CSection Recovery Tips

[macleody]

A couple of weeks a go I found a really good thread with tips from other mums about recovering from a csection and things to think about. I'm sure it was on mumsnet, I should've bookmarked it but I didn't and now I can't find it - any suggestions or advice, I'm having a planned section beg October?

Peppermint tea didnt hinder mine. I did leave the teabag in the cup and keep refilling (so about 4 uses per bag).

Good luck getting someone to lift the baby out of the cradle. The HCAa in my hospital were the most unhelpful, grumpy, rude bitches I've ever come across. They came to the ward door and shouted who buzzed in a seriously pissed off tone and then did FA. DD2 was in ICU with breathing difficulties and I expressed some collostrum (sp?) into a syringe and buzzed to get someone to take it over so they could give it to her. She picked it up, gave it a shake an said 'It's hardly worth it, is it?' I get angry just thinking about the crap care.

As for eating the food? I ate breakfast and DH brought in lunch and dinner so I could have lots of fruit and veg.

I agree with getting up asap and try to stand as upright as possible (the temptation to walk hunched over is strong but doesn't help)

Big pants & arnica.

Get support to bf lying down.

Ask for help.

Enjoy your baby x

I had 2 natural births and a c section, recovered much quicker from the c section than my second birth.

Thank you all so much, now got a few things to add my shopping list, sure it will all be fine, I just like to be prepared as I can be! Got both sets of parents in law taking it in turns to come and help in the first two weeks as they both live far away this means staying over but it's a help we can't do without as we have an 18month old who still needs taking to nursery/music/swings etc.and then OH is taking paternity leave later(weeks 3 and 4)in addition to the holiday week he's having when baby comes. We have decided to keep our wee boy in nursery for 8 weeks after birth so hopefully that will help me recover and get used to dealing with baby 2, before I am under siege from the demands of a toddler!

My mum's advice - walk don't shuffle. It sounds harsh, but the first walk after my section I had her words echoing in my head and it did work. The big knickers are essential and I think that you should definitely try and get out of bed as soon as they will let you as the thought is worse than the reality so the quicker you get it over with the better.

I discharged myself after 36 hours as wasn't allowed to shower and was on the shittiest (literally), dirtiest ward I've ever seen so was desperate to get out. Once home, and after the best shower of my life (very long labour before emcs so feeling pretty grubby) I took it very easy, but didn't find feeding problematic, and my husband made sure I never had to lift anything heavier than the baby. Listen to your body and don't do any housework!!

Good luck and enjoy your new baby!.