C-section tomorrow last minute questions

[Babydust13]

Hi ladies

I just have a few questions if you don't mind.

1. Do I need to shave?
2. How long after until you can bath/shower?
3. How do you look after a baby properly in the hospital when you can't get up?
4. Is there anything you wish you had known before having a section?
5. Should I pack any extras that would be helpful?

Thank you so much. I'm super excited but also getting really nervous now.

1. I did for both of mine, if you don’t then they’ll do it for you.
2. You can shower as soon as you want and you’re ok on your feet to do so, I did the following morning. I had baths after the stitches were out.
3. Mine were private so I had 1:1 midwife support and DH there, not sure how it works if you’re NHS.
4. Stay ahead of the pain by taking painkillers on schedule and not waiting until you are actually in pain. The oramorph is fantastic and I’ve never felt so relaxed.
5. Shoes to wear home that don’t need lacing - bending down to them is no joke!

Good luck, both of mine were so lovely and calm!

1. No shaving
2. I had a shower the next day
3. I could get up and walk once on the ward but my twins were right next to me with all the essentials so I didn't need to get out of bed much until the next day. I felt pretty normal by then and refused pain killers.
4. How itchy it'd make me
5. Only thing I needed that I didn't have for vb's was big pants.

Good luck

1. I trimmed but they took it down further- easier for the catheter.
2. Shower as soon as you feel able, but it’s easier once the catheter is out.
3. Do not stay in bed the whole time. Get up and walk the same day once the anaesthetic has worn off, you will feel better for it. Learn how to log roll out of bed, it will make the pressure on the incision a lot less.
4. Keep on top of your pain relief if needed, don’t be a hero.
5. Take peppermints or peppermint tea to get your bowels moving afterwards

1. no shaving required
2. until the anaesthetic wears off and it's safe for you to get up the midwives will look after baby.
3. ^^ also will urge you to shower/bath once you physically can
4. that just because you are booked in it doesn't mean it will happen that day!

we waited 6 hours to be admitted and never got past the waiting room. there were so many emergencies they just couldn't accommodate us. went back 3 days later. again had to wait for ages...it was nerve-wracking. sorry.

1. mine was 14 years ago (DS4) and don't remember much of the hospital stay.

I know I took my own pillow for comfort

You can shave but if not they usually do it for you.
When you get to ward to wait to go down sort your bag out and have everything you need for you and baby at reach so it's easier to get.
You can shower soon as they take catheter out. Once out walk around as much as you can it really helps.
Also make sure you take your pain meds every 4 hours. Good luck I've had 3 and they were so relaxed

Whatever you do when you take the plaster of soak it, totally soak it and peel off gently. I ripped my skin off the first time.

Also if this is the second pack some painkillers. I was in so much after pain and I asked for painkillers and pressed the buzzers but the nurses were too busy and my husband came back to me crying my eyes out because of the after pains.

You manage with everything else, you still need to move about and get baby just keep them close and try not to twist too much.

Good luck !

Good luck tomorrow!!

1. I didn't shave, but trimmed neatly (as nearly as I could, while reaching around the huge bump!)

1. I had the c-section at 10am. I had a shower at 7am the next day.
2. I had twins. One baby was in HDU for the day (back with my at 10pm). My birth partner held the other baby and passed it over to me to hold/feed. I was private, so a nurse was always in and out too. At nighttime they took the babies, so I could sleep.
3. I was surprised at how quick the recovery was! Very minimal pain (yes, stay on top of painkillers!). It more felt like a sore muscle when you've overdone it in the gym. So the day after, I was walking around (a bit hunched over to"protect" the stitches). The next day I was pushing the babies around in their little trolly. By the fourth day, I was pretty much back to normal. I stayed in hospital 5 nights, and once I was home on the 6th day, was fine to do everything with the babies (go up be suwon stairs etc).

5. The earlier tip about slip-on shoes is good.

My only other suggestion is to try to get photos/videos in the operating theatre (if they allow it). I LOVE looking at the pics of my twins, taken before I'd even held them! (Eg when the doctors were checking them out, before handing them to me).
It's a great experience - good luck :)

I didn't shave, they shaved just a tiny bit at the top where the cut was going to go.

I was able to shower the next morning when they took catheter out after my second cs which was in the afternoon, first was an emcs and I was sick so wasn't able to shower for days.

I kept baby in the bed with me so breastfeeding was super easy, my husband did the first few nappy changes and the next day I was able to do them myself. I don't remember how I changed them overnight the first night, probably just kept stuff on the bed near me to do it.

