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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
acesup
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c-section moms - questions from a 3rd tri-er
acesup
member
hi ladies. congrats on your beautiful babies - ive been lurking 
i found out yesterday that i will be having a scheduled c-section this wednesday. i was pretty overwhelmed at the doctors office and forgot to ask questions. i figure you ladies would be a great resource seeing as how youve just been through it. so if you dont mind i'd love to ask a few questions..
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? (i have GD and am so thirsty all the time that most nights i go through 3 bottles of water overnight).
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery?
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb?
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably?
- did/do you take pain medication?
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive?
sorry if this is a pain and i know that some of your answers will vary - im just curious to hear others experiences. im trying to prepare as much as possible. also - any advice that maybe you wish you had been given would be greatly appreciated....!!!
TIA
This discussion has been closed.
Re: c-section moms - questions from a 3rd tri-er
I didn't have a scheduled section, mine was after 48 hrs of labor and no progress.... I couldn't have water after a certain time, but I don't remember when they decided to cut me off and only offer ice chips.
I was up and walking the same day... I just waited a few hours to get feeling back in my legs.
I had an epi already when I had the cath inserted. Didn't feel a thing going in or out.
I was up and moving comfortably right away. I didn't really have much pain. I had this medication drip that I controlled and only used it once. It was out the next day and I was med free from there.
I didn't drive until after my six week appt. They say to wait until you can slam on the brakes comfortably. I just didn't have any desire to go anywhere.
The worst pain was from the swelling. I was in labor and on an IV for two days before my section. My legs and feet were HUGE and very painful. They felt like they were going to burst.
Gas pain was bad as well. Get some Gas-X and take it before you eat. Drink lots of water and keep your feet up to help with the swelling. Also, have panties that are high waisted. Mine all hit me on the incision and that wasn't comfortable. I took some mesh undies from the hospital. Have plenty of loose fitting tops to wear. I didn't wear pants for a long time. I just wore dresses when I went out and stayed in pjs shirts at home.
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? (i have GD and am so thirsty all the time that most nights i go through 3 bottles of water overnight). not sure because mine wasn't scheduled
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? c-section was 8:30pm and I was up around 10am the next day
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? they inserted it after I was numb, but I've had one before and it didn't hurt. Just depends on how good the person is doing it.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? I was discharged (my request) 48 hours after my c-section. 1. It was a horrible idea! Stay in the hospital as long as you can. 2. I was able to get up with him that night from a laying position in bed. I felt good enough to go to Target when he was 5 days old (not driving myself obviously)
- did/do you take pain medication? Yes. I took the pain medicine they gave me for 4 days.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? I was told to wait 4 weeks I believe.
1. nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before, not even water. they don't want anything in your system that could affect the anesthesia.
2. i was up and walking the night of my c-section, probably around 10:00PM, but i had my c/s at 10:00AM
3. catheter was inserted after epidural, no pain during insertion or removal. i never really knew it was there.
4. 1st c-section i was off of pain meds completely by the end of the first week, so i can say i was comfortable in a few days. 2nd c-section was totally different and i ended up getting more pain meds 2 weeks later. by 4 weeks i was comfortable with no pain at all.
5. they gave me a prescription for motrin and percocet which i took as i needed them. DEFINITELY stay on top of your pain meds in the hospital, you don't want to get behind on them as your pain could be really bad.
6. 2 weeks of not driving due to the percocet.
the biggest piece of advice i can offer is to get up and move as soon as they will allow you to and STAY ON TOP OF YOUR MEDS IN THE HOSPITAL. i had DH set a reminder on his phone to call the nurses every time i was scheduled to get my pain pills to remind the nurse that i needed them.
best of luck!
I had an unexpected c-section...
1. I drank all the way until they told me I was having a c-section then nothing. I went about 30-90 minutes without water before the procedure.
2. My c-section was at 10:30 at night so I did not walk again until the next day after lunch when my DH helped me shower. I was on morphine for pain.
3. I did not feel the catheter at all, I think I had an epidural first though. But it did not hurt coming out.
4. I was told not to give into the pain and to stand and walk straight up because I would heal faster and feel better so I did. I was moving around comfortably by the next evening. The staff said there was such a difference in the morning and afternoon. Don't give into the pain. You won't pull anything or open anything.
5. I had morphine and then I had tylenol with codine and something else (safe for BF)
6. I was told when I left the hospital that I could not drive for 2-3 weeks, but my doctor did not say anything about it at the follow up appt. after a week. I was also told to not lift anything heavier than my baby for a while.
The incision is healing very fast (mine was a week and 1 day ago) and I feel great ( a little sore on the inside above the incision and numb in that area, like it does not feel like it is mine, but that will return.) I was very scared because it was unexpected and I was looking forward to a vag. birth, but it didn't go that way. Now I am glad it happened the way it did. I think I will do another c-section next time for sure. Oh and the cut is VERY low, it will be hidden by a bikini and looks like my jeans just left a mark from being too tight. Hope this helps.
