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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Talk to me about C Sections

27 replies

Andysgirl15 · 06/12/2016 07:10

I'm having a section on the 13th at 39+1 as baby is breech but I know nothing. All I know is I may be discharged within 24 hours if everything goes smoothly but I want to know what happens after the section.

Can I have a bath/shower asap
When will I be able to get up and move around
How much pain will I be in
When can I go back to driving
How long will my catheter be in etc

Can anyone give me a little insight to what's going to happen after please

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Loulou2kent · 06/12/2016 07:19

How exciting to know when your be meeting your little one .

All hospitals vary so you should check with yours, but from my experience straight after c-sec my partner held our little boy whilst I got stitched up. Then I moved over to a little post op room. Just me partner & baby. We had lots of skin to skin & I fb him lots! After a couple of hours they moved us onto the ward. My partner was allowed to stay and after 2 more hours I was getting up & having a shower. These days they like you to be up & moving nice & quickly. They recommend showers because that way clean water runs over your wound rather than sitting in dirty water. Then I got in my him jams & spent the evening resting with my baby boy. If all is well your allowed home.

All I would say is keep on top of meds. The pain is only bad when your painkillers start wearing off. Don't be scared to tell them your in pain & there's normally something they can give you to take the edge off.

Take peppermint tea as you could suffer with terrible wind which is painful!

As for driving you should check with your insurers. Most say 6 weeks. I think your meant to be able to do an emergency stop without hesitation because of pain.

Rest up as much as you can & I was back working full time from 5 weeks (childminder) but I felt fine.

Good luck OP. Hope I've helped!

Loulou2kent · 06/12/2016 07:20

Forgot to say my catheter was taken out as soon as I came out of the post OP ward. So couple hours after surgery

Minkybinkyboo · 06/12/2016 07:23

Hello. I had a planned c section for DS. I gave birth just after lunch and went onto the ward around tea time. I was on a drip and my catheter stayed in over night. Then the following morning I was helped to wash by a midwife and I had my catheter out. I then forced myself up and about. This hurt, but not enough to put me off. I was discouraged from showering just incase I passed out. You're encouraged to move as and when you feel able and I think everyone is different. DS was tucked so far up in me that tugging him out took some doing so I was quite bruised ( my midwifes reaction was 'oh my god' so I take it I'm not usual). The doctor came to see me at lunch time and said there was no medical reason to stay so if I wanted to I could go home, so we were home by tea time. Really good experience actually, despite bruising, better than DD's natural birth.
My advice is move as soon as you are able to even when you don't necessarily feel like it and keep your pain relief topped up!
Best wishes to you and your little one xx

doubletrouble41 · 06/12/2016 07:24

hiya I had a c section for my twins four days ago. I had a shower after 2 days, and was up walking( slowly) after 1 day. Take the pain killers on time ( I have only needed paracetemol after the first day) and keep as stilla spossible while you are in hospital. I came home after two days and two nights in hospital. As long as you don't bend twist or do anything silly you are ok to walk about and do simple tasks. I do not drive so cannot help with that. The catheter came out after about 24 hrs I think. And incase you are worried about the operation; don't! Once the epidural had kicked in it was a wonderful experience; no pain at all and I actually enjoyed it! Congratulations on your baby xxx

doubletrouble41 · 06/12/2016 07:24

Oh yes; peppermint tea or capsules are a must!!! x

Original poster

Andysgirl15 · 06/12/2016 07:25

Thank you for your reply. I hate hospitals so I want to be in and out Asap. I'm not looking forward to the catheter I had one with DD and ended up with a uti which was agony so I'm wanting that out as quickly as possible.

OP posts:

Original poster

Andysgirl15 · 06/12/2016 07:30

I was hoping he would turn by the time the section comes around but my MW checked the other day and she said his head is tucked under my ribs and as I'm now 38w he's more than likely ran out of room and will stay stuck in that position. Also the fact that I can feel his hiccups near my ribs tells me he's still breech. On the plus side at least I can have a little drink on Xmas day 😊

OP posts:

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 06/12/2016 07:31

I've had two at two different hospitals and a lot depends on what time it's done and when you're taken from recovery to the ward. And of course how you feel and how baby is etc.
First one was 9am and was on the ward in the evening. Catheter out and up the following morning. Second one 2pm and on the ward by 6, catheter out and bed bath in the night. My second was elective and uncomplicated hence the quicker recovery time.
When showering go to one with a seat in as you might feel a bit wobbly.
Driving - most insurers say once your GP had signed you off. Typically at the 6 week check.
A lot of hospitals say the 24 hour thing but it depends what time you're on the ward and getting someone to do all the paperwork etc. 2 nights for a straightforward c section is typical.

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 06/12/2016 07:31

Flannels. Take loads.

The post op itching is horrific.

