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Original poster

Planned c-section tomorrow... do you get help changing nappy etc or strong enough to do it once up and about?

25 replies

BabyCJuly · 09/07/2020 21:56

Hello there!

Have a c-section tomorrow and I was wondering when can start being hands on with baby? Is it almost immediately when come round or do the midwives help? Would love some advice as to what happens :).

OP posts:

Monsterjam · 09/07/2020 21:58

Someone put the first nappy on both of mine, I feed them whilst still in recovery and from that point on it was all do-able if not a bit sore x

Misscoffeecrazy3 · 09/07/2020 22:03

I was in the post op room for around six hours during which time I wasn’t really capable of doing much at all. After this I was a bit more able but still needed the midwives to pass my son from the cot to me for the first few hours. I was able to change his nappy on my knee aswell but wouldn’t have been able to stand to do it.

BananasBananas · 09/07/2020 22:03

You'll be stuck in bed until the anaesthetic wears off, it took a good 24 hrs for me!
I was fine bending down and picking DS up once I was up and about but everyone is different- lots of women on the ward were wincing and shuffling around. I think I was unusual in that!
Just dont overdo it whatever you do - I did and ended up back in hospital the day after I got home with severe sepsis. I was stuck in there for 11 sweaty days!!

Horehound · 09/07/2020 22:07

Well, the woman across from me in the ward had a section and she couldn't move. It was actually really annoying because when her baby cried she would shout his name in a really droll loud voice "ooweeennnn, oweennnn". I wished the nurses came to see them but she didn't press her buzzer :(

So make sure you press for help!

marvellousmaplesyrup · 09/07/2020 22:08

Midwife put the first nappy on. I was then wheeled back onto the labour ward where I was handed the baby to feed.

I was on the postnatal ward within a couple of hours and then had my DH there to hand me the baby for feeding and changing on the bed. The midwives are a big help, if your struggling with anything like changing a nappy or feeding then they are there to help you.

OrchidJewel · 09/07/2020 22:10

Ah good luck op. I have had 4 sections. Handed to me to hold after birth, then taken to be weighed etc whilst I was sutured. DH feed him.outside (wasn't BF) we had hour in recovery with me holding him. Then up to the room. Babies beside me. Got help on first to pick them up and feed etc. 4th baby I was up after an hour and needed no help. My first I was so.paranoid about stitches etc. First obviously the total unknown. It's a lovely experience

stardust40 · 09/07/2020 22:14

Dh did first feed and dressed mine. Midwives were there if needed but luckily dd2 was born in the morning.... oh stayed all day and by the evening I was ok to look after her. With dd1 it was an emergency and oh was sent home as it was night .... I had a lovely midwife who was pretty much with me or came whenever I sounded my buzzer. By the morning I could get up and was ok to look after her. Don't worry xx they will help xx

doodlejump1980 · 09/07/2020 22:15

Just wanted to say good luck and hug a pillow when you cough. Also layer a maternity pad against your dressing under your pants to help cushion/deal with any leaks.
Good luck!

PrayingandHoping · 09/07/2020 22:17

Hubbie helped wrap baby and put nappy on and he did first feed (bottle obv) was I wasn't well in recovery (had temp so had drips etc being sorted).

I had her at lunchtime and could get up to do anything for her without having her handed to me until the next morning when catheter etc was out. And even then it's v hard to move.

But if u are handed baby you are able to do it

bilbotoy · 09/07/2020 22:21

4th baby I was up after an hour and needed no help.

Wow I assumed the epidural took longer to wear off.

Clearyweary · 09/07/2020 22:23

I was able to do pretty much everything once the anaesthetic wore off (about 12 hours for me). DH did it whilst he was there, midwife and doctor helped when DH had popped home for some rest but I was still unable to move my legs. Not sure how long spinals usually last but mine took ages to wear off!

IBelieveInPink · 09/07/2020 22:26

Awww hope it all goes well :)

With both of mine, DH did the first dressing/nappy. After that I was managing to swivel enough to do the necessary, although I needed help lifting and shuffling back into bed etc. With first I was definitely reassured to push buzzer to ask someone to pass me baby/stuff then I could do the rest, but within 24 hours you’ll be up and about (likely less) and they don’t poop/pee THAT much at that stage. You’ll find your way

Claphands · 09/07/2020 22:29

I hate to be the voice of doom but depending on the hospital you may not get any help at all, my DH was there mostly but other than that on my own and I was discharged the next day.

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/07/2020 22:32

Nope, hardly any help at all. It was bloody annoying and impacted on my recovery. Make sure you speak up for yourself.

Crystal87 · 09/07/2020 22:40

I've had 4 sections. I only got a bit of help with my first which was an emergency. They will come if you press the button but takes a while but they expect you to do basic things yourself. Hopefully you'll be up after a couple of hours, don't worry.

