Definitely let them know if you are nervous. They were so wonderful and my nurse let everyone know and they were all extra warm and kind. explaining everything as we went. My OB even held my hand during my spinal and talked me through the procedure before hand. Let them know if you have any requests such as the warmer being in your eye line so you can see everything going on with baby. I think this is pretty standard but was definitely helpful for me. I also asked to do skin to skin right away too. Which I was able to do I didn't do it long since I felt and ended up getting sick but I did it both before and after. also let them know if you start to feel sick during it as well. They immediately gave me zofran through my iv as well as pain meds since I was feeling a lot if discomfort during the second half and that helped a ton! it made me relax and I felt totally at ease!
Thanks for the tips @wildtot and @lindsayleigh1989 I will definitely let them know I am feeling nervous. I expressed to my OB the concerns I have regarding delivering right at 37 weeks and he attempted to comfort me. I have so much to do, with only 3 weeks left to do it in and this isn’t helping my anxiety.
@gingerbride26 going back to your question about your H not staying in the hospital. Because i delivered early and we didn’t plan a second back up person for overnight stays, H will be staying hone with DS tonight while I’m alone. The nurses are very helpful but i can’t keep baby in the room with me if I’m sleeping and alone. It’s sad because i want to keep him near. We’ll see how it goes tonight but it’s a bit lonely for sure.
I second mentioning if you’re nervous about any aspect. Other tips now that I’m recovering:
- I heard a lot of stories of how recovery wasn’t bad at all and women were up and at ‘em when they were being discharged. That is not my experience at all—I’m in a lot of pain despite having worked out throughout my pregnancy. Don’t feel bad if you’re in a lot of pain still when you go home, my midwife says it’s normal to not feel even a little like yourself until two weeks later, and more normal four to six weeks post-surgery.
- Don’t be shy about asking for stronger pain medication if you need it.
- Ask the hospital staff whether they’ll be on top of your pain med schedule or whether you need to keep track (you might want to keep track anyway in case staff gets tied up so you can remind them to give you pain meds).
- in addition to the pain around my incision, I was surprised to feel a burning/stinging sensation, too, that was really intense around the incision scar.
- when they tell you not to do too much, don’t push yourself or you can go backward in your recovery. Accept help from nurses, your partner, etc. For instance, I can hold my daughter when I’m standing or sitting, but I can’t hold her while going from sitting to standing, so I ask for help there.
Msybe my situation is an anomaly, but I hope it helps someone!
@sm05-2 sounds a lot like my first CS and i agree everyone and CS is different even for the same person. Regarding the incision, icing it really has help me in both CSS so far. You may get a permanent numbness though so don’t be surprised.
@sm05-2 I second everything you said, I’m now 11 days post c-section, and I’m just starting to feel like myself.
TBH I avoided this thread because I didn’t really want to think about a c-section, I knew it was a possibility but was chicken shit to find out the truth about it. Honestly after being induced and only getting to 4cm over like 2 1/2 days, the c- section part was a breeze. @lindsayleigh1989 is right if you are nervous tell your doctor. If you have something that was in your birth plan that will make you feel better to ask about, do- I don’t remember if I added this to my birth story but I was insistent on listening to Whitney Houston while giving birth, when my delivery turned into a C, I asked my doctor if we could listen to music during and explained the Whitney Houston request. When we got to the OR she checks the CD player to see what kind of music they had/ the bodyguard soundtrack was in the player! What are the odds! Then everyone (all woman) in the OR started cheering! And to be honest that was the extra little piece of comfort that I needed.
As as far as recovery, I had no idea what to expect. (Hence not reading this thread) so I almost didn’t know what to fear. This worked in my favor and honestly my doctors and nurses were superb in helping me when I didn’t know I needed it. I was def still groggy and would have got up on my own if they hadn’t instructed me to take it slow. My biggest fear was not being able to take care of my baby or breast feed because of the idea of being in pain. (I’ve also never had any surgeries before) but between my DH and the nurses they made sure I was able to do everything I wished.
