C Section hints and Tips Wanted

[chezziepie]

Hello,

I have my c section on Tuesday as he went breech and they have been unable to turn him so i could have a natural delivery

Does anyone have any advise for me ??

 

[holl1109]

Big pants!! I had too rush out and get pants and jogging bottoms that were higher than my scar as I couldn't bear anything being on it. Good luck xx

 

[MamaBearX4]

Accept the pain meds when given, they really do help you cope and get rest.
Once you get the all clear, walk the halls a bit while pushing baby and make sure you always stand up straight. The more you do tis the less it hurts.

 

[J_ellybean]

If you have a silky dressing gown, put it on your bed/couch so that it's easier to slide to the edge and kind of 'drop' onto your feet - easier than getting up using your tummy!
I second the 'big pants' comment, too - Asda do a four-pack for about £5, and I'm still wearing mine now (some four months later).
Tea tree oil in your bath water, I used 2-3 drops every time I got in the bath and it helped.
Don't do anything until it hurts, but try and keep a bit mobile after the birth - but be very gradual (and don't hoover! Trust me, it is NOT worth it)
Oh and lastly, before you go to hosp, have a sort out in the kitchen and put everything you will need regularly that is stored at a low or high height on the top of the bench. It looks cluttered but is worth it not to have to bend/stretch for the first six weeks!
Good luck
xxx

 

[chezziepie]

thank you ladies. This has really helped be bought massive primark pants in a size 14 im a size 10.. they stay up so hopefully they will work. Also got some loose jogging bottoms for coming home

I will sort the kitchen tomorrow

 

[LittleStars]

I would definitely encourage you to get up and moving after the section as soon as possible while in the hospital. even if only to walk at a snails pace. Helps with possible blood clotting.

Use your mechanical bed to raise you up high enough so that it's easy to get baby from the plastic bassinette thingy beside you bed and use it to sit up and down instead of using your muscles.

Precook or buy meals that are ready to go for DH so you don't even need to be in the kitchen much. I've already got a weeks worth ready to go and that doesn't even factor in ordering out. I'm still freezing up stuff and hoping to be up to two weeks by delivery.

Definitely take the laxatives they give you as silly as it seems, you do not want to strain when the time comes.

Don't forget to use a pillow on your incision area when you cough or laugh.. it really does help. The nurse will show/tell you all about it.

Set up a change station and sleeping arrangements for LO upon return to your home where you will want to spend most of your time during the day and also have a pillow and bedding for a nap there for yourself too. For me that's the main floor living room.

I'm sure there is more but it's been 5 years since I had mine and I'm trying to rack my brains and remember everything myself. Going in for a repeat section in less than two weeks. Just take it easy, and know that you're going to be fine and baby will be beautiful and healthy and you're going to be a mommy!!!

 

[jadesh101]

not sure what others have said but here are my tips.

wear big knickers.

use maybe two pads or the tena men pads, the first time you move, as you will gush a little with a few clots as you will have been led down a while.

wear pj trousers or loose soft joggers.

in your shower bag pack baby wash and shampoo instead of any scented stuff as it could irritate your wound.

the first time you move will be rather painful, so ask for a dose of morphine 30 minutes before you plan to move, then slowly raise your back rest on bed up, swing both legs to floor, edge bum to end of bed and have someone in front to help support you as you stand up, at first it will feel like you can't breath, as baby has been crushing them lungs for a few months and they are suddenly all open again, but don't panic, take one gently step at a time, breath gently and don't rush.

After c-section and your in recovery and your baby crys but you can't move it may feel upsetting, but remember all you have to do is press the buzzer and someone WILL help you.

As you won't be able to eat or drink so a few hours before c-section you will be desperately thirsty, but don't guzzle a drink, sip it slowly.

Sudden movements will hurt hun, so laugh and cough gently if you can and if you feel a sneeze coming on hold your scar area gently with a pillow or hand.

Morphine can make you feel drowsy so be careful when handling baby.

P.s when they are delivering baby and your nose get reallllly itching, it's a side effect lol, I was scratching the living hell out of my poor nose and the druggie doctor explained why haha

 

[Angelique]

All the advice the other ladies have given is very good.... let me tell you what helps though.... I compression wrap around the incision... sounds like it might hurt, but it really really really helps. Makes movements less painful. It completely covers the incision so it doesn't irritate it like pants or undies would.

