C section - what happens and practical tips for recovery

[suntodayplease]

So I've seen plenty of c sections on OBEM and midwives but they only show the bit when they cut and take baby out. What happens before and after? Does the baby stay with you in theatre? Where does the baby go when you're in recovery?

Also can anyone share some practical tips on what to pack in your hospital bag and useful things to think about during the early days after to aid recovery.

I'm likely to have a section soon which I'm fine about but I have only recently found out and know very little about what it involves!
Thanks very much

I had an emergency c-section.Baby was fine so he stayed with me while I was being stitched up, I got a little cuddle, then DH held him next to me for the whole time. I had skin to skin as soon as I was back in recovery and breastfeeding was established.

In relation to recovery, I would advise taking it very easy for as long as you need. Easier if its DC1 and you have plenty of support. I did, and actually had very little pain. Any pain is a good signifiers that you're doing too much!

Good luck!

Thanks very much, glad to hear despite it being an emergency section all went well. This is DC2 so I need to get organised at home as I suspect I won't get much chance to rest peacefully! Useful to know if I'm in pain I'm over doing it.

I have been wondering the same sun so thanks for posting this. Will be watching for replies x

I had an emergency section 2 and a half years ago and a planned one on Monday.

They will call you in to theatre when ready for you and put a few drips into a line in your hand, for fluid and drugs. They then put an injection in your back for the spinal anaesthetic and your legs start to feel warm and fuzzy, pretty soon you can't feel a thing and can't move from the chest down. Then they put a catheter in your bladder and put the drapes on you so that you can't see the operation.
Before they start the op your birth partner comes in and sits next to you. The surgeons then start the op although the anaesthetist stays at the head end so you have a medical person near you.

There is lots of tugging and pulling and it takes around 5-10 mins for them to pull out the baby and cut the cord. I was briefly shown the baby straight away, they then took her to clean her and remove mucus from the throat as is common with c section babies. She was then wrapped and handed to my partner and stayed with us for the rest of the time. Whilst we were cooing over her they got the placenta out and stitched me up, this took another 30 mins or so. By this time you don't care what they are doing as you are too preoccupied with the baby!

I was too numb to hold the baby myself, and felt quite out of it from all the drugs so my partner held her throughout and I just stroked her.

They took us to recovery we were there for around an hour then went to another room where I stayed for about 8 hours before going to postnatal ward. The baby stays with you the whole time unless there is a problem - they will put it in a plastic cot that gets wheeled about wherever you go.

It took a few hours to come down from all the drugs and get feeling back in my legs, I was a bit nauseous but nothing too serious.

I was then in hospital a further 3 nights (should have been 2 but they didn't have enough paedetricians to check the baby!) and it did hurt quite a lot the first couple of days but gets quite manageable quite quickly, now it's four days later and it's occasionally a bit painful but really nothing a few paracetemol can't deal with. They take the catheter out after 12-24 hours so during that time you are bed bound but the midwives should help with baby care etc if your partner is not there. They remove the dressing the next day - mine bled a bit so they had to put it on again, but they are keen not to leave it on too long as they need it to start healing.

As for what to take with you - take a few nighties as they will get bloody, buy the biggest pants you can find that come up as far as they can (I went for Tesco extra large microfiber shorts which are £5 for 2 but sooo worth it) as you don't want anything that will fall down and touch the stitches, bring a good few clothes for baby as you may be in a few days. And this is not c section specific but my hospital don't provide blankets, only sheets so a blanket is essential if you don't want to be cold at night. And make sure you have lots of over bump maternity things for the weeks after the op as you don't want anything touching the scar!

Hope this helps.

EllaMenOhPea has basically written what I was going to write, but I would also add - pack massive granny pants that will go up over your wound, and be prepared for everyone to say "wound" a lot, as in, "How's your WOUND today, dear?", whilst you lie there thinking, "I haven't been in a duel, for God's sake".

I have to say, I found my EMCS a lot less traumatic than I thought it would be, and was also pleasantly surprised by the speed of recovery, but this was definitely partially down to taking it very easy for a good few days, although crucially, staying mobile, and also making the most of being in hospital for a few nights and having meals brought to you and a bed that tips you up and down without you having to move :)

Pack some straws / cartons of drink. The beds are adjustable in hospital but if you just want a quick drink just using a straw to drink is quicker!

I found lieing down to breastfeed easier in the beginning. I just used a pillow to support my side/scar. When I got home I found a breastfeeding pillow useful as it cushioned any pressure on my scar and I got to sit down on the sofa with a free hand for a cup of tea / biscuit!

Take some painkillers an hour before the midwife comes to take your stitches out. And take your dressing off in the shower - peels off dead easy then.

How old will DC be? Are they old enough to understand that you can't lift them for a while?

Maggie that's so helpful, thank you very much for your reply.

Just to say - in my case they put the catheter in before the spinal, which wasn't particularly fun, but I'm sure it came out sooner than 12-24 hrs after, although tbh it's all a bit of a blur now! I have to say it felt like it all happened within a few minutes, although that's probably not the case.

