Advice on C section

pukkamum

I had two c-sections both emergency and after the first one i was very sore at first but only for first couple of days (when you will still be in hosp anyway) my biggest gripe about my c-sections was how long they made you stay in hosp.
I demanded to be let home after 3 days with my first and two days with my second as being in hosp really stresses me out.
Be careful about doing too much if you do feel well, i thought it would be a good idea to move some furniture 2 weeks after my forst and burst my stitches ouch!!!!
After my second i felt absolutely fine the nurses were amazed that i was ready to get out of bed the next afternoon when i had only had her at 4 in the morning.
I didn't even need any pain relief with the second.
Just don't do too much even if you feel up to it, take advantage of the lazy time you can have, my dh feels he bonded a lot quicker with my kids because he had to do so much in the first few weeks.
p.s my friend was still saying to her dh can you do that i've had a c-section when baby was three months old lol

Lady_Pink

Congratulations! I had a C-section with my little girl back in February 08 (feels like a million years ago now!) because she was stubbornly breech. My SIL had a C-section 3 months before and was up and about in no time, hardly in any pain at all and managed fine. I was dreading the Op but her experience put my mind at rest a little. I had a very different experience as my incision opened up after I was discharged, even though I'd said it wasn't right - so if you feel unhappy about anything you must speak up.

As for preparing your household, I'd second what the other posters have said - plenty of meals in the freezer ready to put into the microwave, lots of easy food in the cupboards like soup etc, get things in order (esp baby things) ready for when you come home - I wrote lists for my hubby about where things were, even though he's pretty well domesticated - def the pillow thing as with the double surgery I found it near impossible to get in and out of bed- a v-shaped pillow was really useful for me. A pillow to put over your scar when you come home to protect it from the seat belt is also a good idea, as well as another to sit on so you're not having to sit down quite as low. HUGE knickers that are v stretchy so you can get them over your scar and they won't rub (not glamorous but a bit of a must! NCT do some specifically for C-sections). Also, it's amazing how heavy some things actually are - lifting a kettle for instance. Take things easy even when you feel you are recovering as you don't want to do yourself a mischief, although getting out for a gentle walk when you can will help you no end, physically and mentally.

I have to say, my husband was fantastic when I had my section and my mom came over a couple of times to help with cleaning etc but I think the best thing to do - if you can - is just to try and ignore everything other than your family. The housework will keep, think of it as your job to look after yourself and baby. I found that really hard to do and looking back wish I'd embraced the opportunity a bit more.

Good Luck with the new arrival - and don't forget those big pants :rotfl:

peachyprice

OMG, I'd forgotten about the BIIIGG knickers, :rotfl: :rotfl:
Make sure they come right up to your belly button, at least!

kitchpoo

I have had 2 c sections too. Def agree with the comment about constipation...I got them to prescribe Lactulose 2nd time and it made a world of difference.
Just don't push it...I went shopping way too soon and was in pain after the first shop....I drove after 4 weeks...(always worth checking your insurance...SOME mention c sections)
Bathe your scar in diluted tea tree oil...will help prevent infection...
If you have belly overhang over scar...make sure you give it some air!!!
Enjoy the experience....weirdly, I did!!

elainew

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

A bag of frozen peas on his head and something warm at his bum/feet might encourage some movement too!

I hope your joking ! This really isnt advised

I had a elective c-section and it was great. Was home in 2 days and shopping in Mothercare on the 3rd day. Lots of healthy frozen foods are great for the first few days as well as takeaway menus
Take any help you can for the first few weeks but I can honestly say I felt great and felt "normal" after about 3 weeks and was driving 4 weeks after the section.

joanie

You will find that the nurses usually want you up and about after 24 hours... definately the hardest thing in the first 2-3 days is laying down andthen getting up out of bed... i would suggest staying in hospital until THEY are happy to release you - i had 7 days - and thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt in a little cocoon and could have stayed longer :rotfl: .Definately agree with the OP about constipation - worse than the caesarian in my case!

