- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
Seeking C-section veteran advice
Just found out today we'll be delivering the little one by C-section next Wednesday. Any advice from moms who've been through it? I'm interested in anything from what to expect before, during & after, to tips on recovery.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Seeking C-section veteran advice
I have had 3 c-sections. I think the best thing to do is to drink plenty of fluids and prepare yourself mentally for the roller coaster ride you are about to take.
- The surgery itself is long and it does suck there are a lot of weird feeling you will have and the shaking and pressure that you will feel are going to suck.
- You will be numb and the chances of you feeling anything are slim. Your arms will be strapped down and they will make sure you can't see what they are doing.
- After they get the baby out they will clean the baby and weight the baby and then you will be allowed to see the baby but for how long depends on how well your baby is doing. Some babies have problems at first because they still have fluid in there lungs and that is because they didnt get the push like they do in vaginal labor. So dont be upset if you dont get to see your baby for a little while.
- When they are done sewing you up they will take you to recovery and wait for the effects of the epidural to wear off.
- They wont let you walk or even get up to pee for the first day but you will be to tired to worry about that.
- The second day is all about trying to get you up and walking some. As painful as walking is do it because you will feel better and heal quicker.
- As long as you take your meds like you are suppose to the pain shouldn't be unbearable. Just keep in mind you don't get a gold star for being in pain.
- When you get home rest and take it easy focus on you and the baby, let your DH focus on everything else.
I have a few questions as to why your ending up with a planend c-section are there complications already that they think it would be best to go with a c-section or are you planning it??? I can only talk from experience and can't compare c-section with natural as I am preggers with my 2nd and my 1st was an emergency c-section. I still went through all the labors and pain of delivery, but lemme tell you when they numbed me from the waist down after all that pain of pushing and then not pushing (my cervix was coming out w the baby so I had to stop pushing) i told the anathesialolgist that he was my favorite person!!!! with a c-section you don't have an episiatomy or need the witches hazel or anything, I think you may still bleed and need the pads after but you don't get the itching/burning afterwards. But the incision can create a problem if you don't take of it and you still have to wait the recomended 6 weeks for sex. I dunno that any 1 is better than the other but im opting to try for a natural birth again and hope that this dr is better at controlling my blood preassure than my 1st one was so I don't end up with and emergency c-section...good luck
I'm sure you've already heard most of this but I think the main tips I'd give are:
-get up and walk as soon as the nurses tell you it's ok, but go really, really slowly! Moving around really does make you feel better in the long run but it is very painful for the first 2 days
-don't be afraid to take the pain medication. Everything they give you is safe if you are nursing. I also realized that by taking the heavy duty pain killers in the hospital I was able to rest more and really only needed the super strength motrin once I got home.
-bring very loose fitting underwear and pants with a high soft waistband that won't hit anywhere near your incision (also the incision was lower than I thought it would be, pretty much right above the pubic bone)
- take the stool softeners because even though you won't be dealing with an episiotomy you don't want to be straining with sore abs and stitches (or staples)
I had to have a c-section with DD#1 after 36 hours of labor and an hour of pushing and I was really upset when my OB finally broke it to me but, while not ideal, it really was not that bad. With DD#2 I went into labor 2 weeks before my scheduled c-section date but never dilated so I had another c-section and it also went very well. Try to strike a balance between not pushing yourself too hard and not lying around and each day really will be easier than the one before. Good luck!
I was not strapped down for either of my c-sections and I delivered in two different hospitals in separate states- so you may not have to be strapped down it just depends on your hospital.
The showering and going to the bathroom and walking are going to vary.
My experience
- I threw up during the surgery. I thought I was dying, but apparently it's normal.
- Don't let the pain get away from you. Take the meds. You aren't a hero for not doing it and they are safe for your child.
- Take the stool softeners.
I've had 2 c-sections and my next delivery will be a c-section as well.
--stay up on your meds and drink plenty of water.
--get up to walk as soon as they want you to. Baby steps, literally. Don't try to do too much too soon.
--if you can, get an abdominal binder like a belly bandit and wear that as soon as you can. It helps to push out the excess water weight from the baby and the IV.
--rest when you can. No matter what we think, we aren't SuperWomen. One day at a time and even then, take that in small doses.
I agree with beautifulsin on everything except this. My hospital makes you get up and pee 6 hours after your c/s ends. With my first the surgery was at 6PM and they were there and there was a team of nurses there at 1AM to get me up.
My other advice is don't let visitors in until you've held your baby. I said it was fine for everyone to come in while I was in recovery, but I was shaking so bad that I hadn't held him yet and everyone else held him before I did. This time I'm having everyone come many hours later so I get a little bit of time with DH and baby before everyone comes in.
