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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

C section: preventing infections

69 replies

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 07/01/2017 15:54

What can I do to minimise the risk of infection after an ELCS? I had huge problems with infection and needed loads of antibiotics after a tear with my first baby and I don't want a c Section scar to become infected.
Also, how big and sticky is the dressing they use and how long do they leave it in place? Just don't fancy giving myself a wax in the process of removing it!

OP posts:

Anatidae · 08/01/2017 15:44

God yes REST.

I made that mistake. Really, rest. There will come a point in the first week or two where you think 'I feel ok, I'll just...'

Don't.

FizzBombBathTime · 08/01/2017 16:30

Not everyone is like that though. I'm two weeks pp after elcs and I'm able to drive (yes I checked with insurer), put washing on, washing up, running up and down stairs, lifting my 1 year old.

BusterGonad · 08/01/2017 16:33

I was up and about quite soon but I didn't do too much lifting, getting in and out of bed was a bit painful, a slow motion holding on to some to pull yourself up is best. The worst bit for me was my womb slotting back into place. Very painful indeed!

Original poster

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 08/01/2017 19:12

Do you mean the uterus shrinking back to its own size?

OP posts:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 08/01/2017 20:11

Oh yes,womb shrinking thing was a strange sensation,I remember that.

Original poster

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 08/01/2017 21:43

How interesting. I had many problems after my tear but I don't remember feeling my womb shrinking! Well, I'll look out for it!

OP posts:

eurochick · 08/01/2017 21:56

Buster, I had the cling film type thing too, and also a very neat incision from a very good consultant. Mine was also a premmie delivery. Were you at St Thomas' by any chance (if you feel comfortable saying)? I don't know anyone else who has had the cling film plaster and no visible stitches.

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 01:42

No I was down in Taunton, it was all very scary. There were so many people in the theatre. I think it was a very risky operation due to the premie aspect!

farfallarocks · 09/01/2017 08:58

It was me with the cling film/glue I think and we were at st Thomas's. Great incision and no overhang! But I did find the recovery brutal compared to even a rough vaginal birth. The womb shrinking gets worse with each baby too.

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 09:05

I had cling film and no stitches too

Original poster

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 09/01/2017 11:36

Any must ask questions I can ask my midwife or consultant in advance of the pre-op visit (which is 2 days prior to the ELCS date, so not much time to do anything at that stage)?

OP posts:

Anatidae · 09/01/2017 12:05

You could ask that you be given the baby right away, whether they can consider delayed cord clamping if at all possible... just ask them to run through the order if service so to speak.

But really just roll with it on the day: they will respond instantly to any issues that arise and that means your best laid plans have to be flexible! Ds was a bit tricky to get out and needed seeing to on delivery so they had to cut the cord immediately and do that, which of course Takes precedent over my desire to hold him immediately and have a delayed clamp. We had a bit of a drama but it was so reassuring seeing how calmly the surgical team dealt with everything- they were amazing.

Just thinking of any other stuff I'd have liked to have known... oh yeah you can get these insane shakes. Uncontrollable shaking, very odd but totally normal. Just breathe through it. It will pass.

It's an interesting experience- good luck and hope it goes smoothly for you. I'm grateful every time I think of it as we had complications that required a section. Thank the deity of your choice for modern medicine!

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 12:16

Op the worst part for me was being moved off of the operating bed to the other bed, I couldn't feel a thing and I felt like they would drop me! They obviously never would but to not be in control of your body is very strange!

FizzBombBathTime · 09/01/2017 12:18

I was itchy for 24 hours afterwards and very shakey. Ask for an antihistamine if you get the itching. It drove me mad!!!

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 14:14

I felt very sick during the procedure so they had to pop something in my drip and I instantly felt better, then when I was in the recovery room I had a cup of tea and a few biscuits and I was sick all down my front! 😂

FizzBombBathTime · 09/01/2017 14:25

Oh no!

I got the sickness too, it's weird the stuff makes it go straight away doesn't it!

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 09/01/2017 14:42

The trapped wind afterwards was also and it was weirdly, bad in my shoulders. I took peppermint pills and something else for sore tums.
My cs wasn't scary and I remember most of it.

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 15:13

It's amazing how quick the drug (or whatever it was) stopped the sickness, literally as soon as the shit it in your vein you feel fine again, after the op I was woozy for hours, wobbly and talking more rubbish than usual!

BusterGonad · 09/01/2017 15:14

I mean as soon as it hit your vein, not shit!!!!!

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