My doctor met with me after the c and told me not to be a hero and take the pain meds when I need them. She said she prescribed them for a reason. I have a lot of respect for you ladies who opt out of taking them, but personally I could not sit up without them. The worst part was sitting up or standing and getting out of that damn hospital bed. Tell the nurse you’d like to sit in your chair and I promise you will be happier! From there is was easier for me to help with baby, feed him and greet visitors.
My feet and legs did swell a LOT, but I was on IV fluids for almost 3 days prior to changing to a c. I’ve heard that could be why. Also, we were discharged on Tuesday, and had to go back in tot he hospital on Wednesday baby had lost 15% of his body weight and needed to go under the lights again. Then we went home on Thursday night, and we had to go back to the doctor on Thursday. I live on the third floor of an industrial building walk up. So putting it like that, of course I swelled up! My advice is, keep your feet up as much as you can. When you feel ready take a stroll around the L & D Floor. I didn’t even think of it and my nurse politely offered. My brother wheeled the baby in the bassinet and my sister helped me with my iv pole.
I hope my advice helps you ladies and doesn’t scare you. I only have this experience to go on and I’d 100% say- id only have other children if we can go straight to a c-section. (Because of the god damn cervical checks alone, but my labor wasn’t progressing so maybe that why it was so painful for me)
@catftm2018 great advice! It is always better to be honest than to sugarcoat or minimize our experiences!
I definitely have been doing to much and gushed a few times today (not from my incision) but I had to take percocet tonight. also the itching is unreal the last few days and the burning is back too. I have a few numb spots above my incision so we will see if it comes back. I had more internal pain today too. Granted we were doing major cleaning and I was up and down a ton but I think it is nerves trying to heal in the various levels of tissue.
Anyone else have back pain? I am getting really sore in the middle and low part of my back probably from having no stomach muscles currently. also does anyone else have seeping from their incision? It is clear and my incision looks fine but want to make sure its normal
I have a burning feeling on my right side next to incision and have been icing it. I’m guessing that will be my numb spot. The top part of my labias are super swollen and almost rock hard. Super uncomfortable and been icing those too. This gas is terrible too!
@wildtot thanks for the follow up - maybe it's an UO but I'm super ok with the nurses taking him for the night and bringing him back for feedings - but I seem to be on the far side when it comes to birth plans/experiences/natural stuff. So many people are shocked that I didn't even bat an eye when they told me I wasn't allowed to get a spinal and would be under general. I probably won't even get to really hold him for hours after he's born, yea that kind of sucks, but whatever gets us both through safely and maximizes QOL for the next 20+ years is more important to me than the first 10 hours of his life outside the womb. DH is going to do a split schedule that first week at the hospital where he goes into the office early for a few hours, then comes to me at hospital until it's time to pick up DD, then gets her fed and in bed, then works a few more hours before he goes to bed. Honestly at this point with the turnaround quote from the countertops people, he'll end up working from our house in the mornings overseeing contractors because kitchen won't quite be done.
Omg the swelling in my legs and feet. I never got this swollen with DS or while pregnant They ache and all i can do is walk more. But they hurt to walk too! And this horrific gas! It’s embarrassing to have guests in the room or walking the halls and crop dusting everyone!
@wildtot walking does help, and also putting your feet up! Try that during the day when it hurts. I promise for me it went down a little over a week later. But it was very uncomfortable.
@wildtot I had horrible swelling PP with DD, basically none this time though. Unfortunately, it took about 2 weeks to significantly decrease and probably 3 or 4 to go away completely. Compression socks helped a little.
Swelling is better but now it’s sciatica ugh! I also have this severely sensitive area to the side of my incision that burns to the touch and makes it hard to walk even one step. I asked for some stronger meds and will be talking to ob about some medicated patches until it settles. For now it’s ice and strong pain meds just get by.
@sm05-2 is the burning pain in your back/down leg? That could be sciatica. If it’s in your belly/incision area it could be nerves that were cut and extremely sensitive. I have also been told that usually one side will be more sensitive with some discomfort/burning sensation because they must have done most of the work from one side (organ movement, baby pulled out, etc). I remember the pain after DS1 but in a different region and it eventually went away but i had to ice all the time. This time around my burning pain is keeping me from walking too much. Waiting to see if i can get something like a lidocaine patch. It hurts just to simply lightly touch with my finger.
