Cesarean birth

[Martactaje89]

Hello!! FTM HERE 🙋🏽‍♀️ I have a schedule c section next week as my pregnancy journey hasn’t been easy and I had some complications, even tho baby girl got better my anxiety got worse and with my gynaecologist decided for c section as I am not in a mental space to go through labour 😭

Any positive c section experiences/recovery tips or anything that can make me feel better? 🙏🏽💖

Hiya, first of all congratulations on your baby girl and sorry you are going through a tough time. I had a section on my first 10 years ago and although it was an emergency after a four day long failed induction it have to say it was still a very peaceful experience and hope hope have a planned section I october on my second! Recovery was fine I don't remember there being anything major and was walking the roads within about two weeks. Completely manageable you will be fine 🙂

Thank you for replying to me! 💘

I had a c section in November due to complications with my induction and it was the most in control/ comfortable I felt throughout my birth. I was still allowed to play my birth playlist, have delayed cord clamping and have photos taken. Baby arrived quickly, it’s after that takes the longest but honestly I didn’t care as I was so happy my daughter had been born and spent most the time just looking at her.

My recovery also went really well, my catheter was out and I was walking within a few hours. Just take things at your own pace and try to make sure you don’t over do it too quickly. Make sure to have comfy loose trousers to wear as you won’t want too tight on the scar. I also took my Ugg Tasman slippers to wear home as your feet can swell up, so comfy footwear is a good idea too. I think the hardest thing was trying to sit straight up at first, I found it easier taking it slowly by rolling onto my side first.

Hope that helps and good luck! 🤍

Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙏🏽💖

Yes! Totally fine! I’m the biggest wimp on planet earth so if I can do it you definitely can. I’ll give you a very brief run down of what happened.

Went in on the morning, bit of waiting about as I was last (due to being lowest risk). The whole time I was just sitting absolutely terrified waiting on them calling me any second. I walked round, this was probably the weirdest bit! I sat up on the bed, they put a cannula into my hand, this was the sorest part of the whole thing and even then was just like a rough blood test. The local anaesthetic went into my back and was just a normal nip then the spinal went in and that’s the bit I dreaded most but I actually didn’t know when they were doing it. It felt like someone’s finger was just poking into the middle of my back but I’m guessing that was them doing it. I thought the numbness would come on instantly as there was a big rush to get me to lie down but I’m tall so I don’t know if that make it a bit slower as I was able to lie back and move myself about. Then I felt it come on, kind of like pins and needles at first. That bit was completely fine and once I was lying back that was all the bits I was scared of out the way! I had decided from that point on I didn’t have to ‘do’ anything so I shouldn’t bother worrying and it was true. They gave me a bit of time for the numbness to kick in, sprayed me with the cold spray and it’s strange as you can fully still feel it but it almost feels like someone’s touching you over a layer of clothes. The screen went up and I didn’t even know when they’d started the operation. Within 90 seconds the screen went down and they were lifting up a screaming baby to show me! They cleaned him off, weighed him and brought him over to go inside my gown. I was aware they were stitching me up but it wasn’t even uncomfortable, I was just aware they were doing it. That part only took about 20 minutes. You really don’t care after you see the baby!

I was wheeled back round to recovery in disbelief that they’d just handed me a baby in there. Had some tea and toast in recovery, had my blood taken and blood pressure done a million times. Went up to the ward and got some dinner that night, stood up later that night, managed to walk to the chair beside the bed, just went extremely slow and it was really fine, some people had said that bit hurt but it didn’t for me and I’d say I have a low pain threshold so just make sure every time pain killers are offered you take them. The girl beside me asked for liquid morphine (I think it was?) and I just said I’d have some too as I was started to get sensation back in that area and really didn’t want it to be sore. I was out within 24 hours and slowly hobbled to the car. I just took it very easy when I got home. I would say don’t do too much as in don’t even do the basic things! I noticed even just getting up to get a nappy or whatever had caused me to bleed a good bit more. I think having visitors in non stop the first few days really didn’t help either as I was sitting on the sofa doing a fake smile when I really wanted to be in my jammies left alone in bed! You should move about though but just not too much. The only bad thing for me was getting out of bed, I really hated having to roll and wiggle myself to the edge of the bed and you literally can’t sit up. I accidentally went to sit up once and felt the stitches start pulling 🤦🏼‍♀️ I ended up sleeping a bit propped up in my pregnancy pillow for a few nights just so it was easier to swing my legs out. I took the max pain killers for almost the full first 2 weeks and eased myself off at the 2 week mark. Taking the plaster off it was horrible too, didn’t like that! I just didn’t want to see what was under there 🙈

I’m doing it all again in the summer and really don’t dreading the procedure this time 😊 it will be fine! Good luck

Listen to maybe baby podcast episode with Anna Williamson, she talks you through it and mine was exactly like that! I had her voice in my head as I went in

I had an unexpected one with my second baby so wasn't prepared at alll. One thing I did enjoy and it was during the peak lockdown the zero expectation of going anywhere and just enjoying my new baby cuddles all day long. We snuggled so long with no feeling of - I must get up and do xyz.

In terms of prep - I healed well but was in agony squating or reaching down so move things to waist level up. For the first couple of weeks I lived in maternity leggings and t shirts once I moved on pjs.

I only needed paracetamol and Ibuprofen but took it every 6/8 hours - setting alarms to take them through the night.

Lastly - the first few night I found hard to lie flat in bed but found the sofa much more comfy - so lying slightly on my side against the back of the sofa for support and then baby in Moses basket close by for feeds - this worked well

Thank you so much for sharing!! I am so looking forward to meet my baby girl which is what keeps me positive. I heard recovery is kinda normal to be slow so I don’t want to put too much stress on myself and take it easy. Luckily my hubby and family are gonna be able to help. THANK YOU. B blessed 💖

Hello! Just to say I am in a similar boat to you. FTM due to have a c section for similar reasons. Mine will be 1st or 2nd May. I’ve spoken to lots of women who have had them recently and have heard only very positive things (similar to the above posters) so I’m feeling good about it all. I wish you the best of luck with yours!

Thank you for your message!! Good luck to us 💖💖💖💪🏽