Elective c-section during covid times

[WTS2020]

I’m due to have my first baby in just over a week via c-section and am feeling a bit anxious about it so was wondering if any ladies on here could share their experience of what a c-section during covid times has been like? How soon did your partner have to go? How soon were you discharged? I’m worried my partner will be sent home really soon and I won’t be able to get to the baby due to pain / being restricted.

Thanks in advance

I had an emergency c-section and my husband stayed for a couple of hours after birth. He was able to visit for 2 hours daily and I was in for 5 days.

Congratulations! The first week with recovery is tough I'm not going to lie, just use the buzzer to ask for support. When you get home, and this was advice from my community midwife, for your 6 week recovery period you should lift nothing heavier than a cup of tea or your baby.

I had an emergency section almost 6 weeks ago.
DH was able to stay until I was moved to the ward (initially isolation until COVID test results back) and then visiting was one hour each afternoon. But I went to the ward about 830pm and came home the next day so didn't use the visiting slots!
Midwives were great for helping when needed but I was up and about and pretty independent with everything as I just wanted to come home as soon as I could.
Good luck!

I had an ELCS in October and it was my second. I had to have a Covid test the day before, dh didn't. I was told in advance he could be in hospital with me but had to wear a mask the entire time unless eating or drinking whereas I only had to wear my mask when walking around. I was also told DH could stay for as long as he liked up to kicking out time (8pm) but once he was on the ward, that was it. No going back out, not even for food/drink as he wouldn't be allowed back, so we were advised to bring everything in that we needed, so I made sure I packed his snacks etc in my hospital bag. I was also told the person who I had with me (so in my case dh) had to be the same person who visited for as long as I was in and the same person who collected me from the ward to go home.
We both had our masks on the entire time during my ELCS, then when back on the ward. I went down to theatre about 12pm and was back on the ward by about 2:15pm, and sent dh back home around 4:30pm - purely so he could get back home to see to DD1 who my parents were looking after and also because it was my second I knew what to expect and felt I could manage. If it was my first though I would have had him there until visiting was over he came back the next morning (could come from 10am) and I was discharged by 1pm.

Midwives were amazing! Everyone in PPE, couldn't do enough for any of us in my bay. It was also my 30th the day of my ELCS and four of them came into the bay singing happy birthday to me with a cake! They honestly were so lovely.

You will be absolutely fine op, and I wish you the best of luck

Also you're regularly stopped up with painkillers, and are advised to move about as soon as you feel able. Once I had my catheter out I made a point of walking to the toilet (around 6/7 hours after surgery) just take it slowly and listen to your body. Buzz for the midwives if you need anything and they'll definitely pass you your baby etc if you can't manage. As soon as you show you can manage in terms of moving, and as long as you pass a certain amount of urine, if there are no other problems you can usually go home the following day. Make sure you take your painkillers regularly and don't do too much! After my first section on a 'good' day I hoovered and afterwards the pain was horrific - this time round I left stuff like that to dh

I have had two sections in normal times and found the midwifes poor in terms of giving painkillers I had to ask for them every four hours. I had to buzz for them to pass my baby the first night but after that was up and at took care of them myself. With my first I stayed in three nights, second baby I stayed two and thos time all being well I would hope to be out as soon as I can. I would have found it very difficult without my dh there to help and so would rather be home. Midwives will help pass baby to you shortly after your section but they are busy and at times I was left waiting a while. I hope your experience is better x

Rules on partners vary from hospital to hospital

I had an elective a month ago.

DH had to wear a mask the whole time. He was with me from arrival until 3 hours after I went onto the postnatal ward.

He was allowed to visit an hour a day at a prearranged time after that.

I went home 30 hours after the op.

If you need anything buzz and the midwives help. E.g first night I couldn't get DD out of cot on my own.

Make sure you have plenty of painkillers at home for when you are discharged

In terms of recovery I am almost back to normal already. Did a 5km walk yesterday, have been driving a week. Only thing I wouldn't do right now is go to gym or for a run

Thank you ladies! That was really helpful and thank you for the well wishes

I’ve been told by my trust once I go up to the ward my partner can’t come back to visit

I had an emergency c section for twins last week. DH was allowed to visit me for 1 hour only on the ward. (Our babies are in NICU so you get more visiting hours there). After that he wasn't allowed on the ward

Pain wise it was fine - I only had paracetamol and ibruprofen- no morphine. Was on my feet within 6 hours, catheter out after 8 hours, disengaged after 2 nights. BUT I had an incentive to be up and about to see my babies. The women who had their babies on the ward with them and didn't move out of bed the entire time were the ones asking for morphine - honestly quicker you are on feet the better the pain is

I stopped painkillers after 7 days

I have seen your posts on other threads @ivfbeenbusy, hope all is going well for your little ones