I think the only piece I'm nervous about at this point is the catheter - I'm assuming I've had one during past surgeries that was placed after I was out, but I understand the catheter will need to stay until I'm allowed out of bed.... @wildtot you mentioned some post-catheter pee issues? any tips/advice?
@gingerbride26 you won’t feel the catheter going. In all my surgeries they waited till i was under. Coming out is just a quick sting. I didn’t have any pain or discomfort afterwards. They generally want to see you pee within 4-6 hrs if not then they might put in a new one (not numb anymore). So the tricks they tried on me was running water, blowing water bubbles in a cup, peppermint scent (for smelling only lol) and just overall think of running water. They eventually did work for me but i was getting close to the 6 hr mark.
@wildtot, the burning is around and just above my incision area. The pain is still there today, but feels slightly less (but also occasionally prevents me from walking).
@gingerbride26 butting in to say using your peri bottle with warm water can help you relax enough to pee, same with running the tap in the bathroom.
@sm05-2 I had severe nerve pain around my incision last time that was just from nerves being cut. It was bad enough to leave me curled in the fetal position on the bed crying a few times. I finally started taking the narcotics they’d sent me home with and I felt soooo much better. My OB told me if the oral narcotics weren’t enough we could talk about a TAP block. It got significantly better after about a week.
@wildtot and @comealongponds so it's a mental/relaxation thing not a physical thing? I don't remember having issues after previous surgeries, but wasn't sure if it was a length of it staying in thing...
Sometimes there can be some swelling post-cath that can make it hard to go, but a lot of the time it's just mental and needing to relax. I found it quite uncomfortable to pee the first few hours after my Cath came out last time and the warm water from the bottle really helped @gingerbride26. Some people have no issues though, so try not to worry too much!
@gingerbride26 this was my first experience with a cath, they put it in after my epidural/ so no pain at all. Then when they took it out the next day, I also experienced no pain. For me I had to use the bathroom a few hours after they took the cath out. I want to say the nurse ran some water, I was nervous about having trouble but just tried to focus on peeing. It worked for me. I hope you have the same experience.
The lidocaine patch is amazing! I still have some discomfort but i can actually walk more. Highly recommend it if your dealing with the burning/numb sensation.
Great to hear @wildtot! My hospital didn’t have lidocaine patches, but I’m hoping the clinic where I see my ob does.
I also notice that if I’m constipated the pain is worse. I’m taking Colace twice a day and also milk of magnesia—all of that is working somewhat.
@comealongponds thanks for letting me know your experience, I hit a week tomorrow and am optimistic. I have been taking narcotics, sometimes it’s not enough. I see my OB for a postpartum follow up on Tuesday, so I’ll ask about patches and other options then.
@sm05-2 i had to get approval by my ob and they put in the request to the pharmacy. The hospital doesn’t have them in stock either. I’m also on narcotics. I’ve been on stool softeners since before i was in labor because i was already having issues. Colace and milk of magnesia hasn’t done anything other than help with the gas. I agree though, i noticed once that my pain lessened after expelling some gas.
@wildtot where did you get a lidocaine patch? also gas x has been my best friend. Walking also really helps my gas and pooping problems. @sm05-2 sounds like nerve pain
I have had abdominal pain todag just above my belly button. I'm assuming it is just muscles healing but ugh not fun.
@lindsayleigh1989 I used them in the hospital and after discharge. After discharge I actually just got them over the counter. doc said the prescription version is slightly stronger (I think she said 5% vs 4%) but not covered by insurance.
@lindsayleigh1989 I have pain above my belly button and once more swelling went away, I realized I have a postpartum umbilical hernia. It's reducible so I'll just ask about it at my 6 week recheck, unless it gets bigger or more painful. It might be worth a call to your OB though if the pain persists.
I think the only piece I'm nervous about at this point is the catheter - I'm assuming I've had one during past surgeries that was placed after I was out, but I understand the catheter will need to stay until I'm allowed out of bed.... @wildtot you mentioned some post-catheter pee issues? any tips/advice?
@gingerbride26 I am sooo behind on reading... but wanted to say bc I had the general CS (which I believe you are too), they did all the pre-surgical prep while I was awake to minimize babies exposure to anesthesia. And that includes inserting the catheter. For me, it was literally a non-issue. And if anything I joked with my husband afterwards that when they removed it the next day I wanted it back bc it was so nice to just pee in place and not have to move.
