ELCS and Cough

[brw55]

Hi everyone,

I am 39 weeks pregnant and panicking! I’m due to have an ELCS this week due to the baby being breech (and big!) amongst other complications, but I’m currently recovering from a nasty chest infection. Pretty much all of my symptoms have gone apart from a really annoying cough. My midwife wasn’t very helpful (just said “you need to get rid of that cough”) and I’ve had antibiotics but the cough is lingering. Does anyone have any experience of a c section with a cough? Can they give you anything during the operation or after? I’m terrified of ruining my stitches or not being able to hold my baby. Any experiences or advice would be much appreciated!

I did with my last. Actually found I couldn't "properly" cough with the spinal in. BUT - I did end up with a nasty chest infection a few days later, needing an urgent GP visit, and then my baby caught the virus and was in hospital with bronchiolitis for a week at 10 days old. Midwives also shrugged at me when I asked prior to birth, so make sure you read up on the signs of RSV in babies. Hopefully if your cough is on the way out you won't be infectious. I hope this doesn't scare you, but wanted to mention so you are aware what to look out for.

Hi op, I could have written this. I'm 39 w and find out my date today. I actually have pneumonia and have been really poorly which is the reason for my CS. I'll let you know what they say today when I ask the consultant about coughing. I have read up on it and apparently if you need to cough you need to tell the surgeon so he can make sure he doesn't cut anything .... I'm sure this happens all the time especially around this time of year.

Thank you so much for your reply! Yes I’ve had this about a week now so I think (hope!) the contagious period is past. I was wondering about any potential risk to the baby so thank you for sharing this, it’s really useful to know what to ask and look out for! I have had the RSV vaccine so keeping everything crossed that stops baby being very ill.

It’s just the last thing you need isn’t it! That would be amazing if you could share what they say thank you ☺️ I think you’re totally right about this time of year, I’m actually in now having my blood pressure checked and 2 people on the ward are coughing away too! I keep trying to tell myself they’re used to it and it’s no big deal but it’s hard not to worry.

Out of interest, how did they diagnose pneumonia? I’ve now got this horrible crackling noise when I breathe out and I just don’t think they’re taking it as seriously as maybe they should be 😫

Honestly the timing is horrendous isn't it! I really feel for you the last few weeks have been awful.

My appointment is in a few hours I'll update you.

I actually went to urgent care with really bad chest/back pain and they gave me a chest X-ray and it went from there - spent 4 nights in hospital in the end. Have you had a decent course of Antibiotics??

Someone told me that after the CS they tell you to place a pillow over the wound and press as you cough.

Hi Op did you have your baby ? How are you getting on

Hi! Yes I did and I was honestly worried over nothing. He came early so my cough was still in full flow and I told all the surgeons how worried I was…turns out I couldn’t cough even if I wanted to because of how numb I was! I won’t like it’s painful coughing with your scar but only for a few days. You’ll be fine :)