Before, during and after a c-section

[Fartymcfart]

Hi,

I have finally been given my C-Section date for my 4th Baby.

Can anyone who's had a c-section let me know what happens before, during and after so I can be prepared.

Any tips or hints for my bag or whilst I'm at the hospital also really appreciated.

My number one suggestion is put everything you need above waist hight. So don't leave clothes on the floor etc. Have a pile of clothes at a comfortable height.

Slippers or flip flops that you can just slide your feet into without bending down or using your hands.

You’ll have your pre-op the day before. Bloods taken, notes read over etc. You’ll be given a time to arrive at the hospital and told whether you’re an AM or PM slot but this can change with emergencies.

On the day- arrive, get settled into bed, have cannula put in, gown up and DH gown up. You’ll be nil by mouth before and the night before you have to take a vile tablet! You also get given lucozade to drink the night before.

You’ll be taken down to theatre, go into theatre to be prepped (spinal) whilst DH waits ourside then he can come in. Wait for the anrsatbetic to kick in, they will thoroughly test this before starting.
About 10 mins later all being well you’ll meet your baby and then the rest will be a blur! They get weighed then you have cuddles while they stitch you up

Taken to recovery, they’ll help baby latch and you stay there for a while before going back to the ward / your room.

DRINK PEPPERMINT TEA! The worst pain after a c section is the trapped wind! Get up as soon as you’re allowed too and have a shower once the catheter is out. Trust me it helps!

Good luck!

Nobody I know has ever had this infamous trapped wind pain, always find that odd.

Tbh it's not necessarily a blur after the baby is born either, I'm sure this depends on the person and how they react to the spinal, but I remember it all very clearly and could feel a lot of the tugging and discomfort when they were stitching me up both times. Just something to be prepared for. I found hypnobirthing breathing techniques very helpful during the surgery.

Keep on top of your pain killers for a good week after. I forgot one afternoon about 4 days post baby and it felt like a blow torch along my scar!

They give you the hospital gown and get your Dh/partner to put your surgical stockings on, this is a wrestling match between the teeny tight stocking and your legs.

After they put the spinal block in they lie you slightly tipped onto your side but there are bed bars to hold you in place. The anaesthetist and any assistants leave, then the midwife comes in, disinfects your nethers and inserts a catheter. It was done with dignity.

After the c section when you are still in theatre they will roll you onto your side and very discretely insert a pessary pain killer up your bum. I didn't even clock it first time as it was an EMCS but I found out afterwards so for my ELCS I realised what they were doing. Obviously you don't feel it but I just thought you should know.

Big knickers, I mean massive ones that will come up to your belly button so they don't roll down into the scar. Loose comfy pyjama bottoms or joggers for afterwards. Anything really comfy. As you will be numb remember you will need to change your maternity pads, you won't feel the blood leaking out.

Agree about everything accessible so no having to get down onto the floor for changing etc. Dh helped dress me for a week, so I held breast
pads on my boobs, he fed me into a bra and also just held out my knickers for me to step into so no bending, and stuck a pad in beforehand. He was very good to me.

You have bloods and tests done a couple of days before. Be prepared for a wait on the day as any emergencies will bump you down the list. I was allowed to wear my own nightie for my elcs, all went pretty fast and I honestly didn't care what was done to me. After kept on recovery ward until they're happy you're okay to go on ward. I was up and walking within 12 hours despite heavy blood loss. Catheter was removed the next morning and I felt pretty normal by then, no need for any painkillers at all. None of this trapped wind trouble or not being able to bend or get myself up out of bed. I was back doing most things once home, no trouble carrying both our twins (all 17lb of them). I did avoid lifting the younger of our other children (2&4) for a few weeks and didn't drive for 6wk as dh was home. My wound did get infected as stitches didn't dissolve but it was completely painless and sorted out with removal and antibiotics. Only thing I took in to hospital that I didn't have for vb's was big granny pants. It is easier to have the essentials on a chair next to bed for the 1st day/night to save you having to get up too often but after that it's beneficial for healing to get mobile again.

I was fine with bending for clothes too and was fine changing them on the floor (I’ve had 3 c sections)
I walked around fine and didn’t need the painkillers once home.
First 2 were stitches and the 3rd was staples which were awkward but not painful but I wouldn’t of wanted them again!

Yes to the big knickers! God send so nothing sits on your scar.

I wish I hadn’t had the trapped wind now others have said they hadn’t 😂 I had it all night after all 3 of mine! Was lucky though really with otherwise brilliant & fast recoveries. Drove with all of them by 2 weeks.

