And another random...

kjmommy1214

lisaren said:

I could totally model mine I have on currently

I you! You made my night!

pennyandandy

Jatpa003 said:

So no stairs after a csection? Is this just minimize stairs or really no stairs? (My bedroom is on the top floor) I will be attempting a medicated vaginal birth but freaking out at the size of DH's head now and as a child.

I probably could have handled stairs at a week out, but I didn't want to push it. Our bedroom is also on the top floor, and so is DS' nursery, but we slept on the pull out sofa in the living room for the first two weeks, just for convenience. I will do the same this time. I did go up the stairs at about 2 or 3 days after coming home, and it hurt, so I didn't try again for awhile.

kjmommy1214

DH was shocked when they asked if I wanted to touch DD's head while pushing. I did and I found it amazing.

I opted out of the mirror last time and am seriously considering it this time.

Bandia12

Jatpa003 said:

So no stairs after a csection? Is this just minimize stairs or really no stairs? (My bedroom is on the top floor) I will be attempting a medicated vaginal birth but freaking out at the size of DH's head now and as a child.

Minimze as much as possible.

But here's an interesting tidbit, that may sound strange. Going up stairs backwards puts less strain on your incision and helps. Though, with a lot of steps that's really hard lol.

missnacholover

Thanks for the tips ladies!!

So I looked at my hospital's website and there are pictures of the labor and delivery suites.  I'm thinking, "DAMN, they are NICE!  Looks like a hotel!"  Yeah.  Then I found a picture of the recovery suites.  Not quite as nice.  Boo.

Nfranco973

emoxymoose said:

moon&back said:

dr_pr said:

For those of you with bowel issues--insist on stool softeners right away.  I waited too long and ended up with an impaction.  Let's just say clearing it was so much worse than labor.

And I eleventh the mesh panties!

(Let's hope I quoted correctly!)
Pooping after my c-section was scarier than birth was despite an emergency c-section, stool softeners are a must!!

I do worry about having a c section because I know the hospital keeps you longer, you can't stand up with the baby (?), and you have to take really good care of the incision. I would actually really appreciate if c section mamas would give the details of their experiences, the pros and cons, either in this thread or another



My experience, I had a csection and I was up and walking slowly but surely the Next day. The nurse that I had told me that if I just lay there and not stretch and try to walk around it will be more painful. Of course I walked attended ( she was with me holding on ) and The roomie I had stayed in bed in pain the whole three days moaning and groaning. She didn't want to try to walk . They do give you pain meds and at times when they wear off you will feel a little cramping. The worst is fearing to take a poop and them watching you when you first pee lol you do have to take it easy though because you will have staples and they can bust. Oh yea and forget about sex for about 6-8 weeks until you are healed.

Nfranco973

Oh yea and walking up stairs or climbing into bed.. Ouch for me :-S

ccam

I had an unplanned c-section with DS. I was induced at 41 weeks, labored for 19 hours and pushed for 3.5 hrs...after all that, I ended in a c-section. At that point, I felt defeated but only wanted the best for both the baby and myself. I was walking on my own the same day as surgery; showered the following day. Once I was steady on my feet, I was fine to hold the baby while standing. I was in the hospital for 3 days, one more than a vaginal. I had to do stairs as I lived in a second floor apartment at the time, I just took my time.

Recovery was not awful, its totally doable. Had I not had the whole labor exhaustion on top of it, I would have been even better. That will be a plus of a RCS - no labor and I already know which day I'll be going in, no waiting around.

I've heard all different CS experiences though. You need to listen to your body and don't push it! Oh and ditto x1000 on the stool softeners!!!

emoxymoose

Yeah, maybe tmi but I had a vag birth with ds and they gave me so many stool softners that when it was time to go I didn't even have to push it out. Thanks so much for all the cs stories!