@pretzellover thanks - I am general CS too. I feel like if it's still in while I'm awake i'm going to fight it and like hold my urine or something. That makes sense about wanting to minimize anesthesia time. I asked a whole bunch of questions at my last appointment because there's just not a lot of info out there on general CS since it's so uncommon these days. My last OB appointment before the procedure is with the surgeon and DH will come and ask his questions too.
@gingerbride26 I could feel the catheter being placed with DD bc my epidural wasn't working. It didn't bother me, it wasn't painful at all. PP this time with DS, they didn't remove the catheter until after I was walking (I had to be able to walk to the wheelchair unassisted before they would take me to the NICU). They helped get underwear on me and I walked the hallway with it in and honestly, it didn't bother me at all. The only time I felt a little tug (nonpainful) was when I sat back down into bed. I was never aware of when it was emptying my bladder and it wasn't painful when they removed it.
Regarding peeing post c section in both of mine i have found it hard to tell when i need to pee weeks after. I had no urge to pee sensation. I have to keep reminding myself. Eventually it all went back to normal.
Regarding peeing post c section in both of mine i have found it hard to tell when i need to pee weeks after. I had no urge to pee sensation. I have to keep reminding myself. Eventually it all went back to normal.
This. This @wildtot is the one thing which I wasn’t sure if it was catheter or CS or other related, but which 100% is happening to me too. I have to just go to the restroom at regular intervals to void my bladder bc I don’t feel the sensation that tells me I need to and I’m 11 days out. Also wish someone had told me you have to come off your opioid pain meds to ever have a bowel movement again. I went 9 days without one... beyond uncomfortable. Then I read some old message boards, stopped my meds immediately, doubled down on water and less than a day later I literally lost 4 lbs of backed up bowels.
@pretzellover if you are in a place to go off the meds and function, awesome, but you can offset the opiods with stool softener and miralax/metamucil if you are still in significant pain...
I was taking colace regularly the entire time + eating tons of fiber + drinking lots of water... and absolutely nothing. For me I decided the pain from not going #2 far exceeded the pain relief from oxi (it was that bad!), so it all worked out! (I’m also super paranoid about pain meds given how addictive they are... so that was another catalyst to stop once ready!)
I’m two weeks out and still feeling pretty sore. I didn’t have much pp bleeding once i left the hospital. I thought i was done since I’ve had some yellow/brown blood but then got some pink today.
Re: C-section check in and questions
- I heard a lot of stories of how recovery wasn’t bad at all and women were up and at ‘em when they were being discharged. That is not my experience at all—I’m in a lot of pain despite having worked out throughout my pregnancy. Don’t feel bad if you’re in a lot of pain still when you go home, my midwife says it’s normal to not feel even a little like yourself until two weeks later, and more normal four to six weeks post-surgery.
- Don’t be shy about asking for stronger pain medication if you need it.
- Ask the hospital staff whether they’ll be on top of your pain med schedule or whether you need to keep track (you might want to keep track anyway in case staff gets tied up so you can remind them to give you pain meds).
- in addition to the pain around my incision, I was surprised to feel a burning/stinging sensation, too, that was really intense around the incision scar.
- when they tell you not to do too much, don’t push yourself or you can go backward in your recovery. Accept help from nurses, your partner, etc. For instance, I can hold my daughter when I’m standing or sitting, but I can’t hold her while going from sitting to standing, so I ask for help there.
Msybe my situation is an anomaly, but I hope it helps someone!
TBH I avoided this thread because I didn’t really want to think about a c-section, I knew it was a possibility but was chicken shit to find out the truth about it. Honestly after being induced and only getting to 4cm over like 2 1/2 days, the c- section part was a breeze. @lindsayleigh1989 is right if you are nervous tell your doctor. If you have something that was in your birth plan that will make you feel better to ask about, do- I don’t remember if I added this to my birth story but I was insistent on listening to Whitney Houston while giving birth, when my delivery turned into a C, I asked my doctor if we could listen to music during and explained the Whitney Houston request. When we got to the OR she checks the CD player to see what kind of music they had/ the bodyguard soundtrack was in the player! What are the odds! Then everyone (all woman) in the OR started cheering! And to be honest that was the extra little piece of comfort that I needed.
