C section booked

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@Remigija same

Had my second section 11 days ago.. * High rise pants so they're not rubbing your incision * trackies or maternity trousers for coming home again to avoid incision. * I took a water bottle with straw so I didn't have to get out of bed (also a bottle of squash as not a water fan) * make sure you have paracetamol/ibuprofen for when you get home. * we have a changing table at home so I'm not bending down to change baby

@Claire this has helped a lot thank you! Does the paracetamol and ibuprofen genuinely help with the pain? I’m scared of being at home in pain (obviously I know to some degree that’s avoidable after surgery) and worried about nothing helping x

@Rheo yes it has helped me but since day 4 I have only taken 2 dose of ibuprofen a day just before bed as it can be a bit sore getting in and out if bed and first thing in the morning. I would say initially keep on top of the meds, don't just take them when the pain starts. First section was an emergency and the recovery for a planned section has been so much easier.

@Claire thank you soo much!!!xx

Most useful thing I packed in my hospital back was a long charging cable so I could actually reach my phone when it was plugged in charging. For home, some way of getting out of bed! I’ve heard of people tying a dressing gown belt round the end bed post and pulling them self up with that.

Mostly of the things are the same of a normal birth (less the things you need to take care of the down there 🤣). High waisted underwear (disposable ones) are a salvation, a lot of snacks for the after, large pj or if you are most comfortable a long gown opened in the front for breastfeeding (if you plan to) and definitely help to lift baby and yourself from the bed at home. My husband was a lifesaver for me. Bring a pillow or a towel to put on your incision while in the car to the ride home, this will help you with the seatbelt. Don't skip any medication before two weeks are gone, even if you think you don't need them, take them.

@Rebecca ah yes a long charger thank you!! And yeah I’ve seen people doing that it’s a good idea! I do have a fear or it coming untied mid way getting up and knocking my self out🤣xx

High rise comfy knickers I personally love the primark ones Always discreet pads (the ones like underwear) they sit above the incision and I didn’t leak through them at all and so much comfier than bulky maternity pads

Tena knickers are a game changer for when you bleed and they are high rise and go over your scar nice

@Kimberley thank you!!! Soo helpful xx

@Sharna thank you xx

@Veronica I’m definitely grateful that my husband is amazing at giving help and support to me. I can imagine it’ll be really needed. Good idea with the pillow I didn’t think about that!xx

I was originally meant to have a vaginal birth but ended up having a c-section. I found that having high rise pants so useful as they kept well away from the incision (I used the Firda ones). Comfy clothing such as joggers and leggings will also do the trick. Keep on top of your meds! As well as the usual meds every 4/6 hours or so, whilst at the hospital you can also request morphine in between if you need it! Worked wonders trust me haha! Also continue to take paracetamol / ibuprofen when at home alongside any pain meds the hospital send you home with. When you get home and your dressing comes off you need to make sure that the scar is kept clean but because of where it is it can be quite hard to see, so I would recommend buying a perineal bottle to angle up at the incision. This worked wonders for me as I was worried about touching it!

@Katie so informative, thank you soo much!xx

I got high waisted compression underwear after my 2nd c section. Didn't think about it for my 1st, but 2nd meant potentially more over hang and sagging🤣 the underwear held it up and reduced the jiggle when moving which was amazing because honestly you don't realise how much you use your stomach muscles until after a c section

@Rheo no worries! That’s a valid fear 🤣 I couldn’t do it with my bed as there’s no footboard so had to rely on my partner to pull me up each time. I really struggled with that when he went back to work! Xx

@Ally definitely added to my list!! And you really don’t think about core being so important do you! I’ve currently got broken ribs and finding it impossible to move/sit up without help I was soo shocked how much we rely on core strength. Xx

@Rebecca yeah we also don’t really have a footboard that we could tie it to, but my husband said we’ll figure some way of doing it. When did he go back to work? I know recovery for this is long anyway but hoping when my husband goes back after 2 weeks that I can move abit better😫otherwise I don’t know how I’ll cope😅

Am I better getting a baby bath that I can just fill up and use with her on the kitchen counter as we only have the seat atm which I would assume is a struggle bending down to the bath??x

I have a baby bath and its so much better like you say you can put it on a higher surface. I would not have been able to lean over the bath at all, even when I was more mobile I was still sore. You have to be careful lifting and leaning otherwise you will overdo it and risk the stitches breaking x

@Sharna yeah I did think this! I’ll grab one today x

@Rheo I used baby bath after both my c sections instead of bath seat

@Rheo some people have used the door handle if it's close enough? Mine went back after 2 weeks. I did find that a struggle I can't lie! But you find ways to do what you need to do and cope xx

@Ally I’ve just picked one up now, thank you xx

@Rebecca I could try it on the door handle. I’ll have a look today where it’ll work. Yeah I can imagine it’ll be hard but like you say will always find ways to cope. He works over night sometimes and think that’s what I’m worried about but I’ll just have to ask someone for extra help if I’m struggling too much x

@Rheo definitely ask for help when needed! Xx

I took an extra pillow from home which helped a lot when it came to feeding in the hospital while I was still weak

@Rose I was thinking of taking the C shaped feeding pillow, that way it could be used for baby and also to wrap around my self for comfort. Would you say this is a good idea? Or just a normal pillow?x