I actually had a really good experience with my c-section. I never went into labor before having my c-section.
I walked to the OR, and once there, I recieved the epi which completely numbed me from the waist down. After that I didnt feel a thing! My husband came in shortly after and the whole thing seemed fairly quick. I do remember feeling drowsy, but it wasnt from any meds they gave me, I think it was just my body's response the anxiety I had leading up. They showed me my son, then took him to the other side of the room to weigh him, clean him and check him out. After that they took him back to the labor room, my husband went with them, as I didnt want both of us to be out of site of our new baby. In the meantime, I was stitched up. The nurses and doctors were very friendly and did good at keeping me company. After I was done, they rolled me into the labor room, where my son and husband were. I did throw up a few hours afterward and had some hot flashes, but after that....I really felt fine. The pain meds kept the pain away, I never really felt any pain at all from the whole process. And slowly over the next week or so, I started moving around more and more. The scar is super low, and wouldnt be seen even in a bikini. Really, I had a great experience. I'd recommend just reading up on what to expect and try to relax
Most everything has been covered. I didn't realize that any hospitals still strap arms down, mine didn't so check with your doctor. At one point I felt like I was going to vomit, but the anesthesiologist heard me tell DH this and gave me something that took care of that feeling, so speak up.
I was up and walking about 6 hours after the c/s, it hurts like hell, but do it. Keep up on the pain meds and colace. I also, bought granny panties and put one of those big thick pads in my underwear in front of my incision. It really made it more comfortable and kept it dry.
Other than that I think everything has been covered. I had a pretty easy recovery. I hope you'll have a smooth recovery too!
All of this and...
I have had 2 planned c/s. Both were great experiences (as far as major surgery goes). Surgery was not a long ordeal and I was never strapped down for either one. I never had constipation issues. I do get sick on the table, but that is because they are pushing on me so much! I just mention to the anesthesiologist,who is sitting directly behind my head, that I feel sick, and he is ready with a pan.
Some hospitals allow your baby in recovery with you (after he/she is cleaned up and all of that good stuff). My hospital has a general OR recovery room (not one specifically for maternity), so I have to wait until I can bend my knees and lift my bottom off of the bed, before returning to my room. DH is with the baby the entire time I am in recovery. Because I can't have LO in recovery, I can't nurse right away, which stinks, but I get to nurse as soon as I am back in the room.
I do not allow ANYONE up on the maternity floor to see my baby, even through the nursery window, until I am in the room and have had some alone time with my immediate family (DH and DDs), holding the baby. DH will go to the waiting room, or wherever, to get the rest of the family when I am ready. This is really important to me. If I have to go through major surgery to get my babies, then they can wait until I have had some time with my baby to come to the room.
You will bleed, vaginally, just like a vaginal birth. I was pretty surprised, the first time, with the size of clots I was passing!
Take your meds and take it easy. Let others care for you and wait on you!
Hang in there! Once it is all said and done, its pretty easy!
I had both an emergency and a scheduled c-section. The scheduled one was easier ( of course). I was in and out in about 30 mintues. I threw up the first time and almost did the second, time but I told the anethesiologist I was nauceous and she said it was because my blood pressure was low so she gave me some medicine ot help it out. I held my daughter in the recovery room and even got to nurse her there.
Here is my advice. I had very bad problems with constipation and I took every single stool softener they gave me, ate salad and raisin bran every day, drank tons of water and walked around. It still was not enough. This time I will drink more juice, eat yogurt and not have as much carbs.
Everybody has pretty much said everything.... I had a scheduled one, and it wasn't bad at all!!
PLEASE TAKE YOUR STOOL SOFTENER..... oh, and I asked for my catheder to be inserted AFTER my spinal.......
Dont be afraid to take your meds....
good luck.......
I've had 2 c-sections.
Get up and move around as soon as you are allowed. It really does help with recovery.
TAKE the prescribed pain meds. It is MUCH easier to control your pain if you stay ahead of the game. If you wait too long, it is harder to get under control. And remind yourself that you won't need Rx pain meds forever:) I only needed mine for about a week.
Take the stool softeners as prescribed and drink tons of fluids. Pain meds are constipating and you do not want to be constipated after a c-section.
Ask for help! You will be pretty sore and you don't need to be a hero. Nothing wrong with getting some assistance while in the hospital and during the first few weeks of recovery.
Rest when you can and don't forget to eat. (I know that sounds crazy, but I would forget to eat meals and that's never good while breastfeeding and taking pain meds.)
I didn't find either recovery to be horrific. I followed my OB's discharge instructions and luckily had zero complications. Best of luck to you:)
You ladies are the best. Thank you very much for your input, very helpful!