ELCS experiences please!

[Elb94]

Hi everyone! Just a bit of background - I am due my first baby on 6th May 2022 but he is in the breech position and have been booked in for an elective c-section on 29th April 2022 (2 weeks time!!)

The actual operation isn’t worrying me and we are both so excited to meet our little one very soon but I just have a few questions and I was hoping some people may be able to answer (especially those who have had c-sections fairly recently)!

• What is the minimum time you stay in hospital for after a c-section? The NHS website says 3-4 days but I’ve seen so many conflicting stories, I’m so confused!! I’d obviously love to be out as soon as possible (as long as myself and baby are all well and good)
• I’m really worried about silly things like not knowing what to do if baby cries or worse, not being able to help him as will be on pain! Will the midwives be there to assist? What do I do if I need to go the toilet/shower? Do I leave baby? I know this must sound so silly!!
• How long can my partner stay with us after the c-section? I’m so worried about him having to leave!!

Also… did anybody go into labour before their ELCS? I am currently 37+2 and will be exactly 39 weeks when I go in for my c-section. For the last 3 days I’ve been experiencing loose bowel movements and for the last two days I have had period like cramps and tightening (the tightening have been more a long the top of my stomach but the period like cramps have been below my tummy) - I’ve put it down to Braxton hicks, as it has not been getting consistently worse but I’m just wondering if this could be a sign that labour is coming before my c-section is due and whether I need to prepare??

Sorry for so many questions and if they come across quite silly, I think I’m getting myself stressed the closer we get to our date!!

Thank you in advance x

Just to add - I’ve also been experiencing lightening crotch and lower back ache!

My footling breech baby turned head down on the morning of the planned CS. So be ready for that!

Mine was a choice I made after prolonged early labour so sort of planned section.
It was a great experience.
I was out within 24 hours.
The midwives had to help a little obviously as no visitors allowed at all even DH but I was out of bed as soon as the spinal wore off and they had taken catheter out so I was able to change baby and pick up to feed without help after about 6 hours compared to my EMCS where I couldn't get up for over 24 hours and the midwives looked incredibly pissed off every time I asked for help.
I'd say this time the difference in experience was down to paying for a side room. It felt so much more relaxed and like me and baby were in a little bubble on our own, I didn't have to worry about anything. It was so nice to have a door and my own toilet.

Hiya! I've has 2 c sections, an emergency and then a planned! Both were great experiences.

To answer your questions...

1. I stayed one night with both of them! With my first I couldn't pee without catheter but they let me go home with it and I went back the next day to try again! (which was a success!)

1. You find a way!! I was pretty much left to it although I'm sure I could have asked for help but honestly I was coping so didn't feel the need. Don't feel silly I remember asking the midwives if I'm allowed to leave my first to have a shower!! It was the most panicked shower ever though so I would definitely recommend just wheeling them in with you.

1. My first my partner stayed all night as with being an emergency it was late in the night anyway. My second was during covid and no visiters so sorry for not being much help there!!

My planned was 39+3 I believe and I didn't go into labour! I was a week first with my son. If you go into labour you can just call them and move the c section forward so don't panic! In fact I would probably prefer this to get all those good hormones going! When it's labour you won't be wondering if it is so don't worry!!

It will be great. With my planned I felt like I was going on holiday lol! Able to drive after 2 weeks both times!

On how long you stay, it depends if your unit does 'enhanced recovery' or not. Enhanced recovery means they get you up and moving as soon as possible and you can be home within a day or two, depending what time your surgery is.

I've had one EMCS and one ELCS and I stayed in for two nights after each. I would have been able to go home after one night after the ELCS but we were really struggling to get going with feeding. I couldn't reach over to pick up the baby for the first 24 hours or so, so I had to rely on DH or buzz for the midwife. You can wheel your baby's cot with you to the loo. I waited until DH was there for a shower. My DC were born pre-Covid so I can't comment on how long visitors can stay for.

Thank you for all your replies, you’ve really helped clear things up!! Fingers crossed we are only in for a short amount of time, but will obviously do as I am told 😂

I stayed 3 nights with my first and 2 nights with my second. I really had to push to get out there but as a private patient I was paying per night so I think they weren’t incentivised to hurry up!

I had both of mine early morning and by lunch I was up and able to do all the baby care myself. I had an ensuite room so just left baby snoozing in the cot whenever I needed to go.

How long your partner can stay will be hospital/covid dependent. I sent mine home to tend to the cat but he could have stayed as long as he wanted.

I was in one night with my emcs and 2 nights with my elcs which I know seems odd but that's how it worked out! 2nd time I had problems with my bladder and couldn't do the required wee. One was pre covid one was during. The during covid one DH was sent home about 2 hrs after the birth, when they moved me out of recovery up to the ward. I was bedbound overnight so buzzed for everything but the midwifes were really helpful, the first time around my DH was allowed to stay until 9pm so only relied on the midwifes overnight. I was up and moving in the morning after both. I had a shower soon afterwards after both. First time I left baby with DH, second time midwifes asked you to wheel the baby to their station and they watched the baby for you whilst you were in the shower.