This baby has flipped at 38 weeks, so we have a c-section date set one day before my due date.
I will comb through the archives, but I would love to hear positive c-section stories and any helpful tips you all may have to aid with recovery. Thanks!
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This thread was a HUGE help for me:
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-cesarean-sectionMy biggest advice is to let everyone wait on you hand and foot. Don't try to do too much. And take the good pain meds!
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Take the meds.
Both of my sections have been fairly easy. My only advice would be to talk with your doc about the procedure ahead of time. My first was an emergency and I was so terrified of everything because I had no idea what to expect. My second one was almost relaxing because we had discussed what I wanted (skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, etc.)
Add face wipes to your hospital bag. I couldn't get up for the first 12 hours and felt so gross, washing my face made me feel so much better. It's silly, but in the moment it really mattered.
Let other people do everything they're willing to do for you.At the end of the day I would have preferred to have had vaginal births, but my Caesareans weren't actually all that bad. I'm 11 days post now and feel about 95% normal.
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@Littlebit: whoah, that thread is much more thorough and asks things I haven't even considered! Definitely going to read through carefully once I call it quits for work today. Thanks for sharing! That's the jackpot of a thread.
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@Happygal: right? I can't tell you how many times I read through the entire thing in the last weeks of pregnancy to prepare myself.
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Get moving as soon as you are able. Getting out of bed was always the toughest, because of the twisting motion required.
You will still bleed, so you'll need pads.
My first was pretty easy-peasy and I'm hoping my scheduled one will be the same. That's not to say that it won't take a couple weeks to heal, but I was in the shower by the next morning.
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Oh yeah, I was home the next day. Not too shabby.
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Tips:
Have a small stool at home to get in and out of bed and the couch -made things so much easier!
On the way home after your c/s hold a pillow tightly across your stomach - otherwise any bumps in the road are torture!
Get a postpartum band - wear it everyday - it feels wonderful!!!
Move as much as you can - they had me up 4 hours after DD was born - makes recovery so much faster (I barely moved for 24 hours with my 1st and I think that played a huge part in my pain during recovery)
If you are in pain take your meds!
Take home the disposable underwear they have you wear in the hospital - they are comfy and hold those huge pads you need for PP bleeding.
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I had a positive planned/scheduled c-section experience and recovery.
Definitely get up and moving as soon as you can/when they encourage you to do so. Even if you area just shuffling a few steps around your room - - it will help so much to get up and moving.
Bring a comfortable gown to wear in the hospital. I did not want pants anywhere near my incision right after, and wore a loose tank-dress (pajama gown) afterwards.
TAKE THE MEDS. If what they give you makes you loopy, tell them and ask for something else. It’s surgery; there’s no reason to tough it out when meds are available and will make your recovery easier. All the meds they gave me they explicitly said were safe for breast-feeding.
Don’t be afraid if your doctor uses staples. When my OB said “ok time to staple you up”, I was like WTF??!!!?!?! But the staples are totally normal and don’t hurt to have removed.
Ditto to the bleeding – for some reason I thought I wouldn’t bleed much, but I definitely needed some super/overnight-level pads for the first week after!!
Wear a recovery support band!!
Oh - have your husband remember to bring the camera into the OR so he (or a nurse) can get shots of you and bebe right after birth!!
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1. Get up and get out of bed as soon as you can and walk...even if you have to use a walker that first day. It sucks, it hurts, but it will make things so much better.
2. take the medicine, and stay up on it the first few days, and then slowly wean off it and use advil instead.
3. Don't over do it, it will set you back.
4. If your bed is high, have a stool or sleep on the couch, it's hard getting in and out with the incision (I slept on couch for 2 weeks)
5. I honestly think trying to get back to normal is the best thing I did, by the time we had our newborn pictures at 8 days post, no one knew I had a C-section, I was back to normal. I'm hoping it's as easy this next time.
6. Wear that belly band, it was my best friend. I wore it for weeks!
I had a cousin who was limping around 2 weeks after, and I think it's because she "baby" herself and didn't' push herself. -
I'm gonna disagree with @yoursilverlining: about the staples. You should ask how they're going to close you up and if they say staples I'd ask for something else. With staples you need another visit to have them removed. There's no reason they *have* to do it that way.
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I agree with everything above!
The belly band was key and the nurses should be able to get one for you if you don't buy one ahead of time.
