Tips for C section, preparation and recovery, please

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

OK can only tell you about what I had.

• No music in theatre, it happens very quickly and you're moved again.
• Most hospitals don't like you eating for 12 hours before, apart from water and then not until a good few hours after. Then they often say tea and toast first of all to see if you can hold it down.
• Normally they only leave you with one jug of water for the day. Make sure you drink at least 3 or 4 jugs of water in the first day if not more. There isn't much else you can do. This will get everything out of your system, make you feel better and get you on your feet sooner. (lady opposite bed to me when I had DS didn't drink much water and fainted each day when trying to stand up - she ended up being there for nearly a week)
• You won't feel anything during operation apart from movement. It's a strange feeling but not horrible. You should be ok on normal painkillers afterwards but it shouldn't hurt as long as you take it easy. (not easy with toddler but try)
• Driving it's suppose to be after 6 weeks or as soon as you can do an emergency stop without breaking the scar.
• You can lift the baby but try not to lift anythign heavier (difficult with toddler)
• They do have baths in hospital but you'll be encouraged to shower so no pressure on scar.

I had an emergency C Section. Some hospitals won't let you get up to soon, others will encourage it. As soon as you are up you're closer to getting home.

Good luck. Oh if you get the chance I would recommend asking if they will do dissolvable stiches. That way you don't have to worry about them taking the stiches out.

Mine was a bit of an unexpected section, although stilled classed as elective.

I didn't have a chance to wax but they shave you anyway. I'm prone to in-growers but it didn't seem to bother me.

Fiber/prunes would be good, especially if you are on codeine. However they will give you something to help you along if needs be.

I had a separate room so was allowed to plug things in. Tbh though I was that knackered and out of it, I couldn't even concentrate on the tv.

There weren't baths in my postnatal ward but I don't know if that's the norm.

I wouldn't say you could go swimming after a few weeks because of risk of infection. I know you can't drive for 6/8 wks.

Good luck

Top tip is to get up as soon as you are able and start walking. Hold yourself as straight as you can - there is a temptation to shuffle as a hunchback - don't give in to it, it makes recovery longer! We had music in theatre. Also told the theatre staff DD's name so they spoke to her using her name all the way through the procedure. No trouble lifting her after the epidural wore off. Don't take any kind of footwear that requires you to bend down to put on. Prunes excellent idea. I was driving three days after the op. After the stitches come out (not sure if many hospitals would do double layer dissolvable - there's usually a thread or staples on the outer layer) you can ask for advice re swimming. Good luck!

Ooh one last thought - make sure they do the epidural BEFORE they catheterise you!

Spanx- or other tummy sucking in pants are great for getting your tummy back into shape afterwards and for allowing you to wear more normal clothes sooner.

I had an emergency CS, so can 't say anything about before hand.

Afterwards, in hospital -

All pillows (and V shape/bf pillows), towels etc I wanted and needed were provided, although took a big black one in on MN advice, for hiding blood! (there wasn't much in the end).

Ate lots of dried apricots, figs and liquorice to keep things moving down there.

WAs made to get out of bed after 24 hours. Feeling only came back to legs after 23 hrs!

The ward had baths.

Lots of painkillers on offer, but I didn't really feel that I needed any after about 48 hours.

They kept me in for 4 days - this was normal for CS ladies. By that time DS was ill, so we were in for 7 days all together.

I was on the ward at first, then moved to a side room. Hospital policy is for CS ladies to have a side room where poss, but the middle of September is very busy!

I could plug phone, iPod etc in next to bed.

Sleeping on the ward was a living hell.

I wasn't allowed to eat for 24 hrs. Then the Sunblest and marge I got was like manna from Heaven!

At home -
DH was off for 3 weeks, then Mum came to look after me for a week. They did all the heavy work.

After 4 weeks and a day I was going bonkers. Got in car, did pretend emergency stop and all was well. Told everyone to go home and got on with my life.

GP signed me off for swimming at 6 week check. Started running again at 3 months.

I walked and walked and walked - a couple of miles or more, every day. I am sure that this helped me recover quickly.

Took arnica tabs every day for about 6 weeks.

Get a sling - to carry bubba in first few weeks when you can't push pram.

Sign up for on line grocery shopping if you havn't done so already.

Have jogging bottoms at the ready. I quickly discovered that "under bump" also means "On the scar" and could only wear takky bottoms for a few weeks. M&S, £10, I have them in 3 colours!

Bio Oil, massaged into my scar every day, seems to be helping it fade. Wish I had started earlier.

PS - Yes was able to carry baby from beginning.

