New c-section Momma's

janinebean84

I am having to have a scheduled c-section in about 2 weeks, do any of you new Mom's or Mom's who have had them in the past have any recovery tips that worked great for you. Also anything special I need to pack in hospital bag? I am nervous about the c-section but know for my baby's safety I have to have one.

btm013

I am a FTM and had to have a C-section last week due to lack of progression and the baby not descending. Some things to keep in mind when you are going through it is some people shake during/after the procedure. I shook so violently they couldn't get my blood pressure reading which kept me in recovery longer. This is apparently very normal. They also warn you that you will feel pressure but I didn't feel a thing! I did however dry heave. Tell the anesthesiologist at the first sign of nausea and they will pump you with zofran to combat it. I just dry heaved a couple of times and then it was over. After 17+ hours of labor and then having a C-section made me very loopy. As soon as I heard my baby cry and knew everything was ok (as well as the sex - team green), I pretty much shut down and fell asleep. It might be different for you since this is scheduled. I was sleep deprived.

As for what to pack, don't pack a lot!! I lived in the hospital gown the first two days and I'm still rocking the mesh panties a week post op. I even bought high-waist underwear just in case I needed them in the event of a C-section and I still didn't wear them. By day 2-3 I was in very loose sweat pants that sat either really low or really high. I heard night gowns work wonders as well but I didn't pack them.

For recovery, they had me up and out of bed the very next day (I delivered at 8:43pm at night though). They pumped me with so much duramorph that I was still quite loopy and slow moving. All normal. Also, be prepared to bleed. They loaded me up with Pitocin to contract the uterus which helped IMMENSELY with the amount I bled. It was honestly like a normal period for me. Sometimes I'd have little gushes but overall nothing major.

They will want you to walk the halls and even if it's just a shuffle do so! As much as you can. This releases the gas. At my hospital, you didn't have to poop in order to leave but you needed to pass gas. And you will want to! DO NOT HOLD IT IN. My husband and I aren't the type to rip them in front of each other haha but when it came to this I just let it out. Even if visitors were there I didn't hold back.  My first bowel movement wasn't nearly as scary b/c of this and they provided a stool softener and gas pill.

The C-section was more difficult to recover from than anticipated but each day gets easier and easier. I just don't think I knew what to expect and perhaps people fair much better. My sister delivered naturally with her first and needed a C for her second and she thought the recovery was much easier than natural. You will get through it and it really is all worth it in the end

mrs1374a

I had an emergency c section with our first daughter, and will have a RCS in 11 days. I would say definitely pack night gowns, if you don't want to wear the hospital gowns. I only had pajama pants and yoga pants and I couldn't wear them, too uncomfortable. When the nurses tell you they want you to get up and moving, do that, it hurts but it's worth it. Go easy though. When you get home, continue to take it easy. I remember when our daughter was like 3 weeks, I felt good and vacuumed our house, it was a mistake because I couldn't move for a few days.

Also, since I didn't know I would have a CS, way too many people came that evening. This time, since I know, we have said no visitors until the next day after I shower and feel a little better.

emaddock

I am currently recovering from a repeat c in the hospital. Things that have helped:

- getting as much mesh underwear from the hospital as possible
- staying on top of your pain meds
- having a good water bottle with a straw so you can drink water while reclining
- entertainment! Kindle/iPad/etc
- I love the neutrogena or olay daily facials that are pre-moistened. They are wonderful for freshening up your face/neck/chest while in bed
- I prefer the hospital gowns and robes so that I can toss them and get fresh ones whenever I want

And while it isn't fun, get moving as soon as you can--it will really make you feel
Mentally and physically better

Good luck! It isn't fun but it isn't horrible either

ksimo6

I think the responses covered it but I would also recommend asking for a belly band from the hospital. It helps keep your incision snug while you move around. Reduces the pain.

janinebean84

Thank you all so much for the advice ladies.

esampson1983

I just went through a c/s with my little one. Here are some things I learned:
- I wish I would have started back on my probiotics sooner. The stool softener the hospital gave me was not effective. Once I got back in my probiotics the constipation improved.
- drink lots of water and keep a healthy diet. That helps with the constipation too.
- if you want to BF. Let your hospital know so they can send in LCs right away to help with BFing. They were in my room 2-3 times the day after my c/s to help get me started. This helped immensely in getting BFing started.
- move around as soon as you can. It will help with the healing process.
- take your pain meds. I did not because I thought I was fine. That was not a smart move on my part and I ended up in some really intense pain.

Good luck!

devyns2nd

Soo it's ok to take pain meds and breastfeed? That was my main worry with a cs.

seesea

With DS1 it took me about 4-5 weeks to recover and I had a hard time moving around. However, with my last csection I recovered much quicker. With my LO in the NICU I was motivated to get myself up and moving so I could walk over to the unit and see him.

Honestly I think the walking helped tremendously. I felt wobbly at first and needed a wheelchair but after a couple days I could walk on my own. What also helped was having a binder or belly band. You could buy one but the cheap hospital one works just as well. I learned that the hard way after spending money on a belly band.

@devyns2nd I took pain meds and it's totally fine.

esampson1983

devyns2nd said:

Soo it's ok to take pain meds and breastfeed? That was my main worry with a cs.

Yes, I was able to. Just check with your doctor to be sure, but mine even told me they were safe for BFing before I asked.