1) ahead of surgery, do I need to remove my lash extensions and gel polish nails?
I can't see why you'd need to remove the lashes, but probably the nail varnish as they put a monitor on your finger and sometimes it can interfere with them.
2) how was the walk out of hospital when you left..it seems quite a long way to walk from the post natal ward to the car park in my hospital and I'm worried I'll struggle
We have a maternity car park nearby and that was absolutely fine. I don't know how I'd have been if it was the main car park, but I was mobile enough to contemplate Tesco's on the way home (we didn't, but went the next morning!) and that was fine.
3) what was required for you to be able to do before you could be discharged? Have a pee, feel well enough, baby have checks. There wasn't a specific list tbh
4) how was the first night (we aren't allowed birth partner to stay at my hospital) did you struggle to see to baby? Was the midwife's on hand to help?
this was the case with my first. It was fine, a lovely time just the two of us. My call bell was answered very quickly each time and the nurses were helpful (offering to do the nappies rather than just passing baby etc).
5) if you was on the afternoon list, what time did you go down for your surgery? (I've been asked to arrive to the hospital at 12pm)
I was morning list both times, arriving at 8. Babies born roughly 10 and 11am.
6) how long after the section did you have to get up and take your first walk? How was it? Any tips to make it easier?
both times not until the next morning. They didn't rush me. It felt painful getting up the first time but every time got better. It felt like I'd been zipped together. Standing up straight felt weird but was better. Oh, and remember that lochia exists and when you get up, gravity might have an effect 🫣
7) what painkillers did you have post op? Was you sent home with any strong painkillers or just told to have paracetamol?
paracetamol, ibuprofen and a couple of doses of oramorph. I just said yes whenever they came along, and I had very little pain. Make sure they aren't late though, because it did hurt when they were late getting me a dose (period pain type hurt, not agonisingly bad or anything). I was sent home with coedine because I asked for it, it's not done unless on request. I wanted to make sure any pain stayed under control. I used it for a few days at home sparingly, along with ibuprofen and paracetamol and had zero pain.
8) was it hard sitting on the toilet etc after to wee?
No, but the second time my wee didn't want to come and that was tricky. Eventually it did, and that was fine.
9) how long after section did you have your first shower and how did you find it?
next morning. Comedically bad, but not for the reasons you'd expect. I hadn't realised the shower head was facing the wall, so when I turned it on the (still icy cold) showerhead spun round and soaked me unexpectedly with freezing water. It turns out you can literally jump in the air 24hrs after a section. That hurt for a few minutes afterwards, but my sides also hurt from laughing. No harm done though in hindsight it would have been sensible to get someone to check my stitches just in case. Second baby it was fine, no drama had a pleasant shower.
10) how long after the section was you discharged?
Both times I was offered discharge at 24hrs but told I could stay and extra night if I wanted to, which I did as it just felt right rather than rushing home.
11) what did you find the hardest of the whole experience?
First baby - the cannula initially and trapped gas pain (peppermint water is your friend! I burped and farted my way to feeling better)
Second baby - afterpains were a bit ouch and the trapped gas again.
All in all, both fabulous deliveries with amazing memories and very little pain.
Enjoy meeting your baby relatively pain free, not exhausted, and probably with hair and make up intact 😁
Take lots of photos.