Huge cotton pants,not paper, and decent nightmare.

dylsmimi · 06/12/2016 07:32

Hi
Mine was slightly different from loulous
Got to ward at 7.30 am then they do all the checks - bloods etc and you speak to surgeon and anethatist went down in the afternoon. It was very calm and relaxed abd baby arrived quickly. Once they checked him j held him then web went to recovery ward. Then back up to ward when I could finally eat! Couldn't move and catheter still in until the next morning then it was u for a a shower. I stad another night but I think I could've gone home that day - often you are waiting for paperwork or baby checks
I was back on schools run in2 weeks but could have done it earlier - little and often movements and dont rush

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 06/12/2016 07:32

Oh and you can't bath at first because stiches need to be kept as dry as possible.

dylsmimi · 06/12/2016 07:34

I took peppermint capsules for trapped wind and ate dried apricots for the post section poos!
Our area doesn't have a gp 6wk check and my insurance didn't need it - though I didn't ring them to check until 6 weeks. I was ready to drive well before then

taxworries · 06/12/2016 08:00

My son was born 9.30am and we had maybe an hour recovery time in the ward next to surgery while they monitor you. Then wheeled down to the ward with baby lying on my chest. They made me get up around 6pm but I fainted, was very light headed. Catheter came out the next morning and j had a shower with DH helping me. To be discharged I had to remove the dressing over the wound so they could check it. A nurse could have helped but I couldn't bear the idea of anyone else doing it so did it very slowly. I don't think my care was particularly good (v noisy ward, short staffed, my catheter bag overflowed etc) so was a relief to get home that night. As the others say you have to keep on top of the pain, you take a variety of pills at two hot slots. And don't overdo it at home...I did maybe because of the painkillers so I thought I was better than I was. If I do it again I'll take to my bed as much as possible. The other really bad thing for me was the constipation afterwards which is due to one of the painkillers.

Original poster

Andysgirl15 · 06/12/2016 08:10

Thank you for all the information it's really helpful. How long does it take for them to stitch you up afterwards ?

OP posts:

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 06/12/2016 08:18

I think it was quick, I've had four and cannot remember so it must be pretty quick.

GreedyDuck · 06/12/2016 09:13

It takes a while to stitch you back up, maybe half an hour? Then you'll be in post op for an hour or so, then back up to the ward.

I had an ELCS because my daughter was breech. She was born at 5pm and I was up on the ward around 7/8pm. Catheter out at 6am the next morning and I hobbled off for a shower. Keep on top of the pain relief is my only real advice. My partner basically fed me the painkillers on the right schedule once we got home because I was so tired and didn't really know what was going on. As long as you stick to the every 4 hours dosage (or whatever it is) you'll be ok, don't get cocky and think 'oh I feel ok' and let the previous lot wear off completely, because it's fucking agony for the first few days.

I drove and carried my daughter in her car seat at two weeks post op. It wasn't my best decision tbh and one end of my wound opened back up a bit. Listen to your body, but be aware that you do take a long time to heal, the internal healing takes time as well. I think it took around six months for my abdomen to feel anywhere near normal, although two years on there is still some numbness.

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 06/12/2016 09:21

Don't drive for six weeks. You won't be insured and your body won't allow an emergency stop.

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 06/12/2016 09:21

My last baby was 8 years ago and I'm still numb

looby2803 · 06/12/2016 09:44

Hiya,

I had a section early 2015 as one of my twins was breech so here is my personal opinion in answer to your questions, hope it helps

I had my babies just after midday Saturday and had a shower Sunday morning
I got up and could move as soon as the spinal wore off but I didn't much
pain I would say varies I was fine unless I tried to sit down I.e on the loo, this was horrendous pain but only lasted the first couple of days and only when bending at 90 degree angle
driving is usually 6 weeks of after post op check however check with your own insurance policy as each have their own policy (and may not cover you) Mine would allow me to drive as soon as I felt safe.
catheters are usually removed as soon as you have feeling back in your lower body providing there are no problems

Hope this helps feel free to ask anything and good luck x

SanityAssassin · 06/12/2016 09:59

Don't drive for six weeks. You won't be insured and your body won't allow an emergency stop

Total rubbish - check with your insurers but I bet they don't care as long as a Doctor has seen you. I drove 8 days after my last CS.

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 06/12/2016 11:10

Your body will prevent you from doing an emergency stop, the force on your stomach would be too much to take and you could well release.

You may have driven after 8 days but that was wilfully irresponsible.

Stitchosaurus · 06/12/2016 11:20

My one bit of random advice is to make sure they lower your bed for you. I could barely get on or off mine because it was too high but I didn't think it mention it to anyone!

Once I was home, I was fine. Had to inject myself to prevent blood clots...that was interesting but no problem once I got used to it.

Neverknowing · 06/12/2016 11:23

My cesarean was really good. I hate needles so it was strange! You can't feel pain but you can feel all of the pulling about in your stomach as they get the baby out but once (s)he's out you don't even think about it. They let me hold my baby as I was stitched up, which literally took ten mins.
The pain after wards was pretty bad but you can go for a shower as soon as you like and they remove the catheter about 8-12 hours after surgery (it's really quick and you don't even feel it at all.) and once you've been to the toilet they remove the cannula, which is also completely painless and quick. The best advice I can give is to walk as soon as you can and as much as you can as that helps the pain but obviously don't overstretch yourself ! I left after two days and that's the average at our hospital but they won't force you to go if you're in pain!
I recommend making sure they stay on top of your painkillers as they kept forgetting mine and I had to have oral morphine which zoned me out so I struggled to look after my baby it's easier than I thought though, don't worry too much, good luck and congratulations !!

SanityAssassin · 06/12/2016 22:48

*Your body will prevent you from doing an emergency stop, the force on your stomach would be too much to take and you could well release.

You may have driven after 8 days but that was wilfully irresponsible*

Well if I was wilfully irresponsible I had the full support of my GP and my car insurance company to be so (in writing). I was also running 5K 3 times a week 5 weeks after CS (both times) so I think my body could cope with an emergency stop ( which if you've ever had to do genuine one in a head on collision which I have you will realise that your feet and hands are so braced to the pedals and steering wheel you hardly feel the seatbelt)

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 07/12/2016 09:48

SA.

Well I guess the for GPs of mine were lying.... and the surgeons.

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