Tips for ELCS please!

[SnackSizeRaisin]

Going for ELCS in 2 weeks...after traumatic first birth 2 years ago. A bit nervous now the decision is finally made!
Does anyone have any tips about preparation, recovery, or useful items to buy in advance or take to the hospital?
Thanks in advance

Very best of luck, I hope all goes well for you and baby.
I had an emergency c-section and I found big giant knickers essential and big absorbent maternity pads.
Be careful if they offer you dihydrocodeine for pain relief it made me horrifically constipated! 🙈If you do take it take it with good laxatives!
Nighties are best for the first couple of days due to the catheter.
Heed the advice about not overdoing it, no heavy lifting and be careful with bending and stretching for the first few days. Don’t be afraid to ask the midwives for help.
Take a couple of hats for the baby to put on straight away in the theatre different sizes as mine was too big! Have a music playlist if you like too.
I’m sure there is more but it’s all I can think of at the moment!

Big knickers that will go above your scar (likely to need these for a few weeks), peppermint tea for the wind, stock up on painkillers and think about where you put stuff in the house. I made sure I had changing stuff upstairs and down so I didn’t have to keep going up and down.
For the day of your section you may have to wait a little while so have something to keep you entertained. Also for the way home I always suggest a rolled up baby blanket between your tummy and the seat belt so that you feel a bit more comfortable and protected from any jolts.
I loved my planned c section! Good luck!

Thanks - some good suggestions there. Just thinking about the bending..is it ok to say kneel on the floor and bend over to change the baby? Or best avoid for a few days?

@SnackSizeRaisin

Thanks - some good suggestions there. Just thinking about the bending..is it ok to say kneel on the floor and bend over to change the baby? Or best avoid for a few days?

I found it best to try and have the baby as high up as possible i.e. waist height. The hospital cribs are good because they are the right height and also on wheels so you can sit on the bed and bring the baby closer or stand and gently bend. I think kneeling on the floor would be too difficult, I would avoid that.

No advice really but wanted to reassure you you've made the right decision. I had traumatic birth with DC1 and the elective section I had with DC2 was SO much easier and lovelier, in every respect.

No advice really but wanted to reassure you you've made the right decision. I had traumatic birth with DC1 and the elective section I had with DC2 was SO much easier and lovelier, in every respect.

That's good to hear, have spent basically the whole pregnancy thinking about it!

@AnxiousFTMFriendlyAdvicePlease thanks x

Giant knickers (I used disposable ones), windeze - don't be afraid to use it as the trapped wind pain in right shoulder took me by surprise, stool softener, drink lots and lots of water when you can as you get surprisingly dehydrated, loose maxi skirt to wear over your belly button. That's all I can think of; had mine 10months ago and the right shoulder pain was a shocker but I'd picked up the windeze trick from Mumsnet!
Post section recovery, it was sitting up in bed and lying on my side to sleep that hurt. Get a V pillow to comfortably prop you when asleep, and if you can, a dressing gown cord tied to the end of the bed as a pulley. Do not feel bad waking someone if an option to sit you up in the night for a wee, that will be painful for at least 2 weeks. You also might be told to inject yourself (anticlotting) for 10 days afterwards, just to prepare you (I didn't know this).
Keep taking iron, as the fatigue is real, and lots of iron rich snacks, soft dried apricots etc. Good luck and enjoy your baby! X

Wonder..never heard of that but find peppermint tea nauseating so great tip!

Had to do the horrid injections for 6 weeks last time...

Currently sleeping on a floor mattress. Might have to rethink that. Also breastfeeding in a chair might be better than sitting in bed?

Two sections here. Don't worry. I loved knowing exactly what was happening and knowing what I needed to do to plan everything around the births. I echo the tips above- big kickers (mine were from primark), lots and lots of food in the freezer (I got jelly legs if I stood up too long so faffing about with food wasn't something I wanted), loose comfy pj bottoms, etc. My biggest advice would be to have someone to hand who can help with the baby so you can rest, rest and then rest some more (I didn't lift or change the DC for a couple of weeks 🙈. DC were always handed to me fully cleaned and ready for milk and cuddles). It's important to stay mobile and do gentle tasks but don't overdo things or it'll take much longer to heal.

Also perfect how to roll out of bed on your side now to avoid the stitches pulling, etc. I had my DC close together and I can honestly say nothing hurt other than the site of incision (obviously) and the anti blood clotting injections.

Whatever you do, don't skip on the pain medication- you'll need it even if you think you don't.

Ask for a big needle disposal bin at the hospital. It's nigh on impossible to get one afterwards.

Loads of great advice on this thread...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3730434-Can-I-please-have-any-tips-you-have-for-a-good-elective-C-section

This rather official looking article is a great discussion of what can happen at a woman centred cesarean..

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613254/