How much help should I expect overnight in hospital after a C-Section?

[NoseyHelen]

I'm due my second c-section soon. My memory of the night in hospital with DS is awful. It was 35 degrees, I had a drip in one side and a catheter in the other so I could not reach out to my child. It took forever for the midwives (2 for 23 mothers) to answer the call button and I don't remember my baby's nappy being changed. I do remember one mw wedging lo in a blanket next to me so that I wouldn't press the call button again.

So, what help have other people had - perhaps I'm expecting too much?

How often was your baby changed over night?
How long did it take midwives to come when you called?
Did they insist on putting the strip lighting on everytime they popped in?
Was baby in bed with you or in it's own crib? Is it safe to have baby in bed with you after surgery?
Did they help you have a shower or bath (28 hrs after op, I gave up waiting and did it myself against orders)?

Any other tips would be gratefully received.

Are you having your baby is the same place? (sorry not read all of thread)

DS1 was ES, he was born at night and the help I got was very mixed. We were both very tired when we moved to the ward, but I wish I could have held him more
I was up for a shower 10hrs later, the lady said normally they wait a bit longer before they expect one to make it to the bathroom so off I shuffled and then had to call the emergency cord twice (1) how does one get a nightie off when a catheter is still in you? (2) I couldn't put on some knickers and a pad quick enough and needed help, it was really humiliating Mixed it was because some staff were fab, others were very bossy and judgemental saying I should be able to do x.y and z.. it was hard. I also had a bitch of a nursery nurse who told me I had baby blues and I wish I'd told her no you stupid cow I could do your job better than you, she made me feel so crap when it came to trying to bf.. I complained about this when the sbcu told me too (when we moved down there)

DS2 was a planned section, different hospital, (one in the news recently, big clue!) it was a much better experience. I booked my own room and was lucky to get one as it was so busy, then the staff were fantastic, everyone from those cleaning me to the MWs. There was no rush to get me showered, the baby was put in a cot that attached to the bed, so I could touch him easily, breastfeeding support was superb, I phoned the management afterwards to thank them and tell the staff as well as posting a card because it was such a positive experience compared to somewhere in Devon!

OK, the hospital which nearly killed me was the Homerton in Hackney. Maybe it's better now but was awful 4 years ago. A colleague told me of a friend of hers was on the maternity ward at a similar time and had her C/S wound become infected. When she asked a MW to dress it they replied " You're a nurse can't you do it yourself!" (shock).

However other wards were/are OK or even good: DS1 was on children's ward at similar time with broken leg and it was great and I have to say ITU (after my traumatic experience) was lovely! Had my own nurse sitting by the bed putting ice on my lips to stop them drying out. Then they put me back on the crap maternity ward again and it was still rubbish, you would have thought they would have been nicer to me after they nearly killed me!

I think the problem is Hackney population has lots of young women and larger than average families and they are just too understaffed. When I was in labour prior to my emergency C/S I didn't even get into labour suite but was stuck on trolley in corridor only seeing MW for 10 minutes every 2 hours. Felt so alone in middle of the night with DP sleeping and being on the trolley not able to walk around because it was in corridor behind a curtain with the whole world just beyond the curtain that I agreed to C/S when I probably could have kept trying for VBAC for longer. However they told me that if I said no I wouldn't have a chance for another 3 hours as shifts were changing and wasn't sure I could manage another few hours in pain alone. Would have been so different if someone had stayed with me, maybe I would have managed a VBAC.

Oh Cluttered, what a horrible time you had

This thread makes me feel very sad at the state of maternity services, and its not just understaffing etc it seems to be a generalised low morale and demotivated staff.

Does anyone else listen to their Mum's talking about their birth experiences and wish they were having their baby back then?? I do, with all the medical advances etc basic care has almost disappeared.

Over 10 years as a nurse I watched the profession change from a genuinely caring one to one where degrees and certificates mean more than a caring manner, it may be the same in midwifery.

The lack of breastfeeding support makes me so sad too, I wish they could use peer supporters in hospital, it could make such a difference.

Sorry will stop ranting on now, but here is so much to say on this I could discuss it all night, but I won't, don't worry!!

Now, just reading whomovedmychocolate's thread on here about her botched csection this thread just makes me sadder and angrier.

sherbet if I require consultant-led care I'll have to give birth at RAH, too, in October.

I've already been there for some antenatal care this time round and so far, so good!

