C section help..

[Roozy123]

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

Wrt what happens after, with the EMCS DS was wrapped in a towel and put on my chest as soon as he was born, then he was taken into a kind of anteroom to be weighed etc and DH went with him. I could see DH but not DS. Then I thought we all went to the recovery room together but apparently DH went with DS and I arrived about 20 mins later when I was stitched up. I must have passed out I think as I don't remember that. We were then left alone in the recovery room to start bf and they brought tea and toast before going to the pn ward.

With DD (planned CS) they didn't put her straight on me but took her off to be weighed with DH. Same room but behind the CS screen so I couldn't see them and I was quite distressed. Then they did give her to me and I had to cling on to her while they trundled me off to recovery. I mean I'm sure she was safe but I was convinced I was going to drop her! I was also not sure it was the right baby but DH reassured me she was 😳 Eventually we went back to the main ward. No tea & toast until much later. Sounds silly but I really wanted it - like a moment of reality and bring you back from the shock.

Anyway if I could do it again I would definitely want to specify that the baby should immediately be given to me (barring urgent needs) and also understand/see where s/he would be taken afterwards to be weighed, whether we'd be separated while I was stitched up etc and if I could choose for that not to happen and the baby to stay with me all the time I would do. Those little details do matter and it's worth asking.

Clothes without waistbands are your friend. I loved maternity leggings after 3/4 days, but make sure they're ones with no seam where the bump panel is. ASOS do some.

Take your pregnancy pillow. I'd have got no sleep without it.

The blood thinning/anti clot injections after were unpleasant. I couldn't bring myself to do them so DH did them for me.

I was in a few days and our hospital doesn't put pressure on mums to leave before they're ready so it's fairly normal to be in 3/4 days if you feel you need it. I was up and showered (with DH's help getting dressed) after 24hours and tried to do a short walk on the ward twice a day. It was a good piece of advice.

I had an EMCS and baby was with me the whole time from delivery. They put her nestled into me while I was stitched up and then we were taken through to recovery all together too. DH dressed her beside me in the recovery room.

Oh also you may want to think about the screen and photographs.

With the screen, they will ask if you want it lowered just before the birth so you can see the baby straight away. We said yes but you may want to prepare your partner that he may see more of you than he ever bargained for, and if he doesn't want that he should look away or sit down so he doesn't have the higher vantage point.

With DS, DH took a photo when he was on my chest, but with DD someone in the room said "get your camera ready Dad" just as they were lowering the screen and taking DD out and he just kind of took a couple of photos without really looking! As it happens they turned out to be really beautiful and intense photos and I'm glad to have them but I'd never show them to anyone as they are quite graphic.

All of you have given amazing advice and details of your own babies birth that are detailed and I feel I needed to read as I feel more prepared with what I should be asking and what I should expect.
Thank You all so much!

I had my elective c section 3 weeks ago.

Things to take - water bottle, extra long charge cable, big knickers (stretchy not stiff cotton) and nighties. Cushion to put between you and seatbelt on way home.

Stay- 4 nights but I had twins and neither of them had done a dirty nappy so we had to wait. Had they done the dirty nappy we would have been out in 2 nights.

Walking about - i was helped to get up 6hrs after and they removed my catheter. I had to do 3 wees before they would remove my canula so that gave me motivation to get up in the night and move about. By day 4 it got so much easier getting out of bed and moving around. Just keep on top of pain relief.

Where does baby go - my husband went into the recovery area with the twins whilst I was stitched up and then they wheeled me through there. We stayed there for about 1hr before being transferred to labour ward so I could be monitored. Normally you go to post natal ward.