I think they generally offer morphine for c-sections but I wasn't offered this and was fine with the (fairly copious amounts of) ibuprofen and co-codamol they gave me afterwards.

I found the hospital beds really uncomfortable after my cs - I got my DH to bring me a memory foam v pillow which really helped. I also second what a pp said about taking in a blanket - also makes you feel a bit more comforted!

I found it much easier to be in nighties for the first few days, as bending to pull on PJ bottoms was v sore. Mothercare do some really good maternity nighties which I lived in for about a week!

Recovery-wise, best tip is to make sure you take all the pain killers you're offered in hospital, even if you think you feel better. When the meds start to wear off you can feel really quite sore so I found it best to keep 'topped up' for the first week or so.

X posts thanks for more useful tips! DD is 2.6 so I've explained about not lifting and I've tried to get her as independent as possible over the last few months as I figured I'd have my hands full in any event when the baby arrives.
Will add straws to the list, just read the letters the consultant gave me which I completely forgot about it says to only bring in clothes for the baby and leave the rest in the car till your transfered to the ward. Will have never packed such a small bag before!

Hi ladies, i will also be having an emcs, am only 16 weeks with dc3 so not for a while. But its good to hear about peoples experiences to prepare both mentally and practically so thanks for the posts even if this is'nt my thread.

Can i ask somthing that might not seem significant; i read recently that the vaginal cavity is cleaned out after a c section, did any of you ladies expetience this? I know i will bleed similar to how i did with my vaginal births but why the need for the clean?
Does'nt particularly bother me im just curious.

Hi peacenquiet, they could have been doing a complete refurb in my vaginal cavity after the op and I wouldn't have known!
Basically you can't feel a thing, the drapes are still up and all your attention will be on your new baby so unless they actually tell you what they're planning to do, you wouldn't know unless you ask.

I presumed they would leave that area well alone and just let it bleed after the op as it would do after a vaginal birth, but I could be wrong, only never heard of this before.

This thread from a few days ago might help too.

My DS4 was taken to NICU so a bit different but this is my experience:

My section was scheduled for 9am so at 8am I was taken from antenatal ward to labour ward. I put on a hospital gown but left my knickers and a pad on because my waters were leaking. Had my ring taped down and took my watch off. Went to the loo. DH arrived and got into scrubs and I took a photo of him. I cried and got reassured by 2 lovely midwives. We went for a tour of NICU.

We walked into the operating room with 2 midwives who stayed for the operation. I sat on the operating table and DH was given a chair near the head end, close enough to hold my hand. Everyone introduced themselves, there were 2 surgeons, 2 anaesthetists and a nurse. They put the spinal in which wasn't as painful as I expected and then I lay down on the operating table. Someone pulled my gown up and clipped it to a pole on either side of me so I couldn't see anything. Someone else put a drip in. The midwives shaved some of my pubic hair and the anaesthetist put an ice cube on my feet, then knees then tummy, asking if I could feel it. I could feel my tummy but not my legs so he said we needed to give it another few minutes. The midwives took my knickers off and put the catheter in. He did the ice cube test again and I couldn't feel anything up to my boobs. He stuck a needle in my tummy just to make sure. Someone put a green sheet over me and they started. I was shaking and felt like I was going to fall off the table, that was the worst bit. I could move my head and arms but that was it. The anaesthetist was chatting to me and DH. Everyone was really relaxed.

I kept saying to tell me when DS was out. DH took a load of photos of him half way out and gave me a running commentary of what was going on. I could hear him screaming before I saw him. The surgeon held him up briefly so I could see him. They waited until the cord had stopped pulsating and then they cut the cord. The anaesthetist put something in my drip to make the placenta separate. The midwives took him, weighed him, measured him, put a hat on him and wrapped him in a towel. I could see little glimpses of him from where I was. The anaesthetist went over to him with our camera and took more photos. They brought him to DH for a cuddle. The anaesthetist took more photos. I was talking to him and he was looking at me but I wasn't close enough to touch him. I was desperate for a cuddle but I was still shaking. The anaesthetist put the radio on. I asked to see the placenta so the nurse brought it over in a box and said it looked very healthy and was complete.

The midwives said DS was grunting and needed to be in NICU. I wanted to hold him first so they lay him on my chest but kept hold of him like you would do if a toddler wanted a cuddle with a newborn because I was still shaking. DH took more photos and the midwives took him to NICU. The surgeon said she was just stitching up the last layer of skin. When they'd finished they took the green sheet off and put my gown down. The midwives came back with my bed and I was lifted onto it and wheeled back to the labour ward.

I had my BP, pulse and temp taken and given tea and toast while DH was taken down to NICU. The midwives helped me take my gown off and put my nightie on. DH came back and showed me pictures. We phoned the grandparents and after about 2 hours I was taken to the postnatal ward. DH went off to fetch the older DC's from the grandparents. The spinal wore off at about 3pm so I was taken in a wheelchair to NICU at about 4pm. The catheter was taken out the next morning and I was expected to be up and walking around after that.

