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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Elective C Section - what to take?

16 replies

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 08:18

So I've found out at 37 weeks that my baby is breech.

Not sure whether I'll try to have him turned (sounds awful!) so a C Section is looking likely.

I have a couple of questions - what did people take into hospital? I have a dinky little bag for my planned relaxing water birth (gutted is not the word) but I'm going to need twice as much stuff I assume?

Also, do you bleed as much vaginally after a C Section - will I need the big, thick maternity pads I've bought?

Thanks for any help!!!!

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Cornwall73 · 12/07/2013 08:54

Hi, hope he will turn for you and you can still have your water birth. With a csection you would expect to stay a couple of nights at least. If you look in the childbirth board there is a lot of info there. I have recently posted the bag list given to me by my hospital (UCLH) so you can start from there. It is for twins though so take less baby clothes!

These are my first too but yes, please expect to bleed afterwards and you will need pads.

Good luck!

farmersdaughter · 12/07/2013 08:58

Hi,

You sound very disappointed about the section? I agree a water birth would be lovely but clearly your baby has other ideas. As for turning the baby personally I won't let them touch me.

Arnica tablets, take 2 every hr post birth. Also do not eat anything to heavy like steak the night before the CS. As the iron tablets you get afterwards can make you very constipated. Take a pillow and ear plugs, so that you have a bit of home and can get a few hrs kip. iPad or similar and flip flops for the bathroom / shower.

I used pads for several weeks but this I think we more due to having an EMSC.

Good luck x

missesjellybean · 12/07/2013 09:05

it might be worth packing one bag for day one and then.leaving a bag in the car packed for day 2-3 with extra clothes, bibs nappies wipes etc. I was in 4 days and packed everything for the full four days in a.bag. it was a right pain being sore and trying to find things in an over filled bag. if you're on a ward rather than private cubical you only get a small amount of space so 2 bags helps with thst too. also when your dh/dp goes home at the end of day one make sure you have everything you need st waist height so you're not bending and the nurses buzzer within easy reach....I learned this the hard way

Original poster

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 09:15

Yes I'm really disappointed. But as long as my baby is born safely that's the most important thing. I just really wanted to experience labour. I could cry (and have - a lot!)

OP posts:

Mutley77 · 12/07/2013 09:16

Yep you need the pads and Big Knickers to go over top of your scar. Couple of Bf nighties. First night you won't be able to wear pj's due to catheter. Dressing gown and usual toiletries. Flipflops. Baby gros, vests, hat, nappies and wipes. Also phone and charger plus a couple of magazines as baby may well be sleepy and you will probably have a bit of time to chill second and third days. I also liked to have snacks handy and had a water bottle so I could eat and drink when I wanted, can be tricky to reach the water jug and sit up to drink esp on first night. Good luck it is not that bad but do take pain relief every four hours, don't wait to feel the pain.

lurcherlover · 12/07/2013 09:29

My catheter was out as soon as the numbness in my legs wore off - about 6 hours. Nighties are good though as you walk like an old lady for a while! Maxi knickers up to your belly button to cover the wound (get plenty as you will want these for a few weeks after as you don't want normal knickers rubbing the scar for a while). Wet wipes in case you want to wipe the loo seat - your stomach muscles won't be up to you hovering over it. I didn't bleed as much as after my vb but still got through plenty of pads - did swap to thinner ones more quickly though as I obviously wasn't sore down below and didn't need the padding (definite bonus!) I took a widgey pillow for breastfeeding, which was very useful.

For what it's worth, my elcs was a lovely experience - much nicer than my natural birth, and the medical team made it feel really special for us. I felt much better afterwards too and recovered quickly. Good luck.

Original poster

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 12:41

Oh thanks so much. I'm sure I'll be fine once I get over the initial disappointment. xxx

OP posts:

SignoraStronza · 12/07/2013 12:47

Huge m&s belly hugging, black cotton granny pants.
Wind-eeze/charcoal tablets or equivalent.
Nighties rather than pj bottoms - will be bad enough getting your knickers on for the first time, without the additional upping and downing.
Loads of water and fruit juice.
Don't put anything you may need post op on the floor!

Jollyb · 12/07/2013 14:18

Yoga type trousers with a waistband that comes up over the scar are really useful for after the birth. I lived in mine for around 2 weeks day and night.

You're likely to be in for 2 nights so make sure you have enough baby clothes and nappies for a 3 day stay.

You will still need maternity pads - I think I went through around 10 per day initially. You won't need many breast pads though as you'll probably be home before your milk comes in properly.

Snacks as hospital food isn't great

Original poster

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 17:08

Thanks - looks like I need to make a shopping list :-)

This might sound really stupid, but... will baby have to drink formula before my milk comes in or will my colostrum be enough??

Thanks for all of these replies, I REALLY appreciate them xxx

OP posts:

lurcherlover · 12/07/2013 17:33

Your colostrum will be perfect, no formula needed at all. It's the removal of the placenta which triggers milk production so it will happen after a CS in the same way as if you had had a natural birth. They will encourage you to try breastfeeding when you're in recovery.

lurcherlover · 12/07/2013 17:36

Oh, and I lived in Primark pj pants afterwards - really stretchy and comfy.

Original poster

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 17:42

Thanks, Lurcherlover. That's a relief. I'm planning a trip to Primark next week to stock up on PJs and granny pants!

Got a wee list for Holland and Barrett too :-)

OP posts:

janey1234 · 12/07/2013 18:13

I had a c section two weeks ago due to a transverse breech baby, and just wanted to reassure you that it's fine. More than fine in fact, I loved my elcs! Perhaps I was lucky but I was up after seven hours and wandering around, and was ready to be discharged after 24 hours (although unfortunately baby wasn't so we ended up staying for three days!). I have had minimal pain since, have been really active, and the bleeding has all bit finished now. Breast feeding has been easy, despite me being unable to feed for the first 36 hours due to the baby being in intensive care. The theatre team were amazing and really put me at ease, and made the whole experience feel incredibly special.

Good luck - but you will be fine

Original poster

lauracutee · 12/07/2013 18:23

Oh thanks, Janey! I'm hearing a lot of positive stories about elcs which is making me feel sooo much better.

How's your baby now? I hope all is well.

OP posts:

janey1234 · 12/07/2013 18:31

He's asleep in the Moses basket next to me!
Honestly it was better than I could have imagined and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I think I expected it to be awful, and really painful, and the reality was so much better!

Get up as soon as you can as it really helps. The hard part is getting up so get someone to help you - once you're up it's fine. Second the advice re arnica - I took it before and after - and take something in case you get wind (I took peppermint tablets). Massive massive pants too and you're all set!

Good luck.

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