C Section when plus size

[Bunny2607]

Hi all
After much tooing and froing about how my baby is coming out the consultant has this week advised a c section as at the last growth scan my baby was estimated at 9lbs 10oz at 37 weeks. My first baby was 9lbs 14oz when born at 40+4 so i’ve had one big baby so far and delivery was traumatic.
Whichever way the baby comes i’ll be anxious, but the thought of a c section terrifies me. I cried on the consultant the other day as i’m scared i’ll die during the section. My bmi is 50 which i know is my own fault, and i have a son at home who has autism which adds to my anxiety. Has anyone got any positive c section plus size/high bmi stories to try reassure me? I’m very tearful and worried at the moment, c section is booked for a weeks time. Thank you in advance ☺️

Firstly, you won't be under general anaesthetic so the risks of dying are practically zilch.

Secondly. Just go with whatever the dr's do to make it easier for them.

• During the spinal bend as far forwards as you can physically manage so they can see the spine better - it took them a few goes but they pop some local in before the spinal needle so it shouldn't hurt.

• My dr put up like giant sticky bands to help hold up my stomach overhang - could have been mortifying but frankly less mortifying than a poor nurse having to hold it up for the entire surgery.

Other than that, it was the same as any other section. My scar is little bigger than most i've seen (but is under the hang so I don't see it unless I want to) and I had a fancy vacuum dressing thing (to help keep everything clean and dry).

Otherwise no issues.

My BMI was about 40ish when pregnant.

If you have any specific questions , ask. I'm an open book re. my weight and procedures!

Ah thank you! I think its just fear of the unknown and aftercare is abit scary isn’t it having to keep the cut clean and dry etc, harder when overweight. How often did you change your dressings at home or did the midwives do it for you when they came? Were you in alot of pain after or was it sort of manageable?

My special fancy dressing (my other overweight friend got one too - so hopefully it's common!) came off on day 10 and didn't need changing at all.

So midwife came to my house on day 10, took the dressing off and pulled out the staples (be prepared, there will be lots of staples!) and everything was healed up (bar a tiny hole at one end). I didn't have to take any other special action to keep it clean and dry just standard making sure to clean and dry it after a shower.

Oh, and ask for a staple remover from the ward before you're discharged - midwifes might not carry one!

If you're unsure ask about the dressing they're planning to use and request a vacuum one - just googled, mine was called a PICO dressing.

Pain wise I was ok. I was on the ward for 4 days because DD was prem so had regular ibuprofen and paracetamol. Kept that up for maybe a week. I think, get up as soon as you can - standing up hurts like heck the first time - and start shuffling around. The more you sit or lie down the stiffer you get and the more it hurts to move. Little movements often worked for me.

I've had 2 c sections and my bmi was near yours. One was August during a very sweaty heatwave and I somehow managed fine 😂

But in all seriousness, you just need to make sure you are keeping it clean and dry for the first 10 days ish. So I was showering normally, daily or twice daily if I felt like it, especially with my summer born baby. I preferred a quick shower morning and night to freshen up. They took my dressing off to come home, so no soap or anything just warm water and make sure it is completely dry.

We have a fan in our bedroom, I used to lay on the bed with the fan pointed at me for 10 mins to dry off. I would get Dh to check it every time as well for any redness or signs of infection, if caught early it's easier. But it was fine. After 10 days there was a huge improvement and it heals a lot during those first 10 days.

The other thing is don't over do it. Healing has to happen inside as well, doing too much and putting to much strain on your scar won't help.

Hi,
I had an emergency section nearly five years ago, my BMI was 64 I believe (I know!) and the surgeon was worried about infection if he went in the usual place so decided to go much higher, so across my belly button and in that way. It is what it is, the poor guy had about 30 seconds to make a decision as baby was NOT happy.

Im having a planned section a week on Monday, BMI much much lower this time due to weight loss surgery, but he is going in through the same scar - makes sense.

So if they can deal with me, they can deal with you! You will be fine, I found everyone to be gentle and caring an non judgmental. You weigh what you weigh, and you wont be weighing any less when it comes to D Day.

Look forward to the birth of your little one, and please PM me if you want any gory details.

:) xx

Hello lovely. I’ve had two sections, BMI about 40/45, not really sure.
Both were fine. First one I had a minor wound infection, tiny hole with a bit of pus, sorted easily with a course of antibiotics.
Second one was an emergency section as DD and I took ill during labour, healed fine. I took my own paracetamol and ibuprofen in with me and took those round the clock, I let the midwives know and I got some stronger pain relief for the first day too. But I was fine on the OTC meds.

My wounds didn’t have staples, just glued on the outside edge with internal stitches. I took my dressing off after 7 days (am a nurse and used to dealing with wounds so I was happy to manage it myself) I just patted it dry with a towel after a shower. When I had the infection I used an unscented sanitary pad laid against it to absorb any gunk.

Best advice I can give is to not do too much when you’re first home, then whatever you are doing, do less than that. Rest, gentle mobilisation, minimal lifting, no hoovering for 4/5 weeks (your other half will have to crack in with all those types of jobs) and keep in the painkillers regularly for a good few days. You’ll be grand xx

Thank you ladies. So it sounds like if the hospital have the PICO dressings then that stays on for 10 days, but aside from that the dressings are on for a few days before they come off? I was expecting to have to change it daily or something and the thought was making me squeamish 😂 i’m hoping its the thought of it sending me funny and then when its actually in the moment it won’t bother me!
Dreading the whole thing tbh haha, hoping my baby is a good distraction from everything x