C section

Keep on top of your pain meds and that’ll help manage the pain. It’s not going to be enjoyable at all for at LEAST the first few days after- remember, it’s a major abdominal surgery. My first C-section was a CAT1 emergency so that recovery was horrendous and pain lasted about 1.5-2 months due to laboring for so long and birthing my son both ways and other complications. My elective was so much more smooth and recovery was a hell of a lot quicker. You’re going to need help getting up at first, in bed if you can, tie a rope or sheet to the end of the bed so if need be you can pull yourself up with your arm strength to sit yourself up. Have a rolling cart next to the bed with PP supplies, snacks, water, diapers, etc…be sure to get up and walk around to help with recovery and dispersing fluid buildup. Get compression socks for the edema swelling.

Definitely keep up with your pain meds. It’s helps you get up and about quicker. Mine was elective, went smoothly and my recovery was great. Just had to be mindful of not doing too much. I didn’t feel like it impacted me hugely when I was at home. I was back running after a couple of months.

keep on pain meds i tried to go without so for so long but theyl help immensely

My C Section was a brilliant experience. I had GD and she was always measuring big so I was brought in at 37+1 and I was first done. They put the cannula in my hand and then brought me down alone to get the spinal block. It wasn't too bad. You feel a warm sensation and then your body goes numb which does feel weird but again, it's not bad at all. They will triple check you can't feel anything and then they'll start the op and bring your partner back in. You'll just feel a bit of tugging but absolutely no pain whatsoever. I advise that you ask for a cold facecloth as that really helped me feel calm during it and you can play your own music too which is lovely. If you get the shakes, it's completely normal and will go away. Your baby will be in your arms within 10 minutes. They will then take you down to recovery afterwards and keep topping you up with meds. Recovery has been all good for me. Keep on top of the pain meds and try and walk around as often as you can. I was fine getting out of bed on my own but

Some people do need help getting out of bed. The catheter comes out the next day and isn't bad either! When you get a shower, pat the scar dry and then use a hairdryer on it on the cool setting. That helped dry it quicker! Don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends and congratulations 💖🥳

Got to say this was me last week, nervous asking for others experiences and everyone told me how amazing their experience was with a planned section and I felt really positive and calm on the day from reading all these. But for me it wasn’t as enjoyable as everyone said. No one really spoke to me during the surgery so my whole focus was on what’s happening. And I did not enjoy that I could feel everything, no pain but I can tell what they’re doing. It all happens soo quick that it can be abit overwhelming. I went into such a panic that they were offering to put me to sleep to calm me. I’m not trying to scare you, and in reality it wasn’t that bad. But for me personally seeing all the amazing experiences on here did not help prepare me for the fact mine could be different x

And in terms of recovery, make sure you have help. I’m on day 5 now and each day has become easier but my husband has done 90% of the work for both me and the baby. I’m soo grateful for him. Standing up (for me) is probably the most painful thing but once you’re up and have taken a couple of steps it’s not soo bad. Make sure you get up and move every couple hours in the first days, the longer I sat the worse my back would feel also making it really difficult to stand up. Keep up on medication, hopefully you’ll get good pain relief and not just sent home with paracetamol. Good luck with your surgery and feel free to message if you need.xx

Take it easy and as stated above stay on top of pain meds. I actually had a vacuum bandage on top of the incision site so it helped keep it dry. Once you are able to take a shower pat dry after. Also gas x is your friend after wards. Don't overdo it baby steps at first as getting out of bed is hard my first c section was traumatic for me (had to sleep in a recliner for at least a month) but I had a repeat almost a month ago and I'm starting to feel better. You got this and don't forget to stay hydrated.

