Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

What happens in the hours after a c section?

65 replies

bumpabroad · 23/05/2022 14:49

It’s looking likely I’m going to be having a c section next week (at the latest, I’m aware baby could come earlier!) due to a breech baby, so I was just looking for some wisdom as to what generally happens in the few hours afterwards? I have an appointment with my community midwife later this week so I can ask her, but I’d like to be as prepared as possible as to what actually happens. For example, it rather naively hadn’t occurred to me that if I couldn’t walk/move my legs then I wouldn’t be able to change my own maternity pads and the midwives would have to do it for me. Apparently I’m likely to be sat on a puppy pad type of thing (presumably in a hospital gown or something disposable) and they will just come and change that. This is the sort of thing that I hadn’t even considered beforehand 😳

Also, if you’re able to give an indication of how long it was before you could move about/shower/change into your own nightdress/change your own maternity pads then that would be amazing!

OP posts:

April88 · 23/05/2022 14:55

Yes you’re on a puppy pad until they take the catheter out.

Once they took mine out I went to the toilet/ had a shower and could change pads etc myself.

I had an emergency c section at 1:30am, they took the catheter out at about 10am so I was up after that.

i could still pick my baby up/feed and change him after the op but the midwives were happy to be called if I couldn’t manage.

Blackopal · 23/05/2022 14:56

I had a c section a few years ago.
If I remember correctly the pad was changed for me in the hours after the section.
Obviously you have a catheter and don't have to worry about that side of things.
I stayed in one night and in the morning was made to get up walk around and have a shower, all of which was totally fine.
Good luck!

StillUp · 23/05/2022 14:57

I had my c section at around 3pm. Held DD for a bit and then DH had her in recovery while I was stitched up etc. I then fed her in recovery and was back on the ward by around 5pm (I was in recovery slightly longer than usual apparently as the spinal wasn’t showing any signs of wearing off.

By late evening time I could move my legs and they offered to take out my catheter so I could get up and about, but I had very little strength so it was agreed it would be left in until the morning. I could reach over to the cot and pick DD up ok. As soon as that was removed I got up fairly easily and managed a shower alone and to dress myself. I was home by late afternoon.

Bleeding wise I was on a pad which the midwives checked/changed every now and then. It wasn’t a big deal and I just sort of rolled. I had a gown on and didn’t feel totally exposed. Switched to a pad as soon as I was showered. I’d take shoes you can just easily slip on so you don’t need to bend too much and faff with laces etc.

Ive had an EMCS previously, and this was an ELCS. Recovery from both was fine. I absolutely loved my ELCS. So calm. Good luck!

Furrbabymama87 · 23/05/2022 15:06

You're in a gown sat on a pad with a catheter in. After a few hours you can get up, they'll take it out. You can go to the toilet, shower and get dressed. I always made sure I was up and about before my birth partner went home. I've done it 4 times and advise getting up as soon as you're able as the wards always seemed understaffed and you're just left to it.

newnamenellie · 23/05/2022 15:07

I've had two c-sections, one of them an emergency, one semi elective. Last one was 12 years ago but my main memory is that they like you to be up and about asap. They'll want you to shower and show that you can manage that on your own too. Good luck!

Furrbabymama87 · 23/05/2022 15:07

And I always put on a bra as soon as I got to the ward. I hated my boobs being out under the gown, as they were sore, I felt exposed and I needed the support.

Original poster

bumpabroad · 23/05/2022 15:08

Thanks all. I think you need to pass a certain amount of urine to be allowed home, is that right? Hopefully the catheter won’t be removed too late in the evening and I won’t have to drink water all night!

OP posts:

PerfectPrepPrincess · 23/05/2022 15:16

Before csec endure everyone in the operating room knows you want bsby doing to skin on your chest, dont worry about being a naggy noo, you must naggy noo otherwise you won't get it. Breastfeed.
Once stitched up you go to a recovery room for an hour or so. Breastfeed.
Eventually onto the postnatal ward. Breastfeed.
Eat and drink, probably will be offered tea and toast.
You probably won't feel too much pain due to the anesthesia and as long as your pain meds are taken regularly it'll stay that way. You'll just be a bit hobbily and feel a bit delicate. So you'll be able to do most things carefully and slowly. It's good to get up and move as soon as you can but gently does it. So you can pick up baby but nothing heavier. Go to the loo once catheter is out etc.
Be careful about bending down , you need to slowly squat with feet apart, obviously avoid if you can but midwives are usually busy.

nearlyspringyay · 23/05/2022 15:21

I was in a recovery room with an assigned midwife who had to do one every 15 mins but I had an APH and need transfusion.

