C section worries

[Shaunieh95]

Hi all,

I'm due a section in 6/7 weeks with DS2 and I am absolutely bricking it, I had a long 18 hour labour with DS1 however would redo it in a heart beat!

I keep seeing posts on here about how much pain women are in after their section and I am sh!t with pain and am giving myself anxiety worrying over not being able to look after the baby. I also have a 18 month old which I'm dreading as he's too young to understand and is VERY hyperactive and boisterous 24/7. He was already jumped all over bump multiple times.

I'm just wanting some advice and stories of any prior sections you have had and please do not hold back on pain stories etc I would rather prepare myself!!

Also, what do I need to take as I've no idea what I'll need 😩.

Thanks in advance xxx

I've had emcs and planned for dc2.

Both fine.

Recovered no probs.

You do need to let yourself recover you have had surgery, and communicate that to people around you if you think they don't get it.

Like if someone had a major stomach operation would they expect them up and about.

DD1 was 2 when Dd2 came it was fine.

DH took 2 weeks pat leave 2 weeks hol was all available at time. That helped a lot.

Do you have a dp, or anyone else, or are you on own?

Honestly it'll be fine, it's just an operation, a really standard one, they don't even knock you out for it.

Take same as vaginal birth. Pants need to be big so elastic not on scar.

Accept all pain relief!

Getting up and about quick feels hellish when they say to, but it's best for recovery.

Thankyou @Fraggling, DP has 2 weeks off work but he is the most unsympathetic man on the planet and just does not get it. He was in 'more pain' than me during my first labour apparently as he had trapped wind and I had read a women online saying it was worse than child birth (clearly she was asleep the whole time) and I'm worried he's not going to step up as in all honesty he was crap with DS1.

I've debated staying with my mum however partner and family do not get on at all (long story) and id feel awful him not being with baby 😩.

As for pants... I will make a trip to Primarni. I made the mistake of buying pre pregnancy size pants last time .... didn't even fit one leg in had to send dp out for more 🤣🤣🤣 x

He had read online sorry not I! * @Fraggling*

I had an emergency C section. My DH took no paternity leave and I had my MIL help for a day or two after.

I wasn't in any pain, just took paracetamol and ibuprofen. Healed really well. Getting out bed was an issue, so I stuck a chair there so I had some thing to hold on to to pull me up.

Driving after 4 weeks. No issues at all. ..don't be scared. X

Not everyone has horror stories please dont worry yourself unnecessarily I had EMC first birth stayed in hospital for 4days (for other issues) healed pretty quickly but lost sensation in my lower stomach was told I wouldn't get it back as they must of cut through nerves.2nd elective section recovery longer but was let out next day then was thinking I'm super woman and over did it so my own fault for not letting my body ease up!very stubborn! Advice mesh pants are good for after but dont used winged liners!and DO NOT lift anything heavier than your baby!take things slowly.
Car ride home was bit of a nightmare over bumps if possible and if it doesnt hurt you too much a pillow propped in front of you helps. Feeding cushion or any cushion to help support your back when feeding. Changing table amazing for back no bending but be very careful once your baby starts to roll if you purchase it!Good luck

When you need to sneeze or cough, hold your scar. Not your nose or mouth. Trust me. ..the first car journey on the way home as your DH to put a towel in the car so you can pad out your seatbelt x

Thank you both @GlitterSparkle85 @Snowflake9 hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones who recover quickly however I'm a high risk pregnancy so doubt I'll be home next day 😪.

I'll feel awful not picking my toddler up as he's the biggest mummy's boy especially when he won't understand however I know it's what i need to do 😰.

Hospital is only 5 min drive away so will make sure dp takes it steady and should be fine. I'm probably working myself up over nothing however I am renowned for having the lowest pain threshold ever 😂.
Xx

I had a planned section 8 weeks ago and recovered far better than I did with a vaginal birth.

The first 24-36 hours are the worst for pain, make sure you ask the midwives how much you can have. They didn't tell me I could have hourly liquid morphine if needed and I struggled.

After I got home, I had dihydrocodeine for 3-4 nights but then managed with just a couple of doses of paracetamol.

