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November 2023 Babies 🇬🇧

C section essentials

Hey ladies i had my little one at 31 weeks via emergency C section due to placenta abruption and Preeclampsia. I had a birth plan but my appointment to discuss my birth plan was 34 weeks and I didnt get that far obviously. So here are a few tips that i found useful/wish i knew prior to C Section. Of course ultimately there’s no control over what might occur but these are some things i learned and thought were helpful for elective c sections or scheduled c sections or just generally for birth.

- I bought Frida disposable underwear but they were really uncomfortable around my incision site so i ordered cotton HIGH WAISTED underwear from amazon and feel less anxious about infection or grazing my incision site now. Super comfy will post link below.

- My baby is currently in NICU and im exclusively pumping while he’s still learning the sucking swallow breathe reflex. BUY A PUMPING BRA!! I just got it 2 weeks postpartum and it’s been amazing especially for the night pumps because i bought a medela swing maxi pump not a wearable pump.

- Make sure you keep some colostrum for yourself!! I was in ICU due to fluid in my lungs for 5 days and only began expressing 3 days postpartum for obvious reasons. I pumped colostrum and gave it to the NICU staff and really wish i kept just a little for myself but im aware of my circumstances and ultimately glad my son was given that quantity of colostrum.

- You can request for pain medication add request to stop it! I was given morphine and fentanyl for pain medication and it ran me down too much so I stopped taking it.

- Stick to a pumping schedule that works for you. I pump every 3 hours during the day. I sleep at 10pm and wake up at 4am and feeling well rested. I resume every 2-3 hours after my 4am pump

- You NEED to rest! I unfortunately did not rest while i was in hospital, kept going downstairs to cafe as my in laws brought visitors out visited me themselves. When I got discharged I couldn’t rest as im visiting my baby in NICU and spending full days there so I think back and wish i used the time in hospital to fully recover. Now I have a huge bruise and hematoma that is making these trips a bit more painful.

- Set your boundaries and stick to them with sternness. It’s becoming easier for me now bc my sons health is on the line and I wont jeopardise that so family feels special. You know what’s best for your baby.

- Buy the stool softener that works best for you. I didnt go number 2 until 3 days post op and my mom shipped me Miralax from the states. Prior to taking my laxative I was given two different ones that didn’t work for me.

- Bruising is normal for up to 7 days postpartum. After that go get checked and request an abdominal ultrasound. Pain on one side is often from the trauma of the incision and stitches but still go get checked.

- DO NOT HOLD YOUR PEE. If you need to go, go.

- Don’t reach up or pick anything heavy up. You might think “oh this chair is not too heavy let me move it” but it is affecting your healing. Take it easy.

- Know that you are capable of more than you think you are!! The strength I’ve witnessed from myself is truly amazing and im so proud of how I’ve been able to manage things. It is not easy but you will prevail. Im 2 weeks postpartum and just feel proud - it’s painful hard but it’s your journeyl!!