C Section Tips

[Ree91]

Hi all,

Having my elcs in a couple of days - any hints/tips or do's/dont's that would be helpful?

I have an almost 4 year old at home to consider too!

Thanks :)

Buy large underwear that can go over and rest on your stomach instead. Leggings that are high waist or dresses/nightgown. Earplugs or headphones if you would like a bit of quiet time while in the hospital. Large sanitary pads but that’s a bit of a given.

Take it easy on the first week. In and out of bed slowly, slow walking. Take all the medication, well I took the paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4hrs for 2+ weeks and thought I was pain free I may as well stop. I went 8-12hrs and then started them again for another few weeks.

Ask your dh/partner if they drive to drive slowly on the way home.

Cosy socks. Cosy blanket for your naps.. . Hospital beds aren't cosy..
Hand cream. Book /magazines /pen. Snacks and drinks..

Literally don't lift anything heavier than the baby. Not even your toddler. My bleeding restarted as I did not stick to this.

Peppermint tea or capsules for trapped wind and referred pain after abdominal surgery
slippers/ flip flops you can slide on without bending down

avoid a route with speed bumps on the drive home 😬

Definitely Have a pillow in the car to hold against your tummy for the first drive home.
I also held a pillow against myself when I coughed or laughed- can’t explain but it helped
Some people also recommend tying a dressing gown cord to end of your bed- so you can use it to pull yourself up.
Also keep essentials handy- I had next to me beside bed- but kept a bag handy with water bottle, snacks etc
oh and an extra long phone charging lead- I found this good in hospital - as wall socket was very low.
Some people recommend getting windeze/ anti- booting tablets for after operation - I purchased these but couldn’t use as the brand I got were not breastfeeding friendly.
it may be obvious but make sure where you change the babies nappy at home is high enough up/ so you have to bend less.
Also do you have a high supportive chair? When o came home I realised I could not sit/ get up from our comfy lowish squidgy sofa- so I insisted on my hubby bringing into our main living space an old fashion arm chair ( that had been in attic) - as I could use the wooden arms to help get myself up.
I tried to think of ways I could spend time with older kids that was not physical - you can play guess who with one hand and still feed baby I learnt lol 😂
Good luck and congratulations!

Oh and have a sippy water bottle at hand - it’s important to stay hydrated but I found having one with good lid handy as tbh I just kept it in bed with me first few days/ at nights.

Stay on the alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen, and keep on top of it, pretty sure I did this for the first week and then tapered off. It's major abdominal surgery and you'll likely be discharged with zero painkillers!

And make sure you do the blood thinner injections - blood clots are no joke and these are a necessity post surgery.
❤️

Your breast milk can take longer to come in after a CS. That’s normal.

Tell your 4 year old that u cd b very sore and not able to pick them up for a bit.

Accept help if it’s available, take your time, try and rest rest rest.

A c section can still feel personal- I had my choice of music playing. Bed socks in case u get the anaesthesia chills and shakes.

good luck ❤️❤️

I found tena disposable pants fantastic for the first few days. You’ll have some bleeding and they just soak it all up and can be torn off and chucked. Also they come up good and high to cover over the scar. Then massive pads and Bridget Jones knickers for later days

Plan to wear ultra comfy maternity clothing for your journey home and remember you’ll also be wearing full length TED stockings for that journey and for some time after.

Agree with PPs advice re pain relief and peppermint tea or capsules for post-op bloating.

I turned my long pregnancy body pillow into a breastfeeding platform for the baby for early days to protect the scar area also.

Also make sure to tackle any constipation or sinus congestion before you go in- you will not want to have to strain in any way in the early days (including by blowing your nose).

And don’t forget it is a major abdominal surgery so don’t try to do more than you are comfortably able to and don’t be afraid to delegate!!

Hope all goes well😊💐

Easy clothes to put on for going home and slip on shoes. My partner had to effectively dress me. Yes they try and get you moving but bending down to put trousers leggings on - make life easier and have something easy to slip on to go home. I had my baby in Jan 2021 with snow on the ground and waddled out of the hospital in Birkenstocks and a dress!

Agree with no seems near the scar. They just hurt

As pp have said , pack something really comfortable, and huge knickers so they won't rub onto your stitches. Just take it easy, no heavy lifting etc. Its some years since I had mine, but they had me up and about pretty quick. most of all - enjoy your beautiful baby that you are about to bring into the world 😍. Good luck

Thank you everyone - some super helpful tips that I'm very grateful for :)

Get into bed on your hands and knees. Your stomach muscles won’t appreciate you sitting on the edge of the bed and just leaning backwards. When I had my first section I remember sitting on the bed crying because I couldn’t work out how to get into bed without hurting like hell.

Came on to say about a pillow for the car ride home but someone beat me to it. I wish someone had told me this! Also maybe get some laxatives in. The first poo after morphine etc is horrendous

BE CAREFUL getting out of bed, I found it easier to lay on my side,push myself up with elbows to sitting, then rest, lower feet to floor, hold hands over tummy to support and gently stand.

Honestly I found I kept hurting myself getting up too quick and this really helps.

Be soooooo careful moving or getting in and out of bed. It's very easy to move the wrong way or too fast. From memory the correct way to get out of bed is roll onto your side, dangle legs then stand.

Wear super comfy & soft clothes, I preferred my maternity dresses and nightgowns to trousers as more comfortable over my section area. If you are wearing trousers I would suggest loose fitting and wear a long vest under to cushion the area.

If you need to cough cover your stomach ideally with a cushion.

Get in the habit before birth if not picking up your 4 year old. Instead get them to climb up bext to you first cuddles! Then once the baby is born it will be more natural to you both.

Take your pain medication on time even if you think you are dealing well.

I've had 2 sections and both times healed well so good luck

Oooh I think this is what I did too!

This is useful

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/caesarean-section/recovering-home-after-c-section

Just as an fyi there are a lot of people in the operating theatre, they're all there to serve a purpose, don't worry. I only got a brief cuddle before they whisked her off and daddy got the first poo nappy. Hurrah! Had a day in recovery and then on to the ward.

My DH was home for 2 weeks when we got home and after then he'd set me up in the morning with snacks, drink, TV remote, baby as close as possible... I think I was driving after 5 weeks but going out for walks in the meantime but only after 4 weeks from memory. Will your 4 year old be at nursery or preschool? That will help!

Agree with do not lift anything heavier than the baby.....

So for example I kept the pram fully built all the time as it was too heavy for me to lift the carry cot. I also found a sling really useful for getting out and about though the downside of the sling was I needed DH with my to carry the nappy bag at first. So the pram was handy for storage

Bending was sore so I always changed nappies on the changing table. Basically just make things easy fir yourself

Ask for a pico dressing on your wound. Mine healed brilliantly with one!

Eat prunes, starting now. And drink loads of water. Then you will not have a problem with constipation.