info / advice needed re c-section

tiamai_d

I forgot to add, afterwards your tummy can be very numb, which is... strange. I found that I couldn't bare to have anything press against the numb parts and my wardrobe was limited due to this. I bought those fancy post op pants and they set my teeth on edge so ended up at tesco buying old lady pants.

Oh and if need be, your physio can give you a support to wear while your tummy muscles repair. I found this invaluable in the first week. Without it I felt very out of breath, similar to a winded feeling when walking. Basically my muscles were lax and not supporting my diaphragm as they should. Not so good as I had to walk up and down two long corridors several times a day!

jemw

thanks everyone

some really helpful comments and useful tips!

big granny pants it is then!!!

Mely

I forgot to say about the big granny pants in my last post... lol. They are a must!!!! Tbh i dont think i could have worn normal knickers as they would have rubbed right on the c section area. Comfort is the key!

tiamai_d

Mely wrote: »

I forgot to say about the big granny pants in my last post... lol. They are a must!!!! Tbh i dont think i could have worn normal knickers as they would have rubbed right on the c section area. Comfort is the key!

And they look dead sexy with your support stockings! :rotfl: And usually your boobs hanging out too. :rotfl:

honeypop

I'm ashamed to say that 10 months on, I still wear my big pants occasionally as they are so comfy lol!! I forgot how uncomfortable underwear can be as I was so used to it until I wore these granny pants after the birth.

OH hates them and wants to throw them out!

bonty44

Yes, I rate the granny pants highly too - one of my favourite items of maternity wear this time round!!!

Strapped

Just out of interest, what type of breech? Did you get offered the option of birthing vaginally?

spendaholiceejit

Hiya, Just another opinion to reassure you. DD was an elective section in 2008.

* not being able to have skin to skin contact almost immediately after the birth (obviously providing there are no medical issues)

I got a small amount of Skin to skin time. But they did take her away while i was sewn up. Funnily enough she was easier to bond with than my natural delivery son. The lack of immediate skin-to-skin didn't make a bit of difference.

* being able to breastfeed, difficulty holding / picking up the baby, etc, due to the wound
I breastfed DD more successfully than naturally born DS. I was stiff but the nurses gave a huge amount of support.



* pain relief for after the operation and the effects this has on breastfeeding (i.e. if the drugs leak into the milk?)
Absolutely no issue with the drugs being transferred during feeding. Also I was on so many painkillers that I wasnt aware I was in pain. I felt stiff rather than sore.


* healing properly - I am overweight but reasonably fit (used to gym, hike, take personal trainer sessions), pre preg size 18-20 and worried this may affect the healing process
I had a fab C-Section experience. But this was the one thing I noticed different from a natural delivery. I snapped back in to shape after the natural delivery, but with the surgery on my muscles I have never regained a toned stomach. I lost the weight but I never lost the sag! The wound healed no problems, but I have never got back a flat stomach.

Best of luck! It's a wonderful experience in its own way.

MadDogWoman_2

* not being able to have skin to skin contact almost immediately after the birth (obviously providing there are no medical issues)

I had skin to skin once I was back on the ward as part of DD's first breastfeed.

* being able to breastfeed, difficulty holding / picking up the baby, etc, due to the wound

No issues with feeding at all, don't be afraid to buzz for help whatever time of day or night.

* pain relief for after the operation and the effects this has on breastfeeding (i.e. if the drugs leak into the milk?)

The day of my c-section I had morphine which really didn't affect DD as she didn't feed much anyway then after that I was given feeding friendly painkillers (Voltorol and Paracetamol).

* healing properly - I am overweight but reasonably fit (used to gym, hike, take personal trainer sessions), pre preg size 18-20 and worried this may affect the healing process?

I was size 20 when DD was born, I just kept the wound as dry as possible - plenty of air.

I also concur with all the advice about getting up asap and standing as straight as possible.

The other thing I did whilst in hospital was put comfy clothes on so I wasn't in my PJ's all day - with big pants on underneath.

mumps

I hope all goes well, here are my thoughts.

I had an emergency and had to have a general as no time for a spinal so it was a while before I saw her. Lack of early contact never caused a problem, if anything she is the one I am closest to. DH had her very quickly after delivery and he was allowed to bath her.

Any idea how big your baby is? I had a biggy, 10 lb, and I have to be honest and say it was hard to lift her for a week or so. I was grateful DH could spend lots of time at hospital and help me.

I did find breastfeeding harder but I think it was probably because she was a poor feeder, just one of those things. I did feed her for six months.

I feel a bit jealous after reading some posts, I don't remember having any pain relief after the birth, certainly didn't have morphine. I did have quite a bit of pain afterwards but as they didn't give me pain relief I suppose that is to be expected. With moms having spinal I was told the best tip is to ask for drip to be topped up before you go back to ward, then it is some hours before you feel anything. My prob was I woke up in pain and found it hard going.

Another prob I had was having baby on Christmas Day, no physios around, shortage of staff. I wasn't told how important it was to try to get up and about quickly and to try and stand up straight. If you get into the habit of being hunched up, like I did, it makes it worse.

I healed up fine, slightly lopsided scar (well it was a very hurried emergency) looked odd but fine once it healed.

From what I saw in hospital people seem to recover much more quickly from electives, actually even emergency where they could do spinal seemed better, but it isn't that bad. So as you aren't going to be having baby on Christmas day, it will all be calm and not rushed emergency and with a bit of luck baby bit smaller than mine I am sure it will all be great. Fingers crossed for you and I hope you let us know how it goes.