Preparing for coming home after c-section

bluestarbaby

I'm a FTM and I'm having a medically needed scheduled c-section at the end of the week (still waiting for exact date/time). 

I'd like to prepare for my homecoming and I'm wondering what you suggest I get to make myself as comfortable as possible.  I'm looking for suggestions for ANYTHING from medicine cabinet needs (I heard colace is a must) to things like "I was really nauseous, so I was only able to eat crackers for a few days" type of information or anything that is just helpful info.   (I just made that up - not sure if that would be a real thing)

TIA

tawillers

You'll still need pads for the postpartum bleeding but also I liked having the long thick pads to put over my incision, on the inside band of my underwear.

You'll have to limit stairs for a while, so make sure you have everything you need on one level of your house.

Sleeping might be an issue for a week or so, so have items like pillows and blankets ready to prop yourself on the couch or a recliner to make yourself comfortable.  (FTR, I didn't have any issues laying flat but my SIL did, so everyone is different)

Make sure you take the squirt bottle the hospital provides for cleansing after going to the bathroom.

This is all I can think of now.  I'll post more as they come to me.

alizabethanne

A step stool! I needed one to get in and out of bed and the shower for 3 weeks PP.

lovebug33

I couldn't wear anything but dresses for weeks. Also, I second the step stool idea! I suggest you have baby sleep in your room. That makes life a lot easier!

jussagirl02

Make sure you get moving in the hospital as soon as you can. I had an  unscheduled c-section but girlfriends of mine that had c-sections in the past always said this made a huge differnece for them. It made coming home easier and I think it sped up the recovery process. Also, it's not something you need but it was (and still is) hard to tell when I needed to pee. Remind yourself to pee, which sounds silly but c-sections can do that and if you don't feel the urge and you're running around with a newborn, it can skip your mind. 

I second taking home the peri-bottle from the hospital and buy the biggest undies you can stand.  

mandapie

1) I bought a basket that I had planned to use in the nursery but ended up putting downstairs with things I would need throughout the day. Pads (nursing and sanitary), extra onsies and sleepers, diapers, wipes, powder, triple paste, lanolin, stuff for circumcision if needed... I think that's it. Just basically what I needed that would've otherwise been kept upstairs.

2) Going off #1, you'll want to avoid too many stairs. I was so weak from my surgery (lost a lot of blood) I honestly didn't feel strong enough to carry DS up and down the stairs for a few days after I got home anyway.

3) I was given an Rx for a stool softener that I brought home from the hospital, but having some at home probably won't hurt. I also was sent home with an iron supplement and prenatals along with my pain meds so I had a nice goodie bag and didn't need to worry about stocking up.

4) Make sure you keep yourself moving but don't overdo it. 

5) PNP was set up in the living room, bassinet in the bedroom. That way wherever I was when he fell asleep I had a place to put him so that I could, again, avoid too many stairs.

payn0045

I thought the peri bottle was meant to help after vaginal birth when things are uncomfortable down there, and wouldn't really be as useful after a CS?

m3l0d1

Belly wrap ... Ask your hospital with they'll provide you with one after the surgery, it really helped me.

MIikeBrit

I was given a wrap that velcros around your waist over the incision. It was so nice to have. I was so sensitve from the c section and I couldn't sleep on my side so I would wear it at night and it helped me out!

jb2rn

I live in a townhome style house, so not doing stairs wasn't an option, and I did just fine. Of course, if you can limit it, do it, but it really wasn't bad.

For me, the worse pain came from sitting up in bed, which is tough when you are breastfeeding! Learn how to splint your incision while you are in the hospital.

Get an abdominal binder - some say it didn't help, but it did for me.

Cook and freeze food before you have your baby. Do all the laundry. Clean your house, all that good stuff (if you can).

 

valkyriemama

I've had 3 c sections and have never needed colace, however, I get up on my feet as soon as they let me.  The quicker you're on your feet the quicker you'll feel better.  I never had nausea and was always ready to eat ASAP.  One thing I recommend is drink as much as you can.  As soon as they let me I get ice chips and then move on to water and cranberry juice. 