Good luck! It is all worth it!!!!
- My first was scheduled, my second was not. My first I could not drink 8hrs prior to surgery. My second I had been drinking through labor, so I definitely had water.
- I was out of bed both times as soon as I could feel my legs. Just a few hours.
- First time the cath. was inserted before the spinal. That sucked. A lot. Second time it was inserted after and I didn't feel a thing.
- Movement was do-able early on, but I felt more like myself around 2wks the second time. The first time I won't get into because I had complications so it's probably not an accurate picture.
- First c/s I had buprenex (which I hated) for 48hrs, then Motrin. Second c/s I had Toradol for 24hrs, then Motrin.
- First c/s - 2wks. Second c/s I was told I could drive after 48hrs since I didn't have any narcotics.
Congratulations to you!
- I was not allowed to drink water after midnight (my c-section was scheduled for 8:30 am) and I was so thirsty the whole next day. I finally convinced the nurse to give me a few sips of water in the recovery room and I puked it up within 5 minutes.
- They removed my catheter around 3 pm the next day and I was up right after that.
- They put in the catheter while I was numb. I have no recollection of them even putting it in. I was sad when they took it out (even though it meant I was able to finally get up) because it was the first time in 9 months I didn't have to drag my butt to the bathroom.
- I was pretty comfortable and able to move around well. I even walked out of the hospital instead of being wheeled out. The uncomfortable part for me began 2 nights into being home when I started to feel my muscles burning.
- Yes. I took 1-2 percocets and a 500 mg of motrin every 4 hours.
- I was released at my 2 week post op appt. to drive.
Zoey Emma 08.18.10
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? (i have GD and am so thirsty all the time that most nights i go through 3 bottles of water overnight). Mine wasn't a planned c-section, I was in labor all night. So I had ice chips and could have had a popsicle while in labor.
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? My LO was delivered at 10:02am, and I was walking that evening.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? I got an epidural before the c-section was ordered, and I could feel the catheter, but it wan't painful. Just uncomfortable. I could still feel the urge to pee even though the catheter was in. Once I was given the spinal block I felt nothing.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? I was walking around fine the next day. A little slow going, but walking wasn't painful. I was able to shower the next day, too. I had to have help from the nurse putting underwear on since bending over wasn't an option.
- did/do you take pain medication? Definitely. Took the doses as prescribed the whole time in the hospital, and slowly weaned myself off them once home.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? My nurse said that as soon as I could slam my foot on the brake without flinching or pulling back, then I could drive. I think I waited about 2 weeks to drive.
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- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? Like a lot of the other ladies, mine wasn't planned. But I'm pretty sure I was drinking water and juice during most of my labor.
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? My c-section was at 1:44 am, and they had me up later that morning, probably around 10 or 11. My advice for that, btw, is to move the way the nurses tell you. Use the muscles they tell you to use, take your time, pause in between movements, etc.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? I got it after I was numb. It wasn't painful, but it was a bit odd to have there. The biggest issue for me was peeing without it for the first time. I had trouble telling when I had to go and when I didn't. That was strange.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? It took me about a week to be comfortable. It's been about 3 weeks, and I'm relatively comfortable, but I do still have pain sometimes.
- did/do you take pain medication? Yes. You have to, especially in the beginning. I was taking 2 percosets and 3 motrin at a time. The nurses monitor it pretty closely. I am still taking some now as needed, but sticking mostly to the motrin.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? The doctor told me the average is 2 weeks. She said some people take a week, and some people take longer than 2. It all depends on the individual's pain level. I took the two weeks.
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? No, nothing in the stomach. You will want an empty stomach or it might come all back up later! Or if you need to be put under GA, it could pose a dangerous risk if you were to throw up and aspirate on it.
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? My surgery was 12pm and I got up at 7am the next day. I'm sure I could have pushed it to be up that night, though.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? I got mine after the spinal. You should definitely request that, if it isn't standard practice. I have had catheters before though without being numb and they really aren't THAT bad. Also, I never really noticed it when it was in and the removal feels weird but doesn't hurt. The first time I went to go pee after it was removed, I held my hand under running water for a minute to get things moving, lol
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? Well I am 4 days pp now and I am still pretty uncomfortable. If I get behind on my pain meds, it can be bad. So I try to remember the pain meds and also wearing the belly binder helps. Hopefully your hospital will give you one- most do.
- did/do you take pain medication? Yep, sure do!
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? 2 weeks
Good luck with your c-section! They really aren't that bad. I have had 2 now and thinking about it is always worse than the actual thing. For me both have been really exciting just knowing I was about to meet my LO!
Brady Phoenix, 8.29.09
Claire Zoe, 10.26.10
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? (i have GD and am so thirsty all the time that most nights i go through 3 bottles of water overnight).
I was not allowed anything to eat or drink ( even water) after midnight. I was so thirsty.
