Help me prepare for after planned C-section

[treetopwalk]

Looking for some ideas of how to best prepare for after my planned C-Section. I've read the really helpful threads on here about the actual operation, but now I'm thinking about the first few days and weeks afterwards. Would be really grateful for advice from anyone who's been through this.

A bit of context- I'm hoping to breastfeed. We will have a next to me cot on my side of the bed. I also have a bedside table next to my head so the cot would go just below / lower than that, if that makes sense. At night, will I need to sit up to feed or can I somehow manage without needing my husband to haul me up to sitting position? Any tips on comfortable night feeds for the first few days and weeks?

During the day times, will I be up and about, sitting on the sofa or lying in bed for the first few days? I have a bbhugme pillow - will this be of any help for feeds or just generally?

How soon might I be able to use a soft sling at home, seated, or out for walks?

Any other tips or preparation I can do now?

Thank you x

I think it's reality personal - lots of factors affect your recovery.
I can tell you when I was able to do those things but others may be different.

My milk seemed to be delayed and I had to top up with formula whilst trying to get baby to latch and pump. He was very very sleepy which made it hard. Eventually we got there though. Except for first two days I was able to easily lift my baby and didn't have problems sitting up or climbing stairs etc.

I started wearing the sling around day 7 I think. I remember we went to our favourite restaurant which is round the corner from our house on day 6 and I think I went to baby cinema from when he was two weeks old.

I found I was in pain without painkillers so I never walked too far but was able to Potter around easily.

Good luck!

Really * 🙄

I found lying flat one of the most uncomfortable positions after my cs as it really pulled my stitches! I slept propped up on pillows for the first couple of weeks as a result but that made night feeds easy as I just needed to pick the baby up from next to me.
I didn't need to lie in bed much - the first couple of days, yes, I did rest a lot but in that time also got home from hospital and up and down the stairs at home so I wasn't a total invalid iyswim. I'd recommend getting everything you'll need at waist height so you don't need to bend/stretch too much and have a supply of stuff like paracetamol, nappies, baby clothes, muslins, nipple cream, cereal bars and so on upstairs and downstairs so you always have what you need to hand without needing to traipse around too much.

Breastfeeding was really a doddle but I also bf-d my first. My milk came in quicker than after my vaginal birth and it was very straightforward but obviously being my second time probably made it easier! I'd say lots of skin to skin, feed on demand and research typical newborn behaviour (very normal for newborns to fuss and cry which is often mistaken for hunger/poor supply) will all help to establish bf.

I found recovery very smooth and it was a positive experience all round. I was back to normal after a couple of weeks. Just keep an eye on the incision for signs of infection and don't over-do it even if you feel ok. Good luck.

Tying a sheet to end of the bed was a great help for hauling myself upright for night feeds. Breastfeeding pillow good too.

I had a co-sleeper cot but DD often ended up sleeping on my chest or co-sleeping right next to me rather than (in her mind) miles away in the co-sleeper cot. Having a phone and earphones beside the bed was very handy for the occasional all-nighter breastfeeding marathon before I figured out lying down breastfeeding- I’d just resign myself to a few hours watching a downloaded movie (this was before Netflix) and then DH would take over at daybreak and I’d get my rescue sleep.

I used soft sling after 1-2 weeks but went for a short walk with DD in it around 2-3 weeks I think and was a bit sore after so it’s definitely very variable how quickly you’ll feel comfy getting out and about.

Having a freezer full of meals you can eat with one hand was a great tip I picked up on here. We lived out of the freezer for the first while!

Nice flask for drinks is good too and lots of box sets/Netflix so you can plonk yourself on sofa with boobs out and just let the baby have at it.

I found regular diclofenac great for the first few days and I did need it. I wasn’t comfortable to drive until the 6 week mark but I know lots of women are well ready for that by week 2 even.

I also lay a maternity pad horizontally across my scar with sticky side stuck to inner surface of my giant granny knickers. This achieved precisely nothing in reality but gave me the illusion of something “shoring up” the wound, and somehow that was a big psychological help!

I had a emcs so perhaps different. I struggled to bf after being stressed out in hospital and baby lost weight. Hopefully with an ecs you'll be sent home sooner.

