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Original poster

Shower after c section?

45 replies

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 05/12/2016 18:46

Just wondering how soon after my ELCS I will be able to get in the shower?!

My op is sometime between 8 and 12, will I get a shower by that evening or will it be the next morning? How quickly will my catheter come out?

The thought of no shower til the next day stresses me right out

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BingBongBingBong · 05/12/2016 18:49

It'll never most likely be first thing the next morning. My op was at 2pm, got my catheter out at 6am the next day. Then had a shower very soon after that. The earlier your op the more likely you'll be up and about by the evening though so if you have an 8am op you may well be able to have an evening shower

CinderellaFant · 05/12/2016 18:50

It will be the next day, the catheter will come out the next morning then you can shower. You need to stay in bed

mymatemax · 05/12/2016 18:53

As soon as I had full feeling & use of everything back the catheter was out & I was in the shower. Everyone is different but they will allow you out of bed as soon as it is safe.

Original poster

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 05/12/2016 18:54

Shit, I thought that would be the case. Very unlikely I will be first in as consultant likes to do straightforward ones first and save any with potential issues for last- sadly I fit in the second category.

Absolutely dreading being stuck on the ward! Roll on this time Weds when it will all be over and II'll be home

OP posts:

DorotheaHomeAlone · 05/12/2016 18:56

You can shower as soon as your legs work again (a few hours) but will struggle to get them to remove the catheter that day so will have to carry it.

I hated mine and didn't want it overnight for my second cs. I had my op at around 9am and was badgering them to remove it from around 4pm. I knew they'd refuse in the evening (happened first time). They did refuse and I had to go 'against medical advice' to get it out that late in the day. Then had to down loads of water and prove I'd done three decent wees (in a measuring pot!) before they'd leave me in peace! I just knew I wouldn't start to relax and feel like myself again until it was gone.

BalloonsandLavaLamps · 05/12/2016 18:57

Are you on enhanced recovery at all? Some units offer enhanced recovery where you have a fast discharge after an elective section. Otherwise, it's normally twenty four hours for a catheter after a c-section. Plus, would you really want to potentially fall over if you come over all funny the same day as your section.

BalloonsandLavaLamps · 05/12/2016 18:57

In the shower I mean.

Crazycatlady83 · 05/12/2016 18:58

I hope it all goes well for you - I had my catheter out 12 hours after my cs (at 5am in the morning - it was an emergency) and the had a shower the next morning! Good luck and enjoy those new born cuddles!!

CharliePurple · 05/12/2016 18:59

About five hours after I had Dd.

busyrascal · 05/12/2016 19:00

I can't remember how long it was but I can honestly say it was the BEST shower I've ever had!

superking · 05/12/2016 19:01

I had my section at 9.30, was out of recovery at about 11.30 and had a shower that evening. I fainted on my way back to my bed though so I don't necessarily recommend it!

chloechloe · 05/12/2016 19:12

You might think you'll want a shower now but feel very differently at the time! I had my CS at 9pm and they got me up first thing in the morning (I thought they were having a laugh when they suggested it as I was sure my insides would fall out). The most I could manage after 12 hours was to shuffle to the en suite, wash my face and give my bits a wipe while the nurse stood next to me to make sure I didn't pass out
. Things got easier after that though - I drank loads of water once the catheter was out so I had to get out of bed - keeping moving really helps with recovery IMO but you need to make sure you don't overdo it too soon.

Having a shower was also a bit of a palaver as it meant having to get my dressing covered over and my surgical stockings off (to prevent thrombosis). Doesn't sound like a big deal, but after the surgery every activity seems like a mountain to climb!

smallone · 05/12/2016 19:33

First one I begged to have it out after a few hours as I hated it, but then had to be helped to the toilet. Second time I learnt my lesson and kept it in the 12 hrs. Although its great to be active, think about your facilities at home. We had a shower over a bath at home which was painful to climb in and out of. And a low bed, which was hell. I stayed 3 nights in hosp after my second and recovery was so much faster.

Original poster

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 05/12/2016 19:41

Yes they have enhanced recovery for those who want it so I've been assured that all bring well I can go home after 24 hours, thank goodness!

OK I'll prepare for waiting till the following morning then I guess.

OP posts:

FaFoutis · 05/12/2016 19:44

The next morning for all of mine. You might get your own room, I did twice.

BikeRunSki · 05/12/2016 19:48

Don't forget shower gel with a hook, so you don't have to lean down and stand up too much.

Marshpillow · 05/12/2016 19:49

I had DD2 just before 10am, they took my catheter out around 7pm and said I could have a shower whenever I wanted after that.

Trulyamnearanear · 05/12/2016 19:50

I has ds by emcs at lunch time and showered around 6pm. In my hospital they were very keen to get you moving. Warning TMI when I stood up my maternity pad wasn't in place and I left a trail to the bathroom.

smallone · 05/12/2016 19:57

Just remembered I had a bed bath whilst I still had numb legs. Was great. It was an emcs after 5 days of labour, so I was disgusting by the end of it. Lovely nurse, gave me the flannel to wash myself, then did my back and legs for me, brought me a a separate little bowl to brush my teeth, it was heaven. Also I had a huge blood pressure crashed on the second day and wasn't allowed out of bed, and had to use a bed pan lying down! I recommend keeping the catheter as long as they recommend!

IrnBrufan · 05/12/2016 19:57

I think it depends on the hospital to be honest.
I had my daughter by section at 10am, didn't get catheter out and wasn't allowed to even attempt to get up until 2pm the following day (I fainted though so didn't actually get in a shower until 6pm)
However other that I know who had sections in other hospitals in our area were up and showered a few hours later
Different hospitals seem to have different procedures

SheepyFun · 05/12/2016 20:05

It also depends how busy they are. I was first on the list (there had to be some perks for having been hospitalised for the previous 10 days) despite being potentially complicated, and one midwife mentioned taking my catheter out that evening. However the ward got very busy, visiting hours finished, DH had to go home, so I was asked to wait until the next morning. It was on a ward with a 24 hour discharge policy; I went home the afternoon after surgery the previous morning (so about 30 hours later) - just be prepared that you might have to wait.

MagnumAddict · 05/12/2016 20:08

I recommend a loofah on a stick for showering after a section. 8 pounds from boots, well worth it!

GreedyDuck · 05/12/2016 21:00

Section at 5pm, catheter out and in the shower by about 6am the next morning. Felt amazing.

Mermaid36 · 05/12/2016 21:04

Section at 8pm....shower at 9am the next morning and catheter out about 2pm...

The HCA did need to help me undress and dress again...

girlelephant · 05/12/2016 22:12

I'm sure my hospital had a rule that my catheter had to stay in for 12 hours after my EMCS to monitor my urine, but that took me to night time when they don't remove catheters . So I had to wait until the next morning which was when I was allowed a shower.

After my shower I explained to a lovely HCP that I would love clean sheets so she changed them

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