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Hawaii Babies
c section mommas: tons of questions
hi hi hi
since i started by disability leave yesterday, i made a 2 1/2 page list of things to do before baby comes so that i stay organized and not go crazy out of boredom. so today's assignment for me is disability forms, hospital plan, and hospital bag. hahaha
anyway...
1) not sure if i get the choice re staples/stitches following the csection. what was everyone else's experience?
2) i know everyone's recovery is different. but how many weeks did it take for you to be somewhat mobile and be able to do things? what was the most challenging thing with recovery? how soon were you up for visitors at home?
3) also, if you had a hospital plan for csection, what kinds of things did you put on there? i went ahead and googled hospital birth plan and found a template. but i wanted to see if there were any personal experiences re what they were glad they did/wished they had specified.
D started out as a LUCKY CHARM but ended up being our LOVEBUG 
hawaii 10.2008 plan ;P married bio ???
hawaii 10.2008 plan ;P married bio ???
This discussion has been closed.
Re: c section mommas: tons of questions
Hey kini! It's good you're getting organized and mentally preparing for the c/s. Here's what my experience was like:
1) My OB used internal stitches and Dermabond liquid adhesive on my incision. There were no visible stitches on the outside. It just looked like a line with Dermabond "painted" over it. The Dermabond gets tacky after a few days and started to peel off on its own. My OB simply peeled off the remaining Dermabond at my 2 week pp appt. I never had any issues with the incision healing--it never reopened, no infection, redness, swelling, etc.
2) My recovery went much better than I expected. The car ride home was a little rough because I still had a bit of pain (even with the meds) and every bump in the road caused my abdomen to hurt. You never realize how much you use your abdominal muscles until they've been stretched apart during surgery!
Although there was some discomfort, I was mobile on my own from the day we went home from the hospital. I had to take it easy and do things slower than usual, but it was good to keep moving. The hospital gave me a compression belt, which helped a lot. And stay on top of your meds! I sometimes forgot and by the time I remembered to take them, I was already in pain. Oh, and laughing and sneezing were very sore!
I was told not to lift anything heavier than baby for 6 weeks. I also decided not to drive during that time, but that was a personal choice. I was afraid of not being agile enough to react to certain situations.
Aside from our parents and siblings, I don't think we had any visitors at home for about 3 weeks...and I think it was only a 15 minute visit.
3) I had a birth plan, but all of it pretty much went out the window a few hours after I got to the hospital.
I didn't have any specifics regarding c/s. I just went with the flow and, to be honest, I can't think of anything regarding the actual surgery that I would have had control over. I wouldn't have changed a thing, really. While c/s was not my first choice, it was a pretty positive experience for me.
As far as being in the OR, things moved really quickly. Brian was right by my side the whole time. They told him when he could peek over the drape to take photos, which was when they were pulling Hank out. Brian took a bunch of photos. I would have liked some video of the birth, but since he could physically only do one or the other, we opted for photos. Brian went to see Hank when they brought him over to the warming station and continued taking photos while they were cleaning him up and cut the cord. After he was all bundled up, Brian brought him over to me and we asked the anesthesiologist (who was by my side the entire time) to take a photo of the 3 of us. I told Brian to go with Hank to the transitional nursery and to let Hank hold onto his finger so he wouldn't feel alone. Brian was also worried about me, but we decided early on that Hank would be our priority and that there was really nothing Brian could do for me as they were closing me up anyway.
Other things--I'm not sure where your incision will be because of the previa, but I'm glad I bought a package of Fruit of the Loom granny panties (briefs) before giving birth. Having undies that stayed above my bikini line really helped. I'll post again if I think of anything else.
i had visible stitches, but they were dissolvable (sp?)
I was in more pain b/c we pushed for several hours before doing the c-s, but the worst thing I did was move as little as possible in the hospital. THey want you to walk up and down the hall, but I was just too sore and tired, and they made my recovery longer, I'm sure. It was probably 4 wks or so before I felt ok.
