Give it to me straight - caesarean at 33 weeks, what do I need to know?

[Jennifer13]

Hun as you prepare for this. I can tell you what helped me to recover from the c/s as quickly as possible (I was up and about within about 6 hrs with very little pain). I had a c/s that was booked in, so I had no labour lead-up and no exhaustion.

I saw the hospital physio beforehand who gave me a sheet of exercises to do to get your legs back, if you're having a spinal anaesthetic (not a GA). Stretches, flexes of the toes, that kind of thing, to get blood flowing and muscles moving. I also found it was good for me not to use the pain medication button (through IV) much, since it made me drowsy (mind you, you need to do whatever works for you to recover too!). As soon as I was able, I started walking around. I found if I wanted to sit down it was better in a chair than a bed. And a shower ASAP since I felt yucky from the whole procedure! Take it easy, let your pain determine what you're capable of, but get around as much as you possibly can without straining yourself.

I got no skin to skin with my baby and didn't see her until I was back in my room. I know it might be a bit longer for you, but I did get out of recovery sooner by not clicking the pain med button while waiting (the theatre nurse knew how desperate I was to get out of there and told me that, but it might be different at your hospital). As soon as I saw her I put her on my chest. It didn't effect our ability to bf not having her straight away, but I'm aware that you are facing different circumstances.

ETA: I should add, not to confuse anyone, I took the oral painkillers as much as I was prescribed. It was the IV meds that I wanted to kick ASAP, since I wasn't able to have DD in with me while I was still attached to a drip and it seriously limited my ability to get around and get out of bed. Hope that makes sense!