Section recovery tips?

[practicalworrier]

Hi,

I had a successful vaginal birth with DC1 but recovery (and experience) was awful due to whole host of reasons. Having an elective section in three weeks and would love some advice on recovery!

Any tips on what I should take with me on postnatal ward for recovery? I'm worried about being there without DH! I have big pants and peppermint capsules already.

And then anything I can do to help prepare for when I get home? Trying to expect the worst from recovery so that anything better is a bonus.

Also- is the pain afterwards constant or only when you move? Really hoping I don't regret my decision!

Thanks in advance!

Two CSs here - first emergency, second planned. I’ve been told from many sources who had a traumatic VB the first time that the elective CS was by far the easier recovery. Recovery from my second was far easier than from the first, probably because it wasn’t bookended with hours of fruitless labour and a haemorrhage plus a sick baby. I had virtually no pain from the ELCS, easily managed with no more than a day or two of paracetamol after discharge - more pain from the EMCS because it was rather more rushed and frantic I suspect. I didn’t have DH around on the ward after my ELCS because he was at home looking after toddler DS1. It was fine.

I would say your big pants are essential either way - you’ll have a big dressing over the op site so that’s where the sensitive bit is rather than your undercarriage. What are peppermint capsules for?

Breastfeeding and skin to skin can be a bit awkward immediately after the birth because they may not sit you up for a bit (they didn’t with me, anyway) unless your trust has the electric profiling beds to change your position with a controller.

How old is your other child? If a toddler, or young enough to still want carrying, that will be completely off the cards for six weeks. Rigidity on returning to driving also seems to vary from one area to another - it was a strict NO in both areas I gave birth in (I begged my GPs both times as I had a disabled mother, plus a toddler going to nursery second time around but they wouldn’t budge), but others on here will say it was never mentioned to them and they were driving two days later.

It’s fine, don’t overthink it

Thank you!! I read that peppermint can help with pain from trapped wind which can be a problem? And I didn't fancy peppermint tea or the prospect or trying to make it/ask the midwives to make it for me on the ward.

Do you think I'll be able to look after baby ok by myself the first night? My friend said her husband had to do all the nappy changes etc/place the baby on her to feed, and said there was no way I would be able to do that by myself, but I won't have a choice unless I'm buzzing the midwives constantly!

And to answer your other question, DC1 is only 15 months. Luckily DH gets a month paternity leave so I'm hoping by week 5 I'll be able to lift DC1 a bit? If not then I'll need to rope in a parent.

I would call peppermint capsules woo! Take them if you like but I can’t see them making a jot of difference.

I was completely alone both nights after both my CSs and managed everything without needing to buzz for midwives at all. I only needed help with feeding with DS1 because breastfeeding was completely new so I needed the midwives to tell me what to do - DH would have been no use in that regard. With DS2, I probably knew more than the midwives about breastfeeding by then! You can still lift your baby with no problems. I don’t remember any nappy changes being needed for the first 12-24 hours...? By that time you’re well and truly on your feet.

Ah that's great to know, thank you.

After my vaginal birth I was literally lying flat on my back and unable to even sit up for 5 days afterwards and so any improvement on that would be amazing for me!

X-post with your second - it’s basically blanket advice against lifting anything heavier than your baby for six weeks post op but I have to concede I was probably lifting 2 year old DS1 before that.

I also wore DS2 in a sling from day one. There’s perennial debate on here as to whether pushing in a pram or carrying in a sling is ‘worse’. I think it’s six to one, half a dozen to the other. Avoid walking great long distances for the first week or two, just as you would after any major op.

I had charcoal tablets. Make sure you will get adequate pain relief (I was discharged with OTC crap and I’m still angry about it).

A belly binder was a life saver. They are marketed to getting a ‘flat’ postnatal tummy but I found it useful in feeling secure, getting that feeling it is holding everything in. You can get them cheap on Amazon, no need to go with a name brand item here.

They are also great because you’ll feel like your stitches will burst if you laugh, sneeze or cough so again will give you that feeling of security.

I found a little stool by my bed at home really helped for getting in and out of bed (which was one of the more painful things for me).

@ElphabaTheGreen

X-post with your second - it’s basically blanket advice against lifting anything heavier than your baby for six weeks post op but I have to concede I was probably lifting 2 year old DS1 before that.

I also wore DS2 in a sling from day one. There’s perennial debate on here as to whether pushing in a pram or carrying in a sling is ‘worse’. I think it’s six to one, half a dozen to the other. Avoid walking great long distances for the first week or two, just as you would after any major op.

Ouch! I didn’t dare use a sling for about six weeks.

Also, you don’t want adhesions so I’d look up YouTube videos on massaging the area around the scar. You won’t WANT to, but you’ll thank yourself later.

All great tips, thank you!!

Will I be able to get up and down stairs ok? Our only bathroom is on the ground floor unfortunately!

A scarf to tie to the end of your bed would be my number one suggestion. It really helps you sit up when you can't use your core muscles like you normally would

The "OTC crap" (as a pp called it) is absolutely fine for the vast majority of women. I suggest you take 2 ibuprofen and 1 paracetamol every 3 hours (taking more than 8 paracetamol in 24 hours is very damaging to your liver).

If you REALLY need something stronger they'll give you it, but they'll encourage you not to because strong painkillers pass into the breastmilk and are harmful to the baby.

