calling all who have had a c-s

[starshaker]

i was told today by the consultant that i have a very hight chance on needing a c/s and was wandering what every1s experiences were.

how long did it take to get back on ur feet
were u able to breastfeed
and anything else u think it would be worth while me knowing

Was up and abt day after, off painkillers after third day, felt more 'normal' after a couple of weeks. I didn't have any probs with BFing. Everyone's experiences are different, but it is possible to recover really quickly - by the end of a week I only had a very thin scar, I was surprised how quickly it did heal up.

HTH

Was up and abt day after, off painkillers after third day, felt more 'normal' after a couple of weeks. I didn't have any probs with BFing. Everyone's experiences are different, but it is possible to recover really quickly - by the end of a week I only had a very thin scar, I was surprised how quickly it did heal up.

HTH

Back on my feet within 12 hours (gingerly,but needed a wee!) breastfed as soon as, and took painkillers for about 5 days after.
Down side, couldnt drive for 6 weeks after c/s.

Up out of bed following morning (when catheter was removed). Still on painkillers (10 days later), but scar all healing well. Been taking arnica since birth which seems to have helped in the general healing process. Also m/w told me to put a few drops of tea tree oil in my bath to help with the healing.

its the driving bit im most worried about i think i will go mad if i cant drive. i live in a very quiet place in the middle of nowhere

Starshaker - when you are up to it, have you got a friend/family member who would be able to drive you wherever you want to go? But, you really need to rest as much as you can.

Up an about in the late evening after my first (shich was at 2 in the morning). Up the next day after my second which was at 10.30 in the morning.

I breastfed both of them in the recovery room. In hospital for 5 days with mu first, 4 with my second.

I drove after anout 5 weeks with the first and 3 with the second

not really dp doesnt drive and ive just moved here so dont really know many people yet. if i got desperate i might be able to convince my wee sis to rescue me lol

back on feet next day

DS born at 1pm on feet by 9am next day
DD born at 4pm on feet by 10amish next day (but felt a little sick)

breastfed both from the delivery suite with no problems at all

C-sections are fine, the pain is managed, it heals quite quickly, you can drive as soon as you feel able (but check with insurers) the 6 week thing oft talked about is rubbish.

the scar section is numb for a long while but is completely hidden in pubic hair and after a year or so you can barely see it

Back on feet the next day
Totally failed to breastfeed
Worth having plenty of help when you get home - don't forget it's a major op - easy to forget with a new baby about.

Agree with Twig on everything apart from b/feeding. Nurse took dd away while I was sleeping off the drugs (the hospital-administered ones, you understand ) and gave her a bottle - my boobs never got a look in after that .

i really want to try and b/f but have to say just a wee bit worried

What are you worried about? If you want to BF you should get the chance straight after in the recovery room.

midwife put DS (first child) straight on the breast after section

DH and I did it with DD

just talk to midwife about it, there is no reason not to feed immediately after c-section

I had a spinal by the way

think its just the whole thing really had imagined it all to be so different but as long as bumps is ok thats all that matters

oh yes I thought that too - had a whole calm, relaxed possibly home-birth / possibly water-birth / possibly just entonox birth planned with DS

luckily I had 7 weeks to get used to the thought

I suppose you won't have that long eh?

it is a good way to have a baby

I was up out of the bed the next day. I had pain killers for about 3/4 days. I couldn't breastfeed so did bottle instaed which in hindsight I much preferred and would have no hesitations doing again. I could't drive for 6 weks and couldn't do anything like vaccuum for three weeks. In fact they advised me not to lift anything heavier than my baby for the first 3 weeks.

its not a forgone conclusion yet they gonna try and let me go just by starting me but if it doesnt progress (which they dont think it will) then i will have to get a section

I've had c section and natural, and I honestly dont have a pref - they both have their bonuses. You maybe jsut need tiem to get used to the idea. I found that when I had ideas of the birth taht kept changing between a section and a vaginal, it was quite hard to get my head round.

Don't worry about BF. Just make it clear that is what you want to do. My daughter was in special care after emergency section and had a few bottles initially but I persevered with breast feeding and now she's eight months and we are still going strong!

Why does the consultant think you'll need a CS?

I've had two - first for footling breech, second for failure to progress, more or less. My tips for a good CS:

1. Understand what's going to happen. Look at the oxygen mask a bit early, in case you need it during, you can try to remember it's a good thing.

2. Talk to the anaesthetist, constantly. If you suddenly feel woozy and horrid, that's a common reaction to the anaesthetic, it's your blood pressure dropping, and they can fix it, once they know about it. If you tell them, they'll fix it faster. Just tell them everything you're feeling, so they know.

3. Buy straws. You're going to need to drink a lot, but you'll often be lying down.

4. Expect to lie still, pretty much, for two weeks. If you do as little as possible for the first two weeks, and take it reasonably easy for the first six, you'll heal faster.

5. Get support. Not so much with the baby, but with cleaning/cooking etc.

6. If you're worried about BF, find your local BF counsellors/baby cafes/etc now. That way, you know who to call/visit if you have a problem. I do think that CS can cause problems for Bf, particularly if they're done early. That being said, I BF DS1 fairly easily, and DS2 very easily.

i have been having contractions on and off from 33wks sometimes they are that bad i cant handle it but the consultant thinks its cos baby is trying to move down but is too big and isnt managing

Did not affect breastfeeding whatsoever. I did try to be "strong" and resist painkillers at first. Stupid of me. Take them all! You won't need them for that long and it does make a difference. I took it really easy the first week. After 4 weeks I actually went in to the office for a day b/c of an emergency - not that I'm recommending that, but it was possible.
Dh was great at picking up ds for me and helping me get him arranged for nursing. Enlist all the help you can. My mother came for 3 weeks and it was wonderful.

ive had two cs.

first - baby was in scbu so i suppose the only good thing was that i got some rest. he was born in the morning and i was up (hunched) the next morning very gingerly walking around. i dont remember a lot of pain but i was pretty drugged up for the whole day and just kept falling asleep. i healed really quickly after that and had no problems. was in hospital for 4 days.

second - didnt feel woozy or drugged up at all. had her in the afternoon and was up the next morning. midwives were actually shocked at how well i was getting around. was in hospital for 3 days but i have to admit, once i got home i was in agony!

whatever you do...DO NOT think that you are fine and overdo it...big mistake! its so easy to really hurt yourself. i felt well in hospital but its very different when you get home.

Next morning I took myself off for a shower and felt much better moving around a bit. Was on pain killers for about 3 days and was driving within 4 weeks (just check with your insurance company). I had no trouble breastfeeding and felt that I recovered really quickly. Admittedly the first few days are a bit tender (put a pillow on your tummy when you laugh) but I didn't have any problems with it.