Tips: Big pants are a must.

Use an extra maternity pad to put over your scar.

Rest as much as you can. I was constantly shuffling from NICU to postnatal and I was expressing so shuffling down to the kitchen to sterilise the pump which I'm sure made things worse.

When you get dressed, maternity leggings and jersey dresses are the most comfy.

Take all the painkillers you are offered for at least a week.

Don't be afraid to buzz for help or not do things. I was asked if I wanted to come with DS to the other side of the hospital on the day after the C-section and I felt so guilty for saying no, I can't walk that far.

If you want to stay an extra night to make full use of the oramorph and the electric bed don't be afraid to ask. I was desperate to escape though.

Hope that helps, any questions just shout.

I assume they clean you out because they're simulating the third stage. You won't have the massive expulsive effort of the placenta and any clots and debris being passed after the delivery so they are sort of simulating that and leaving a clean wound which can then start to heal itself. Plus, in order to check everything's come away, they've left things as should be and they can stitch up neatly, they probably need a clear as possible working area iyswim.

Forgot to add don't drink anything fizzy afterwards as you will get trapped wind.

Yep, they clean you up down below once they've finished stitching. With that and the catheter there's no more dignity involved in a cs than in a vb! It's to lower risk of infection in the womb/incision.

Ahhh, that explains it. Its honestly somthing i never had a clue happened after a c section. Thanks for the info ladies.

Thank you Show, I hadn't seen that thread. Brilliant. Glad to read so many positive stories.

This may seem silly but what I was so glad of after my c section was my rechargeable GTECH cordless electronic sweeper! You are not allowed to use a vacuum cleaner for six weeks after the operation but I could easily whip round with this lightweight sweeper. It was great for the early days back at home when lots of friends and relatives visited (and left crumbs!). That was 3 years ago and it is still going strong today - great for quick clear ups in between proper vacuuming.

The other things I would recommend have already been mentioned such as big pants - I bought packs of five cotton high waist ones from M&S. I found the disposable maternity pants from Mothercare - well, pants! They were not nice at all - very thin, transparent and papery

The pain was very manageable with the painkillers I got from the hospital. What was more annoying was the wound itching when it was healing - but that did not last too long.

I went in on the Tuesday, had the c section at 11.45am and was home by Thursday afternoon. I was up showering on my own on the Wednesday morning and had lots of visitors that day so time passed very quickly.

I found the whole experience very civilised and quite calm - it was a planned C section.

Try not to worry, it all happens quick quickly and you really don't notice what the doctors/nurses are doing to you after they put your lovely new baby in your arms.

Best of luck,
x

It's good to read other people's experiences so thank you for that. I had a c section 2 years ago and as it wasn't planned it was really all a bit of a blur and I don't remember much other than being in shock and feeling like I hadn't given birth for ages afterwards. I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and having an ELCS in November, so it's been very useful to read all the tips. Things I do remember from last time were also:

normal pants rubbed my scar, so I'll be packing granny pants

the beds only had sheets and I was freezing during the night, so I'll be taking a blanket

the pillows were incredibly thin and plasticky, so I'll be taking a couple of my own

I found recovery difficult, however I do have a chronic condition also, so am currently looking at ways of help around the house as I have a 2 year old to look after this time too! If anyone has any tips on this I'd appreciate it as I don't have family nearby and not sure how I'm going to manage.

Other things I remember from my emcs that I'm not sure have been mentioned or not are that there are a lot of people in the room. My ds was initially shown to me then checked by paediatricians before going back to the room with dh where they had 1.5 hours skin to skin contact before I came out of theatre. As well as the catheter I had a drain in which they took both out about 48 hours later but I think it's normally quicker than that but I had a couple of issues. Loose clothing and big knickers definitely what you need afterwards! Wish I'd been told earlier but someone told me weeks after to stick a sanitary pad onto the inside top / waistband of my knickers to provide some cushioning against the scar whilst it's sore.

I've had two c-sections and the anesthetists were amazing both times and they have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves.

So if you feel a bit sick, faint or panicky (my first EMCS got a bit tricky) then they just tweak what drugs they are giving you - so do tell your anesthetist if you do feel a bit wonky in any way.

pudsey that's a good point - it felt as though there were about 25 people in the room when I was in theatre, but in reality it was probably no more than 7 or 8

Pingulingo, yes, I felt very sick so they gave me something, it was because my blood pressure suddenly plummeted, but I felt it before the machines registered it.

Big pants have to be the main thing.

I had an elcs with DC2 and an emcs with DC3. With DC2, they sent DH and the baby out of the operating theatre as they were a bit worried, but DH stayed with the baby.

With DC3, she was put into a warmer in the theatre for about 10 minutes, but didn't leave us.

There can be lots of people. With DC3 we had 3 anaesthetists and 3 midwives, aediatricians plus assorted others. It was busy, but despite being an emcs there was till a really nice atmosphere. It turned out the (male) midwife assigned to the baby was from near my husband's home town in Spain so we had multilingual banter going on.