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C-sections
C Section Scheduled
For 1 week for tomorrow. Baby is breech! Any words of advice, or things I should do before the csection I would love to hear!
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Re: C Section Scheduled
You're still going to have postpartum bleeding for a few weeks, so stock up on some huge pads. They'll give you some great ones in the hospital but you'll probably run out of them 1st day at home at the latest.
I also used a pad on my incision, held in place by the huge hospital underwear. It was a little weepy for a few days post-delivery.
Just relax and remember to take it easy, both before the surgery and after. Everyone's recovery experience is different. Even if you feel great 1-2 weeks later, do not over-do it. It's very painful.
My insurance paid for a 3rd night in the hospital and I took it after both c-sections. I felt good enough to go home after 2 nights, but I took advantage of one more day of rest and having a nurse available at all times. I would recommend this to everyone.
The OR will probably be cold, so ask for blankets if you need them. The room temp and the meds made me shiver like crazy. Also your DH or partner won't be allowed in until after you are prepped. It will only be 15-20 minutes but will feel like hours. Try to stay calm. They'll bring him in when they're ready.
Ask your doctor to hold the baby up so you can see and have someone take pictures. Find out if your DH can cut the cord (if he wants to). My DH was able to cut it for both girls. One of the nurses took pictures of him doing so.
It took about 45 min for them to stitch me up. In the meantime, they (and DH) took the baby back to my recovery room and waited for me to get there to take the weight and height measurement.
Take it all in. It goes by fast. Good luck!
While in recovery request to have your baby with you. It is common policy in a lot of hospitals that baby and mom do not get together until after recovery room. However if you request most hospitals will oblige.
You will still need pads.
Get up as soon as they will let you. It will hurt but the quicker you are up and moving the better the pain gets
Don't eat anything that could make you constipated.
Don't over do it.
Don't be afraid they are not that scary. Mine was really awesome.
I ditto the pad wearing over the incision. I actually liked the big mesh underwear the hospital gave me because it didn't feel constrictive at all. Also, I think this is standard now at the hospitals, but definitely wear the binder they give you. It makes it so much easier to move around and cough without feeling like your insides are gonna pop out.
Definitely get up and walk as soon as they say it's okay. It may be uncomfortable at first but really that little bit of exercise helps with healing.
Avoid constipation. Your first BM after any delivery is a nerve-racking (vaginal or c/s). Keep in mind the meds you're given for your epidural and post-surgery pain tend to be constipating. I know I ordered a lot of raisin bran with soy milk and lots and lots of prune juice off the hospital menu. Drink lots and lots of fluids (they want you to piss up a storm afterwards anyway). I must say my first BM in the hospital went "smoothly."
Great advice listed above, especially the walking as soon as possible item. Plus, the sooner you get up to walk, the sooner they'll let you shower!
Also, make sure you have some granny-panties at home to wear after you go through the hospital mesh panties. Any bikinis will hit right at your incision...so go for the big-boys that pull way up!