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

[aloha]

had two. Second one was even easier than first - baby was a bit older (term as opposed to 37 weeks and I was more confident and knew what to expect). Was on my feet same day. had op monday am, was home wed am. Breastfed immediately - about 30mins after the birth while in recovery room. Bit of paracetamol after I came home -not much. Was absolutely fine and did everything pretty much straightaway.

[aloha]

I certainly didn't lie still for two weeks! I don't think my three year old would have liked that at all. Or me, come to that. You dont' want to go mad after a birth, however you have your baby but I drove within a fortnight, and was totally normal long before six weeks. I don't recommend having a cold though, coughing is a bit sore.
What are you worried about re breastfeeding? It's fab.

[starshaker]

just heard positioning etc can be a bit difficult and can be quite sore

[Twiglett]

actually I think a natural delivery can be more painful afterwards (after some of the stories I've heard from mums who can't sit down)

[motherinferior]

yep, good point, T, I had a vaginal (instrumental - ventouse) delivery with my first baby and felt as if I'd been kicked in the stomach by a horse and was on major painkillers (but I'm a wuss) for a couple of weeks.

[motherinferior]

yep, good point, T, I had a vaginal (instrumental - ventouse) delivery with my first baby and felt as if I'd been kicked in the stomach by a horse and was on major painkillers (but I'm a wuss) for a couple of weeks.

[Marina]

There are positions you can adopt in the early weeks (the rugby hold LOL) to get you through any initial soreness starshaker. Although my c-section experiences weren't brilliant (I must be Mumsnet's Unlucky Alf on this front) both babies were fine, both were snuck a little formula while I recovered , I went on to b/f successfully.
As others have said, do give yourself time to recover - lots of women are up and about and doing really well immediately after, but it is possible the op will knock your system a bit out of kilter - it did with me and I was quite unwell after both ops. But it was my first experience of surgery - if you have already had an op and recovered well, then you will surely be fine.
Top tips: BIG OLD PANTS - standard size disposables will rub right across your scar, ouch; take flash wipes in as you will be there for a few days; try and blag or even pay for an amenity room, the extra privacy while you are still catheterised is nice; shave the top of your pubes before you go in or someone will have to do it for you .
Best of luck - it sounds like your consultant is being vigilant and mindful of yours and the baby's safety.

[FionaJT]

I got on fine with breastfeeding, but my milk came in late which I was then told was probably due to the CS. So starting off was pretty stressful, but I did have a lot of support from the midwives in the hospital to stick at it, and it all worked out ok.

[LeahE]

starshaker I was in a similar position a big baby (10lb 5oz in the end) who did not engage. Eventually my waters broke 3 days before my due date (with him still not engaged) and we went through labour but couldn't get him further than +1 station so did end up with the c/s.

Do I gather from your previous comments that they are talking about inducing you? If a big baby isn't engaged I gather that only works around 20% of the time (I had these discussions with the consultant too) so I can see why they are preparing you for the possibility of a c/s.

Recovery really wasn't too bad (and I say that as one who contracted whooping cough, which really isn't helpful when you have a c/s incision trying to heal). It's mostly the little things rolling over, scooting backwards on your bottom in bed that cause problems and you soon work out your own ways of doing them (mostly with a pillow clutched over the incision site. This also helps if you are unwise enough to contract whooping cough). I was up as soon as they took the catheter out (about 12 hours I think).

There was no trouble breastfeeding in fact I think it helped that I had a c/s and hence a longer hospital stay because it meant I had 4 days of having midwives available to help get breastfeeding established. Of course that would depend on how good postnatal care is at your hospital, but I really think that we got breastfeeding established better with the c/s than I would have done with a vaginal delivery. My hospital was really pro-breastfeeding though so if you're not sure about that you may need to make sure someone else is standing watch to make sure no one takes your dc away for a bottle (which he DOES NOT need, whatever anyone may like to say).

