What happens in the hours after a c section?

[bumpabroad]

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!

I had to pee a certain amount before I could be discharged. The midwives give a paper box to go in and then they check the Volume.

I got inflatable socks for the first few hours and then they put in compression socks that they say to wear for the next week or so due to risk of clots.

I got sent home with blood thinning injections for 10 days.

I had skin to skin immediately and it was amazing. I don’t remember having the choice on my previous births but this time they put the baby on me while they stitched me up.

The pain relief is great, if you take everything offered the pain isn’t really noticeable at all.

Bring some big pants (I size up two sizes in m and s pants) so they are well above the incision

It takes an hour to stitch you up afterwards. I didn't know that and felt it took ages.
The catheter bag needs to be changed at some point after birth. I had no idea and got a row for not asking.
I was up and about next morning for shower. They give you some tips how to manoeuvre yourself put of bed. It's quite tricky. Take it slow.

DD was born at 09:45, and I didn't get out of bed again for about 24 hours. My catheter was taken out at 06:30 the next morning, and I did my two (very slow 200ml) wees once my husband had come in at about 10:30. I was 100% focused on getting out of there ASAP, although it really bloody hurt to move. I could hardly pick my feet up and it felt like I would burst at the incision! Went home with dihydrocodeine and Fragmin injections (and the sexy socks) and just took it very gently - I'm two weeks PP now and my main problem is a UTI that's just sprung up But I don't need any pain relief anymore and I'm okay just taking things gently.

For passing urine after I was told if I didn't pass certain amount by certain time the catheter would need to go back in and I'd need to get a scan. I managed to pass before my time was 'up' but only got about half what they wanted despite me being impressed and happy with how much haha. It was middle of the night so nurses missed my cut off time I think and I managed to pass the amount of urine I needed by drinking a LOT of water and lucozade sport (the nurse provided me this)

Also on pain meds maybe it's different in different hospitals but my nurses provided mine to me and did it exactly on team, evening waking me up to get them.

Baby was with me in the room the entire time I was being stitched up and didn't come leave my side the whole time I was there.

After coming out theatre and being stitched I was taken to a recovery room and midwife came in with some food and then began to wipe me down with wet wipes (had a three day labour so I think I was quite smelly haha). I wasn't in there long before being wheeled through to the ward. I was able to be up on my feet quite quickly after. Was out of the hospital less than 24 hours after (I believe they wanted the rooms quickly due to the amount of women in).

This was all in January of this year and after emergency c section.

Oh and talking of trapped wind I had that quite bad and the pain was in my shoulder! I hid this from the nurses because didn't know it was due to trapped wind and thought it would stop me from getting home.

I didn’t get wind at all. Think the catheter was in for a while but I can’t remember how long - eight hours maybe ? The pad you lie on was discreetly changed and all that is a bit of a blur. The first stagger out of bed to go and wee was a shock, I do remember that -I felt as though I’d been run over, very feeble and weak. I was scared to shower at first as well. I remember not being allowed to shower for a day or two anyway. The pain was initially bad and then they got on top of it and it was manageable .
The electric hospital bed was the thing I really missed when I went home ! Ouch ouch climbing in and out of bed without the bed helping me sit up.

2 emcs, but not the kind where me or the baby where ill.
Get to recovery, eat food, drink tea and get baby latched- bare in mind your nipples might still be numb.
Get to bed, eat, drink, feed baby. General to and froe of medical staff. Drink more water- best way to avoid constipation and prove you can wee when catheter is out.
When legs work again, get up and wee in a bowl.
Have shower, go to dining room and eat.
First discharge was 48hrs pp , second was 24.

Def take decent painkillers with you and food and drink. You're often expected to fetch your own food which can be very difficult. And if things are placed out of reach it can be difficult also. Also take some of those ready made formula bottles and nappies and wipes

Emergency c section at 6am.

I barely bled after my c section so the puppy pad didn't need changing until I went for a shower. I could move my legs for hours before they removed the catheter, I could sit on the side of the bed and the chair next to the bed as well. And I could move about fine, from a seated position and change nappies, pick up baby etc. I had no issues breastfeeding. I had to nag to get the catheter out, it was supposed to be in 12 hours but when I could demonstrate I could walk about they let me take it out. I had to pass urine again before I was allowed home, and despite that and walking unaided for a shower they still weren't keen to let me out. I had to discharge myself, but no way was I staying a night on a too hot, busy postnatal ward!