NoseyHelen. Please be aware we mothers can be a bit competitive about birth stories. And there is this strange, strange compulsion to share them. True, it is often really shocking what happens and a powerful hormone cocktail magnifies every little feeling.

But do remember it is probably only 48 hours or so out of the whole of your life and in 99.99% of cases everything turns out OK. If there are no nurses to help, another mother will hobble over and give you a hand. And you can do the same the next day for someone else.

Hi Expat, they do seem very pleasant so far at RAH, I've been up a couple of times with sickness but most noteably yesterday when I unexpectedly started contracting. The midwives were lovely though and their triage system is good as they don't keep you hanging around for ages in a ward. Contracting but not dilating so home to rest, with a 1 year old not likely!
Just fingers crossed for my elective, 3 weeks to go....

hiya

i think it depends on the hospital. friends who had c-section where i had my first child had bugger all help. but there was a big shortage of midwives and hospital was basically a war zone (QEH Woolwich - avoid at all costs - I'd rather give birth in the street).

my second was a c-section in York. Much better level of support although they were busy. I felt bad ringing for help to change baby but they acme quickly and helped. i got myself out of bed the morning after my section and persuaded them to take catheter out really quickly so i was independent. Took my own dressing off in the shower (my husband standing by in case i fainted - there was lots of blood (dried but it looks dreadful in shower) as midwives were v busy. Personally I'd get the hell out of there as fast as you can.

baby was in crib next to bed so had to ring at first to lift her, but they are so supportive of breastfeeding they generally helped as much as they could. managed to pick her up/ put her down myself but felt a bit dangerous - as did letting her sleep in my bed - i wouldn't advise that, i don;t think it's safe. got husband to come in as much as possible.

am hoping to give birth here in Dunoon, sherbet, but if emergency arises it's an 8 minute chopper ride to RAH.

from what I rememebr of my first night-the midwifery staff did everything. I also remember having my vital signs checked every half hour as well. blood pressure etc. so they were in all the time.

Because my DD was born by C-section 4 days after my waters broke, she had to have antibiotics through a shunt in her hand every 12 hours for the 1st 2 days. She was then (wrongly) diagnosed with jaundice (they were plotting her bilirubin levels on a chart for a 5 1/2 lb baby - she weighed 8lb 13oz!) so technically far from the greatest experience. The breastfeeding support was inadequate and the anti-bac dispenser by my bed was not refilled during the 5 days I was there in spite of my hubby telling staff it needed doing several times from the 2nd morning I was in. It also took forever to get catheter removed (although after months of getting up every hour on the hour all thru the night to pee can't say as I minded too much ).
That said as far as the day to day stuff went, the midwives were brilliant, and also had lots of student midwives around so never had to wait long for help even during the night. For the 1st 2 nights, because LO had problems feeding they took her to the midwives desk from 1am after she came back from jabs/blood tests, so they could cup feed her and keep an eye on her and I could get some rest (not a lazy cow - there were medical reasons for them doing it too).
Still slightly galled about the lack of bf support and jaundice misdiagnosis though, as had the support been better the mild jaundice LO did have might have cleared up quicker. Also LO would have more likely taken to bf if we hadn't had to top her up with bottles to get rid of the 'serious' jaundice they thought she had. As it was I conceded defeat at 2 weeks when hubby went back to work and had to deal with a very very grumpy and colicky little girl for 4 months - I've always wondered what might have happened if I'd persevered....

NoseyHelen, I can relate to your aftercare.

DS2 was delivered by emergency c section and I couldn't believe how immobile I was. I had a cot which attached to my bed but I kept slipping down the bed and couldn't move. The mw's were rushed off their feet so took ages to get to me. i remember trying for ages on the first night to pick ds up as he was crying then struggling to get him back in the cot. He was put in my bed with me on night 2 but i didn't feel comfortable as I had so little mobility.

Envious of those who had great experiences where mw's looked after babies while you grabbed some sleep!

The memory of my time in hospital after my emergency section has put me off trying for baby number two.

My first children, DTs, were c-sect.
DP was the only help during the day with changing and handing boys to me to feed (along with sister they did one each on one occasion). At night I was ignored unless I rang the bell for help. I had complications and could hardly walk for the first 3 days but they expected you to change the babies yourself in the nursery. So I staggered, sweating and feeling faint, trying to move both cots to the nursery to change them. If I asked for any help I just got tutted at. To say I couldn't wait to go home was an understatement to say the least. Bloody awful experience.

