Ask a STM+ Week of 12/5

LastMango

Tick tock......we are well into December now! It's crazy to think that a good chunk of our babes could be here this month.

What's on your mind now that we're nearing the end?

sldp123

I'm not sure if there is a different thread for this already, but can we talk honestly about c/s and recovery? I had an easy vaginal birth with my older DS, but I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the real possibility of a c/s with these two. Can anyone tell me exactly what happens when you have the c/s, and also the details of recovery in the hospital and at home? I've never had any kind of surgery so I have no idea what to expect. I know some things will obviously vary but I want to have realistic expectations of what could happen and what will probably happen.

ETA: Also the hospital bag thread got me thinking about what I will wear home if I do have a c/s. Obviously I guess I need pants, but what kind will be okay with an incision? I'm sure that's a ridiculous question but I have no idea.

LastMango

I'd love to hear feedback on this topic, too @sldp123. I too had an easy vaginal delivery with DD but now that this baby hasn't  flipped at almost 36 weeks, I want to be prepared mentally for any possibility of a section. 

sweetyjenj

How do you have your changing station laid out? For us, the main changing area is in the nursery on the dresser, then we're going to put little baskets of supplies on each level of the house just in  case.  I can't think what all should go in the top drawers of the dresser, though, to keep it prepared for changing/post-bath activities.  thanks!

katesmama0706

Changing station: diapers, wipes, diaper cream and hand sanitizer in the top drawer of her dresser and in the bottom drawer of our tv stand in the living room and that's pretty much it. We had the same set up for DD and it worked out awesome!

AlabamaRedhead

@sldp123

DS was an unexpected CSection, so considering I had no time to prepare other than "we're going to have to take the baby" it went pretty well. Here's my run down of what happened during/after:

During:

• I already had an epi, so they didn't have to do anything else. They wheeled me in the OR and everyone seemed pretty calm. 
• The anesthesiologist upped my drugs and my doc asked if I felt anything. I said no. He said he just kinda tazed me, so if I didn't feel it, I was good to go. 
• I did get the shakes. I'm sure there's some scientific reason for this, but my arms just shook. I was also cold. They had to strap my arms and I was covered in wonderfully warm blankets and towels. (this went away pretty quickly)
• There was a curtain, I saw nothing, felt nothing.
• When he was born, they gave him to DH for both of us to see. 
• Baby and DH left the room as they finished up with the closing, cleaning, etc.
• I was immediately taken to recovery where I saw DH and DS again.
• I was then taken to my room with my family and DS was brought back in.

After: 

• Make sure you get the Motrin. Other than the drug cocktail from the surgery, that's all i needed.
• My section happened in the afternoon, so I stayed in bed until the next morning.
• Morning, I got up, and got to the bathroom. You still have the wonderful bleeding and such. I did have to have help to get on and off the toilet, change the underpants and to put my legs back in bed. 
• Doc wanted me up and walking that day (2).
  
• Day 2 I took a shower.
• By discharge day, I was pretty mobile only needing a little assistance for small things.
• At home, I recovered well. I took it easy, but by that week I was able to do small household things and by week 2 I was ready to get the hell out of the house.
• I do highly suggest a postpartum girdle, I had one anyway, but am so glad I did with the section, I really think it helped me feel like everything was "contained", protected my stitches and helped in losing the dreaded csection pooch. 
• For the 1st week I kept him in our room just to make it easier to nurse (not having to get out of bed). By week 2 he was in his room. 

kaytastic25

I had a unplanned c-section. Already had the epidural, got the catheter placed then wheeled me to OR (kind of a blur). They start pumping you full of morphine I believe, setting up the curtain, gathering around you and setting up. Then they let DH come in and sit beside my head. They begin the surgery and keep asking if I feel anything. When they take the baby it's a little uncomfortable, I felt pressure and pulling but not pain. By this time I was falling asleep thanks to the pain med's and was very cold. Baby comes out, I see him, they took him away to check him while they stitch me up. This felt like forever and was also uncomfortable but not painful. Then they handed baby to me to nurse and wheeled me into my room. Family held sleeping baby while I took an hour nap. The night was a blur of trying to nurse baby and change his diapers. I was attached to all types of things and still had the catheter so can't go far. The nurses check on me a lot and even took baby to the nursery for me to sleep some more. Next morning they take out the catheter and I ate breakfast. I don't remember much from that day, visitors came and went and I focused on nursing baby with lactation consultant help and the nurses checked on my incision. Next day they wanted me to take a shower. I was scared because of the incision. It was OK, but looked so gross! After getting dressed and spending the day pretty uncomfortable I asked to discharge that evening. I went home and that was a mistake. Not having the nurses at your finger tips to help with the baby. It's hard to bend over and pick up the baby. Everything hurts, my back hurt especially. I slept sitting up on the couch. It went on like that for a week or two before I started feeling normal. Also I used maxi pads to cover the incision because my underwear and yoga pants rubbed against and it hurts. Sorry  it's long ! 