1) I don't know if they give you a choice in the US, but they didn't give me one. I had internal stitches with a dressing over the incision for about 24 hours, I think (the epidural headache made everything in the 5 or so days after birth so hazy that my timing estimate may be off). I didn't have any problems with the stitches and would probably go that way again if asked.
2) I was in the hospital for about a week because of the headache, but by the time I got home on day 7, I was totally fine. Really! I'd read so many horror stories that I'd expected to find going up and down the stairs agonizing (we have a two story house), and be unable to put the boys in and out of their cribs or to drive the car. But all of that was fine! I was a little tender, but it really wasn't bad - actually, what drove me crazy more than anything was that the incision area stays numb for so long.
3) My birth plan for both vaginal and C-section was pretty much the same: do what we need to do. I know that probably doesn't help, but I didn't really know what to expect and didn't want to get bogged down in the details. I pretty much just put myself in the hands of my medical team and trusted that they'd do what was best, and that worked out fine in my case - everyone was very competent, respectful, and kept me informed at all times of what was happening (knowing what was going on step by step really helped to keep me calm). I didn't have the option to have the boys with me in recovery, which is something I thought I'd want - but honestly, I was SO tired that it was almost a bit of a relief just to get to lie there with no one else around.
All things considered, my c-section was actually a really good experience with a fairly easy recovery, and I don't have any regrets about it. I thought I'd throw that out there because I know there are SO many horror stories when you google!
1) not sure if i get the choice re staples/stitches following the csection. what was everyone else's experience?
I, too, had dissolvable internal stitches and Dermabond. My husband told me that staples really don't happen much anymore.
2) i know everyone's recovery is different. but how many weeks did it take for you to be somewhat mobile and be able to do things? what was the most challenging thing with recovery? how soon were you up for visitors at home?
I was able to walk and even do stairs as soon as I got home (after 4 days in hospital). I was slow, mind you, but able to move around. Everyone told me to move as much as I could as soon as I could afterwards, and I did, which I think helped. That night I tried to stand (unsuccessfully!), but by the end of the second day I could take a few steps to the bathroom with assistance, and on the third day I was taking very slow, very short walks down the hallway. Less than 2 weeks after being home Henry and I were walking around the block with his stroller. I was faster at that point than I was at the end of the 3rd tri! :P
We had my ILs here for 10 days after we arrived home. They were only here during the day, though, and stayed in a hotel at night. I wasn't up for "visiting" much at first, but it was great having people to bring me things and run out for things I hadn't realized we'd need (MH had to go back to work after just a week and a half off). My parents also came just for 2 days. I honestly was fine with the visitors, especially since we only had one in the hospital the whole time (at my request).
3) also, if you had a hospital plan for csection, what kinds of things did you put on there? i went ahead and googled hospital birth plan and found a template. but i wanted to see if there were any personal experiences re what they were glad they did/wished they had specified.
I didm't have a plan....didn't see the need for one, honestly. Not only will they pretty much do what they have to (it is surgery, after all), but I had MH and sister there to watch over things (both in the medical field) for me. The only thing I wanted but didn't get was my sister in the OR with me (only one person -MH- allowed). She also wasn't supposed to be allowed in the recovery room, either, but managed to talk her way in for a brief moment.
She was allowed in the nursery, though, where they took him to clean him up (after I had held him in recovery for about 30 minutes). They did ask my permission before they'd let her hold him, though. Overall, I was very alert, they kept me informed of everything, and they were very respectful of whatever wishes that didn't go directly against hospital/OR policy.
I agree with Lisa....it really wasn't nearly as scary as I was worried about at first. Recovery wasn't all that bad, and the surgery itself wasn't scary at all (the only unpleasant part was the spinal block, but at least it was quick!). It was nice that it was scheduled, as then it was my regular OB, whom I was very comfortable with. I know a c-section is rarely anyone's first choice, but if you must have one and know about it ahead of time, there are good things about it, and I chose to focus on those.
Oh, and I also agree with Nicole about getting some granny panties.....you don't want an elastic waistband rubbing against the incision, you definitely want something to go over it!
1) I'm pretty sure I had internal stitches and Dermabond liquid adhesive too. I did not see the stitches. There was sticky stuff on it. They went away naturally, no need to have the stitches taken out. It never reopened, no infection, redness, swelling, or any other problems.
