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

Original poster

C section help..

31 replies

Roozy123 · 20/02/2020 08:17

I am just over 36 weeks pregnant. This coming Tuesday I will get a date for a C section.

I've had 2 previous babies, both natural births.
I feel clueless! I have a few questions I would like mum's that have been through the experience to answer as sometimes I feel like Googling info can turn into me reading the horror stories lol.

Is there anything you wish you had taken with you that you didn't now looking back?
How long was you in the hospital after you had the c section?
My mum and partner are coming with me, I understand only one of them are allowed in the room with me, would the other sit and wait in the ward me and baby will go into after the section?

How long after did you feel okay getting up? Walking around etc alone without being in alot of pain?

Any information or advice will be much appreciated!!
Thank you

OP posts:
8weekstogoHohoho · 20/02/2020 08:24

How long was you in the hospital after you had the c section?
2 days
My mum and partner are coming with me, I understand only one of them are allowed in the room with me, would the other sit and wait in the ward me and baby will go into after the section?
I only has my partner with me so not too sure about this

How long after did you feel okay getting up? Walking around etc alone without being in alot of pain?
I got up the next day was very uncomfortable, the more you move the better it gets. Also get peppermint tablets for the wind pain. Apply pressure on your scar with a rolled up towel when coughing/sneezing or standing up.
Wear big knickers the biggest you can find
I was very slow and uncomfortable for around a week afterwards then slowly started to get better each day

Good luck Grin

8weekstogoHohoho · 20/02/2020 08:25

Sorry I though I had emboldened my answers

Noideaatall2020 · 20/02/2020 08:28

Hey.
Just remember some slip on shoes and a dressing gown for walking down to the theatre. I wish I had taken more pictures but there was so much going on at the time I didn't.
I stayed in two nights, but they would have let me come after one night had I felt up to it.
I'm not sure if you have two visitors. My husband was sent to a ward with the baby after whilst they cleaned me up and moved me to a different trolley. I was then wheeled there after for cuddles and toast.

I think everybody is different in terms of recovery, as each surgery will be slightly different depending on your body and position of the baby. It took me nearly a week to feel ok getting about, but my neighbour was able to walk a mile or so by day 3.

You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen so set yourself up a schedule of what hours you can take what as it is important to manage the pain.

Good luck. Enjoy your new baby xx

Kezmum14 · 20/02/2020 08:28

I’ve had 3 c sections. I didn’t take anything in particular to the hospital with me other than huge pants to go over the scar. Oh and I’ve always worn dresses too so nothing in my tummy - but leggings probably are okay too.
They get you out of bed and walking around within 12 hours of the section. It is painful but bearable due to the pain Relief they give you. If everything has gone well and you are happy to go home you’ll be discharged after about 24hrs.
My Partner came in the room with me for the birth - I actually have no idea where my Mum went, probably the cafe. You go in to recovery after the section so I doubt they’d have a space for you in the ASR’s until it was needed. (I may be wrong).
Once you and about I’ve always tried to care for my baby on my own in hospital and only asked for help if the pain killers had worn off. Once discharged I was walking around and doing normal day to day stuff albeit slowly and carefully. I went in to town and registered the births and 4/5 and 7 days. I was driving after 2 weeks. No infections and recovered well. X

Babyg1995 · 20/02/2020 08:29

Hi I'm due to have my second c section at the end of next month .
My last one was 10 years ago so things have changed a bit my mum was with me and just sat at my side untill baby was born then she was moved back to the room we waited in for the section untill I got sorted then they held me baby .
I was in for 3 days but now if all is well it's 24 hours in my area everywhere is different though .
I was up and about when the numbness in my legs wore off it was the same day needed a bit of help getting up first couple of times then I was fine wasn't in much pain always always stay on top of pain relief.
I did get an infection after 2 weeks as my wound had opened a tiny bit but I was because I had really overdone it with the long walks with the pram but overall my recovery was great I'm hoping this one goes the same but it can be different for everyone the lady in the bed next to me refused point blank to even try and get out of bed for 2 days so her recovery wasn't the same and had to stay longer the quicker you are mobile the better good luck op.

user1493413286 · 20/02/2020 08:31

Big knickers and clothes without waistbands; also have peppermint tea at home for the wind and painkillers ready at home. Also accept any lactulose they offer for your first “movement”.
Shirt Nighties with buttons that I didn’t have to lift over my head were great.