canavara

Did anyone lose their mucus plug little by little the first time around? How soon did you start to notice? I'm 36+1 today and noticed a bit of EWCM on the toilet paper when I went to the bathroom tonight and am not really sure if that's early enough that I should be concerned. It was just a tiny bit, definitely not like I lost the whole thing.

sldp123

@AlabamaRedhead @kaytastic25 thank you! That was extremely helpful. If anyone else cares to share stories, keep them coming. 

colleenkevin

@canavara I noticed the same thing yesterday at 35+5 and I think it was a bit of my mucus plug.  My understanding is the plug will regenerate as long as the whole thing doesn't come out.

ThePax89

@canavara yep. I started losing it around 37 weeks the first time. I ended up being induced at 40+4, so for me, it meant nothing. It regenerates as pp have said. Mention it to your care provider, especially if blood tinged. 

LastMango

colleenkevin said:

@canavara I noticed the same thing yesterday at 35+5 and I think it was a bit of my mucus plug.  My understanding is the plug will regenerate as long as the whole thing doesn't come out.

This. Yes, it will regenerate 

newyearsbaby5

@canavara noticed the exact same thing today and was going to ask the same thing... ha.

Teach123

Warning: csection story that did not have a normal recovery. 

I had a section with my first. They knew there was something wrong with him, but they tried to induce anyway as long as his vitals remained strong. I went about 4 hours before his heart rate started dropping, so they had to take me back to the operating room immediately. 

Once there, they got me prepped very quickly. Once they were ready to begin, they brought my husband in and sat him by my head. Like others, I was strapped down and couldn't see anything. I started feeling sick during the procedure, and I started vomiting stomach bile because I had nothing in my stomach. I just had to turn my head to the side and my husband held the bag for me. 

Baby was out very quickly. His apgar scores weren't great, and they had to work on him some to get him going. They did show him to me after he perked up a little. Then, my husband left with him to go to the nursery because they wanted to start an IV on him. 

I went to recovery and was pretty groggy. I don't really remember much. It was a couple of hours before I got into my room. I couldn't feel my legs for a few more hours. They wheeled me down to the nursery some time early that morning to see my son since he couldn't leave. We did get to do a little skin-to-skin and attempt nursing at that time, but he wasn't interested.

It was another day or so before we realized there was something wrong with my incision. I had a lot of bruising and blood under the skin. This would prove to be very problematic for me. It took much longer and normal for me to heal. I dealt with incision problems for about 4 months until it completely healed. 

nolemomma14

@canavara I lost mine with my first around the same time. Mentioned it to my dr at my 36 week visit and she said it wasn't a big deal and would most likely regenerate and I would lose it bit by bit until eventually the whole thing. I didn't actually lose the whole thing until I was in labor at 39 weeks and 4 days. 

Ill be 33 weeks tomorrow and have already notice I started losing pieces of it. Brought it up to my dr last week at 32 week visit and same thing as my first. 

moosette113

@canavara I had a lot of EWCM yesterday but I didn't even make the connection to it being possible parts of a mucus plug. I'm only 32+2, so I wrote it off as being sick and my body being out of whack, but I guess now I should keep a bit of an eye on it...

I posted this in my ticker change but it's probably better suited for here. For those of you who don't have (or don't use) a dryer: how do you keep baby's clothes soft without fabric softener? Right now I use a combination of fabric softener and vinegar for my own clothes and then dry on a rack (which basically works for everything except towels... crunchy towels are the bane of my existence), but I'm not sure if vinegar itself will do the trick. Any ideas?

canavara

LastMango said:

colleenkevin said:

@canavara I noticed the same thing yesterday at 35+5 and I think it was a bit of my mucus plug.  My understanding is the plug will regenerate as long as the whole thing doesn't come out.