Take peppermint oil capsules as the trapped wind can be quite bad (you don't have the muscles push it out!)

If you are staying in hospital alone, get someone to put all the things you need in reaching distance. Especially the first night if you are catheterised.

The quicker you get up and the more you love about, the better it is.

Thank you @Stroan I had read about the liquid morphine but I react so badly to codeine I'd be worried I'd be the same with this! If I feel I need it though I'll definitely try it. DP will be with me however will have to leave between 10pm and 7am so will make sure he sets everything up for me that I'll need before he leaves!

I was very lucky with my first and was up and showered within the hour and recovered extremely quickly the midwives couldn't believe I'd just given birth (he was only 5 lb😂) so it will be very different for me taking it extra slow this time x

I had an emergency c section 7 weeks ago and feel absolutely fine now.
Don't get me wrong I still haven't lifted anything too heavy but apart from that I do everything else as normal.
The worst thing is the first walk after your c section and getting out of bed!
I have heard taking a tie into hospital and putting it on the end of the bed is a big help.
Get massive knickers, peppermint capsules/tea, lactose, a long charger for when your in hospital bed and a heat pack!
I had the worst back ache for a few days after my c section.
Ask someone to put everything in reaching distance for you and set things up ready for night time. Nappies, cotton wool etc.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or pain relief!
Good luck with it!

I had an emergency section and it wasn't that painful. Easily manageable with ibuprofen and paracetamol. I was up and about within six hours, showered and able to tend to my baby without help. I'd dreaded a section but in all honesty I'm glad I ended up with one as I honestly found it very straightforward. An elective would no doubt have been even smoother. I also found that the post-birth hormones made me super awake and alert for about 48 hours after birth - my DP was knackered and had to go home to sleep but I was buzzing! Maybe as I didn't have that long a labour beforehand, but it made such a difference to caring for baby not being exhausted.

I had an ELCS just over 7 weeks ago; I'm 100% back to normal now. I was in some pain for the first 24 hours when I was in hospital but the midwives were very good at bringing me drugs. I had my section at 10am and was up and about for visitors at 6pm or so. I was really frustrated that they wouldn't take my catheter out because I wanted to go for a shower and get changed! I was only sent home with paracetamol and ibuprofen and actually didn't need anything more than that. I popped out to the supermarket (on foot) two days after my section.

I've had two emcs, after identical labours, first was awful, second was fine. I had an infection after the first which ended up with me laid on the floor with worse pain than when I was in labour. Once that went I healed really quickly. I was driving by 4 weeks.

I also bought massive cotton knickers, so big I could've tucked my boobs in them, lol. I had everything I needed both upstairs and downstairs so I once I was down on a morning I didn't have to go back up until bedtime.

I had one yesterday and I am totally fine! After a few hours there was hardly any pain and I could walk again, albeit very slowly. Today I have only taken paracetamol because they told me I have to. I am really pleasantly surprised at how quickly I have recovered.

I also have an 18 month old who has visited for a couple of hours today and yesterday. He did try to climb on me, pull out my drip, etc. and he cried when I said I couldn’t pick him up, but otherwise he’s been fine.

Who is going to be with you on the first night to help with the newborn baby? I had a friend stay with me for 24 hours. It’s hospital policy where I live.

Ask for lactulose as soon as you can - the 1st post section poo was absolute agony first time because I didn't know about it - 2nd time was SO much better!!!
Get some tea tree oil and then have a warm bath with a few drops in as soon as your dressing is off & as often as you can - it helps the wound heal.
While it's best to be up & about as soon as you can be, also try to minimise the amount of walking etc - keep moving but don't try to do everything x

When the midwives tell you to take your dressing off in the shower. Don't forget to ask for the wipes to take the residue off. I did and it took weeks to get the stuff off!!

Do take big cotton pants, lots of PJ's (I was in for 48 hours after and for through 5 pairs) and maternity towels. Asda ones are really good.

As for.your little boy, you can maybe sit him down and explain why mummy can't have her tummy touched. Keep reiterating it and hopefully by the time it rolls around he will have a better understanding x

I did not get the wipes. That was supposed to read.