Had absolutely no issues breastfeeding either, just put baby to the breast whenever they open their mouth.

I did get referred wind pain in my shoulder. Peppermint tea really really helped.

I had DS at 0213, and was on the recovery ward by 0330. I could roll side to side using the bed handrails straight away. Feeling and being able to move my legs came gradually over the next few hours. I was up and out of bed by around 1000. Midwife came to check my pad every couple of hours, but I didn't bleed much. If things were handed to me, I could sort things out (like my pad and nightshirt) myself, even while my lower half was numb.

After that, the timeline goes wonky as there were no beds on postnatal until later in the evening. Ordinarily you would only be in recovery until you can move your legs. Catheter came out next morning at 8am. Shower shortly after. I don't think anyone ever checked how much I peed, but they did ask how often I was peeing. Just made sure I was hydrated. No problems with bowel movements or gas either. Home lunchtime the day after that.

I had an EMCS last year, had it at around 5pm, husband held DD in recovery room whilst I was being stitched then I joined him where she fed and stayed there for an hour (just the three of us and one nurse) Tip: definitely ask for skin-to-skin, I forgot as it was a rush and only got a couple of seconds before she was handed to DH.

Then got wheeled to the ward. Where I didn't get tea and toast and I'd missed dinner, and hadn't eaten since breakfast so I was starving, I asked if they'd got anything and there was a sandwich leftover from lunch so I had that. Tip: take something substantial to eat or send partner to get something if the hospital has a cafe

Was unable to feel my legs at all until around 10, DH had managed to stay that long (he was officially allowed in 10-8) but we heard a member of staff saying someone would have to ask him to leave so he went then. I was unable to sit up overnight so rang the bell every time DD needed to feed/be changed and they were amazing, they came so quickly and couldn't have been more helpful. Tip: ask for help if you need it, and don't believe that all wards have unhelpful midwives and nurses, I was so well looked after (apart from the lack of food to start with!)

I had the catheter out at 6am and had to wee by 12, I think I eventually needed to wee at 11 so shuffled to the loo then felt so woozy by the time I got back, and DH said I looked grey! I spoke to the staff and they did a blood test to check my iron wasn't low, it wasn't and after I sat down for an hour I felt better. I was worried for the rest of the day it was going to happen again though so I asked to stay another night, I wish I hadn't though because that night I still struggled to lean over and pick up DD but felt like I couldn't bother the staff so much. Tip: be prepared to feel woozy and don't get scared!

The next day I was so ready to go home and asked to be discharged which took ages so was there until 5.

I didn't shower when I was there because it looked grim, I did wash though and wasn't told I had to shower like it seems others were.

I also didn't get gas and got to take the bottle of oral morphine home with me which was a life saver but I don't think that's usual across most trusts.

And please don't worry if you forget to ask for skin to skin or don't get it. I had it with DS and didn't see what the fuss was about so didn't bother asking with DD and didn't regret it.

I've had 2 c sections, one as an emergency and 1 planned, the greatest showers I've ever had in my life were the ones I had after they let me out of bed!! (Take flip flops!)

I had the baby at 7.30am, about 45 minutes being stitched up then it was straight back to my room. Whilst I waited for the feeling to come back in my legs, DH dressed the baby, did the first bottle feed, any nappies etc. Then I had a light lunch at 12ish, immediately got the catheter out, put on PJs, pants with a normal sanitary towel (I’ve had 2 sections and bleeding has been light both times) and got walking. Didn’t need anyone change a pad for me or anything. They asked me to measure the first wee in a cardboard jug but didn’t want to look at it. I sent DH home that night after dinner, did all the baby care myself no problem, had a fab night sleep after the oramorph even with my 4 hourly alarms for bottles. Shower the following morning, even managed to shave my legs!

I've had 3 c section

1st 13 years ago, emergency after 92 hours of active labour, after I felt like I could die lol but I was exhausted I don't remember getting up for at least 12 hours and then I was so scared to move I thought my insides would fall out.

