Elective c section- your experience and recovery

[Gemmaemilyx]

I wrote a post a few weeks ago about baby being breech and possibly needing a csection.

I'm 37 weeks on Monday and going for my scan to confirm; then they will think about an elective csection at 39 weeks.

When midwife was telling me how the procedure went I've felt really anxious. I've been worried about the recovery but now even worried about the procedure. (I work in healthcare would you believe and seen it all, but terrifying being the patient!!)

Has anyone got any stories of how their elective went and their recovery. Also any tips? I've been told it's a good 2 weeks until you can move properly again!

Thanks 😊 xx

Also I seem susceptible to infections... (I had 2 infections one after the other when I had a tooth removed) do they give precautionary antibiotics after ? I assume they give clexane- my mum is disabled from DVTs and PEs when she was 34 so I'm sure they will do that.
Xx

I haven't had one myself but I have read a lot of threads about them on this forum as thinking about having an ELCS, and they are almost entirely positive. There seem to be few people who regret it. Lots of people saying it was a calm experience etc. and that the recovery is fine if you keep on top of pain meds.

Had a section 11 days ago. Elective. Issues with placenta and baby measuring very small. Had it at 37 weeks. You do get antibiotics. You also may get injections to give self 10!days after to prevent blood clots. I couldn't believe how quickly I've recovered. Completely mobile again now. No pain at all. Pain lasted maybe 5 days but was no big deal. First 48 hours the worst. Hope it goes well. I was so worried about recovery after section but needn't have

I’ve had 2 elective sections. Both really lovely experiences. First couple of days were pretty painful but after that was fine. Was out of hospital after 24 hours, went to pub for lunch day 3, was driving after 10 days or so and able to do nursery run with eldest when my husband returned to work after 2 weeks. My advice is take regular painkillers, laxatives and get up and about as quickly as you can. If you’ve got a bedside cot, put it on your partners side of the bed to start with as shuffling down to the end of the bed to get out isn’t fun!

You won’t get antibiotics to take home but you may get blood thinner injections.

I had two. It was surprisingly fine. It was less than two weeks before I could move properly. The first few days are pretty intense. But part of that may have also been because my babies were in NICU. So I couldn’t really rest like they advise. But, it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be and certainly no worse than anyone who had a vaginal birth. Just different.

Mine was a really positive experience. The birth was calm. I walked (slowly) to the shower day two and had some help washing from a lovely mid wife. I had to take it easy for a few weeks but I could definitely move about. Good luck and congratulations

@iloveicelollies and @welshweasel have pretty much covered my experience. My hospital now does skin to skin so in June my DD was straight on my chest after cord clamping as per a vaginal birth.

DS (2019) was breech and there was a bit a rummaging to grab him so took longer than DD (head down, but had an ELCS booked as I make big babies, then I had leaking waters so declined a hormonal induction and went in for what I’m calling an ‘expedited’ elective)

I had bladder retention from the catheter so had to stay 2 nights both times. That’s a risk with all spinal anesthesia not just section.

Laxatives are a must but again were offered to all women in my ward as the hormones can do a number on our constitution anyway,

Point about the crib is a good one, I was better off lifting from front/end of the crib rather than twisting my side from the bed. Was driving by week 3, probably felt ok sooner.

Oh o meant to say I think they give you preemptive IV antibiotics in theater

Thank you all!

I'm still very nervous about it but I like the idea of it being calm after a traumatic experience with my son! Baby girl coming out safely is the most important.

Midwife said they suggest people bringing in their own pain relief so they don't have to keep asking staff and waiting. So I assume it's just a case of paracetamol/ ibuprofen in pain relief?

Xx

@Blondiecub0109

Oh o meant to say I think they give you preemptive IV antibiotics in theater

Ahhh that's great. I didn't think about this- it's what we usually do for pacemaker ops!! Xx

It was very calm throughout. I was very scared beforehand but it was fine once it started. Normal painkillers but you can also get stronger ones while you’re there too. Oralmorph I think.

Sounds like we will end up having a c-section around the same time, mine is the 9th. I was so terrified of the alternative that I told myself I could cope with a c-section but had a very detailed dream last night about it and I’ve terrified myself. I wasn’t even having it done, I was just in the hospital with a drip in and the hospital gown on 😂 It was just the build up, was such a horrible feeling! Mine was meant to be in the morning but I think it’s now the afternoon as I’ve to go in later. It will be good that I can eat in the morning but it’s just longer to be awake and think about it 🙈 Kate Lawler was on the mindful birth group’s instagram live the other day and was asked to describe her birth (c-section) in 3 words. She was terrified before it like me but one of the words she used was ‘painless’. I’m clinging onto that piece of information now telling myself itl be fine 😂 Of my friends who have had one (some emergencies) most have been able to go out a short walk between 10-14 days after. I’m allocating the first week to be in my pyjamas doing very little and my husband will do everything with the baby if need be - I’ll just have him passed to me etc. I feel like if I aim low and it ends up easier than expected I’ll be pleasantly surprised 😊

I've had an EMCS and ELCS.

