Planned C-Section advice/tips

CupcakesK · 04/08/2021 11:36

Take device chargers with long leads, or a charging pack into hospital, as from my experience the plug socket was a long way from my bed and I could barely move for the first 24 hours (and of course the whole world wants to call you when you've just given birth)

Also anything that makes it easier for you to poop - e.g. prunes

Good luck!

sarah13xx · 04/08/2021 12:16

Mine is on Monday, good luck for tomorrow!

I have slip on sandals in to go home in and a loose dress so I’m not having to bend down to put shoes on swollen feet or pull trousers up. Chewing gum is also meant to help the trapped wind situation. I have a pillow left in the car to put over me to then put the seatbelt over because apparently every bump on the way home feels horrible 🤦🏼‍♀️

Original poster

FTM23 · 04/08/2021 12:32

Thank you for your replies! I got a small pillow aswell for coughing/laughing etc and also the car ride home hopefully that will help, I also brought comfy sliders as well as that’s all I want to live in atm I want to try prevent wind as I’ve had horrible wind pains lasting the past couple of weeks so bad a couple of times I thought I was in labour! I’m just wondering do you take some wind tablets before the section or after kind of like topping up on painkillers if anyone knows?

OP posts:

Inthesky42 · 04/08/2021 12:49

They'll give you medicine to take before the section to stop you feeling sick etc, don't take anything they haven't given you and remember nothing to eat or drink after the time they tell you (for me I had to stop eating 10pm night before and drinking 7am day of).
Wind tablets etc can be taken after the surgery.

Original poster

FTM23 · 04/08/2021 12:50

Thank you, I’ve been told I have to fast from midnight with only sips of water. I have to take these antacid tablets at 10pm tonight then when I wake up tomorrow but I have to go in at 7:30, hopefully I won’t have too much wind pain thank you

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alwaysraining123 · 04/08/2021 13:01

I've had two sections - one emergency and one planned.
My advice:

take a small portable fan to the hospital. I have one with a clip and I attached it to the side of the bed after I'd come out of surgery and was back on the ward.
Anything that involves bending down is painful - slip on slippers/shoes would be best for in the hospital and when you return home. Clothes that go over your head like dresses would be perfect as the PP said.
For when you get home try keep your scar nice and ventilated. I lay down on the bed with a fan on me and it worked well. No issues with my scar healing.
The biggest issue for me was going to the toliet. The first time round was horrendous. The second time I drank quite a bit of apple juice and to be honest (and this wouldn't work for everyone) restricted the amount of pain relief I took. The second time was much better but it was still uncomfortable.
The car journey home was uncomfortable for me. Good advice given by PP.

I would also suggest resting when you get home and that mainly means keeping still. I healed really well and quickly both times . My partner basically did everything for me including getting anything I wanted. There's no point pushing yourself to be up and about and delaying complete recovery. I gave myself a break for 4-6 days and by day 8-10 I was feeling 70-80% of my previous self. This is going to be different for everyone.

Original poster

FTM23 · 04/08/2021 14:30

I just actually ordered a handheld fan I’m glad that will come in handy! That’s all amazing advice thank you so much. I’m definitely going to try and rest and listen to my body I don’t want to interrupt the recovery by doing too much too soon but I’d love to at least go for a short walk a few days later how soon would you say is too soon? I’m going to go by how I feel and if I don’t feel up to it I’m not going to force myself by I really do want to keep mobile to try and help recovery also.

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Wantabub · 04/08/2021 14:42

Congratulations for tomorrow!

Stay really still for the spinal block and it's literally over in 30 seconds.

Get up and walk around as soon as you can.

Drink as much as possible to wee once your catheter is out. It doesn't hurt when they take it out.

I usually suffer with wind but didn't have any at all following my section and had all the tablets known to man.

I usually hate nighties but took two in and they were brilliant.

Long leads for chargers and download everything from netflix onto your phone.

If you feel sick in surgery make sure you tell them.

Take ALL the meds they give you. Even if you feel ok! I didn't and after an hour it was agony. The liquid morphine was a dream!

Keep on top of them at home too for at least 5 days!

Day 3 is the WORST for pain but it gets so much better from then!

Good luck!

Grognonne · 04/08/2021 15:06

The c section pants from JL were great. I was up and walking 5hrs after the section and felt fine. Was discharged within 20hrs and had to keep reminding myself I had a section! Switched to paracetamol by day 3, and was walking with the pram around the park by day 4. Even went to the pub on day 5. Mine was planned but ended up a week early so didn’t have to do nil by mouth. I recommend moving as soon as you can, it worked for me!

Miliao · 04/08/2021 15:08

Oh and I barely used anything from the bag I packed, probably because I wasn’t in long. I recommend some cold drinks (took a cool bag), I showered when I got home and used the hospital nightgown despite bringing two! I think I only used my charger from the bag in the end!

Original poster

FTM23 · 04/08/2021 15:13

@Wantabub thank you so much all amazing advice @Grognonne that’s amazing thank you as I really wanted to be able to go out walking etc with the pram but didn’t want to hinder any recovering! @Miliao that sounds like me lol I’ve packed things I think I’ll need but I’m definitely not an over packer so I think I’ll just stick to the necessities thank you all so much

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sarah13xx · 04/08/2021 15:15

@FTM23 my friend didn’t go a walk to the end of her street until the end of the second week. I had imagined that was how long it would take me but I’ve seen so many comments from people who have managed to go a short walk in the first week

HappyMummy82 · 04/08/2021 15:24

@FTM23

Hey all, I’m having a planned C-Section tomorrow for my first baby and very nervous! I don’t know what to expect before and during recovery does anyone have any advice or tips on ways I can make it a little bit easier for myself? I’ve stocked up on peppermint oil and windeze and bought lots of big pants! Any advice would be very welcomed

My tips are:

Make sure you get up and about walking as soon as you are able. It stops blood clots etc.

I don't know if you have to take any blood clot injections like I did but make sure you keep a record of which side you have done each night as I forgot quite easily.

I had my catheter reinserted as I couldn't pee after 12 hours with both mine. Don't rush them to take it out to give your bladder more time to recover. I know they have to take it out after 12 hours but I have read about other people who didn't mention it and they got kept in longer.

Plenty of painkillers from home or ask whenever you are in pain. The nurses don't mind being buzzed a million times as long as you are OK. I was scared of doing this but the nurses said to buzz whenever I needed pain meds.

Try and get up and be as mobile as you can as with my second I had very heavy bleeding one day when I stayed in bed for a while.

This is the biggest one - don't rush your recovery. You have just given birth and has major abdominal surgery so listen to your body and do what your body wants. If you are in pain rest and take pain meds if needed and if you feel like a little walk walk around the living room or the garden (if you have one)

I hope it all goes well. Take care and just remember you will soon have your newborn in your arms.

RollerSkating · 04/08/2021 15:24

I wore the expensive c-section leggings from 7days for the next 6 months! On day 7 I could barely stand up straight, but once I managed to pull those leggings on I felt sooo much more comfy! They hold everything in as if you've got your hand over the wound, and help you feel so much better. They are also supposed to help heal the wound. As long as you also get plenty of air to the wound at night.