How to Cope After a Caesarean

by Pippa Rands

Last year, following medical advice, I had an elective caesarean - not my choice, but due to a low-lying placenta. Having had a natural birth with our first child, Beth, I was keen to find out a bit more about caesareans. Luckily some NCT members in Ely had also had caesareans and gave me some invaluable advice. Through trial and error I was able to find out what worked for me at a time when I couldn't lift, drive or do any housework (what a shame!). My 'top tips' are:

1) Transport

If you have an older child, think seriously about how you will get about when you can drive, use a sling etc. I originally wanted a tandem double buggy but soon realised I couldn't lift it up kerbs with a 3-year old in the front seat. I ended up with a side-by-side double buggy and had to boycott some shops with narrow doorways.

2) Nappy Changing

Use a changing station or a bed - not the floor. It's hard enough to get yourself upright, let alone holding a baby.

3) Pants

Don't use disposable maternity pants as the mesh catches on your stitches (ouch!). Waist-high 'granny pants' were really comfortable for me and Tesco's Value range are as cheap as disposables anyway.

4) Night-time feeds

Consider having your baby in bed with you all night. Getting out of bed can be really hard, and you don't have to keep waking your partner to bring the baby to you.

5) Lifting

Think of ways to avoid lifting, especially if you have an older child e.g. - encourage your older child to use a step to climb in and out of the bath; - teach your older child to climb into a car seat; - go to the park with a friend who can lift your older child into a swing.

6) Hospital

Make the most of your recovery time in hospital. The staff were great at serving meals to me in bed, taking Jamie to the nursery so I could rest, giving bed baths etc. Life gets tougher once you get home.

For me, having a Caesarean was a positive experience, and being prepared meant I made a fairly quick recovery. My thanks goes to other NCT members for their advice and support before and after Jamie's birth.

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