Recovering from a planned C section

[Rmac90]

Hi ladies,

Does anyone have any experiences recovering from a planned C section? People have told me you recover quicker from a planned one rather than an emergency one? Any advice/tips would be appreciated ☺️

-Take every painkiller offered in hospital even if you're not in much pain when offered - they will keep pain at bay.

• Get some high waisted knickers so the elastic is well above your wound. They usually cut just at the top of the pubic hairline.
• Shave/veet/wax your lady garden before going in. I was handed a dry razor once - not pleasant and couldn't bloody see what I was doing. They will check to make sure it's shaved enough for the incision.
• ask for dissolvable stitches if possible
• once you are up after surgery, try to walk around a little every couple of hours, even just around the ward, so you don't get too stiff
• never have a bath in hospital - shower only
• if you have a bath at home add a few drops of tea tree oil.
• keep wound dry after showering - use gentle setting on hair dryer
• DO NOT overdo it when you get home. Housework can be done by Dh/visitors/family or friends who offer. Take it easy and no heavy lifting. You'll find bleeding can get heavier if you over do it so that's a definite sign to slow down.
• take your time in loo afterwards as things can be slower to move and you can end up with piles - plenty of water and fibre should help.

Best of luck

@Drum2018 thank you for this advice very helpful ☺️ x

Yes I had an elective because my little one was breech - my recovery was great really.
I had an amazing vacuum dressing that healed me really fast because ibwas seemed high risk due to being overweight.
I second the p.p about the painkillers. And a pillow against your scar when you move /sit up/ roll over is helpful. I was driving after about 2 weeks.

I loved the whole thing! (And c-section babies are particularly beautiful haha!)

@JugsAndSoap aww really? That is amazing driving within 2 weeks! The recovery time is what is worrying me the most! Because my partner is only getting 2 weeks off! I think I am just over thinking things but all this advice is so helpful ☺️ x

Peppermint oil in hot water for the trapped wind. That is one of the worst parts of the whole recovery in my experience.

Planned section recovery was great. My dh went back to work after two weeks and the only thing that I struggled with was wrestling with my toddler when he didn't want to get dressed but he's huge and very strong. I'm 7 weeks post section now and it's like it never happened (except the mum tum and minging scar but I had them from the first section!)

I had a c section in 2017. It was only planned for 24 hours though. My baby was measuring 9lb 5 and I was 10 days late. Finally admitted I was terrified when they started talking about inducing me and the consultant agreed. Good job too - he turned out to be 10lb 5!

I was very spaced out. Don’t over do it in the weeks afterwards - I thought I was fine but ended up having to abandon a shopping trolley in Sainsburys. I got very tired very quickly.

I have a very neat, very faint scar. It healed quickly, no infections. I think I came off the painkillers at home within a couple of weeks. I’m pregnant again and hope to have another c section.

My partner was back at work in 2 weeks 2 btw. I didn’t drive for 8, but that was because of my insurance.

Just take it steady to start with is my advice, but no complaints here.

And all the meds and massive pants - definitely the way to go!

-Definitely take all pain medication offered, it is there for a reason

• I healed really well with a silicone dressing and was advised not to remove any hair for 2 weeks before surgery to avoid infection, they would do it for me if necessary
• get up and move often when you can
• really don't overdo it at home, it made my bleeding so much worse and I would often ache terribly in the evenings if I had done too much
• get a Velcro compression wrap, it was amazing and made walking/dressing/healing so much more comfortable. I got mine on amazon for around £15
• high waisted knickers were great, I also got some compression type ones that really helped
• I was driving after 2 weeks too, make sure you get all the rest and sleep you can at the beginning as it really will help you get back on your feet quickly

Best of luck, I loved my experience and would deffo do it again with DC2

My husband had 3 weeks off but we have a toddler too.
Agree about pain relief- even if you feel ok when they start to offer- TAKE IT!!! Also, before you get up for the first time make sure you aren't due painkillers (and if you are then take them and wait for 20-30 minutes).
Pain was worst the day after the cs for me. After that it decreased significantly every day. By day 10 I wasn't taking any painkillers at all.
Make sure everything you need is waist height for those first few days at home- bending and stretching hurt most for me. Put everything you'll need for the baby somewhere easy to reach, along with your clothes, sanpro and painkillers.
It can feel a bit like your stitches are going to burst (passed after about 24 hours for me) and midwife recommended rolling up a towel or blanket and holding it to the incision when moving to help stop this feeling.
Fwiw I found recovery from an elcs much easier than from my vaginal birth with dc1.