This. Yes, it will regenerate 

Oh that's really good to know! I don't think I ever lost any of it earlier in pregnancy so it was kind of shocking to suddenly see EWCM, looked like I was ovulating or something

MamaandNurse

I posted this in my ticker change but it's probably better suited for here. For those of you who don't have (or don't use) a dryer: how do you keep baby's clothes soft without fabric softener? Right now I use a combination of fabric softener and vinegar for my own clothes and then dry on a rack (which basically works for everything except towels... crunchy towels are the bane of my existence), but I'm not sure if vinegar itself will do the trick. Any ideas?

I stopped using fabric softener years ago and I never noticed a difference. DD1 has super sensitive skin so I try to use as few chemicals as possible. Our clothes and towels are very soft but just smell like the laundry detergent rather than fabric softener.

JessWeck

sldp123 said:

I'm not sure if there is a different thread for this already, but can we talk honestly about c/s and recovery? I had an easy vaginal birth with my older DS, but I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the real possibility of a c/s with these two. Can anyone tell me exactly what happens when you have the c/s, and also the details of recovery in the hospital and at home? I've never had any kind of surgery so I have no idea what to expect. I know some things will obviously vary but I want to have realistic expectations of what could happen and what will probably happen.

ETA: Also the hospital bag thread got me thinking about what I will wear home if I do have a c/s. Obviously I guess I need pants, but what kind will be okay with an incision? I'm sure that's a ridiculous question but I have no idea.

I've had 2 c-sections, and will have my third and final in January. When you enter the OR you will be given a spinal block. This is inserted the exact same way as an epidural. Major difference is, a spinal will completely numb you from the breasts, down. You will then be laid back on the operating table where you belly will be disinfected, your pubic area will be shaved, and you will be hooked up to an IV, catheter,  BP cuff, heart rate monitor, and oxygen. Once you are numb (about 5 minutes), they will begin the incision. First skin, then muscle, then uterus. From the first cut to baby coming out is about 5 minutes. You will feel tugging and possibly pressure, but no pain. After baby is out, a nurse takes him/her and does the normal checks. Baby will then be given to hubby until its time for baby's bath if you so choose. For us, the uterus is inspected and cleaned so no tissues are left behind (including placenta). Internal stitches are given for the uterus and muscle, and the skin is sealed via stitches, staples, or skin glue. I have had skin glue with my two. After about a week, it starts to naturally peel off. Once you are all closed up (about 30 minutes after baby is out) you are taken to recovery. 

Recovery is also where you will be reunited with baby! You will be checked frequently just like with a vaginal birth. Once your spinal has completely worn off, a nurse(s) will help you stand and walk. It is important to get yourself moving soon after surgery to speed your healing. Once you are able to walk well, your catheter will be removed. After that, you just need to ask for help when going from laying/sitting to standing and vice versa. No lifting anything heavier than your baby for the next 6 weeks. 

I was in the hospital for 2 days after both c-sections. Home care is simple. When you shower, then soap and water run over your incision site. I squeeze a soap filled washcloth over my belly and let it run down to my incision site. Pat dry with a clean towel. Some oozing is normal and is usually yellow in color. 

Make sure you wear panties and pants that come up and over the incision site. Granny panties and leggings that are high waisted are perfect. 

You should receive an appointment with your OB twice weeks after your surgery for an incision check. They just make sure it is healing properly and there are no signs of infection. After that appointment, you are almost always allowed to drive again. 

Good luck to you!

tuttobene4

Just to chime in, I had a c-section with DD and will with this baby. It's exactly as everyone describes, but I had a 5 day hospital stay.

sldp123

@JessWeck thank you for the thorough explanation of everything! So helpful!

myriamc96

Anyone else having stabbing pain in their lady parts?? I never had this pain with my first, it's almost like my cervix hurts. 

