c-sec in a week (last min prep?)!

Mizsoccer83

I am so incredibly excited to meet our little man in a week. I am wondering if there are any things I can do this week to better help me prepare for the surgery and recovery? I read somewhere that taking stool softners in advance may help..any thoughts on this and anything else you can think of is greatly appreciated! TIA

mandapie

I read that about the stool softeners as well. I think for me it will be more organizing and getting things ready around the house.

1) PNP set up downstairs with my basket of goodies (nursing pads, maxi pads, Lanolin, diapers, wipes, extra sleepers and onsies, supplies for the circumsicion if your little guys is getting it done) so I don't have to run up and down as much. Although having a toddler this time around I don't think that will be as avoidable as it was the first time.

2) Making sure that the pantry and fridge is as stocked as possible to avoid 60 trips to the grocery store in the first weeks. ETA: Also if you are doing any freezer meals pick a day maybe to get that done.

3) All laundry done and house rediculously clean.

4) Get DS settled with my mom in his routine since DH will be in the hospital with me most of the time.

... I don't know what else right now... Make sure you get plenty of rest too. I know you probably just want to throat punch people who say that. Everybody's surgery and recovery is different though so you really won't know how you'll feel until after. I had complications with my first c/s so my recovery was tough. My mom seems to think it will be easier this time around though so we'll see. I can't imagine other than staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest that even the doc would have much advice. Good luck though and take it easy after!

F15Wife

1) Yes!! Get the stool softeners and start taking them before you go in. I didn't know to and the hospital didn't tell me or give me any and it was miserable!!!

2) Get extra pads and get ridiculous granny panties. You won't want anything touching your incision for a while. See if you can get extra "panties" from the hospital that they give you. I loved those things.

3) I heard that binding your belly after helps alot. Not only with recovery but also with your tummy going back to normal. I didn't and I wish I had.

4) Take your pain meds, stay on top of it.

Good luck and congrats!!!!

arenglan

This is prob tmi but I didn't know this with my first c/s.  Shave your pubic hair the night before because if you don't the nurses shave it for you and it was kind of embarrassing.  I'd rather do it myself.  The incision is right above your pubic hair line so it doesn't have to be totally gone but enough that the hair doesn't get in the way of surgery.

Also I get a suppository before I leave the hospital and that helps more with constipation than the stool softeners do for me.  I still take the stool softeners, but the suppository seems to get things moving.

juliane2004

arenglan:

This is prob tmi but I didn't know this with my first c/s.  Shave your pubic hair the night before because if you don't the nurses shave it for you and it was kind of embarrassing.  I'd rather do it myself.  The incision is right above your pubic hair line so it doesn't have to be totally gone but enough that the hair doesn't get in the way of surgery.

Also I get a suppository before I leave the hospital and that helps more with constipation than the stool softeners do for me.  I still take the stool softeners, but the suppository seems to get things moving.

My hospital doesn't shave. And neither do I. I came out of 2 c/s the same way I went in: eau naturale.

Also, I asked my doc about the stool softeners and she said there's no reason to take them before hand. Just make sure you take them as directed after surgery.

imimahoney

I didn't need stool softeners ( I had the opposite problem). I would set everything up for the baby in easy to reach places for you. Have a changing station downstairs, set up where baby will sleep, etc. 

Make sure to have really loose and comfy pants for recovery. My incision was SO sore that I couldn't wear anything restricting for a few weeks (including undies).  

vlagrl29

have lots of dinners in the freezer because you won't want to cook. 

keep everything you need on 1 level of your house because you can't go up stairs

comfy clothes and high cut cotton undies 

shave now because you won't feel like it afterwards either.  I'm weird and like to be all groomed before someone sees it 

Mel5983

Mizsoccer83:

I am so incredibly excited to meet our little man in a week. I am wondering if there are any things I can do this week to better help me prepare for the surgery and recovery? I read somewhere that taking stool softners in advance may help..any thoughts on this and anything else you can think of is greatly appreciated! TIA

I was in the hospital Friday - Sunday so in case it was time, My mother came to my house & went nuts cleaning, stocked both of the fridges with food & some cocktails! This way as people come over, food was available, my favorites, ect. It was so nice.

I second the stool softeners. I am not looking forward to the pain of trying to use the bathrom at all but the softeners really helped. I just hope they really help!

rachelb823

My main advice is to buy shapers underwear from WalMart.  It helps hold all of the extra tissue off of the incision, making it more comfortable! :-)  Buy a bigger size for the first couple weeks, too.

jb2rn

food in the freezer, and the fridge. all laundry done, house clean. everything else is pretty flexible.

I have a multi level house and I went up and down stairs no problem. I wasn't given any restrictions and it was no big deal.

I did purchase an abdominal binder just to help my tummy flatten down when I thought I would have a vaginal delivery, and it was very helpful after the c section.