Advice for impending caesarean?

flikkerty

Hello,
I am having an 'elective' caesarean in 2 weeks due to the baby sitting upright with her legs behind her earholes. Just wondered if there is anything I can do to prepare or have sorted for when we come out of hospital? Obviously everything is organised, washed and sorted but if there were any tips flying about I would be most grateful as I haven't a clue what to expect... apart from life completely changing! And please no-one have a go at me for having a caesarean, it would be impossible for natural childbirth the way she is presenting... and I am only usually a size 6 and have put a stone on the whole pregnancy.
Cheers for any help.

suekjw

OOps, meant to press reply, not Thanks!

Firstly, don't feel at all guilty about having a CS, its because you need one you're having one. I've had to have two and its not an easy option - whatever people say!

Top tips, firstly, I would use your maternity knickers rather than buying disposable pants in hospital. The disposables tend to lie just on your scar and so can be uncomfortable.

Arnica tablets (from Healthfood shops) can help with the bruising.

Peppermint cordial helps with wind (an unpleasant side effect I'm afraid).

Try and let the air get to your scar as much as possible to help dry it out and heal.

The other stuff is as per going in for a birth - your own pillow is a must for comfort!

Erm, sure there's lots more, but my last (LAST!) CS was a year ago so I've forgotten more than I know!

Good Luck

Sue

flikkerty

Yes - I hadn't thought about the pants, thank you, and the cordial - good idea, cheers!

quietheart

Good luck with your section. I've had two, the 'emergency' was delightful and the planned was traumatic, just goes to show no birth can ever really be planned! I'd recommend getting up and about as soon as you get feeling back in your legs, with my second the midwife had me up and about really quickly and it helped so much. Ask your surgeon if they can avoid a drain (some do it as standard) I found it really cumbersome and uncomfortable, getting baba etc was much easier without it. Don't stress too much about the 6 wks rest business, with my second I was home after 3 days and back to normal life with a toddler and a newborn, my husband drove us to France a week later and apart from not driving, everything was back to normal.

Jay-Jay_4

flikkerty wrote:

And please no-one have a go at me for having a caesarean, it would be impossible for natural childbirth the way she is presenting... and I am only usually a size 6 and have put a stone on the whole pregnancy.
Cheers for any help.

Flikkerty I'm really keen for women to go for the natural option, homebirths not hospitals, breathing not drugs etc BUT if my baby was a frank breech, like yours...I wouldn't hesitate for a second about having a caesarean, and I don't know many who would want to try otherwise.


I've not had a caesarean but I found that making myself meals was the hardest thing after I had my babies. You don't have the energy to get into the kitchen and prepare food so you end up going without, which make you weak, weepy and tired. Get your hubby or partner to make you a few sandwiches in the morning and leave them in the fridge so that you can help yourself while he's at work.

Get in plenty of whatever you normally drink as you can get really thirsty after having a baby (esp if you're brestfeeding) Have a jug of juice or water in the fridge, when you get your sandwich get a drink too.

You should aim to have 3 good meals a day with snacks in between and a glass of water/weak juice every hour.

These are obvious and simple things but so easily neglected when you're looking after a new baby.

jellyhead

i haven't had a CS but had a keyhole thing last year, i am chubby though so my tip will probably apply to you if you have a wobbly baby belly for a little while - take a pillow in and hold it over your tummy, it makes it hurt less when you walk, especially down any stairs, if your belly is wobbly it will wobble when you walk down the stairs and that will hurt your stitches! somebody on a forum gave me that tip and having my pillow for the walk to the car was great, i'm so glad i had it.

i just had a baby and the paper pants do sit in an awkward place, all the women who'd had sections said they couldn't wear paper pants.

do you have a changing table? if not perhaps find a cupboard at waist height to use for changing nappies in the first few days.

best wishes for a quick recovery :-) don't let anyone make you feel bad about having a section - you don't have any choice. enjoy your baby

Zziggi

flikkerty wrote:

And please no-one have a go at me for having a caesarean, it would be impossible for natural childbirth the way she is presenting... and I am only usually a size 6 and have put a stone on the whole pregnancy.

Good luck with the Caesarean and i hope all goes well. Even the most pro-natural birth people i am sure would understand why in your case you're chosing to have a CS. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for having and 'elective' CS. Personally i don't think it is an 'elective' - you don't have much choice with the baby in the position it is!

Good luck.

aliasojo

Make sure you leave hospital with a supply of 'up the bum' pain suppositories. :rotfl:

Seriously wonderful things.

rchddap1

Just wanted to wish you are your baby the best of luck

Spendless

I've had 2 sections as I'm unable to deliver 'normally'. I had a worse time with eldest when I was in labour then with youngest when I wasn't.

Agree with putting things at waist height as I found bending and stretching painful and uncomfortable. Expose your scar to fresh air to help with healing. I used to go for nap and lie in bedroom naked to do this!

Bun

It's hardly 'elective' as in a choice - it's necessary surgery. Just means you know when!
Several of my friends had emergency ones and found that if you wish to breastfeed, there are several positions which are better for your scar .Your midwife should be able to help but laying down is one, and having the baby laying on your arm with the head in your hand and the feet under your armpit is another that is supposed to be good.

Best of luck for the big day.

Bun