C section

[newmumbaby22]

I am booked in for a C section in 3 weeks time due to baby being breech and awkwardly positioned.
Can anyone advice on the after care in hospital during the pandemic?
Does baby stay with you throughout the night?
Who helps you with incontinence care?

Yes the baby will stay with you on the ward - you'll be expected to do the majority of the care yourself - if staff are available and in the first few hours they should hopefully help you lift the baby out of the cot

In terms of incontinence care.....you'll have a catheter in for the first few hours once it's out you are encouraged to get up yourself to get to the loo

You will be given a tablet to stop you going for a 💩 the night before the c section and it's usually 3-4 days before you'll go again by which time you'll be at home (it's not pleasant that first one though! 😂)

Honestly there was no difference in care received during the pandemic for me, staff were always on hand to help with any issues.
As previous poster says you'll have a catheter in immediately post op but this will be removed as soon as your able to get up and about.
Baby will be beside you throughout and staff will be able to help you lift them out of the cot etc although the cots are raised and I found I didn't require assistance.
Recovery was good and a lot quicker than my vaginal birth a few years previously!

Thank you! Being a first time mum I am feeling rather anxious about the whole procedure and having to stay in hospital alone.
In regards to post op and dealing with blood loss etc... Will staff also assist with that or are you left to deal with it yourself?

@newmumbaby22

Thank you! Being a first time mum I am feeling rather anxious about the whole procedure and having to stay in hospital alone. In regards to post op and dealing with blood loss etc... Will staff also assist with that or are you left to deal with it yourself?

You don't really get much blood loss? Just like a period really - they say to take in maternity pads but they are bloody awful and uncomfortable so I just took my trusty Always ones - you change them yourself. Staff don't wash you or anything - honestly you are encouraged to be on your feet quickly - I had my twins at 7am in an emergency - was on my feet catheter out and downstairs in NICU to see them by 3pm - I was on my feet constantly - managing on just paracetamol- the quicker you are up and about the better the healing and quicker - the ladies complaining about the pain and begging for morphine were they ones that didn't move from their beds for 2 days

I had an EMCS in November and the care was great.

They encourage you to get up on your feet to try and walk around a little bit after about 6 hours (I think!) once you can feel your legs again, and they take the catheter out when you're able to walk OK so then you just go to the loo yourself. They'll change maternity pads for you in the bed whilst you're unable to move, and then you just deal with it yourself after but it's not bad at all.

If you need help lifting baby/getting things you just ring the bell for help, but personally I was fine lifting my baby out of the cot to feed him etc through the night. I was scared of staying overnight on the ward on my own too but it really wasn't bad at all!

Make sure you drink lots and keep on top of the pain meds and you'll be fine good luck!

Hi Iv just come across your post and was wondering how it all went xx