C-section

[graciesmammy]

Ok , so I'm booked in for a c section next week because my babies breech. I need honest real life experiences, I'm so upset that I need one after a straight forward vaginal delivery with my daughter 3 years ago. Am I going to be bed bound and completely useless and unable to change and look after my baby?? I have all these fears and expectations I'd just rather know honestly what it will be like....

You will be bed bound until the spinal wears off. After that you will be able to move about but you will be slow, very slow! Ask for the catheter to be removed and mobilised as soon as you regain feeling. Don't over do it but getting moving is the best thing for your recovery.

I had DD in the morning and by evening I was walking about the ward, changing her nappy, feeding her etc. Yes I was slow but I wasn't completely useless.

Another mum on the ward had an assisted forceps delivery and she was less mobile than I was so a c section isn't always the most difficult delivery to recover from.

Good luck 😊

Is there no way the baby can be turned?

If not, I think you need to try to adjust your mindset. Childbirth is a law unto itself and it's the expectations we set that lead to upset. If a C-section is needed then thank god it's a possibility.
I was up and about on day two, much less pain than after the previous "natural" birth. But yes it's a major operation and you'll need to have some help for the first couple of weeks.

I had a planned c section and it was a very positive experience; I was up and moving about after 12 hours and could look after my baby in hospital with regular pain relief. Once home I’d say the first 5 days were the hardest then it got easier; i could do everything I needed to do but slowly and while I could change nappies the leaning over was painful so DH did lots of that (not a bad thing). Getting up out of bed was hard going but use lots of pillows to make yourself comfortable; pillows under my knees helped.
My best tips (after 2 c sections) are buy big knickers that won’t sit over your scar, take regular pain relief, take it easy, drink peppermint tea for the wind and try to have everything downstairs so you aren’t up and down stairs too much.
I also found it helpful on the way home to put a rolled up baby blanket between the car seat and my tummy so that I was less worrried about sudden stops.
Also as someone else said another mum on my ward was less mobile than me after a difficult natural birth.

I'm opting for a c-section this time OP. My first vaginal birth was horrific and incredibly painful. Recovery took me months and now I've been left with a prolapse. You'll find a lot of women on here have had really positive, calm experiences with a c-section and fairly straight forward recoveries. I.e up and about the same day (within reason) and discharged 24hrs later. I wish you the best of luck!

Mine was a breeze. I was up and walking about 7 hours later. Yes I was slow but moving as soon as you can is the very best thjng you can do. Drink plenty of water, take the pain relief on time and accept all the help you are offered, go easy on yourself.
It would have no concerns if I had to have another section.

I had a c section due to complications from my previous labour resulted in a vaginal birth not being advised. I was really worried but it was the most positive experience. I was done in theatre by 10am and stood up at 6pm. That bit was very painful but the pain only really lasted half hour (and I have a low pain threshold). I was sore but able to pick up my baby that evening and move about. I had a much better recovery than my vaginal birth. Keep on top of the pain relief whether you think you need it or not- prevention us much better than reaction. Drink lots to help going to the bathroom. Don't push yourself, move slowly and don't lift any heavy shopping bags for a few weeks. I would also pack some mint teabags in case of trapped gas. Mine was minor and a cup of mint tea made it disappear.
Our family is complete but if it wasn't I would 100% go for another c section. Wishing you all the best for your birth.

I had 1 vaginal birth then 3 c sections for different reasons. My first c section was because baby was breech.
He was born on a Friday morning and I was home by Saturday lunchtime. I was very quickly on my feet and moving around. I needed a little help with baby the first couple of days but nothing excessive. I would say by day 5, I was 90% better. Just keep on top of your meds. Don't wait to be in pain to take them. Move around as soon as you can. Obviously, don't do too much but don't sit around either.
I found the recovery from planned c sections much easier than from my natural birth. With a planned section, you go in rested and it's a peaceful environment.

