Top tips for elected c-section?

Hi I had an elective CS at 39+5. Also first surgery. Nothing can be done to prepare really and everyone deals with surgery differently. Try to stay calm and be reassured this is these surgeons' bread and butter. An elective CS is far safer than an emergency one too. I stayed over one night. The biggest issue I had was with pain control as the nurse looking after me during the day wasn't topping me up. Therefore I self discharged even though they were going to keep me a second night in. Message me if any other questions

My best advice is eat as much as you can before the cut off time the night before lol my section got delayed (no one’s fault) and I didn’t go through until 4pm I was fammmished! It helped my nerves by just remembering the staff do this all day every day, they’ve seen everything - they’ve got you👍🏻

Thank you both!

Take lots of pillows with you as you’ll want to sit (and likely sleep) as upright as possible initially. Order food you can eat with one hand as likely to be a baby in the other. Make the most of the catheter being in and drink tons of water, then drink some more. Don’t worry about catheter removal, just feels like a tampon sliding out. Walk as much as you are able and frequently after. Don’t worry if your feet swell up like the elephant man’s. Totally normal. Good luck but you won’t need it 😃

Don’t forget a fan! I wouldn’t have made it without mine

Honestly just stay calm and go with the flow, you’re nervous now but then you’ll soon realise you have nothing at all to worry about, the surgeons do this on a daily basis and know exactly what they’re doing you’ll be in safe hands!🥰 and as soon as you hear your baby cry you’ll forget everything that is happening to you honestly! I was the exact same as you but I loved my c section and recovery was easy too so I hope yours will be the same, i will definitely have another one if I’m blessed with a second bubba. Don’t stress, make sure you have a big mighty meal before the cut off point because you’ll be so hungry otherwise, times vary on when you’ll be going in depending who else is booked in as higher risk go first, I was in the hospital for 7:30 and didn’t have mine until 11:30 and stay elevated when you sleep so it’s easier to get up from and pain meds 2 x paracetamol and 2 x ibuprofen together every 4 hours so stock up on them bad boys, midwives told me to do this on discharge! xx

Colpermin peppermint capsules are a must. Your GP can prescribe them as they are just for IBS relief but they are key to normal bowel movements and getting rid of any trapped wind which is very common after c section. Everyone is nervous going in, it’s a big surgery! But honestly it is THE MOST amazing time. Baby will be out 5-10 minutes into the surgery. Make sure you get them to drop the curtain as they pull baby out even if you’re squeamish (you cannot physically see any of your insides I promise). Big knickers, button up night shirts, lots of maternity pads, pain killers for at home, a water bottle, a comfy pillow. you may feel sick afterwards because of the anaesthetic so ask for anti-sickness straight away. They administered it through my cannula. They probably won’t give you pain relief unless you ask for it so make sure you do if needed (once your spinal and diamorphine wears off). If you feel itchy it’s just the anaesthetic so have antihistamines with you