I had a lot of oramorph on the postnatal ward last time- I thought that was ok for BFing? Good idea about the painkillers every three hours. I remember setting an alarm last time so will do the same for this section.

@practicalworrier

I had a lot of oramorph on the postnatal ward last time- I thought that was ok for BFing? Good idea about the painkillers every three hours. I remember setting an alarm last time so will do the same for this section.

The harm is minimal at low doses but yes oramorph does pass into breastmilk and affect the baby. But it's a cost/benefit thing, As I said, if you NEED it they'll give you it, but you probably won't need it. I didn't.

My C Section is nearly 7 so hazy memories but I do remember that I appreciated huge Tena pants that you can just tear off and bin being far easier than big pants and pads! I also have clear memories of needing Sennokot Max Strength to ease the toilet pain and a lot of cake and water to keep the strength up!! My baby was in NICU so I had no choice but to get up and walking to see him but it was the best thing for my recovery. Also random one but I had the beaded wire closure which was just snipped each end and pulled out instead of stitch removal which was so easy and left a very neat scar. Good Luck 😃

The peppermint capsules are brilliant, I was given them in the hospital for painful trapped wind and they worked brilliantly.

Keep on top of your pain relief. Eat lots of dried fruit and drink lots of fluids to prevent constipation - I liked lucozade sport as well as water.

I've had two sections, one pre covid and one last summer. I was a bit nervous about managing without DH but it was fine - I was able to do more than I thought and the staff in our hospital are great. In our hospital they get you up after 12 hours and take the catheter out after 24. I found those second 12 hours a bit grim but once the catheter was out felt like a new woman.

Mine were both great experiences even though one was EMCS and my ELCS had some complications. You'll be fine.

Wrt DC1, I was told to listen to my body rather than wait for any particular time to lift her. I think I lifted her briefly from about 3 weeks maybe? And I was very cautious in my recovery. It was a longer time before i could carry her, but I think I was able to lift her into the cot at that point which meant I could do bedtime which helped with her adjusting. She was over 2 as well so presumably bigger than yours.

Big nappy pants, peppermint capsules and take all the pain relief they offer you. I've had two CS, first emergency and second elective. Both times I felt much better the day after surgery however kept the pain Relief topped up as it's only the after effects of surgery anaesthetic, my emmum (midwife) insisted I keep taking the pain relief and I'm glad I did. Others in the ward each time declined and were in tears of pain only a few hours later.

My auto-spell check is pants.. also drink lots of water and ideally a partner / mother / good friend who can ensure you don't need to get out of bed the first few days for anything apart from toilet trips. The first bowel passing really is painful, lots of water even though it will make you want to Pee more, did help somewhat. Lots and lots of cushions. I had one of these cushions as well and my daughter now has it in her bed, https://www.amazon.co.uk/QUEEN-ROSE-Pregnancy-Maternity-Replaceable/dp/B079JG1HCK/ref=mpssa119?dchild=1&keywords=u+shaped+cushion&qid=1614497093&sr=8-9

And one of these cots so i didn't need to get out of bed. Had this for both babies and loved it babybay.de/en/co-sleeper/babybay-original/

@polkadotpixie

A scarf to tie to the end of your bed would be my number one suggestion. It really helps you sit up when you can't use your core muscles like you normally would

Alternatively, if you’ve got space, roll to your side and use your arms to push yourself up, much like when you were heavily pregnant

I’ve had 2 elcs and an easy recovery from both. Some tips. Make sure your last couple of meals are full of veg/ fibre.
Take your pain killers on a schedule. I found it helpful to put a reminder on my phone. I also found it helpful to practise getting out of bed sideways using my arms (if you see what I mean!). This makes us super easy to get out of bed without pain during the first few days. Good luck OP!!

Ibuprofen worked the best for me. I was discharged with dihydrocodeine which I didn't feel did much (however my partner nicked one for a headache and said it was strong!). The dihydrocodeine caused constipation. That was honestly the worse bit. I had to drink fybogel twice a day for about 4 weeks after to fix it.

Really pay attention when they say don't do ANY heavy lifting and only do short trips to the bathroom/ get a drink etc. Even when you think you're able! I didn't and I think that's why it took longer to recover. Week 3 I kind of had a relapse in pain - should have took it easy even though I felt I could do more.

I've had 2 emcs. First after 9 hours of labour the other when waters broke and baby decided to come a week before elcs was booked last summer.

I was worried about coping alone as I wasn't able to do a lot first time around, but the labour and other factors contributed to that. Second time round after DP had to leave and we were taken to the ward I spent the day with baby lying on me 😊 once I got feeling back in my legs I moved him to the cot and eventually sat in the chair beside him. It was OK without DP, but I remember really wishing I could get my biscuits out my bag in the corner, but it was hours before I made it over to them!

Recovery wise I never had any real pain with either, paracetamol and diclofenac worked wonders. I was able to lift things heavier than baby from around 4.5 weeks and carried baby in sling a lot before then.

Keep on top of pain relief for at least two weeks, even if you don't feel you need it when the time comes round to the next dose, it's awful when it comes on suddenly.

Ask for oramorph.

Bring a dressing gown rope to tie to the end of the bed to pull yourself up with.

Loose, high knickers. I had my section 5 months ago and still can't have anything rubbing my scar.

Midwife told me not to lift anything other than my baby or a cup of tea for 6 weeks. Don't rush into doing piles of wet washing after a week or two because you feel like you can, you WILL put your recovery back.