Hellobee Boards

1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now?

I only recently realized that not all hospitals provide the stomach binder thing, so definitely check with your hospital and if not, order one to take with you. It gives you so much support and makes everything feel more like it's where it should be and hurts less.
This looks kind of similar to what they gave me at the hospital, except it only had one piece to velcro over.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WFR34O?tag=mypostpartum-20&th=1

My other tips are: Don't kill yourself trying to do everything; remember you just had major surgery. BUT, though this may sound contradictory from what I just said, DO get up and start walking as soon as they will let you. Neither of my c-sections have been bad, but I think the fact that I was up asap and moving helped immensely. I am prone to doing too much, so that's where I have to watch myself, but definitely get up and move around even when it hurts. It really will help you get better faster.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again?

I think around 6 weeks they said I could start doing whatever I felt like, but to just start slow and listen to your body.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely?

I haven't done anything at all for managing the look of the scar, but mine (from two c-sections, one over the other, isn't red or raised. I think the raised part probably has more to do with how skilled your surgeon is at closing you, but there may be other factors. The scar is definitely red for a while, but mine have faded fine. Also, it's right where the top of a lot of underwear/bikini bottoms hit, so other than when you're totally naked, I don't think it's really in that notable of a place, unlike the old days when they did them down the middle of your stomach.

There is an awesome thread that a bunch of us weighed in on answering lots of specific questions a long time ago, but I always try to link to it because I wish I had a thread like this to look at before my first c-section:
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-cesarean-section

I didn't get anything from the hospital, but I ordered a couple of these to wear for support. They have a special patch that protects the scar. These made it a lot more comfortable to be up and walking around:
https://www.amazon.com/UpSpring-Baby-C-Panty-Incision-C-Section/dp/B017WJI9TK/ref=cts_ap_1_vtp?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=FGPR4JD5ET7W917MRNAG&pd_rd_wg=F7oHX&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B017WJI9RW&pd_rd_w=R9Paf&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=FGPR4JD5ET7W917MRNAG&_encoding=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

I wasn't planning on a c-section, and some of the things that surprised me were 1. How hard it was getting out of bed. We have a memory foam mattress, and I had to have my husband help me out of bed in the morning for a couple of weeks. I was okay on our other furniture because it has arms for support, and I was okay on the non-memory foam bed in the guest room, but our bed was a struggle. This was especially hard on both of us for middle of the night feedings, because he had to help me up and then go back to bed, and he had to go back to work pretty early.

2. It was really hard for me to bend down for a few weeks. Baby holders like the swing and the rock and play are low to the ground, and I had a hard time getting her in and out of those when I was alone. I know it's technically a no-no, but the easiest thing for me when I had her by myself was to use the bouncy seat on top of another surface until I could bend over.

I think I was cleared for all activity at 6 weeks post-partum. I started walking around the neighborhood with the stroller a little before that. Hills were hard for me for a few more weeks.

I haven't done anything special to the scar. I still have some numbness in that area, but it doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that the rest of my stomach now hangs over the scar, but I'm not sure how much I can do about that...

I've had two c sections for breech babies, and they've both been pretty easy and uncomplicated.

1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now? I didn't really have any products or anything that helped my recovery, I had never seen or heard of the binders that I often see recommended. High waisted underwear was about the only special thing I acquired.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again? Like everybody else, I'm pretty sure they said six weeks but listen to your body. My doctor told me it would probably be more like six months before I felt totally like my old self, which I scoffed at because after a week I felt more or less ok, but it really was true - even a few months later I got winded a little more easily, etc. And no lifting anything heavier than the baby for six weeks, which I kind of did with my first and definitely did not do with my second when I had a 2 year old at home.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely? My coworker says hers is still painful and ugly 12 years later and if there's a chance of avoiding that I'd love to. I did nothing for my scar, and it's fine, I think it's all the skill/technique of the surgeon and probably luck. It's also completely hidden unless I'm naked, so the scar itself doesn't really concern me.

ETA 4) When were you able to eat after? I have to fast from midnight beforehand and its scheduled at 1:30pm. I suspect I'll be ravenous! I remember being able to eat whenever I wanted after, I think, but I don't remember being very hungry. That being said my C-sections were both at 6:30am. With my second I had internal bleeding after and they thought I might have to have a second surgery so they kept making me fast again - I had the c section, I think I got some lunch, then they wouldn't let me have dinner, then they said I could have dinner (around 9pm, after the cafeteria was closed, THANKS HOSPITAL) but no breakfast, etc. I remember being frustrated and annoyed but not really all that hungry.

Definitely get up and walking as soon as you can. Every hospital has different protocols - mine made me keep the catheter in for 24 hours (and the IV the first time, the second time I had to keep it for 48 because I needed a blood transfusion) and once I got that out and put real clothes on instead of the gown, plus was able to do a little walking, I felt much better.

1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now? Get a good belt - I actually had a very itchy reaction to the one they gave me in the hospital with my 1st son, so I bought a breathable bamboo one for my 2nd son and it helped so much. It just helps you to feel like you're not going to pop a stitch if you sneeze. Also stock up on pads. You'll be surprised what comes out even though you've had a c-section. And bandages for your incision. It's in a bad spot where it rubs on your pants, so you'll want something as a buffer in between.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again? Cleared for exercise at 6 weeks pp. With my first, I was out walking the baby in the stroller around our neighborhood after 2 weeks. With my second, my incision actually opened up b/c I was doing too much. Recovery with my second c-section was so much harder. Please listen to your body and take it easy. You'll only want to go up or down stairs once/day for the first few weeks.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely? My coworker says hers is still painful and ugly 12 years later and if there's a chance of avoiding that I'd love to. I think this all depends on you and how your doctor stitched you up. For both of my CS, the doctors stitched me up perfectly. You can barely see my scar, but there is a small bulge there from internal scar tissue. It happens after 2 sections. It's still numb there, and I'm 18 months pp with my second.

