C-section questions

[Kittyswhiskers]

Hi all. Im having an elective section, this is my third baby, at 39 weeks. I hope some of you might be able to answer some of the questions that have popped up into my head in the night. Some of them aren’t important but I was just wondering really.

How soon after my section can I shower?
How soon after the section does the catheter get removed?
Is the vaginal bleeding you get following a vaginal birth the same/heavier/lighter after a section?
How soon can I have a hot bath?
Are the stitches usually dissolvable or do I get them taken out?
How long are the stitches in for?
Whereabouts will the scar be? I have big
Knickers that come up to my belly button so I assume this won’t rub?
What does the epidural feel like going in? And how long does it take to wear off. How soon can I walk?

I am waiting for a specialist midwife to call me but she hasn’t yet so maybe she’ll go
Through this stuff with me but I thought I’d get some experience off here too! Thanks

Sorry this should be in pregnancy.

I've had two. The most recent 12 days ago. Hope this helps!

You can shower the day after
Catheter is removed after 12 hours
My bleeding was different both times, heavy the first and light the second time. Bleeding increases with the more activity I did. Uterus contraction pains were grim second time with this.
I'm not sure about the bath!
My stitches are dissolvable
The scar is literally at the very top of your bikini line. Big knickers are great. I also have big nappies this time which felt like a giant hug! Be aware clothes can rub and irritate the scar too.
You don't feel the spinal at all. You are given a local anaesthetic in the back first. This doesn't hurt it's just like a normal injection type pain. I found the cannula the most painful part of it all.

Hope this helps! I had an EMCS after a long labour. It was a massive relief!

I showered the next day - my dressing was waterproof so no issues with that.

My catheter was removed as soon as the spinal had completely worn off which was about 12 hours.

Bleeding was similar - though didn't last quite as long after my c-section as it did after my vaginal births.

Not sure about baths as I don't have them!

Stitches are dissolvable so no need for removal. Had to have the waterproof dressing removed by the midwife after a week I think it was.

Big knickers that go way over your bikini line are perfect. My scar is at the top of my bikini line, and it's longer than I thought it would be!

Spinal was pure bliss! but I had been in labour (long induction) for ages so I could have snogged the anaesthetist. The worst part was sitting still but if you're not in labour then it's not an issue. It takes seconds and as soon as it's in you're numb.

I had my c-section at 3.30am, I was up walking 12 hours later, as soon as the catheter was removed. Best advice - keep as mobile as possible, it really helps to aid recovery. I kept up on my feet and upright as much as possible.

Other helpful things - Alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen as needed. I was given liquid morphine too to self-administer but I honestly didn't find the pain that bad at all so never used it, but if you do need it - make sure you ask for it!

Pooping after a c-section (or any birth) isn't fun. Ask for some Lactulose to make it a bit easier. (I lost a lot of blood during the surgery and needed iron after which didn't help!)

If you have any concerns about healing afterwards, get it checked. My scar was a bit weepy, my midwife dismissed it but I saw the GP who gave me oral and cream antibiotics for an infection.

I showered the next morning, dropped the shampoo - that hurt!
Catheter came out next morning.
Bleeding seemed similar.
It will be a while before you want a bath as physically you will struggle with the physical aspect of that.
Stitches dissolved.
My scar is on my bikini line
epidural is sharp scratch
I walked the next morning

I had am EMCS at midnight, at 11 AM they removed my catheter and helped me start walking for the first time. Shortly after they helped me get my first shower.
My Stiches were the metal ones, got removed after 5 days. Scar is really low and can be painful at the beginning so i bought a bunch of high waisted underwear and trousers.
Spinal was not painful at all.

Good luck

Hi OP, I had one earlier this year

How soon after my section can I shower?
I had one the day after with help from my partner

How soon after the section does the catheter get removed?
Mine was removed around 9/10 hours after, I hate catheters and was able to move around so they took mine out if I produced enough urine and was able to walk to the toilet. I was very lucky that the toilet was right next to my bed though. If I couldn’t get to the toilet though they told me they’d put the catheter back in.

Is the vaginal bleeding you get following a vaginal
birth the same/heavier/lighter after a section? Mine was a lot lighter than a vaginal birth

How soon can I have a hot bath?
Your midwife will tell you but I think it’s recommended to have a shower until stitches are healed or a warm bath maybe? I can't quite remember now.

Are the stitches usually dissolvable or do I get them taken out?
Mine were dissolvable.

Whereabouts will the scar be? I have big
Knickers that come up to my belly button so I assume this won’t rub?
Big knickers won’t rub, my scar is below where normal knickers are.

What does the epidural feel like going in? And how long does it take to wear off. How soon can I walk?
As PP said you don’t feel it going in. I had epidural in my first pregnancy (vaginal) and spinal in my c section. Neither hurt. It takes a few hours to wear off from the spinal. The consultant will spray your legs and move up your body with cold spray to check you’re numb before they do anything.

You can walk as soon as feel you can. I was walking by 6pm and I had my section at 9am that day. I had a previous tough vaginal birth though and was very ill (was completely bed bound for 2 full days and stayed in hospital for 5 nights) so this c section felt like a breeze compared to that. My advice would be to not push yourself and listen to your body. If you feel up to moving do it but don’t over do it. Moving does help recovery. Take the pain killers and if they don’t help, ask for stronger ones.

Good luck OP!