The only thing i found VERY uncomfortable were the stitches... my consultant favoured the "sewing" type stitches - others on my ward all had staples and seemed to suffer less.... that said i healed VERY quickly and had half my stitches out on day 5 and the rest on day 6 (i was shocked it was so soon at the time but once they were out I had no pain after that).

Once home as the OP's have said - no lifting or heavy work ..hoovering - changing beds etc... but i must admit i could potter around tidying and gentle cleaning...

I also went out with a coat on with pockets at the front as I felt the need to hold my tum as i walked for about 2 weeks - the pockets hid this fact!


just one more thing - eat and drink VERY carefully - the last thing you want to do is have to cough!:eek: :eek: It's excruitiating!!

RoxieW

Thanks for this thread becks as I'm facing a similar thing. Baby due feb and showing no sign of turning. i wasnt worried as thought had plenty of time until the midwife said that 75% babies breech at this will not turn. A c section hasnt been mentioned as yet and as this is 3rd and last baby (2 natural) I'm not keen on having one tbh.
Can i ask becks - how many weeks will you be on 16th? Do they leave you until your due date? I ask as I'm suffering badly with SPD now, can hardly walk and have hardly slept for the past 2 weeks. In fact, I just laid on the floor while my other 2 children were brushing their teeth to eas my back and I fell asleep am so tired. So if I do have to have a c section I'd rather have it earlier rather than later - say at 38wks if thats possible?
Also, when was a c section mentioned to you? As said, my midwife hasnt mentioned a dicky bird and I've planned a natural birth at a birthing centre - am not even booked in at the hospital. I have a hospital phobia so would rather have time to mentally prepare for this rather then nothing be mentioned until the week before Im due, then suddenly its c section not brithing centre!

Js_Other_Half

I was out in less than 48 hours - they were glad to get rid of me as it was Dec 23rd...;) . Ds was born at 3pm ish, and the nurses had me up and about at 11pm. I was off all painkillers at 10 days, and driving at 3 weeks. ( I rang my insurance firm and they said if I felt fine then there was no problems with driving again).

Cooking was a very hit and miss affair for several weeks - I bless one friend who kept bringing me meals - but she was the veteran of 3 CSections.

I couldn't lift DS from his crib by myself for the better part of a week though, and forget prams, shopping trolleys, kettles etc I'd never realised how much work our stomach muscles actually do!

Wear your LO in a sling when you go out for the first 6 weeks. I would recommend arnica tablets to help you heal, as well as the tea tree oil.

Good luck:D

h

Crispy_Ambulance

elainew wrote: »

I hope your joking ! This really isnt advised

I had a elective c-section and it was great. Was home in 2 days and shopping in Mothercare on the 3rd day. Lots of healthy frozen foods are great for the first few days as well as takeaway menus
Take any help you can for the first few weeks but I can honestly say I felt great and felt "normal" after about 3 weeks and was driving 4 weeks after the section.

Nope, she's not joking. There a lots of suggestions for turning a breech baby and there is more information here: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labourcomplications/turnbreechbabyexpert/

Women should be offered ECV, where the baby is turned manually, and the OP should have been offered this before a c-section is booked.

And I'm interested in a midwife saying that 75% of breech babies don't turn - maybe you should ask her for some research to back this assertion up?

helphelphelphelp

I was really lucky with both my c-sections, the second one being particularly easy. I was home after 48 hours, walking 2 miles within a week, mowing the garden after 10 days and driving after 2 weeks (driving was agreed by doctor or sometimes insurance isnt valid). But definitely in my case I couldnt fault it and wouldnt hesitate in having another if necessary.

Natural child birth does have a quicker recovery rate but as long as you only do what your body tells you and dont over exert yourself (I think because I was so ill during my pregnancy I felt so great after the birth that I felt I had been given a new lease of life but this is probably more than I should have been doing but after 9 months of feeling awful just wanted to get on with things again) you should be fine.

Good luck with the birth of your baby.