday and panicking about the same thing. I was in 5 days last time round and DH did everything for me too, I was an absolute mess (physically and mentally).

This time there's no visiting whatsoever allowed on the postnatal ward, I'm bricking it. But everyone I've spoken to just says the staff are great and you get through it better than expected. Fingers crossed they're right!! Good luck

I had a c section booked although it ended up a VBAC and the staff on postnatal were amazing. Really helpful got whatever I needed, winded the baby they were brilliant it was so much better than when I had an emcs and ds a few years ago.
I did miss my visitors but I really didn’t miss everyone else’s visitors. Just take plenty of supplies with you. And a long phone cable

Watching as I’m also having a c section on Monday!

Last time my husband left at 9pm-ish and I remember being fine throughout the night. Though no idea how. I’m sure you won’t be left alone and the midwives will be aware that you need help. At least that’s what I’m hoping!

Hi @espressogin, no recent experience but in the same situation (I’m due mine in December). I had an emcs last time and had the same - relied so much on my husband and the staff weren’t very helpful or responsive to the buzzer and it’s really been stressing me out! I contacted my hospital via their Facebook page and they have been good at reassuring me. They have said the postnatal wards aren’t as busy as more people are being discharged straight from the labour wards which means there more staff available.

Also had some lovely advice from people on previous threads on here about making sure everything is easy to find in your bag (I’ve packed individual freezer bags each with a nappy/ changes of clothes so I don’t have rummage each time). Taking a foldable changing mat so I can do this from bed etc. Also taking my own formula bottles in case bf doesn’t pan out (my hospital supplies these but means I don’t have to rely on someone bringing them).

The main thing I think, is not being afraid to use the buzzer if you need help with anything. I felt reluctant to call the staff last time unless I really needed to.

A small but important thing for me, I’m packing my own decent coffee and a large travel mug. There is no visiting at all on the postnatal ward where I am, and I lived for my husband bringing me in a costa coffee each morning the last time. Everything is a little bit easier once you’ve had a nice coffee in the morning!

Good luck for Monday, you’ll be home with your baby before you know it!

Thanks everyone, fingers crossed all will be ok!

Hope everything went well with you @espressogin and you're enjoying newborn snuggles at home by now

@Waiting4baby2020 thank you so much for these helpful tips. I’m also trying to plan as much as I can to turn it into a positive experience.

I’ve added a hand cream and flip flops! And wet wipes as a good alternative to horrid showers.

Fingers crossed for us all xx

Has c section in June after a long labour and not progressing my dh was allowed to stay for 5 hours after the op due to personal circumstances and I was really worried about him leaving but the staff were honestly amazing. Not sure if it's always like this or a covid thing but I had the same midwife all night then the same one all day after shift change