C-section - what to expect?

[StaceImpactWfan]

This is my third baby but first c-section. I'm not sure what to expect tbh. How bad is the spinal? What is recovery like? Will I be able to walk around and do stuff as I have 2 other children to care for.

Thank you.

I had a spinal block but mine was an EMCS. I found the procedure itself was absolutely fine.

I did struggle to do anything other than very basic baby and self-care for the first couple of weeks. I would definitely plan to have someone at home with you for the first 2 weeks post-op. You should be able to get up and walk around within a day, but you'll need to take it easy and will be advised not to lift anything heavier than your baby. Best case scenario you're up and about and doing everything you need to do within a few days, but if you do have any setbacks or infections etc then you'll be glad you've already got help lined up.

Before you can be discharged you'll have to prove your downstairs is all in working order by doing a really big wee into a specimen bowel

I also found with a combination of looking after a newborn and healing up from the op I was extra tired, I did have a placental abruption though (hence EMCS) so that could have been the cause of my tiredness.

Painwise it was very manageable. I had oral morphine once but then just paracetamol and ibuprofen 3 times a day for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks I stopped taking the ibuprofen and then eventually a couple of weeks after that stopped taking the paracetamol.

I had an ELCS and the spinal didn't hurt at all - you just feel a little scratch, then you go numb and don't feel the big needle. I am a massive wuss and cried from the pain of the cannula being put in.

I didn't find recovery too bad, I was sore and achey, but not in any actual pain. Was walking within 24 hours, and in the supermarket doing a shop within a week. I couldn't life anything heavier than the baby though - really regretted picking up my 15lb dog, so bear in mind you won't be able to pick up any other toddlers for a couple of weeks.

I have had 3 planned c sections. I found them relatively straightforward and calm. I was a bit anxious about having the needle in my back but this is over really quickly and they were all so kind and helpful when it was being done. In fact I found the whole team so friendly, relaxed and helpful which made the whole experience positive. I chose the music to listen to during the procedure. Avoid looking in the mirror around the light above you if you are at all squeamish. I found it fascinating and my husband took loads of photos even though he was initially concerned. Afterwards my main problem was low blood pressure but the pain was not as bad as I expected. I did initially have all the drugs offered but soon cut down on them.

With all of them my mum was amazing and helped so much. I did go to Curry's to buy a washing machine the day after I came out if hospital which was a bit tricky but necessary!

The key is taking it easy and taking every help offered. Try and prepare before you go in and have lots of easy to prepare food available.

My boys were just 4 and 2 when ds3 was born and they accepted that I did things a bit slower to begin with.

Thank you all... I'm already admitted into hospital due to predicted low birth weight and posterior placenta previa. I will be here for 9 days before my c-section plus how many days after. In case I bleed or go into labour I'll need an emergency section straight away.

I'm so nervous as my other 2 births were spontaneous natural un medicated. So I think ill be able to handle the spinal etc but its the not knowing I suppose.

The spinal is absolutely fine really nothing to worry about. The recovery is tough though, the midwives will get you up and walking within 24 hours but it is a very slow sore walk. I had liquid morphine for two days and codeine for five then paracetamol until around day 10. You really need lots of rest and support as even lifting baby the first few days is hard. It does get better though, in the grand scheme of things a week to be feeling human again after major surgery isn’t really too bad.

Also don’t make the mistake I did of thinking all the horrid things you read online will happen.. i thought I’d get painful trapped wind, dreaded that first number two and it felt inevitable that the scar gets infected but in reality none of it happened to me and I worried for nothing. Hope all goes well

Thank you @CBhope thats really eased me abit. I always think the worst. Especially since they keep asking me if I've ever had a transfusion etc before.

I agree with what others have said and to add about looking after your DC I was really worried about looking after my 3 year old but it was fine; I couldn’t carry her or pick her up but then I hadn’t been able to do that for a while during my pregnancy anyway. I taught her to be very careful of my tummy and she understood that and if she was in a running round throwing herself around mood I’d just be cautious. Don’t try and do housework though; leave that to someone else. It’s lifting heavy laundry and hoovering that’s more likely to cause an issue.
Also I learnt after my second section that car journeys for the first few days are much more comfortable if you put a blanket between the seatbelt and your tummy. Wish I’d known that the first time

The spinal felt like any other injection to me. Just a quick sharp scratch then you'll feel a warm sensation rush through as you go numb. Recovery for me was fine. I felt pretty normal within 2 weeks

Spinal was ok - you just have to hold an awkward position for a little while while they put it in. Recovery was fine for me. I was up walking as soon as the catheter came out. I kept on top of painkillers, rested a lot for the first week and avoided lifting anything other than baby. I was back doing the supermarket shop a week later, pushing pram ok. I found bending over/down to be quite painful and getting in and out the car to be difficult for the first few weeks.

I took peppermint oil tablets as I'd heard about the trapped wind issue, and lactulose as I'd been told going for a poo afterwards was horrible (it was much easier than after my previous birth!)