LoneStar21416

Like @nolemomma14, I lost a chunk of mine several weeks ago (36 weeks today).  I haven't seen anything since then that looked remotely like what I saw that day.  It was jelly and blob like (no blood though - clear or whitish) - it didn't stretch or anything either.  Both before and after that, I've had tons of discharge though. All of that discharge I would describe as like EWCM. 

adorebella

@myriamc96 Yes!!! I say my cervix feels tired. I get a needle type pain a few times a day, usually when I'm over exerting myself.

hjmorgan-2

@myriamc96 I do! I just assume it's LO head butting me because I've been getting it since he's flipped to head down.

hjmorgan-2

Anyone have experience with waist-wrapping after birth? I had this older lady sweeeaaar by it yesterday. She said she never got the after birth pooch because she wrapped herself so tight after each baby. I wasn't sure about it, I was never a fan of 'waist training', but if it helps to get it down quicker/better I wouldn't mind trying....
Although it sounds extremely uncomfortable after pushing out a baby..lol

ThePax89

@HJMorgan I never wrapped but I also never had an after birth pooch. I think it's a genetics/exercise/diet type of thing. 

hjmorgan-2

@ThePax89 Yeh that's what I figure. I'm not big on the 'easy/quick' fixes, I'm always of the opinion that diet and exercise is the only thing to focus on. But thought I'd see if anyone had any experience in this, lol.

LastMango

@HJMorgan No experience with it but I'd at least give your uterus a chance to shrink back down to normal size before trying. I don't remember how long that takes, though. Maybe a week? Seems like it would be uncomfortable if tried before then.

ceclarlinetlo

Ok - what's everyone's thoughts on night gowns vs pjs for the first little bit after birth? 

myriamc96

@ceclarlinetlo I just wore what a typically wore afterwards, but I didn't bleed a whole lot so it wasn't a big deal. I'd imagine if you have a c-section you won't want to wear pants, but otherwise pj's are comfortable. You might want to bring something light if you're hot all the time with being pregnant, that takes awhile to slow down. I sweated my butt off afterwards with sweat pants and tee shirts on

MamaandNurse

ceclarlinetlo said:

Ok - what's everyone's thoughts on night gowns vs pjs for the first little bit after birth? 

I had a nightgown that I hated. I wore nursing tanks and yoga pants the whole time we were in the hospital. Just bring whatever you normally feel comfortable wearing.

therealfrizzle

I'm bringing both night shirts and yoga pants with big shirts and tanks. I personally need to have some kind of pants or leggings because I can't stand my legs rubbing together, so I'll be more likely to stick to yoga pants and tanks.

katesmama0706

I'm team pants and tank, I feel like a night gown would just add another thing onto the list of things to worry about when going to the bathroom post partum, like, I feel like I'd be worried about it getting in the way because I let go of it or something while trying to take care of the peri bottle and the pads and the witch hazel and actually pee at the same time. 

lindsladle15

I'm for the comfy bottoms, whatever kind you like normally.  Just be prepared to take them up and down for checks and bathroom excursions.
As a side-note, after each birth, I have loooved the ice pack things they make or have (depending on the hospital) to put in your hospital mesh underwear, which I actually love, too!  They hold the granny pad, witch hazel pad, ice-pack combo nicely.

cjs260

@ceclarlinetlo I'm taking both! I have a nursing nightgown, then yoga pants/tank top. I feel like I'll just go with whatever is comfortable at the time. 

kaytastic25

MamaandNurse said:

ceclarlinetlo said:

Ok - what's everyone's thoughts on night gowns vs pjs for the first little bit after birth? 

I had a nightgown that I hated. I wore nursing tanks and yoga pants the whole time we were in the hospital. Just bring whatever you normally feel comfortable wearing.

Yep, ditto! and I had a c-section.

LoneStar21416

I've packed both. I have a few nursing tanks, two pairs of pants, and one nightgown/robe. I still haven't decided what to wear home. Probably just the tank/pant combo, but I'm wondering if I should also pack something else? 

15caitlin

I wore a night gown and a robe while in the hospital. When we went home I wore a big t shirt and jogging shorts but it was the middle of summer.

AlabamaRedhead

@HJMorgan  i had a post partum corset by bellifit. I loved it. I will get another and I do think it helped.  I did also diet and exercise, but I do think it helped in tightening everything back up, especially after a section. 

stumptownmama

@ceclarlinetlo I did buy a nursing nightgown last time but hated it as I didn't love my boobs falling out everywhere for all to see. This time I bought a button up flannel night shirt that goes to mid thigh and I'll probably wear leggings and a nursing tank under it. I'll have a robe to bring as well.