2nd was crash emergency, I was put to sleep, I was in a wheelchair for about 6 hours after recovery but mainly to make it easier to get to nicu as it wasn't close to maternity ward stupidly, after those 6 hours I was up but not moving at usual speed for couple of days

3rd was elective and I was up an hour after, I genuinely didn't feel like I'd had a c section, I got out of bed, went and had shower and got dressed. Asked to go home, got told off my nurses but honestly felt amazing considering. I think it helped being prepared and whatever it was they gave me to drink the morning of c section was full of stuff to help.

Regarding bleeding, personally I didn't bleed after any of mine. I feel like I might be a little abnormal now though lol

Honestly it's not as daunting as you might feel right now. My best advice would be, super comfy and stretchy knickers for after, big old granny pants, super comfy trousers or dresses even, and for my wound I bought the super cheap sanitary towels and always stuck one inside my knickers facing my wound I felt it really helped any irritating feeling from underwear.

i had a category 1 c section which needed a general and don’t remember a great deal even though it was last month! I agree peppermint tea was lovely for strange pains in funny places (my shoulder like a previous poster ). I think I could get up and change maternity pad Ok but I may have forgotten if wrong. I certainly was soon emptying my catheter but in my case I wasn’t able to remove it for 3 weeks as they weren’t happy with the amount I could pee. I was allowed home regardless on day two or 3 once they were happy with DS’s blood sugar.
I had one shower at the hospital and it helped that id bought a lovely baby shower gel as I hadn’t thought of bringing my own!

In my case DS was given to DH for 40 mins while he waited for me to come round and they had a lovely moment of getting to know each other and I was so happy when I came round too and they said he was ok.

i had the blood thinning injections too and also this sickly syrup to help soften poo after surgery. Also I needed my own ibuprofen and paracetamol to take once home.
i do hope it goes well

Ps I can’t fault the care I had and met some quite wonderful , kind people. A few even came to check i was ok in the morning as it had happened so fast . And the midwives were incredible.

Wow really? Why would you write that. Are you not aware some women can’t or do not wish to breastfeed? And you even wrote it three times.😱

@Summersolargirl I couldn't breastfeed, I tried and tried and tried and milk just wouldn't come. I felt defeated I really did, like my body wasn't doing what it was designed to do.
So I'm one of them mums who couldn't breastfeed and couldn't give birth naturally and boy do I get judged for it, used to bother me now I couldn't care less, my kids are all happy and healthy and that's the main thing

Went into labour at 13.30, knew I needed a section so waited for my husband to get back and went straight to the hospital. Had to wait for a slot, but was fine on gas and air. Section was so good, really felt magical. Baby was weighed and cleaned, husband cut the cord, and then baby was on my chest from then on. Section was at 7pm, was up and about by midnight. They give you a jug to pee (I remember wandering about with it to show someone - had no problems filling it!!). I didn’t really bleed that much so changed my own towel when I got up to pee. I didn’t find I need more pain relief than paracetamol and ibuprofen, and only took for three days after. I was discharged and home by 4pm the following day, so less than 24hrs in hospital. Waited until I got home to shower. Was out walking in the park by day 3. I cannot recommend a section enough!!! Bring a long charging cable, some cold drinks (I brought a mini cool bag and it was heaven), and a couple of flap jacks. I used about 10% of the maternity bag I packed 😂

Oh and I was really worried about the gas and pooing, but ended up not being an issue at all 😂

Statistically women who have c sections find breastfeeding harder. Reinforcing that they should breastfeed at every available opportunity increases the chances of success. If a woman doesn't want to breastfeed then they can just ignore that, surely?

I had mine 2 years ago had it at 430am and my partner picked me up to take me home 1500 ish the next day once I could shower myself and get up and about.
By day 5 I was comfortable however I wasn’t sent home with pain relief so stock up.
It was all alot better than the stories I’d been told

Please just ignore that poster. I think some get so focused on breastfeeding they forget there is actually really women attached to the breasts.

there is no judgement from me to you and no one should judge you. We should all judge someone who posts that bullying nonsense though.