Then went to my own room.

Section was at 2200 Dts delivered 2203 and 2205. Catheter was out at 10am next morning, had to wee so they check all was functioning, showered and in NICU by 11am.

Discharged that night from medical care.

nearlyspringyay · 23/05/2022 15:22

Take your own painkillers in, take them religiously on the dosing schedule.

ShowOfHands · 23/05/2022 15:25

I've had two emcs and both times, had feeling back by the time I was on the ward. Catheter out within 3hrs of surgery both times and never needed any help with changing pads or looking after the DC. With my second, he was born at 3pm and by 6pm, I was up, showered, eating dinner and watching a drama on television.

Home the next morning both times.

Getting up asap is really important for recovery.

pumpkinmash · 23/05/2022 15:27

bumpabroad · 23/05/2022 15:08

You'll be pissing out all the IV drip liquids, you'll be grand on that front!

EarringsandLipstick · 23/05/2022 15:35

I had 1 section, 2 SVDs.

For my section, had it c 730 pm, catheter out early am. No hep with pad nor was it needed. Moving fine by that time.

Was a bit nervous having my shower, it was fine.

The hardest part for me was they put the baby just out of my reach & the ward was insane & they didn't come & help when I called. So poor DS was wailing & I wasn't able to get him.

This was in Ireland, and you typically stay in for 5 days after a section, which I did & it was great! Felt so much more rested going home than after DCs 1 & 3 who were SVD

StillUp · 23/05/2022 15:38

I was induced for very high BP with my first which was the EMCS and they did check how much urine I was passing, but with the ELCS they were happy with what was in the catheter and that I said I was passing urine ok before I left. I wouldn’t stress about that. Like I said upthread the staff and I decided to leave my catheter in until the next morning and there was no issues with discharge. It was waiting on paperwork and baby hearing checks that slowed us down, and I was still home within 24 hours.

MuddledUpAgain · 23/05/2022 15:50

I've had an elective section recently.

After the section I was rolled from the bed in the operating theatre onto a different one and then taken to recovery where baby was weighed etc. I was then taken back to the ward I was waiting in prior to the section. The midwife there helped me change out of the hospital gown into my own pjs, checked my catheter and my puppy pad (and changed it). I could move my toes at that point.

I was taken to the postnatal ward after that. They got me up and walking about 9 hours after my spinal went in. They got me to put on pants and a maternity pad at this point but kept the puppy pad on the bed as catheter was poking out the side of my knickers. My catheter was due to come out approx 1am but they agreed to leave it in til morning. I was given a pot once the catheter was out which I had to pee in so they could check the volume. My trust keeps you until baby is 24hours old (assuming all is well). You'll want to hunch over when you walk but try not to. And if you cough/sneeze, hold a pillow to the incision! Keep on top of the painkillers.

They took the dressing off the next morning as well and I was told I could shower straight away but to only use water on the incision site and to gently wash with my hand.

Amipreg1 · 23/05/2022 15:51

Once stitched etc.. We were wheeeled through to recovery, I had skin to skin/feeding time with baby and then there were 2 healthcare assistants that helped me to change out of gown and into pants/ nightie. I had a cathater but they still seemed to still be able to put pants and pad on me somehow.
They also helped DH sort baby.
I was given toast and juice there as I hadn't eaten since the night before.

My section was at around 1. 30pm and I was back on the ward by about 4.30/5pm.

Catheter was left in until around 5am the next morning. Once DH arrived at around 9am he helped me up for a shower etc. Those first few steps can be daunting but I didn't find it too difficult. Just make you sure you take the pain meds provided.
I had to measure the amount of urine from my first wee in a jug.

MuddledUpAgain · 23/05/2022 15:52

Oh, they want you to pee a decent amount within a couple of hours of the catheter coming out. I made sure I drank plenty and waited a little while before I went to pee.

runnerblade95 · 23/05/2022 15:54

I think everyone is different when it comes to c sections but I discharged myself less than 24 hours after surgery because DD was just screaming like a wild animal and refusing to latch. Catheter out about 4/5 hours after surgery. Bowel movement etc about 9/10 hours. You’ll be absolutely fine. Don’t feel embarrassed about having the puppy pad changed, they’ve seen everything, literally! You’ll be absolutely fine. Good luck!