Driving is an insurance thing -- check with your insurance company but I know many of them will let you drive as soon as you get signoff from your doctor, and I know people who have got sign off after 2 weeks (probably pushing it) or 3 (more like it).

[tiffini]

OMG everyone on here has had a much easier time than me after a c section, i could'nt move for 4 days and was in agonising pain.
i had my c section with twins, the first one was born naturally, but for some reason my cervix closed immediately after she was born, so i then had to have an emergency c section with twin 2, she was born 12 minutes later. the surgeon was VERY rough with me, once he had delivered twin 2, he had trouble removing the placenta and i remember him rearly pulling hard at my stomach, i felt an enormous pressure while he was doing this and had to be given a general anesthetic.
This was why my recovery was so much longer, the surgeon knew he had been rough and so took pity on me and gave me disolvable stitches. I was on morphine for the first 24hrs and codiene for the following 3 days and then paracetomol for another week.
The whole experince traumatised me so much i have since been sterilised.
I dont mean to worry you Starshaker, what happened to me is rare.

[Kelly1978]

I didn't have any trouble positioning the babies, so try not to worry too mcuh. The big knickers thing is v imp tho!! I had my section 3 weeks ago and I'm still wearing them! George at Asda do basics ones for a couple of quid for a 5 pack, cheaper and more comfy than buying disposables.

[starshaker]

i have to say im wearing those already as thongs just dont seem to work anymore lol

[uwila]

I drove straight away -- and I mean out of the parking space at the hospital. But, then DH took over and drove home. The midwives told me I wouldn't be insured. SO, I called my insurance company who not only said I was insured but also that they had never even heard of not being insured because you just had a caesarean. Apparently the trouble with driving is that you need your abdominal muscles if you need to slamon the brakes. So, I would go for a little test run down your street (very slowly of course). Do an emergancy stop and if you can do it without terrible pain, then you are probablyokay to drive. But if you can't, then it's probably wise to avoid driving until you can.

I remember coughing and sitting up from lying on my back were painful, but only for a week or two.

[Hulababy]

I had a cs section after failed induction. The cs itself was a positive experience and a very calmong environmment, with lots of pleasantries and chat going on. DD was born healthy and alert after a few short minutes. DH and I were shown DD briefly and had chance to touch her, and we also named her then too. She was then taken off to be weighed and checked,etc. After the 5 minute check she was brought back to us for cuddles, whilst the rsest of the op took place.

I then went, with DH, to recovery where I stayed for a few hours - I had lost a fair bit of blood and was very anaemic so neeed some checking, but was otherwise fine. I helped wash DD and dress her, and I also feed her in recovery. DH was with me the whole time, bar 10 minutes when he went to phone friends and family.

In the early hours I went up to the ward with DD. She was laid in my arms and we slept like that together all night.

Next morning when DH arrived, I had my catheter removed, had a cup of tea aand some breakfast, and then walked and had a shower and to use the toilet. I also then had the iv drugs removed, etc.

I spent 2 further nights in the hospital before going home. DD was born 8:45pm on Friday night and I was home for lunch on the Monday. I had a single room, with own bathroom, on the ward. And DH sent most of his time with us.

I did breast feed but not very successfully. I struggled for 2 weeks, then introdued mixed feeding in the night. I bottle fed from 6 weeks.

When home I stopped taking painkillers within a day or two. I only took mildish painkillers home from hospital with me anyway. I didn't suffer much pain at all - just a bit of discomfort in the early days.

My scar did weep a bit ater a couple of days, but the MW cleaned it up and gave me some wipes to continue doing so - and it was fine again quickly. It did feel a bit numb for a while, but TBH I can't remember ti being like that for too long.

I didn't drive for 6 weeks which was a pain - but my GP was very determined on this, and my insurance said they would not cover me if I was driving without the GPs consent - check that though as all GPs/HVs and insurance companies seem to work differently.

