Preparing for c section

[Hankthehonk]

I'm booked in for a planned section because my baby is breech. After doing research I decided to decline ECV and book a section, I'm happy with this decision and not looking for opinions about it.
This is my second baby, my first was born vaginally.

I'm looking for advice on how to practically prepare for a section and recovery. Are there any recommendations for things to buy or organise, either to take to hospital or have ready for when we get home?

Thanks in advance!

Big pants so they don't rub the incision site. Lactulose to help not get bunged up after surgery and with the painkillers. Take the painkillers religiously at first- don't wait til you are in more pain!

Pillow for car journey home to put round incision site. Will make bumps more bearable.

I could have written this myself.
I know you said you don't want opinions on declining the ECV but I'd love to hear why you've declined. I need to decide within the next 2 weeks if it's what I want to do as (I'm hoping) baby will still turn

My first was also born vaginally so thought it would be straight forward this time around too

Babies certainly like to keep us on our toes

Big knickers, meals in the freezer and get moving about as soon as you can 🙂I had four sections, you will be just fine!

@Hankthehonk get a big cushion to sit on on the sofa with it will make it easier to up with
try walk around as much as possible I found that really helped
my partner put a chair by the front door so I could sit on it and put my shoes on
I found If I had a bend over to pick something up so go into a squat position with wide legs that’s helped me
and what ever you do no heavy lifting for a while

Didn't want to seem prickly but I'm happy with my decision and you never know with mn and unsolicited opinions 😂

My baby is measuring very big (91st centile) with higher risk of shoulder dystosia even if ECV was successful.
My first baby was born vaginally but I needed induction, episiotomy and ventouse delivery.
My gut was telling me that even if ECV was successful that there's a high chance of a non straightforward vaginal birth and possibility of emergency section. Obviously I can't know that for sure. It seems there are fewer risks to my baby going with a section.

Other factors: we know we don't want any more children so don't need to think about impact of c section on future pregnancy.
I have been examining how I feel about a section and reading up on experiences of planned sections and found it felt fine to me. I understand the risks and totally get why some people prefer to avoid it at all costs but I don't feel any distress or negativity when i think about it. I'm not someone who puts a lot of importance on having a natural birth, though of course I understand this is very important to many people.
Hope this helps @coffeewithmilk - and hope your baby turns! Apparently there's less than 5% chance of mine turning by himself now due to his size and position.

Peppermint tablets for wind pain!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BOWELS!

My mum told me this before my c section in August and I clearly didn't listen hard enough!

• plenty of water.
• plenty of fibre - Ella's prune pouches really help!
• avoid codeine related meds if you can! If you have them take extra water and fibre and they might prescribe you lactulose alongside the meds. No one told me codeine is a terrible cause for constipation.
• keep moving - so easy to stay sitting far too much.

You do not want to end up constipated and with an impaction that possibly causes a fissure or hemmorhoids!

Also, once scar has healed (weeks later), massage it after a shower with some oil.

Thank you everyone for the really helpful suggestions already! 😊
I've been suffering with pelvic girdle pain for 8 weeks now and have had to make lots of adjustments for that- helpfully many of them sound similar to c section recovery advice so at least I'm well practiced e.g. how to bend, sitting to put on shoes and trousers so never standing on one leg

I was in your position, but did try an ECV, it failed and was a horrible experience, so absolute no judgement on that!

Yes to big pants to cover your scar and get up and moving ASAP. Definitely get lactulose and don't let yourself get backed up. 10 days after birth and it was more traumatic than the c section!

I also did a fair bit of batch cooking for the freezer too that I found useful.

Best of luck, mine was a really good experience tbh!

@Hankthehonk forgot to say mine was my first with my twins I went down to theater at 11.45pm and babies was born 12.08am & 12.09am was in recovery by 12.30am if I had any more children I was choose c section again

Windeeze tablets and a really long phone charger cable for hospital

Lots and lots and lots of snacks!! This was the single best advice a friend gave me. I was RAVENOUS. Like I just could not get food in me fast enough. It was glorious, all the cups of tea and lovely treats..you deserve it and you need the calories/sugar!!