Schulte · 23/05/2022 16:03

Nobody has mentioned the wind… you’ll have a lot of air in your stomach after a CS and it can be quite painful. Lasted a few hours I think.

I don’t remember pads or being changed by the nurses, I was expected to get up and shower the next morning and take my own dressing off.

Baby was put right next to me in the recovery room and had her first feed, which was lovely and very peaceful.

It’s a weird feeling not feeling your legs… and then slowly getting them back. Freaked me out a bit but it’s all normal.

Good luck and all the best!

breatheintheamazing · 23/05/2022 16:06

I had an emergency c section with twins. Puppy pad type thing yes for the bleeding, I had my catheter out as soon as got feeling back in legs as my babies were in NICU in another part of hospital - that was around 6 hours. I just used big pants and maternity pads then. No morphine just paracetamol and ibruprofen. Walking within 6 hours, home after 2 nights and driving in 2 weeks

Hugasauras · 23/05/2022 16:14

Ooh the wind. It wasn't painful for me thankfully but I was so gassy!

I struggled to pee after the catheter came out but did eventually manage about an hour before the deadline they had set for catheter going back in! I think my bladder was just in a bit of shock I didn't really notice the pads thing at all, but I got feeling back reasonably quickly, and they took the catheter out, which wasn't actually anywhere near as bad as I'd imagined - just a v quick intense sensation of needing to pee as it came out.

I didn't have any issues reaching/picking up baby and I was moving around fairly okay by about lunchtime (my section was about 5am).

The only thing I would do differently is that I sent DH home to sleep as it was an EMCS and we had both been awake for about 36 hours by then, but then there was no one to watch the baby when I was trying to pee and I found that stressful as I didn't know whether I should take her with me or just leave her, and when I did leave her I couldn't relax enough or take the time to sit and wait to pee. So this time, it's a planned section and DH isn't going anywhere until I have done my first pee

JLQ1020 · 23/05/2022 16:19

Had an emergency section 3 months ago. With covid it's prob different than a few years ago.
1- After section my husband was allowed to be with me in recovery but once I was moved to the ward with baby he was sent home.
Visiting is only once a day ( check with your local hospital)
2- had my section 3am I had catheter removed by 10am.
3- the nurses will be great at giving you pain relief but don't be afraid to ask for more.
4- you will be very stiff and it will be difficult to sit up quickly so don't be afraid to buzz for help changing or feeding your baby.
5- if you can highly recommend staying in another night to get the good pain relief as they can't give you anything too strong to take home.
6- you will be wearing pads and they will change them until catheter removed.
7-if you test positive for covid you will be in a private room. Otherwise you will be in the room closest to the midwives so this can be a bit noisy.
8- bring a extension cord for your phone charger. Trust me.
9-you will have a bandage on your incision this will either be a standard one or a battery one that drains fluid away. You can shower with either and then the midwife will remove it on your home visit.
10- get your partner to put a hair bobble on ur wrist in recovery so u can put ur hair up if needed.

JLQ1020 · 23/05/2022 16:21

11-pack peppermint tea to help with trapped wind pain which u get in your shoulder. Its so painful and either the tea or the capsules will help.
12- u might find u get a headache after the epidural the worse headache uve had. Caffeine helps with this so get coke or diet coke in stock at home.

JLQ1020 · 23/05/2022 16:26

You need to measure ur urine output after catheter removed but in the bathroom they have cardboard jug things u can measure ur urine u need at least 200ml each time over 3 or more times. The nurses will ask u about ur urine outputs.

Also they will ask you how much your baby is feeding is bottle feeding and how often and when last wet nappy was so maybe download an app before hand to keep track.

I didn't breast feed so not sure how that differs. If you bottle feed u will be able to get formula provided by the hospital. Either sma, cow and gate or aptimil. If u want any other brand u need to bring that with you.

They don't need u to have a bowel movement anymore before discharging.

Fitterbyfifty · 23/05/2022 16:27

I had csection at 8am and was moving about (very slowly!) without a catheter after lunch. I didn't have any pain relief until evening (not due to being brave - it was a cock up!) which hindered me a bit. I also fell asleep while being stitched up after section as I hadn't slept the night before and the surgeon was teaching someone how to do stitches and it took ages!

Flip

1 2 3