Hints for c-section recovery

Hi725

I had an unplanned c-section on Tuesday morning. I wish I had paid more attention to the c-section posts here, because there are a lot of things that would have been helpful to know. I?ll share with you and hopefully you can avoid some of the problems I have been dealing with.

 

1-      Do everything the doctors and nurses tell you to do!

2-      Yes, it hurts a little when you first get out of bed. I got up the first day, but then had some complications that kept me in bed 2 days longer than I should have, and trust me, it hurts a lot more the longer you wait to get up. Everything stiffens and tightens the longer you stay in bed.

3-      Even though you do not give birth vaginally, weird things happen to your vagina. I swelled up really badly under my incision (thanks to 3 days of IV fluids) and it looks like the bride of the stay-puffed marshmallow man down here. Because no air can circulate with so much swelling and dischargeI?m also dealing with a yeast infection. You will still be bleeding, but whenever you can, try to sit with no underwear/pads on. I stocked up on chucks pads to sit on at home when I?m on the couch and the bed

4-      If you plan on breastfeeding: As soon as that baby is out of you; ask a nurse or a lactation specialist to help you with the side-lying feeding position. The baby will nurse every two hours the first night and it?s a lot easier on your incision to breast feed laying down than it is to pull yourself into a sitting position every two hours and try to maneuver pillows to protect your incision. Another thought on pillows: The "my brest friend" pillow is AWESOME and worth every penny! It?s more firm than a boppy and wraps completely around your waist and secures with Velcro. It keeps the baby off of your incision and stops you from hunching over to breast feed.

5-      Even if you think you don?t need it, use the peri-bottle to rinse every time you use the bathroom. Your cervix still opens a bit in a c-section and you want to be sure to keep the area bacteria free.

6-      Take your colace! No need to say any more, but on that same thought, try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables to keep things moving.

7-      It?s important to keep moving, but don?t over-do it. Listen to your body and when you are tired, sit down, lay down, take a nap. Just get off of your feet. Take whatever pain pills your doctor gives you. I am anti-meds, but they have really helped me function the last few days.

8-      Double check your hospital bag for what you are wearing home! A c-section incision is right at the top of the pubic hair line. Will the clothes you packed rub on the incision? I had to have DH bring me a dress to wear home because my yoga pants were not comfortable at all. Also, pack a soft pillow in the car just in case, to put between the seatbelt and your incision.

9-      Words of encouragement. I did not want a c-section. In fact, I had planned on an un-medicated Bradley birth. I was very upset when I was being wheeled into the OR, but the minute they started working on me, I let it go. All that mattered to me was that he was alive and healthy. I hope everyone?s birth experience is what they want it to be, but in the even that it doesn?t go your way, focus on the important thing, your health and the health of your baby. J

 

clyoungsey

Good advice...I had an unplanned c-section with DS and you are right on!

MrsL.inMarch

try to sit with no underwear/pads on.

Uh... why?

Kflie83

Thanks for the Great advice!!!

Mrs.Kent

Those are some great tips, thanks!  I gave birth vaginally the first time, but will be having a planned c/s this time.

Hi725

MrsL.inMarch:

try to sit with no underwear/pads on.

Uh... why?

This doesn't apply to everyone, but if you swell up like I did, it's necessary. I'm seriously blown up like a balloon and no air is able to circulate and I wound up with a yeast infection. Doc told me to sit around pantless to allow for air flow. You can't insert any yeast treatments vaginally (even topical creams),and she doesn't like to prescribe diflucan to breast feeding moms. All I have to work with is air flow and acidophilus pills, lol

inbetween

Congrats!

EAN

Wow- I am sorry that you had so many unpleasant things happen.  I had a sort of unplanned c-section and I did not experience most of the things you posted about.  I did find the recovery to be tough but in different ways, I guess.  Hope you feel better soon!

MuckDiva

Thanks for the advice!

Congrats on everything!!

Temp534591562502098

great advice! i'll add a dress and colace to my list and checkout that pillow!

in my life

Thanks for posting this! To be honest, like you I've not paid a lot of attention to c-section posts, so I'm glad I read this so I'm more prepared if it does happen.

jkunkel26

I totally agree with the get up and get moving. Due to Pre-E I couldnt get out of bed for 4 days after my 1st c-section and when I finally got up it was terrible! I know from previous abdminal surgeries once you start moving around it is way better. Also, keep that pillow hand to add pressureto your incision when you cough or sneeze. It hurts like hell if a cough sneeks out without a pillow pushed down!