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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
librarianlisa
member
Questions for C-section Mamas
librarianlisa
member
We found out on Monday that I will have to have a C-section next week. This has totally taken me by surprise, and now I am rethinking all sorts of things.
For starters, should I even bother to pack my own clothes (with the exception of what I'll be leaving in) or should I just plan to wear hospital gowns the whole time due to the incision? (I had planned to take nursing tanks and loose pants.)
Anything I should do around the house beforehand to make it extra conducive to having just had major surgery?
Any other insights/words of wisdom??
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Re: Questions for C-section Mamas
my angel babies: 6/10 (chem. pg), 9/10 @ 10 weeks
I was so swollen after my c-section that I couldn't get my own clothes on, I even contemplated wearing the gowns home lol.
I would bring loose pants that you can pull up above your incision and see if you can wear them.
Get all the cleaning done, you won't want to, and can't do anything for awhile.
Take the pain meds
Take the stool softeners.
Don't watch anything funny, let funny people talk to you, or anything that will make you laugh...it sucks.
Even if you're feeling good, don't overdue yourself. I did this and ended up with an open incision that just yesterday stopped bleeding/oozing (it was really gross and a PIA).
When they have you get up and walk around do it. Change positions you are in the bed frequently otherwise it will KILL you when you need to.
Good Luck!!! It really isn't that bad, I was so drugged up that I don't even remember the procedure lol.
I wore the hospital gown the whole time with the mesh panties they give you. But I wore my own robe and socks. This was easier for me because they were constantly checking my incision and my bleeding. Other ladies on this board did wear there own clothes so you may want to bring at least 1 nursing tank and a pair of pants just to wear when visitors come.
As far as stuff needed at home, probably the same as if you delivered vaginally. Pads (but still take as many as you can from the hospital), nursing pads, stool softner (a must!), tylenol or ibprofen, lansinoh cream if bfing, have some frozen dinners or frozen pizzas or anything easy to make on hand.
Take the pain meds offered and take it easy! Good luck!
At least you will be prepared, a planned c section from what I heard is so much better than an emergency c section. I had one after being in labor for 12 hours and pushing for 2.5 hrs.
I loved having my own clothes. Make sure your pants and shirts are large enough since you will be pumped full of fluids. Nursing tanks are great. I still looked 7 months pregnant after my c section.
As far as around the house, I would just try to get some cleaning and laundry in since you won't really be able to bend over for a while. When you get home, take it easy. Focus on the baby and don't worry about entertaining visitors. I spent way to much time trying to tidy up or make coffee for people and ended up in pain since I should having been resting. Accept all offers of help. Good luck! See you soon on 0-6.
I packed pj's; but, didn't wear them, I just wore the hospital gown, so much easier to BF. I did, however, wear the robe I brought. Just bring the toiletries you want to use, a robe, some socks, and a pillow. I would bring Colace to the hospital! Get that gas flowing! Start taking it after surgery.
I just made sure my house was clean before I left. My DH and mom helped so much the first couple days home which was nice.
I had a tote bag I used every day for the first week at home. Each morning I would pack it up with anything I thought I might need downstairs for the day. i.e. pain pills, nipple cream, socks, anything else. That way I only made two trips on the stairs a day.
I had one..I was originally gonna bring pjs' for the hospital, but decided against it. I stayed in my gown the whole time b/c a) it's easier to bf in and b) they check ur incisionall the time..easier to just lift up your gown and you don't have to worry about anything rubbing against your incision.
I just did a clean in the house before leaving for the hospital..made me feel better coming home..don't do a THING besides taking care of your LO when ur home..it's not your job and yhou won't be in the mood for it.
Also..do your research and feel good about having the section. I think that really helped me b/c I just went with the flow...kinda don't worry if things don't go like you had thought it would..just see where it takes you. take your meds andyou won't poop for a bit..ask for stool softener in the hospital..it'll help. my first poo was soooo difficult..not painful, more relief..but it took some pushin to get it out! lol
good luck..i had a good recovery..and ask lots of questions before you leave (what should i look for with the incision with healing...anuything else yo ucan think of). I would do it again if i could (for the next one!)
