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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Jessimurph
member
Advice for my c/s tomorrow? I'm terrified!
Jessimurph
member
I never paid attention to c/s posts because I never thought I would have a scheduled c/s and I figured if it was an emergency I'd just have to go with the flow. Now that it's scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 I'm looking for advice from anyone that's been through it.
Did you get an epi or spinal? How long did the surgery last? How long until you were able to see/hold your baby? What kind of clothes should I bring for recovery? How was the pain after? I don't even know what questions to ask...
Thanks in advance!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Advice for my c/s tomorrow? I'm terrified!
I had an epi because I had already been in labor. It is normal to feel sick during a c/s, so don't hesitate to ask for some medicine if you do.
I loved my robe and slippers for recovery. I brought a comfy outfit to wear home. While I was in the hospital, I just wore the hospital gowns.
I was able to see my baby pretty much right away and to hold her as soon as they were done stitching me up.
Pain was not as bad as I expected, but when they offer you the Percocet--just say yes!
I can't wait to see pictures, GL!!!
check out my bio - it answers a lot of your questions. for recovery I wore pajama pants and a tank top with a nursing bra. I wore the mesh undies in the hospital and after and then after that I wore granny panties for a long time ( and still do sometimes!)
The pain wasn't really bad. I was very drugged up the first day and night and they really keep up with the pain meds for you. Don't worry, it will be a breeze! Oh, and even though mine wasn't ideal, I was still very happy with how things turned out!
GL and see you here soon!
I've had two - both spinals. I saw the girls right away but didn't hold them for a few hours. DD1 had very low blood sugar and was rushed away and DD2 couldn't maintain her body temp so she was under the heating lamp in the nursery until they could warm her up. The worst pain the day of the c/s was the IV going in. The spinal was not bad at all.
The day after they will have you stand up (sometimes even the same day), and shower. You will think that you will never be able to be fully functioning again at first, but recovery will go quickly. Within 2 weeks both times I was nearly back to normal. DD1's birth story is in my bio.
J2 11.17.08
I had an epi too -- failed induction. I agree about the percocet --don't be a hero! It made me a little loopy though -- just a heads up. You'll be fine -- good luck!
I wish I had advice for you...I didn't have a C. What changed? I know you were talking about an induction in another post.
I can say, try to relax tonight...yeah, right!! Congrats on meeting your little one tomorrow!
Mine was emergency-c so I got an epi but it wouldve been a spinal if it was planned. I think the surgery total (all the stapling up afterwards and stuff) maybe lasted 30 min? (but I had no real concept of time) DH brought baby over to me after they cleaned her up but I couldnt hold her (they pumped up the epi so much that I couldnt lift myarms). He went with baby to the nursery and I went to recovery so I didnt get to actually hold her until about 3-4 hrs later, which sucked. I wish someone wouldve warned me about that, I was pretty out of it in recovery and jsut kept wondering where my baby was.
I was in a lot of pain the first few days, but I also labored and pushed for 2 hours prior to my csection so they said I was feeling the effects of both which made it worse. Once I could move around and the gas pains went away (didnt know gas could hurt so bad) it was better. My advice is move around as much as possible!
I wore the hospital gown and a robe most of the time. But when visitors came I wore some stretcy lounge pants and comfy fleece top.
Good luck, try not to worry. It isnt as scary as it sounds and a planned csection is usually better in terms of recovery (so I've heard)
Did you get an epi or spinal? I had an epidural done because of my induction early the night before. I ended up getting a spinal right before the emergency c-section.
How long did the surgery last? They will do your vitals, catheter, etc and then numb you up. It's pretty quick. After they deliver the baby, they will sew you back up. It took about 1.5-2hrs.
How long until you were able to see/hold your baby? I had to be in the recovery room an additional hour for monitoring.
What kind of clothes should I bring for recovery? I wore the hospital gown and mesh undies for the remainder of my stay. I just brought sweats to come home in.
How was the pain after? The pain wasn't bad, especially since they give you pain killers for them. It didn't kick in until later on that night. I ended up w/ sutures rather than stitches so it was relatively easy heal.
The worse part was not being able to have a BM. They gave me some stool softeners as well as Colace. BMs still hurt. Best of luck Jess, you'll be fine.
It seems as if it were only yesterday that you posted on 1st trimester with questions about when you're due because of your whacky period cycles. Man, how times flies.
Spinal (although I don't think it feels different from an epi...?)
Surgery started at 8:26 a.m. and Jack was born at 8:34 a.m.
I was allowed to hold Jack after 5 minutes (they suck their lungs, etc.) I got to hold him for a bit, and then they took him to the nursery for an hour or so. Stitches/staples or whatever took about 20 minutes, too.
