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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Tips for c section

18 replies

Bellbell1199 · 30/11/2020 20:27

Anyone have tips for a csection, just so I'm prepared?
I'm 35+2, baby has been breech since 31 weeks, and still breech today.
Also told that the pi doppler a bit high today so I'm having another scan to measure growth and do the doppler again Thursday.
But I'm preparing myself for a c section in the next few weeks if her growth drops and the doppler stays high, and of course if she stays breech!

Any tips, or things to take in with me that'll make the whole thing easier?

Thank you!

OP posts:

SendHelp30 · 30/11/2020 20:31

Peppermint tea once you’re back on the ward- helps with the trapped wind!
Up and shower and walk around the ward as soon as your catheter is out
Ask for DH to cut the cord and tell you the sex of the baby (if you don’t already know)
Take a dressing gown- the wards are freezing!!
Take it easy but try and do small walks when you can, you’ll heal so much better!
High knickers- proper granny knickers so the top of them isn’t going to sit on your scar- they also keep you warm in winter!
I lived in leggings and boots for a few weeks after to cover the surgical stockings!

larrythelizard · 30/11/2020 20:42

Yes to peppermint tea, the trapped wind I had was almost the most painful bit!

Consider your clothes for after - I wasn't prepared at all and only had trousers and the lower waistband bit was on my scar.

Get up as soon as you can but little and often. Turning was the most painful bit. I took the strong painkillers I was sent home with only once a day to get out of bed and then religiously took paracetamol and ibuprofen as often as I could.

Pain was manageable but it took me a few weeks to build up to being able to walk the 20 mins to town.

I have friends who've had ELCS for breech and other reasons and they talk about how lovely and calm it was (mine was EMCS so I was a bit out of it at that point).

HoneysuckleHalliana · 30/11/2020 20:53

Instead of peppermint tea I took along a bag of prunes to eat after the c-sec. Would highly recommend them.

Granny knickers, your own pillow, extra long charging wire would all be useful.

After the c-sec it might take a while for your milk to come in. If you are planning to breastfeed but struggle in the first couple of days it's ok to give formula top ups (even if the midwives are against it). I really struggled for the first few days (we were kept in for over a week due to complications) and was forced to give formula because DDs blood sugar levels were dropping. But after my milk came in on day 4/5 I managed to ebf till 6 months.

Good luck!

Flackattack · 30/11/2020 20:56

Sitting up is the hardest bit - I found DH using a towel to pull that I held on the best way.
Stock up on painkillers. Don’t take too much codeine without prunes or the like as you will get constipated!
Have everything you need on all levels - pads, baby change, drinks etc - prepare to make your life super easy!!!
2 weeks you’ll feel so much better! Rest as much as possible!

Amimissingsomethinghere · 30/11/2020 21:00

Cantaloop c section pants. They were amazing and made me feel really secure. Highly recommend. Good luck.

Original poster

Bellbell1199 · 30/11/2020 21:01

Prunes / apricots... On my list thank you.
This is my second baby, my milk came in on day 3 last time and we fed for 14 months, so I do feel Pretty confident about the feeding. Fingers crossed she takes to it OK!
But I had a natural Birth last time.

OP posts:

WhistlersandJugglers · 30/11/2020 21:11

I agree about topping up with formula if milk is slow to come in. It took over 4 days for mine after my first section and DC was starving and I gave formula with no negative impact on breast feeding. In fact I think it had a positive effect as he wasn't frantically hungry and was calmer and could get a good latch.
Also seat belts can be sore so don't plan on too much time in the car even if you are a passenger.
I had both emergency and elective sections and agree that the elective was very calm and recovery time quicker.
Very plain soap and shower gel for afterwards just because you wouldn't want something perfumed irritating the scar.

rottiemum88 · 30/11/2020 21:15

C section can cause your milk to come in late, so don't be too concerned if it takes longer than you expect. Also, think about shoes. My feet were so swollen for a week or so after my section and literally none of my shoes fit. Ended up having to ask DH to bring my flip flops to the hospital as they were literally the only things I could get on my feet. It was mid January

Crazycatlady83 · 30/11/2020 21:19

You may need to give formula to clear the mucus from the baby, as I was told this is normally done naturally from a vaginal birth and doesn’t in a c-section. Just so you aren’t surprised or shocked if they suggest it. Breast milk wasn’t enough to clear it.