The first two weeks back home I did have help - my DH had a bit of time off, as did my mum (who bizarrely got 5 days dependant's leave???) - they took it in turns. TBH though it was more to give me time to sleep than anything else. I was able to do day to day stuff for DD myself. I did use it as a great excuse NOT to iron and hoover though

I did loose blood though in the cs and had to have iron tablets for more than 3 months afterwards. When it was really low that made me tired, more so than the effects of the op.


Pverall though my cs was a great experience and I have a beautiful, healthy little girl as a result

[jamiesam]

I had an emergency cs after ds got into distress. Had already had epidural as I wasn't coping with the pain.

I was in hospital from Thursday (gave birth) to Monday - I left by mutual agreement! Was glad to be in hospital with access to painkillers when needed and because I didn't have a clue what I was doing. However, I was 'forgetting' to take painkillers (only paracetemol or similar) towards the end of my stay. Moving around for around 24-36 hours after cs wasn't easy, mainly I remember because of catheter!

I breastfed ds within a couple of hours of his birth - the hospital were very keen on skin to skin contact 'especially' after emergency cs, as baby is always whisked away for paediatrician checks. Subsequently struggled with bf, technique problems I think, but bf ds until 1yr+.

While still in hospital, mw gave ds a tiny bottle of formual, on my pleading, as he had fed almost continually for hours and hours. Just gave me a tiny break (sore nipples and absolutely knackered) and didn't stop us from establishing bf.

[kikidee]

I had an elective section with my ds, now one, because he was breech. I had mine at 2.30pm and an absolute angel of a midwife got me up the next morning about 6.00ish before she finished her shift. I remember the first day or two being very sore and really needing the painkillers but I stopped taking them on the third day and was uncomfortable but not unbearably so. I had quite a lot of numbness around the scar for a while but that seems lots better now and the scar has significantly faded. I actually quite like it in a funny way, although I could do without the slight overhang at one side as a result of the slightly too tight stitching.

My ds point blank refused to bf despite trying and trying and that caused much upset and tears but I went to formula and also expressed for a few weeks. However, I don't think my experience was as a result of the cs.

I suppose my main tip would be to do what you're doing and educate yourself about the process. I did lots of reading before mine but I was still (probably foolishly) surprised about how surgical the whole thing was. I had never been in an operating theatre and I don't watch Casualty etc so I was quite freaked out by the whole experience. Also, I was strapped to a cross type thing and I didn't expect that either. Not all hospitals do that though, but if you're prepared for those things, you can be less phased by them.

Also, morphine makes you very sick! They didn't tell me that until I'd vomited up my much longed for cup of tea after the operation!

[Dophus]

I really didn't want a CS and had a trial of labour for my breeched baby. Didn't progress so had a CS. I struggled with the baby blues for a couple fo weeks afterwards and became fixated on my disappointment of not having given birth naturally. I no longer mind as what matters is, of course, my beautiful boy.

I was on my feet the day after (admittedly in pain). I stayed three nights in hosiptal but would recommend longer - your house will seem very big when you get home. Don't rush recovery - enjoy time with your precious baby in a small environment. When you're recovered there are always chores to be done and you will never get that uninterupted time again. I took painkillers for about ten days.

If you can afford it splash out on an amenity room - it made a huge difference to me. My time in hospital is vague due to the drugs (very pleasant drugs - acccept everything!). The most frustrating thing for the first few days (especially first 48 hours) was having call the midwives everytime I wanted to pick up and or put down my son. I ould cuddle him and bf but couldn't manouvre him into the cot.

I was breasfeeding within 20 min after delivery and have never had to use formula.


I also live in a faily isolated area and was keen to drive asap. My insurance company allowed me at four weeks with doctors permission.

The scar is hidden by the overhang!

Good luck

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you don't like the hospital, you can get out after 24 hours, if all is going well. (That's current NICE clinical guidelines!) That's what I did after ds2. Our local hospital is not very pleasant, the midwives are really overworked, and it's just not a nice place to be.

