Advice for impending caesarean?

Counting_Pennies_2

http://www.nctms.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=59&cat=0&scat=0

Buy yourself a couple of packs of string pants. They look dreadful, but are perfect for C-sections.

I lived in these for the first month after my c-section, and my midwife said I had the most textbook healing scar she had ever seen.

They let the air in to heal the scar quicker, and being the biggest ugliest pants you have ever seen they don't irritate your scar.

Good luck with it all. Make sure you eat lots of fruit to help your system along after baby, if you just eat normal food (along with all that codeine, etc) you are likely to have a painful movement some five days after) don't forget senokot!

Also if you are planning to breastfeed don't give up too soon, a c-section birth can be hard at first with feeding, keep getting advice, pop to your voluntary breastfeeding clinic in the hospital if they have one (don't worry about being in dressing gown) and keep going. It took me a month before we were full breastfeeding and it was worth it.

Good luck with it and enjoy, the first few months are just amazing.

Hunnymonster

My OH had an emergency C-section for DS (at 0143 approximately) - and she's still telling me she can't do stuff because she "had major abdominal surgery" and it's his 3rd birthday in 2 weeks time! (Of course I treat it as a joke)

My main advice is for your other half..... Do as much as you can to help. A CS is almost the same as a hysterectomy in terms of damage to muscles etc. Even stupid little things like making cups of tea. She's not necessarily gonna want to, but she needs to be made to take it easy - and you're talking for 12 weeks or so - and after that it's not like it's magically fixed, you can relax a little as time goes on, but it's always going to be a potential weakness.

Now the bit for you: You've done most of the work so far... rest however you want to, and let him take on some of the chaos (and poo). Don't be afraid to ask for help to get into the bath or to pull your strides up - it's normal - after all you've "just had major abdominal surgery" (you can use it for years - it's a family joke now, even DS says "mummy can't do that, she's had major abdominal surgery"

Iona_Penny

Al the advice is great and I second margaretclare about it being major surgery. The celebs we see 6wks after having a section don't do real women any favours.

My tip would be take a hairdryer to keep your scar really dry and reduce risk of infection.

Dont feel guilty. I had two, one under general one under epidural. If you can choose this it is great, just a wierd feeling. When you are out in the street no one knows if you pushed the baby out or not !

patchwork_cat

This may sound silly.

Make sure that you take Bridget Jones big knickers. I had an elective section- I say elective, but it was done within 1 1/2 hours of descision! I had tanga knickers that sat below the bump, which afterwards were right on the wound.

Cook plenty of meals for the freezer and accept all the help that is offered/ press ganged! You may be able to drive after 4 weeks if your doctor agrees otherwise it is 6.

Savvy_Sue

Hunnymonster wrote:

Don't be afraid to ask for help to get into the bath or to pull your strides up - it's normal - after all you've "just had major abdominal surgery" (you can use it for years - it's a family joke now, even DS says "mummy can't do that, she's had major abdominal surgery"

:rotfl:Oh definitely - I'm planning to use the "I've just had brain surgery" for the rest of my life!

littleredcorvette

I had an emergency at 36 weeks due to cholestasis and pre-eclampsia. Three things that I found essential were:

1. BIG Maternity Knickers that lie high up over your stomach.

2. Cot Top Changing Mat. They cost about £20, and fit over the top of the cot and saves you having to bend over. It saves space as well as money (much cheaper than a changing table) and I only stopped using it for my son when he was nearly 3! They can be found here:
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?kw=changer&zone=Bru

3. Never turn down any offers of help and don't be shy in asking for help either - it is a major operation.

Peppermint Oil was a godsend for my trapped wind - a common side effect of having a c-section, although nobody told me about it until when I was back on the ward :eek:. The hospital should give you some on the ward, and don't be afraid to ask for more if you need it!

Good luck

donna-j_2

I had a c-section (emergency) three weeks ago. Contrary to the 'major abdominal surgery' talk, I feel absolutely great and have been very mobile since almost the word go. I was kneeling up in bed and getting bubs out of the basinet a few hours afterwards. I was actually really relieved that I was intact 'down below'! I'm already driving, and was out and about on my own with the baby today, lifting him + carseat and the buggy in and out of the car. I've also been on the bus with him.

It's not too bad.

I'd definitely recommend the meals ready in the freezer bit. And a huge wine order to get you through the first few weeks!

bonvonnie

i had a semi-elective CS, for my first born.

It was done with the epidural. I personally, was fine. up and about as soon as i got feeling in my legs. but then again, i didnt have a baby to look after, he went into Special Care as soon as he was born, so I had the 2 weeks to recover, before i took him home.

big knickers are a must!!
get partner/family to prepare you meals/snacks for the day

Yoga_Girl

First of all, good luck and congratulations.

Had an emergency section with baby no. 1, and would recommend all the suggestions so far. Big knickers a must! I had to send my mum out to buy these as I'd planned on this totally natural birth, but these little ones do choose to lie in the most awkward positions don't they?!

Breast-feeding was a bit more tricky, try all sorts of positions, get lots of cushions and you can even buy one of those V shaped feeding pillows that I've heard good things about. My milk also "came in" a lot later with the section, so that when it did my baby had got used to the little dribbles of milk and totally freaked out and refused to feed properly for over a day. I contacted an NCT breastfeeding counsellor who came to see me, explained everything and gave me loads of advice to work through it. Thanks to her I persevered and breast-feeding got easier.

When I was starting to feel a bit better physically I thought I'd go for a nice walk with baby & buggy, only to start to feel lots of twinges round my scar area when I was quite a way from home and had to very slowly hobble home. So remember to pace yourself!

Getting lots of help with the housework jobs is ideal if you can, it was such a help having my mum come round every day to do washing. ironing, tidying etc. Especially if you can't lift anything!

My hospital had a policy of keeping you in for at least 5 days after a section, so if thats the case take lots of magazines, puzzle books etc so you'll have something to do while the baby is sleeping and you're feeling at a loss.

As you can see from all the replies each birth is completely different and we never know how our bodies will react to each birth, so just go with what feels best for you after you've had your baby.

jellyhead

glad you had such a quick recovery donna-j :-)

it was only keyhole, but reading other peoples stories on the endometriosis forum made me think my op was going to be really hard to recover from but it was a breeze. we're all different though. i saw a young girl in hospital who was up and about straight after her section but also spoke to a woman in tesco yesterday who had an uncomplicated vaginal birth but said she could barely walk for at least 4 weeks afterwards. i'd add to the being prepared bit by saying that i hope your recovery is really speedy, but if it isn't just take things easy and be kind to yourself, don't get down if you're not bouncing around being the perfect wife and mother. i was a bit rubbish after my recent birth, i was in agony for hours afterwards and even needed the entonox for an hour or so before they took it off me and gave me panadol because they wanted to take me back to the ward, nobody else was like that - i felt like a right whingebag lol!

i was in hospital with hyperemesis a few times and they do have peppermint (cordial i think?) on the ward, if they don't offer it to you ask them if they have any. they gave me mine lukewarm - icky but it really worked!