The binders are awesome.  You'll need the post partum pads and you might want pantyliner for over your incision.  Try to keep your incision as dry as possible because it will heal quicker.  I also agree with the limiting the stairs to a few times a day.  Stairs are hard for the first few days home.  If you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh put a pillow against your incision.  While it's important to rest, don't just lay around all day because then recovery will take longer.

 I found the peri bottle useful too because it was easier to keep the ladybits cleaner for the first week or so until it becomes more comfortable in the shower.

 I also agree with the "setting up stations idea" with diapers, wipes, cream, change of baby clothes on each floor so it's accessible and you don't need to run upstairs to restock during the day.

Oh, and don't try and be a hero and skip the pain meds.  If you don't take them on time you'll end up in extra pain and it will take longer for them to work.  

 

loganlac

m3l0d1:

Belly wrap ... Ask your hospital with they'll provide you with one after the surgery, it really helped me.

 This!  It helps you feel put together if that makes any sense.

temporalrobe

to avoid stairs we got a mini fridge off of CL and put it in our bedroom. helped with our snacks and bottles for the first few months. 

nealbl

Pads

Pants and underwear that don't hit right where your incision is. I stuck with maternity leggings and granny panties until my staples were out.

If you have a two story home, keep diapers wipes ect.. on both floors so you do not have to do the steps a million times.

I had a pretty easy recovery so I really didn't need much. I was not hungry for a couple of weeks, not b/c I was nauseous, but b/c I was just not hungry. Do make sure to keep food and snacks around that will NOT cause constipation. I never had an issue with that but from what I have heard it can be an issue.

bluestarbaby

Wow, thanks everyone!  Super helpful!

teacherjess

High-waisted undies and loose pants. I am still wearing granny panties and loose yoga pants pulled up to my bellybutton.

Get everything you need on one floor so you don't need to go upstairs.

For where you will sleep, find a way to make it easy in and out of bed and a way to prop yourself up. I couldn't lay down to sleep for a week. 

Worcbride

the recoveries for both my CS were great--nothing special needed at all.  Had my staples out at the hospital, no leaking/bleeding from there after.  I did sleep with my Snoogle for a while but other than that it was business as usual :-)  I went up/down stairs w/o any problems at all. Best wishes on the birth of your LO!

kpearse99

payn0045:

I thought the peri bottle was meant to help after vaginal birth when things are uncomfortable down there, and wouldn't really be as useful after a CS?

You still bleed after a C/S and the bottle comes in handy to help keep you feeling "fresher" and it makes it easier too.  Take it home with you it will be a godsend!!

Also, I don't know if I'm alone in this one, but once my milk came in I really didnt' have an appetite, so i went a few days with barely eating... keep small things around that you can stomach even if you don't feel like eating.

I too liked the larger pads and i LOVED the mesh undies from the hospital, I took as many home as I possibly could.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

Colace, and pads for sure.

i have a tempurpedic mattress, and had a hard time getting in and out of bed, plus my room is on the 2nd floor, so I set up camp on the couch on the 1st floor for the first couple of weeks.  I am hoping to avoid that this time, but am prepared to do it again if I need to.   

Prepare some frozen meals that are easy to heat up or throw in the crockpot so you don't have to think about dinner.

know and understand that you will have to take things slowly at first, and that is ok, you will eventually get yourself back up to your normal speed, but it may take a few weeks.  Ask for help if you need it, and never feel guilty about it.

your body will go back to normal, a new normal, but it will be ok, don't let that be a source of stress for you, and as overwhelmed as you may feel at first, you will find yourself again eventually, too.

Good luck!

thehauffamily

payn0045:

I thought the peri bottle was meant to help after vaginal birth when things are uncomfortable down there, and wouldn't really be as useful after a CS?

 

I didn't need one/wasn't even offered one.  I think you'll be fine without one.