My 2yo keeps knocking my tummy which is painful but that's 2yos for you! I'd done a lot of prep with her so she knew I wouldn't be able to walk far/,fast or pick her up for a while.

Spinal was fine.
One thing to be prepared for is that there were a lot of people in the operating theatre, 10-12, but they all have roles, doesn’t mean there is anything wrong.
With my first emcs, I did an Asda shop after a week, a 4 mile walk after 2 and was driving after 4. With my second, I couldn’t stand up straight without pain die 9 weeks. I think this is a salinity tale about overdoing it when you also have a toddler to look after! Cuddle the older children sitting on the sofa. Ask for help. Accept all offers of help. Don’t overdo it. Plenty of rest will pay dividends.

Thank you all, my partner will be there anyway so he will do most things. I'm just the sort of person that doesn't like relying on people. The older kids 5+4 sort of know whats going on so hopefully they will understand i can't play toys etc for a while.

How is it getting up and down the stairs etc? Also while the catheter is in I'm assuming the midwifes will help pass baby to me when she needs feeding etc? Or can you move with a catheter (never had one of those either) sorry about all the questions.

I had an emergency c section but I cant lie. I think it was great and I'd do it again. I cant imagine actually giving birth, I know that sounds quite strange.

From memory the catheter was removed the morning after so I didnt really need to move as I had the section in the middle of the night. After the remove it, I remember someone walked me to the shower and after I could evidence that they let me go home.

I lived in house with stairs and it was fine going up and down. After the first few days it was painful getting up from a lying down position. That lasted maybe a week max.

Overall the experience was not as bad as I thought it was going to be at the time

Stairs we're ok, just take your time. I didn't carry baby up and down them for the first few days as I needed to hold on.

It depends on how busy the ward is how much help you get, I had to wait 30+ minutes the first time DD did a poo to get help. I found I could sit the bed up and grab DD out of the cot so I could feed and change her without needing help after that - the HCA put the nappies, wipes etc on my table so I could reach them. I'd recommend making sure you have one bag for baby and one for you, put your nightie, pads and pants on the top so they can grab them easily for you without rummaging through your things.

@newyearisnewtome thats great thank you, good to know stairs aren't much of an issue. I'm sure the midwifes will help if needed and not too busy.

@Ticklemynickel I'm in hospital already until I have her on the 5th. All our stuff is in one bag due to having to carry it all. But my partner will be here for the birth if an emergency doesn't happen. And ill get everything ready like first outfit etc before I go down so he knows what to put her in.

With my first csection I was in one of the fancy hospital beds that you can adjust but in our hospital you can not attach a bedside crib to them so it is a nightmare having to ring for the exceptionally busy midwives every time the baby needed something. With subsequent c sections I requested a basic bed with a crib attached. I much preferred it and found establishing breast feeding much easier.

I hated hospital food and was often hungry so had a good stash of food and drink near me! Drinking loads is really important as they want to make sure your waterworks are all working fine .

I found the spinal hellish tbh and it took several attempts (19 with dd) for them to get it in. My circumstances were unusual though apparently my spine is off centre and whilst I only weighed 11 stone when I had her I was very swollen with water retention so I think that made the process harder. I would make sure you have plenty of big knickers packed and maternity pads. I would also make sure you have paracetamol, ibuprofen, windeze, water bottles and some snacks packed that are very close to hand so you can access without help. I had no idea that you could ask for a crib attached the bed and so had to constantly ring for help the first night whilst I had the catheter in. After the catheter was removed the following day I was on my feet and did everything for my baby myself. Once home I rested as much as I could whilst my dh was on paternity leave after that it was all on me. You manage because you have to, if there us anyone who could help with your older kids just in terms of nursery or school drop off and pick ups that would be a godsend.

The midwives do help within reason but don't be naiive they are very busy, so often short-staffed and overworked. They are not a replacement for a birthing partner.

Yeah I wouldn't ask for help unless I'm desperate. And as of right now my partner is allowed to visit 2pm-7pm so once she's here he will pass her to me or change her etc.

I have snacks etc but with me being in another 8 days before the section and then whatever after I may have to ask partner to get more lol.

I didn't know cribs attached was a thing is this with all hospitals?

Yeah hospital food isn't great and not big portions either. But luckily ours stock biscuits, fruit and sandwiches we can help ourselves to and tea and coffee etc so that's handy.

As of right now im in my own room with en suite cause I'm in so long but ill more than likely be on the ward when she's here so I'm making the most of it. I'm hoping all stays well and I can have a normal section instead of an emergency.

I'm afraid I don't know if cribs that attach to the bed are standard - I had my boys a long time ago!

If I had not of had help I could not have got my eldest to pre school when I first had ds3. I struggled to walk that far and could not drive. Luckily it was not long until the summer holidays and after that I was fine.

It is so important not to push yourself too hard. I certainly did with ds3 and I think that is why I had problems with my stitches.

Yeah I'm planning on resting as much as i can and concentrating on baby. Obviously i won't push out my boys either but for the first week or so they will have to understand that I need rest so cuddle in bed it'll be.