C section experiences?

[glasshalffull0]

Booked in for a C-section that is likely to happen towards the end of June for my first baby, I was originally very chilled out about it but the closer it gets the more panicky and anxious I’m feeling

can anyone that has had a C-section previously share your experiences with me please? I’m worried about the recovery and how I will manage looking after baby after just having an operation especially in hospital when my partner has to leave

thank you

Hey,

I am currently 4 days post c section, and can honestly say I am so thrilled with how it went compared to my first. My first wad induced, 3rd degree episiotomy and months of infected wounds and severe pain - it was dreadful. Keeping in mind I have an almost 4 year old at home, I am mobile 4 days later, I still have some pain especially when getting in and out of bed or from sitting to standing but it's a fraction of the pain compared to infected episiotomy stitches! I too was feeling very nervous about the section recovery, but I've kept on top of advice to keep mobile but not do any housework or lifting etc aside from baby. Ive taken all Painkillers religiously regardless of whether it's been sore - but sitting here on the sofa 4 days post section, feeding my newborn, I honestly do not feel I've had major surgery 4 days ago. I appreciate everyone's experiences are different however so just wanted to share a positive one for you - lots of luck! As a side note in hospital, our partners were able to stay the full time. Mine didn't given we had a little one at home, but midwives were supportive until spinal wore off and then I made sure everything else was in reach and it was completely manageable from bed!

My elective C section was wonderful!

We had a loose birth plan and totally forgot about it in the moment - we didn't play the music we'd brought and I didn't get skin to skin until in recovery but none of it actually matter to me at the time (or since!)

Recovery was straight forward but I did set the house up to make it easier and reduce bending etc. We were out and about within the week going on short walks, for a coffee etc.

The first night in the hospital was a bit tricky because DP wasn't allowed to stay but I think that was a hangover from Covid and mostly partners can stay now. I was hauling the baby out the basinet using his blanket (he kept pooing!) because I couldn't get up alone and still had my catheter in and there weren't any staff about really but we managed. I was much more capable within 12 - 24 hours. Try to enjoy it OP!

I had a planned c section, simply because it’s drastically safest for both mum and baby, and due to previous losses I wanted the best chance our baby would be born safely. I also have a fear of the uncertainty of a vaginal and also the pain.

it was nerve wracking going into the operating theatre but the team were so lovely, I had no pain, excellent after care and my recovery was straightforward.

my husband wasn’t allowed to stay over due to covid, but I believe he would be allowed to now and we definitely would have him stay now as it’s quite hard being alone and relying on a buzzer to get a nurse to hand you your baby.

the first week was the hardest as I couldn’t sit up or stand on my own, but my husband took 3 weeks off (2 weeks paternity and one week holiday). It was great to have the 3rd week.

I was discharged the next day (which is what they said happens most of the time) and found ibuprofen and paracetamol to be sufficient for pain relief.

best advice I could give for recovery is to keep the air on your scar with loose pants and trousers, and sitting slightly leaning back so the folds of skin don’t cover it. Within a week I was doing pram walks and felt much better.

its definitely not easy but for me I have no regrets and would do it again ☺️

Had an ELCS. Recovery was smooth, of all painkillers by 7-10 days. I did find I had to sort of roll out of bed (but you end up doing that in your 3rd trimester anyway!) but otherwise I was managing most normal things immediately.
the scariest part for me was the spinal anaesthetic but it wasn’t painful it was more just the thought of it. I’d say I’m a bit of a delicate flower so make of the above what you will! Haha

I wish my C section had been pre elective. After 11 chuffing hours of labour and everything going Pete Tong they decided my pelvis was too narrow for a natural birth 😤

Obviously I was a bit sore afterwards, but looking after a newborn is doable.

My goddaughter was given a choice of a C section but she wanted to do it naturally. Her mum and myself advised her to go for it, but no she had to have a go. She ended up having a section after nearly losing her life! They don’t offer these for nothing, silly girl.

