C Section advice

[elvis4nuts]

Morning lovelies.
I've just found out that I'm going to have a C section next week, which wasn't my plan!

Does anyone have any advice? Things they wish they knew before hand, things to take to the hospital or organised at home.

Kate x

I had an emcs 3 months ago, I definitely agree with all posters who say big knickers and yoga pants that sit well above the scar. I had incontinence for a while too, plenty of maternity pads needed. Apart from that I was lucky and had no other problems. I do believe getting up and moving around helped me heal quicker but listen to your body as we are all different.

Everything as above.

Be aware you may have difficulties breastfeeding- if that's your plan- so have a think about it and whether you might need additional support. Back up bottles wouldn't hurt.

I had terrible nausea for days afterwards so just watch out for that.

TAKE THE PAINKILLERS when you're supposed to, not when you think you need them.

BIG jumpers etc and comfy clothes.

Yes to the peppermint. The trapped wind is sooo painful!

My milk didn't come in at all after my emergency c-section, so be prepared and have some bottles just in case. I was devastated that I had no milk, but apparently it can happen with a c-section (I had no idea). I wish I'd known. I felt like a freak! It never, ever occurred to me that some women just don't produce any milk.

Try and get some c-section pants - they support your tummy and help prevent the c-section 'overhang'. Again, no one told me about the pants or the overhang issue until it was too late for me!

If you have any redness in your scar... speak to your health visitor or GP. I thought it was normal, it wasn't. My tummy felt like a Chinese burn and I had an infection for a long time...

When you're ready, join a Pilates class! It was the best thing I did to get my tummy back to how it (almost) used to be.

Good luck... it's all worth it!

We have a shower over the bath and my husband got me a little 2 step stool to help me get in, which was a lot easier than having to lift my legs over the side of the bath. I use it as a footstool sometimes when breastfeeding now.

Wet wipes to clean your self up a bit if you can't leave the bed, I personally sweat like a pig after giving birth.
I didn't notice any problems with trapped wind, and after pains weren't very noticeable due to all the painkillers lingering from the surgery.
I've heard it said that peppermint can hinder milk production.
Keep up with the pain killers and drink extra water to help you bowel movements stay soft.
Get assertive with the call button, if you or your baby need help, ring it and ring it, don't lie there suffering.

DD is 6 now but one of my best things I did was after each shower I would use body powder on the area in and around the scar to make sure it was dried properly which helped avoid fungal infections in the wound. My midwife recommended it.

For the first few weeks I bought the massive maternity pads, folded them outwards lengthways and tucked one against the scar between my skin and my pants. Helped with bending and kept gentle pressure there as it healed. I also have a small overhang so it just stopped skin on skin sweating or rubbing.

I would add - make sure you have waste bins in any bathrooms or downstairs loo. It just helped me feel more myself that I could deal with stuff without having to traipse around bleeding etc.

Good luck with the procedure, you'll be in good hands.

• Roll up a sweater and press it gently against the incision when going number 2. Your abdominal muscles feel very weird as the nerves have been cut so you almost need something to hold them together.

• Get lots of cheap bedsheets and nighties! You will sweat buckets every night (body getting rid of excess fluid from pregnancy) and it's easier to change into something fresh instead of washing clothes and sheets every day.

• Pre-cook and freeze as many meals as you can and stock up on long-life food! You won't have the time or energy to cook anything that's more complex than heating something up, opening a tin or making toast.

• If breastfeeding, look into the side-lying position. It helps you rest more which is crucial after major surgery. A midwife showed it to me and I don't think I would have survived breastfeeding if I didn't use that position. Holding a baby upright was too painful and I was too sleep deprived to stay awake.

Good luck!!

As PP have said OP, breastfeeding can be difficult, my milk didn't come in until day 5 and DS lost weight so we had to top up with formula for a couple of weeks. What did help though was fenugreek capsules. Everytime my milk supply dropped for any reason I took fenugreek and it would be booming the next day. Makes you smell like maple syrup for whatever reason though! I am booked in for an elective two weeks today and am taking some with me.

I had an ecms last time and no issues with trapped wind or constipation, I'm fact I had diarrhoea from the mix of medicines. This time based on so much advice, I have packed some rennie just in case.

Big pants and trousers which are overbump are essential. I've packed h&m maternity jogging bottoms which are to die for, if you can bear joggers.

Make up a breastfeeding caddy to have downstairs and next to the bed with essentials like breast pads and snacks so you don't need to move far.