Questions!

[kitabird]

Hi, I've just been given the date for my section (4 weeks today ) and have a few questions.
Do you start to bleed straight afterwards like with a natural birth or is it delayed? What about milk, does it take longer to come in and will it be harder to breast feed?
Also, does anyone have any tips for afterwards? I'm planning to wear giant granny knickers and high waisted leggings so as not to rub against the wound, but what else do I need to think about? Thanks

 

[cherry22]

I bled straight away! Just like a normal birth!
My milk came in on day 3 so thats pretty much normal too and i was given advice to wear big waist high pants and either leggings or loose joggers but also my knickers kept catching on the wound after the dressing was taken off so the nurse told me to put one of my maternity pads over the stitches so it wouldnt rub! That really helped me!

 

[discoclare]

Do you start to bleed straight afterwards like with a natural birth or is it delayed?
Straight away

What about milk, does it take longer to come in and will it be harder to breast feed?
Usually takes about a day longer, shouldn't affect ability to BF though, just need to be a bit more patient. After first c section my milk came on day 4, after second c section on day 3.

Also, does anyone have any tips for afterwards? I'm planning to wear giant granny knickers and high waisted leggings so as not to rub against the wound, but what else do I need to think about?
Big granny knickers. Try not to cough / sneeze, if you need to lean forward slightly and put a cushion over tummy. Take it easy for a few weeks.

 

[rjm09]

Hi, I've just been given the date for my section (4 weeks today ) and have a few questions.
Do you start to bleed straight afterwards like with a natural birth or is it delayed? What about milk, does it take longer to come in and will it be harder to breast feed?
Also, does anyone have any tips for afterwards? I'm planning to wear giant granny knickers and high waisted leggings so as not to rub against the wound, but what else do I need to think about? Thanks

Yup, bleeding straight away!!!

Milk came in later on day 5, totally back to normal and dried by day 9, even massive and hard, i dont produce. even only leaked a dime size on my bra 2 times,i couldnt bf last pg because nothing came out when i pumped.Also just used pieces of guaze under my bra. i wear sports bras, unless your bf, they help with pain and going back down quicker.

Tips- get up and start moving as soon as you can. More you move, the quicker you'll heal.Take your meds for pain, but don't overdo anything.Having help the first week makes things easier.

 

[nervouspains]

Iv had 2 sections... my second one hurt more then the first, apprently thats common though!

Do you start to bleed straight afterwards like with a natural birth or is it delayed?
Yep, straight away!

What about milk, does it take longer to come in and will it be harder to breast feed?
My milk didnt come in until day 5 but I had trouble bf and didnt realise

Also, does anyone have any tips for afterwards? I'm planning to wear giant granny knickers and high waisted leggings so as not to rub against the wound, but what else do I need to think about?

Big granny pants, fat materinty pads or just night time pads, leggings of comfty jogging bottoms. I had terrible edema in my pregnancy that I have a lovely mummy tummy so I rolled a muslin on the wound so it didnt rub on my knickers! Also, dont move around too much or try to carry on like normal, you will bleed like a tap gushing out water, so take it slow! Also after a bath I dried my wound with a hair dryer (naughty) but wanted to make sure it was bone dry so my skin didnt sweat! Hope that helps! x

 

[April76]

I bled straight away too so thats normal, my milk started to comethroguh on day 3 i think. I also bought big granny pants but the top of the pants kept rolling down and annoying my scar, actually anything round my waist annoyed the scar! For me it was the sneezing/coughing/laughing.

Make sure you hold a cushion/pillow on you tummy when coughing/laughing it helps a little bit. The sneezing you cant control. I remember the first time i sneezed after my section, it hurt so much i thought my stitches had burst, but they dont burst it just the muscles that have been cut - you dont realize how much you use your abdominal muscles!!

You will be fine hunny

 

[Kimmi82]

Everything the other girls have already said!! I had an emergency section and managed to successfully BF and im still feeding her now milk came in on day 4 and yeah I bled like billy-o, take lots of pads and take lots of meds, make sure they keep u dosed up!

 

[Felicia_D]

I bled straight away. Breastfeeding was just like with my daughter. The only thing I didn't expect or remember I guess, is the uterus cramping and shrinking, hurting somewhat the first couple of feeds. My milk came in the second day I was at home. LOTS of pads on hand always for the first week at least. The pain isnt too bad, because they send you home with great meds . I loooooved my leggings! and DHs big pj pants. Once the bandages are off, use a pad to cover up the incision, mine kept catching on my clothes. Move and do things as much as you can without pushing it/reopening the incision. The more you do, the faster you'll heal and the faster you'll feel more like yourself. BUT also be careful! Move like you did when you were still pregnant. Try to keep a pillow/cushion nearby for when you need to sneeze/cough..even car rides sometimes. Enjoy the downtime!

 

[LDC]

As most people have said, I bled right away and am still bleeding now - definitely buy the maternity pads rather than super sanitary towels as they're much softer and nicer to use. P

My milk came in properly three days later, my boobs just went huge and full, on the day of birth I had to top up with formula as I didn't produce enough milk for LO to settle with; I was feeding for hours and nothing seemed to help her, but this didn't impact on her ability or liking for breast feeding after using formula.

Tips I would give you is to make sure that when people leave the hospital from visiting you that you have everything literally within reach. My bag was on the floor and I couldn't get to it to get nappies etc out of because it hurt me too much so I had to keep calling the nurses. Also I found it difficult to lift baby in and put of the cot when I was alone in the hospital so again I had to keep calling the nurses; I felt like I was being stupid as every little thing I couldn't do but they were really good and understanding. Also don't forget that it's a major operation and takes a while to recover - I found it difficult to begin with having to rely on people but its something that you have to do to help recovery go quicker, don't risk hurting yourself for the sake of doing something silly like driving or lifting.

I took the disposable pants to hospital but to be honest I just wore normal pants and was fine. I got myself a nice pair of pjs for after the operation too to make me feel more human! Also make sure you let your wound dry up well after washing to avoid infection.

Xxxx

 

[robbiegrl]

I agree with everyone else. A pad on your incision will save you catching it on anything.

Getting moving is key. Everyone is different but I hardly had pain. I only took Ibuprofen once and never narcotics.
But it does hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh too hard. Definitely brace with a pillow.

Good luck.

 

[Amberyll23]

I bled straight away. Just like a normal birth. The hospital kept me well supplied with pads for afterwards, I even took several home with me!

They had me try to breastfeed straight away, but I was a little nauseous from demanding ice chips after they wheeled me in after surgery...the nurse said it would make me sick, and she was right! haha I was able to BF without any issues starting day 2.

Loose, comfortable clothing is a must. My doctors also wanted to get me up and moving around the next day. The first night I had these circulation things attached to my legs to prevent blood clots, I am told that is pretty standard. I did not have a lot of pain until about 3 days out (when I went home)--just be good to yourself, and dont be afraid to ask for help with lifting, bending, etc. you are going to be sore for a little while!!

 

[kitabird]

Thanks all, going in for my section in the morning, yikes!

 

[Scuba]

Good luck, just try to relax and enjoy it!!xx