Arnica tabs were 6c tablets, which I took once a day. Saw a homeopath to get proerly prescribed (she only lives across the road!).

DH used to bring me nice food in hospital. They didn't mind, but we didn't try an alcohol. By the time we got home a week later, that seemed more worthy of celebration than having had the baby!

BEFORE

• Take Arnica - can anyone tell me how much/ when? - Sorry cant help with that one.

• Eat lots of fibre so that system is all working nicely - have a tendency to constipation at best of times - You cant eat i think for at least 12 hours before section but can drink water

• Try to rest (have 3.5 yo DD so that's sometimes hard)

• Should I wax bikini line? - I get ingrown hairs quite easily but waxing usually better than shaving and worried about infecting the scar - I would wax if i was you otherwise they will dry shave you, which is not good.

• Can you play music during section? I was allowed to take in cd's with me, but forgot so they asked me to choose from what they had already there.

IN HOSPITAL BAG

• Prunes etc to keep my digestion OK

• Own pillows, towels etc for more comfortable stay - You will need your own towels, pillows they will give you normally.

• Can you take laptop and dvd's in? can you plug things in by your bed? - You can not take anything valuable into hospital so i would say this is a no no.

• If allowed, cool bag, with some nice food and soft drinks. Are you allowed to take a bottle of champagne? - You can take snacks and drinks in with you to have after. Not sure about champagne, ask your midwife. Saying that after a section you have alot of medicine so be carefull drinking with that.

• Worried about sleeping on ward as very light sleeper. Ear plugs? Eye blinds? Do they help at all or do you still get woken up lots? Will they let you wear them!? - Again not sure on this i was out of it after my section so slept very very well and had a whole ward to myself.

• Tea tree oil and lavendar oil for bath - do they have baths in hospital (forgive me, I had my first child abroad) - They had a bath in my hospital but wouldn't let me use it because of getting in and out and also there was a big sign saying you was NOT allowed to add things into the water. When i got home i used tea tree oil in bath i think it really helped with healing.

• V shaped pillow for breastfeeding. Is there anything else that will help on bf front given my sore tummy - These are very good to rest against your belly so nothing rubs or hold against it if you need to cough etc.

• Been advised to ASK FOR MORE DRUGS if I am in pain - They gave me a big box of pain killers when i left hospital but i never used them. But do ask if you need them.

AT HOME

• Have organised round the clock help for first two weeks from DH and mother and friends so I can rest - Yes a must when you have a toddler to attend too.

• If recover well, when can I expect to be able to do? Will I be able to go swimming after a few weeks and things like that? - I'm not sure on that. I was feeling good in myself but would not of wanted to go swimming or doing much a few weeks after. Ask your midwife.

• Can I lift my baby from the beginning? - Yes your baby is the ONLY thing i was told i could lift. You will not be able to lift your toddler.

Hope all that helps a bit. Good luck it will be fine. I am due my baby in 12 days if it arrives on time and cant wait. Anything else feel free to ask and i will try and help.

Are you having an epidural or a spinal block? I had a spinal block for my em cs so had the feeling back in my legs by the time I left recovery.

Get up and move around as soon as possible.

I had dd at 10pm at night and was discharged the following morning. Didn't need any painkillers at all. Was pleasantly surprised.

re swimming you might find you're still bleeding for a while afterwards. I bled for 6 weeks or more so wasn't able to swim because of that.

I had no trouble caring for dd independently from birth.

I think you sound pretty sorted.

I can't remember the arnica dose I took, I have a feeling I took 60mcg tablets, and just followed the directions on the bottle.

We could have baths in our hospital, but for some reason I wasn't that bothered (was bed washed by auxillaries the morning after cs - interesting experience ) but I did have a shower. I think I felt more comfortable staying upright and not bending my scar. That said, scar wasn't that painful at all.

We most definitely had champers in hospital My friend (who's always been a bit rebellious) brought it it and there was much giggling as we all coughed to drown out the sound of the cork popping!

I think a cool box is a great idea. The hospital where I had ds has an M&S food shop in the reception area, and I used to send dh down to get me a salad and some fruit and sandwiches every day as the food on the ward was vile. A cool box will be great to keep things fresh.

I plugged my mobile in by the bed, so I can see no reason why you can't plug a laptop in, though to be honest I didn't really have time to watch films or anything. The first night ds slept on my chest all night and the second night he fed every hour, so I slept whenever I didn't have visitors or wasn't feeding him.

Eyemasks and ear plugs are a great idea.. again I forgot to use mine, but was so shattered I found I dozed quite easily.

I immac'd my bikini line the night before my cs, when they shave you in theatre they dry shave, and I really didn't want any nasty itchiness!

