Elective caesareans

[bling1]

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!

Remember when you have your stitches out your stomach will not suddenly open like a zip, I was petrified that would happen!

If you want to bf make sure you make it clear on your notes, with DS I had an el-cs and as they bought me back to HDU a nurse told me she would just feed baby then bring him over to me, I had to be pretty firm about not wanting him to have a bottle and wanting him on my breast, the nurse tried telling me baby was hungry and just one bottle wouldnt make a difference but once I made myself clear she latched him on and laid him next to me.

If you are b/f, get as much help as possible as you may find it harder at the start to get a good position (you will probably be feeding lying down to start with).

When you go for a shower, don't do what I did and put stuff on the floor. Bending over to pick it up was agony!

If you feel ready you can drive well before 6 weeks. I think I was driving by 4 weeks and my SIL by 2. Just make sure you are comfortable making an emergency stop before you go.

If you don't have a change table/something high up to change nappies on consider getting something. Doing it on the floor or leaning over a bed is not comfortable with a c/s scar.

Enjoy it! Once the drugs start working you really can relax and savour every moment. Good luck.

Agree with big pants and lots of them!

Theatre staff were great and brought ds to me the minute I came to (had to have GA for stiches as epidural had worn off ). I found bf really easy - this had been my main concern that the Cs would hinder bonding but I was so delighted to see him and he latched on brilliantly.

I was lucky and had single room that night and was on hourly obs so midwives brought ds to me every time for feed and took him away so I could rest at one point.

Yes you can't drive for a while but that I believe encourages you to courie in at home and get to know your lo.

Pain wise I was v. lucky and had no pain whatsoever from my scar and of course intact nether-regions .

Great tip about having change table at waist height too.

Good Luck, hope all goes well!