- ahead of surgery, do I need to remove my lash extensions and gel polish nails?
Nails, yes. Lash extensions, don't know but I would have thought so.
- 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
It was fine, just take it slow and steady. Getting into the car was the hardest bit!
- what was required for you to be able to do before you could be discharged?
Up and out of bed and been for a wee.
- 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?
It was absolutely fine, plenty of midwives on hand. They were helping during the night with things like changing my catheter bag and getting me up and about (they are keen to get you out of bed ASAP after the anaesthetic wears off to reduce clotting risk). Baby's cot had pull-down sides so taking him out to feed was east (much easier than when I had my 1st vaginal delivery).
- 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)
Don't know as I was in the morning. They choose the order of patients 1st thing. You may need to be prepared to wait if an emergency comes in but it will depend on whether your hospital has separate teams for ELCS/EMCS.
- 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?
During the night, as soon as i was able to get out of bed. If your section is in the afternoon it could be first thing in the morning for you, though. The midwives were on hand to help me sit up and get on my feet. Remember to pack a nightie in your hospital bag as you will have a catheter in!
- what painkillers did you have post op? Was you sent home with any strong painkillers or just told to have paracetamol?
Oromorph whilst in hospital, then just paracetamol and ibuprofen. They gave me some dihydrocodeine to take home but I didn't need it in the end. Plan when you are going to take your painkillers to spread it through the day/night, as you won't want to wait until it's worn off before taking more! I was only taking painkillers for a couple of weeks, though.
- was it hard sitting on the toilet etc after to wee?
Not really. You might want something to lean on when you stand up again though. You may find it takes a few days before you need a poo...so make sure you eat plenty of fibre!
- how long after section did you have your first shower and how did you find it?
A few days after I got home (just washed myself by the sink with a flannel before that). Our shower is over the bath though so I had to wait til I felt comfortable climbing in and out, otherwise I would have showered straightaway. You will have a dressing covering your wound until day 5ish and it's OK to shower with that on. The HV took mine off on day 5 (which feels like having a wax strip peeled off! It leaves a really sticky residue which is hard to get rid of 😅). Once your dressing comes off you can shower as normal, just don't apply soap to the wound area and don't towel dry it (it's a good idea to lie down for 15 minutes after a shower with your wound uncovered to let it properly dry/air out as that helps it heal and prevent infections).
- how long after the section was you discharged?
The next day.
- what did you find the hardest of the whole experience
Probably getting in and out of bed. If you can, tie a dressing gown cord to the foot of your bed do you can use that to haul yourself up (takes the pressure off your abdominal muscles).
I also had one of those litter picker grabbers that my DGM had when she had a hip op. It was v useful for picking things up off the floor to prevent having to bend over too often.