c sections- really that bad?

[lozza22]

okay girls, Im going to have to have a c section with this baby (third one) cos i had prolapse surgery recently.

Im only sixish weeks gone but already googling it as its somthing ive never given alot of thought to with my last two deliveries having been vaginal ones (hence prolapse!).

Alot of what im reading is all about how awful recovery from c section is and the potential compliations etc.
I need to be fairly sufficient after the baby arrives cos my youngest will still be three and still pretty dependent on me and hubby can only be around for a week as hes self employed.

Suppose what im really hoping for is some experiences from people who have been through a section whether that be good or bad. That way i can gear myself up for whats to come, thanks

[Steben]

I have had two - first emergency, second planned. First time was like being hit by a bus - but also had had 30 hour labour and newborn to cope with.

Second time completely different kettle of fish - up and walking 16 hours after surgery - home in 24. Kept relatively still for a fortnight then had no choice but to get on with it with a three year old. Prob did do a bit too much to soon but needs must. My advice would be to keep on top of meds and get as much help as you can for first three weeks. Good luck!

[TiredyCustards]

Nah, they're fine. Both of mine were emcs too.

You will definitely need more than 1 week's help though. I had someone around (assorted relatives) for 3 weeks and was fine after that with toddler and newborn.

[aer85]

I had an emergency c section so thankfully no time to worry about it. Was up and about in a day or 2, although moving very slowly! After pain was not as bad as I expected either.I'm sure you'll be fine, try not to worry too much!

[OohMrDarcy]

I had 2 c-sections

first emergency after induction / 36 hr labour / failure to progress - was fine, had stronger epidural as normal one didn't work enough - tested BEFORE op! was up and about the next day and home in 3, within a week didn't need my meds at all

second emergency, after 52 hr natural labour culminating in failure to progress / panicking baby.... epidural wore off during op, but weirdly that was in no way a scary situation, the anaesthatist (sp?) was fab, kept a close eye and I just mentioned I was starting to feel more after a couple of mins, he got them to stop for a min - think he wanted to top me up or something, but something quite gory was going on so they couldn't - so they just lightly knocked me out with a mask ... I honestly remember it as a perfectly calm experience

similar recovery to the first one with the only added issue of a nearly 3 year old wanting carrys!

Good luck, am sure it will be fine!

[twistyfeet]

planned section was a walk in the park compared to my emergency one. I was out of hospital within 2 days, walking to the shops within 5 and I felt fine. The toddler was 13 months old so I pushed a double buggy.
If they offer you volterol up the bum say yes. Marvellous pain killer.

[PoppadomPreach]

My story is identical to Steben's. if I had a third, which I won't, I'd opt for an ELCS in a heartbeat.

(And to be quite honest, when they told me - rather apprehensively - I was heading for an EMCS with my first, I could have danced a jig - I have absolutely no issues with the fact I have not had a baby the "natural" way - I've had a baby! That's all that matters!)

Really try not to worry

(Ps my friend who is a nurse has had 3 ELCS as she was so put off by natural childbirth from her time in maternity in her training she thought CS was the straightforward option)

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I've had 3 c-sections - do I win ?

First was emergency and second two were planned. When I had my 3rd my second dc was only 19 months.

DH took ummm no paternity leave with any of my dc's. To be honest I didn't find recovery too bad, certainly not compared to friends who had horrible tears. But I did way too much lifting with my 3rd c-section and therefore bled a lot, an awful lot.

If you can take things easy and get some help in place then it will be fine. The main thing for me was not being able to drive for 3 weeks really.

[ShowOfHands]

I've had two emcs. First time round I was discharged after 12hrs, second time after 30hrs. No painkillers either time.

Second time round I was out of bed, eating dinner and then having a short walk within 3hrs of the op. DH only had a week's paternity leave and I had a school run to do with a 4 day old baby. It was fine. Quick to heal, no pain and it was a v positive experience.

You can't know what your experience will be but it isn't terrible for everybody or even most people. Listen to your body, take your painkillers if you need them and accept any and all offers of help if you want/need to.

[ChunkyPickle]

Just had one EMCS (so far) - no, it's not that bad. It's unpleasant (the op itself I heard very well described as feeling like someone roughly washing up in your torso), you need the painkillers for a few days, some people have complications (aside from horribly swollen legs for a few days, I didn't), and I found that as the internal stitches dissolved I'd get stabbing pains when I moved wrong even weeks later.

I'd invest in some supportive pants - I wobble a lot, and it was very uncomfortable unless held nice and firm with some sturdy pants.

I too was on my feet within hours, out of hospital as soon as they'd let me (day and a half), and taking short walks within a couple of days - by 6 weeks I was totally fine.

