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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Elective caesareans

29 replies

bling1 · 27/10/2007 21:46

I'm 38 weeks pregnant tomorrow (first baby)and have just found out my baby is in breech so after unsuccessfully trying to turn it, we've gone for an elective caesarean. I'd love to hear any tips or experiences about the quickest way to recover and get back to normal after a c-section!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Heated · 27/10/2007 21:54

SIL alternated between nurofen and paracetamol for the pain and said the arnica tablets I gave her were good. In the end I didn't have one but had a quote for a cleaner for 8 weeks lol!

Skribble · 27/10/2007 21:56

My tip is don't try and get back to normal too quickly, take time to recover properly.

It might make you feel better to get up and dressed properly, but be warned people think you are fine and won't realise you are still recovering.

On a practical note, consider things like bathing, you won't ba able to bend over the normal bath and you won't be able to lift a full babybath. You could set it up on the work top with the plug over the sink . Or I used a bath stand over the loo, plug over loo and filled with the shower head.

Get big granny pants, now I mean proper granny pants, market stalls and cheapo shops are good for these.

Get partner to shave bikini line before you go in, nothing worse than a nervous student midwife and a bic razor.

Original poster

bling1 · 27/10/2007 21:59

thanks for speedy response - I hadn't thought about the bath - we've bought a support type seat to go into the main bath so might have to rethink that one or give that job to the hubby! Good point about the BIC razor!

OP posts:

beautifuldays · 27/10/2007 22:02

gosh yes make sure you imac before you go in or a student with a dry bic does the business

take all the pain relief they offer you and rest as much as possible afterwards.

you will be fine - i was almost back to normal after about 2 weeks and i'm a wuss

Skribble · 27/10/2007 22:05

Give the job of bathing to hubby and don't worry they don' have to have a bath everyday, unless they are out running about in the muddy garden but newborns don't tend to.

Original poster

bling1 · 27/10/2007 22:11

It's just the thought of not being able to drive for up to 6 weeks will send me mad, although I tend to get on with things so will probably try before then. And this sounds so shallow, but I have to take my acrylic nails off for the op, so I'll have no nails for the first time in 11 years!

OP posts:

Skribble · 27/10/2007 22:13

Don't rush to do things you will suffer later. Its a big operation and your body needs time to heal.

bunnyhunny · 27/10/2007 22:16

I think you need to try to be as active as possible as soon as possible, but couple that with getting LOTS of rest. I was up and about the next day, sitting cross legged breastfeeding, up and down to ask for my pain meds .

But it really does knacker you out, so try to get other people to do as much for you as possible.

And take those pain meds even if you think you don't need them - if you think you don't need them that's because they are working!

Skribble · 27/10/2007 22:19

Active yes, but not too active, easy to overdo it while on painkillers as you don't feel when you have pushed it to far.

bunnyhunny · 27/10/2007 22:28

yes. I mean active like walking to the showers, getting out of bed and wandering around. No hoovering or lifting or anything strenuous though!
And you won't tear your scar by standing upright, though you think you will at first.

busywithIzzy · 27/10/2007 22:29

I'd add when you do get up try to be as straight as possible.

Arnica made a lot of difference second time round so definitely recommend that and great big granny pants...the bigger the better!

Definitely agree with others about painkillers, keep taking them!

busywithIzzy · 27/10/2007 22:31

x posts bunnyhunny!

SorcerersCameroonianApprentice · 27/10/2007 22:33

All my 3 have been cs, one tip is peppermint tea, it really helps with the bloated, windy post op feeling. Sorry if its TMI

bunnyhunny · 27/10/2007 22:35

I used a pregnancy-belt thing that pulls the seatbelt below the bump when you are pregnant and driving. I used it for ages post-section as if it sat on the scar it was really uncomfortable.

SorcerersCameroonianApprentice · 27/10/2007 22:37

oh yes bunny, me too, it was brilliant for driving around afterwards.

Original poster

bling1 · 27/10/2007 22:41

thanks for all this, I'll definitely get some arnica, my mum's always sworn by this too. I took peppermint tea in the early nausea stages so will get some more as well. I don't think you can have TMI with childbirth can you?

OP posts:

SorcerersCameroonianApprentice · 27/10/2007 22:52

In my experience elective section babies are often very sleepy for a day or so afterwards because they haven't had the whole labour process to go through, so if you can, try and use this as an opportunity to get some sleep yourself too. Good luck, we look forward to your news.