 

[franny_k]

I wore "suck em in knickers" around seven days after my section. Helped to feel like everything was being held in and supported too. Have a baby change station downstairs for during the day for a few weeks after having baby (I just used change bag) to save you going up and down stairs. We also kept the moses basket downstairs during the day. Keep your scar meticulously clean (I cleaned it twice a day) and then dry it with a hairdryer. Didn't know the hairdryer thing last time so will be trying that this time!

 

[Starchase]

Brilliant what everyone has said I also used arnica recommended to start using it two wks b4 section I only had 5 days notice and it worked it reduces bruising keep taking it after section it's homeopathic but genuinely does work xx

 

[Angelique]

Brilliant what everyone has said I also used arnica recommended to start using it two wks b4 section I only had 5 days notice and it worked it reduces bruising keep taking it after section it's homeopathic but genuinely does work xx

Where can you get it?

 

[Starchase]

Hi there

We can buy it here everywhere but especially in the chemist, not sure where wud stock it near u but try google get it delivered so worth it, oh when you get it click the tablet into the lid and put in mouth try not to touch them seemingly the coating is important I have used them for yrs through horse show jumping accidents, major surgery and of course my section first thing packet in my bag already xxx

 

[Angelique]

Awesome Thanks

 

[amipregnant]

Hiya hun i have no advice but just wanted to let you know i am in exactly the same oat, having an ecv attempt tomorrow and if that doesnt work its straight in for c section. if it does work they are going to induce me straight away. im so scared and just wish tomorrow was over. i have been living in hospital since friday and am so fed up i just want to be with my family. i would like to say i will be on here to let you know how i get on but i dont think i will manage in time. Good luck hun and will keep an eye out to see how you got on. big hugs x x

 

[chezziepie]

Hiya hun i have no advice but just wanted to let you know i am in exactly the same oat, having an ecv attempt tomorrow and if that doesnt work its straight in for c section. if it does work they are going to induce me straight away. im so scared and just wish tomorrow was over. i have been living in hospital since friday and am so fed up i just want to be with my family. i would like to say i will be on here to let you know how i get on but i dont think i will manage in time. Good luck hun and will keep an eye out to see how you got on. big hugs x x

I really feel for you I was in from last Tuesday until Friday when they tried to turn him but as his bottom is very much wedged in my pelvis instead of being transverse like he was on Tuesday they let me go home after the failed ECV.

I really hope it works for you. The pushing on my tummy made me giggle a lot which made my OH laugh and we had an audience of students which actually made me feel better. I found closing my eyes helped me relax my belly as I found it quite hard to try and think of something else when I oculd see what she was doing to me.

 

[amipregnant]

ah thank you, i have really been dreading it, of course i managed to find some horrific clips on u tube! they said they are going to check to see if my cervix is favourable first, then go from there! i just want to be left alone and go home and eat my own food and sleep in my own bed. just want it all to be over which is horrible, i should be excited about meeting my little mad but i just want to cry!

 

[ModernMillie]

I am popping in from first trimester. I hope you don’t mind my joining in, as I had a C-section with my first birth.

Prior to giving birth, I was extremely nervous about having a C-section. The thought of it made me want to pass out. However, after several hours of difficult labour, I was sent for an emergency C-section. I was surprised at what a pleasant experience it was. It was so quick and the doctors and nurses in surgery where very caring and attentive. If I had known what I know now, I would never been so scared of this outcome. I healed up nicely, and after a few weeks of taking it easy and gradually and very gently increasing my activity, I was back to my normal active self.

The hospital provided some very comfortable uber “grandma” undies after the surgery, and they were wonderful! One of the nurses stashed some extras in my bag for me, and they were the best thing ever. I used, washed, and reused them until I felt more comfortable returning to “normal” underwear. If they have these at your hospital, try to see if you can take some extras home with you.

I think the big pants idea is great. For me, I wore nightgowns almost all the time at home for the first couple of weeks, and that helped because there were no waistbands to worry about.

Although I was not allowed to drink before the C-section, I talked the nurses into letting my have some water to swish in my mouth and spit out. It helped curb my thirst.

A friend came by hospital the next day and brought me some dark chocolate. Chocolate never tasted so good! She said that all her c-section friends have told her something similar, so she makes it a practice to bring some by for them soon after delivery. It might be nice to put a little chocolate treat in your hospital bag to enjoy afterwards.

Best wishes. You will be fine and be able to meet your little one soon!