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? The nest day I was out of bed. Walking was more comfortable later that day.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb?
I could not feel the catheter even after the numbness wore off. When they took it out I couldn't tell & that was the next day. They put it in after I got the spinal. After surgery your on pain killers pretty good.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably?
I think day 2. My surgery was Monday and by wednesday I was sitting in the chair. Walking around much better.
- did/do you take pain medication?
Yes! Keep up with it after you get home. If you don't you will regret it.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive?
No driving, but then at my 2 week appt I was cleared for it. I still didn't feel like driving though.
Hope it all goes well! Enjoy your LO
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before?No no water after midnight
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? i got up and walked 24 hours after
- was the catheter painful?No did they insert it before or after you were numb? After I was numb but when the numbness wore off I still didnt feel it it didnt hurt when they removed it either
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? a few weeks
- did/do you take pain medication? Yes for 9 days
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? no driving while on the pain meds.
Try not to stress!! You will do great! I was scarred and sad when I found out I had to have a c-section, but as soon as I saw DS it put everything into perspective for me.
Unable to even.
********************
You don't understand the appeal of Benedict Cumberbatch / think he's fug / don't know who he is? WATCH SHERLOCK. Until you do, your negative opinion of him will not be taken seriously.
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? It was about 24 hours, when they took out the catheter.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? They inserted it before I was numb. They said that sometimes they had drops in blood pressure if they do it after being numbed. The catheter hurt (burned/stinged) but it was bearable. I grabbed the sides of the bed and started counting outloud. I actually counted outload with each thing they did, it really helped.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? I had a spinal, so it was several hours after the surgery before I could move. Movement slowly came back during this time period but it was a few hours before I could really move my legs in bed. I am hitting two weeks post surgery on Monday and today is the first day I am moving around more comfortably. It has definitely been rough... but worth it for my baby!!
- did/do you take pain medication? Tortisal (sp?) is what they gave me through my IV after the surgery for a bit. Then I moved to Darviset (sp?) when I had the catheter taken out. I went home with Darviset and after two days I was on IB Prof. I went cold turkey a week after the surgery.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? 2 weeks.
~Started TTC 2/09. BFP #1 11/09. EDD 8/7/10. DS born 8/7/10.~
~Surprise BFP #2 5/11 while still BF'ing. Natural M/C @ 7w3d.~
~BFP #3 8/11. EDD 4/24/12. Heavy bleeding episodes from a lost twin. DD born 4/14/12.~
~Started TTC 2/13. BFP #4 3/13. EDD 11/8/13. Hoping for smooth sailing!~
- were you able to drink water past midnight the night before? (i have GD and am so thirsty all the time that most nights i go through 3 bottles of water overnight). No, I was told NOTHING to eat or drink for 8 hours before hand, this included water. It sucked, but they don't want you getting sick. I was hungry and thirsty!
- how soon did you get up and walk after the surgery? I had my c-section at noon and I was out of bed by 9 pm that night. It was just to walk to the chair and sit down and then to go to the bathroom a little later. The sooner you get up and walk, the easier recovery is.
- was the catheter painful? did they insert it before or after you were numb? No, catheter is not painful. they put mine in after the spinal was in, so I didn't feel it at all. Taking it doesn't hurt, it just feels weird.
- how long was it before you felt you were able to move around more comfortably? I definitely felt better by the 2nd day. However, don't over due it. I did that a couple of times. I thought I was feeling really well and would try to do too much. It will catch up w/ you.
- did/do you take pain medication? Yes, take the meds. I skipped them a couple times b/c I thought I was feeling fine. About an hour after I was due to take them, I was miserable and calling for the nurse. It's easier to stay on top of them. You may not need all the meds they send you home with, but take the ones while you are there.
- is there a specific time frame that you were told not to drive? My OB said no driving for 10 days. I'm sure every doc is different, they will tell you.
I just wanted to say that my first c-section was an emergency and this one was scheduled. It was a very nice calm process this time. Try not to worry too much, it will all work out!!
-My Dr told me not to eat anything past midnight but he didnt mention that I couldnt drink anything so I drank water up until I checked in to the hospital. Then the anesthesiologist told me I was not supposed to have drank anything either. He said I would be ok because it had been over two hours, but it still kinda annoyed me that Dr didnt tell me not to.
-Nurses made me get up and walk after 12 hours. By day three I was doing laps to the front of the nursery.
-I dont remember the catheter being put in so it must have been after I was numb. I do remember it being taken out because I was nervous about it. It didnt hurt but it did kinda feel like I had a bladder infection for a while after it was taken out...but I didnt.
-I was moving around and walking up/down our stairs by day five. I was pretty comfortable after a week. I drove after week two. I think I recovered pretty well.
-Yes, I was given Vicodin and 600mg of Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours and gas medicine. I only took pain medicine at home for two days and less often than while in the hospital. I never felt any pain other than a few burning sensations in my incision area, but nothing too bad.
GL to you!