Care after Csection

the only time my wound hurt this time around was getting out of bed, because i had to scoot to the bottom of the bed to get out, i used my tummy muscles and i really shouldn’t have, i didn’t have any pain other than that

Someone said to put it on the dad's side to start with and get them to do the picking up and handing over. Sounds like a good idea to me?

Good luck with your c section! I had one 8 weeks ago and I’d say after 3 weeks I was feeling back to normal. The first week is the worst but you dramatically improve after that I think, just keep mobile. I did find it hard to get out of bed with the next to me, it’s not impossible but doesn’t help. Maybe it can go on your partner’s side. Tbh in the first week or two I couldn’t twist very well to get the baby out of the next to me anyway so using it as a normal crib (not with the side dropped down) and having the space to get out of bed was easier. It’s easy to move about so do what feels right for you :) Hope that helps!

I just had the side up and next to me at a diagonal to the bed so I had space to swing my legs around and sit up. After a week I was able to have thr next to me with the side down next to me and then I just shuffled to the end of the bed to get out x

Me and my husband found it easier to switch sides. So he could pass baby to me to feed. I wasn’t able to get on the floor and do nappies so he was doing that as well, the first week I found hard and felt the pain while walking. Honestly just take it easy (coming from a women who hates help) take the help when you get it xxx

Thank you all for your advice! We have decided to do unthinkable and swap sides of the bed whilst I'm in recovery. His side isn't as easy to have the next to me crib! Hopefully that helps! Any other tips on any other aspect of recovery would be lovely as we are both a bit thrown by the change of delivery, lucky we have had some time and it isn't an emergency, so we can't complain xx

I've had 3 and for all of mine I found it easier to have a bassinet in the living room and to sleep propped up on the couch the first little bit back at home. It was easier to get up and down from the couch than trying to get up from flat on the bed. You also asked for other tips: take the meds around the clock at least the first week. Even if you come off narcotics continue taking the Tylenol and motrin as scheduled. Pain inhibits rest and rest is hard to come by anyway (and your body needs it to heal). Ask for an abdominal binder & use a pillow for early walking, coughing & laughing. Communicate with & lean on your partner. Don't be afraid to ask for help going to the bathroom or showering. You may get dizzy at first that's normal bc of BP changes. As far as wound care goes, per my wound care Dr's eat a lot of protein (also good for milk supply if choosing to nurse) and increase vitamin C& D. Follow your Dr's woundcare instructions to the T and after the initial period ask about cleaning with gold dial.

I saw someone gave tips and thought of another it’s TMI but I’m hoping you avoid a painful episode … take all the laxatives they give, also you can buy ‘Fybrogel’ it just helps things flowing. I was in agony about 4 days after my c and don’t wish it on anyone!

I am 17 days pp and I am still in pain can hardly walk this is my 3rd section amd my worst one by far just don't over do it take time to heal x

Thank you all for the advice! I've been bed bound due to medical conditions from week 29/30. The pain I've been in is horrific so atleast I'm some what used to that! My partner has been my rock and I feel sad he's not getting a break after birth! Another reason we wanted natural so hopefully I would be better! Another 6 weeks of rest to my already near 10 weeks! Thank you again for all your advice we really appreciate it! Hope all of you are doing well and continue to get better xx

I had a bassinet next to the bed and it was really hard both getting up and getting the strength without using my abdominal muscles to pick up our daughter out of it. Sometimes I was unable to get that strength to do so or feared I’d drop her from being unstable so dad ended up havi mg to get out of bed anyway and come around to hand her to me or I’d have to wiggle my way down to the end of the bed and pick her up while standing. Definitely think about having it on dads side and having him hand baby to you.

@Rachael yeh... but you're not getting a break after birth either are you? 😅 try to be kinder on yourself x

I actually didn’t have a side crib and if you have a regular crib just make sure it’s a little bit high And don’t eat any solid because it will put you in so much pain when you have to pass the first stool and don’t be afraid to ask for help because I went through so much pain because I refuse to ask for help grab as much as you can from the hospital because they’ll charge you for them anyway like diaper and wipes and baby bed sheet

When the baby sleep sleeps

Honestly, the first couple of days after the c-section are the most painful (don't be afraid to ask for stronger medication). By the time you go home, the pain is a lot more manageable. Just try to take it easy the first few weeks, and getting out of bed is probably the worst of it (try to roll to your side to get up). But it's really not that bad (they'll give you pain medication to take at home as well) but I didn't really take it after the first week

I found Co-sleeping to be much easier immediately after my c section. Twisting and getting in and out of bed was the hardest thing for me so I did whatever I could to reduce it. Another c section tip I would say is get an anti slip in bath/shower mat, have a changing station set up on both floors if you have stairs, I put a mini fridge in my room to have drinks and snacks available at a reach and support your stomach area if you cough or sneeze. I found the c section experience to be great, everyone’s recovery is different but you will be up and about before you know it.

Take a pillow in the car as it stops the belt from rubbing in. Roll to your side rather than upwards if you can.

@Esthephany that first postpartum poop is a NIGHTMARE! It took me 2 weeks to have a bowel movement after my first birth that ended in an emergency C-section. This time with my elective I wasn’t playing around and on the 3rd or 4th day did a suppository and that did the trick 😂

Agreed that the first week is the most challenging! Get your partner to help you in and out of bed, particularly when coming out from laying flat. I found it really hard to get our little one out of the bassinet alone during that first week and definitely pushed a bit too much. It helped immensely to have my partner help me up by either grabbing my hands and helping me prop up, or otherwise pushing me upwards from behind. Does that make sense? I’m two weeks PP now and can get in and out on my own just fine. Proper posture makes a big difference too, i.e I roll on my side first and the push up with my arms, sit on edge of bed and then lift myself off.