c - section on Tuesday! any last minute advice!

[Sarah2013mum]

Well in less than 48 hours I will be having an elective c section (breech baby) ! After 3 "normal" deliveries this is a first for me and other than packing what I need etc does any one have any tips or pointers to share. ? I'm a little bit of an organiser and have been worrying about silly things like " will I be able to lift baby out of cot after birth, will they let me shower?is there anything I should pack that most wouldn't think of? Stupid silly things I no! But if there are any mums out there who have any points that they also didn't already think of or tips before theatre or after I'd be very grateful! I guess I'm feeling very overwhelmed that on Tuesday I will actually have my baby here and while it feels like Christmas and I'm so excited I'm really nervous and feel slightly alone ! Eek!

Big knickers! I had an emergency C-section and the only underwear I had brought with me were small and rested perfectly on my scar, had to send DP out to buy big granny types :)

big pants I had an emcs and when I went to put my normal pre pregnancy pants on the next day they sat right on the scar.

shave - though they might do that for you with elective ones.

I could pick up from hospital cot as they were nice and high but had to put moses basket on something higher than it's stand as couldn't manage that.

Start on lactulose asap, the first poo is awful if you are constipated!

Me too! Although I have a feeling we may be rushing over to the hospital before Tuesday.

I couldn't pick up DD the very first day with my first ELCS but it was fine after that (and family and MWs helped the first day). I showered on day 3 but the nurses were lovely and cleaned me in bed on days 1 and 2.

Good luck!

Another vote for big black pants

A pillow for your lap, to lift baby higher and protect your scar from
enthusiastic cuddles from the other DCs.

I used to tie swaddle DS so that I could haul him out of his Moses basket one handed and 'unpack' him once he was beside me

Peppermints/ mint tea to ease excess gas

Are you having an epidural? I had a shower as soon as mine wore off enough to safely stand, but needed support from DP and felt quite light headed.

Do not underestimate how knackered you will feel initially. It's a major operation in terms of what your body will be going through so rest as much as you possibly can. And you'll soon find out just how much you use your stomach muscles! Try to practice getting out of bed by rolling on your side and pushing up with your arms.

Of course this discomfort is short term and your snuggly newborn will make it all worthwhile. Good luck for Tuesday

Aw wow thank u for all ur quick replies!
Big pants seems a big pointer that I think I've covered :)
My hospital only keep you in for 2 days so if all is well we will be home thursday. Seems quite quick to discharge but I'm guessing it's getting more the norm now.
The surgeon said that they do find ladies that have already had vaginally births to be quite taken aback by how much harder first few days are ie getting around etc.
I had a bad experience with my first lb with a failed epidural so I must admit the spinal block makes me nervous !

Each person is different but I found that the day of my CS I could not get up as one leg was still numb for a very long while and it gave way as I tried to put weight on it. By day two I could get up in the room, and by day three I could walk around the hospital. I was discharged early morning on day 4, but I believe my hospital requires a minimum 3 day to check on the baby (not in the UK) so even VB mums are not discharged sooner than 3 days.

Totally agree with the statements above. Mine was an EMCS so I didn't get any of this advice.

1. Big Knickers
2. Lactulose and peppermint. MW brought me peppermint drops in luke warm water to get my bowels moving.
3. Cushion to feed and hold baby on so not on your scar. Also helpful between you and the seatbelt on the way home. You will feel every bump. Doesn't hurt but some can be uncomfortable.
4. Be careful when laughing, coughing or sneezing - use your pillow.
5. Don't be fooled into thinking you can 'get back to normal' within days. Use as much time as you can to sit with your feet up (but do get up and about to keep you moving).
6. Rolling out of bed on your side was the best way for a few days. You don't think you use your stomach muscles but you do!
7. You may have a drain (sorry!) I did but could have been because I had a massive blood loss. The drain goes in a long way (mine was about 15cm long) and treat it like you have a labour pain coming on when it comes out. Not as bad as labour but very, very weird sensation.
8. I was up and about pushing a pram by day 7. Could have done it earlier but I was in hospital due to complications of mine and baby's health. I was bed-bound for 48 hours (again, unique case) but once I got up I was down to the hospital corridor to buy magazines!!

10. If you have staples - they DO NOT HURT whe removed on day 5. I will be asking for staples again. EMCS are apparently worse than an ELCS. I know of loads of people who have had an ELCS and they said it was a very calm, relaxing experience and nowhere near as bad as what they are led out to believe. Yes it is major surgery but not so major because you're out within 48 hours!!

I'm having an ELCS in December and have asked my consultant if I could come home the next day (my sister has had two and only stayed in one day).
He said all going well, I should be able to.

I had an Elcs. Big pants and something for trapped wind in your shoulders
I was showered and dressed in 12 hours, out in less than 48 hours, picking dd up 20 months same day although carefully, pushing pushchair etc within a few days. All fine and dandy worst but was then removing the drain

I had an EMCS last week. It really wasn't too bad at all.

I'm finding laughing/coughing etc really painful. Brings on sharp pains in the scar/wound.

I found removal of the drain very painful, even with gas and air. After a couple of days of oramorph I've just been on paracetamol and ibuprofen, it's best to stagger them rather than take them together.

I've been told not to carry anything heavier than the baby, so I need help with car seat etc. told to avoid bending to dishwasher/washing machine. No driving for 4-6 weeks.

I've been told I have to wear compression socks for 6 weeks. Although they were changed once in hospital after I showered, I was only sent home with the pair I was wearing. I've been wearing flight socks (bought on amazon) at home as they're more comfortable and less ugly.

Don't rely on wearing flip flops in hospital because of the sock issue. I got DH to fetch me crocs instead.

When I removed the dressings from the wound (with permission), there was a long bit of cable sticking out. I trimmed it with nail clippers. I shouldn't have done that, it was intentional but no one told me.