C section recovery and preparation

[Luna20]

So this might sound silly, but I'm due for an elective section in just over a month. Has anyone got any good tips for recovery afterwards? And is there anything I can be doing now that might help with recovery too? My energy levels have been so low I haven't been very active this last month or two, where I was trying to exercise regularly before. I'm wondering if I should be trying to be more fit and healthy on the lead up to it to help the recovery. But god I'm exhausted and just doing the stairs I feel breathless 😅. I had an emergency section with my last baby and the recovery was awful, took a really long time and now I have a toddler I want to do everything I can to help the recovery go much faster and smoother this time.
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!

As much rest as possible! I’ve only had an ELCS, but friends of mine have had emergency and elective and said the latter is a far easier recovery. Just try to have anything you need in real/ at the right level and keep taking ibuprofen/paracetamol- can’t remember which one they recommend. I’m having a 2nd ELCS is January- slightly nervous with a recovery wound and a playful cuddly 3 yr old!

I also had an emergency with my first and elective for my second and unfortunately my recovery was just as bloody awful second time round.

Things I tried included, demanding good medication - I needed co-codamol and diclofenac - paracetamol and ibuprofen wouldn't touch the sides of it - and then staying on top of it, taking arnica surgical strength tablets to help with bruising inside and out and batch cooking tons of meals in advance.

Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. Good luck.

If you're on Instagram there's a great page C-section UK and it has soooo much information! I purchased the online courses on preparation, birth and recovery and I feel so confident in knowing what to expect. Even if you don't buy the courses lots of the posts, the comments on the posts and the stories are really informative

Good luck!

Rest, rest, rest
Drink lots of water in the days before c section
No point in exercise now, restr
Diclofenac + paracetamol got me through
Make sure you have someone (mum, DH) to help with everything at home
I arranged a cleaner to come in a few days before my c section so house was nice and clean when we came home

I also paid a private midwife to visit me at home a few times and help me with breastfeeding and give DS a quick check (he's my first though, may not need this with subsequent babies)

Just laid up on day 3 recovery from my second one - hard to remember but I think I’ve relied more on painkillers this time around, as there’s less rest with a two year old in tow as well. Try to relocate everything so you don’t have to bend down - easier said than done, but I’ve definitely pushed it here and there and then paid for it later. Disposable high waisted underwear too! Best of luck

Do not pig out the day before. You don't want your stomach and bowels full up as it'll have to be pooped out post op. Eat healthy and have food with fibre so your bowels don't seize up too badly.

Make a note of the post op pain relief, every 4/5 hours or so, don't wait until it really hurts and you can't remember when you last had it.

I have bitter (painful) experience of not doing both the above with my first section 😳.

I had an emergency 8 weeks ago. It felt rough for the first week, then it was fine. Just make sure you take your routine paracetomol. Get your DH to do EVERYTHING FOR YOU for the first few weeks including passing the baby to you to feed

As already stated batch cook or simple pasta pesto, something on toast, jacket potato meals.

Online shop for food
Have a supply of everything for baby downstairs and upstairs, ie: two changing mats, nappies,wipes, baby grows etc.
Disposable pants and plenty of maternity pads
Comfy clothes, leggings, pants that won't sit near your scar
Everything you need within east reach in kitchen so not too much bending/stretching

Take the painkillers.

Use high waisted underwear so it doesn’t rub on the incision.

get a support belly band for when the stitches are healed.

Don’t overdo it, you might feel okay at certain points but you can easily open up your incision.

Sleep propped up for the first week or so as getting up and down from laying down is the hardest.

Get up and be active but be careful and slow about it.

be prepared to give yourself injections at home to prevent blood clots.

For the surgery itself - it can be daunting, my elective was scarier than my emergency c section because I had more time to think about the risks and take in the whole situation.
the spinal injection might give you the shakes, this is normal. Also while you’re in recovery you might find you’re really itchy everywhere, also normal and from the medications and they can give you a tablet to help stop the itching if you ask.

good luck xx

My top tip I think should be blasted from the rooftops for anyone who has a c-section -
Peppermint oil tablets for wind pain. For some reason many women get severe trapped wind after a section. Take peppermint tablets after your c-section to aid with this. It was more painful than contractions for me!

Another one - get moving as soon as you can. Light movement really aids recovery, I felt it got less painful the more I moved!

And a cushion/pillow to press against your tummy in the car on the way home! Great when going over bumps!

Sorry, just to clarify.

I have had 2 sections. The first I wasn't told about peppermint and had the most excruciating pain ever. My second, I could feel it starting again but peppermint oil relieved the severe pain I had the first time!

You can buy supplements online from Holland & Barrett.

I am not OP but I have a question - Would it be better to have the Next to Me crib on DH's side of the bed? As otherwise it would be very hard for me to manoeuvre myself out of the bed and around the crib?

@Orangeyblanket yes, mine is on DH's side of the bed. It's only now after 2.5 weeks post c section that I am better at getting out of bed, in the first 10 days you need to roll off and push yourself up which is impossible with the next to me.

Peppermint tea and dried fruits for the wind pain and to get things moving again!

I loved swimming during that last month of pregnancy. (And resting lots besides that!)

And as has been mentioned- batch cooking! We actually got a chest freezer to help keep all the prepped food!

The main thing is getting up from laying down. This is individual to each person's stomach muscles coming back together after surgery. Doing some core work during pregnancy can help with this. I was able to get up unaided after 4 days but some others take longer so I’d just prepare for worst care scenario. Good luck :)

I’ve had four. I think getting up and moving around as much as you can after the surgery stops you seizing up. Take offers of help! If you’re sore, use the pain relief.