Elective C-section

I had a emergency for my first so i cannot really help you in regards to the lead up to the c section. After the procedure: - you will be taken to a recovery room where you will have time to bond with baby and your midwife/nurse will be able to monitor and check over you to make sure everything is okay. - if you do become sick after the procedure which is what happened to me 😂🤦🏻‍♀️, they will give you anti sickness meds through a cannula - my midwife helped in the changing and feedinf of baby and she also gave me some tea and toast - birth partner is allowed to stay in the recovery room. On the ward: - i was given a side room i didnt stay in a shared ward. - the nurses and midwives were great, they helped everything in regards with baby, i called them in the buzzer - yes they took a bit of time but they fed and changed baby nappy for me as i couldnt get up and no birth partner stayed with me overnight - i had my c section at 11pm in the evening and got put on thr ward at around 1am

I really wanted to go home the next evening as i couldn’t stay in the hospital anymore. You are provided all your meals, the nurse or your birth partner can bring them. You will have a catheter in, so once you regain feeling in your legs and you are able to walk with support to the toilet they will remove it, it doesnt hurt it feels very weird. If you want to go home you have to prove to them you are able to pass atleast 1-2l of urine

I had an elective C-section but I ended up needing one a week before due to pre-eclampsia. Luckily I got my shopping done just in time. Order some granny undies ones that sit above the scar and some high waisted leggings. Also order some WindEze as the spinal can cause gas build up and it hurts so much! Make sure you also have fridge stocked up! I pre-made some dinners and froze them ready to be put in oven for easy dinners. When you leave the hospital, make sure you keep on top of your pain meds- set alarms at night and take them even if you don’t feel like you need them. If you get prescribed codeine, make sure you get some suppositories as it can cause some constipation and your first bathroom trip will be daunting anyways! My biggest hack is tie a dressing gown belt to the bottom of your bed frame and pull yourself up that way- use your arm muscles instead of stomach muscles! And try to get some movement but don’t push it as it will cause more pain the next day.

At home - - take it easy for the first couple of days/weeks. - getting out of bed you will require some support for the first coiple of weeks , i slept upright because i was too scared to lay down flat. - pp bleeding i would get adult nappies that go over your c sevtion incision - drink plenty of water and keep on top of your vitamins - this will ensure even if you dont feel like eating your body is getting the right nutrients. - i live with my husbands family and they were a huge help to me which helped me recover faster. I was going to have a c section again this time but ive got a very clingy toddler x

If i remember anything else i will post it on here 😂😂

I prepared some freezable meals beforehand and it was a huge help. If you’re able to try to move around (not loads) but I found it really helped my recovery physically and mentally. Stay on top of pain meds and check with the midwives about what they are sending you home with. I’ve heard from some mums that they aren’t given any pain meds to take home!

i had an elective c section too and it was the most peaceful experience ever and so easy. because i was in very little pain though, on day 6 PP i started going on walks/going to shopping centres/ doing house chores etc, that was a mistake. I ended up getting 3 infections back to back so just trust me 5 days in bed, 5 days around the bed and then 5 days IN the house. REST THE F UP!!! also i got a 3 tier bedside trolley which was perfect for nappies/wipes/bottles/ premade formula/BreastF supplies/dummies/muslins/water/snacks. and my baby is 16 weeks and i use this trolley every day!!!

^ also i would recommend getting extra pain meds (i didn’t need them but i wish i had them for the first couple days at home- i was trying to soldier through the nippy pain in my belly but there’s no point suffering)

Following and reading the comments for advice. I'm having an elective C-section in February for the same reason as you.

@Aqsa @Alex tysm! This is so helpful x

@Katie I will definitely make sure I get some pain killers, thanks x

@Katie yes this is didnt get any pain meds when going home only blood thinning injections,

@Isabella I’m hoping it’ll be a peaceful experience so that’s nice to hear. I’ve heard that a lot women do too much and it makes recovery worse. Just hard to sit still I guess 😂x

Oh can I ask where you’re based. I’m hoping to have another next trade but had an awful third degree tear and don’t want to go through that again😳

My first ended in an emergency section. I'd take your own supply of paracetamol and ibruprofen as hospitals arnt great at keeping on top of it. Some isotonic drinks. Size up on any clothes as I got really swollen. Just move about as much as your body will allow and listen to your body .

@Christie as in where abouts I live? Telford in West Midlands. I was the same and after months of thought decided C-section was my best option - I just couldn’t bare the thought of the same thing happening again as it was so traumatic… but there’s always a chance you can have a second with no/little amount of tearing x

@Sam Thankyou! Those sports drinks were heaven after my first x

I think all the mums have pretty much covered what u would say… just 2 things I wish I had known before mine… you can ask for beads stitches, which apparently heal much quicker and neater… and you can get discharged with oramorph! You will be absolutely fine, just take it really really realllllly easy when you get home:) x

Even though mine was an emergency c section last time (which is not what anyone wants) in comparison to the complications I have had with natural births and even recovery wise because of the complications I would opt for a c section if I were to have more now that I know both ways (not having anymore) I honestly would say if you have support people use them for help they can offer Pack very high waisted comfy pants and think about what you will wear after as I found lots of clothes very uncomfortable even stretchy leggings so was oversized pjs for me for a while and nighties. Rest when you can. Don't over do it. Everyone's experience is different and everyone's recovery Is different which ever way they birth