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 had two elcs, both really easy, home next day, paracetamol only, back to normal ish in under a week.

BUT you can't pick up your toddler for at least a couple of weeks. And running around after him is out too probably. If your DH isn't likely to 'sympathise' (which is really off, imo) train him in advance by not being able to lift toddler during last weeks of pregnancy. It may be easier for him to realise he is being a dick by not stepping up in the context that there are two of you, one baby, and you have a massive bump.

You can also teach toddler to climb onto sofa himself to get a cuddle with you.

I had EMCS 9 months ago now. It was traumatic but that was due to the fact it was an emergency and I was terrified and hysterical.
The first 12 hours post op were pretty awful, but after that things got so much better. Getting up out of bed wasn’t as mad as I thought it would be. Yes it hurt but it also made me feel loads better I hated being stuck in the bed.
Being up and moving is key to a quick recovery.
Good luck

Thanks ladies!

Much appreciated I'm hoping I recover quickly but will deffo be asking for pain relief when needed!

Xx

You will be fine, honest.
You should explain in age appropriate language to ds that mummy is having a little operation to get the baby out and that you'll be gone for a day or 2 and it's all fine but you will be tired with a hurty tummy after. I know it's hard but you will need to be firm with him. Stop him jumping over tum now. I mean i don't know what he's like ime if you really mean it they desist. You don't want him getting you in the abdomen etc.

Sounds like you need to have a similar talk with dp tbh. Will he be looking after ds while you in hosp? Or your mum?

I'm quite, um. I feel like if i was you, if he's not going to do anything, and leave you recovering from surgery, looking at a toddler plus newborn,. And him as well? Then you'd be better off at your mum's. You feel bad he wouldn't see baby (much, sure you could meet) but he doesn't feel bad that, if he really isn't going to do anything, he is compromising your recovery from an operation.

Sorry to have to say that.

Thank you @Fraggling I've tried to start making my toddler understand and he rubs my bump saying aw baby but still think he doesn't actually have a clue what's going on.

Dp will have my son but with help from both our mums (so will be mostly our mums). Don't mind you saying it I know he's a complete arse lol.

I've told him today he can prove that he can start stepping up now or me and the boys will be going to stay with my mum for the sake of my well being xx

Pain varies massively I think. I've had two, both classed as emergencies although very different (I laboured with both though). Didn't need pain killers after either. With my first, ds went to NICU and I was in such an emotional state I had no idea that I was meant to be go back to the ward for pain relief so I just never got any and was absolutely fine. With my second, I refused all drugs and was also fine.

I was up and dressed by myself within hours both times. Dc2 was born on Thursday, we were discharged and did a 160 mile round trip (with lots of breaks for baby) to collect ds from the in-laws and see my dm on the friday and went out for lunch on the Saturday. Was walking 3 miles a day with the pram by week 2.

Possibly because I didn't have any pain killers, I also didn't have any constipation issues.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils from discussion with many mum friends who had cs I would say you are pretty unusual. Most women do need pain relief and are not up and about quite so quickly, so OP don't feel bad if you have a different experience.

I had an emergency section with twins after 21 hours of labour, it was scary because I had no idea what to expect but the section it's was very calm. I had pre eclampsia so my stay was 6 days. The worst bit is trying to stand up after because in your head you'll be thinking your stitches will tear which they definitely won't and the first wee and poo is terrifying - it's more psychological than anything, trying to push a big hard constipated poo out after having abdominal stitches feels extremely unnatural and you think when you push you'll burst your stitches, but when it's out it's the best feeling! It's also scary to cough and sneeze - someone told me to hold a pillow to my stomach and lean into it when I needed to and it definitely helps!

13 weeks ago I had DC3 by elective section (because he was over due and they wouldn't induce me) it was a genuinely lovely experience, I was first on the list, all very very relaxed, had a laugh with the team in the theatre and was very much involved in what was going on. At the pre op appointment I told them exactly what I wanted (delayed cord clamping, skin to skin) an they were excellent, I didn't get that with the emergency one because there was no planning! I knew what to expect with the recovery so wasn't as in my head worried about standing and going to the toilet so was up that evening (section was at 10am) and had a shower before bed.
The sooner you get up and about (if you can) the better! I was home at 2pm the next day.
I couldn't take it as easy this time with 3 year old twins at home to care for as well as a new born but my recovery was a lot quicker - I was driving after 4 weeks and life as usual from then.

I had a planned section with dc2, I'm not going to lie I was surprised at the pain afterwards but I got sterelised at the same time and the nurse told me that could cause the pain to be worse.
it goes away fairly quickly though I found sitting up and getting out of bed to be particularly difficult, but it's all bearable and you can still go about your day to day.
I remember being terrified to take the waterproof dressing off the scar and got myself into a right state but it was totally fine!
it healed perfectly and had no hassle with the scar afterwords, except when I'm really warm it gets itchy.

I had an emergency section with my first so I was just glad to get her out after a long horrendous labour. I wasn't nervous about the section didn't have time and still was contracting so in a lot of pain.

I don't remember it being that bad after. They were only giving me paracetamol! After a couple of days though it was getting more painful (probably from lifting baby and getting out of bed wrongly). I had to practically beg for something stronger, they told me I cld only get paracetamol (which isn't true). I did get something stronger which really helped.

I tried to foolishly help with some washings after about a week and it made me go bk the way. So if ur feeling better don't think it means ur bk to normal. I was driving after 3weeks but still sore.

I caught an infection in my wound so it was sore for ages but certainly not agony. Just had to watch that I didn't wear clothing too tight and avoid baths. A planned section is supposed to be so much better.

I'm having another section and I'm a bit anxious about the surgery this time not so much the recovery. I've got a crazy 2yr old that jumps all over me too so not sure how that's going to work when I'm home.

Top tip roll on to ur side and push up with ur arms to get out of bed. A physio showed me that on day 3! Also ask for pain relief if u need it don't get fobbed off. Buzz if u need help getting the baby too, hopefully u won't be in too long.

I have never had a section before, potentially will have to on this occasion so I’m a bit wary myself of the unknown and I know there are some folk that have had a tough time, but I do also know a couple of girls that got them and did fantastic afterwards! So much so that one of them said she wouldn’t like to have another one vaginally after giving birth both ways! I understand the fear, but you may well be pleasantly surprised and fly along afterwards! I wish you the best of luck and just remember you will get to meet your beautiful baby at the end of it!

Thank you everyone!

You've all made me feel so much more at ease! Think it's more fear of the unknown xx