c section questions

[Melanie3103]

Sorry if these are stupid questions, i'd rather ask here and have you all laugh at me, than the midwife thinking I'm dim...

So this time we are 99% having a csection - so can I ask... obviously they cut and remove baby - do they remove placenta too ? Assume they do ? As there's no contractions etc to expel the placenta vaginally.

But I've heard you still bleed a lot - which surprised me - maybe that's me being dim again. In fact a friend of mine said you bleed more after a csection than you do after a natural birth.

So made me start to wonder... are there any other differences so I can be prepared ? I had my son 4yrs ago naturally... so just want to be prepared for the different "mode of exit" lol...

xx

 

[Summergurl]

Hi,

I had an emergency c section with my daughter in Aug 2016.

Yes they remove the placenta at the same time.

I was shocked too when all the numbness wore off and I stood up and out came a gushing of blood. I wasn't expecting it and I apologised to the midwife who told me not to be sorry she sees it every day and it's prerfectly natural.

I didn't bleed that much afterwards, maybe for a couple of weeks and it wasn't too heavy either. But I think with these things all bodies are different. I have nothing to compare it too though as she was my first.

I would say be prepared for a bit of pain and discomfort. You won't be able to go straight back to sleeping on your stomach so if you have a pregnancy pillow don't put it away, it'll still be very handy.

Get lots of time laid down airing the scar as that will help it heal quicker.

Try not to use your stomach muscles too much for the first couple of weeks with things like getting off he sofa and out of bed etc.

Don't be worried about the scar being raised and bumpy it will almost disappear, I can barely even see mine now.

let people do things for you. Don't be afraid to ask them to help out with lifting the baby to you or bringing you a cuppa or whatever. Rest is very important.

Most importantly though, enjoy your time with your newborn

 

[Diamond18]

I don't think this is a silly question at all, it's great your preparing yourself for a pretty serious op!

Your friend isn't wrong, but isn't right either, haha. It completely varies from woman to woman, but generally you loose less blood from a natural birth than from c-section and bleed slightly less longer after a natural birth than a c-section - but it's all relative.

As summergurl said, be prepared to do a lot lot less and ask for help for the first few weeks.

You'll stay in the hospital for a few days longer, I think it's three on average?

You're going to need to rest, try not to use abdominal muscle or lift heavy things, shouldn't be driving for a few weeks, sex off the table until you feel able.

That's all I can think off of the top of my head. I'm sure your Midwife or Consultant will walk you through it all! Xx

 

[claire_louise9]

I'm recovering from a c section at the moment I stayed in for 1 night . Yes they do remove your placenta and I was so shocked when I had a emergency c section with DD1 that you bleed after. Well nearly 2 weeks on my bleeding has almost stopped, scar is healing nicely and other than the first couple of days I haven't had any pain meds. Although I cannot do any lifting other than my baby I'm feeling really good. X

 

[Melanie3103]

thanks ladies, appreciate the advice xx