RCS questions

LadyDelilah

How was your recovery second time around?

How long was your hospital stay?

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD?

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery?

Any other things of note or advice?

Cristine

How was your recovery second time around? I thought it was easier. It helped tremendously knowing what to expect. I overdid it a few times because I was feeling so good.

How long was your hospital stay? 5 days, but I was in NJ where the norm is 6. I had to beg to go home.

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD? I had a spinal block instead of an epidural. That was a lot less comfortable. I strongly suspect it was because I wasn't in labor so there wasn't that instant relief that I got with the epidural. It was a lot more relaxed the 2nd time, and it was over pretty quickly.

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery? My bloodpressure dropped during surgery which caused me to start vomiting while I was on the table. It was hours before I stopped, I didn't leave the recovery room until 4 hours after the surgery,  so they went ahead and gave him formula. I breastfed in the recovery room with my first though and I hope to with this one as well.

Any other things of note or advice? I can't think of anything else. Good Luck!

eb1113

How was your recovery second time around?
I felt it was much easier the second time.  I knew to make sure to walk more early on.  I also felt more prepared overall, since I had been through it.  It was also so much easier because DD2 was born in the morning whereas DD1 was born at night.

How long was your hospital stay?
I stayed the whole time I was allowed, 4 nights.

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD?
If I wasn't in labor, I would have walked to the OR.  Since I had horrible contractions, I went in a wheelchair.  I had a spinal with the RCS rather than the epidural the first time.  

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery?
Nope.  They actually brought DD2 to me to nurse within minutes of me arriving in recovery.  With DD1, they bathed her, showed her off to family, and finished any tests before bringing her to me to nurse.  After DD2 nursed for almost an hour, they took her to get a bath and finished the tests while they cleaned me up.

Any other things of note or advice?

stardust317

Recovery has honestly been more difficult, but I think a lot of that has to do with having a 15 month old at home, and not resting as much as I should have.

I was actually admitted the night before due to high blood pressure. I stayed 72 hours after a csection.

Both of mine were scheduled so I'm not sure.

They brought LO into recovery so that we could nurse.

MamaKitty3

How was your recovery second time around? 

Recovery was pretty smooth.  I was also able to take it easy and I had a very helpful two year old.  I think getting moving and resting frequently helped alot.

How long was your hospital stay?

I stayed for a day and half.  In at 0630 and was out at 1400 the next day.  I did not want to stay another night by myself but I checked out fine with the OB. (ex-H had DD and no one to watch her).  So much better that the emergency c/s the first time.  Stayed 5 days because of fever and I pulled something in my arm trying to get out of bed.

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD?

It is so much easier because the body is not taxed from labor.  I did get a spinal block instead of an epidural.  I also threw up once. Just enough time to tel my new LO I loved her and then they were replacing her with an emesis bowl. I don't think I had as much morphine either.  I remember being a lot more alert.

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery?

No formula.  If you let them know you are breastfeeding, they should make every effort to get your LO to you for the first feeding or at least a pumping for feeding.  I remember getting both babies as soon as possible for feeding. 

Any other things of note or advice?

Every surgery and recovery is different but you know your body.  If it says you are tired, rest.  Don't push yourself but don't be inactive.  And that thing about sleeping when the baby sleeps...do it.  It can be done with a toddler as well.  When it was my first's naptime, we would all go in my room and take one together.  If you need more than one, the older one will play while baby naps nearby and you lightly snooze on the couch.

xDanniellex

How was your recovery second time around?  So far as good as the first time.  I'm 8 days out from surgery. 

How long was your hospital stay?  2 nights.  Delivered 8am Monday morning and was discharged around 11:30am Wednesday.  I spoke to my doctor ahead of time about not wanting to stay the normal 3 days and she was fine with the 2 (provided there were no complications). 

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD?  Walking into the OR under your own power and being completely aware of what is going on.  A little surreal feeling.  Not bad, just different from when I was exhausted from laboring all night and my mind wasn't running at full steam like the 2nd time. 

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery?  No formula.  Waited for me to nurse once I got into recovery.  He's had no issues with BFing. 

Any other things of note or advice?  Ask any questions of the appropriate people and express any concerns as well.  I had a fear of the spinal, and made sure the anesthesia staff were aware of that and they were great about helping me deal with any anxiety through the process. 

Worcbride

LadyDelilah:

How was your recovery second time around?  I was a little more sore but my first one was super easy

How long was your hospital stay? 5 days (both times)

What can I expect from a scheduled RCS as opposed to my surprise CS with DD? I cant answer this--we had a RCS scheduled but DS showed up early

Also if you nursed LO did they give formula to your LO or did they wait for you to nurse while in recovery? they waiting until recovery

Any other things of note or advice?

MrsB*s

I found my second recovery to be more painful, actually, but they said I had a lot of scar tissue, so it wasn't necessarily surprising. I still was up and about and walking on day 2, and just pushed through it. The surgery itself was easier -- a lot calmer . Walked to OR, hopped on table for spinal.  I also found the spinal worked better than the epidural I had with DD#1.  I asked to be knocked out once baby was gone, so they gave me some extra morphine to help me sleep through rest of surgery.

I stayed 4 nights with DD#1, but I had pre-e and complications.  I only stayed 3 nights with DD#2 because I was anxious to get home, but they were surprised.  This time, I also want to do only 3, provided all is well.