Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Postnatal health

As with all health-related issues, please seek advice from a RL health professional if you're worried about anything.

Flip

Original poster

Post c-section manoeuvres

18 replies

BELLAARA · 28/12/2017 21:11

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone who has had a section could advise how they found getying into and out of bed, particularly if their bed was fairly low
and
whether they were hindered, initially, by having a sidesleeper crib on their side of the bed.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Foggymist · 28/12/2017 21:15

Found it OK, the first 3-4 days getting up from a lying position was just fecking tough especially after being there a few hours asleep. With ds2 who is 6 weeks old we've coslept since the start so I was lying almost flat in hospital which makes it more difficult, stay propped up a bit if you can.

With ds1 I didn't have side cot but had a cradle beside the bed with just enough space for me to stand so can't help on that one, sorry.

butterfly86 · 28/12/2017 21:16

Hi I didn't have a sidesleeper but I did find getting out of bed really sore, it helped to sleep propped up so I wasn't trying to get up from flat and my dh pulled me so I didn't the use my tummy muscles. If he wasn't there rolling then getting up that way was easier. I remember it feeling like being stabbed with a hot knife when trying to use my muscles in the first week after.

everybodylovesabosom · 28/12/2017 21:25

It was tough for a couple of weeks really even though I was fine doing other things like driving and bending. We had a side sleeper and I had to shuffle down the bed and then roll out sideways. Or get out the other side if DH wasn't in the bed.

I would still have the side sleeper again though as it saved so much hassle in the night.

seven201 · 28/12/2017 21:50

I had a side sleeper. It involved a lot of shuffling or being pulled out by my legs! Getting out/off the actual bed was the trickiest bit. Definitely don't regret my bedside crib though.

Original poster

BELLAARA · 28/12/2017 22:03

Thank you so much for your responses. I could imagine that getting out of bed was a drama but hadn't really heard anyone mention it.

Did the hosp give you any tips or did you just work out what worked for you?

Was thinking of having the sidesleeper on husband's side of bed but perhaps the tip about leaving a gap to stand would work better.

Really appreciate you sharing your experiences.

OP posts:

Foggymist · 28/12/2017 22:36

You couldn't really leave a gap to stand unless your side sleeper has the option of having a raised side on that side too. I don't think there would be any benefit having it on husband's side as that'd require waking him to pick baby up or getting up yourself and going over which would defeat the purpose of it.

I remember in hospital kind of sliding to the edge of the bed on my back to let my legs down to the floor first and then pulling myself up using the bed rail.

AppleKatie · 28/12/2017 22:45

It’s horrendous at first. But it gets easier with time. It was only truely shit for 4-5 days. As others said try to sleep propped up if you can.

If it’s any consolation you do forget. I had until this thread made me think back and remember!

NotAllItsCrackedUpToBe · 28/12/2017 22:57

Roll onto your side, right at the edge of the bed then let your lower legs fall to the floor whilst pushing up to a sitting position with your arms. This is what I was taught by a midwife after my c-section and it really helps. Sorry I can't help with the side sleeper part though!

allthegoodnamesalreadytaken · 29/12/2017 02:29

I found the first week really tough before the stitches were removed. I needed DH's help to get in and out of bed. I had the chico next 2 me on my side of the bed but ended up co sleeping as it was just easier access for breastfeeding (super king size bed so no issue with space) Once the stitches were taken out (on day 7 i think) it all got a lot easier to manoeuvre in and out of bed, lift DD out of side sleeper etc

eggofmantumbi · 29/12/2017 02:50

Yup, sleeping slightly propped up. I also put a dining chair in the living room as I struggled to get up from low soft sofa...

Original poster

BELLAARA · 29/12/2017 05:55

Thanks again, so sleeping propped up is the way to do business. And either wiggling/sliding to foot of bed or getting up "properly" @notallits will let me get myself out.

I've a chicco next to me so it has the optiin to be used as a standalone, away from bed but i guess id have to see which is the most pressing issue, getting up or getting the baby.

Happy new year all x

OP posts:

HandbagFan · 29/12/2017 22:32

I’d just echo the above - it was difficult, and I remember it being a pain in the arse long after it stopped being a pain in the physical sense! But I really valued DS sleeping in his snuzpod next to me so I’m planning to do it again this time round. The joy when he went into his room and I could just get out the side of my bed was immense though!

haveacupofteaandamincepie · 29/12/2017 22:38

Yeah you have to kind of roll off the bed but keep taking your painkillers and it'll be ok

MissClarke86 · 29/12/2017 22:41

I had a snuzpod and if I were to do it again, I’d have the side up and just get out of bed to pick baby up - I never got the hang of laying down feeding so I had to get up and prop myself up to feed her anyway. It was magical going to sleep being so close to her though tbh.

I only found it a pain for a few days and as long as you take it slowly it’s not so bad.

Constantlurker · 29/12/2017 22:51

Agree with everyone else, 5 days in and it'll be better, but that first few days is definitely tough. (Knowing it's only a few days will help though) I vividly remember the first time I could sleep on my side again and it was utter bliss, I hate sleeping on my back! When getting up hubby would come around to my side of the bed and 'lock' his arm at an angle, then I'd grab it and use it as a pulley, I found that if he pulled me up it was more.painful so using my arm muscles to do it myself worked better.

We didn't have a bedside cot we had a moses basket but DH would go get her and bring her to me when she wanted a feed.

One thing I also found helped a lot was to put a thick pillow just under my bum/ back of the legs. It kind of propped me up into a nice sleeping position. I'd just take it away when I wanted to get out of bed.

Good luck, it absolutely gets better!!

Tilly35 · 29/12/2017 23:02

One thing I found really helped was putting an toddler bed liner (like an absorbent pad with a plastic backing) under my bum and lower back. It meant I could slide myself up to sitting or off the side of the bed using my hands and feet. You will find your own ways of moving about don’t worry

SansaClegane · 29/12/2017 23:08

The beauty of having a sidesleeper is that you don't have to get out of bed all that much! Agree with PPs that the hardest part is getting yourself upright. I don't remember the night feeds being much of a problem. The getting out of bed in the mornings was tough for me initially as complications during my ELCS meant I was sent home with a catheter in place so not only was I sore from having my stomach cut open, I also had tubes dangling out of my lady parts and a pouch of wee strapped to my leg. Ah, the beautiful memories.

reetgood · 04/01/2018 22:29

Just to add, had a section 3 days ago and have a side sleeper. Came home 2 days ago. Haven’t really noticed too much difficulty, although me and partner do a lot of pass the baby. I’ve twinged once or twice trying to inch down the bed. However my big tip is to keep taking the pain killers regularly. Set a timer and don’t let the dose wear off - I really noticed when I messed the timing up.

Flip