I had to sleep sitting up and couldn't lazy down flat for weeks... i think 6 weeks. Each week i managed to lay down a bit lower.

Couldn't put my own knickers on as i couldn't bend over. Post of my problem however want the csec tbh but that i was very very swollen. My legs swelled up late pregnancy and even more postpartum so that may not be an issue for you. I could barely walk upstairs.

Bending over is difficult i found so good height changing table. My initial plan was just too be able to change anywhere but soon find we need a proper changing surface.

Otherwise it was an easy recovery in a way. Not something I'd want to go through again though. I was up and about 12hrs after spinal wore off enough to hobble to shower and have a wash. Did feel unhappy couldn't pick my own baby up without her being passed to me for the first 24hrs. (I could move about but it hurt) But after that i was ok.

Had me in paracetamol and neurofen and that's enough. Just keep taking the painkillers. Don't forget. I forgot and "jumped" out of bed and regretted it hehe.

Make sure you keep moving but also rest. Don't over do it. Just concrete on baby and let everyone else do all the offer work.

So don't sit in bed every day, get up and move about a bit but no housework. Try going out for a walk soon as you feel able. Each day it'll get better.

It's been 4 months now since mine. Scar feels a bit numb and i think i do struggle slightly more with getting up if leading flat. But it's barely perceptible. Could just be pregnancy related as well.

Belly felt hard and a little swollen for quite a while. Now i think it's just fat.

Giant pants. Ones that don't end on your scar.

Don't try to use your tummy muscles to sit up for ages after - roll onto your side, push up using your hands.

Don't try to do too much too soon. Keep on top of your painkillers. Accept help, though I realise with self isolating this is difficult.

Agree with having freezer meals ready - really helps.

Look into natural/laid back breastfeeding - you can lie down to feed with the baby nestled into you. And make sure you have water freely available every time you feed - you'd be surprised how thirsty it makes you.

Good luck - you'll be fine.

Agree with all comments above

Also check out the rugby ball feeding hold - I found this really useful after my section

Get a basket for all your essential things - painkillers, portage charger, hand cream, nipple cream etc etc so that your partner can bring it for you and you don’t need to keep yelling for him to bring other stuff

Agree w PP. I’ve had 3 and variable recoveries each time.

In hospital keep to liquid diet and minimize gassy/bloaty foods for a while after. Nettle & peppermint tea for trapped wind. Coconut water or cold tea w honey once you can drink. Use pain relief as long as needed. Get up as soon as you can so they can remove catheter same day. Have partner do all baby changing and settling for first two weeks if possible as well as cooking/laundry (anybody but you!).

Tricep dips and crab walking out of bed. Leaning forward to stand up from chairs.
Massaging scar as soon as you can after 4/6 weeks. Bring a water bottle w a straw to hospital and to have by your bed at night. Set up changing and feeding stations around the house to reduce stairs/walking/carrying.

Re feeding Try to teach LO to feed lying down to reduce the times you have to sit up. You can prop yourself up on two pillows and have another pillow under each arm plus a breastfeeding pillow for support. We had no luck w side car because I couldn’t twist and reach or lift baby from that position and it ended up making it harder to get out of bed.

Rest and recover the first week home from hospital in bed as much as possible. Getting up to wee and to the kitchen should be enough :/ avoid lifting/bending/reaching. Second week try to get around a bit more in the house, longer periods of sitting upright. 3/4 weeks very short walks or longer being upright/cooking or gentle cleaning (no hoovering!). Take the first 4-6 weeks easy. Don’t do anything that hurts or causes increased lochia. I would avoid pushing a pram or carrying babe in sling until you feel strong enough to do normal activities inside. Carrying in a sling before your core strength comes back can cause scar and/or back pain and might cause gushes of lochia and cramping after. Take it slowly. You’ll be knackered enough just feeding baby and taking care of yourself. Try a bouncer/swing for daytime naps.
Good luck.

I highly recommend a water bottle you can use with one hand, like the Camelpak one here:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HGSLDNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_lLoLEb5EG57MN?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Breastfeeding is thirsty work and there's nothing worse than sitting down to feed before realising you can't reach your glass.