Bandia12

C-section input:

They make you stand and walk before leaving the hospital. Usually the next day, if not that night depending on what time your surgery occurred. While for me it was horribly painful and I walked like the hunchback of notre dame, it was doable. Regardless of the pain and tenderness, I had no trouble holding my baby while standing or walking with him. Sometimes I did prefer my DH carry him while I walked (early days), but just because it took so much focus to stay stable honestly lol.

High top underwear (imho) post section is a god send! 

I have a very tall bed, so getting on it was NOT an option. Not only that, but I couldn't sit up from a laying position. You don't realize how much you use your lower abdominal muscles for until you can't use them at all . So, for the first 2 weeks I slept super propped up on my couch. 

It's super helpful to use a pillow or something to push in on your stomach when you cough or sneeze. It helps prevent irritation to the incision (from jiggle and crap). 

Peeing and pooping the first time frightened the shit out of me. No pun intended. I used the peri bottle every.single.time I pee'd for more than a week. It really helped to relax muscles so you can pee lol. Pooping would have been completely impossible without a laxative. Colace ftw! 

The incision is super easy to care for honestly. You just have to keep it dry and clean (pat dry after showers), you don't actually clean it unless there is an issue.

Not every OB uses staples to close. Some just use dissolvable stitches (of course they use them on your uterus regardless of the outer closure) and steri strips. 

emoxymoose

Maelara said:

I also brought my own pillow nothing like having your own pillow. Their pillows SUCK.

Also, I love living in Canada because I wasn't ever charged for anything I took home. If you requested a private room, you paid $43 a night here. And our insurance covered that oh, and get a private room!!

I'm delivering in a military hospital so I don't get a choice of a private room, otherwise I totally would. Luckily, last time it was pretty dead there so there was no one else in my room and DH could sleep in the empty bed. I really hope I get lucky again, I can't imagine 2 different newborns screaming at different times all night/day.

nonoemily

My booty was too big for the mesh panties. They cut into my thighs. Just saying- if you are a lady with a big butt you might wanna bring your own underwear just in case.

I always wear black to hide blood stains anyways.

KMW08

So I've learned if I have a c/s, when I get home I'm going to have to do stairs (only 7) and I'm going to be confined to my bedroom & need somebody with me for 24hrs for a few days. Awesome.

I would choose my couch since the kitchen is on that floor, but there's no bathroom on that level.

There's seriously some great advice in here. Thanks ladies!

runningmama14

missnacholover said:

Thanks for the tips ladies!!

So I looked at my hospital's website and there are pictures of the labor and delivery suites.  I'm thinking, "DAMN, they are NICE!  Looks like a hotel!"  Yeah.  Then I found a picture of the recovery suites.  Not quite as nice.  Boo.

Ours is the opposite! The recovery suites have king size beds and have room service! L&D rooms are ok, just not as posh.

lizgrace03

runningmama14 said:

missnacholover said:

Thanks for the tips ladies!!

So I looked at my hospital's website and there are pictures of the labor and delivery suites.  I'm thinking, "DAMN, they are NICE!  Looks like a hotel!"  Yeah.  Then I found a picture of the recovery suites.  Not quite as nice.  Boo.

Ours is the opposite! The recovery suites have king size beds and have room service! L&D rooms are ok, just not as posh.

Can you choose your hospital? I found one that has LD and R all in the same suite, which seems really nice.

runningmama14

lizgrace03 said:

runningmama14 said:

missnacholover said:

Thanks for the tips ladies!!

So I looked at my hospital's website and there are pictures of the labor and delivery suites.  I'm thinking, "DAMN, they are NICE!  Looks like a hotel!"  Yeah.  Then I found a picture of the recovery suites.  Not quite as nice.  Boo.

Ours is the opposite! The recovery suites have king size beds and have room service! L&D rooms are ok, just not as posh.

Can you choose your hospital? I found one that has LD and R all in the same suite, which seems really nice.