You’ll be fine, I’m glad I made lots of meals before the birth and popped them in the freezer, that made such a difference. All the best 🌺

Depending on the hospital, your partner may not have to leave. I’ve had 4 C-sections. My husband has stayed with me over night each time as I had a side room. Not sure what happens on the shared bays. But he was with me for the duration.
Recovery wise; take the pain relief. It doesn’t matter if you’re feeling ok, take it for the length of time you’ve been prescribed it. Holding a pillow over your wound initially when standing / sitting in the car will help.
I’ve recovered well and fairly quickly from mine, time and stay as active as possible towards the end of your pregnancy and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water both before and after the op.

Finally - peppermint tea! The trapped wind can be more painful than the wound!

I had a semi planned c section as my waters went so it ended up being earlier than what had been planned. I was concerned about over doing it so took it very easy at home the first 2 weeks while my husband was there. I needed painkillers for 2 weeks but everything was manageable and I gradually improved. In hospital I buzzed when I needed to feed or change my son as I couldn't get up and out of bed myself. I was also nervous about being alone for 12 hours overnight but it was fine with help when I needed it. My advice is to take regular pain relief to keep everything under control and try not to overdo it so you don't have any complications. Nearly 2 years on my scar is barely visible and I'm fitter than I was pre pregnancy.

I had one emergency (first baby), and then two elective. The bit I found tough was having to stay in hospital for a few days afterwards. I didn't have any problems with stitches. Recovery about 6-8 weeks, again I didn't have any problems. Everyone is different and I'm sure there are women who will have had different experiences.

I've had an EMCS and a ELCS.

The operation is nerve wracking but it's over much quicker than you think. I had a bit of an issue with the spinal not being as effective as it really should have been but the anaesthetist was amazing and looked after me when I was clearly in discomfort.

Overnight stay in the hospital is not pleasant, I will be honest. Unless doing observations you are left alone and have to get the baby in and out of the cot by yourself and shuffle around with a catheter in. I had zero sleep the entire night because the woman next to me was snoring like a pig and leaving her baby to cry for hours on end. I didn't get discharged until 8pm the following evening because we were waiting around for a paediatrician to do final checks, but it is what it is.

Once you get home it's fine, there will be a lot of shuffling around like a penguin, but I was able to get around the shops, out for lunch within 1-2 weeks.

I had an emergency one and I was surprised how straightforward the actual process was. And fast. The recovery took some time but I just started slowly moving more and took over food shopping/cleaning/usual household tasks etc after maybe 4 weeks. I got tired easily so I had to rest a lot between doing something. I didn't have previous experience on giving birth so I couldn't compare. I just got on with things and did my best while recovering.

I had an ELCS in 2021- breech baby. It was a very relaxed procedure considering it was operation, I got asked if I had any music requests- I let the lady with the scalpel choose! I’ve had ops before and a CS has a different air to the theatre. Recovery was quite easy, but after having a baby you are usually sat around a lot anyway. I only took ibuprofen afterwards. I was sent home with stronger but never needed it. I wonder if the pain element depends on where your scar is? Mine was really low down.
it was covid so my husband had to go a few hours after delivery however I positioned my bag next to my bed with snacks etc in it. And had to ring for more water or anything that involves twisting or moving too much (you have a catheter so that’s not a problem).
from hearing some stories from friends of natural births and EMCS, I think I was quite lucky I needed one!

My section was fantastic especially compared to my first delivery which was vaginal . Out of hospital quickly , could walk about fine and was driving in 2 weeks .

I found an (albeit) emergency c-section so much better than vaginal birth and it was something I was really terrified of. Driving back again two weeks to the day and pretty much moved house a week later. Obviously everyone’s recovery is different but I was a lot more mobile a lot faster after the section compared to first birth. The main pain was feeling like I’d been punched in the stomach and then did 1000 sit ups after! Seconding the poster who said about trapped wind, that was the most painful part. No issues with bonding or breastfeeding at all.

I had a c section as a lone parent and managed fine, he didn't even come to the hospital... you will be ok.