I didn't have music in theatre, but your baby will be delivered so quickly, really they're out in about 5 mins, the rest of the time they're stitching you up, so you could have the Philharmonic Orchestra in there and you wouldn't notice

I had a spinal block for my cs and I didn't even feel movement, nothing. I looked up at one point and hadn't even realised it, but my legs were up in the air as they were putting the surgical stockings on. Bet they had a nice view down that end

One thing I would recommend, which I regret, get them to lower the screen when your baby is delivered. I really regret not seeing ds in his newborn state. He was handed to me cleaned and dressed, and I really wanted to see him covered in goo. I was stupidly squeamish and thought I'd see my innards, but of course you have a giant bump in the way and the incision is so low, you really won't see anything.

Good luck!

I don;t think you need to take arnica before hand. It doesn't work as a preventative to anything, it helps bruising and cuts heal quicker.

I was allowed to add things to my bath water in hospital.

Gosh that took me a while... a couple of other points, I was allowed to eat straight afterwards, I practically ripped the sandwich he'd bought me out of dh's hands

Bikerunski has reminded me, it was 6c tablets of arnica I took.

I had sensation in my legs within a couple of hours, able to walk less than 24 hours later (could certainly feel them taking out the catheter 20 hours later, and the heparin jabs hurt like hell 10 hours after the cs)

Agree with the highwaisted tracky bottoms tip. Just think like your granny and pull your pants up to your nipples Oh and underwear too, belly warmers are the way forward. No seams down the front of your underwear either, they irritate scar.

Actually, it was 30c arnica I took. 6c is what I have now, for a different injury.

Stuff about arnica in childbirth here:
arnica

and some arnica tabs here

arnica tabs

ooh now I'm confused about how much arnica I took

What I do know is though I took it religiously before the cs, I totally forgot once ds was born and I healed very well.

I've had 2 c-sections, one emergency and one elective and will be having 3rd in about 6 weeks.

Sounds like you're very prepared.

I took arnic post c-section and took the 200c dose - you can get this online or from a homeopath and i believe is the correct dosage for surgery.

V shaped pillow very useful - hospital should have one but best to take your own in.

Discharge times vary - i was 3 days with my first and second but ds2 was poorly otherwise i felt fine to leave quicker.

A private room is lovely but depends generally how busy they are and what other patients are in, eg, i got one after ds2 as he was in NICU.

I could lift/bf baby straight away. Also had very little help at home as DH back at work after one day and i was fine. Just don't overdo things.

Driving - i drove after 3 weeks - just need to check with insurers as to their policy - eg i had to get dr's agreement which he did over the phone. Am hoping to drive quickly this time as live very rurally.

I was shaved both times by midwifes and it was fine.

Did have a little bottle of champagne which i kept in the ward fridge along with m&s salad/fruit etc.

One thing though - i was very sick after both spinal blocks and also very itchy so wasn't allowed anything to eat for ages and only tiny sips of water.

Had a shower first thing the next morning - not sure if there are baths. Take some nice hshower gel with you for a little luxury

Good luck.

You need giant pants that sit on your natural waist.

Take an extra pillow - the hospital will give you one rubber one and it is good to be able to shield your sar when you feed the baby (otherwise the little blighters have habit of kicking the wound). Otherwise it will be useful to have a nice pillow.

Re your digestion - lots of women get windy from the drugs and TBH I suspect prunes might make that worse. Take some minty teat/peppermints to help disperse the wind.

I took lots of vitamin C as well to aid healing.
Hospital water tasted horrid to me so I sent DH for some Evian and Ribena. As you probably won't be eating after about midnight take a sarnie for when you come out of recovery because food is not always forthcoming.

I did take a portable DVD player and just hid it under my bed. You can plug things in - people tend to plug in mobiles etc. I wouldn't take anything I minded losing - leave jewellery at home since you will have to take it off (except for wedding ring which they will tape) in theatre anyway. If you have painted toe nails, remove varnish since they might well ask you to do this in hospital anyway.

You can lift your baby from the beginning. Immediately after the section you will be nicely numb and it may actually be easier to deal with the baby the day of the section than the next day (when the pain relief wears off and you will have to wait ages for the next dose). TBH if the postnatal care is anything like I had if you don't lift your baby noone will!

Champagne and the painkillers you'll be on = probably a bad idea.

You will still bleed after a section and your wound should be ok for swimming etc by the time that has stopped.

There are often baths in postnatal wards but TBH you might be better showering for the first 24/48 hours. I was told I could have a bath when I got home (3 days after section).

You might also want to do a search for threads on section birthplans. If I were doing it again I would insist on being given the baby before she was cleaned up and on her not being taken where me/my DH could not see her. I found that hard to deal with.