ETA 4) When were you able to eat after? I have to fast from midnight beforehand and its scheduled at 1:30pm. I suspect I'll be ravenous! I was able to eat once I was out of recovery. I was so nervous throughout the morning that I didn't realize I was ravenous until well after.

That would probably work. I haven't worn one before, but it looks like the zipper might come pretty close to the scar area. If so, that might not be good for the early days.

@JennyPenny: It might work, but it's hard to tell. I think the zipper might rub wrong. The thing that is nice in the early days with the velcro ones, is you can get it however tight you need even when your size/shape is going to change immensely in those first couple weeks. You definitely want something that gives the lower abdomen a lot of support. I have had c-sections at two different hospitals, and they always provided one as soon as I ask, so hopefully, they just have something and you can use the one you have whenever you're ready to switch.

@JennyPenny:
1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now? My best tip is when you feel up to getting up and walking, DO IT! It will be hard but I swear once I was up and walking AND able to shower, I felt so much better. I loved wearing this http://www.target.com/p/maidenform-174-self-expressions-174-women-s-high-waist-boyshorts-525/-/A-50359168 after. I think I started wearing them like 4 weeks after surgery and it helped me feel like everything was place.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again?
6 weeks for anything intense! I was up for it maybe at 8 weeks.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely? I think it really depends on the type of stitching your doctor does. I did do anything but just clean it well and it looks amazing! Especially compared to other scars I've seen. I hear bio oil is great though if you want to try.

4) When were you able to eat after? My c-section was at at night so I ate the next morning buttttt I also didn't fast because I was suppose to be natural sooooo not sure how soon they let you eat since I just chose to wait until morning.

One thing I want to as that was very true for me was it legit felt like my organs were all over the place for MONTHS. It took awhile for things to settle and the scar was sensitive as well. Just be prepared. I say after two weeks I felt about 80% myself and after 4 weeks I was pretty great.

1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now?

I really liked having a stomach binder as well. It was comfortable and made me feel better. They gave me one at the hospital to take home with me. I also stocked up on really soft panties that didn't rub the incision.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again?

My doctor cleared me at 8 weeks and I felt good to start exercise again then but I did take it easy. I feel like your body will let you know when you're ready and how intense to workout.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely? My coworker says hers is still painful and ugly 12 years later and if there's a chance of avoiding that I'd love to.

Mine still is numb and feels odd as @Banana330 said. It's been a year and 1/2 and I still think it looks kind of big but my husband always mentions it looks like its much smaller. I have started using coco butter on it every morning in hopes to shrink it.

I also totally agree with @erinbaderin to get up and start walking as soon as you can. A nurse pushed me even though it was painful and I cried but I am glad she did. I started to feel like myself again when I started to get around.

My recommendations are to take the pain meds, and try to move to an earlier time. But if you really can't move it, I had jello several hours before my 2nd one and that counts as a clear liquid. I was then able to eat when I was back in recovery. I had been pretty nauseous during the surgery so I started with a couple crackers. That might have been maybe an hour after being back in my room and 2 hours after surgery started? Hence my recommendation to try to have it moved earlier. Best case scenario you aren't eating until around 3:30/4:00 that day.

I had a scheduled C, ended up going into labor, but did NOT PUSH. And I think that really helped make it a MUCH easier recovery process. It is major surgery, but if you're not already exhausted when you go in, it's manageable.

1) I bought a belly binder on amazon, but ended up preferring to use an ace-type bandage they brought me in the hospital. I wore this for a few weeks and I really think it helped, plus it made me feel like my stomach and back were more protected when lifting or pushing (light) stuff.

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again?
I was cleared to exercise at 6 weeks maybe? And I started doing Stroller Strides at 8. But was walking from the day after my section (I highly reco this! will help the healing!)

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely?
Mederma

4) When were you able to eat after?
I could have clear liquids, no carbonation and lemon ice only from after my section (DS born at 1:15pm) until the next morning. I was hungry but not THAT hungry after the surgery. I think I ate a turkey sandwich the next morning after I got my cath out and showered and generally felt more normal.

1) What tips/tricks/products aided in your recovery? Anything I should stock up on now?
Getting up and moving really helped. That and staying on top of pain meds. I also couldn't stand anything on my incision, so I had to wear all high-waisted things for awhile. Didn't wear any type of support belt after and was ok!

2) When did you get cleared for exercise? And when did you feel up to exercise again?
I got cleared at 6 weeks. Was a good 5-6 months though before I really felt comfortable.

3) Any tips for managing the scar and helping it heal/fade nicely? My coworker says hers is still painful and ugly 12 years later and if there's a chance of avoiding that I'd love to.
My scar is barely noticeable. My OB was amazing with this! Mine is def still numb in areas and is more sore now that I'm pregnant again, but when I wasn't pregnant I didn't really notice it!

ETA 4) When were you able to eat after? I have to fast from midnight beforehand and its scheduled at 1:30pm. I suspect I'll be ravenous!
So my cs was at 2:30AM and I was on a liquid diet that entire next day. I think I ate again by 7 or 8 (but all clear foods). Day 2 I could definitely eat again. Hope you won't have to wait that long!!!