New here and new to C sections!

I had an elective section back in August and as long you keep moving and keep up on painkillers you will be fine, get something for the trapped wind cause it’s horrendous 😅

@Ellie thanks ! What do you recommend for trapped wind lol xx

@Jessica peppermint oil

I had an emergency so recovery was very much learn as we went but I’d say: - Press the call bell as much as you need in hospital, use the midwives while they’re there! - Peppermint tea for the gas - lots of pillows to sleep upright for a little while - tie a dressing gown cord or scarf around your bed frame to use as leverage to be able to get out of bed easily - big pants that go over your incision (the Frida disposable ones are great) - keep moving, just around your house - stay on top of your painkillers Hope that helps 😊

I've had 2 elective c sections, one in December 2022 and one in June 2024 due to babies weights. Keeping on top of painkillers. If you can, don't pick up the other children, get someone else to do it for you if possible. Airing the section. Use people to your disposal. Get help to get in and out the shower, help with baby. If people visit, get them to make their own tea and coffee but while they're there get them to make you one

I had an emergency section after my boy tried to come out face first and halted my dilation at 6cm after 13 hours of labour. Compared to that, the section was so fast, smooth and calm despite surgeons being called in at 4am. It is busy, there are a lot of people in the room, but my husband stayed by my head where I could see him, a drape was put up so neither of us could see, they asked whether we wanted them to announce the sex, or my husband (a few times). They handed him to my husband first (after doing his checks, suctioning the mucus etc) then to me for skin to skin. I couldn’t do much skin to skin though because I was shaking so hard, so I asked them to give the baby to my husband- postpartum shakes are interesting, like your body thinks it’s cold, but it’s just your hormones getting a bit confused. That eased by the time we got back to our room 10 minutes later after being stitched back up, and I got a blissful hour of skin to skin. All in all I was pleased 💙

I had an emergency c-section, and while it was really hard, I was mainly sore after I got home and just had to be careful moving around. But I healed up well

I've had an emergency section & an elective - I'm almost 4wks pp & it was an elective I had this time, for me the difference is incredible. So many things I was unable to do, like sitting myself down on the couch or getting up, getting my leg up high enough to get in the shower over bath after the emergency, this time I was able to do all of that without actually pushing myself & hurting myself. I think the massive difference for me I was told was blood loss & the fact I was contracting for 16hrs prior to my emergency. I've not been on any strong painkillers since middle of the 2nd week, I am still often taking paracetomol but at most 4 a day. The surgery itself is actually really calm & nice, they'll play music etc with an elective. I'll be back driving this week I think too x

I had an emergency C-section but my two biggest suggestions for anyone recovering from one is: - Buy a shower chair! Your abs were cut apart, it's hard to stand for a long time at the beginning. Especially with your arms up to wash your hair. - Use an abdominal binder! Either the one the hospital gives you (if they do) or one you buy. NOT a waist trainer or corset. It's not about getting "snatched" or bouncing back. I felt like it supported my belly off of my incision and it was comforting to have abdominal support in general.

I totally regret my C section . I had 2 vaginal births before my C section and if I knew then what I know now. I would play the waiting game. The body naturally knows how to deliver babies, and babies naturally knows how to get into position so the mom can deliver . The hospital likes to scare patients into tampering with the bodies natural automated process just for a little bit more money. I know your baby is breeched . But you still have an entire 4 weeks until due and also you can wait at least 2 weeks after due date as well to deliver. So basically I would say wait as much as you can, dont let them talk you into a c section , let everything happen naturally 😊

@Janicee I appreciate what you say, however lots of emergency sections happen due to babies or mums not handling labour well, certainly was the case for me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but please don't tell expectant mums that your body will naturally do this (sometimes it just doesn't & natural birth isn't meant to be). My daughter was massively distressed after 16hrs of active labour, I only got to 4cm dilated & due to the position of my daughter she was never making it into the birth canal. This happens a lot more than I think we're led to believe. I personally chose an elective with my son, however ended up with GD & baby was measuring big so they were actually advising me the safer method of delivery would be the section. Everyone's recovery is different & I am sorry you regret your choice, but 9/10 a section is unavoidable for safe delivery for both baby & mum x

@Kerry it all depends .... Did the doctors tamper with the natural process of the body when you got to the hospital, for example did they go in and pop the water sac prematurely or anything along the line of that? Body's naturally knows how to do natural things , Men and Women interrupts that process with the smallest things.

@Janicee thanks Janicee, I hear you and agree we are made to give birth but unfortunately sometimes we are blessed to have advanced medicine in our country to be able to cope with issues that arrive and provide safety for both mum and baby. This post was for just pure positivity on a C section as it may be my only choice. X

@Jessica okay sorry, I just wanted you to avoid the traumatic experience. I'm being positive by saying your body will naturally work itself out . Don't give up and fall for the easy way out,...if you believe it's the Only Choice then it will be the only choice. but hey it's definitely an experience for the book and I hope you have a great delivery and recovery 😊❤️

@Janicee thank you I appreciate it . And I’m still trying and hoping lil miss turns the right way up x

@Janicee maybe it does all depend, but no I went into spontaneous labour & contracted for 16 very long hours whilst hearing my unborn babies heartrate begin to drop/accelerate & there was a decision made that absolutely was needed. I didn't go into labour wanting a section but by having that section, it allowed my baby to be born safely. I also don't feel like my body failed me, as I said above these things happen much more regularly than we are led to believe. When I had my daughter in 2022 I was told by a midwife 3 out of 4 deliveries are sections, for a multitude of reasons. I have friends who experienced several vaginal births where their body allowed that, however, I have more friends who have experienced the same as myself for different reasons. Having a section doesn't mean than my baby didn't know how to naturally come, it just means it had to change plan due to what was actually happening at that time. I think it's just being mindful of that would be much more appreciated x