how long to stay in hospital after c-section?

snowmaid

If you can, have an epidural/spinal block. Women seem to recover much more quickly than those who have general anesthetic. The pain is also lessened in that after the op the epidural wears off slowly and usually by the time it wears off, you would have had a shot for pain. Whereas with general, one wakes up to pain straight away.

I had my ceasars in the morning, the afternoon they had me up and walking about. The quicker you are out of bed and on your feet the better for you. That said, you DO need to rest. You must NOT pick up anything heavy. When you walk, support your wound with your hand. This helps to ease the pain. Try not to walk over hunched. Walk slowly. When lying in bed, move your legs regularly for circulation. When you have your first bowel movement, supporting your cut will help. Try take in plenty of fluids so that you are not constipated. If you do come out after a day or two, monitor your temperature, look for redness, heat and swelling around your wound, watch for abnormal discharge - all signs of infection.

me_and_me_monkeys

My 1st section 1999 I was in 7 days - and I was climbing the walls!!
2nd 2005 I was in 6 days
3rd 2006 I was in 2 days - BUT had to return once a day for bloods for 2 days and had to stay at M-I-Ls so I didn't have to do anything. I was told the only reason I was allowed home was because the ward wasn't accessable to me because of my disability.

Like the others have said TAKE IT EASY! and good luck.

inkie

I'm a MW. 24 hrs is unrealistic. As others have said, this is major abdominal surgery. 3 days at the minimum is the norm (not counting the op day), providing that everything is OK with you and babe.
Also, you will have a MW that is responsible for your care and whose caseload you sld be on, even if you are a consultant booking - it will be the MW either attatched to your surgery, or the geographical area in which you live depneding how services are delivered (no pun intended) in your area.

rsdiscos

When I had ds1 in 2002 it was an emergency c section under general anasthetic at 32 weeks (spelling!!)
I pleaded to be sent home after 4 even I would have to come back everyday for my BP to be checked (preclampia). DS1 was in neo natal and all the visitors who came into the ward thought I had lost my baby - you don't rest when there are 7 babies waking up all night etc.. Sorry to say but I didn't get a lot of support to start expressing milk for my son (I felt like I was a nuisance) etc..
My experience with DS2 was much better c section with a spinal - I was awake!!! pain relief was better- I didn't realise it was to do with the general anasthetic. I was out in 2 days.
Some advice

1. I was more mobile and upright quicker having staples rather than stitches don't know what others think.
2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LOTS OF BLACK GRANNY BRIEFS MAYBE EVEN A SIZE BIGGER - ESSENTIAL.
3. When they move you on to the ward make sure they put the baby into a clip on cot that goes on the bed - it is a lot easier to pick the baby up. I didn't have one for the first night of ds2 and I thought I would die when I first picked him up - I didn't get any extra help because I'd had a c section??
4. Sleep when baby sleeps and get lots of help doing housework at least for the first 3 weeks but you probably will still find it hard at 6 weeks.

Bettyboop

Hi, I haven't read all the replies but I had a section in 2003 and could not walk unaided for atleast two days. By day four I had enough of the hospital - the tasteless food and noisy cleaning ladies that I insisted on going home. They did let me but I had been told that I should of stayed in for atleast a week. It's not pleasant but if you have someone to help when the baby comes that would be better. All the best and GOOD LUCK

Justie

I had a section 2 weeks ago - I wasn't planning a hospital birth and hated the idea of being in hospital but it was actually the best thing and I stayed an extra day by choice. 3 nights is probably the minimum you can expect but it will depend on your recovery and if you have any complications - if you can afford it and it's an option then it's worth asking for a private room - not MSE but sanity saving (you probably won't be allowed one for the first night as you're too isolated). I'd second the clip on cots! So much easier than having to get out of bed to tend to a crying child when it takes you a good 10 minutes to get mobile - although be warned it's not easy lifting and reaching anyway. Good luck and remember to ask for any help you need.

katiesmummy

Justie wrote: »

I had a section 2 weeks ago - I wasn't planning a hospital birth and hated the idea of being in hospital but it was actually the best thing and I stayed an extra day by choice. 3 nights is probably the minimum you can expect but it will depend on your recovery and if you have any complications - if you can afford it and it's an option then it's worth asking for a private room - not MSE but sanity saving (you probably won't be allowed one for the first night as you're too isolated). I'd second the clip on cots! So much easier than having to get out of bed to tend to a crying child when it takes you a good 10 minutes to get mobile - although be warned it's not easy lifting and reaching anyway. Good luck and remember to ask for any help you need.

what sort of price could i expect to pay for a private room? i would looovve to have one of those! the worst thing about being in the post-natal ward is the noise of everyone else! when dd was born, i just remember the ward being so noisy, and not even just the babies. other women would talk on the phone half the night, the midwives would converse very loudly and it was just generally very noisy- and i am partially deaf!! as for the food- omg. i aint that fussy about what i eat but the stuff they tried to pass off as a meal was awful- jamie oliver would have had a fit! i remember really wanting a piece of fruit, and when i asked one of the ladies that brought the food round for an apple or banana she looked at me like i was from another planet! my oh and i already have a plan for that one though. i have a small cool bag and he is going to bring me stuff in that i can eat. providing bubs and i are ok, i think i will try and push for them to discharge me after 3 days or so, oh will be at home for at least a couple of weeks to help out

Minerva69

I had a planned c-section in early 2005 (baby in wrong position so couldn't be delivered normally). I had the section on a Weds afternoon and was discharged on Saturday morning. I wanted to stay longer but they wouldn't let me!! Would agree with what others have said, it is a major operation so you need plenty of rest and get people to help you if you can. The first few days I couldn't sleep because of the pain but I got extra painkillers from the midwife which helped. Best of luck

Justie

katiesmummy wrote: »

what sort of price could i expect to pay for a private room?

it really depends on the hospital - we paid £100 per night for an en suite room - it's not any different in terms of the food or care just your own space. If I'd had to be on the ward for the whole time I'd have been climbing the walls for all the reasons you state. I had to have IV antibiotics so was told I HAD to stay in from the Thursday morning when I'd had the baby till the Sunday but the midwives would have been ok about me leaving on the Saturday if [EMAIL="I@d"]I'd[/EMAIL] insisted as they'd moved me onto oral antibiotics by then - in the end I then stayed an extra day as I wasn't ready to leave. My friend who had her baby on the Saturday left on the Tuesday so 3 nights seems the norm.

super41

I was in for 5 days with mine. There is no way I could have left any earlier because of the pain. I found it difficult to walk for weeks afterwards. I know most people are not affected like that but it is major surgery and can be worse for some people. I know I could never go through it again. Make sure you have plenty of people to help - visiting in hospital they can help change the baby and fetch you food. I was unable to walk to the food area so reliant on others. Health care staff are busy and I never liked to ask them to fetch me things.
Also agree about the big granny pants! I'm still wearing them after a year as the scar can be sensitive. Allow yourself lots of time to recuperate afterwards, no lifting, don't drive too early etc.
Sorry I sound negative, but the experience of the baby being born by section was so much better than my first 'normal' delivery that it was all worth it.