Tips for Caesareans / C-Sections – Before, During & After

Last week I found out that my baby is still breech, and appears to be well and truly determined to stay in that position. As a result, I will be having an elective caesarean / c-section. Whilst gutted to not be able to give birth vaginally (as hard as I found it the first time around), I was also incredibly fearful of the whole procedure and recovery process. What has amazed me since I shared this post was just how supportive people can be. I got sent some amazing words of wisdom from friends, family and my wider blogging community about how to get through the elective caesarean / c-section process and tips to make the process as smooth and calm as possible. I have to say, their advice has been amazing, and despite the stress of a hospital cock up in booking the actual date, I am feeling a little more calm about my babies impending arrival!

For anyone else who is expecting to have an elective caesarean / c-section, I have collated their tips and advice for before, during and after in to one easy access post! 🙂

 Caesarean / C-Section Tips  – Before

• Take entertainment to the hospital, as there can often be quite a wait. Katy from Katykicker waited 5 hours for her c-section despite being a relatively urgent case, so you may well need something to pass the time. I will be taking a fully charged iPad, some magazines, and my Harry Potter book – I’m not sure I can handle talking to Mike for that long 😉
• Be involved – don’t be afraid to ask them for the birth that you want – e.g. you can request the curtain up or down, music / radio on if you wish skin to skin straight away etc. (via NicolaSays)
• Pack a nightie rather than pyjamas as you will have a catheter for the first 12 hours following the procedure (via Strawberry Fountain)
• Write down all your questions before you see any health professional so that you don’t forget, and don’t be shy about asking lots of questions, even the same questions more than once! Being as informed as much as possible helps with your mental preparation, mental acceptance, and emotional resilience (via AdventuresofaNoviceMum)
• Make sure you take snacks! I had surgery at 10pm and then didn’t eat until 6pm the following day (minus a couple of chocolate chip biscuits I had with me) I couldn’t get out of bed until 4pm and was starving – which in turn affected my son because my milk wasn’t giving him everything he needed – via HannahSays)
• If having an elective caesarean / c-section, eat just before the cut off time – I stayed up until 11.30 & had bowl of cereal & a biscuit. You don’t want to just have dinner & then nothing in case you’re later on the list the following day or you will be starving! (via my good friend Ruth!

Caesarean / C-Section Tips – During

• Let the medical staff know if you feel cold or sick – they can give you something to counteract it. (via Katykicker)
• Try and stay calm – Terri at Strawberry Fountain got a little hysterical and was shaking so much they couldn’t get the injection into her spine!
• Ask your birthing partner for a bit of help when you first hold the baby in theatre as you are likely to be shaky from the medication (via Me3boysandmudpie)
• Don’t get hung up about not having a ‘normal’ birth. This upset me immensely for the first couple of weeks before I realised that my baby wouldn’t care a jot which way she came out. I can honestly say I don’t either now and she’s 14 weeks  (via PonderingParenthood)

Caesarean / C-Section Tips – After 

• Stand up straight when you start walking around – you will worry that you may split your wound – but you won’t!
• Use a chilled panty liner to put on the top of your big knickers to stop rubbing your wound. (via Katykicker)
• Wear loose pyjamas or loose fitting clothes and baggy knickers – the more comfy the better!
• Don’t be afraid to keep asking for drugs if you are in pain – particularly if you miss a painkillers round! (via NicolaSays)
• Arnica gel or tablets can help physical healing and prevent bruising.
• Get up and walk around as soon as you feel able – not only will it stop you stiffening up but will help prevent trapped wind pains!! (via MyFamilyFever)
• Hold a pillow to your tummy on the journey home – you will still feel the bumps in the road, but it will be cushioned (via Mrs Shilts)
• Post op trapped wind can be really uncomfortable – peppermint tea or sucking on mints can really help! (via MyFamilyFever)
• You get a lot of air into the abdomen after a c-section and the best way to ease the pain cause by the air is to lay on your back. Lift your knees as high as you can without it hurting your stitches and rock side to side. This helped me so much as I was in a lot of pain from it (via KellyRobinson)
• The painkillers can clog you up a little bit – so don’t be afraid to ask for a laxative if needed – via A Strong Coffee)
• Changing tables are a godsend, as bending down to change a nappy can be difficult! – (via Emslf)
• Sneezing and coughing can REALLY hurt – so hold a pillow over your wound! (via Messyblog)
• Listen to your body – I was told I wouldn’t be able to do anything for at least 6 weeks but was up and about the next day. It’s all about what is right for you not a blanket policy where one size fits all (via Twinderelmo)
• A supply of  frozen foods for easy meals when you get home is a good idea! (via SeasideHousewife)
• When you’re first up afterwards make sure your shower isn’t too warm – I nearly passed out as mine was too hot! (via MarriedtoaGeek)
• Lots of people don’t realise that you still bleed afterwards, I bled for 6 weeks with my first two and 4 weeks with my third so buy lots of maternity pads. (via TheyGrowUpSoQuick)
• I was sent home with a week’s worth of blood thinning injections, and some people will be given compression stockings to wear too, as you are at risk of developing a blood clot in your legs (DVT). You, or a family member, will have to administer an injection once a day into your tummy or the top of your leg, a midwife will show you how to do it. It stings a little but it’s not too bad- I used to do it first thing in the morning so I could forget about it for the rest of the day (via WonderfullyAverage) 
• Drink plenty afterwards so you can pee easier! Going for a wee was one of the criteria to being allowed home, I was determined to get home quick as I had wanted a home labour but had an emergency section in the end. I drank 5 jugs of water and went easily! The other 2 mums on my ward couldn’t go so had 48 hours added automatically to their stay! Might not be same at all hospitals though! (via TwoHeartsOneRoof)
• I was visited by a physio who gave me some tummy strengthening enerxcise – pulling your belly button intowards you to create muscle memory and strength. This helps prevent a ‘shelf’ of skin. They gave me a leaflet and programme of what activities I could do and when in my recovery phase -very useful. Also, massage above your scar after about six weeks to help internal scar tissue heal and it helps the swelling.  (via MissusWolf)
• If you are breastfeeding use the c position, lay down with your arm above baby and knees brought up underneath, so you protectively surround baby in bed. Cross cradle hold will put all the pressure on your scar (via Mumworthy)
• Get a second Moses basket for downstairs during the day so when you are alone you aren’t going up and down the stairs all the time and you can put baby down and pick up without having to bend down too much (our reader Alison).
• In hospital use the electronic bed functions to adjust it to get in and out of bed with less pain and raise you up to the level of your baby to get them out of the cot (our reader Alison).
• Don’t be afraid to ask the midwives with picking baby up and changing nappies during the night. They were very willing to help and it was nice to have a bit of company during those first few nights (our reader Alison).

I hope you find these c-section tips useful. If you have a birthing partner or want some tips for those supporting you through your caesarean / C-section, please check out my other post Advice for C-Section Dads – full of c-section hints, tips and advice on how they can help you.

Did you have a caesarean / c-section? (elective or emergency)? What other tips / advice would you add?

Lucy x