Massive pants - you can’t have too many honestly and work out what clothes you have that come above your scar, I liked really baggy nighties as they didn’t rub.
Painkillers in various locations round the house
Nappy changing station upstairs and downstairs
Peppermint tea really good
A good feeding cushion
Dare I suggest some pre made formula and bottles just in case - I was really ill after mine and just couldn’t breast feed, but fingers crossed won’t be the same for you

Good luck x

I agree massive pants, loose joggers are a must. Google how to get out of bed after, side first is easier as you push yourself up instead of using your abs. Always face the baby when lifting, I tried from a twisted position & ouch. I was up and walking/showering about 3 hours after my op, the numbing didnt lasg that long for me. My baby was in neonatal so I had to pump to get my milk to come in, also walk ages several times a day to get to him. I recovered well though. Others in my ward had to buzz the midwives to give them the babies from the cots. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

As pps have said it's different for everyone but I was up and about the next day. I took it easy but definitely didn't need anyone to help me sit up or do normal things.

I used a sling after about a week. Possibly could have used it sooner but didn't have the need.

Once you get home you'll be up and about or sitting feeding baby. Lying down is probably the one position that is a bit uncomfortable, but that's good in a way because it's better for your recovery to stay active (listening to your own body of course).

Good luck, and enjoy! I can honestly say it was a wonderful experience.

I was in hospital for 3 days after due to baby in intensive care.I had section at 1:30pm and that night I remember feeling ok and could get into a wheelchair to go down and see her. But the next morning was horrific. They say keep moving so I did but getting off the bed or even turning was so painful. But by day 4 I was walking around fine and didn't need pain killers anymore. I rushed recovery which was stupid

Hiya, I've just seen this thread and had to comment. I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and will be having my 4th section in Sept

My planned sections were alot calmer and more positive than my first emergency section (goes without saying really).

I had three days in hospital after section, to monitor bp etc

The first week of healing I slept propped up on the sofa, I just found this more convenient for me.

Breast feeding wasn't an issue as long as I had my trusty support pillow 🤣

Sounds really odd but after 2 of my 3 sections I found I would hunch over, like I was too scared to stand up straight. Well with my third I stood up straight as i possibly could and it sounds mental but i swear this helped recovery 🤣🤣

I had my section exactly a week ago today so here’s my top tips so far:

• put the next to me crib on your other half’s side of the bed- we had it on my side for the first and second nights and it was really difficult to get in and out and into a comfy position for feeding with it there. Better on the other side where husband can pass baby over- make life easy for yourself.

• big pants yep for definate!

• drink LOADS of water to keep yourself hydrated as this will help your digestive system and stop any unconfortableness

• I found dresses with no tights comfiest first few days as also helped scar air a bit rather than leggings/trousers which restrict air flow to scar.

• we struggled with BF in hospital and due to visiting restrictions were so desperate to get home (care was pretty bad in hospital so while medically we were looked after that was pretty much it!) so instead of breast feeding I’m pumping and feeding via a bottle- for us it’s working like a dream, baby gets the goodness of breast milk, I get peace of mind knowing what she’s taken) so don’t beat yourself up if BF doesn’t feel like it’s working for you.

That’s probably all I have- a week on I’m pretty much normal mobility, sitting up in bed is still a bit of a struggle and scar gets the odd twinge. I came off my codine after 3 days as baby was so so sleepy when I was on it, so just on paracetamol and ibroprofine And it’s all good!

Same day as my section I was shuffling down the hospital corridor to the water fountain. Spending days lying in bed will increase your risk of DVT and constipation (sounds trivial, but start on the Fybogel now and stay hydrated).

I had a next2me but had to move it - I couldn't pick the baby up from it myself, and it got in the way of my legs when I tried to get in/out of bed.

As pp have said, I couldn't lie down flat for weeks. Switched between sleeping on piles of cushions in bed or on the sofa as that was actually more comfortable.

No one told me about postnatal night sweats - I needed 2 clean nighties (no chance of wearing pyjama bottoms) each night, repeatedly woke up drenched.

You need a grabber stick. I cannot emphasise enough how helpful this was.

I bought big pants 2 sizes too big and still had to snip the elastic because they were too tight.

If you end up deciding to pump breast milk long term, get an electric double pump pronto.