Get big granny pants!

Move as much you can / feel able as this will help with your recovery. But equally don’t overdo it!

I brought laxatives because I was terrified

WhistlersandJugglers · 30/11/2020 21:20

I don't know if it was just a coincidence but my breech baby had really good head control from birth compared to his siblings. I always wondered if it was because he was used to being right way up.

user1493413286 · 30/11/2020 21:23

Id agree with what’s been said about high waisted knickers, clothing that doesn’t sit in your scar and peppermint tea. I found the shirt style nighties better as I could take them off by unbuttoning rather than having to lift over my head.
I also discovered after my second section that the drive home was much better with a blanket between the sets belt and my scar so it wasn’t pushing on it. Also try to get in and out the car with your legs together; so to get in sit down and then swivel your legs round.

strawbmilk · 30/11/2020 21:42

@Bellbell1199

Prunes / apricots... On my list thank you. This is my second baby, my milk came in on day 3 last time and we fed for 14 months, so I do feel Pretty confident about the feeding. Fingers crossed she takes to it OK! But I had a natural Birth last time.

I had c section for my second baby and my milk came in quicker than when I had a vaginal delivery with my first.

Also rather than peppermint tea I took peppermint capsules from boots.

I bought specific c section pants from mother care but think John Lewis & boots do them too. I really liked them, comfortable and felt secure. Material a bit thicker than normal pants but not tight like control pants...if that makes sense

Also, I had to empty my own catheter in hospital to get me up & moving to basically get me discharged after 1 night. After a shitty stay in hospital first time round I had no issue with this but I was shocked about having to do this. I was much more mobile after the c section than I was after an episiotomy

Original poster

Bellbell1199 · 01/12/2020 17:00

Thank you all, feeling a bit calmer and been out today for the last bits for my bag.!

OP posts:

SendHelp30 · 01/12/2020 22:20

You will be absolutely fine! I’ve had 3 electives which speaks for itself. When are you booked in?

Original poster

Bellbell1199 · 02/12/2020 08:29

I'm. Still having monitoring this week so yet to know for sure if it's csection.
I'm 35+4 now, so probably by 37 weeks with all that's going on!

OP posts:

Wishing56 · 02/12/2020 09:00

As soon as I could start feeling my legs again i would gently lift them and wiggle my toes. After 7hrs got out of bed for a shower and then tried to get out of bed every few hours after.

Big granny pants, stretchy clothes, i liked wearing nighties whilst in hospital so didnt have to bend down and pull up trousers.

I used the pre surgery body wash (octenisan) for the days after my section and for the full 6weeks on my scar as it is an anti bacterial. I used Sanex on rest of body. I didnt get an infected scar so wondering if this helped.

Extra long charge cable so dont have to reach around.

Own pillow - on your way home you can use as a barrier between your belly and the seat belt.
I also sat on a carrier bag on way home so I could swivel to get out the car easier.

Water bottle with straw so can drink laying down.

Just keep on top of your pain relief and you will be fine.

AlaBetMin · 02/12/2020 19:36

Im due to have a section at 37 weeks currently 33. This wil be my 4th section
Ive packed csection pants i found them more comfortable and protects the scar much better.
A long charger so I dont have to twist around.
Peppermint tea
I always ask to get up as soon as possible and try have little walks up and down or even around the hospital bed it helped me so much.
My sections have always been at 39 weeks so I'm not sure what to expect for 37 🙊 I've packed enough baby grows and nappys for a week just incase I'm not allowed home the day after.

Good luck

wimbler · 03/12/2020 09:42

Good Luck!

I had a c-section for a breech baby too.
We were able to take in music. We found a calming spa CD in a charity shop the day before.

I also requested that the sticky heart monitor pads were attached to the back of my shoulders so that I could do skin to skin immediately. They were happy to do this.

My hospital had peppermint oil for trapped wind which was much more effective than tea. It's worth asking for!

Make sure you wee frequently during your recovery. I found my incision site was so much more painful if I had a full bladder

someone else has said it but a pillow to put between you and the seatbelt on the way home.

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