One thing no one told me is that you can feel slight tugging on the skin during the surgery, this is fine and completely normal! Another is, please take it easy for the first 2 weeks of you can. Try not to bend up and down, etc,. I didn’t listen as I was trying to prove to everyone how great I was after the section, even though I was in pain. Generally, just remember that you’re still giving birth and you may need all the things you’ve used before for aftercare. I still needed stool softener after lol. Also, pack high waisted underwear so it doesn’t rub on your scar afterwards. If you’re a planning on breastfeeding then I’d recommend the bf pillow as an essential as I struggled having the baby lying anywhere near my stomach.

Thanks everyone, this is all so helpful.

Are there other options to peppermint tea 🤮

I've got my pre op 2 days before. So assume they will tell me the drill but would like to have some ideas before hand what to expect.

I’ve only had emcs, but be prepared that it is normal for there to be a dozen people or so in the room, with surgeons,anaethatists, MW, nurses etc. It feels like a lot of people, but don’t panic!

Good luck

I’ve had two sections - first was EMCS and second was ELCS but I went into labour naturally a week before so didn’t have any pre-ops etc. And it was classed as EMCS from there on out.

I had my second section during Covid lockdown so this may vary depending on date.

Before: you have a Covid test before op (as I went into labour naturally mine was a rapid Covid test.) Cannula in, stockings on, doctor comes in and goes through all the forms with you (I think this might be on your pre-op though!) Pop your gown on, birthing partner gets changed too. Tip: leave any wedding rings etc. at home - otherwise you have to leave them on the ward/in your room/with birthing partner.
Wheeled down to theatre.

During: They spray a really cold numbing spray on your lower back and then tell you to bend like a cat and keep still. Then everything goes numb. They test this a LOT before any incision etc. Next thing you know your baby is being held above the curtain. You can still do skin to skin etc so if that important to you make sure you ask. I held DC2 whilst they stitched me up. Oh and the pessary up the bum was a surprise to me too I could lift both my legs by the time I was wheeled into recovery but couldn’t have stood up.

After: I hated the catheter (sp?) and had it removed as soon as possible (6hrs is the minimum) and went to the toilet straight away. It takes a minute to pee! Pain is bearable and in hospital you get the good drugs but remember to keep on top of them when you get home. Sometimes I would forget before bed and wake up for a night feed in agony. Try to go about your daily life as normal but remember you’ve just had major surgery and if you need to rest, REST.

I also never had any wind so didn’t need the peppermint tea.

Was discharged after 24hrs with both - especially at the moment they want you out ASAP. No private rooms as saved for Covid + patients (which I was - the only benefit of having Covid!)

Obviously everyone’s experience is different but my second section was a genuinely lovely experience. And I felt fine after two weeks.

Good luck and congratulations.

My experience (5 months ago) was: given a pre-wash shower gel to use for 5 days beforehand and also some tablets to take the night before and day of surgery for stomach acid. It's advised to shave beforehand too so I did .

I walked down to theatre at 10am in my gown with my partner and got put on a bed ready. Partner gets taken to a holding/waiting area. Get wheeled into the prep area for catheter, monitors, spinal etc to be done. Chatting away with midwife and anaesthetist then wheeled into the theatre, lots of people in there all very friendly and nice. Partner comes back in, he sits at my head with anaesthetist , screen goes up, some tugging and kneeding sensations and back feels off the bed, quickly shown baby when he's out and midwife whisks him to scales etc partner goes over. He then stopped breathing so baby resus team sees to him (mucus had clogged him up a bit which natural birth usually sorts out apparently quite common but the anaesthetist keeps me calm ) then he's crying again and partner/dad brings him over for me to look at him properly. They both then go into recovery with the midwife and I get stitched up, seems to take forever just wanted to be with baby. Then I get the shakes very common and eventually then get wheeled to recovery where they check bleeding and change the bedding and I get to hold baby and breastfeed.

In recovery for about half an hour then I get taken to ward and partner had to leave due to COVID restrictions.
Midwife stays with me and helps me etc. Sorts out peppermint tea (drank so much of this for the next few days very helpful) Partner came back for his hour time slot very groggy and sore think I could wiggle my toes by the afternoon .

First night midwives and assistants on hand very helpful and kept checking on bleeding etc from the wound and down below, didn't get much sleep at all he wouldn't settle for long. Absolutely exhausted and very sore.