My goddaughter was given a choice of a C section but she wanted to do it naturally. Her mum and myself advised her to go for it, but no she had to have a go. She ended up having a section after nearly losing her life! They don’t offer these for nothing, silly girl.

your poor goddaughter. Imagine trying to give birth and make your own decisions about your body, then being shamed and patronised and referred to as a ‘silly girl’ when you almost lose your life. So much shame and judgement around birth choices, even from female family members who you’d think would be supportive. Who needs enemies when families are so lovely hey

good luck op I hope your experience goes well and you have a smooth recovery.

I had elective with breech twins at 38wk. I was up and walking within 12 hours and after 24 hours could walk down ward to get food and have a shower, I was even comfortable enough to tie my shoelaces to go home. I was able to do most things once home with 3 older kids but my wound did get an infection that required antibiotics, didn't need any painkillers.
Had another after them and booked in for another elective at 39wk as she was a large baby and I was worried about my scar coping. I went in to labor a day before my elcs was booked, had to wait for several hours before they could get me in for cs. Once they had delivered her I started to feel sick, doctor popped his head over and told me my scar had started to rupture due to her size (10lb15oz). I felt shocking, they couldn't sit me up or put me on my side because I was passing out, blood pressure was low and heart rate fast. They had me out of bed to shower within a day but I had to sit because I felt so weak, was really weird. Couldn't toilet the 1st time they took catheter out, had to have it back in and stay in hospital for 3 nights. My belly was so sore I struggled to get out of bed and rest baby on it. Went home in slippers because I couldn't bend over without severe pain, was on all the painkillers available. I couldn't lay on my side for weeks as that was extremely painful, 1st period after birth really knocked me too. Also got an infection that needed antibiotics. Despite all this I was back in the gym weightlifting at 10wk pp so recovered okay really.

Good luck with yours. If you have help offered, take it.

Like others I had a good experience. However, the one thing that no one really mentions is the c section ‘pouch’ / scar overhang.

Im 4 months post partum, the scar itself has healed beautifully but I have a definite overhang. I’m slim and it’s very obvious (to me anyway).

If I’d known I might have persevered a bit longer with a vaginal birth.

I had a C-section 2 weeks ago today, after my induction failed. I was quite scared going into the operation but everyone in the theatre was lovely and relaxed, the radio was playing etc. I was nervous about the spinal but they gave a local anaesthetic first which was quick, having the cannula put in was honestly worse. The baby was out really fast, within 5 minutes, and after that I was mostly distracted by my new baby which meant the rest of the op went by really quickly. The feeling came back in my legs after a few hours, then I was expected to walk around for a bit and I had a bed bath etc before I went back to the postnatal ward.

Check with your hospital their visitor policy because once on the postnatal ward visitors weren’t allowed overnight and I got wheeled down about 5am, meaning DH had to go home for 3 hours 🙄 we didn’t realise this at the time and I struggled to find nappies etc as I couldn’t get out of bed. Nurses passed my baby but weren’t very responsive to the buzzer so this was quite difficult.

Stay on top of painkillers for the first week, I’ve not taken any today but have been having them for the last couple of weeks. But I was shopping in Sainsbury’s after 3 days and mostly feeling fine now. You will still need help with heavy chores and can’t drive for a few weeks.

@Mushroo im 2 years on and I don’t have any overhang at all anymore, if this is any help to you ☺️

@Peonyyyy aw thank you! That gives me hope!!

Finding this thread really helpful!

However, can I ask, did anyone have a first birth that resulted in haemorrhaging and go on to have a successful c section for their second? Thanks ☺️

I had an elective with my second and it was an absolute dream! Recovery was fine.

“They don’t offer them for nothing” you can choose a C-section with no medical reason. It’s maternal choice.

Two planned c-sections. Recovery was really quite easy, you can do the things you need to do in the course of a normal day within a few days and you can hold the baby as you need to and so on. It does depend on how well they stitch you up as they have to go through a few layers and you can get soreness if that's not done well but I was lucky that both healed fine.

Remember a planned is very different from an emergency because you won't have gone through hours of labour beforhand.

My midwife also told me that your wound will look healed before your insides do, so to still take it easy even when you think you’re back to normal.