I just had a pair of large, comfy yoga-type pants and nursing tanks (wore gown for first 36 hours)
Pain was sore but not burning or fiery. Take your pain meds BEFORE you're in pain. Also, they loaded me up with morphine via the spinal such that it lasts for 24 hours, so it was a full day before I needed pain meds. The walking around actually helped. Again-- sore, but not awful. Good luck to you. Don't be scared.
Mine wasn't scheduled, so I didn't have time to plan (although I wasn't surprised based on my size, baby's size, and mom's history) but I will have to say that after the first couple of days, it wasn't bad.
once they wheeled me into the operating room (which was super cold and the meds made me shake), everything went pretty quickly. I think that Alyssa was out within 5-10 minutes; I could see them cleaning her up and then they brought her out to see my husband while they stitched me up (DH doesn't do well with bodily fluids so opted to wait outside and let my mom go in with me). I would say I was in the operating room a total of 45 minutes. As soon as I got out of the OR, I got to hold Alyssa and everything.
I never wore anything at the hospital that I brought besides nursing tanks and a robe. I didn't want anything on my lower half of my own because of the mess. Going home, I definitely wanted something soft on my stomach (i.e. sweatpants, not jeans). Everyone's pain is different, but I didn't take anything other than Aleve - when I was resting in bed or walking, I didn't have pain, I only had pain when twisting like when I got out of bed.
I know this isn't what you wanted and you're probably very disappointed, but you have to look beyond what is going to happen tomorrow and focus on BabyMuph. Look forward to seeing you on this board!
I had a spinal and it was hard...but I also have a serious back problem. Recovery for me was also hard...but it was also my 3rd major surgery in 2 years.
HUGS!
Read the tips I gave on my 3rd tri post earlier today and read the C-Section Birth Plan I have in my bio.
If you have any other questions e-mail me at hippinski@gmail
I had an emergency c/s. I has a epi and didnt feel a thing. I am not sure how long surgery lasted. maybe an hour. After i was all sewn up and ready for recovery i got to hold my baby and he never left myside that day .actually he stayed with us the whole hospital stay.
I recommend night gowns or pants that come to about your belly button so that they dont rub your incision. loose clothes are key.
My recovery was great. I only has soreness in the sence that my muslces and stuff where sore. I never had pain like "oh my god i was cut open". I was off pain meds daily by the time i was home (granted i took some off and on when i over did it.
You'll do fine just be sure not to over do it and let people help you.
Hey, sweetheart. I replied to your update post, but to answer your questions...
Did you get an epi or spinal? I had an epi from the induction.
How long did the surgery last? Baby was out about 15 minutes after they started. Then they are really meticulous about putting everything back in, making sure they didn't nick any organs or leave any surgical equipment in you. That took another 30 minutes or so.
How long until you were able to see/hold your baby? A few minutes. I could hear her crying and it was killing me that I couldn't see her yet. They did let me hold her (kinda, I was cradling her in my arm as I was lying down) when they wheeled me back to my room.
What kind of clothes should I bring for recovery? You won't want to wear most pants since they will land right on you incision. I just wore the gowns, a nursing bra, and the mesh panties, which were much more comfy than I expected. Well, a few times I wore a t-shirt and some very lose, soft sweats or boxers. Rob the hospital blind of those mesh panties when you go home. You will be bleeding vaginally regardless of you delivery method, so I didn't want to risk bleeding on my own clothes.
How was the pain after? Sucked for the first week or so. But once the staples came out it was a million times better. The biggest b*tch will be getting up from sitting or lying down, which is still bad afte rthe staples are removed but not as bad. Get up and move as soon as you're allowed; it'll help you heal better. And don't be afraid to ask for the pain meds and take them when offered.
Sarah - 12/23/2008
Alex - 9/30/2011
"I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool." - Shirley Manson, Garbage
Don't be scared, it will be fine. The only pain I felt was the IV in my hand. Warn your DH that you will be shaking, but its just a side effect of the Epi. You may also feel a bit cold.
They gave Cole to DH and he brought him over for me to see and kiss. I could see him most of the time, though I couldn't hold him. It takes 6-7 minutes to deliver the baby, then another 45 mins to sew you back up. Then they wheel you into recovery. They gave me the baby to hold while they wheeled me into recovery, then I nursed him in recovery. I went to my room about an hour later.
Advice: Wake up and EAT the last minute you are allowed to eat tonight. You will be SOOO hungry in the morning.
Take toilet paper to the hospital. Their toilet paper doesn't cut it.
