Need to know's re: c section

[somuchtolearnabout]

Currently pregnant with baby #3 and for reasons not necessary to bore you with, I am having a c section after 2 natural births.

What are your "must knows" for before / after c sections? I'm only slight in build and admittedly (and obviously probably selfishly) concerned about a pouch afterwards. Is this guaranteed or not everyone gets one? What are your best tips for a good recovery bearing in mind I have two young children at home. Luckily a very hands on husband and family close by so it could be worse in that respect. My eldest starts school about 5 weeks after my section and I'm hoping I'll be ok to drive him by then, is that realistic?

Basically - give me your idiots guide to c sections please

TIA

Yep I lost half my blood with my first section and even then drove after a couple of weeks. Insurance say go with whatever GP says, GP says go with how you feel (can you do emergency stop).

Worst bit IME is the cannula and the spinal. I loved my sections, my second especially - you are WAY more looked after - a whole team of about 10 HCPs introduce themselves to you and tell you what they do, and the anaesthetist is right by your head the whole time telling you what’s going on, chatting, taking photos if you want her to. Midwives are more there for the baby.

I almost fainted both times from the drugs/adrenaline/being tilted but the anaesthetist has everything on hand to reverse that the second you mention it and you can literally feel the drugs going in and making you feel better.

My vaginal birth on the other hand was a conveyor belt of new faces I had never met before (my midwife for my c section was the one I’d had through my whole pregnant, as obviously she could schedule when to work and knew when her c section patients were booked in, and our area has continuity of care) and utter utter chaos when things went really fast and they had to scramble for a doctor at 3am to give me forceps 😐

Absolutely love how controlled and friendly and calm and zen my c sections were. Even when that first one went a bit wrong!

Good luck!

Thanks so much for your reassurance!

I was initially dead against a section as I really didn't have "bad births" as far as I was concerned, but the medical team have advised otherwise and I'm not willing to put my baby at risk because I selfishly don't want to deal with the recovery of a c section. So in that respect I have no choice, and have made my peace with it.

I've heard from lots and lots of people that planned sections are actually a really lovely experience, so I'm hoping mine is too! I'll bear that in mind about the spinal etc and now you mention it, my midwife has also mentioned in the past when scheduling my appointments that she can't do X time as she's got a lady having a section. I really really hope she can be there for mine as I've had her for all appointments so far and she's amazing. Really warm and friendly and always replies to any messages immediately. It would def be nice to have a familiar face so Kim going to ask. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

I honestly don't think I have any tips to make a c section better, mine was great and I didn't do anything particularly to make it so. Only thing is to take your painkillers on schedule even if you don't think you need to for the first week or two, otherwise the pain will kick in.

Best of luck 🤞I was told by the hospital post birth to check with my car insurer before driving again, and ensure that I was covered. I probably started driving at or just after 8 weeks, that's what felt comfy for me.

I had an emergency c section- was meant to be a planned- spinal/ epidural was fine. Unlike me friends who had a natural/ vaginal birth I wasn’t exhausted afterwards so could spend some amazing time with my baby.

the pain in the morning for a few weeks afterwards was intense!! my DH had to get me painkillers first thing so I could even get out of bed!

My wound took a while to heal but that’s because I have a fat roll so the wound wouldn’t dry but I wasn’t infected just took a while

I wouldn’t hesitate to have a c section again

I'm 6 weeks post op and all good now.

However I read time and time again on MN before my birth how fantastic and easy people found recovery. I personally found the first 1-2 weeks absolutely brutal because of the extreme pain. Back in the day they would keep you in hospital for a week after a section, and now they send you home after only 24 hours. It all feels very quick

I was expecting it to be painful but not as much I experienced. And yes I took all the painkillers

Maybe I was unlucky or something though.
Just prepare to be in a lot of pain for at least a week. After that it gets easier every day

I had an elective for DC2 after a difficult 1st birth. The operating theatre is chilly! Nothing you can do about it, but just be aware as it was a surprise for me. Getting baby out is super quick, I think I got called through at 10:30, had to get into the gown and stockings, DH had to change into scrubs, got into theatre to have the spinal and then they started and he was born at 11:05. Stitching up took about 45 mins I think, then we went into the recovery room for an hour or so before being taken to postnatal.

Take your painkillers on schedule - in post natal make sure you’re asking for some, my hospital could give morphine on top of the paracetamol for the initial pain if needed. Then do ibuprofen and paracetamol regularly once you’re home - set alarms. I think I did ibuprofen at 8am, 4pm and midnight, and paracetamol 7am, 1pm, 7pm and 1am. I tapered it down from about 12 days and wasn’t taking anything by 3 weeks.

If no one is allowed to stay overnight with you in postnatal make sure you get the last visitor to get out everything you’re likely to need overnight and put it easily reachable on your side table/end of the bed - you won’t be up for rummaging through a bag for a clean vest and the midwives may not have much time if there’s lots of women in. Take an extra long phone charger, the sockets were so far from the bed at my hospital! Or get one of those power banks.

