things/advice to help with or after C-sec

My tip would be take one of those beanbags that you can warm in the microwave, I used it for two days on my cut and found the warmth and pressure helped with the discomfort. I asked the nurses whether it would be fine and they were happy too warm it up for me when I needed.

He he Claire - that means porridge brain needs to remember.

Best tip was from Vix (thanks Vix - big time) - I got a sports bottle from mrP and used this for my water. When you can't stretch /reach it was so convenient ...... and damn you drink loads.

probiotics - i took them on your advice and am glad i did. C/s babies don't get lactobacillus virus from vagina and make them prone to thrush in their tummies. So Tessa is actually on probiotics too, and the difference is amazing.

My scar seemed very flat from the get go, but after about a week I sent DH to get woolies support panties and haven't looked back.

For me day 2 was the worst/ hardest/ traumatic. At the time i wish i had known that that was the worst and it was only going to get better and better. So you just have to get through day 2!!!

I would have EVERYTHING ready at home. Like if lo is going to be sleeping in your room to start, have the temporary nappy changing station all set up. I didn't have a container for cooled boiled water and this was a major mission to sort out when sore and dealing with a newborn..... go figure!

Oh and i loved my actual c/s. Was an amazing experience and i was lucky to have a paed that agreed with kangeroo care, i think this helped big time with bonding and having a chilled calm baby.

Thanks for this thread vix, it has taken me 8 months to notice it, but anyway! There are some great tips here..

1. while in hospital, if you are feeling up to it, on waking, GET up and go and get ready immediately before the day gets really busy. GO ans wash ( only if you are feeling well like i was) and brush your hair and put loose fitting clothes on.. I even put a bit of make up on after a hot shower.. that way, i didnt feel like i was ill and depressive, it made me feel positive to face the day, all the docs, nurse and all the visitors.

You may put a do not disturb sign on your door, but remember that this means that the nurses dont tend to your baby either if in your room. it means that you will have to request cleaners etc, but that you might have a bit more piece and quiet to rest.

I also highly recommend that you let baby stay with the nurses the first 2 nights, then the 3rd night, you might want to try having baby in your room through the night so that you can call the nurse if it gets a bit much, but you can learn from them..

just a warning, if you are having a c-sec and its booked 2 weeks before due date, baby can still come out before hand, so ask your doctor for his cell number should your waters break in the middle of the night.. it happened to my friend and she endured 8 hrs of labour because they couldnt get hold of her gynae> on his arrival they prepped her for c-sec as she wasnt dilating..

Also, ask the qynae/ nurses to talk you through the hospital procceedure for after c-sec with you and with baby. With my baby , even though he was completely healthy, they wouldnt bring him to me until i had drank some tea - which took 10 minutes or so!! i felt that i had the right to do kangaroo care as soon as possible and I panicked and shouted at everyone just to bring my baby as they didnt have a right to keep him from me and 10 minutes felt like forever, after they had taken 20 minutes already to sew me up while hubby went with baby to nursery... at other hospitals they let baby stay with mom on the bed while they sew you up and then wheel you back to your room together and baby only needs the incubator if advised by gynae - i would request this next time!

I used Edgar's slimmers pants instead of the belts and they really worked well holding everything into place.

Still have what I call my Mommy Pouch but it is not unsightly but it does not bulge out so you cannot really see it through my clothes although I am no close to being a bikini babe

Sorry gals I never saw any of your questions til now.

Claire- I don't know about the pro biotic thing, it can't do any harm that's for sure although I'm not sure why you would be at higher risk of getting thrush cos a C-sec?

Mmmm did I mention on this thread about the pain replacement for synap forte? They sometimes use Tramacet now and it can cause a horrible runny tummy and cramps, that was really not nice for me, it's tough to run to the toilet every min after a C-sec. They kept telling me it was the voltaren supps but they didn't affect me last time. When I stopped taking the Tramacet the tummy went back to normal, I would rather sit with pain thana runny tummy. So if anyone experiences the same thing then please ask them to change your pain meds.

Lucy- interested to know if you used one of those belts and if it helped. I had one from a friend which I fully intended to use but I just couldn't bring myself to put it on over my very sore tummy, I rather used some supportive panties.

bump

Lucy - you need to put your tips in here hun