C section advice

Don't get feel let down mine did this by 32 week it moved and then I got told I could have a normal labour bit sadly my daughter was weighing on big side so had to get a x section but just keep on the move and baby should move it

All the above advice is A+. Just wanted to say, my c section experience was terrific! It was an emergency, but everyone was calm and explained everything to me as they went, it all happened quickly, and they saw to all my needs and baby's needs. We had immediate skin to skin and my husband was present for almost all of it. Also wanted to say that I also had a low lying placenta. They thought it was high enough for a V delivery, but it ruptured 2 days after my due date. Keep an eye out for bleeding, especially painless bleeding, and if you have to go into L&D, don't wait. For recovery, make sure you can easily get in and out of bed using just your arms, not your core; make sure baby is close to your bed (a few steps can feel like a lot) and, if you have stairs in your house, keep enough of what you will need for baby on one floor. Get help with things like getting in and out of vehicles. You use your core a lot more than you realize you do.

I’ve had 2 c sections now. One emergency and one planned and let me tell you the planned is so much easier to recover from! I absolutely understand the anxiety! For my planned I knew what was going to happen and was probably more anxious than my emergency (maybe because I was exhausted and ready to be done!). Try to remember that although it is major surgery, the people in the room had likely done it hundreds of times! They know what they are doing. Make sure you let them know how you are feeling, if something hurts and most importantly if you get nauseous as they can give you something to make it go away! After… take the stool softener… even if you don’t think you need it and drink drink drink water! The quicker you hydrate the quicker they will take the cannula out! Make sure you take your pain meds on time! Don’t let them wear off! At least for the first week! Try and get up and walking around (even just from the bed to a chair) as often as you can! It really helps!

Don't lift anything heavy. Get pretty rest, try, and walk a little bit plus get your partner to look after you and baby

I had an emergency c-section with my first, honestly my recovery was absolutely fine! I stayed on top of the pain relief they gave and took it a bit easy but I barely noticed any pain, honestly I think I would have suffered way more with a vaginal birth x

My friend had the same thing where placenta was covering the cervix but it moved before birth and she delivered at home in birth pool. Either way I’m sure you will be fine and they will take very good care of you 🤗

Thankyou all so much 🥹 you’re all too kind easing my nerves 🥲🩷 fingers crossed it will move in the next four weeks but not going to get my hopes up just incase. Your advice is massivly appreciated. Super hero’s the lot of you 🌹❤️‍🩹

If this makes you feel better, my vaginal birth was HORRENDOUS and 6 days long in hospital as I was pushed to do an induction only because I was 4 days overdue. I suffered so much unnecessary pain. My sister in law had to have a c section and had a very good experience and she is likely to get another one for the next baby 😊

I had a planned C-section almost 8 weeks ago and it was honestly the most amazing experience! Very different to my first birth which was vaginal but it was still magical. We opted to have the drapes lowered as baby was born which was amazing! We chose our own music and it was so calm and controlled. Recovery was painful but so is a vaginal birth recovery. But after a week I felt able to do most things again x

Don’t be scared. My c section was unbelievable and I wouldn’t have done it any other way. No Labour, no pain, what an absolute dream. The surgery and recovery has been an absolute doss. Loved the whole thing 🥰🥰 I opted to have a section just because I didn’t want to do vaginal Labour best decision I ever made!

mine was emergency cos they found poo when my waters broke at 4cm and everything went well doctors in cardiff were amazing and i barely felt after pains was walking fine after and used stayed on top of my painkillers (anadin extra) and felt no pain first 10 days, with anadin extra, dont stress it will go well for you too xx

i had a traumatic birth which ended up in a c section and honestly the section was the least traumatic part of my whole birth, the doctors were amazing they knew i was anxious they talked me through everything that was happening and my partner was with me the whole time which eased my anxiety a lot, mine was done in about 45 minutes, as for recovery, take painkillers even if you think you don’t need them anymore, i ended up just taking ibuprofen 3 times a day for 4 weeks, also move about as regularly as you can but don’t push yourself, if you need to sneeze/cough i promise a blanket/pillow against your incision will stop it hurting so bad, if the help is available take it, there is no shame in needing help, you’ll be okay, a planned c section is better than an emergency xx

Don’t be disheartened, I promise it isn’t as bad. I knew from 12 weeks into my pregnancy it was going to be a C-section as I had placenta preavia where my cervix was completely blocked. Had a scan at 32 weeks, didn’t move at all. I had another scan at 36 weeks with a consultant where she physically tried to move but it didn’t move at all, not even a little. I must admit I was afraid too but knowing quite early on in my pregnancy it mentally prepared me so I knew what was coming my way. Honestly the medical staff were amazing, always there and making sure i was comfortable. I’m not going to lie it was a little painful here and there afterwards but painkillers helped. Take it easy and remember to move little but often as I believe doing that helped me recover quite quickly. Please don’t do any heavy lifting, they advise against lifting anything heavier than your baby until 6 weeks as well as driving. Regardless of which way it goes for you, It will all be alright❤️❤️xx

'Not scared of vaginal birth but scared of cesarean.' That's something i would've never thought! I was induced but had to have an emergency c section. My son couldn't take it, and his heart was stopping, so for me vaginal birth is scary and uncertain. We went to have to emergency c section, had a lovely bunch of doctors and nurses, i couldn't feel a thing, and my baby was right there in 10 minutes! My husband was so nervous he kept guessing everyone's accent and made the whole experience like 'meeting up with our friends in a pub'. It was very reassuring, safe, and relaxed. They said that I was recovering very quickly because of some previous exercise, and its very important to be very well hydrated. I am pregnant with my second and will definitely have a c-section. Good luck!

I am *terrified* of blood that isn't time of the month blood and I'd never had surgery before. Ended up with an emergency c-section and at the time I was so stressed out (48hrs in labour) and baby needed it but I made it through it because of baby and it wasn't *that bad*. Planned c-sections are pretty chilled I've heard. Recovery was ok, moving around little and often helps, accept all the help you can in the first few weeks forget housework, and waddling helps with moving around. Women are effing incredible and you can do this x

I had a surprise pregnancy and my placenta ended up being low lying and covering my cervix. I had to have an emergency C-section cos I started to hemorrhage.

I had a c section for the same reasons. I was also very worried but as you are high risk they do really look after you, so safer than having an emergency c section. You will have the top surgeons on and it’s great that it’s planned. I had my LG at 37 weeks just make sure you rest plenty after I didn’t and I’ve had infections as a result. No twisting, bending or carrying heavy things. Listen to your body if any signs of infections book an appointment with the nurse and ask for silver dressings. Also start taking vitamin c and zinc a couple of weeks before prevents infections and keeps you healthy for the healing wish I had of. Good luck 🤗

I had to have a c section and it was an amazing experience, I wouldn't change it! Just take it easy after, the first few days/ week is the worst but after that you'll be surprised how quickly you're able to get back to normal 😄 also don't pressure yourself, if you need rest just rest and enjoy your newborn bubble it's amazing ♥️ take paracetamol and gets lots of orange juice, prunes/dates as you may be constipated after! Good luck , it'll all be worth it when you meet your little one xx

Tysm for all of your kind and reassuring comments. Can I also ask when you were booked in for those who had a planned section? Will it be bang on 40 weeks? Thankyou in advance 🥺🩷

I think it's between 39-40 weeks of everything is okay with baby! 😄 Not sure as I had mine emergency at 37 weeks x

I was bang on 39. X

@Hannah @Harriet Thankyou ladies!