No visitors day 1. You won't feel up to it.
Since you will be in the hospital 4 days, stay as long as you can and send baby to the nursery the very last night so you can go home semi-rested.
Good luck, you'll be fine!
Thanks megs! My growth u/s yesterday has Charley measuring at 9lbs 13oz. I know they're notoriously off, but my doctor only feels comfortable doing a c/s based on my frame and how big I'm carrying. He thinks she is going to be close to a 10lb baby and thinks it's by far the safest route for us.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it!
Keegan Patrick - Bilateral Clubfeet found at Anatomy Scan.
www.facebook.com/portraitave
Don't be nervous. I know, easier said than done.
My c/s was planned. Went to hospital at 5:30, entered OR at 7:30 had K at 7:42. (I had the spinal and it did not hurt at all. Worst part about that was DH had to wait until I had it before he could be in OR with me.) I got to see her and kiss her and then DH and nurses took her to the nursery. They finished up with me and rolled me by the nursery window so I could see her again and then I was in my room. She was there about 15 min later and I was BF'ing her. I was a little groggy. I remember everything I did, just not everything I said. I did get a little sick later that evening. It was after I ate/drank something sweet. Take the pain meds when the offer them. My hospital couldn't "offer" me the percoset, I had to ask for it. I had a great nurse who told me when it was available for me to take, so I asked for it. I wore yoga pants after the first day, but at night, put on the gown. They will come in and check your incision and bleeding while you are asleep so it is just easier. Drink lots of water and get to moving as soon as you can. I got up that very next morning and I really think that is what made my recovery so quick and easy. Also, consider having baby in the nursery at night. You will think you do not want to be separated from your baby, but you will rest so much better and it will help with your recovery. Just a suggestion. When I got home I only took the motrin for the pain. Goo dluck, everything will bejust fine. Can't wait to see pics.
Two angel babies 11/09 and 4/10
i had a c-section after a failed induction....i had about 2.5 hours to prepare myself after being in labor for 24. i had a spinal, and it wasn't painless because the anestesiologist screwed up....that probably won't happen to you.
i think it took about 15 minutes to get the baby out, then about 30 stitching him up. for me, the hardest part was the beginning, because they didn't let SO in right away. as soon as he got there, i was fine. but honestly, you will be so excited to meet your LO that you will be fine! i got to hold my baby as soon as they stitched me up, and SO got to hold him right away. DS came with us to the recovery room and we were able to BF within 30 minutes of his birth....i was very concerned that i wouldn't be able to hold him/BF right away, so i'm glad my hospital lets babies go to the recovery room with their moms. baby stayed in recovery with me for about an hour.
after the recovery room, they took him to the nursery to get cleaned up and SO went with him. i was in the recovery room for about an hour more, then they took me to our room and SO and DS met me there. on the first night, we sent him to the nursery for a few hours, which i ended up not liking and i didn't sleep anyway.
recovery has not been bad at all. i am two weeks out and i feel close to 100%. i have some pain at the incision sight but advil is enough to handle the pain. i agree with the other posters that it is really important to stay on top of the pain meds...you will feel great while you are on them and really bad if you push it too far.
good luck! you will do great!
My c/s wasn't scheduled, it was somewhat of an emergency. I had a spinal which I was scared to death of getting, but it hurt less than my IV. It wasn't bad at all. I immediately got to see my baby, but I did not get to hold her until she was 6 days old (she was a preemie and in the NICU). My surgery lasted about 5 minutes. It took my OB about 30 minutes to clean me out and put me back together. I wore nursing gowns while I was in the hospital and came home in stretchy pants that the waist band came up high on me and a t-shirt. The pain was not that bad. I didn't take all of the pain meds I could have. I didn't need it. The morning after I was up walking around ( even though I was moving slowly).
The worst part of my c/s expereince was having to have magnesium sulfate through my IV. I think I just had to have it because I was delivering at 32 weeks. That pain was awful, but it was just in my arm. The mag-sulfate does make you weak and feel awful, but I have no complaints at all about the actual surgery.
I'm sure everything will be fine. I was scared about the whole process too, but it was over and done with before I knew it. Good luck! I can't wait to see pics of Charley.
I had a c-section. My advice is as follows:
1. Take the pain meds!! If they are offered, take em.
2. Take colace; it will help with your first poop.
3. Bring pillows to the hospital for yourself. The pillows the hospital provided were flimsy at best.
4. If you have 2 flors in your home, make sure you have EVERYTHING on the first floor that you need, b/c you cannot go up and down the steps more than once per day.