1. Do I need to shave?

No. They've seen it all before. I had an emergency with my c section and they could have plaited it if they want it was that long since I'd seen past my bump (twins!)

1. How long after until you can bath/shower?

I did day 2 after c section

1. How do you look after a baby properly in the hospital when you can't get up?

You can move fine. I had c section at 7am didn't my twins. Was out of bed when the epidural wore off and went down to see them on NICU at 3pm. I was up and About from that point onwards. No need for morphine. I was driving within 2 weeks

All the women begging for morphine on the wards were those that stayed in their beds and didn't move. Honestly the more you are up and about the better and quicker your recovery will be

1. Is there anything you wish you had known before having a section?

I lost both my tubes to ectopics after my first c section - I don't think the long term risks are adequately explained

Also the first 💩 after a c section is worse than the c section itself 🤣

1. Should I pack any extras that would be helpful?

Something to help you go to the loo!
Thank you so much. I'm super excited but also getting really nervous now.

We don't recommend shaving as in growing hairs not great around a wound. They use clippers just for the wound area. Bring big pants! A nice pillow? Hospital pillows are rubbish. Phone or iPad charger. Peppermint tea or water as trapped wind is often painful after c/s. Good luck!

oh, and you can definitely insist on your DH taking photo of scar as midwife inspects it for the first time, if you are so inclined.🤣
ignore their protest. it's your body.

Thanks ladies this has been really helpful 🥰 I've added green and peppermint teabags to my case and will try and find something to help go to the loo.

I think I have everything else packed. I've probably over packed I have 2 cabin sized bags but I'd rather take to much 🙂

Hiya. I've had 2 c sections. I found it useful to tie something like a dressing gown cord to the bottom of the hospital bed to pull on to help myself sit up afterwards. Took the strain off my stomach.

1
I veeted as I couldn't navigate around the bump. Saves them some time I guess?

Carefully, whenever allowed. You may have to bring baby with you in their trolley. 1st section the nurse wanted me to wash my hair (which had been in a surgical cap) but I put that off. Hold yourself upright being conscious of your 'core'. Good for all the recovery time. Get up for little walks as soon as allowed.

The nurses showed me the way to get up. If they don't: turn on side you want to get up on. crook legs slightly, feet hovering over the edge. Angle fist into mattress, across your body to lever yourself up. You will swing into place. Sort of in reverse to get back in bed.

(also a way to get up if you have a bad back)

Take meds as scheduled. 2nd planned section - mine were missed by the nurse - went off schedule - pain more than first day. When leaving, if available, ask for painkillers for home use if before 5 days since surgery. will be notch up from OTC. Solpadeine is a good one to have at home, if not. I was off major meds very soon.

They might supply big maternity pads. They are great thing to tape to your surgical scar. High waist-banded everything! Blow-dry, air-dry, or gently pat scar after shower. Lactulose for your bowels, today if possible. The meds for surgery will slow you digestion down. TMI, there may be little movement, then painful movement after that if you! Peppermint tea for this as mentioned and also for possible trapped air.

• I didn't shave
• Had a shower two days later for DS1 and after one day for DS2 but didn't wash my hair. Having my arms up in the air hurt the scar.
• You can ring the bell when you need help with picking up baby, changing nappies, feeding etc. I don't know how it works now but DH was there most of the first day so he helped a lot.
• What I wish I'd known is just how much water/bloody fluid comes out when getting up for the first time. For DS1, I left a puddle on the floor it was a bit embarrassing. For DS2, I held an old towel between my legs when I got up the first time. Maxi pads didn't hold back the flood! Big pants are a must, don't buy the paper knickers they are very scratchy. Just the standard Tesco/Asda/Primark large cotton pants and at least 5 pairs.
• Make an extra bag at home that someone can drop for you which includes more baby grows, more nappies, a couple of nighty for you. In reality, you should only be in hospital for 2 days but if there are complications, you and your baby could stay longer. So I made sure I had my hospital bag for the basics, and a second bag with more stuff in it. Bring snacks and mint/chewing gum.

@Babydust13

Thanks ladies this has been really helpful 🥰 I've added green and peppermint teabags to my case and will try and find something to help go to the loo.

I think I have everything else packed. I've probably over packed I have 2 cabin sized bags but I'd rather take to much 🙂

try Senokot to encourage bowel movements. and take things to distract you while you are waiting to be wheeled off. I remember spending ages picking a hairband to wear (pink for girl, blue for boy) to see if I have a gut feeling what baby will be. 🤣 I went back & forth. (I picked blue. had a boy. it's all in the hairband!)

best of luck.

