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Original poster

Positive C Section Stories

37 replies

19annie86 · 28/03/2022 19:14

I'm booked in for a planned C Section this week, looking some positive stories to help me and relieve any worry I might have, also anxious as it's my first baby

OP posts:
WoolyMammoth55 · 29/03/2022 09:42

Also my top tip that I forgot to say is to keep your baby with you in the bed as much as possible!

I love skin to skin with baby for the first weeks anyway, I think it helps them to be really chilled and happy when they're on your body - they can hear your heartbeat and smell you, it's all very comforting for them. But that aside, every time my baby was dozing and a trying-to-be-helpful midwife took him off me and over to the little plastic crib, it meant I couldn't reach him easily when he started grizzling - the bending and stretching over to the crib was painful with the incision.

After it happened twice I just said: "it's fine for him to nap on me, thanks" every time and it was much easier. If you're propped up a bit with the bed raised slightly and the arm rests up you can totally doze off too with baby snuggling on your chest and a little blanket over you both...

Wish you all the best with it

Original poster
19annie86 · 29/03/2022 09:48

If the baby is in the cot in the ward and it needs fed etc, I mean during night when partner has gone home, with the wound and not being able to get up so easy, does a midwife come in and lift baby out of cot and give them to u

OP posts:
Teaforme123 · 29/03/2022 09:55

Please don't worry. I had a planned section last year it was amazing. So calm and easy. I had an awful first birth (not section) this was a breeze in comparison. My DH had to leave after the op due to covid and through the night the nurses came hourly to do my obs and sorted baby out as I couldn't move. You can buzz any time as well. I took the ready made formula bottles for ease. Very good experience and I was out after 24hours. Good luck!

Totalwasteofpaper · 29/03/2022 09:56

I had an ELCS.

I am VERY happy with my birth choice. The team were amazing and my wound has healed beautifully and I would not do it differently if I had another.

I used hibiscrub (antibac) to wash and an apple vinegar rinse (antkfungal) in my hair which washed off over my body for the week or so before...
I didn't wash for 5 days or so after and got the midwife to remove the steristrips at day 8 I think?
My wound is fully healed /sealed at 2 weeks...even the midwife seemed impressed.

In the hospital at night you will need to call the midwives try and stay high on the bed so you can raise and lower yourself. O put things at the foot of the bed so I could push myself up.

Get up and mobilise ASAP. I got up in the night and had a shuffle too. I was discharged in w4 hours

StillUp · 29/03/2022 10:01

I could pick up the baby myself by nighttime OP (CS was mid afternoon). The cot was right next to my bed and I could twist enough to get her.

Scarecrowrowboat · 29/03/2022 10:07

I've had two. One emergency and one I decided to have so planned but I was already in earlyish labour at home.
Second one where I chose it was really wonderful. I don't know if it was all the sleep deprivation dopamine as I hadn't slept in 3 days but it was like a spiritual experience just rushing with pure joy. Amazing atmosphere in theatre, spinal block was quick and easy and took away all the pain.
Recovery much easier with the semi planned one as I was able to get out of bed really soon so didn't need to keep buzzing the midwives for help. Out of hospital within 24 hours.

lavenderfine · 29/03/2022 10:12

Had a section 7 weeks ago with my DD. Previously had an emergency section with DS. It was genuinely a really nice experience, we went in in the morning and the surgeon came to speak to me and ask if I had any questions and to talk me through it a bit, I had a midwife assigned to me who was absolutely lovely and they asked if I wanted skin to skin etc. I was the first to go down of the planned sections, when I went in I was quite scared as it all becomes real and the room can look quite clinical but the staff where amazing and the radio was on in the background. The midwife stood and held my hands as I got my spinal in (DH had to sit in the corner of the room until I was lay down and ready) had my catheter placed and then the anaesthetists talked to me loads about what was going on and they were super reassuring and calming always making sure I was feeling ok! It barely felt like 2 minutes had passed before DD was out, they weighed her and checked her then lay her on me while I was stitched up. I fed her in recovery and then was taken to a ward and discharged 24 hours later. Pain was ok not too bad just make sure you keep on top of your painkillers. I just walked 3 miles this morning so I can honestly say I feel fully recovered now.

Original poster
19annie86 · 29/03/2022 10:26

Thank you all, you have all made me feel more positive and reassured about the whole thing x

OP posts:
Harlequin1088 · 29/03/2022 12:00

@WoolyMammoth55 Thank you so much! That’s really useful. I’ll download that today.

@19annie86 Thank you for starting this thread. I’ve got an elective C-section booked for the week after next and although it’s what I’ve chosen, the closer it gets the more anxious I am so reading these stories are really reassuring.

CloudPop · 29/03/2022 12:14

Take a couple of extra pillows in with you, they will be very helpful

Fraaahnces · 29/03/2022 12:53

I’ve had two… both times I needed a general anaesthetic which was a bit disappointing at the time, but it’s all I know. I have three healthy kids (second c-section was twins) and I am healthy. I remind myself all the time how very lucky I am that I live in an era with quality anaesthesia and pain relief, as well as safe medical care and knowledge. There is no way that my babies were going to come out naturally. 100 years ago, we would have all died slowly and painfully. Aside from all of that, I recovered quickly and easily. I was up and around first thing the day after. (Walking as recommended.) As well as that, I am pleased to report that all of my “bits” are in working order. I’m 50 this year and it’s only now that I’m hearing about how many of my friends have been walking around with serious birth injuries and deal with humiliating symptoms as a result. You’re much less likely have continence issues.

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