Question for C-Section Moms

girllennon · December 2010

*popping in from Jan '11 board*

I will be joining you ladies in a few short weeks (can't believe it myself). I had a question for those of you who delivered via c-section: What items did you need for recovery? How was your recovery?

sillypit · December 2010

My recovery was pretty easy. Make sure to stay on top of your pain meds and don't push yourself too hard. I don't think I needed anything special to recover from having a c-section, mostly just don't be afraid to ask for help taking care of LO while you recover. If you plan on breastfeeding, a pillow like a Boppy is very important to keep the baby off your incision. Good luck!

sarahandeddiejune212008 · December 2010

Make sure you have underwear that will go over your belly and won't roll down. That was the biggest issue I had. Also, I'd recommend having some loose pj pants for when you get home. Other than that make sure you have some motrin on hand for the first week pp. The recovery wasn't bad at all for me. I think having a scheduled c/s vs. emergency c/s makes a world of difference in recovery time.

MrsHA7 · December 2010

sarahandeddiejune212008:
Make sure you have underwear that will go over your belly and won't roll down. That was the biggest issue I had. Also, I'd recommend having some loose pj pants for when you get home. Other than that make sure you have some motrin on hand for the first week pp. The recovery wasn't bad at all for me. I think having a scheduled c/s vs. emergency c/s makes a world of difference in recovery time.

These exactly for me too! I didn't have a planned c-section, but my recovery was pretty easy. By the time I was home (4 days post op) I was able to move pretty normally. Sleeping on my stomach didn't come until much later though. Other than that, the hardest part was not doing too much because I really felt pretty good. GL!

Rangergal9 · December 2010

Ditto the underwear thing, but my hospital gave me these awesome mesh panties... I snagged a ton of them to wear once I came home. Staying on top of pain meds is also really important. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids because you'll be really swollen from the fluids from the IV. Also get up and walk as soon as you can. I had a great recovery from both c/s.

detokiet · December 2010

As PP stated, big enough underwear that it won't roll down. I never thought of this and found myself going out to buy underwear the day after leaving the hospital because I'd run out of the hospital disposable underwear.

Be sure to have pads on hand, and ice packs for putting on the incision if you're swelling up at all.

My doctor provided me with a script for 800mg ibuprofen, as well as vicodin (I wasn't BFing), and told me to keep taking my prenatals, take iron, and stool softeners. You don't want to be straining to go after having abdominal surgery! You may not need the iron - depends on what the doc says, I was anemic after surgery. Mine was not planned.

girllennon · December 2010

Thanks ladies...I have on my list bigger pads than what I normally use, ice packs and I even ordered two packs of Medela's mesh undies (didn't want to chance being short-changed at the hospital). I forgot about the softeners (added that to my post-op list).

Oliver715 · December 2010

Underwear and loose pants that go above c section line for sure!!! Also- when they say to walk the halls at the hospital do it... It hurts but every little bit helps. I loved having a seat in my shower for the first couple days, too. And the best thing to have.... someone to HELP when you get home. You won't be able to lift or bend down so having an extra set of hands besides your husbands is a must. Good luck and don't strain yourself when you get home!!

33yearold · December 2010

It isn't half as bad as people think!! Recovery was not bad. The absolute worst part was the constipation. Please drink a LOT of water and take ur pain meds and stool softeners!!!

Try to walk when u can... Oh, don't let ur bladder get full.....once they take the catheder (sp) out, go to the bathroom when u feel the need.....

GOOD LUCK!!

atlanticpacific · December 2010

i had a planned c/s 4 weeks ago and the most important thing for me was to start moving around and walking AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!! it helps reduce edema and helps you recover more quickly.

the second day was the worst for me painwise (i had a spinal/epidural block that administered demerol for 2 days). make sure you take the stool softeners AND prune juice to help move things along b/c constipation does not feel good... also, when i left the hospital i was only taking regular OTC tylenol and alieve and that was enough for me.

i'm 4 weeks out and have no pain, i was walking my son around the neighborhood at two weeks

good luck!!! i hope things go very smoothly for you

ktdid235 · December 2010

I had an emergency c-section after 19 hours of active labor and the thing that I was most thankful for was a short bathrobe with kimono-style sleeves. I had to have 4 days worth of IVs for a fever during labor, and the shorter sleeves allowed me to wear the bathrobe (over nursing tanks and PJ pants) instead of the hospital gowns, which was awesome. My girl was in the NICU for those 4 days, so I was thankful to be able to wear my own clothes while walking the hallway to go see her.

Mine looked like this but was from Kohls and I got it for $15. I also wore it for the first 5 weeks I was home - the shorter sleeves are nice because they stay out of my LO's face and diapers :-)

girllennon · December 2010

I'm bookmarking this thread. Thanks so much for the input :=D

Kaly16 · December 2010

DEFINITELY underwear that goes over your incision...I also wore a lot of yoga pants because I felt like the fold over top helped hold the pad in place over my incision.

Stay on top of your pain meds, dont be afraid to aks for help,

HisSunshine1220 · December 2010

Some sort of pillow or something to hold on your stomach if you have to cough of laugh. It will catch you by surprise, and it hurts! I also found having a little baby powder on hand was helpful for after the incision had healed to keep it dry. Good luck, and really, it isn't as bad as everyone says!

pitterpatter129 · December 2010

Ditto to the bathrobe! I had an unplanned section, but I was glad I had my robe at the hospital. They have you walk around the halls to lessen the swelling in your legs/feet (they SWELL too) and I liked having my own robe to cover me; the hospital gowns just don't do it. Also, the big underwear that sits up high above your bikini line.

I'm still sleeping in our living room (one week later) in the recliner because it's more comfortable. The first thing we had to do was set up a little "station" where I could reach things from the couch. I suggest making sure you have a lamp handy. You might also get a notebook to write down all the times you feed, change, and take your meds. I have a hard time keeping track of when I took what medication, last fed baby, etc....a lot of clock watching!

Oh, and the nurse gave me a nipple shield in the hospital because they said the epidural makes it hard to feed sometimes. I wish I would have tried harder NOT to use it in the hospital and taken advantage of the lacation specialists - now we are addicted to the nipple shield! I didn't know any better at the time!

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