The waiting around and building up to the ELCS was the worst part but honestly it was absolutely fine!

DH and I walked down to theatre hand in hand beside my midwife then he got changed whilst I sat on the bed for a spinal block (quick pin prick and the pain quickly disappears) then he was back by the time I laid down. One thing that they warned me about was that they tilt the bed slightly (no idea why) but because you can't feel or control from the abdomen down it feels like you're going to tip off the edge but it's actually a tiny incline - that framed me out a bit

My ELCS was transverse so needed forceps to pull her out from under my rib but I couldn't feel a thing, just a bit of a tugging sensation. We had delayed cord clamping and DH had skin to skin with her beside me as I was stitched up then it was my turn when we got to recovery. I was back to my room in the ward within 90 minutes.

Recovery wise I was up and about the next morning for a shower and walking around a bit hunched over them back to normal within 7 days - I was doing a 6 mile a day school walk on day 10 with no issues. Just take it slow and pay attention to your body.

I took paracetamol, ibuprofen and blood thinning injections for 10 days - there are no prizes for pushing yourself too far!

Hi I have had 2 ELCs. First didn’t have a choice due to position of placenta. I had a pretty bad infection but nothing that couldn’t be fixed! Put it this way I chose to have an ELC for my second child as I was pretty scared of a vaginal birth. I posted a pretty negative review of my birth experiences on the recent guest post, mostly no help from staff and so on but I would have chose a section again. I am 4 weeks pp and still in some in some pain but it’s manageable. I was up and on my feet so much quicker the second time, abs not recommended but I did manage to hang washing and go short walks, still tired, I found walking from the car to shops pretty tiring today but Blame they on lack of sleep. DH was here for 2.5 weeks then my mum the rest of week, take all the help you can get as if you don’t it will slow the recovery. C section is a very calm experience. No one told me about the c section overhang the first time round, maybe because I didn’t have a choice, that’s the only thing that bothers me but that’s a very small price to pay for me and my babies being safe. Don’t worry at all, I kind of wish I could do it again as second time wa more positive I think because I knew what to expect) I wish I could relive that one day again as meeting your dc is magical.
Tips, wear biggest pants possible to keep away from scar. Don’t touch it and only allow water to run over it in shower, pat dry.

I self discharged following the birth of my daughter owing to appalling and inadequate care.

I had an ELCS 8 days ago, it was actually really calm. I was really nervous before hand and the waiting around didn't help but obviously you just have to wait your turn.
We were told to be there for 7am, once there we just waited around for a bit in a waiting room and then got taken to a consulting room where I had my blood pressure taken, spoke with the anesthetist and surgeon.

I ended up having my blood pressure taken a few times as it was playing up but all was well in the end. I felt well looked after during this time.

We then got taken round to another room where I was given a gown and told to get change into it. I put a dressing gown on over this for walking around the corridoors.
When it was our time we went to another room where my OH had to put scrubs on ready to go to theatre.

Once in theatre, the anesthetist prepared me ready for the epidural and was good constantly talking and telling me what was happening. I sat up on the bed and they sprayed my back with a cold spray. They then injected me and did the epidural, my partner was with me this whole time which was reassuring.
After I had the epidural they lie you on the bed and check it has worked and put in your catheter.
They put up a screen and get to work, I felt a bit sick at this point and the anesthetist gave me some anti sickness medicine which worked brilliantly.

After about 10 mins they held up my baby so I could see them and told me the sex, they then wished him off for weighing and cleaning up, my partner went with then.
I did feel a bit shaky which is quite common apparently. They brought baby back and I had skin to skin whilst the surgeon got to work sewing me back up and the whole process took 50 mins.
I was then taken to recovery and eventually round to a ward, where I had a drink and some toast.
I had my catheter out about 7pm and was then able to get up and have a shower. Was moving fine if gingerly.
8 days later I'm back up and running there are some movements that are still painful but not awful. I just recommend you take it easy as long as possible to add your recovery.

My only complaint for the whole process was that the ward was bloody boiling because it was the hottest weekend of the year, not that the hospital staff had much control over that

Overall I am pleased I opted for the ELCS this time round and it was certainly the correct choice for me this time round.

Recommend huge pants and soft pj bottoms/nighty so they go over your wound and nothing rubs that area.
I haven't worn proper clothes yet, I've just stayed in my pj bottoms

I am 10 days post my second section and I echo what others have said here. My baby was breech and I had planned for an elective section, however my waters broke the day before so it ended up as an emergency.

The whole thing was very relaxed and a really positive experience. I was able to have skin to skin contact and try breastfeeding pretty much straight away. I was back up on my feet 24 hours after the op and home later that day. I had oral morphine in hospital and was sent home with ibuprofen and paracetamol, along with clexane and iron tablets.

My recovery has been much better than I expected. I feel pretty normal bar the odd twinge.