As as far as recovery, I had no idea what to expect. (Hence not reading this thread) so I almost didn’t know what to fear. This worked in my favor and honestly my doctors and nurses were superb in helping me when I didn’t know I needed it. I was def still groggy and would have got up on my own if they hadn’t instructed me to take it slow. My biggest fear was not being able to take care of my baby or breast feed because of the idea of being in pain. (I’ve also never had any surgeries before) but between my DH and the nurses they made sure I was able to do everything I wished.
My doctor met with me after the c and told me not to be a hero and take the pain meds when I need them. She said she prescribed them for a reason. I have a lot of respect for you ladies who opt out of taking them, but personally I could not sit up without them. The worst part was sitting up or standing and getting out of that damn hospital bed. Tell the nurse you’d like to sit in your chair and I promise you will be happier! From there is was easier for me to help with baby, feed him and greet visitors.
My feet and legs did swell a LOT, but I was on IV fluids for almost 3 days prior to changing to a c. I’ve heard that could be why. Also, we were discharged on Tuesday, and had to go back in tot he hospital on Wednesday baby had lost 15% of his body weight and needed to go under the lights again. Then we went home on Thursday night, and we had to go back to the doctor on Thursday. I live on the third floor of an industrial building walk up. So putting it like that, of course I swelled up! My advice is, keep your feet up as much as you can. When you feel ready take a stroll around the L & D Floor. I didn’t even think of it and my nurse politely offered. My brother wheeled the baby in the bassinet and my sister helped me with my iv pole.
I hope my advice helps you ladies and doesn’t scare you. I only have this experience to go on and I’d 100% say- id only have other children if we can go straight to a c-section. (Because of the god damn cervical checks alone, but my labor wasn’t progressing so maybe that why it was so painful for me)
I definitely have been doing to much and gushed a few times today (not from my incision) but I had to take percocet tonight. also the itching is unreal the last few days and the burning is back too. I have a few numb spots above my incision so we will see if it comes back. I had more internal pain today too. Granted we were doing major cleaning and I was up and down a ton but I think it is nerves trying to heal in the various levels of tissue.
Anyone else have back pain? I am getting really sore in the middle and low part of my back probably from having no stomach muscles currently. also does anyone else have seeping from their incision? It is clear and my incision looks fine but want to make sure its normal
And count me in on the swollen legs and feet club—not one I want to belong to! Hoping we all feel better sooner rather than later!
@sm05-2 I had severe nerve pain around my incision last time that was just from nerves being cut. It was bad enough to leave me curled in the fetal position on the bed crying a few times. I finally started taking the narcotics they’d sent me home with and I felt soooo much better. My OB told me if the oral narcotics weren’t enough we could talk about a TAP block. It got significantly better after about a week.
I also notice that if I’m constipated the pain is worse. I’m taking Colace twice a day and also milk of magnesia—all of that is working somewhat.
@comealongponds thanks for letting me know your experience, I hit a week tomorrow and am optimistic. I have been taking narcotics, sometimes it’s not enough. I see my OB for a postpartum follow up on Tuesday, so I’ll ask about patches and other options then.
@sm05-2 sounds like nerve pain
I have had abdominal pain todag just above my belly button. I'm assuming it is just muscles healing but ugh not fun.
These are the ones I got:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3700427599583322921?q=lidocaine+patch&sa=X&biw=375&bih=553&tbs=cat:518
For me, it was literally a non-issue. And if anything I joked with my husband afterwards that when they removed it the next day I wanted it back bc it was so nice to just pee in place and not have to move.
Also wish someone had told me you have to come off your opioid pain meds to ever have a bowel movement again. I went 9 days without one... beyond uncomfortable. Then I read some old message boards, stopped my meds immediately, doubled down on water and less than a day later I literally lost 4 lbs of backed up bowels.
edited because apparently words are tough
I’m two weeks out and still feeling pretty sore. I didn’t have much pp bleeding once i left the hospital. I thought i was done since I’ve had some yellow/brown blood but then got some pink today.