2 nights is the average to stay in after; they will have you up and about after 12-24 hours and actually it does help to move as much as your discomfort allows you to. It’s a gradual thing in terms of the pain but each day slowly gets better although I’d say I was walking slowly for a good couple of weeks.
My friends who have had stitches etc have described a not dissimilar level of pain in the first few days.

ShowOfHands · 20/02/2020 08:35

How long was you in the hospital after you had the c section? 12 hours after the first, 36hrs after the second

My mum and partner are coming with me, I understand only one of them are allowed in the room with me, would the other sit and wait in the ward me and baby will go into after the section? no idea, only had my DH there

How long after did you feel okay getting up? Walking around etc alone without being in alot of pain? was up and about within 3 or 4 hours both time, catheter removed then and had no pain on moving around. Was doing all baby care myself and needed no help

Sparrowlegs248 · 20/02/2020 08:36

I stayed 3 nights. I could have left a day earlier if I wanted but knew I'd rest better in hospital.
I didn't go back to the main ward til.about 8pm (c sec was at 12) They didn't want visitors on the recovery ward other than my husband, but allowed mil as husband left.

Baby was placed on my chest and stayed there while they stitched me up. The nurses were really helpful with passing him to me and changing nappies etc.

The spinal took ages to wear off do couldn't get out of bed til the next day , just couldn't move my legs properly. But walked around alone. I was mostly alone in the hospital but could walk carefully. At home I struggled getting up out of the armchair. I didn't really spend any time in bed. But I should have done probably! I took baby for a walk at a week old. Slowly.

All in all it was a great experience. So calm. I feel like my recovery was fine. I felt mostly back to normal after 3 to 4 weeks.

fedupandlookingforchange · 20/02/2020 08:41

Big knickers.
Paracetamol and ibruprophin (sp) were fine so long as I took them regularly. I did get stuck in bed a couple of times and DH had to rescue me.
I moved around normally and took it easy but didn't go out walking or drive for 2 weeks.

Original poster
Roozy123 · 20/02/2020 08:41

You're all amazing.. thank you so much for the replies so far!!!
Sorry for so many questions! I'm feeling better about it now.

OP posts:
FeedMeChoc · 20/02/2020 08:44

Take your pregnancy pillow with you. Unless you like sleeping on your back, it’s a really nice support because you can’t sleep on your side or tummy for a while.

Take a bottle with you to fill up so you aren’t constantly reaching for a cup on the table.

My first section I really struggled and it was a week before I could walk properly. I was really upset on the ward seeing all the mums walking around with their babies whilst I was confined to a bed because walking was so painful.

Take snacks with you for sure as if you’re on ibuprofen you need to take it with food.

I was in for 2 nights with my first and one night with my planned section.

RoLaren · 20/02/2020 08:49

I was up and walking fours hours after a very complicated c-section (placenta previa/accreta). I passed the surgeon in the corridor and she couldn't believe it! I had good motivation though, my baby was in SCBU and I was desperate to see her.

I've had a vaginal birth and two sections and honestly they were all different but none was awful. On balance I'd go for the c-section, quick, calm and controlled. Good luck!

Butterbeeeen · 20/02/2020 08:52

I have not had a c section before, however I was recently a birthing partner and it resulted in c section so I can answer the bit about your mother. I waited in the delivery room whilst DS and her DH went to theatre. Once baby was delivered her DH came back to delivery room to change out of scrubs and we went to recovery room to he reunited with mother and baby. We waited there for 4 hours and got transferred back to original delivery room after that. They were a bit funny about having 2 people in recovery room though just to pre warn you.

SleepingStandingUp · 20/02/2020 08:58

A nightie. I took pajamas thinking of would be better. It a a stupid bloody idea lol. Nightie!!!!

Was up once catheter was out so next morning. Just keep on top of the pain meds and ask if you need more. Liquid morphine was the only thing that got me through the after pains1

Original poster
Roozy123 · 20/02/2020 09:35

This might sound like a stupid question but once the baby is out, obviously you're then stitched up, if all is well with baby where do they go!?
Will he stay in that room with me or be given to my birthing partner and they will wait else where?