I had mine on Thursday. Baby was breech and I was also hoping for vaginal as I did with my first. I was terrified. It's been absolutely fine. Its nowhere near as bad as I imagined. I was home 24 hours later. My partner has to lift our toddler and do laundry but that's about it! I'm just taking it easy, remembering my paracetamol and having loads of baby snuggles. Not sure if I would choose vaginal or c section if I did it again..... Good luck 😁

I had a section because of breech baby. The surgery was the worst part. So so painful. But recovery was fine.
Surgery at 10am, could feel my legs etc by afternoon. Walking to loo by bedtime.
Went home next day and was able to hold and change baby, although I let dad as I had done the hard part already!
By day 4 I went for a walk to the shops and had an icecream in the park.
You just have to be aware of bending and lifting, and getting on and off the bed was hard. But pain wise it was fine.

I had a c-section after two "normal" deliveries.

The surgery itself was fine, I didn't even realise they'd delivered the baby. I did lose a lot of blood though which meant a lot of extra monitoring and tests afterwards but recovery was fine.

I was out of bed as soon as spinal wore off and catheter was out and I stayed as mobile as possible. Definitely not bed bound and pain wise I didn't feel much different to when I'd delivered vaginally, just in a different place. I was given paracetamol, ibuprofen and morphine - which I took when I felt I needed it which wasn't often. I didn't touch the morphine. I left hospital ASAP but had to spend a night due to blood loss etc I was up and down all night to crying baby but didn't struggle at all.

Most people have reasonably straightforward sections and alright recoveries but its also a good idea to plan in case its more difficult for you.

For me both my sections were absolutely fine but I found the recoveries long and painful.

I found stories about people doing the school run the next day, yoga after 2 weeks and managing on a couple of paracetamol to be really depressing as I couldn't do any of those things.

My tips are:

Pack big knickers and joggers so that you can wear clothes that don't irritate your wound.
Batch cook and fill your freezer with meals in advance.

Accept all offers of help.
Sod the housework - it really doesn't matter
Get surgical strength arnica tablets which will help to speed up recovery from bruising inside and out.
Demand stronger painkillers if you need them and then stay on top of taking them.
Get a good breastfeeding cushion if you plan to feed that way.

Good luck.

I had an emergency c section last monday.

Regardless of it ending up as an emergency I would never have been allowed a epidural so it was always gonna be the case of me being knocked out. I have issues with bleeding too much.

I was so upset of the idea my baby would be on their own without me or their dad I was really heartbroken.

But baby was round the wrong way and I just wasn't dilating properly, then my BP went wacky and I was showing signs of an infection.

I knew deep down it was gonna be a c section after a certain point and I was just so glad to have it!

The theatre staff were so lovely and the anaesthetist was really nice and calming.

I woke up in recovery and it honestly wasn't too bad. First few days were hard moving about but I had no choice as I was the only one to feed and change my baby.

They wanted me in an extra night but I begged to go home and they let me.

I'm starting to feel a lot better and more able to move about, still getting pretty tired but I'm content with how things turned out . I have my baby and we are both OK, I also had minimal blood loss which was a miracle as well.

I've had two emergency sections. Feeling completely back a couple of hours after both. After one of them I was in the shower 4hrs later and with the other, I went home after 12hrs. Catheter was only in for 3hrs each time. I never needed help with anything baby care related. Was up, feeding, changing nappies etc once I was back on the ward.

Personally, I found them a doddle.

Get up ASAP and don't be tempted to hunch and shuffle. The more normally you move, the faster you heal. Keep on top of your painkillers if you need them - I didn't - and listen to your body. Rest plenty but with good periods of moving round to aid healing and prevent clots.

I had such a great experience. It was so calm and relaxing. I was up and about 6hrs after, home within 24hrs and no painkillers after 3 days. I had no pain, I had to remind myself I had surgery so I didn’t do anything too strenuous!

