Step by step

jandy007

I am scheduled to get a c-section on 2/23. Dr said not to eat anything for 6 hrs prior to the surgery.

Once I get to the hospital, what happens? If you had a c-section before, can you share step by step? 

spartan2005

i arrived at the hospital at 5 am for my scheduled c/s at 7.  first thing they had me do was use some sort of anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down my entire body.  i think they help prevent infections.  then i changed into my hosptal gown.  they hooked me up to an iv and from there i mainly remember hanging out in the room.  i'm sure they gave me some fluids and whatnot...

i think the nurse explained how things would work (though that's all a bit hazy now) and asked if i had any questions.  Right before the c/s my doctor came in to check on me, asked me if i had any questions, etc.  then once the anesthesiologist arrived and was ready, two nurses walked me back to the OR.

i got my spinal, they laid me on the table, and waited to be numb.  dh had to put his scrubs on and wait outside until i was on the table ready to go. 

hope that helps!

manbearpig31610

Arrived at 4:30 for 7am c/s. Checked in to L&D and was taken to a birthing room, put on hospital gown and hooked up to fetal monitors. While I was being monitored the nurse started my IV and started fluids. I got to drink some yucky drink to help with nausea. Anestesiologist (sp?) came in and talked about the spinal and asked if I had and questions/concerns. No. Some hospital lady came in and asked if 2 student nurses could watch the delivery. Sure, why not. My OB came in and said hello. Asked if I had any questions/concerns. No. DH put on scrubs and we walked back to the OR. I went in, sat on the table and got my spinal. Laid back and they put in my cathater. DH and my OB came in (she was in the hall with DH until they were done). OB did her thing and soon said "your going to feel lots of pressure, then we'll meet your baby." I felt maybe 3 second of lots of pressure then relief and out came my DD, screaming. The nurse gave her a quick wipe down, swaddled her then handed her to DH. Bonding for a few. Then, they asked if they could take her to the nursery for her bath and tests. Ok. (I never understand why people have a problem with this. She wasn't gone very long at all and DH got to go with her. It's not like I could hold her or anything at this point anyway). Chatted with my OB while she stitched me up. When she was done she came around the curtain and said everything looked great, no scar tissue from previous c/s and she put in an adhesion barrier to prevent scar tissue from this one. She left and I was wheeled back to the birthing room for recovery. DH and DD came in right behind me. I had to lay flat until I could lift my legs a bit (only took about 30 min) and then I could sit up and BF. Once recovery was over (1hr) and a room was available I was wheeled (with DH and DD to a postpartum room where we spent the next 2 days until we were discharged.

jandy007

When they asked if you have any questions, should I have some concerns or questions?

And is spinal same as getting an epidural? I am so excited (to have a date, but) so scared at the same time. 

Thank you for your replies. It somewhat puts me at ease. 

As for your hospital bag, were there any items you regret not bringing after getting a c-section? Ppl tell me to bring a pillow, but is that for general use or for pushing?

mommyaudra

thanks for posting this!

soveryexcited

My repeat c-section was a breeze.

I got there two hours early and had an IV started. That was probably the most painful part of the whole ordeal- getting the IV started. :-) Did paperwork, chatted with my family who hung out in the room. Walked back to the OR- got the spinal (not bad at all!), laid back and they let DH come in and sit near my head. Something about the anesthesia made my blood pressure drop or something, because I almost vomited which freaked me out more than anything. LOL. After that, OB said the ''you will feel pressure'' and they aren't kidding. There is quite a bit of pressure- like someone is standing on your tummy. Not painful, just sort of a gross feeling. Then I heard DS scream, and they showed him to us over the cloth. 

Oh, before I forget. Something that I didn't know about is that they strap your arms down (with velcro)- not sure if that's a common thing or not. Just something to be prepared for.

After he was out, they cleaned him up and handed him to DH. DH brought him over to me and I got to touch him and look at him. They finished stitching me up, and we all walked to the recovery room where they did the tests/etc. Started breastfeeding pretty soon afterwards after I got cleaned up a little. 

Things I was glad I brought; my own pillow. Just because. :-) A good tip is to use the long thin pads to cover your incision so it doesn't rub against your pants. The boppy/brest friend was helpful to have to use for nursing. Don't leave until you have too. With both c-sections I've stayed the full four days and its been invaluable having the nurses/lactation consultants right at my fingertips. Plus, its nice to not have to worry about meals or anything. Walk as soon as you can. It sucks the first few times but it helps. Watch out for gas. I didn't have any with DD but with DS I was in serious pain. I told the nurse that they must have left something in me during the c-section because the gas pains were so bad. A lot of people don't think that binders work; but I really loved mine for the first couple days. Helped me feel more able to move around. 

jandy007

Thanks for all your replies!

Now I am curious what happens on the  first 24hrs of recovery? 

Do you spot or bleed even when you had a c-section? How does one avoid having gas? Did you have a hard time peeing (someone told me she couldn't pee at first after c-section)

 

manbearpig31610

jandy007:

Thanks for all your replies!

Now I am curious what happens on the  first 24hrs of recovery? 

