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C-sections
tayrob1986
member
First C/S a week in 8 days-Need Advice
tayrob1986
member
in C-sections
Hey ladies! I am having my first c/s on Monday, Feb 13th. I am trying to prepare my house and so forth so it's perfectly clean once we get home. But, I'm kind of stumped on stocking the fridge before hand. Those of you who are doing this for the first time, or have had a c/s before, any tips on what I can do to make our return home easier? Stocked fridge, prepared meals, how long should I need help from others(I know it will depend on the individual,) etc. I would just love any suggestions and words of wisdom. Also, anything else that I should be prepared for? Do I need really high wasted pants? Or what kind of undies, pads, etc should I buy from the store? I'm just not completely sure what to expect. Thanks so much!
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Re: First C/S a week in 8 days-Need Advice
I would have lots of quick snacks and meals ready. Between being a new mom and having a c/s I didn't feel like cooking for a while.
I needed help for the first 2 weeks. After that I was moving around well enough that I didn't need too much help for every day things. Plus, I wasn't allowed to drive until after my 2 week check up.
I took all the pads and mesh undies I could from the hospital. I kept taking as long as they would give me more. Pants and undies don't necessarilly need to be high waisted, but it does help. Also, it helps if you don't have to do stairs. I could do them, but it was really hard and uncomfortable at first.
It is so hard to tell people what they need. Everyone heals differently. I hope everything goes well for you.
You will really appreciate any kind of fast, simple meals. At times we were so exhausted we just did not eat if nothing was easily available. Accept any offers from friends to bring meals.
I did not have high waisted pants. I wore giant granny panties and would tuck gauze in the waistband to cushion the incision. At first you will likely need the big, diaper type pads. I only needed them for about a week then I was able to switch to regular style pads. Also, I did sleep with a towel under me to prevent messes.
One thing that really helped me - If you have a high bed, get a stool. I could not get in the bed at all until my mom got one for me.
I would plan to have someone with you 24/7 for at least the first week. I was very unrealistic and told everyone I did not want guests at first. By the next morning I was calling my mother and asking her to come over. You will be sore and getting up and down is difficult. Rest as much as possible in those first few days. It will make recovery much better. I tried to do too much and really regretted it.
I know this sounds awful but it gets better.
The thing that helped me the most was the height extender my husband bought for our toilet. Your stomach muscles will feel like you had been doing crunches for an entire week and if you have a low toilet you will need help getting up and down. He bought it at Wal-Mart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Medline-Raised-Toilet-Seat/7983656
I was also extremely constipated for the first two days home. Fiber One bars really helped things move along and they are really good too!
Take as many mesh panties that the hospital will allow!
Everyone is different. I had two c/s. The first was after 10 hours of labor and pushing, and the 2nd was a scheduled c/s. Both times I only had DH at home to help me the first 3 weeks, and it was fine both times.My mom came after 3 weeks and just stayed a few days. If you do not have a very domestic (ie cooking) type husband, then yes, quick meals, sandwich meat, frozen food, lunch type meals,etc. I also lived on trail mix. Make sure you have tons to drink, like Vitamin Water, to keep you hydrated. The first time around DH cooked, and we ate a ton of sandwiches. The 2nd time, we had a 2 year old at home so it was kind of like grab whatever you can.
I was up and about very quickly after both c/s, I never even took anything stronger than the prescription motrin after the initial surgery. I was walking to the park with both kids 4 days after my 2nd c/s and drove myself to our pedi apt 5 days after. I healed very quick. I would suggest comfy yoga/pajama pants, granny panties and always infinity pads (thin but absorbent). I also wore a nursing gown and robe for the first two weeks as well. Just take things slow and realize you need rest and sleep. Don't feel guilty about staying in bed all day and sleeping in the with the baby, your house does not need to be spotless, and all that is important is healing. I had two great c/s experiences, I hope yours goes well.
i had to have my husband go to walmart and buy me granny panties when i ran out of the mesh ones from the hospital (my c/s was unplanned). i just had him buy the cheapest ones he could find, i knew i'd throw them away after.
take as many of the big pads from the hospital as you can. we did this with everything we could-diapers, wipes, mesh undies and pads... every time DH would go home to let the dog out, stuff would go home with him. we'd just mention it to the nurse that we were running low and more would appear in our room.
my recovery was super easy, i was slow going up/down stairs but didn't have any pain. the worst part was getting up from laying down. by the time i left the hospital i could manage getting off the toilet without too much support. i couldn't reach my feet though very easily, so DH had to put lotion on my legs for a couple days. i managed to figure out how to get pants and the undies on without too much pain, but it was, um, creative.
we didn't have any help; DH is really great though about keeping stuff up around the house. he cooked and cleaned when i wasn't really able to.
Oh I forgot about that. DH did have to help with the undies and also drying me off after a shower!! Just make sure you DH is prepared for all that, and that is ok with seeing blood and checking your incision!
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
I had help during the day for the first 2 weeks. DH was home with me for the first week and my mom came during the days the 2nd week. It was really helpful, do not plan on being home alone the first week. Literally getting off the potty hurts. I think I was doing it, but it hurt.
As far as dinners, easy, easy, easy.....I would make stuff and freeze it. Or stock up on pre-made dinners. You will not feel like doing anything except sleeping, resting and holding/feeding your new baby.
It really is not that bad. I have had two. The first was harder...was in labor for 27 hours, then c-section. Second one was planned so I was not exhausted going into it. Make sure you get good sleep the whole week before your section, go into the surgery super well rested.
Good Luck:)
- disposable plates, cups and utensils. This will help in the dirty dishes department.
- bottled water. This way you can keep the water beside you on the couch and you don't have to lean forward to reach for a cup everytime you want to drink.
- constipation was the worst part for me ( and a very common complaint following a c-section). I woull stock up on fiber bars, apple juice, prune juice, benefiber etc.
- tucks pads. This really helped me with the hemrrhoids that followed the constipation.
-suppositories and ky jelly- Yep I had to use these once or twice too. It was the only thing that worked. I am glad I I used them too because I was able to get relief with 30 minutes instead of hours or days.
Lots of quick snacks. Granola bars, cereal bars, protien bars whatever you like. Easy dinners or make a few things you love this week and freeze them. If there is something you love to drink I would have a week or two supply of it.
The help will really depend on how you recover. The first 2 days I did almost nothing. I don't know if I was in pain or just scared of hurting myself I only got out of the hospital bed to use the bathroom and shower. But once we were home I was ok doing most things. H was home for a week so I let him to all the laundry that week but I really didn't need any help.
You already got great advice that I agree with. But just wanted to add I *hated* those mesh underwear and the hospital pads. I wore them a few days in the hospital for the really heavy bleeding but then switched to granny panties and normal pads that I changed frequently.
I also wore maternity yoga pants a lot for the first few weeks.
Also I'd suggest telling your parents if someone asks if you need anything to suggest a meal. Or people can drop you bagels, fruit etc if they don't cook (someone dropped us off donuts and my husband was so happy!) Sometimes I think it's helpful if you give people concrete ways to help you.
Good luck!!
Good to know. Thanks so much! My sister is staying at the house with our dog while we are in the hospital. She told me today to make her a grocery list and she would go for me. So, I plan on doing that, but just for simple things. Like fruit, deli meat(would looooove a good Boar's Head turkey sandwich,) cereal, milk, etc.
What type of pads did you prefer? There are so many out there, and I've always been a tampon user(which I know I can't do.) Also, where have you found your maternity yoga pants? I checked at Target, but didn't see any. I plan to go out on Friday and get the last few things I may need before Monday comes around. I'm starting to get pretty nervous.