Wanted the catheter out soon as I woke up found it so uncomfortable as the anaesthetic was wearing off, managed to get them to take it out mid morning because I was drinking and passing regularly. Very painful to move and walk but do it as it helps healing.

Got discharged late afternoon just wanted to be at home with my partner. I had no difficulty with going to the loo at all. Take a blanket or pillow to put across your tummy for travelling home. You want high waisted loose everything.

We started with a Moses basket for at night but this hurt for me to get him out of so we got a next to me crib. I slept upright for 3 weeks as it was incredibly painful to go from lying down to sitting up. Keep on top of pain relief and ask GP for stronger don't hesitate. Keep moving but also don't over do it, it really does help with healing .

Couldn't of done the first few weeks without my partner so make sure you have help and accept all help . I got to take my dressing off 3 days after in the bath under midwifes orders and was surprised how much it had healed already. Tummy is still numb in places but I was wearing none high waisted stuff from around 3 months post c-section. Sometimes things rub it and irritated it. I used e45 on my scar daily. Pregnancy pillow came in handy after too to help prop me up/sleep with.

Sorry it's so long didn't want to miss anything but don't hesitate to ask me if you need to know anything and I'll try to remember . Good luck abs congratulations x

Yep everything everyone else said, and I’ve had 1 EMCS and 1 ELCS.

Don’t think anyone else has mentioned but the thing that I had no idea about until it happened was that you have to inject yourself every day for a week afterwards. I think it must be antibiotics or something (can’t remember) and they show you how to do it and give you all the kit but that was a bit of a surprise and something I wasn’t prepared for.

It's a blood thinner I think

You can take peppermint capsules or get peppermint oil if you don't like the tea! Holland and Barrett do the capsules I believe.

The post c section injections are a blood thinner to prevent DVT when you are less mobile post operatively. They are really easy to do, and don’t hurt (they sting a little).

I’ve got the colpermin capsules that are the same as peppermint tea. I couldn’t down a flavoured tea if my life depended on it 🤢 so knew I needed it in capsule form! I’m having a section next month and have watched a lot of good YouTube videos on it. Jennifer Joy has a really good one. Eilidh Wells is another good elective section one. I feel like watching these has made me feel like I know exactly what’s going to happen! I’ve used all these videos and posts to make my list for my hospital bag

My list is:

• [x] Nighties
• [x] Slippers
• [x] Flip flops/sliders (for swollen feet after if I can’t get shoes on and could wear them in the showers)
• [x] Towel
• [x] Dressing gown
• [x] Flannels
• [ ] Nursing bras
• [x] Big high waisted pants
• [x] 2 jogger outfits
• [ ] Loose dress - tshirt dress
• [x] Socks
• [x] Maternity pads
• [x] Breast pads
• [x] Cooling breast pads and cream
• [x] Face wipes
• [x] Deodorant
• [x] Mini shower things
• [x] Dry shampoo
• [x] Brush
• [x] Hair bands
• [x] Toothpaste and toothbrush
• [x] Small moisturiser
• [x] Lip balm
• [x] Colpermin
• [x] Pain killers
• [x] Sanitizer

To add on day:

• [ ] Phone charger
• [ ] Snacks
• [ ] Water
• [ ] Makeup bag

@sarah13xx, add a water bottle with a sports cap, do you can drink lying down in the first few hours post c section. Maternity wards are very warm places! Also be sure that the joggers sit on or above your waist. Under bump = on the scar!

@BikeRunSki yeah I have the one with the straw! The joggers are the biggest most high waisted things I could find, they’re lovely 😬😂

The trapped wind was real for me! The hospital had strong peppermint capsules. I felt the pain in my shoulder from it, wasnr expecting that!

Also felt itchy after so asked for antihistamines.

The section itself was fine, first week or two after was a bit tricky but 3 months later now and all a distant memory. I healed quickly and so well, I think thanks to simply listening to my body. I moved a little (other kids so had to) and rested lots too.

Bleeding was very stop start for 5 weeks. It would completely stop for 3 days then restart. Had checks, all well and normal.

Sounds like you are well prepared @sarah13xx. I hope everything goes well x

OK, things to add to my bag
Bottle with straw/sports cap
Peppermint capsules

Thanks everyone this is all so helpful.

I'm on the blood thinners anyway due to family history, so I have to stop for a day and then carry on once I've had the section.

@Fartymcfart oh yeah the thinners, I had them 6 weeks after my elcs. Been on them since 28wk this time so I forget about that bit.

Make up bag... ugh, sod that