I'd definitely bring in my own pillow, did this with both of my sections as you might end up staying 2 nights. Hospital pillows are pretty gross and sweaty.

A really lovely significant smelling shower gel, that first shower is something else after a long time in bed and bleeding vaginally. The smell will always remind you and take you back to those first newborn cuddles 🥹🥹🥹

Ear plugs! You'll still hear baby trust me. I just wear one to make sure, but it drowns out all the other commotion on the ward especially if you're in a shared bay.

A feeding pillow also helps with positions for baby especially with a wound.

@Hankthehonk thank you so much for your detailed reply.
It's so hard to know what to do as every intervention comes with risks.
I'm 35 weeks now so if baby hasn't turned by 36 then I'm in a bit of a pickle.
Will need to give a lot more thought into it.

Thanks so much for taking time to respond, and wishing you all the best for your section & recovery afterwards 😊

The trapped wind afterwards is painful as hell. It took me 24 hours to pass wind and get some relief, they gave me everything going and I took it all. Whatever they offer, take it. Don't say no 😂

Also, it gets easier to move about once the dressings have been removed. Don't be afraid to shower and wash it, just make sure you air out your wound a few times a day

You'll likely have to stay in a few days so take plenty to keep yourself occupied. Maybe some noise cancelling headphones in case you end up on a ward

Not sure how you're planning on feeding (no judgements here) but your milk may not come in straight away (mine took about 4 days) so have a think about how you might want to feed your little bundle of joy

Spoonful of flaxseed/linseed soaked in water overnight helps with constipation. It makes slippy stuff that improves transit! Dried fruit too, and fruit and veg.

A scarf, strap or rope can help - loop around your feet or bedstead etc and pull so arm muscles help you up instead of trying to use tummy muscles.

Don’t shave or wax!

it’s more hygienic to leave it as it is- removing the hair introduces skin abrasions and micro tears increasing your infection risk.

otherwise, yes, comfy clothes and plenty to do.

Big pants
Arnica surgical strength tablets to help with bruising inside and out
Good bf pillow to protect your wound if planning to bf.

Peppermint tea for wind
Constipation medication

Batch cook and freeze as many meals as possible
Forget about house work which should only be done by other people - not you

You don't need to suffer. If you need more or stronger pain meds then demand them. And stay on top of them.

Good luck.

I had a section last year, make sure you have plenty of snacks and water once you are back on the ward and when you are back home.
Nappy caddy to keep close by so you can change baby easily, also to store snacks in!
Notepad or write in phone what time you take painkillers so you can keep on top of the pain relief.
Pillow for on the way home, place it under the seatbelt.
Peppermint tea and chewing gum.
Lactulose(think that's how you spell it)
Stock up on paracetamol.
Slide on shoes for the journey home from hospital.
Loose trousers/jogging bottoms and big high knickers.

Congratulations on your baby.

The birth Ed podcast has a lovely episode where they talk you through step by step what happens in a caesarean so you can prepare.

As other people have said on the thread take lactulose before you need it.

Bring things with you to make your time in hospital more comfortable at this time of year it is really cold so I was grateful for my dressing gown. I treated myself to nice travel toiletries to take in with me.

Look up scar massage. This makes a big difference to healing of your scar. You just gently massage it but it helps with healing. I started from about 2 weeks afterwards.

Get some tea tree oil - put a few drops in a bath as often as you can, it really helps your wound.
Big knickers and night dresses (rather than pjs) as well.
100% lactulose from as early as you possibly can, also take all the painkillers v regularly x

Second the shower gel idea! So true.

And by big knickers, think granny pants that you could tuck your boobs into 🤣 the higher the better.

Definitely have meals that can easily go in the oven or microwave. Stock up on easy to eat snacks and get some laxatives. The first poo isn't fun.

I had an ECV and it was horrendous. I wish I hadn't had it. The c-section was great, really calm and relaxed. I don't regret it.

Hardest thing for me for first few days was sitting up/getting out of bed without the hospital motorised bed to assist ! Long scarf tied to nearby door handle was crucial to hoist myself up for night feeds and just to get out! Pulleys like that wherever you'd usually use stomach muscles to get up are handy.