I loved being in my own clothes, especially since you'll be in the hospital for so long. Definitely bring comfy loose yoga pants that the waistband is above your incision site. I also loved having my nursing tanks, a hoodie sweatshirt and socks with grips on the bottom for around the hospital room. The mesh undies they give you were a godsend IMO, bring some maternity ones for coming home, but again, make sure the elastic is up nice and high. You will not be able to do much of anything for awhile when you get home, so I would get everything (especially floors and bathrooms) cleaned up beforehand. I had trouble getting in and out of bed for the first week or so home, so if you're planning on having baby in the room with you in the beginning, set up the PNP or bassinet on your DH's side of the bed, b/c when baby cries, it'll take you about 5 minutes to physically get up to reach him or her.
As PP said, DO NOT overdue it, even if you feel good, you'll pay for it the next day. Take the pain meds, rest up, be lazy and enjoy people doting on you and your baby!
My incision hit right on my pants line---
Get lots of granny panties- high ones that wont hit or come near the incision
I wore those sun dresses that are strapless and scrunchy at the top for two weeks after- I hated any thing touching the incision
Ditto on the softner and walking asap?
It was pretty much difficult to do anything for about 48 hrs---make sure your hubby is ready to do EVERYTHING!
?Ditto on the laughing- we had tons of visitors- we put a no laughing zone sign on the door to warn people not to make jokes- laughing hurt the most for a good week!?
I had a tough time bending over, getting out of bed, and sitting down/standing up for a while. I only wore the hospital gown, a nursing bra, and my own robe in the hospital. I needed high rise undies and loose fitting pants for weeks. I also had a ton of swelling in my legs and couldn't fit into most of my shoes.
I felt like death on Day 1 in the hospital. I'm very happy that only my parents came to visit that day. Try to walk around--even if it's only in your room. When getting out of the hospital bed, bring the back up high and swing your legs over first. (You may laugh, but getting in and out of bed was a big struggle for me.)
Don't even think about doing housework for a couple weeks after surgery.
As soon as I could get up and shower I was in my pj pants and nursing tank. They were loose enough so I didnt have pressure on my body but not so loose that I was swallowed in them like the hospital gown.
Let DH do everything! Let him help you shower, let him get you food and drinks, let him push/pull you out of bed or off the couch. Take the time to heal. You'll probably feel like a frail old lady for a while because walk, laughing, sneezing, coughing is not only painful but the idea of doing those things is kinda scary cause you know it will hurt. I slowly walked around my apt for weeks I felt so timid, like a new born kitten. And I agree, take the pain meds!
So true! I had to leave the room the first night home b/c DH was watching The Office on TV. For The Office fans out there, it was the moment when Michael discovered Toby had returned that did me in. I seriously thought I had ripped open my incision.
Also, I agree w/pp that the procedure itself is not bad. It went quickly for me and I felt nothing. DH was more freaked out than I was.
Okay for me I wanted my own clothes and put them on the next day. I wish I would have known about Colace to get the gas out - but I didnt - I did it the old fashion way...I got my butt out of bed and walked the floors. I think walking really did help me alot, but when you walk you really dont want to be in the hospital gowns.
Also, make sure your house is the way you want it before you leave. Last but not least if you are in pain - take the meds...me I didnt need them or better yet I didnt like them and I stopped after the first day. They made me sleepy and I was at home with DD by myself after the first week.
The first day after the c/s I wore the hospital gown. The second day I wore the hospital gown with very loose PJ pants underneath, so I could avoid flashing everyone getting in and out of bed. It didn't hurt any worse than going without them. You should be fine wearing the nursing tank as well.
As for around the house, I would make sure that things you require on a daily basis are at counter level. Reaching up or bending down is very hard to do at first. It took me about two weeks to be able to do that somewhat comfortably.
Also, try not to worry. I was terrified of having a c/s, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The first few days I didn't even need pain medication. The nursing staff thought I was nuts!!
Best of luck!!
I had my own clothing and it was my best thing I had both times and wanted to get into my own PJs.
At home just do nothing but care for the baby and yoursef the first week.
I would not allow visitors the first week or in the hospital, that is the most exhausting part.
Take meds on a schedule the first few days do not allow the pain to get ahead of you.
I wore the hospital gowns until I went home. They were easy to breasfeed in and they were constantly checking bleeding and the incision. Take a robe and socks/house shoes. Take your own pillows to make sure you are completely comfortable.?