I have two choices in my area. Both are fairly equal as far as room accommodations go, but I chose the one I did because it's a birth center within the hospital (and has L&D and neonate hospitalists), so if any complications for me or baby, we wouldn't have to move. My other option was a separate birth center that moves you to their hospital if you have any issues (and that hospital isn't nearly as nice and cozy).

rahkitt

FirstBabyDoyle said:

Aaaaand here I was getting super excited about a free water bottle, the kind I drink from with my mouth not my vag. I even told DH "honey, we need to bring our own good tp, but holy shit I get free panties and a water bottle." 

DOHHHH!

I brought home this giant travel mug thing from the hospital, it was awesome!  When you're first home you're dehydrated from blood loss and the moment you sit down and prepare yourself to nurse and the baby latches on you're like "WAAAAATER, I NEEEEEEED WATER!!"  The thirst comes on in an instant, I swear.  And when you have this giant big gulp thing handy you don't need to get up!

I needed ice packs and the peri bottle and stool softeners so badly when I had my first and got a second degree tear.  With my second I only got "skid marks" and that's after pushing him out in a minute and a half with his hand by his face, and he was bigger.  I can't tell you how much easier the recovery was!  I never needed ice packs, and I used the peri bottle for like a day because I had it, but I don't think I really needed it.  As far as stool softeners go...man, that first poop is scary.  It was like giving birth all over again. Hold a wad of toilet paper against your lady bits while you push gently so you don't put so much pressure on them.  Eat lots of prunes and lots of water and don't be afraid to take stool softeners.  After having my first the constipation continued for a while after the birth and I ended up with a rectal tear.  It took a while to heal and at times I wondered if it was possible to die from pooping.  So much worse than childbirth.  So be careful!

MindyAndRyan

nonoemily said:

My booty was too big for the mesh panties. They cut into my thighs. Just saying- if you are a lady with a big butt you might wanna bring your own underwear just in case. I always wear black to hide blood stains anyways.

Ooo, thanks for the tip @nonoemily! I am a fat bottom girl (I make the rockin' world go 'round), so I probably won't fit in their meshies.

crystaldh

Oh boy. What am I in for? (This is my first)

mommymeg143

I never thought of all things, I would be scared to poop the most!!

snortlegeist83

I love the huge undies. They make me feel like in getting a huge hug on my bum. Also make for great birth control.

wallygirl

Loved the mesh panties but came prepared with ugly granny panties just in case.
Weird but helpful tip an l&d nurse told me in regards to the huge pads. Remove the strip covering the adhesive but instead of sticking them on the panties and then pulling them up place the pad against your lady bits then pull the panties up and gently press the panties against the adhesive. One it keeps the huge diaper like pad from shifting plus if you are really bleeding there is no time for leakage while your getting everything adjusted.

Bandia12

MindyAndRyan said:

nonoemily said:

My booty was too big for the mesh panties. They cut into my thighs. Just saying- if you are a lady with a big butt you might wanna bring your own underwear just in case. I always wear black to hide blood stains anyways.

Ooo, thanks for the tip @nonoemily! I am a fat bottom girl (I make the rockin' world go 'round), so I probably won't fit in their meshies.

Idk, I have a big ass and they gave me a bigger size that fit just fine. So maybe if the hospital has diff sizes it'll be ok? My 2 cents.

kjmommy1214

Bandia12 said:

MindyAndRyan said:

nonoemily said:

My booty was too big for the mesh panties. They cut into my thighs. Just saying- if you are a lady with a big butt you might wanna bring your own underwear just in case.

I always wear black to hide blood stains anyways.

Ooo, thanks for the tip @nonoemily! I am a fat bottom girl (I make the rockin' world go 'round), so I probably won't fit in their meshies.

Idk, I have a big ass and they gave me a bigger size that fit just fine. So maybe if the hospital has diff sizes it'll be ok? My 2 cents.

My hospital had a few sizes. Be sure to ask.

mommymeg143

Resurrecting this thread!! Use it for your hospital check list, ladies!!

jibell

mommymeg143 said:

Resurrecting this thread!! Use it for your hospital check list, ladies!!

Thanks for bumping this up... Even with this being my third go around I couldn't help but laughing at all the poop and mesh panties comments... I love having you ladies to confide in