[DontmindifIdo]

I had an ELCS 6 weeks ago. I would say you need help for the first 2 weeks, I finally felt human again on day 8, and still was struggling to walk quickly by day 10. (By 2 weeks I was ok).

I was also driving by 2 weeks, check with your car insurance what they will need, mine just wanted the midwife to say she thought I could do an emergancy stop, I didn't need a letter or anything, but I've heard from some friends they needed a note from their doctor to say they were fine.

You won't be able to lift and you can't use your core muscles (I tried to lift DD's car seat out on day 11 when we went to get her registered, I couldn't do it). It will still hurt to sneeze/cough at 3 weeks.

Most importantly, buy really, really big pants. Some full ones in 2 sizes bigger than your normal size, you don't want anything digging in on your scar site...

[Phineyj]

I found my EMCS not much of a problem really apart from minor inconveniences like a bit of pain, having to wear those stocking things, having to think hard about how to lift baby etc.

With that in mind, I hear good things about this gadget (I didn't hear of it till DD was a few months old so didn't get it, but it would have been great in the first few weeks):

www.snugglebundl.co.uk/

I found a sling was useful for getting out and about, as the buggy and steps was too hard.

[Phineyj]

I found those mesh pants good (NCT sell them) but sanitary towels don't stick to them well - sorry if that is TMI!

[lozza22]

the last comment made me giggle phineyj, and nothing can ever be too much information it all helps to prepare. Thanks so much for all the responses, it seems on the whole most peoples experiences have been ok with the planned sections, feel for the ladies who ended up with emergency after going through labour first cos thats nakering enough on its own.

Im thinkin now tho that ile have to see if my mum can take a week off after dh goes back to work and then maybe i could rope my sister into helpin out where she can. Have to say dreadin not bein able to drive so its good to hear you were driving after two wks dontmindifido as i do all the school runs etc.

And thanks for all the other pointers, its very reassuring to hear real experiences from real women and know that everyone got through it one way or another :-)

[lozza22]

the snugglebundl looks brill idea will defo be lookin at getting one of those!

[Steben]

Want to add with regards to driving take as long as you need - 6 weeks recommended not gospel - drove after 3 weeks second time 6 first,

[Xmasbaby11]

How do you know when you can drive again? I thought 6 weeks was pretty much standard.

I will also be having ELCS after severe prolapse with DD. Watching this thread!

[MissStrawberry]

My advice would be to listen to the medical professionals. I didn't and took longer to recover.

If things go wrong speak up again and again until you are listened too. I didn't and I ended up with problems.

Get yourself informed but try not to over educate yourself to the point of stressing yourself.

Buy a lot of big comfy cotton pants!

[lozza22]

missstrawberry what problems did u end up with? and xmasbaby i just asked on another post u mentioned prolapse in but what sort of prolapse did u end up with and hav u had repair? i got rectocele grade 3 to 4, cystocele grade 3 and cervix grade 2, all from my big son. i had repair in march just gone so this pg not planned. i dont know anyone whos had same issues as me, was only 30 when my son was born so didnt expect it and dreadin a reaccurance this time round :-(

[MissStrawberry]

Just make sure they sew you up properly.

[duchesse]

I had a crash CS under GA in the middle of the night and it all worked out absolutely fine. Baby was in nicu for a week and she was just fine as well. No problems breastfeeding once they took her off her drips and naso-gastric tube, and she had only my milk for the first 10 months of her life (apart from tasting things and spitting them out again for three months). I had no wound infections, nothing going wrong in any way with the scar and nearly 4 years on you'd have to squint really hard to see it at all. I could have gone gone back to driving after a fortnight but didn't ask my GP in time.

I became a major convert to CS even though I know things don't always go this smoothly. Apparently planned CS are usually very calm and routine affairs.

I would however plan for extra help (your mum sounds like a very good idea!) for up to a month if you can to give you time to heal properly.

[scottishmummy]

I've never given birth vaginally.most cs you'll have good recovery
Despite what the zealous push with I analgesia on a gym ball crew tell you
After cs I was up next day home in 5days

[shallweshop]

Both of my DC's were born by C-section. With DD I was up, showered and walking around the next morning. My DH had a few days off work and then did another week of short days. I didn't have any other help. With my DS, I was up the same night, picking him up, feeding him etc because the nurses were busy and I didn't want to have to wait for them to pass him to me. Again, DH had a few days off work but I mainly just carried on as normal. I drove after 2 weeks with both.

[shallweshop]

Should just add that there is only 2 years between DD and DS so I didn't have to factor in school runs or anything.