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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Tops tips before going in for a c-section

43 replies

loudsoph98 · 14/12/2021 19:23

Hi guys,

Got my c-section in a weeks time. I'm very excited to meet my,boy. Was just wondering any advice or top tips before and after having a c-section.

Sophie x

OP posts:
ImmyMc · 14/12/2021 20:45

Following!

MajorCarolDanvers · 14/12/2021 20:50

Surgical strength arnica tablets to help recover from bruising inside and out.

Big pants

Comfy loose trousers with a high waist that won't irritate your wound.

Say yes to all painkillers and stay on top of them. If you need stronger ask for them. If you need more when discharged phone your gp.

Cook and freeze as many meals as your freezer will hold now.

Breastfeeding cushion if planning to bf so baby isn't lying on your wound.

Say yes to all offers of help.

Pinklaptopz · 14/12/2021 20:51

The c-section is great. I recovered much quicker than with the vb.

The period after is all about pooing and trapped wind. You need to take this seriously because it can be miserable: take peppermint tea into hospital (and drink gallons of it) and get Senakot.

Also, don’t let them fob you off with paracetamol. Ask for dihydrocodeine before they discharge you.

MeltedButter · 14/12/2021 20:54

I found it unsettling to feel all the rumaging during the c section, which I believe is uncommon. But for that I really wishes I had brought some music with headphones so I could be distracted.

No matter how painful it is after the meds ware off each day will be considerably easier. I remember thinking it will take forever to get better but the recovery was surprisinglt fast for how awful the pain was in the first 3 days.

Good luck Flowers

Watto1 · 14/12/2021 20:55

Slippers or flip flops that you can slip on without having to bend down and use your hands.

Watto1 · 14/12/2021 20:55

And yes, take all the drugs!

Prosperhigh · 14/12/2021 21:02

If you feel a bit nauseous during it say straight away to the anaesthetist so he can give you IV anti-sickness medication… The sooner the better. I quite enjoyed the feeling of going all tingly and numb it was very relaxing :)

OvertiredOverthinker · 14/12/2021 21:10

How exciting! Hope all goes well OP!

Make sure you wear big granny pants after that sit above your scar!

When I got home I slept propped up (like you do in hospital) using a V-shape pillow. This made it easier to get in and out of bed for night feeds and I actually found it really comfy! So much so that I kept using it for months, even when I no longer needed to!

I was a bit crap with keeping on top of pain relief when I got home (they offered it like clockwork in recovery unit and on postnatal ward) but it didn’t seem to result in lots of pain. But I have heard from others on Mumsnet who really did feel pain after not taking painkillers regularly, so I would try to keep on top of that!

I don’t think I washed properly for the first day at home while my dressing was still on. At my first home visit, which I think was the day after returning from hospital, the midwife said I could carefully remove my dressing. After dressing was removed I knelt in a shallow bath and had a wash that way for a while. I can’t quite remember how long I did this but I’m sure I read that it’s best not to get the scar too wet for a couple of weeks (not 100% on that though). When I did start taking showers I did my best not to get soap on the scar, just warm water, and I always patted it dry. Used toilet roll to begin with but someone on here suggested dabbing dry with a clean maternity pad instead and I switched to that as I had loads more than I needed!

Make sure you take it easy and don’t push yourself to drive, do long walks with pushchair etc. before you’re ready. I found I was fairly mobile very quickly but always took it easy - going down gently onto my knees when necessary rather than bending, letting DH get things out of top cupboards, take care of loading washing machine, cleaning bathroom etc., taking the stairs very steadily (right foot then left foot onto one stair before moving onto the next). Recovery honestly wasn’t bad at all when being sensible like this. The NHS leaflets made it sound a hell of a lot worse!

Taenia · 14/12/2021 21:25

Stock up on Paracetamol, and Ibruofen at home ready for when your back, my trust no longer prescribes either as expects you to buy them yourself from a shop. Take pain killers religiously when due - the worse pain came when I didn't take them on time.

If you have a next to me crib don't hook it up to the bed initially as it's hard to get out and into bed.

YoureOnMute · 14/12/2021 22:18

Get a water bottle that has a straw so you can drink from it lying down. Drink loads of water; Lucozade is really good too (the non-fizzy one; I was advised by the midwife to drink it as it aids recovery). You'll probably be dehydrated so even if you think you've drunk enough, it's likely that you haven't so keep drinking! It'll also help with the first wee post catheter removal.

Take lots of different snacks for afterwards; I was awake very early the next morning and knew I wouldn't get breakfast for a while so it was good to know I had stuff to eat.

Press your buzzer as much as you need to when you're on the ward (and don't feel bad about it!) The team are there to help you so make sure you ask - even if it's just to pass you a bag of sweets.

Good luck!

MCMelon · 14/12/2021 22:29

Harvest colostrum if you are able and planning to breast feed.

Pack all the snacks.

Relax and enjoy it! Both my sections were magical days that I look back on with fond memories.

Perpop · 14/12/2021 22:33

Disposable pants, the tena lady ones - the bigger the better! And fybogel powders for the days after. It’s honestly ok, you’ve got this!