I've had a recent section and contrary to some of the advice above - you're no longer shaved for a section so it's personal preference as to whether you do so before hand or not. And don't use a hairdryer on the wound - dust etc from the dryer can be introduced to the wound and increase chances of infection. Just lay down and air dry. I've had two sections now and second the rest of the advice above! Also, you might like to look at 'gentle sections' and talk to your midwife in advance about what's possible. I found my first section to be very medicalised and I struggled after as a result. My second was much gentler - I had my music playing, bp cuff and lines were set up so that my gown could be pulled down to allow for immediate skin to skin. Baby was delivered slowly and cord clamping delayed. I bf in recovery and getting that established so quickly also helped (if that's your choice). Moving around as soon as possible, gently and with good upright posture is also super helpful. Good luck!

I had an unplanned (not emergency) c section 3 months ago. Definitely recommend a pillow to hold against tummy for car ride home. I felt 'normal' again after 2 weeks. They wanted to take my dressings off completely after 3 weeks but I was too nervous so got them to dress it for one more week. Make sure you check car Insurence if you drive as many don't cover women until 6 weeks after surgery. Finally remember it is major surgery and many people would be kept in for a good week after so make sure you rest as much as you can

Thanks so much for all your replies! These are all positive and making me feel so much more at ease as a first time mum! ☺️

Hold wound if you cough
Roll onto your side before getting out of bed
Velcro waist support was brilliant for me - def get one - i put maternity pad over wound then velcro on - helped me to feel more secure.

I had 2 planned sections and tbh the worst part is when you are lying there waiting to be able to get up and get your catheter out. For me that was approx 12 hours both times. I had little in the way of pain relief, diclofenac in drip straight after surgery and one shot of pethadine. When I asked for more pain relief several hours later I was accused of being a drug user as the pethadine should have lasted longer (I had it at 10.30pm and it was 5am by this point) this was second time round though that I will say was significantly more painful but still bearable. I was just given paracetamol. (Note this was not in the UK, my friends who had sections in the UK had all the drugs lol) Both times once up and walking that was pretty much it. First time round I had a tight stitch and that was the worst pain if I'd been sitting for a while but it walked of quickly - lots of gentle walking ASAP and nothing strenuous I was told and it worked well for me!

Oh and don't eat too much too soon.. lots of soup. I ignored this advice with dd2 and had McDonald's on day 4. Still not recovered fully from that bout of constipation nearly 7 years later 🙈

You've had lots of good advice so far but I wanted to mention I got the shakes on my first section which was apparently due to the Adrenalin. A little scary at the time but normal. I wish I would have known about it in advance.

Best of luck!

I have had two elective sections and both have been absolutely fantastic experiences. I checked with my car insurance and they were happy for me to drive which I did 10 days after the first one and 6 days following the second.
The only thing I would say is to make sure that you ask for some lactulose to come home with. It can hurt your stitches if you are having to strain on the loo!

@Bearspears oh I had that too, and got this amazing warm air blowing blanket that solved it quickly

Oh another thing worth mentioning (maybe speak to your midwife), with an elective it can often take a little longer for your milk to come in (none of those magical labour hormones to kick-start it.)
Maybe think about hand-expressing before the birth (feels a little odd but works) and plenty of skin-to-skin - so loads of excuse to cuddle that little gorgeous!

I've had a crash section (three minutes from them hitting the emergency button to being knocked out in theatre) and then a planned section, and the planned one was SO MUCH better in terms of speed of healing!! Vastly better.

Some good advice here, I'd add to eat some dried fruit post-birth to help bowel movements.

I asked for delayed-clamping of the cord with my planned section which was great, the first my local trust had done and they said they'd do it again.

I did get low blood pressure on the operating table, which wasn't nice, but as you're awake you can chat with the anaesthetist to let them know.

Good luck!

Have not had one myself but I’m a HV and if you are hoping to breastfeed I would highly recommend hand expressing at 35+ weeks at home. This is to get everything going and also so you begin to get used to the sensation. Planned C-sections don’t produce any hormones and so milk coming in can be very slow.

As a side note, I’m also seen many many C-sections as a student nurse and the planned ones are very calm and tend to have a good recovery rate. Good luck x

Don't express beforehand. It can start labour and is not advised if you're consultant led and you're having a cesarean for medical reasons.

I was going to say what pragmaticwench has said really. DD1 had a crash C section too, was knocked out, she and baby were both very ill, no time for delicacy and recovery was slow. By the way, she had a successful VBAC for her 2nd and is now pregnant with her third.

DD2 had an elective section (for medical reasons) and it was a lovely experience and a quick recovery.