Csection next week.

[Chanelle29]

I have my first experience of a csection next week. Has anyone had one recently with the rules of no visitors or partners assisting on the postnatal ward. Can you please tell me your experience and any advice! I had a natural birth with my first and we also stayed in a room to ourselves. So I have no experience of being on a ward with other mums etc either.

[Lucyhannah1]

I had a c section 4 weeks ago. My partner was allowed in the ward prior to me going in, he came in to the theatre while I was having the operation and was able to stay with me while in recovery. He had to leave once I was back on the ward but he was allowed back during visiting hours! I imagine different hospitals have different visiting rules etc atm. But my whole experience was actually fine considering it was my first baby too. The midwives were able to assist during the night with any help I needed due to restricted movement after the c section xx

[Mrs_MT in reply to Lucyhannah1]

How are you finding the movement restrictions after? Is it impacting on being able to hold your baby and feed? I’m on my first pregnancy and am considering elective c section xx

[Lucyhannah1 in reply to Mrs_MT]

The first week was hard but you just have to make sure you really take it easy. It was fine feeding and holding her just have to be careful leaning and stretching etc. Once the dressing comes off on day 5 it’s easier to move about more etc but I was up and moving about quite a lot and just taking pain killers regularly!

4 weeks on I am still a little sore however it’s healed really well no infection and I am doing daily walks.

The actual c section was so calm, smooth running and stress free which is exactly what I wanted! X

[Mrs_MT in reply to Lucyhannah1]

Ahhh thank you for sharing! A few ppl have tried to convince me not to go for a c section because of the recovery process. But I want to consider all options. I am at high risk of a bad tear or episiotomy and atm I feel like I would prefer a c section than that! X

[Lucyhannah1 in reply to Mrs_MT]

I elected for a c section because of having IVF they said they would induce me at 40 weeks. They told me that being induced the contractions are 10 times worse than a natural labour and you’re also more likely to need intervention. As I have back issues I knew the impact of induction would have an impact! People tried to convince me not to but at the end of the day you know your body and have to do what is best for you! X

[Missjej85 in reply to Mrs_MT]

I saw this and thought I’d share my experience.. I wanted a natural birth following advice not to go for a c section, ended up having an episiotomy and tearing.. the surgery was calm and pain free but once those meds wore off it was difficult.. I’m 10 weeks post birth and still sore and struggle.. I wish I’d had an elective c section in hindsight.. xx

[roxannacar]

Rules vary depending on the hospital. You need to ask your midwife/consultant or give the ward a call and ask what their rules are.

[Chanelle29 in reply to roxannacar]

I already know the rules. I'd just like to know mums experiences.

[ramdcg]

Hi there,

I had a csection on Tuesday and same as Lucyhannah1 explained. I found it to be a very positive experience, in comparison with my previous 26 hour induction.

Good luck!

[Solly-44]

I had an elective csection 4 months ago. My partner was allowed in for the procedure and about 2 hours afterwards but it will vary from hospital to hospital. Due to Covid the curtains were kept drawn around beds, so apart from a bit of noise it was very private. Tbh I was glad of no other visitors so I could relax and hang out with the baby 😂

I was so anxious in the run up but honestly had such a positive experience. All the midwives and hospital staff were conscious of it being a strange time to be giving birth and were super kind. My advice would be to stay on top of your painkillers even if you don’t feel you need them, and be as active as you feel able to. Loads of luck, I hope you have a wonderful birth! Xx

[Chanelle29 in reply to Solly-44]

Thank you so much. Can I ask, what pattern did you choose to do with your pain killers. Every 4 hours both paracetamol and ibuprofen or every 2 hours ibuprofen and 2 hours on paracetamol etc.

[Solly-44 in reply to Chanelle29]

I started off on both every 4 hours because I didn’t realise you could do every 2 hours 🤦‍♀️ but switched after a couple of days. X

[Kyell2]

I had an elective cesarian 6 months ago. I think most hospitals are now allowing your partner to visit on the post natal ward now but your hospital will have there own rules (we only got an hr in recovery together). Hospitals are eager to get you home and I would have been released 18 hrs after the baby was born had he not suddenly needed antibiotics but even with that I was still home in 36 hours!

I had a very positive experience. I think recovery is much faster for electives than if you have to go through labour and then need an emergency section.

I can’t take ibuprofen so I went to the chemist before I had the baby and asked them for the strongest painkillers they had and this was fine (just remember to take them for at least a week afterwards before you feel the pain as it can hit you all of a sudden).

Enjoy meeting your baby 😊 xx

[Chanelle29 in reply to Kyell2]

I can have my partner in recovery afterwards for atleast an hour. Releasing after 18hours is extremely quick! I'll make sure I'll keep on top of my meds, thank you!

[Missjej85]

Forgot to mention in my last post! I was on a shared ward twice (induction) then post birth.. it was ok.. got to chat to other mums when being induced, post birth it was a little noisy at all hours as you have mums being wheeled in and out and there babies and u hear nurses etc. most of the time the curtains were up to separate us but sometimes the nurses would come and make it all open.. it was nice to chat to other mums esp during covid as our partners were only allowed in during visiting hours (3hours a day 😭) if a private room was available I’d have taken it only as I really needed the sleep!

[Chanelle29 in reply to Missjej85]

Unfortunately there's no visiting at my hospital. So hopefully I'm in there no longer than 48hours! It will be nice to talk to other mums hopefully thy're nice!!

[Missjej85 in reply to Chanelle29]

Oh no!! That’s so bad hospitals are still not extending visiting hours during this time, my best advice to you is if you do have any kind of surgery (csection or episotomy) try and drink loads of water as in our hospital they wanted you to pee a certain amount before discharging you from hospital (it also helps your blood work)..wishing you all the best with whatever you decide, hopefully the mums will be nice esp as ur all in the same boat xx

[Chanelle29 in reply to Missjej85]

Thanks for the tip!! I'll keep you posted! I'm so excited but nervous too!

[Sammmmmmy]

HI I had exactly the same 6 weeks ago. My experience was so so good ! Couldn’t be happier with the decision I made. The operation went very well. The whole team inside the theatre was so nice and reassuring. ATM my wound is healing nicely and baby is doing very well 🤞 xxx

[Sammmmmmy]

Don’t worry too much if its ur only option. Hope it goes well. All the very best to u xxx

[Chanelle29 in reply to Sammmmmmy]

It is my only option. I cant wait to meet my baby. Thank you for your experience! Have you used a belly binder? I'm roughly a 14/16 dress size now with a slight hanging tummy before pregnancy. Im worried the hand will make the scar sore!.

[Sammmmmmy in reply to Chanelle29]

I haven’t used anything for my belly. I just want my wound to heal completely which I think it has now but just giving myself extra time just incase no, Call me crazy but I am not worried about my belly at all. I was and I still am a plus size so 😭 binder won’t make much difference for me. I might be wrong but I think my Dr. Said to leave my wound alone and not wear anything like that. X

[Sammmmmmy]

Hi Chanelle29, How did ur delivery went ? Hope it went well ..thinking of u x