Total TMI, but also be sure to take Colace (stool softener). It was so important for me! The Colace helped immensely when all of your muscles hurt after surgery. Plus, your bowels don't expel as easily towards the end of pregnancy and can get backed up. For myself, I felt SO much better after the Colace kicked in. I would even consider taking it prior, if that is allowed.
I actually didn't have to take much in the way of meds. I think that they sent me home with something strong to take (if I needed) and I actually never needed to take it. The recovery wasn't too bad..
Good luck!
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While my c section was unplanned, the majority of the experience was positive. My recovery was fairly easy. I got out or bed the first day so I think that helped. Don't be afraid of the pain meds - they're there for a reason. Let ppl help you. Don't try to do too much too early or you'll end up sore.
Honestly I wonder if I'm crazy for wanting a vbac since my c was pretty easy!
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@NorthStar: yes good call on the Colace !!
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I had a scheduled c-section and it was a great experience. My delivery and recovery was actually easier than some of my friends who delivered vaginally.
We took public transit to the hospital, checked in at 10am, got set up in the prep room, they drew some blood, did a little monitoring, I got to know the nurses, let them know I planned to breastfeed and by 11:45 they were ready to go (15 minutes ahead of schedule). I walked to the OR and climbed onto the table, got the spinal (which was the worst part of the whole thing), DH came in and by 12:21 DS was born! We were back in recovery before 1. It was a pretty relaxed experience.
In terms of recovery, I would second a lot of what the previous posters said - take the meds (painkillers, colace), get up and moving, but don't over do it.
I would add:
talk to your doctor about the procedure and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable
drink TONS of water after the surgery
have visitors early in the day if possible (we had folks showing up in the evenings and by then we were just exhausted - or more exhausted than in the morning)Also, I barely bled at all by the time I got home from the hospital. I bought tons of pads and didn't use them.
All in all, I had a very positive birth experience.
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Drink! I struggled with water after my recent c-section. I had pretty bad nausea and just wanted to lay down with my eyes closed. As a result I wasn't having the urine output they wanted and they really started pushing fluids on me. It was just a bit of pushing that I didn't need.
Once I was over the nausea, i was drinking water and urinating fine.
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I had staples both times. The first time they were removed before I left the hospital. The second time because my stay was shorter (my choice), I had to go back to my OB's office to have them removed. It was a quick process and pain free. I wouldn't shy away from them.
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So much good information--thank you all!
@Mamaof2: @yoursilverlining: @LuLu Mom: @NorthStar: do you have a support band that you recommend?
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@Happygal: Sorry, I don't. They just gave me one when I was there at the hospital. It wasn't something I thought of and was SO SO thankful I had one. Honestly, I think that is the main reason that my recovery went smoothly. I used that thing for at least a month (both during the day and night).
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@Happygal: my OB wrapped a support band around me immediately after surgery (I was still in the OR!) and it made THE biggest difference between my two c-sections.
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@Happygal: The hospital gave me mine, so I'm not much help. It was pretty basic and simple.
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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.
For the love of God though, take a million stool softeners (not literally). I had a horrific bathroom experience about a week PP.
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@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!
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.
The second time I wore it for just over 2 weeks before I was good without it.
It makes a huge difference, and they should be able to provide it at the hospital.
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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.
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.
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
Good luck!!! -
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
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.
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.
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!
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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.
Also, when they say take it easy - they really mean it. -
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.
Again, it's normal and just something to be aware of.
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@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!
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.
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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.
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.
I took the meds but not the strong ones - for some reason they didn't work as well as the tylenol/motrin combo.
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!
I bled for about 6 weeks after but it wasn't that bad.
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.
Good luck!!! How exciting to meet your LO soon!
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@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.
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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!
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@Happygal: feel free to ask any questions on that thread mentioned above.
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My C section was unplanned and not the best, but I think skipping labor helps recovery tremendously!
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!
I agree about moving. Don't overdo it but get up and walk.
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.
I agree on the stepstool for your bed, too.
Good luck! You'll be a mama soon
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@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.
@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.
@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.
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@yoursilverlining: Interesting - I had staples (that were very painful) and I have a pronounced scar!
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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!
Oh and I loved my staples and related removal. The steri-strips they put on after removal caused me a serious allergic reaction though.
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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.
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I think I commented in full detail on the thread @Littlebit: posted & my birth story is on the blog, so I'll just give a brief overview. My c-section & 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.
Good luck and if you have any specific questions, let me know!
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.
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@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!
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@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.
I loved thinking that in a few hours I would suddenly have a sweet baby in my arms.Subscribe to our newsletter
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