OP posts:
Original poster
Roozy123 · 20/02/2020 09:35

This might sound like a stupid question but once the baby is out, obviously you're then stitched up, if all is well with baby where do they go!?
Will he stay in that room with me or be given to my birthing partner and they will wait else where?

OP posts:
MsJuniper · 20/02/2020 09:38

I've had 2 CS in 2 hospitals - 1 EM and one planned. It did vary between the 2.

Is there anything you wish you had taken with you that you didn't now looking back?

I had everything I wanted but would recommend nightie, dressing gown, slippers, own mug and water bottle.

How long was you in the hospital after you had the c section?
Two nights for each.

My mum and partner are coming with me, I understand only one of them are allowed in the room with me, would the other sit and wait in the ward me and baby will go into after the section?
The first time my husband was in the room with me and mum waited. It was a long wait for her and I felt a bit bad. The second time she brought my son in afterwards so he could be the first to meet the baby. The planned one then got delayed so she actually arrived before DD was born! All fine though as they went for a coffee.

How long after did you feel okay getting up? Walking around etc alone without being in alot of pain?
First time I was really shocked how quickly they expected me to get up and walk around and it took me a week just to walk up the road. It was much better after the stitches were removed. 2nd time I had dissolvable stitches and my recovery was much quicker and I was walking fairly normally in a couple of days. Take all the painkillers and the laxative they offer though, the wind/constipation is worse than the stitches! Peppermint can help but a BF advisor said it can affect milk so I didn't take that.

Nowayorhighway · 20/02/2020 09:59

I packed about five days worth of stuff when I had my c-section and they discharged me the following morning Grin. I thought they’d keep me in for days with it being, you know, major surgery but they booted me out about 14 hours after he’d been born which surprised me to no end.

One thing I didn’t know was that you had to have anti-clotting injections for ten days after birth. I was already in a fair amount of pain and fucking hated those injections, dreaded them.

I needed DH to help me onto and off the loo, into and out of bed and up off the sofa too for the first week I’d say then I was absolutely fine. Getting into the car was difficult after he was born too, I needed a lot of assistance because our car is fairly high up.

They only offer bloody paracetamol as pain relief which shocked me, I won’t even take that for a bad headache because it’s crap! I had to request something stronger and had to be prescribed something stronger when I got home too.

Nowayorhighway · 20/02/2020 10:02

Oh and be prepared for the dreaded trapped wind. I thought I’d escaped it but when he was about five days old it happened and the pain is intense. I recommend peppermint tea and windeze tablets (completely safe when breastfeeding and they help a lot).

SleepingStandingUp · 20/02/2020 10:08

Once you're stitched up you all go off to recovery for a bit before going up to the ward

MamaMama20 · 20/02/2020 11:17

I would definitely recommend taking some big pants that go over your scar and some comfy pjs. Oh and some snacks, it can be a long day.

I wanted my mum come to hospital aswell as my partner but my hospital said my mum would be treated as a normal visitor, so wouldn't come be allowed to come into the recovery room and had to wait to come see us on the ward during visiting hours - I would ask at your appointment your hospital might be different.

Bout 8 hours after the section, I was up and showered and due to being short staffed I had to do alot myself at night (partner was sent home) as hard as it was, it was the best thing so I advice trying to do what you can sooner rather than later. I was sent home the next day and found the recovery not to bad. Within a week I was out for dinner with DH and driving by week 3.

Good luck !

oldmahubbard · 20/02/2020 11:59

A pillow for the car journey home so the seatbelt doesn't hurt your wound!

ShowOfHands · 20/02/2020 13:02

DS and DD were handed to me as soon as they'd been delivered and checked. I kept them with me the entire time, bfed in recovery and kept them in bed with me the whole time. We weren't separated at all.

Kezmum14 · 20/02/2020 15:54

My partner was given the baby and he took them to another room and dressed them. From what I remember I later joined them in the room. It’s all a bit blurred.

Sparrowlegs248 · 20/02/2020 16:20

Baby was held by husband briefly then given to me. He stayed on my chest for a good few hours.