I’ve had 2 planned sections and they were great. My most recent- baby was delivered at 7.45am, I had the catheter out and was mobile after lunch at my insistence, DH went home that night and I did all the baby care myself without buzzing the midwifes which was genuinely because I wanted to and felt fine to (I went private so no issue getting help should I have needed it). I did struggle with housework for a few weeks but that was fine as I didn’t feel inclined to do any anyway! The best thing you can do is get ahead of the pain by taking painkillers on schedule and not waiting until it actually hurts.

I had one vag birth and then a planned section. The recovery from the vag birth was, for me, 100 times worse than the section. Awful, hideous, mentally and physically.

Recovery from my section went like this..

Baby born 11 ish
Feeling started coming back about 1pm
Stood up with feeling in my legs able to get out of bed about 4pm. Was on my own in side room
witj baby from this point as no partners with covid and was fine. Changing her, feeding her.. feeding myself - all good.

Shuffling like an old lady, making good use of the electric hospital bed for the rest of the day/evening

Catheter out the next am (phew!!!)
Shuffled to the car to go home about noon.

Spent the next week mainly in my room with baby that was due to trying hard to establish feeding. I could change nappies I could get to the loo etc.

It was quite painful sitting up from bed.

Was putting my toddler to bed in her cot by 2 weeks and driving and fully back to normal (on the surface) within 3 weeks.

Slow and steady and you’ll be ok.

I had a planned CS so had time to read up on things like CS belts. They seem to be standard in US but not so much here in UK. Anyway, I got one and was able to do everything myself without difficulty. Even rolling over in bed was no problem. The belt just holds things in place and takes the strain away, I feel. Still took pain killers for a few days and used giant pants and a maternity pad over the scar so there was no irritation but really felt just fine to be honest. I did get some scar cream too which helped healing; it was called Mederma.
Best of luck OP. Take things easy and enjoy those precious first days with your little one.

you'll be bed bound for about 12 hours, if that, while the spinal block wears off.
after that they will encourage you to move around, go to pee, have a shower.

while you are still numb they will look after your baby. after that you will be able to do most things apart from lifting heavy stuff.
I drove after 4 weeks.
and also was able to have 3 VBAC births.

you'll be fine

The exact same thing happened to me and I was gutted. I tried everything to spin the baby as I was desperate to have the natural birth I had had with my eldest, which I loved. I made them scan me an hour before the op as one last check to see if she'd turned! But no.

And honestly, it was fine. I have a bit of a fear of anything overly 'medical' but I just swallowed it, accepted this was what was happening and tried to enjoy it and I did! It was very calm and relaxed, the care I received during and after was incredible and yes, while recovery bloody hurt, it wasn't long before I was up and about. I breastfed her a few minutes after birth, breastfeeding has actually gone better this time. By day 3 I was showering and changing her alone, by the end of the week I had pretty much full strength and mobility back (hauling a constipated toddler off and on the toilet...)

It will be ok

I had two elective c-sections (for medical reasons). It took about 45 mins to one hour from the time I was wheeled off to be prepped for surgery until I was breastfeeding. Very positive experience. I had mine in the afternoon and was out and about in the ward the next day. I recall no restrictions at home or pain. After the anaesthesia wore off I was given voltarol and ibuprofen (and some antibiotics initially I think). I didn't even finish the prescribed painkillers.

I do recall feeling very hot post surgery and for the following few hours and cranking the aircon in the room very high (to the point that family members called the room Alasca ). I think that was a side effect of the anaesthesia and hormones raging.

An elective c-section is usually a smooth experience. Best of luck!

I had an emergency c section a month ago and I am now pain free and back to normal pretty much. I was slow afterwards but had my catheter out and was up about 5/6 hours after the section. Take your pain relief and request more if you need it, ask for help from the midwives if you need it and don't overdo it just because your not in pain at the time. I went for a walk outside the hospital the day after and really suffered that night and the day after because of my own stupidity. I was naive though and I thought I'd be right back to normal (for some stupid reason), so it was a shock to me just how slow and tired I felt. Add a newborn into the mix and I was like a shot dog for the first few days. Drove after 3 and a half weeks. Also once your home get people to do stuff for you, rest as much as you can!