Support thread for those of us who are requesting an ELCS after a previous traumatic delivery

[withorwithoutyou]

Hello everyone.

I have noticed a lot of threads regarding requesting ELCS lately, probably because I am in the process of trying to request one myself!

I just wondered if it might be useful for us to have a support thread where we can talk this all through as I know it can be a challenging process to go through.

Can I please also ask in the nicest possible way that anybody contributing to this thread can respect our desire for ELCS over VB? Thank you!

Anyway, I'll start - I have one DD, born 20 months ago by forceps after failed ventouse. She weighed 9 pounds 11 and I am concerned this one will be heavier! I am 30 weeks and have my first consultants appt tomorrow where I will be requesting an ELCS!

I took antibiotics and strong painkillers with me to the hospital. Just in case. Memories of DD's birth 4 years ago where I was given two paracetamols a day and told not to whine like a baby were still fresh in my mind

KellyMom website has quite detailed info on painkillers you can take while breastfeeding.

CoteDAzur - sounds very similar to the attitude I got - yeah paracetemol for an episiotomy that still required treatment 2.5 years after I gave birth thanks for the info I will look that website up now

I've organised to see the anaethetist before the section to discuss the process for the elective and post op care. I want a named person I can yell for if they ignore me again.

After DD's forceps (done under spinal in theatre) I was on paracetemol and volterol for weeks. I had to get more volterol from the GP as I was in so much pain I could barely move from the bed to pick her up. Mind you, the catheters really finished me off given the tears/nerve damage/episiotomy they were rubbing up against constantly.

This hospital have said they give a volterol suppository in theatre, use a spinal for the elective and then just give paracetemol and ibuprofen after the spinal wears off. The mw said they had stopped using the volterol more as people didn't need it.

I am quite happy to be optimistic about the level of pain - and am not expecting to be pain free - but I have so many strong memories of pain for weeks and months with DD that I need reassurance they will help me out if I need it. I just don't trust that I will be given great care. I feel I need to be ready to push for it. Which is rubbish when you are heading into a hospital spouting patient care mantras.

Lovethesea - its good you are getting all your ducks in a row so to speak before the op - I know what you mean, the pain after the episiotomy was off the planet and I was still in pain years later. I cant honestly believe a ELCS will leave me in such a state without them being willing to help me - wich they were not with a VB/epis

*which crap sticky keyboard

Lovethesea - that's a really good idea, definitely have someone you can ask for. Am really hoping it's all really manageable for you and you don't need anything extra.

I've heard a lot of stories about people not being cared for particularly well after VBs with complications. People were utterly unsympathetic to me but had every sympathy for my friend when I had forceps and she had EMCS. Not at all belittling how horrible her EMCS was but everyone just seemed to assume that if you've not had a c-s it's all been ok.

I don't think many people understand the recovery implications from forceps - even hospital staff don't seem that bothered. I wasn't given any pain relief on the ward at all, just left to get on with it.

withorwithoutyou - agree 100%, I think people see a simple type 1 episiotomy as the same as all other types - and its really really not as we all know!! Ive had 4 operations under general in my life time and lots of broken bones etc from horse riding but never have I suffered so badly, for so long and with such a lack of care or empathy as after my VB...its crazy...I just dont get it at all.

I think it's partly to do with the whole macho-no-drugs-natural-birthing thing.

A friend who had a straightforward and drug free birth gave me a very snidey raised-eyebrow "really?" when I said I'd had an epidural.

Now I did have an epidural for 'wimpy' reasons as 5cm but she didn't know that at that point and had no concept that an epidural/spinal is required for an assisted delivery because they, you know, practically turn you inside out.

I saw all the post c-section women on my postnatal ward being given the single rooms that were free and having top up epidurals in to control their own pain medication. I am glad they got that care but found it hard to understand why post rotational forceps was not also seen as needing tlc.

I begged for 3 days to be moved to a room that enabled some sleep as the noise and disruption on my 4 bed ward was horrific and genuinely torture after so long without sleep and in so much pain. I had to beg for more pain relief frequently.

I had to wait for ages for someone to come to empty my catheter despite it being over its maximum line - on a few occasions. I had the disgusted looks from the mws when my bladder just flooded after catheter removal and they got someone in to recatherterise me in the middle of the night, in great pain, because we 'can't keep clearing up after you'. Something my consultant said was not a great choice, they should have left it to calm down by itself despite the flooding.

