https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:35:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2021520 Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:03:03 +0000 ValentineMommy 2021520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My csection was planned and I had a great experience. Checked into the hospital at 6:30am (why so early, I have no idea) for an 8:30am scheduled delivery. Was taken back into the OR at 8:35 and prepped (they did shave me). I was given the spinal (definitely anticipated this being horrible, but I didn't feel anything), then DH was let in the room. DS was born at 9:26am and I was in recovery by 10:15. They made me move around a few hours later which was super duper unpleasant. </p> <p>The worst part of the experience for me was the pain medication. I had percocet, which I didn't realize was giving me MAJOR side effects. I had terrible, horrible migraines. They thought that I had a spinal leak. Turns out it was from the medication, which they figured out 5 days later. It was a long five days.</p> <p>My only piece of advice I can give that no one else mentioned is this...if you can't sleep, ask for ambien or something. I literally was so AMPED and wanted to be with my DS aaaaaaall the time (see every face! hear every hiccup! etc) that I didn't sleep for the first THREE days. I was wide eyed and not tired at all. This probably didn't help my recovery at all and I had no idea that they would have given me sleep meds had I asked for them. That may sound ridiculous, but I'd rather mention it than someone else go through it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2019897 Mon, 12 Jan 2015 10:22:08 +0000 Littlebit 2019897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was given this moist towelette thing to prep with after my shower the morning of. Just had to wipe myself down with it, and then they did it again right before surgery. I didn't shave or anything and they never shaved me either. My incision is right above the hairline. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2019078 Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:20:29 +0000 Mae 2019078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was not nearly as painful as I expected. Through my whole recovery I don't think I ever rated my pain above a 3 or maybe briefly a 4 when I was first trying to sit up on my own or get myself out of bed the evening of my c-section. And I refused all meds except ibuprofen and tylenol. They tried to push narcotics on me (surgeon, nurses, even my midwife!) but I didn't see the point in taking meds when I wasn't in that much pain and I didn't want to be groggy when dealing with my baby. Trust your instincts and take the meds if you want them but if you feel you're okay don't let them scare you! I never took a single narcotic and I was just fine. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2019071 Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:11:49 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2019071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: I had two planned sections and neither time did I get special pre-op instructions other than no food a certain amount of time before surgery. Both my birth stories are on the blog.</p> <p>I was shaved in the OR with a bic razor with my first section &amp; in pre-op with an electric razor with my second section. I definitely preferred the first option- I ended up with 3 ingrown hairs this time around!</p> <p>I don't even remember getting IV antibiotics ahead of time. They drew labs &amp; I don't recall being hooked up to actual IVs until I was in the OR. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2019066 Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:08:55 +0000 marionberry 2019066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Surprisingly, my c-section was planned but they never told me to do anything ahead of time - other than not eat. I made sure to shower and shave that morning but that was it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2018574 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:24:58 +0000 MamaG 2018574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I know! My first was not planned. I had done some grooming before hand (induction). But they did more before surgery. They probably scrubbed me down as well, but I wasn't told to go shower or anything as I already had my epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2018561 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:15:37 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2018561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Shows what I know! Since my section wasn't actually "planned" I didn't get any instructions. They did wipe the area with some kind of disinfectant before, but that's all that I recall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2018558 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:11:46 +0000 MamaG 2018558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My second c-section was planned (just 8 weeks ago). I was given specific instruction not to shave/wax. They did it in the OR. Also I was given a special soap to use. I was instructed to bathe with it the night before and again the morning of. </p> <p>All of this is to take every pre-caution against infection. </p> <p>I was also given antibiotics by IV before surgery to help guard against infection. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2018488 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 16:38:47 +0000 Mamasig 2018488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: I was shaved as part of the pre op prep. Another part of the directions told me to bathe the night before with antibacterial soap like Dial and again that morning. Also no deodorant or lotion. All of this is to help prevent infection. They also said to sleep in freshly washed sheets. I did all this the 1st time with my planned section. The second time my c section was bumped up and I had to wipe down with these antibacterial body wipes. Definitely not as easy when your 9 months pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips/page/2#post-2018475 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 16:26:19 +0000 Espion 2018475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Technically, it is better for them to shave you, because there is a higher risk of infection when you shave yourself prior. (Bacteria have time to burrow themselves into the little cuts. But if they shave you, they'll be dousing you with betadine or chlorhexidine immediately after.)</p> <p>This going to get me flamed (probably), but I used Nair. It is topical and there is no evidence that it gets appreciably absorbed by the skin. But some people freak out if they touch plastic bowls or receipts while pregnant, so to each their own. That being said, I couldn't bring myself to use it until super late in the 3rd tri. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2018468 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 16:20:09 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2018468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: They didn't on me, but I had shaved up high where the incision would be already (like right at the top of the bikini line because a I knew a c-section was likely) So, if you want to just make sure, I would just shave the top ahead of time. I definitely was not bare everywhere though, and they didn't mess with that at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2018464 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 16:16:42 +0000 Happygal 2018464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: here's a specific question for you: is there any shaving involved? I'm wondering if I should do any kind of prep work myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2018447 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 16:01:44 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2018447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I commented in full detail on the thread @Littlebit: posted &amp; my birth story is on the blog, so I'll just give a brief overview. My c-section &amp; recovery went great. The boys went to the NICU, so there were some hard things related to that but it had nothing to do with the c-section. I was terrified of the recovery, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought. Absolutely make yourself get up and move around A LOT from early on and take all the pain meds they'll give you. I attribute my great recovery to the act that the boys were in the NICU so I had to be up moving around and Doug things to get to see them. Also, the binder that our hospital offered was really helpful to reduce the pain of moving, laughing, coughing, etc. and I wore it all the time for at least the first two weeks.</p> <p>Good luck and if you have any specific questions, let me know!</p> <p>ETA: I probably did a little too much moving around and not enough resting because I had to be with the boys, but I think when people hear "move around a lot" they're thinking like get up and walk to the bathroom. I think more than that kind of thing is really helpful, but you definitely should rest plenty, too! I could tell when I had really overdone it, so trust you body when you feel that way and rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2018220 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 12:31:43 +0000 gingerbebe 2018220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Drink lots of water afterwards, get ready to sweat like a pig, and the fluid and bloat really kicks in a few days later - like day 4 for me. Bring Crocs or something. My hospital had me on a Motrin and Vicodin combo where I would get them alternating so I had a pill every 2 hours so between that and the meds they pumped into me for surgery, I really didn't feel pain of any kind for a while. The scar eventually started stinging and burning every time I got up but I had a baby in the NICU so I was power walking down there out of bed every 2 hours. The binder made me feel comfy and ask for extra mesh panties to take home with you. Take the Colace religiously - I had my BM at 5 days postpartum and it was not bad at all thankfully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017995 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 05:36:35 +0000 marionberry 2017995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had ac-section due to a breech baby. A planned c-section in that case is really pretty nice and easy. I agree with all other posters. I'd eat a good meal the day before but make it heavy on fibrous foods. That first bowel movement after birth felt like death; never skip a colace either. Movement is key and I swear by the belly binder they give you. I wore it for months afterward. Oh and bring things to do. By the third day you are so bored!</p> <p>Oh and I loved my staples and related removal. The steri-strips they put on after removal caused me a serious allergic reaction though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017846 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:49:25 +0000 daniellemybelle 2017846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Interesting - I had staples (that were very painful) and I have a pronounced scar! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017815 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:28:59 +0000 yoursilverlining 2017815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: I'm glad you mentioned fluid retention. When I went to the hospital to deliver I was 168. When I left the hospital, got home 3 days later, and then weighted myself a couple days later....I was 168. That SUCKED. haha, it went down obviously, but at first I was freaking out. </p> <p>@ShootingStar: My staples were removed while I still in the hospital, just before I was discharged - so no need for a follow-up (in less you mean a follow-up in the hospital). My OB said she does staples because they leave less scarring, but I don't have any other experience to compare to. I have no scar now though. </p> <p>@Happygal: They gave me a support band at the hospital. I don't know what brand it was - it was pretty basic and "no-frills". Just a decent wrap that will hold everything in tight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017778 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:05:45 +0000 daniellemybelle 2017778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My C section was unplanned and not the best, but I think skipping labor helps recovery tremendously!</p> <p>Research family centered / gentle cesearans. If you want, you can see your baby born, your hub can cut the cord, you can do skin to skin or nurse on the operating table, etc... There's a lot than folks do these days outside the norm!</p> <p>I agree about moving. Don't overdo it but get up and walk.</p> <p>Take the meds and stay on top of the pain. I always regretted it when I went too long between pills. Set alarms on your phone.</p> <p>I agree on the stepstool for your bed, too.</p> <p>Good luck! You'll be a mama soon :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017773 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:01:30 +0000 Dandelion 2017773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: feel free to ask any questions on that thread mentioned above. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017765 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:57:08 +0000 Dandelion 2017765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Take the meds, get up and moving as much as you can, but don't try to be super woman. Use a pillow on your belly if you need to cough or sneeze! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017697 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:49:21 +0000 Happygal 2017697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MK0180: I'm glad to hear it didn't interfere with your milk production. I have colostrum in now, but was worried about things not progressing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017552 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:21:51 +0000 MK0180 2017552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was super nervous about my C section but it wasn't that bad. It was definitely a weird feeling b/c you're so numb and you know what's happening but you can't feel anything. </p> <p>That being said, I had a great recovery - I walked around as soon I was able to and as much as possible and I think this was key. It'll suck getting up but once I was up and walking I felt much better. </p> <p>I took the meds but not the strong ones - for some reason they didn't work as well as the tylenol/motrin combo. </p> <p>If you're going to breastfeed I will say that the surgery did not cause any issues at all - my colostrum came in on time and it was fine!</p> <p>I bled for about 6 weeks after but it wasn't that bad. </p> <p>I did not do a bellyband (I didn't know I was going to end up with a C section) and I was fine without it. </p> <p>Good luck!!! How exciting to meet your LO soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017522 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:07:39 +0000 Happygal 2017522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: Nooooooooooooo. I am already solidly in cankle land and only have one pair of shoes that fit already! Oh well--at least I'm used to it!</p> <p>These are all such helpful tips. I was reading through the other thread @littlebit: shared and found myself tearing up over some of the sweet stories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017516 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:05:20 +0000 MamaG 2017516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bloat! Fluid Retention! You will be on an IV for fluids and you will likely leave the hospital more bloated than when you arrived. It's just something to know is normal. My fluid all settled in my legs/feet and I was pretty uncomfortable with how much fluid I had. The more you move, the more the fluid will move as well. Just be aware shoes might be challenging when you are leaving the hospital. It took me about 7-10 days to feel considerably less bloated.</p> <p>Again, it's normal and just something to be aware of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017512 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:04:03 +0000 JMOM 2017512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto on the support binder. For my 2nd c-section, I had bought one from Motherhood Maternity but I didn't use it for at least a week. Once I did, I felt so much better.<br /> Also, when they say take it easy - they really mean it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017420 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:21:37 +0000 fairy 2017420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My c-section was not planned, it was a failed induction (stopped dilating at 7cm), but I would consider it a positive experience! The actual procedure I was having a panic attack but it was fairly quick and I just felt pressure, no pain. I had the c-section early on a Friday morning and was leaving the hospital at lunch on Sunday :)</p> <p>My main advice has been said already but I will reiterate: ask for an abdominal binder - that thing was a life saver for me and I wore it for weeks! It made all the difference for being able to move and walk around confidently without feeling like everything was going to fall out. Oh and use stool softeners especially if they have you on percoset and other constipating drugs - I started taking it too late and it was not a pleasant experience that first #2! Same with gas-x, the gas pains about a week out almost made me want to go back to the hospital because I got lazy with taking gas-x.</p> <p>I also had staples (I didn't have a preference, figured my OB knew better than me and he prefers staples) and it wasn't a big deal. I was afraid having them removed would hurt, but I didn't feel anything.</p> <p>I ended up bleeding for a good 6 weeks but my providers weren't concerned - it would happen more on days where I was doing a lot of walking like if I went to the grocery store or up and down stairs a lot. It is hard to take the advice to take it easy sometimes especially if you hate having people do so much for you, but it is really good advice that I should have taken! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017414 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:17:46 +0000 MamaBehr 2017414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It won't be as bad as you think! I have had three, and my third was my only planned one that happened on time (my first was a failed induction, my second my water broke early, and my third guy waited until the right day!). I was SO nervous the day of my last C-section, even though I knew EXACTLY what to expect, so don't beat yourself up if you get nervous.<br /> It was so crazy to think that you walk into the OR without a baby and you'll be wheeled out of the OR with one :) I loved thinking that in a few hours I would suddenly have a sweet baby in my arms.<br /> The thing that was the hardest for me, all three times, was how long it took to sew me back up after the baby was out. It feels like forever, but it isn't :)<br /> Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017395 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:10:58 +0000 MamaG 2017395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: I got my binder/belly band in the OR both times. The first time the OB just told her team to get it and put it on. The second time I was asked if I wanted and my response was absolutely!</p> <p>The first time I wore it for probably 4 weeks and ended up getting a second one (from Amazon, I think) because it was summer and I was sweaty and wore it 24/7. </p> <p>The second time I wore it for just over 2 weeks before I was good without it.</p> <p>It makes a huge difference, and they should be able to provide it at the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017383 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:04:10 +0000 artsyfartsy 2017383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine went well! I was in pain during recovery but nothing some meds couldn't fix. It was hard getting out of bed the first time, but it's true what they say. The sooner you move, the better. And it only gets better. </p> <p>For the love of God though, take a million stool softeners (not literally). I had a horrific bathroom experience about a week PP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-share-positive-c-section-stories-and-tips#post-2017302 Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:06:11 +0000 LuLu Mom 2017302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: The hospital gave me mine, so I'm not much help. It was pretty basic and simple. </p>