I did ask for my cannula out as soon as they’d let me, mine was in such a painful spot on my wrist that it made holding and feeding baby tricky. But the midwives left my catheter in overnight, so I wouldn’t have to get up for the loo and could rest.

I drove at 6 weeks, would probably have been fine earlier, and I was doing the 30min round trip walk to nursery drop off twice a day from 4 weeks (admittedly fairly slowly to start with).

Good luck! Hope it goes smoothly and you have an easy recovery!

Don't try to plan in advance what you will or won't do after it. Go by how you feel.

They try to get you moving as fast as possible afterwards. Give it a go even if you feel like it is impossible and you might surprise yourself. It's to avoid clots and it helps you feel human again when you can move around !

Be prepared you'll feel like your stomach is going to fall out for a while and that is normal. Be religious about taking your painkillers and set reminders on your phone.

Bring big full briefs to the hospital so you can pull them up over the scar and bandages. Your feet might swell so bring fit flops for walking around and getting home.

Had a c-section after 2 vaginal births and for me was much easier. No pain from vaginal stitches afterwards and felt recovered much earlier.

For the first 2/3 days moving in and out of bed is difficult but the nurses show you how to do this. (Shuffle to the side of bed, swing both legs over together.) Pain relief is important. Very easy having stitches out.

At home I found it easier. Wound healed quickly and no problems.

I’d recommend to everyone.

I've had an emergency and a planned. The planned was amazing and you can ask them to lower the drapes to see the baby being born, and have the baby given to you for skin to skin asap.
Next morning aim to stand up and stand up straight when you do, before you start walking. Day 1 feels hideous but gets better v quickly.
When you get home, take your paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly, even if you feel fine.
If baby is in a next to me crib or similar, put your husband on that side and have him pass you the baby for feeding. Prop yourself up to sleep on lots of pillows.
Mint tea! For trapped wind. Take that to the hospital.
Get big big big knickers.
Regarding the pouch, I have one and it's gross, sorry. But that's life.

Take a cushion in the car for going home and hold it over your scar because every minor bump feels like your insides will fall out (they won't)

Ps I find the first poo afterwards requires lactulose.

I had a planned section and it was honestly the most lovely experience which I hope I’m lucky enough to have again if I’m blessed with more kids.

The worst part for me was the spinal, not that it was sore just I was panicking a bit with the being still etc. the entire team were amazing all reassured me and made it the best experience.

The only painkillers I had were ibuprofen and paracetamol although I was offered oramorph, I just didn’t feel I needed it. I don’t know if I was just incredibly lucky? I kept up the painkillers for the first week. I was up and about 5 hours post section and home 30 hours after. Yes, it was uncomfortable but it definitely wasn’t awful pain. In the mornings for the first few days things were pretty sore until the painkillers kicked in.

I started driving exactly 3 weeks after, midwife told me that you can drive as long as you’re confident to do an emergency stop.

My wound had totally healed over and stitches were all dissolved by the time the dressing came off at day 7.

Good Luck!! ❤️

After both of my sections I became extremely constipated, which is normal, I was given stool softeners and told to take them but didn't take it that seriously the first time round. The first poo was utter agony and I'm pretty sure did permanent damage back there.

Take. Your. Stool. Softeners without fail as directed.

Also I found a belly band extremely helpful for first few weeks, felt much more secure with it on and was able to be mobile pretty quickly.

I guess each hospital is different but I found getting up and moving around much less painful the sooner I did it. As in, a few hours after surgery instead of the following day.

Good Luck!

Agree with the cushion to press for coughing and sneezing and laughing!
Prop yourself up in bed for the first couple of weeks with pillows to save your tummy muscles
Knickers that go over the scar
Air it a couple of times a day
Make sure it's fully dry after showering
Slow and steady will help recovery -I did too much after my first one as felt fine. I got an infection and it reopened. Second time I was more careful, didn't lift pram etc until 6 weeks onwards and have had no healing issues this time
Buy some paracetamol and ibuprofen in advance in case you need it
You may be let out the next day after 24 hours
You may be encouraged to get up and moving as soon as possible. It seems scary but you'll feel so much more human
You do still bleed after c section, but can be less depending on how much they hoovered out at the time
You can still do skin to skin, feeding etc straight away if you want to

I had a c-section then insisted on a vaginal north for twins - I would never do a C-section again!

The birth was painless and the room dead quiet, I could see the baby born in the lights - baby was whisked away to be cleaned and then given to me wrapped up - I wanted to see the baby properly! She was then taken to a side room to be bathed and dressed and I could hear her cry and not be with her as I was being stitched - I lay there crying because I felt so useless.

You can’t sit up properly and have a ladder to pull yourself up - you have to call for assistance every time you want to nurse the baby or bottle feed and that can take a while - your legs swell up - I had water logged feet for a week - stairs appear to be a huge hurdle at first. Breakfast was served in the middle of the shared room, and nobody offered to bring any! So bring snacks and drinks.