I would buy granny panties because they won't irritate your incision and possibly drawstring pjs. PJ with a strong elastic bad might also irritate your incision.
I would also take all the stool softeners you can get if not more. For me that was the worst part trying to pass that first poo. I took all the stool softeners they gave me but it still wasn't enough. Next time I will take more and maybe even take benefiber and or prune juice.
During the c/s, I just kept talking to DH to distract myself. It wasn't bad. I had an epi b/c it wasn't a planned c/s. They held the baby to my face right away and then DH stayed with her. I requested no bath for the baby (just the basic wipe off). DH held her right away. They were waiting in my room after the surgery ended. I was able to recover in my own room.
I was a little loopy, so I just stared at DD while she sat on DH's lap. Once I had the feeling back in my legs, they place DD on my chest for some skin to skin time. She started BFing immediately.
Day 1 after the surgery was rough on me, but I had labored all day before the c/s. After that, things got better. I took all the drugs they offered. My legs were very swollen, so that made it hard to move, but the nurses will take good care of you.
I wore my robe over the hospital gown. I also brought my Boppy and a nursing bra--the tank was too small to fit over my still very swollen belly. For the ride home, I wore tennis shoes w/o socks (feet too swollen), maternity pants and a long shirt. Also, granny panties are very important. I sent DH out to buy them right away. The bikini style panties rubbed my incision.
GL!! It's so exciting to finally meet your LO.
I had a spinal it didn't really hurt just feels weird when you suddenly can't move your legs.
The surgery was about 45 minutes but the baby was out within the first five minutes.
They let me see her after about 10 minutes but I really couldn't focus on her becuase I was shaking from the pain medication, that was probably the worst part. Once I was in recovery and seemed alert and could talk and keep my eyes open (about 30 minutes after recovery) they brought her to me and I could hold and and feed her. Once they took me to my room, they brought her right in and she was with me all day.
CLothes- sweat pants, maternity were the best. also, they will give you pads to keep over your incision, bring some home with you. They will protect the incision if you put something on that is rubbing on your incision.
The first 24 hours they keep you pretty comfortable with medication. It's the 2nd day that you'll feel more pain, just stay on top of the pain medication and move around as much as possible. I would walk a little further on each walk that I took outside my room. Eventually I could go the nursery in the morning and wheel my baby back to my room. By three weeks I felt 100% myself. Just take it easy as much as you can and remember you will heal.
Good luck!
Mine was scheduled too, then he came early anyways!
Had a spinal- didn't really hurt going in. Surgery was about an hour total? I saw him right away, then DH took pics while they cleaned and weighed him so could see him! I was able to hold and BF in the recovery room right after the surgery! Then he went to special care for a few hours to monitor sugar (I had GD)
AS far as recovery- the first 24-48 hours were the worst, then I just took ibuprofen after that for the pain. Not too bad! Getting up the first time was the scariest- it got a lot better every time. I had brought clothes to wear, but didn't use any of them until we went home. Just wore the gown and my crocs! If you BF, your boobs are out every 1-2 hours anyways with the nurses manhandling them to help you! LOL!
Good Luck- you'll be fine!
Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I've had an emergency c and a scheduled. The scheduled c-section went REALLY well.....My recovery has been much easier than with the emergency c-section.
The spinal didn't hurt at all...I just felt the pinch of the needle from the numbing meds.
I got a little nauseated when they were stitching things back up. Common when they are pulling on the tissues to close everything up from what the anesthesiologist told me. Just make sure to be verbal...If you feel sick, tell the anesthesiologist. He gave me an alcohol swab to smell while he added anti-nausea meds to my IV and the nausea passed immediately.
I was in the OR a tad longer than with the first due to scar tissue....But typically the baby is born quickly and you'll be stitched up before you know it. I think my first only took 35 to 40 minutes total.
The first few days you'll be pretty sore. You'll need help getting up out of the bed but I noticed that the more I moved around, the better I felt. I was up with both as soon as they'd let me. (About 24 hours after surgery.) I showered as soon as they let me and it made me feel so much better!
I wore the hospital gowns the first 2 days because I didn't want anything on my incision, but day 3 I wore loose fitting clothing. I asked for extra pairs of those mesh undies and actually wore them for the first 2 weeks! (I washed them in my washing machine and they didn't fall apart, lol!) They didn't rub on my incision at all. My maternity underwear were way too big after delivery but my regular underwear sat right on the incision.
GOOD LUCK! You'll do great. I think the anticipation is the worst...But once you get in the OR, you'll be fine. Hope it goes very smoothly for you!
Everyone's given some great advice. I second walking as soon as you can to get things moving and take the percocets. Good luck!!!