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3rd Trimester
xp: c-section good/bad/ugly
I found out today that I may have to have a c-section and I am really freaked out about it!
If you have had a c-section, please share your experience! I am really anxious about the spinal, being strapped down, and the recovery!!
How long was it before you could eat or shower after the c-section? How long before you held your baby?
Anything in particular to have at home for after-care?
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Re: xp: c-section good/bad/ugly
I answered a little over at 0-3 (where I lurk often), but thought I would answer your new questions here.
I was able to eat crackers about 4 hours after my c-section and had breakfast about 7 hours after my c-section. I showered in the early afternoon, so probably about 15 hours after my c-section.
I held my baby and breastfed within an hour of my c-section beginning. I was able to touch and kiss him within moments in the OR.
The only thing I needed at home that I hadn't planned on was a step stool to get into our super high bed, other than that I didn't need anything special.
I had an emergcy c-section with my first after 28 hrs of labor. I already had the epi and they did strap me down, but my dh brought ds over to me immediately. We got a couple of pictures together and ds went back to the doctors. My son was born 8:35 pm and he was in my arms within an hour.
I was eating the next morning and showering I think the next day also. The nurses had me up and moving the very next day. I was getting around better than others who delivered natural. However, everyone is different. I am trying for a VBAC this time. GL
My scheduled c/s was way easier than my horrible vag delivery. The spinal was not bad at all, it's just like getting an epidural. They did not strap down my arms, I asked them not to. That would have freaked me out. I got to see dd when she was born and right after, and then they took her to the nursery for a few min with dh while they were stitching me up. I was nursing in recovery less than 45 min after she was born.
I had an on-q pain system (a ball of pain meds with a line directly to the incision site). That was the only pain meds I needed, I took advil the next few days. I highly recommend it. I was eating the same day as the surgery, and took a shower when I got home 3 days later--I just took a sponge bath in the bathroom. I didn't like the hospital shower. I can't think of anything that I really needed at home other than help and a binding to go around your abdomen to keep things tight. That helped with coughing, sneezing and going up stairs. My hospital gave me one, but I've seen girls on here who've bought them themselves. GL :O)
I have to say that I'd prefer to have a three or four inch incision really low on my belly rather than, a cut or tear in my vagina. I just had surgery down there yesterday for an issue and it hurts like a mother.
I held Emerson after I got out of recovery.
My arms weren't strapped.
I was up showered, hair done and full face of make up the morning after.
I wish I could tell you about the spinal but, I had an epi the first go around.
Try not to stress....it'll all be okay. You'll see.
I had a c-section, but it was three years ago and I was pretty drugged up so my memories may be a bit fuzzy. ;-)
The spinal wasn't a big deal for me since I wasn't in labor. I have heard that it is hard to curl forward like they want you to if you are having contractions. It stung a bit, but then the pain was over almost instantly. I was a bit freaked out by being strapped down, but I think they gave me something for anxiety because one moment I was panicking and the next I was super calm. DH sat there and stroked my arm and that helped a lot. I would recommend shaving yourself the day before your surgery. I was not shaved completely bare where they wanted to do the incision, so a nurse shaved me with a dry disposable razor (before the spinal). Ouch!
As soon as DS was out of me, they took him to the nursery to be bathed, weighed, etc. DH was allowed to go with him, so I just relaxed while they sewed me up. Then I went to recovery, and DH stayed with DS. I guess it was about an hour before they brought me DS, but I was so out of it by that point (it was 4am, and I hadn't slept) that I thought it had just been 15 minutes or so. Then my parents, DH, and DS all came into the room and I was able to hold him for the first time. It was nice, but at that point I was so tired that I didn't feel a lot of emotion. I was on an all liquid diet for 12 hours or so. They took my IV out that evening and had DH take me to the bathroom. The next day I was able to eat real food. I think I showered the next day also. They let me breastfeed as soon as I wanted, which was a few hours after the surgery when the stronger drugs were out of my system and I perked up a little.
Recovery wasn't too bad, but I was surprised at how long it seemed to take. I was able to control the pain easily, but the soreness lasted for a few weeks if I overdid it. My MIL stayed with us for over a week afterward to take care of me. Sometimes she drove me crazy, but it was so worth it. The house was perfectly taken care of and I didn't have to worry about anything while she was there.
The good thing for you is that you will know about it ahead of time. So you should be well-rested, not thirsty, and not hungry. This is a far better situation than experiencing a long labor that ends in a c-section anyway. I was so tired that after DD was out, I struggled to keep my eyes open even though I wanted to see her more than anything. I hadn't slept in about 3 days though.
For me, the most surprising thing about having a c-section was the amount of time it takes to be sewn up. It's not painful or uncomfortable, but it will take a while. I thought it would never end.
I had to be separated from my baby for a couple hours because she was a couple of grams (yes grams) above some stupid threshold and they had to monitor her. It was complete garbage, and if they would have just cut her cord a little more, I wouldn't have had to deal with that.
The pain was bad, especially for the first few days. If I wasn't medicated enough, my body felt like it was splitting in half when I would stand up. However, if you take your meds, you shouldn't have to deal with the pain. You'll just feel numb and that's fine.
I did have a bad reaction to one of my pain meds (Darvocet). It worked like a charm for pain, but caused me to hallucinate, fall asleep out of nowhere (like in the middle of a conversation), and gave me very vivid dreams. It also appeared to affect my DD as well - she would just cry in the middle of sleeping for no apparent reason. The Motrin 3 worked great though, and I weaned myself off of Darvocet very quickly.
Overall, it wasn't the worst experience in the world, but I wouldn't choose to go through it again unless I absolutely had to.
My experience: The c-section was only bad because of the circumstances (preeclampsia).
When I was told I was having an emergency c-section they started an IV gave me some fluid through there, made me drink a shot of some liquid (tastes like a sweettart) to help with stomach acid.
The OR room is usually set to freezing (I was hot though). I didn't feel the epidural at all After that was in they inserted the catheter hook you up to monitor bp, heart rate etc. the weirdest part was not being able to feel my legs. they stick a little temp chart on your forehead lol
Some ladies get strapped down, I didn't. the prodecure goes very quickly (but it seems like forever), the longest part in my opinion was when they were closing me back up (ps-ask for dissolvable stitches and surgical glue/tape over staples). The anest. injects a pain killer and you'll get sleepy.
I spent 45minutes in recovery and then was taken back to my room. Listen to the nurses when they say to get up and walk it does help.
If you get pain in your shoulder the nurses say its because of gas, they gave me a gas x for it.
The shakes: I got the shakes from the magnes. that I had to take after the surgery. I did get itchy from the morphine.
Something that happened to me, but isn't common; I got a hematoma across the entire bottom part of my stomach.
How long was it before you could eat or shower after the c-section? I could have my liquid diet that night (they will feed you soup and water), if someone brings you gatorade or anything they will say "Make sure it's not red". I was able to shower the next night (late at night)
How long before you held your baby? She was taken directly to NICU so I didn't get to hold her until she passed away.
Anything in particular to have at home for after-care? take home the mesh panties from the hospital they are the best. stay on top of your pain medication and stool softeners. Clothes that don't touch the incision line and something that worked for me when I had to get up: exhale when you do.
Thats all I can think of at the moment.
You will be good
Remembering Evelyn and raising Bailey
Evelyn Born at 24wks 6days on May 22, 2010 due to pre-e Passed away May 25, 2010
BFP# 2 Delivered 6wks early due to preeclampsia
