Doctor approved request for elective c section (yippeeeeeee!). How best to prepare?

[DeusEx]

Hello!

I am 21 weeks, and my doctor has approved my request for ELCS - with the caveat of course that if the child starts coming / labour begins, they can’t exactly put it back in. All understood.

I wondered: are there things I should be doing to prepare specifically for C section? I know kegels are important regardless of type of birth. What else?

Thanks

My advice is to ignore when they tell you to arrive at 8am
And get there for 730. Your then more than likely to go first rather than waiting for hours. Get big granny pants to cover the scar so your comfortable. Breast pads if your breast feeding. Chargers for phones and or kindles

Make sure you are really well hydrated so when the catheter is removed your bladder gets working! I had an emergency c-section with my son and having an elective this time round. I think if possible get moving as soon as you can as this helps (obviously still take it easy)

I watched videos of the operation on YouTube from the surgeon’s eye view. Might not be for everyone, but it helped to understand what the feelings of pressure etc were.

Get yourself a charger with a really long cord, like 2 meteres. Last thing you will want to do is get up and down to get to your charging phone after a section

Make sure you have support for after the ELCS - you won't know how you will react post op.

Take more snacks and drinks in your hospital bag than you think you will need.

Wouldn't hurt to get some lactulose or something in the house in advance for first post delivery poo (the struggle is real).

Waste bins in every loo in your house - ditto extra pads.

Read up on expressing colostrum in advance if you are planning to breastfeed. Be aware it may be harder to do so because of ELCS.

DO NOT eat a big meal immediately after the delivery no matter what they offer you or how you feel. Toast is your best friend here.

I was up and moving in the evening and I'd gone in first due to gestational diabetes. Take your time.

You will be well looked after but there will be others there too so focus on feeling well and getting home to recover.

The post op clots are interesting - do not panic!

Worth finding out whether you will need the post op injections - they are ok but it's a big needle.

Do you have any particular questions?

Oh and comfy night clothes.

I did zero prep for my elcs, recovery was no worse than my vb's despite my wound getting infected.

I found it helpful to listen to some podcasts about c sections and recovery (e.g. the c section strong). Meant that e.g. when I felt a bit shakey afterwards when still in theatre I knew it was totally normal and so wasn't worried.

I had planned to watch surgery videos, but actually glad i waited until after I had had the baby before I did!

My c section was semi elective (I had it instead of an induction when labour failed to progress) and it was a wonderful experience and recovery was pretty straightforward.

Good luck!

Great advice everyone - and some really unexpected advice too!

Surgery videos a great shout. Shall steal myself and get onto YouTube...

Did anyone do any particular exercises beforehand that helped? I have a bit of a pudgy belly - is that an issue?

How long in your experience did the op take? I’ve heard between 30 mins and 4 hours which seems an improbably wide window...

When did you schedule it - for the due date, a few days before, or longer?

Seriously - thank you so much for taking the time. Very few friends have had c sections so really good to hear your experiences, thank you.

I had mine at 39+3; it took about an hour and half I think from when I walked into the operating theatre to when I was wheeled out; baby was born after an hour and the last half hour was stitching up etc. I loved my elective section.
I was told to get there in the morning but didn’t have baby until the afternoon so I’d take some things to do.
Also stock up on painkillers for home, peppermint tea for the wind and something to make you go! Also big knickers so they aren’t sitting on your scar. For the car ride home I’d recommend holding a rolled up blanket between you and the seat belt so that your scar feels protected especially from any sudden jolts.
I’m not sure about the earlier advice about expressing colostrum as the midwife told me not to as it can bring on labour which isn’t what you want so I’d check that. I found that my milk came in fine but don’t panic if it takes a little longer.
After a c section you need a week of injections to stop clotting (I think everyone has them) so be prepared that you or your partner will need to do that.

There’s exercises they give you to do after and it’s something you least feel like doing but try.

I'd say it was about an hour, baby was basically out within 10 mins once they got going. That's how it felt at the time so might not be accurate!

From my experience and what I've seen on here they are normally scheduled for 39w.

I’m really looking forward to having this feeling of relief when mine is finally approved 😅 I’m 24 weeks and really stressing about it now. Requested one due to severe anxiety around birth, worried about it my whole life but now I am thinking about it every minute of every day and my panic now is more around will the consultant approve it? Just wish the appointment was sooner so I could relax 🤦🏼‍♀️

The advice on here is really good though!

I'm surprised at the durations some have been in theatre?! For my first 1 hour tops but once they start it's literally 10-15 mins to get the baby out and then another 20 mins or so to stitch you up

Second c section was an emergency as i haemorrhaged - babies out in about 10 mins whole thing over in about 30 mins 🤣

Best advice I can give is get on feet as soon as possible and start moving about and you'll recover quicker

Buy bigger knickers than you think. I bought one size up granny knickers thinking that would be ok. It wasn't.
You will feel really bruised around your stomach- not just where the cut was but above it too.
I had to send my mum to Tesco to get me some even bigger ones. I only needed them for about 10 days but would def recommend

I'm still wearing my big pants!

A big bottle with an in built straw as you'll be immobile for a while post op and it's good to stay hydrated. Nighties so you don't need to bend down, get stool softeners as that first bowel movement is.. interesting! Also trapped wind was the worst pain I experienced throughout the whole c section process so stock up with peppermint tea and colpermin tablets!