Nurses did offer to take the baby for a while so I could sleep but the other babies cried so it made no difference.

Went in Friday home on Sunday afternoon.

You may need help in the shower and putting your knickers on - so make sure your partner is aware of your needs.

PP who said she was relaxed? No other major operation would involve the person having to put of bed every two hours to feed the baby on little sleep. Nor does it involve a load of visitors rocking up for you to make tea and small talk.

Big knickers to go over the scar. And a nightie rather than PJ's to avoid rubbing for the hospital.

Get moving as soon as they say you can and yes to keeping on top of painkillers. My pain was minimal, generally just starting to kick in as it was time to take more drugs. It was easier at home as you could taking it bang on schedule. In hospital you have to wait for the drugs trolly.

Drink lots of water so wees and poos are easier. Take Peppermint tea to hospital and drink that lots too. Helps with keeping you hydrated but also for the wind! I had terrible wind for while.

There's an injection you have to do yourself at home. It's not tricky but I didn't know about it beforehand and it came as a bit of a surprise. Was to stop clotting iirc.

Yes to a pillow for over the wound on the drive home. Sits underneath the seat belt.

I think you'll be fine driving. Can't remember when I needed to but as PP said, GP said check insurance, insurance said check with GP. 🤷‍♀️

Drink lots of water/ orange juice pre emptively. The pain is manageable but I had referred pain in my shoulder which was weird. I drove after a couple of weeks.

I've had 3 sections and no pouch so it's not inevitable.

I’ve had 2 c-sections, one emcs and one elective, both good experiences. The elcs was so calm and relaxed. The spinal is a bit of a weird feeling but nothing to stress about. Both times I had a reaction to something they gave me, possibly morphine, that meant I couldn’t stop rubbing my nose, so I’ve got a lovely red nose in all the photos. I had skin to skin straight away with both of them, but they do take the baby away for a bit while they get you stitched up etc - DH held them in recovery while they waited for me.

my elcs was late afternoon and I had the catheter out and was up on my feet early the next morning - they did offer to take it out earlier but I still felt a bit weak so we decided to leave it overnight. Standing up for the first time is a bit odd but I shuffled off to the shower and managed on my own pretty quickly.

Sorry to the PP that had the bad experience afterwards. My experience was very different. DH could stay and was there to help, but I was able to sit up and turn and pick DD up from the cot next to the bed myself within a few hours anyway. Meals were brought on a tray to the room.

The first poo was fine for me both times. Scary, but fine. I did some absolutely amazing farts afterwards though, there’s a lot of wind to get rid of

The swelling in my legs took me by surprise afterward and took a good few days to go down. I also had to inject myself daily for a week or so after the emcs. Didn’t meet the criteria the second time but be aware that it might be advised.

I also agree with the above tips - big knickers, flip flops (so you don’t have to bend to put them on as well as for swelling), loose trousers. Above all, keep on top of your painkillers, even if you think you don’t need them. For me recovery was uncomfortable with a few short periods of worse pain if I hadn’t taken my meds, but not as bad as I expected. Don’t try and do too much.

I did the school run a week later and was driving by week 5 I think.

first time I lost my baby weight pretty quickly and had no pouch. 18 months on from the second and I do, but still have weight to lose so not sure if it’s with me for life now or not.

I don't personally know anyone without a pouch but celebs don't seem to have one, maybe you have to be really skinny and stay like that as any fat will sit below the cut. I have one but it doesn't bother me, Absolutely loved my sections! Good luck

My c-section was a dream! And it was an emergency one too. Was careful not to overdo it but was back driving after 6 weeks and fit as a fiddle. Was 35 at the time if age has anything to do with it

Oh and I was far more relaxed and just generally felt better after the elcs. My first I’d laboured for 2 days, the section was the middle of the night and I was hallucinating with exhaustion. For the elcs I’d had a good nights sleep beforehand, and was back on the ward by 5pm. Slept reasonably well the night after. It was just far more civilised and a much better start to looking after a new human.

Be prepared to lay around for hours in a state of undress to dry your wound. The daily injections afterwards were painful bit keep up your pain relief. 11 years later I still have a half numb tummy!

Lots of good advice! The one thing for me would be to keep on top of paracetamol and brufen for the first few days. Someone told me to set an alarm for it so I did. But the alarm would go off and I'd think "ah it's not so bad, I'm fine, I'll leave it". Then it'd be sore and it'd take a while for meds to kick in and I'd regret my choices!

Otherwise, I had a hugely positive experience.

And yep- driving after two weeks here. Insurance company told me it was "my discretion" and I felt perfectly safe and able.

Oh and no pouch here. My scar is keloid and according to a recent scan had calcified. But even then it's hard to see!

I’ve had two c sections ! 1st one I had , was told by the midwife ooh you have no fat and after that one no pouch at all . 2nd one many years later not much of a pouch , but I did have twins . Both were emergency c sections . I was driving after 6 weeks as well. Sadly now menopausal and the fat has arrived !