CS after VBAC

[Kmn]

I had a CS for a breech bub, and have previously had a couple of rounds of major pelvic surgery. Here's some of my tips to make it easier - I'll keep adding to them as I remember:
1) When they say "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" it is worth having a drink and snack at 11.30. Anxiety about surgery is bad enough without adding major hungry and thirsty.
2) After the surgery drink a little water very often. Start eating gently though - throwing up with a cut tummy aint fun.
2a) If you feel at all nauseous tell someone - there are meds to stop you chucking and they are worth using
2b) Take pain meds as suggested initially, and don't wait for the pain to get really bad before taking the next dose - take the next dose as the pain starts to worsen. It's important for you to be mobile as soon as you can after surgery (even if it's just wriggling in bed), and the pain meds will help you do this.
3) practise rolling from back to side without using your tummy muscles beforehand. I find that if I tense my bottom and pelvic floor I can then pull myself over with my arms and not stress my tummy at all - find what works for you
3a) similar idea for getting up
4) Granny undies - several sizes bigger than pre-pregnancy. So nothing rubs or squashes your cut
4a) big, soft clothes (yoga pants, pj's, trackies, whatever - but nothing with a zip or other stiff material). You don't suddenly shrink after a c-section, so whatever fit late in pregnancy will probably be fine here too.
4b) avoid long nighties - getting them out from under yourself so that you can bfeed is really awkward.
5) bfeeding lying down was great for me - but do keep bub's legs wrapped up or put a thick towel over your tummy, 'cause a kick in the tummy (even from a little baby) hurts lots
6) put a folded up jumper or baby blanket or similar between your tummy and the seatbelt on the way home
7) pack your stuff for hospital in several little bags. It means that when you pack to go home you can lift the damn things!

hth a bit
Kate