BeMorePacific · 09/07/2020 23:12

Good luck!! I hope you have an amazing experience. My son was born by C Sec at 14:40, and around 22:00 the midwives advised me to stand and move around. I requested the remove my catheter, and that made me more mobile.
I buzzed for help with the first nappy as I’d never changed a newborn nappy before. They helped me, then I was able to do them all after that.
I didn’t do any of my sons baths for the first few weeks. My husband did all those xx

Original poster

BabyCJuly · 09/07/2020 23:15

Thanks so much all!! Xxxxxx

@doodlejump1980
thanks so much for this! So I put normal pad in place and then another over where the stitches are? Sorry if I’m being silly haha! Need all the tips! And when hug a pillow do I press on scar when cough?

OP posts:

MrsAvocet · 09/07/2020 23:38

Its a long while since I was in your shoes - my baby is 22 now - but the MWs helped me with everything until I was able to get out of bed. I had my section in the late afternoon and though I probably could have been out of bed in the evening they wanted me to stay in bed til next morning when more people were around, because of other problems with my health. But basically I just rang my buzzer if DD was crying. I was fortunate that the ward was quiet and they always answered quickly. They changed her nappies, helped me get her latched on, fetched all my food and drink etc so I didn't really have to do anything myself until I was fully mobile and my condition was improving. I had been in the ward for weeks before I had DD so had built up a good relationship with the staff, which I guess maybe meant they went the extra mile for me, but I think the ladies who were more straightforward got plenty of help too.
My top tips would be that if you are breastfeeding, ask someone to show you how to feed lying down, and when you feed sitting up, put pillows on your lap to lift baby up close to you and to protect your scar - I guess that would also help if you are bottle feeding in fact. Also, granny knickers are your friend! You may want knickers that fit above your scar, not that have the elastic rubbing over it, for quite a few weeks. I know its not environmentally friendly but I found some disposable knickers that were made of a very soft material that were great for the first week or so, and then used some cheap cotton ones after that.
Take your painkillers regularly so that you can mobilise and accept all offers of help - don't try to be heroic, and don't compare yourself to others too much. Everyone heals differently and recovers at a different rate, so be kind to yourself, and enjoy your baby. Good luck, I hope everything goes really well for you.

Cattenberg · 09/07/2020 23:58

I had a big cannula in one hand, and it had annoying, floppy attachments, so I asked for help with nappies until it was removed. I also had a catheter. I wanted it taken out at the earliest opportunity as I didn’t like the thought of it. The removal didn’t hurt at all, but I regretted rushing this, as I had trouble peeing for hours afterwards. I could feel my bladder getting fuller, but I couldn’t empty it for a few hours. Not fun.

After this, I felt fine for a while and was lifting my holdall onto the bed and rummaging through it. One of the staff said “I can’t believe this lady had a Caesarean this morning!” But the following day, the pain kicked in. Presumably, the theatre drugs had worn off. Like a PP, I took my painkillers regularly when offered, whether I needed them or not. I think that really helped.

I was encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact with DD and to try to feed her. Unfortunately, my milk was slow to come in. A maternity care assistant helped me to express colostrum (rather undignified), but hey, it all turned out fine in the end.

DarkHelmet · 10/07/2020 00:14

All 3 of mine were c-section. I was in recovery for about an hour, took about 5 hours for the spinal block to wear off then I was back on my feet. I did first nappies and dressing etc, no assistance from midwife. I was very determined to be completely hands on from the get go though!!

doodlejump1980 · 10/07/2020 07:41

Hi @BabyCJuly, so you’ll have a big dressing on your wound. Use one of the big thick pads and put it pad side over the wound. I suppose you could stick it on to the inside of the front of your pants but I think It was held in ok with just my pants. As for hugging the pillow, it sounds daft but I was afraid of bursting my stitches so it just held everything together and took the impact if you see what I mean?
Oh and don’t be surprised if you flood everywhere the first time you stand up post section. They had to get a mop after the first time I stood up after having my twins!
Good luck today! Do you know what you’re having?

FirstTimeBumps · 10/07/2020 08:25

I had baby at 3pm and was up and about by 8pm doing everything for myself. I do think I did myself a disservice though. I think.the midwives saw how easily I was coping and pretty much forgot I'd had a section at that point 😂 so I'd say even if you feel amazing milk it just a little bit x

doodlejump1980 · 12/07/2020 21:59

How did you get on @BabyCJuly? Been thinking of you. 😊

Original poster

BabyCJuly · 18/07/2020 22:01

@doodlejump1980 thanks so much!! She’s here and we are just so in love with her and doing good thank you! We had a 3 day stay as baby girl had to be on high flow oxygen and in special care for 2 days. She was in great hands!! Thank you so much for asking :):)

OP posts:

doodlejump1980 · 18/07/2020 22:13

@BabyCJuly hooray! I’m so glad! Congratulations! Enjoy those squishy cuddles.

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