Make sure you have grannie panties and don't spend much $ on them cause you may want to throw them away after all the bleeding.
TAKE THE PAIN MEDS!! I didn't know how much pain I was suppose to have and went 2 days in the hospital without taking as much pain medicine as I could. If you are in pain, ask for more medicine!
Turn in the bed so that gas will not build up. That was a lot of my pain at first and they wouldn't let me eat solids until I passed gas. Walk as much as you can tolerate in the hospital, but don't overdo it.
You won't be cleaning, cooking or much else for a couple weeks so get laundry and grocery shopping done ahead of time.?
As soon as they let me up to shower, I changed into loose pants and a nursing tank -- I was SOOOO much more comfortable than in the hospital gown, and as long as the pants are loose (think drawstring waist, not elastic), it shouldn't bother your incision. Also, bring your own pads and underwear -- you might not use them, but my bleeding was pretty light and I was much more comfy using my own stuff (beginning day 3) than the hospitals. The bleeding really isn't as bad as people make it out to be.
Also, take your pain meds, take any stool softeners and gas medicine they give you. Most importantly, rest as much as you can!
I agree I liked the the loose fitting drawstring pj bottoms the best. There was nothing like taking a warm shower and putting on your own clothes. I just felt more like myself in them.
I would also suggest bringing in your own pillow. The ones at the hospital might be plastic and those are uncomfortable and hot.
I brought in my boppy and I am glad I did because it really helped with breastfeeding and was pretty comfortable.
I would also suggest a stool softener although for me it wasn't enough. I took everyone that they gave and I still had a whole lot of trouble passing that first BM. In fact that was he worst part of the whole experience. I told my doctor about it and next time I will just take even more stool softener and I am thinking I might bring in benefiber or something because those stool softeners they gave me did nothing.
I brought my own clothes and glad I did. As soon as I was able to change into them I got outta the hospital gown & felt great. I even did my hair and put on some make-up each morning. I continue to make a point of doing my hair & make-up nearly every day. Now it's completely worked into my routine and I don't look like I'm letting myself go. Plus, the compliments you get on how great you look for being a new mom will give you a lil' boost when you see your body post pregnancy! LOL!
Bring your own slippers to take walks in, and a pair of flip-flops for the shower. (Don't know about you but the idea of being barefoot in those showers grossed me out)
Bring your own maxi-pads! The hospital ones are HUGE and uncomfortable. Make sure you get the extra absorbent overnight pads.
Bring a boppy. This was a lifesaver for protecting those stitches when trying to hold baby and breastfeed comfortably. Especially, if you have trouble breastfeeding at the beginning like I did. Holding the baby's head that long without support strained my wrist and I still have problems with it today!
If you have multi-level home, definitely have a tote or caddy with all babies' changing things so you only have to go up and down once. I continue to use a bath caddy filled with a few diapers, diaper creme, pacifiers, burp cloth, lansinoh, mylicon, gripe water, feed/poop tracker--i bring this upstairs with me for those late night changes and bring it downstairs with me when we're hanging out. I also bring the boppy up and down each day.
Before going in for the c-section I also found it very helpful going shopping at BJ's or Sam's Club or Costco--or whatever you have near you to buy items in bulk. Buy your toilet paper, bottled water, paper plates, toothpaste, shampoo etc...all those important staples. Dont' worry as much about the food if you expect lots of family and friends--I had an abundance of meals brought over but no one ever thinks of bringing the toilet paper! LOL!
Also--make sure you have a few onesies, hats and socks in different sizes. I found that some of the newborn onesies were too tight for my son--same goes for the hats and socks.
Make sure you have a birth plan worked out and that your partner/loved one knows your wishes. I got so sick from the anesthesia that I had uncontrollable dry heaves-was given another medication to counter the nausea and vomiting which rendered me practically unconscious. I spent the better part of my son's first day barely awake. I'm very glad that my husband and mother knew how important it was for me to try to get the baby to breastfeed as they had the lactation consultant there helping me to feed (even when I was asleep!). If they had not known I'm sure someone would have offered formula!
Good luck! After the first day I was actually feelign great and walkng around with not much pain medication. All the nurses couldn't believe I had just had a c-section! May your recovery be as smooth as mine!