Not sure which hospital you are going to, so a word of warning re baths - some hospitals list "bath cleaning items" as things you should bring with you in your hospital bag. Which may give you an idea of why you may not want to take a bath at the hospital....?

If you are in pain then ask for drugs. The staff often forgets. Also if you take them regularly then they seem to work better. Don't let the drugs wear off completely esp the first week.

Try to eat/drink only warm/hot things including water (yucky!) but it helps with movement

Extend round the clock help as much as you can. Every section recovery is different but if you have options then use them. Section takes longer to recover so don't be shocked if you feel you have no abdominals left in the early days. You can do exercises but when depends on too many other factors.

I could lift my babies from day 1 but they were light. Sitting upright to BF was a pain.

My one essential tip:
Take it easy afterwards.

I was walking around town 4 days after my CS and almost collapsed. I felt Ok mentally, but didn't realise the enpormous physical toll. I felt very weak and faint. Listen to people when they tell you to rest (even if you think you are OK. Put your feet up for at least a week, you hear me?!

You see I disagree with MrsSeanBean (a bit)!

Don't do (some of) what I did and decide to run round the corner for a pack of nappies on day 3. You'll end up shuffling home like the hunchback of Notre Dame, and I got sent back to the hospital.

But do get up and walk around a bit in the hospital/at home (slowly and if you feel up to it). It will help you heal and will help get your guts going again...

Oh yeah, yeah, I'm with Mrs H on the 'getting up and about' (within hospital confines). Just not round your local shopping mall (1 mile walk!)

A few things to add...

I really wish I had had a wax before my C section (I never got round to it and hair was just growing wild and free by the time my due date rolled around) as you don't feel ready to wax afterward for quite a while. I waited until DS was 10 weeks old and it was quite a sight down there by then. If I had had a wax prior it wouldn't have been quite such a forest by week 10 post-op. It is no more painful to wax after the op than usual, btw. In fact it was slightly better as there is a bit of numbness around the scar for ages afterward.

I found that earplugs were a must in the days after my emergency C. Someone's baby is always crying/someone is always snoring/someone's visitors are always there past visiting hours. I am a bit of an earplugs guru (party on!) as my DP snores. The best earplugs by miles are Superdrug own brand (they are bright orange so you never lose them either!). There were no comments about me wearing earplugs and I would have ignored them if there were. You really need them.

I took Arnica after the C, not before. I think I took a couple of tablets a couple of times a day.

Re music, the surgeons had the radio on as DS was born (Take That, Greatest Day!). I could certainly have asked them to turn it off or the station over and I am sure they would have, but for me it took my mind off the emergency scariness of it all.

Definitely think about getting disposable knickers, and plenty of them. They were a Godsend as they come up nice and high, way above the wound, and it doesn't matter if they get soaked in blood. Plus they are so light, which is great as all you want from pants is to keep the maternity towel in place.

Regarding recovery, all the advice about getting up as soon as you can is so right. They initially told me to stay in bed for 24 hours (in error), and it meant that when I finally got up, there was blood gushing everywhere.

I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, the hospital stay is just something you have to tolerate until they release you. You don't really recover whilst you are there. I was shuffling like an old woman when I was in hospital but as soon as I was home I suddenly could walk better, straighter and faster.

P.s. you don't sound particularly worried about it so you probably don't need this piece of info, but I was in no pain whatsoever at any point after my op. Considering a baby was cut out of me, it was a walk in the park. I have had more painful recoveries from gym sessions.

I will deffo be gunning for that elective C section next time round.

I've had two c-sections, one emergency and one elective. Have to say, loved my elective c-section and wish I had opted for it first time around!

Definitely get up and moving as soon as they will let you. You will feel better for it and it will help your recovery.

I had 2 nights in hospital after the elective but that was more because I was pushing to leave than them kicking me out. Was in for 3 nights after the emergency.

Had terrible constipation after the first delivery and asked for something to help with that problem for the second one.

Was driving after 3 weeks with both. Spoke to my GP and my car insurance and both said that as long as I could do an emergency stop without wincing/pain then it was fine to drive.

Don't worry about taking in entertainment - I took in a portable dvd player second time around and didn't get it out of the bag once. Was just too blissed/spaced out.

Don't be afraid to ask the staff for help/pain relief. Post natal care can be a bit pushed for staff and if you don't ask you don't get.

Finally, big knickers and high waisted trackies a good idea!

I had constipation too, couldn't have been that bad though as I've only just remembered it. I took some vile tasting liquid from pharmacy (available over counter) which did the trick.