No, you don't need two weeks bed rest, but I didn't go up or down stairs for at least a week after each CS. I lifted DS1 a bit too much, three or four weeks after my second CS, and was paying for it for days.

Starshaker, I had very good experiences with feeding lying down post-section. Very comfortable, very easy, and everyone just falls asleep as they are.

My second section was for pretty much the reason you're having yours - DS2 wouldn't engage, I had really nice contractions for ages, but the head wouldn't go in. We waited it out, my waters broke, and he was fine, but with the head not engaged, we were risking cord prolapse, and decided, fairly calmly, to go for a section. I do think waiting for labour to start, or the waters to break, is a good idea - I think a fully "ripe" baby is better.

[gingerbear]

Get a big V shaped cushion to help with breastfeeding. Once I got the position correct it was fine.
I had dreadful trapped wind/constipation after op - eat lots of fruit and Orange juice to get things moving again.
You still bleed (lochia) after a section (I did not think you would - thought it was all taken out during the op!) - Big Knickers and Always night-time pads.

catheter was worst bit for me. felt much better once it had been removed.

[saadia]

I had an emergency c/s with ds1 because the baby was in distress, following this I had vbac.

I found no difference in the ability to b/f between the two, and recovered more quickly from the c/s than the vbac as I had an episiotomy and I found the c/s stitches much easier to deal with as the soreness was not in such a sensitive place and did not last as long.

The only really awful thing with the c/s was that after the delivery, one of the nurses had to sponge me down as I couldn't have a shower for the next few days - that was kind of humiliating.

[starshaker]

how long does an actual section take from getting u into theatre to getting baby out

[Hazellnut]

Had an emergency cs after failed induction. DD was born at 1.32 am and I was out of my bed by about 3.30 that afternoon to go as far as bathroom (ensuite) and walked around the room a bit. Next day, I walked round the maternity unit and on the third day walked to the hospital cafe and it all got better from then on. Certainly didn't do nothing for 2 weeks. was up and down stairs as soon as I got home and managed to carry/deal with dd right from word go (but she was only 4 lbs 10 oz so wasn't exactly a big lump !!). I was cleared to drive at 4 weeks. I also made sure I went out for a walk everyday as I was told this would speed recovery. Generally I was really surprised how well the recovery was afterwards as this had been my main worry about ending up having a CS. I didn't manage to bf but this I think had more to do with dd being little and early rather than the CS.

I started taking arnica as soon as they started to induce me and one of the doctors also recommended vitamin c with zinc which I also took. I would also say be mentally prepared for the possibility as I think this helps.

From hearing the stories of a lot of my friends who had normal deliveries a CS doesn't sound like the worst thing that can happen.... There are worse places to have stitches !!

[SkiBunnyFlummy]

Breast feed yes, only thing could do for baby!!

Took me about 2 weeks to be able to walk fully upright and pick things up without wincing.

You really need someone to stay with you all the time for about 2 weeks I would say (unless dp gets time off work). That person needs to feed you and look after baby most of time.

You can change nappies etc but I needed someone to pass me the baby.

[LeahE]

After getting into theatre had a chat from anaesthetist about what was involved and what I could expect to feel, etc. Not sure how long that took. Then they topped up the epidural and checked that it had worked. Then from the start of the actual procedure to getting the baby out was around 4 minutes, I think. After that there was another 20 minutes or so of closing up and stitching but I wasn't really paying attention at that point, just grinning inanely at new baby...

[kid]

Still no sign of baby yet then Starshker.
I had 2 sections. 1st one was classed as an emergency and from going to theatre (I'd already had epidural during labour) baby was delivered in 2 minutes. Then took about 30 minutes to stitch me back up.

After both sections, I was driving after 4 weeks, probably copuld have driven sooner but I am a real wimp

Good Luck xxx