Two cs here and both fine. First was emergency, second was elective. Elective was so much easier because I wasn't exhausted after hours of labour. Just take it steady. 18 months between my two as well. I couldn't pick ds1 up but he could snuggle with me on the sofa and it passes quickly.

I had emcs for DS1 after failed induction and had DS2 17 months after, they offered ELCS so I took it with no hesitation as the first section was a great experience, up and about after 5 hours, home after 22 hours and whilst I was a little sore we were out having a walking around town and coffee within 2 days, I drove after 2 weeks too. I know I may have been lucky as not everyone's the same though, I just didn't lift DS1 in and out of his cot or carry him upstairs until I felt up to it which was around 8 days from memory

I had an ELCS 7 months ago. I have a very low pain threshold and a lot of anxiety about anything medical. It really was fine. Yes, it hurts - I actually found day 2 worse, on the first day I was a bit high and in a daze and didn't really notice it. The next day everything has stiffened up, but once you get moving it's ok. I had paracetamol and ibuprofen on a regular schedule, and then liquid morphine as and when. I was keen to keep on top of the pain so did take it a few times on day 2 and 3 ( you probably won't need it day 1 because of the drugs from the surgery) but then hardly at all after. It was fantastic to get on top of the pain when I'd slept through a painkiller.

Once home I felt I healed quickly and it was manageable. It was a bit sore but not terrible, I could get up and down stairs slowly but fine. I found lying flat in bed impossible so make sure you have plenty of pillows/cushions. The first poo was fine too! One of the worst things for me was a very itchy spot on my back from the morphine - it took a few weeks to really go and was incredibly annoying when breastfeeding! And the catheter messed up my ability to feel I needed a wee for a few weeks, which was weird but actually quite handy when dealing with a newborn!

My recovery was slower than others here - I went for a slow walk after about a week, and even a month later I was still way slower than usual. But it wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. It took about 8 weeks to feel I'd really recovered.

But really. It was ok. At least you know what will happen, as opposed to a vaginal birth.

Mine was fine (i.e. mild, manageable discomfort) by around the third day. On day six, I got told off by the health visitor for dancing because I'd forgotten my incision.

Just make sure you stick up for yourself about getting regular painkillers in hospital. I was in agony during parts of the first 48 hours because I was repeatedly fobbed off and told that the ward was too busy for staff to bring me painkillers.

I had a planned section with my DS.

He was born late Saturday night and I stayed in hospital until Monday lunchtime however they offered me another night if I wanted it.

Best advice I got was get up and shower as soon as you can - I felt 100x better after that.

Pain is worst probably the first 3-4 days. I read you react badly to codeine - so do I but was totally fine with morphine so definitely try. Ask for pain relief as much as you need while you’re in hospital.

When home I managed on diclophenic (sp?) (like a stronger ibuprofen they prescribed me) and paracetamol. After about 10 days I was pretty much off both.

Don’t overdo it - I started to few great and would do loads then feel like I had the flu the next day (achey and hot/cold) so take it easy!

After 4 weeks I was driving. Honestly first few days is the worst but you start to feel better pretty quickly!

If it helps I would choose a section over and induction if I have a second. Induction (failed) was so much worse! Good luck

I had an elcs with my DTs. It was brilliant! We were out after 2 days (babies were a bit prem so we were kept in for blood sugar monitoring) shopping at 5 days after, and I was back to driving in 2 weeks. Dh had a week off after they were born, then it was just us.

I’d suggest taking all the painkillers offered, even if you feel you don’t need them, the largest pants you can find, and pop a maternity pad over your scar on top of your pants to keep it safe, which was bliss. As PP said, make sure you take something for your first poo afterwards, I didn’t know to do so which was awful!

I have a very low pain threshold, but it honestly was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Good luck!

My two were painful, no doubt about that, after all it's major surgery. However it was because the pain came from the surgery I was able to make sense of it and manage, if you see what I mean
The worst thing for me was constipation, the midwifes weren't particularly pro active with helping me prevent this and I needed suppositories after a few days. After my second LSCS I had to have a drain removed and that was bloody painful