Worried About Partner Visiting after C Section

[eausolovely]

So my baby is still breech after many weeks so we have decided to look at a planned c section unless he turns in the meantime. Currently 36 weeks so he has a few weeks to do so.

Now I’m strangely not worried about the section at all but the thing that has been scaring me is that at my hospital (RVI Newcastle) there is still no visiting allowed on any of the maternity wards.

Does this mean my partner won’t be allowed to be there once you are on the ward? I keep thinking about how the hell I am supposed to manage a new baby on my own for the 24+ hours if I can’t sit up or get out of bed on my own. I actually feel worse for my partner who will just be sat at home if this is the case as he will potentially miss the first day of his sons life. I get the reason for all this but I am just freaking out right now. Has anyone had a c section recently who could offer any advice on the visiting situation?

Don’t meant to sound melodramatic but I will blame the pregnancy hormones

Can't comment on your particular hospital - but I had a C-section 3 weeks ago and was kept in for 7 days afterwards ( issue with baby, nothing to do with c-section).

My partner was allowed to visit for 45 mins each day. I have to say, the Midwives were excellent, they were really helpful, they fed and changed the baby one time, as I was literally too exhausted / to much in pain to get out of bed for the 3am feed.

I would say that though its not fun - the thought of it is much worse than the actual situation, and as I said the midwives and the HCAs were really supportive as they know its a pretty rubbish situation.

I had an EMCS 5 months ago and husband wasn’t allowed on the recovery ward after. The midwives were fantastic, I rang the bell for everything - picking the baby up / changing nappies / help with getting up to go to the loo etc. Was really great.

It was actually quite good cos DH got to go home and have a proper sleep rather than kipping on a chair in the hospital and meant he was really fresh for taking me and the baby home / looking after us

Good luck!! It will be fine

Ask about accelerated discharge - if all is well with you and the baby you can be let go 24 hours after a CS. Also there's loads of time for the baby to turn - mine did the morning of the ELCS! Also, I was up and walking 4 hours after a CS, so don't assume you'll be stuck in bed.

Just contrary to PP, I had no issues so discharged 24 hours later so husband literally just missed the first night of DD’s life and that was it

It's been the same since March, the midwives will help you as needed

Hi Op,
I had a section a few weeks ago, exactly the same situation with DH not allowed on the ward and / or visit.
It was fine actually, the first 24 hours I think are a blur anyway but there was plenty of support and helpful midwives on the ward! We were sent on our way the next Morning. You'll be fine, Good luck!

Might actually be preferable after all the horror stories of partners on postnatal wards!

@eausolovely Hi the RVI are now allowing one visitor for an hour every day. X

I had c sections years ago and my (now ex) husband could only come for a couple of hours a day. Honestly it was fine. I was busy recovery, throwing up a lot(!), feeding the baby etc. Any help you need the midwives will help you and you'll be home before you know it. I'm due another section in March, so I do empathise - but honestly you'll both be fine x

The postnatal ward where I gave birth so so nice during lockdown (it was hell when I had my first). All the staff were extremely helpful, and did so much more for me this time when I’d had a VBAC than when I’d had an emcs first time.
You’ll be fine and not on your own because you’ll have your new baby

Thank you so much for all your comments, feel a lot better about the situation now and thank you so much @Newmummyxx for the update on the RVI! Feel so much better knowing how much assistance will be given from the midwives and that my other half will be allowed to visit.

@eausolovely You’re welcome, it was definitely welcomed news to me too. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. x