I hardly ate because they had no catheter trolleys so I couldn't take DD and the catheter and make myself breakfast in the kitchen.

I am taking earplugs this time. I am taking loads of snacks. I am taking as little shit as I can. I hate the thought of being the stroppy patient but being the good girl last time got me nowhere so I feel I need to mentally be ready to be pushy in case the care is no better.

The lack of pain relief and decent care some of you speak of sounds horrific. I was actually really lucky (relatively speaking!), as I was placed on the C section ward after my assisted delivery and tear, and think I must have been given the same pain meds as everyone else (I can't remember what they were as I was so tired and disoriented). I can honestly say I never suffered any real pain from the tear, not even the stinging on weeing that regular births seem to cause. So hopefully that's some consolation as to how effective the pain relief is.

I also have arnica, windeze, and peppermint oil capsules to take in with me this time, and hubbie is under strict instructions to bring flasks of peppermint tea every day! I'm also taking snacks, earplugs and an eyemask.

Lovethesea that is shockingly bad!! How awful for you

I agree with not being the good girl - you don't ask you don't get.

I'm hoping to pay for a private room this time as I found the ward really distressing as well (and was only in for 1 night - poor you having to stay in for that long).

Whereabouts in the country was your hospital (don't say if you don't want to) - are you going to a different one this time round?

Agree again re: being the good girl, i was exactly the same...I was a very young 25 r old (had only just left Uni so still in that mind set) and wanted to be as good as possible and it got me precisley nowhere. It seemed to increase their contpemt for me so I will be taking your tack too I think. I wont be pushed around this time, without being rude.

Can I ask those of you who have had an elcs - when were you first able to pick up your baby for night feeds for yourself? I'm finding that I'm really dwelling on this aspect at the moment. I know that you have to ring the midwives to pass you the baby in hospital, but for how long did you need to get your partner to pass you the baby once you got home? Thanks!

I was in the Queen Mothers Maternity Hospital Glasgow for 6 days (end of 2008). They closed the hospital in January this year so I will be at a different one also in Glasgow.

Maybe it was harried because they were working towards closure, maybe the uncertainty on where people's jobs were being transferred to, maybe that no one was investing money into the place because it was shutting in a year or so?

There were some brilliant staff but there were also some who left me feeling so much worse by simple comments or just ignoring me. Such a lottery who came to see you when you needed checks or help.

Unfortunately there was no option to pay for a single room last time - I was moved into one that became free after 3 days when they realised I wasn't going home anytime soon after my 'vaginal birth'.

Same this time - if a single room is free when I have my elcs I may be put in it but there are no guarantees and no choice.

I'm also keen to know how long I might be buzzing for help to get Bean up for feeds? They say I am probably going to be in for 3 days- elcs on Thursday morning and home on the Sunday. How long during that time would I need to get someone to pass Bean?

Hi Ealey, think I was lucky and had a really good recovery from section, I had my boy at 10pm so obviously all that night I was recovering and midwifes kept coming in to help me. But next morning and I was up and in the shower, bandage removed, catheter out walking (rather cautiously) around. I felt sore but great, but like I say I think I was lucky.
Hubby helped out with baby that day but then that night and day after I was getting my son out of his crib myself, changing him feeding him etc. I think this is pretty standard? there were plenty of people to help me had I needed it but I honestly felt fine and didn't do myself any injuries! I did have a lot of assistance from a student nurse who was keen to help me with breast feeding so I cant say I was totally alone but I did feel well enough to lift him myself.
HTH

That sounds hopeful Kity!

I am really, really, really hoping my bladder copes with the catheter coming out this time. That would make the world of difference to me.

Ealey my emcs recovery was pretty much the same as Kity's experience. Noone helped me with DD - not even during the night feeds. I will be taking extra cushions with me this time though as last time I found it a little bit difficult to get out of bed when she needed feeding because I was stiff. I must remember to put my knees together and role out of bed this time!

For those who have had previous cs, are there any other suggestions for moving, standing up etc that might make our recovery from elcs more comfortable?

Ealey, after my elective cs the doctors told me not to lift "anything heavier than the baby" for 6 weeks. So it was fine to lift the baby herself. The first day in hospital, I asked the midwives to help me getting dd out of her cot, but after that I was fine on my own.

I found it was more the angle I was lifting at, rather than the weight, that was the problem. So when I got home, I made sure the cot side was down when lifting out dd for nighttime feeds.