FluffMagnet · 14/12/2021 22:34

Great points already made so won't repeat. It is weird walking into theatre, the baby comes out so quickly after they start (there can be a hell of a lot of pushing and pulling going on, with my last it felt like they were trying the Heimlich manoeuvre on me) and then you hang around cooing at your baby whilst they spend the majority of the op time stitching you back up. There are loads of staff in there - if you have any issues, speak up and one will come over to your head. What took me by surprise with my first is that the spinal does not block all sensation (or even all movement - i could still wiggle my toes slightly on one foot but the anaesthetists were (rightly) happy that the spinal had taken correctly. So you may feel them moving sheets around, swabbing etc. but shouldn't feel pain. Enjoy the spinal - it is bliss to lay on your back as comfy as anything after 9 months of pregnancy! Have a wonderful birth and keep taking your meds.

bubblebath62636 · 14/12/2021 22:36

The first poo is really painful, and huge!

Yes keep on top of meds, don't overdo it! I managed to rip my wound trying to iron like an idiot 🙄

Original poster
loudsoph98 · 14/12/2021 22:40

@Perpop

Disposable pants, the tena lady ones - the bigger the better! And fybogel powders for the days after. It’s honestly ok, you’ve got this!
You mentioned disposable pants. Is there a lot of bleeding then. I hear different things
OP posts:
Captainj1 · 14/12/2021 22:43

Definitely beware the trapped wind. It can feel like back pain, i had it really badly with my second section and didn’t know what it was and was in a huge amount of lower back pain to the point where I was in tears through the night and the midwives were so unsympathetic I had a panic attack which has never happened to me before or since. Then one midwife came on the new shift and knew immediately it was trapped wind and gave me peppermint water and encouraged me to burp and fart as much as I could and omg the relief was euphoric.

Other than that be ready to feel like your tummy button has been stapled to your bladder. They will tell you to stand straight but it will feel like you can’t. The more you can move around the better.

And the 6 weeks before you can drive is a myth. GP signed me off to drive 7 days after my second section (I drive an automatic).

Pinklaptopz · 14/12/2021 22:44

It is like you have a heavy period. You bleed less with a c section than a vb ime.

Putting a sanitary pad over the scar was surprisingly helpful.

Oldnews · 14/12/2021 22:48

I healed fast from my c- section - it was a crash section under general so I don't know anything about the sensation during surgery - but I remembered two tips on here that I think served me well.

Walk as soon as you can afterwards, no matter how slowly, just do it. And when you do, walk tall - don't hunch into your wound or shuffle. Again, doesn't matter if you have to go slow, as long as you're still properly upright. Apparently this helps your scar heal well and quickly and your muscles knit back together correctly.

My hospital advised against disposable pants as they have more of a tendency to rub on the wound, so massive normal pants it was.

taylorwilde · 14/12/2021 22:55

Extra long (3M) charge cable for your phone is essential.

Bridget jones style pants.

Pain relief and probiotics to help you poop.

Good luck 😚

taylorwilde · 14/12/2021 22:56

Oh and getting up and moving (slowly as you need to) the sooner the better really helps.

GroggyLegs · 14/12/2021 23:06

The period after is all about pooing and trapped wind
Yeeees! I took a big bottle of prune juice, ate fruit & veg and refused the codine second time, as I still have flare ups from the 'injury' from the post section poo with my first Blush.

Make sure everything you need is set out for you in easy reach before your DP goes home.

As PP said, try and get moving as soon as you're ready. They let you home sooner too if you're mobile & doing 'self care'.

Don't be nervous to tell the anesthetist if you feel lightheaded or sick during the procedure, they can make you much more comfortable.

When your baby is born, rub a bit of olive oil on their bottom - the meconium slides right off & makes changes much easier.

Try not to be too nervous & enjoy! My planned section was a beautiful experience.

jackstini · 14/12/2021 23:07

Peppermint oil in warm water for trapped wind

I just bought the cheapest possible big pants for the first few days and threw them away if bloody. It's not the time for sorting washing!

Shower - usually within 24 hours

Take pics Smile

Don't worry if your milk doesn't come in for a few days if you want to bf - very common and they are fine with colostrum (walnut sized stomach!)

My best post section gift was from my sister - prawns, Brie & Chardonnay that I had been missing for months! Blush

decafforme · 14/12/2021 23:22

F

Nibblypiggotonabus · 14/12/2021 23:27

All of the above as most posters have said.

For your scar I found that cotton wool pads soaked in water while in the shower were great for gently swabbing the area clean.

Enormous pants, so much bigger than you think you need. My daughter is 10 months old and I'm still wearing them as they're so comfy!

Oral morphine is the nectar of the gods.

Waterproof flip flops that you can wear in the hospital shower so you don't need to touch the manky floors.

If I have a second I'm having a planned c section, much calmer.

Tigersteakpie · 14/12/2021 23:28

Get up as soon as you can. My baby was born around 11am. I got up, that afternoon at around 4. All I did was stand up or maybe even just sat. Then the next morning I stood and walked a few paces. 24hrs after I was sitting in a chair and able to shuffle about. I would say little and often. Start small but start soon.

And when you are home, put the next to me crib next to your partner for the first week. Then you can get in and out bed more easily without it in the way. They can pass you the baby in the night.