Hi - I have had two C sections at Kingston Hospital. First one was an emergency after a long labout. Had DS in evening and was in supervision ward until early morning. For first child I had a varied experience. I hobbled up in the night with my cathetar still on to get him to feed and change his nappy - that was hard but one night when DS was crying for a long time they came and took him away so that I could get some sleep. The second time it was completely different. After being moved to my own room the mw could not be more helpful. They gave me a clip on cot so that he was near me and I could touch him. Also because I had problems breastfeeding first time round they told me to buzz whenever i needed help and the mws would come at night when DH was not there and get him out of bed, help me to feed and change his nappy - I was actually told not to lean over and get him out as I might hurt myself - I couldn't have asked for better care. Admittedly it was the weekend and the ward was quite quiet. If its an elective CS you are having its a good idea to ask for it on a Friday as hopefully you can get more help from DH at the weekend and there will be no more planned CS over the weekend so it could be quieter. Good luck and don't worry it will all work outxx

sherbetdipdab and expatinscotland, had my DD in RAH over 4 yrs ago and was less than impressed- see thread. Would suggest that you are very assertive/ firm with your requests. Staff just too busy to help with the practical stuff.

This said, I did feel comfortable medically when things went wrong. Everyone was very competent but that may have been the diamorphine! They could have chopped my legs off and I would have been very chilled about it

Thanks, callender!

I'm hoping to be able to stay on this side of the water for the birth. But that is our closest CLU so if anything goes wrong that's where we have to go (Argyll).

OMG they couldnt have looked after me better in Simpson's in Edinburgh. All a bit hazy as I was on morphine drip first night but DD was very content and slept loads. Sheets were changed daily, I was bed bathed first then helped into the shower the following day. MW didnt change many nappies that I recall, but that was fine, DP managed when I couldn't.

Hope your experience is better this time!

Thanks Callander, the drugs should make everything a bit hazey and more pleasant hopefully.

At least this time I know when I'm getting done and its in the morning so I'll have DH with me all day and the numbness will have worn off by nighttime.

Arrgghhh, fingers crossed, its all seeming to real all of a sudden!

Thanks for the heads up!

I can't believe they don't leave csection patients on self-administered pain relief.

My sister had a csection with her first - although it was in the US - and could administer pain relief herself.

i could self-administer in UK but had to sign a special form.

Sherbet- regarding my mum'sexperience- her words regarding St Mary's were, "the building's changed buiit it's still as grim inside!" and that was as much in reference to many of the staff as anyhthing.She had me and my sister at home.

I can say I actually enjoyed my first days with DD in hospital, so I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks Pinky!

My Mum had a lovely time in one of those old fashioned nursing mother's homes, all the midwives in their 50's and she makes it all sound very cosy and lovely.

Rose tinted memories maybe?!

Had dd nearly 6 months ago at Royal Free in London.

Barely any help at all.

Have developed PND.

Don't want another baby after this experience.

Sorry i can't be positive! I hope all goes well for you.

Sympathise as I had horrible and traumatic aftermath from birth, 28 hour labour emergency c-section. 5 days on busy, very hot ward, no help with anything whatsoever either for me or my baby, no-one changed nappy or anything, took myself off to shower after 2 days with no help (only did because cleaner told me to get out of bed), complete with catheter etc. Had to carry really heavy sterilising unit myself, had manual bed which they wouldn't adjust for me so had to strain so hard to wind it up stitches came undone, catheter so full it leaked before anyone changed it, tried to express milk from broken machine, when asked for different one told it was fine (it wasn't, took an hour to express 1oz), no help with the baby at all, generally made to feel a nuisance, "they have emergencies you know" etc etc. When I finally spoke to doctor on day 4 she realised I hadn't been having heparin injections I should have been, so had to stay another day for scan to make sure I didn't have DVT. Was in tears a lot. Only realised afterwards this wasn't the treatment many women get. Sorry for rant! Hopefully 2nd time around will be better for you too - good luck!

Stephla - I am aware that mums can be competitive on birth stories - although I've never actually heard a positive story about my hospital. I have to admit I've skim-read some responses for fear that it will make me woryy.

I think the answer to my original question is that I'm not expecting too much i.e. what I'd like is not unreasonable but, particularly in a London hospital, I'm unlikely to be cared for appropriately.

I'm more determined than ever to be discharged the following day as I was last time. I'm also going to ask for each person's name (nicely) at the start of any conversation because I'm the sort of person who is quite happy to make a complaint after the event.