Thanks for your replies, that's really encouraging. I was having visions of my hubbie having to bring me the baby for weeks. He's already getting up to our toddler several times a night, so that would be a nightmare! As 30ish says, any other advice/top tips much appreciated! I already have a wicker armchair lined up for coming home, as friend said that it was really difficult getting up and down from sofas for a few days or so.

I was picking baby up from his crib in the hospital, the day after elCS.

I had the CS early in the morning. Dr told me he wants me to get up latest that evening. Then took off the catheter towards noon. With loads of IV liquids coming in, I absolutely had to pee by early afternoon and (with help) walked to the toilet. I seriously recommend this, because I felt much better immediately afterwards, as Dr said I would.

Next morning I showered on my own and was doing everything by myself, including changing diapers.

Wow - that's so much faster than after my tear! I had a shower the following day, but only just about managed it while being propped up the whole time, and still felt terrible afterwards. I felt like I was going to fall apart for days. I'll keep all my fingers and toes crossed that I make such a quick recovery! Thanks, this is all really comforting.

OOoo 30ish v good point! Pillows pillows and more pillows coz you will not want to sleep in anything other than a pretty upright position for the first few nights, getting out of bed and laughing were the two things that hurt the most, although once up I was fine but I was like an 80year old trying to get out of bed and I had an old fashioned iron bed not a new electric one which would have been bliss.

Agree with others though, the sooner you get up and mobile the faster your recovery will be (but don't go running down the corridors)
Good luck all!

I had DD at lunchtime and had help from midwives overnight. Up and in shower by 10am, and self sufficient from therein. Getting in and out of bed with baby was pretty impossible, so stayed up in chair all next night - baby cluster feeding anyway.

Home 24 hours post birth, and DH passed baby to me for first couple of nights - busy nights with feeding, plus I was very swollen indeed and the pain in arms and legs was worse than anything from the wound.

I used a 'my brest friend' feeding pillow for first week, and wore a support belt for wound once stitch out - still have it on.

Drink, drink, then drink some more when catheter in, and after... especially if swollen. Go for wee early - do not wait for urge, as pressure of bladder against stitches can throb somewhat.

Eat dried apricots frequently to keep motions soft to avoid straining, but do not over do it cos cramps can be uncomfy too.

Be careful pushing a pram, as I found this was a tad sore.

My recovery has been a bit slower than others reported here, but I am very old, quite cuddly, and had a PPH (blissfully unaware as all behind screen and cuddling DD.) On iron tablets, and being monitored for post-partum pre-eclampsia.

Have felt so happy and peaceful apart from on a couple of nights with DD cluster feeding for up to 12 hours - gallons of milk now .

Plan for feeling below par for 6 weeks, and if you recover quicker, great! Just keep it to yourself, milk it for all you can, and enjoy being waited on .

Despite requesting to be out of bed same day iwasnt allowed ti 3am the following day! Op was at 10am ish... They were going to leave it later but they got peed of with having to empty my bag as I drank so much!!!
Until bag was removed I wasn't able to get bubba out of fit and got told of for having her onthe bedcwith me despite being fully alert!!!
They offered to let me go homecafter 24hrs however wedidnt and sti don't have bf established!!! parrNtly they shouldn't have let me go homebecause we are stillcup feeding!!!
Pain relief wise I was given co-codamol and diclofenac (sp). Had op on 29th April (Thursday - 9 days ago)and stopped taking pain co-codamol on Tuesday and just taking diclofenac at night last taken Wednesday!
I feel nearly normal Thursday walked daughter to playgroup and then to polling station then tocollect daughter! Supermarket Friday hubby pushed trolly but walked around fine with bubba in sling!
Today did about 2hrs ironing and baked a cake!!!
The only thing I'm really holding off doing is lifting!! So I sort washing hubby puts on. Brings to me jhang up etc...
I read if you over do it you bleed more!!!
As far as compared to prev birth much more mobile and comfy I would much rather have stitches in stomach than fanjo!!!
The uncomfy thingsfor me 9 days post op - coughing/laughing/sneezing!! I feel like I could do everything nor
ay but trying to be causious I'm not usually someone who sits around so I foundthe not doing much hard!!
My mum stayed with us aces days after I was homecand ensured my job was sitting on sofa first two days home! And got hubby totake dd out doing stuff soi could take it a bit easier as she is fullon!!!!