LucyCielo · 27/10/2007 22:53

I would also say to get big granny pants a couple of sizes bigger than you would normally need. Take your own pillow/s to the hospital and ask for a private room as soon as you get there, I got one after the first night and it was great to have my own space (I wasn't charged extra for this although some hospitals might).

On another note, have plenty of fruit juice and fresh fruit for afterwards - you get a lot of trapped wind and it did help to get things moving (they wanted to know if you could go to the toliet ok before leaving!).

Also take medication regularly even if you don't feel you need it at the time - chase the midwives up if they aren't forthcoming.

I tried to go shopping two weeks after as felt fine but was laid up afterwards as I had tried to carry too much so take it easy even if you feel ok.

Sorry for the essay! Good luck.

MommalovestodrinkBLOOD · 27/10/2007 22:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Denny185 · 28/10/2007 15:00

Agree with bunnyhunny start moving around as quickly as you can the longer you leave it the harder it is. Lots and lots of fluids to counteract effect of pain meds - the last thing you need is constipation as well!!
Ignore the housework for the first few weeks and make sure they dont forget about taking your stiches out (they did 4 my 2nd and they started healing over) much more comfortable once they are out. Def need big pants to go over the scar (had bikini ones first time round and ended up sticking a sanitary towel over the top of them to try and stop them digging in) and lastly dont bother to french manicure nails B4 u go in they make u take it off. Good luck and enjoy your LO

lomondgore · 28/10/2007 15:07

You've got some really good advice already. I just wanted to wish you luck.I was in the same situation as you in june (breech so planned section) and it was a wonderful experience.

Huge pants are a must for quite a while as you need them to go well over the scar. Take whatever pain meds you can get. Try not to over do it when you get home, keep your pj's on! Take as much help as you can get.

Don't worry too much though, I was back at toddler group within a week, just had to take it easy.

I didn't have any stitches to come out at all. It was all done from the inside with dissolvable ones and the dressing was off the next day!

anneme · 28/10/2007 20:00

BIG PANTS! - they make all the difference
Also I agree re peppermint tea - I took some fennel teabags into hosp with me and had those and also ate licorice - this certainly helped get rid of wind and, in fact, I had a slightly runny tummy briefly which was actually quite good because I felt cleared out (OK - that is DEF TMI but it helped me!)
Take all drugs they will give you and write down the combination of drugs that you can take - I came home with 3 diff types and ended up phoning the ward because I couldn't remember what I could take when.

I was sent to take my own dressing off in the shower - which is not as bad as it sounds! If they make you do your own then make sure that you really soak it with water and then it will come off ok.

I was REALLY scared before my c/s - had DS1 naturally and was keen to do so with DS2 but he was too big. However it was all absolutely fine - just take it easy. Good luck and look forward to hearing about it all.

bondgirl77 · 30/10/2007 08:49

Ah, thank goodness I have found this thread! Bling, in exactly the same position as you, had an unsuccessful ECV yesterday at 38 weeks and they booked my caesarean for next Monday. when is yours? Very best of luck.

I was dreading it, have heard so many horror stories about recovery from C/S as well as the NCT-related preachings...!

mamamila · 30/10/2007 09:14

buzz for your painkillers instead of waiting for midwife to bring them and go for all available. take home some of the stretch hospital knickers, stay in your pyjamas for a week at home, eat lots of fruit and you'll feel great after first week.

best of all is knowing all your bits and pieces are in the same place as always and no pushing and screaming phew

susie100 · 30/10/2007 09:25

bling1 have you considered having a vaginal breech birth instead of a c-section?
Not for everyone I know but may be worth considering over major abdominal surgery if you want to.

The straight to c section rule for breech babies is based on some research that I believe has now been disproved (sorry I don't have the links to any of it but someone might be along soon).

Are there any experienced midwives at your hospital who are confident in breech births? Used to be the norm to deliver vaginally and the problem is now that so few midwives have seen vaginal breech births that they have become deskilled. Used to be seen as a variation but not as abnormal or dangerous.
Take a look at this www.radmid.demon.co.uk/breech.htm

Many independent midwives and for example the community midwives attached to UCL (The Albany practise I believe) are very happy to deliver breech babies vaginally.
Just a thought and wanted you to know that you do have a choice!

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