Do you spot or bleed even when you had a c-section? How does one avoid having gas? Did you have a hard time peeing (someone told me she couldn't pee at first after c-section)

 

For the first 24 hours of recovery...make sure you get up and walk asap! I can't stress that enough. I walked a lot sooner after DD2 than I did after DD1 and it made a huge difference. At 12 hours after surgery if they have not let you get up and walk yet start harassing people until they let you. I had to ask several times until I finally got someone to actually help me. They will have to help you out of bed the first time and you may feel stiff from being in bed so long but after the first few times you'll loosen up a bit. When you get the ok to get up take some pain meds. Let them kick in before the first time you get up so you won't be in pain. i took mine 30 min before I got up and did not feel any pain at all. Just stiff and kinda tight around the incision. Take it slow but walk often. I made it a point to do a bit of walking after everytime I fed DD. Unfortunately, gas is going to happen. There's no avoiding it. For me that was the most painful part of the whole thing but it was totally gone after 2 days. You will bleed for up to 6 weeks. It will be heavy the first day or two and then will start to be more like a period and then just light spotting. I bled for 4 weeks. All in all my recovery was a breeze. The gas kinda sucked but it wasn't like a constant thing. Peeing was no problem whatsoever. The cathater can make you feel a little sore but it's nothing serious and it won't last long.

manbearpig31610

jandy007:

Thanks for all your replies!

Now I am curious what happens on the  first 24hrs of recovery? 

Do you spot or bleed even when you had a c-section? How does one avoid having gas? Did you have a hard time peeing (someone told me she couldn't pee at first after c-section)

 

For the first 24 hours of recovery...make sure you get up and walk asap! I can't stress that enough. I walked a lot sooner after DD2 than I did after DD1 and it made a huge difference. At 12 hours after surgery if they have not let you get up and walk yet start harassing people until they let you. I had to ask several times until I finally got someone to actually help me. They will have to help you out of bed the first time and you may feel stiff from being in bed so long but after the first few times you'll loosen up a bit. When you get the ok to get up take some pain meds. Let them kick in before the first time you get up so you won't be in pain. i took mine 30 min before I got up and did not feel any pain at all. Just stiff and kinda tight around the incision. Take it slow but walk often. I made it a point to do a bit of walking after everytime I fed DD. Unfortunately, gas is going to happen. There's no avoiding it. For me that was the most painful part of the whole thing but it was totally gone after 2 days. You will bleed for up to 6 weeks. It will be heavy the first day or two and then will start to be more like a period and then just light spotting. I bled for 4 weeks. All in all my recovery was a breeze. The gas kinda sucked but it wasn't like a constant thing. Peeing was no problem whatsoever. The cathater can make you feel a little sore but it's nothing serious and it won't last long.

manbearpig31610

Sorry for the double post. I keep getting an error msg when I try to delete the second one. Also, just wanted to add...if you plan to bf bring a boppy and don't be shy about using the LCs. Take full advantage because they are great! We had a couple small issues with bfing and had they not been worked out in time I would have asked to stay an extra day. Thankfully, I was able to work closely with an LC and got it worked out in time. After just 2 days I was already going a bit stir crazy and was SO thankful to get out of there! Your experience may differ. If you feel like you need an extra day ask for it but if you're feeling well and you've got bfing down and your LO is ready to be discharged why sit around there an extra couple days? I was ready to get home and be a family.

nikki_rob_weddingplans

I had my first child by c-section on 1/23.  I would add that walking into the OR may feel a bit overwhelming but don't worry as the nurses will be great and help you out as they are used to our nerves/hormones.  When I sat on the table waiting for the spinal I started to freak out and was seriously planning my escape route but I told the nurse I was scared so she started rubbing my arms and brought me kleenex as I started crying.  The spinal is fast and did not hurt a bit.  Once you get the spinal your body will start to relax.  It really isn't that bad so try not to worry and learn from all of us that you can do it!

 As for packing your bag, I didn't end up using anything I packed except my toiletries and slippers.  My hospital provided everything...pads, disposable underwear, lanolin cream, pump and accessories.  I didn't mind wearing the hospital gown so didn't even bother with my own clothes or robe.  Definitely buy good underwear for recovery once you get home.  I also took home a few pairs of the mesh underwear from the hospital as I find that is by far the most comfortable.  I've even run them through the laundry a few times!  You won't want anything touching your incision area so you need granny panties.  You may also want to stock up on  some pants that are a size or two big to wear during recovery as well so they can be pulled way up over your waist and not touch the incision area.

p.s. I know my signature needs updated but I'm typing with one hand as I have LO in the other and I just don't have the energy to update right now

catwhisperers4292

soveryexcited:

I got there two hours early and had an IV started. That was probably the most painful part of the whole ordeal- getting the IV started. :-)

This for me as well.  I had a scheduled c-section on Oct. 17th, and I was really concerned about the spinal, but the IV was much worse and took longer than the spinal.  Things to pack- maternity yoga pants were great after the c/s, and it was nice having my own pillow.   Good luck!

christinbeatrice

Thanks for posting this! This was great to read!! :-) Good Luck!