Try to stay on top of your pain meds, as everyone said - I set alarms to take them at the right time and as regularly as I could and it really helped manage my pain. If it isn’t managing your pain, go back to your Dr to ask for something stronger. Peppermint tea is a must for the gas pains too. And a cushion to support baby whilst you’re feeding so as to not put pressure on your scar. And make sure you have support when getting up to not strain. I actually wasn’t in that much pain and that was with an emergency c-section, I thought it was going to be worse. Good luck and wishing you. Speedy recovery x

I had a really positive experience after a failed induction, 2 failed epidurals and being in pain at 4cm (babies positioning). The surgerical staff were so lovely and reassuring! Take it easy!!! I felt okay at 2 weeks and definitely pushed myself. I'm now taking it longer to heal 12 weeks later!

I’ve had 2 elective on health grounds. A really good experience. Tip tips: - Drink lots of water and eat soft fibre in the weeks beforehand. Lots of pain can be due to constipation - There will be a dozen or so people in the operating room. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. It’s normal. - you can still have skin to skin contact after the birth, and breastfeed - There will be trapped gas pains that sometimes go into your shoulder blades. I agree with peppermint tea or ginger, burping regularly - Move gently. Bed rest is important but so is slow gentle movement. I used a pillow pressed against my scar when I got up and down from the bed. It really helped with my confidence. - take all of the help that is offered! Good luck supermama x

Try and stay calm during the surgery, for your baby but for you too so you can soak it all in. I had a c section and had a lovely experience I just wish I was more calm at the beginning. Try and make the home set up easy for the first few weeks, changing stations on both floors if you have stairs, drinks by the bed (I got a little mini fridge) ,put a non slip mat in your shower or Bath can grab on Amazon, try not to sit on any hard surfaces and as everyone said, take the pain meds when you should for at least 5 days after. I know everyone is different, but honestly, I didn’t find the recovery half as bad as you are led to believe X

I’ve had 2 elective c sections. With my first the pain did last a little longer but if you keep on top of pain meds and listen to your body it is definetly manageable. Take any help you can get because as much as they advise being mobile, you also need to listen to your body and rest when you need to. Do little and often with your walking. My second c section was amazing. I was completely pain free by day 10 and was back to normal. I know how lucky I am though and again wouldn’t have healed so well if I didn’t take it easy. Drink loads afterwards also because you only have so long to wee after they remove your catheter before they insert it again. My best advice is try remain calm. I was a lot more relaxed during my second as I knew exactly what to expect and it made the whole thing so enjoyable. Do your research before hand and remember as scary as it feels, this is the best moment of your life so soak up every moment 🥰❤️

Definitely take your meds with ginger rale and ry to at least eat a few crackers I had no appetite but I did good in 2014 I was up and moving around and doing really good I was younger then in my late 20’s drs couldn’t believe how well I did I think age and health plays a big part too also moms who haven’t had their babies yet do your research on your Dr to make sure you are picking the right one for you

Cat 3 mum. Took my meds for a week and then nothing after that. Pain was like a bad period for that week but once it was week 2, nothing really at all. I loved it personally and have an elective booked next month for baby 2. Very calm, very relaxed, great staff. I had the radio playing, instant skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, we had photos and video of the whole thing. I was up and walking myself to the shower by morning (section was at 10pm), able to carry and feed baby myself. I was discharged on day 3 and took public transport home, walked every day little and often and went to Costco on day 5. Throughly a happy experience and one I can’t wait to do with baby 2, zero trauma here xx

@Sarah did you have to advocate hard for delayed cord clamping with your C-Section, or were they very accepting of the request?

@Jolene it’s standard practice in the uk unless there’s an emergency and baby needs immediate help. I got a few minutes and then when it stopped pumping, baby went over with dad for cord cut and then back on my chest. I held her whilst I was closed up too so tons of skin to skin xx

@Sarah that's fantastic! Finding a bit of resistance here in Aus unfortunately.

Definitely agree with keeping up with your pain medication. Even if you think you no longer need it, which I thought on the second day, big mistake! Just keep it. Also, if you feel gas pains, air in your body (you'll know if you feel the pain), to help pass gas that doesn't want to pass - ask the nurses to mix warm apple juice with prune juice & drink it all. I've had 3 c-sections and this helped a lot!