Oh, just remembered about MUSIC!!!

I was allowed to take my own CD to listen to during the surgery! They said if all is going well they can play it for the whole duration - it was actually very comforting that they never switched it off, I knew that everything was going swimmingly.

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba thanks I've packed a puzzle book and I'll pop to the chemist for some senokot. We already know we are having a boy but I did spend ages picking his outfits although I'm sure he's not bothered.

Some lady (I didn't know her but when you're pregnant randoms like to talk to you when at the shops) she made me more nervous started spouting some stuff about people who have c-sections don't bond with their babies she really annoyed me. I'm 100% sure it's rubbish I just didn't realise so many people were experts she'd never even had one 🙄

oh that stupid, ignorant cow...
bonding isn't like oops I missed the first 24-48 hours to be as close to baby as possible so that train is gone and now we'll be strangers forever 🤣
(also while exclusive breastfeeding is fab, for bonding purposes exclusive formula feeding or mixed feeding works just as well.
I had 7 kids and had to introduce formula at various ages for various reasons for all but DS2. the earliest was DS4, he got jaundiced and wouldn't bf. so I had the choice of formula or allowing to starve and develop severe health issues or worse. bonding wasn't my first concern at that point....
he's 14 now. he hugs me every day, we tease each other, he drives me nuts, he makes me cups of tea....I think I managed to bond with him alright!😁)

and that reminds me that you need to watch out for signs of jaundice, from memory C-section babies are more prone to it. they need their hips checked too - you'll be invited to do that.

the peppermint tea really helped, good shout from those who suggested it.

1. Do I need to shave?

They threw a rusty old lady shave at me to do my bikini line the morning of my section

1. How long after until you can bath/shower?

Give it a couple of days.

1. How do you look after a baby properly in the hospital when you can't get up?

You only have to feed them and change their bum so you can do it sitting in bed.

1. Is there anything you wish you had known before having a section?

If you've got room downstairs to set up a temporary bed that would be very helpful.
Don't have a glass of champagne to celebrate getting home it'll go right to your head.
Sometimes about 10 days after your section you'll possible start bleeding quite heavily. Something to do with the placenta scab coming off I read.

1. Snacks you can eat with one hand. Have lots of them in your bag and round the house. Flapjacks, cereal bars.

If you're going to the chemist get some Colpermin too for wind

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba oh yes I had the lecture about breastfeeding as well but I've already decided to bottle feed so according to the old cow I'm doing everything wrong from the get go. Luckily I'm pretty thick skinned but it still amazes me how opinionated people get when the choices are obviously available for a reason.

Thanks for all the helpful advice

@Definately I'll add it to my list thanks

Good luck!!

1. Do I need to shave?

The nurse did it and it wasn't an issue at all. My incision was surprisingly low so she had to remove the hair around the area. It all depends on the surgeon and the nurse will know more about which area should be shaved.

1. How long after until you can bath/shower?

24 hours for shower, 6 weeks for a bath. The nurses came in the next day and said if I could shower by myself then they can take the catheter out. Not going to lie, the first standing shower was very painful and strange but it felt great to be out of bed and mobile again.

1. How do you look after a baby properly in the hospital when you can't get up?

The bed has buttons that let you move it up and down so basic tasks should be ok. I had problems putting baby back into the bassinet so I either got DH to do it or rang the nurse. They were lovely and won't mind at all if you ring them in the middle of the night. There's always someone on duty.

1. Is there anything you wish you had known before having a section?

It will be extra painful when breastfeeding because nipple stimulation also causes the uterus to contract. This pulls on the stitches and surgery area. However it's not unbearable and you'll be dosed up fairly regularly with painkillers anyway. My milk came in slightly late so we gave DD some formula on the first day (a routine test showed her blood sugar was too low) by but I had no problems with BFing after that.

1. Should I pack any extras that would be helpful?

Snacks and drinks! You might be up through the entire night with baby and will be starving. Before the csection I naively imagined staying in hospital was going to be like a slightly exciting hotel so if I got hungry I could just get up and make myself a cup of tea or grab something from a vending machine. The reality was that I could only shuffle from the bed to the toilet and even that required a massive effort. Finding food was impossible. DH managed to steal a banana from somewhere in the hospital from the middle of the night and it was the best thing I ever ate. I genuinely wish I'd packed a whole bag of sandwiches, crisps, snacks and drinks.

Oh sorry, just read that you intend to bottle feed. In which case it will make the c-section recovery much easier!

@CoffeeDay thank you