2) I was lucky to have an easy recovery. The biggest tips I can give is to WALK ASAP, preferably soon after they take the epidural and/or IV out, and TAKE YOUR MEDS. Stay on top of the time elapsed since you last took them and stay on top of the pain. Honestly, I don't remember any pain because I was constantly taking my meds!
To break it down -- Alexa born Wed night. I had the epidural in all day Thurs. They took it out Thurs night. I got up briefly, but for the most part stayed in bed until Friday morning, at which point I took a shower by myself and walked (shuffled) to a BFing class down the hall. I later took walks down to the cafeteria to get ice cream, or walk around in the courtyard outside. I did some yoga, stretched. When I first stood up, I was really tight and sore. But after about 10 steps, the soreness went away. If I sat down for a few minutes (to eat ice cream) the stiffness would return, until I got moving again. I was walking normally by Sat/Sun.
As for guests -- My parents, sister, MIL and two BFFs were there Wed, the night Alexa was born, and visited our hospital room after my csection. I was still on drugs, so it was very hazy! On Saturday, two more girlfriends came to visit me at the hospital. I was out of bed and walking by then, but had a big ugly belly! (those photos have been deleted!)
We went home on Sunday around noon and a girlfriend and her husband came over that afternoon to meet Alexa. On Monday, we took Alexa to her first pediatrician appoint. After we got home, another friend came over to bring us food and a gift! That Wednesday, when Alexa was 1 week old, my two BFFs came over for her 1st dinner party (my mom cooked). The next day, when Alexa was 1 week/1 day old, I put Alexa in a sling and walked 3/4 mile to Starbucks, and back. I then did that most days from then on.
At home -- I tried to avoid going up and down the stairs. I would ask someone to get me what I needed. We used the PnP changing table downstairs and got an extra diaper genie. My mom cooked most meals and took Alexa in the mornings so I could sleep more. I was told not to lift anything heavier than the baby, so DH carried most things for me.
I also was told not to drive for 6 weeks, a guideline that DH forced me to follow! I think that's because of the strong pain meds, but I didn't even finish my prescription.
3) No plan, no need. But definitely DO bring your camera to the operating room! I was so afraid of unflattering pictures of myself that I didn't bring it. I wish I had. I wish I had more photos of Alexa during her first few minutes... We have nothing of her when she first came out, or on the scale or being cleaned up... Nothing until after they were all done and they handed her me back in my regular room.
I agree with Nicole's advice to get a package of grannie panties that come up to your belly button, or higher! Also, get some nursing/sleep dresses that don't have a waistline. I lived in those! No pants, even yoga pants, for me!
Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
Something that I thought of to help with recovery - get up and walk as soon as you can (which is usually as soon as they tell you to lol). The first walk up and down the hallway SUCKS, but it gets better and easier from there.
Re the granny panties - I actually haaaaaaated mine and I switched to regular undies right after I got home. This is probably just because my stomach was so huge (even after giving birth), but even though they were the size of circus tents and fit my butt, the waist elastic was too tight to go around my stomach comfortably. I ended up folding them over so that they went under my belly - if they rubbed against the incision I didn't notice it because I had gauze padding there for about a week.
I had an unplanned c section, but here are my 2 cents:
1. I wasn't presented with a choice, but I got (dissolvable?) stitches on the inside and staples for the external incision. The staples were fine, they were removed before I left the hospital. I can feel a light line/scar on my bikini line.
2. I'm 4 weeks into my recovery, and for me this kinda sucks. I think because normally I am a very active person and I'm unable to comfortably do a lot of things I want to do - e.g. pick up bags of groceries, laundry, etc. And I really haven't tried exercising b/c I can still feel the soreness of my abdomen (but couple that with sleep deprivation and general exhaustion with a newborn, I'm probably not healing as fast if those were not a factor). And, I am a terrible patient!
I just want to better, like, NOW. I opted to not take more drugs besides over-the-counter tylenol, so I probably feel more pain than I would have to (perscription drugs offered like percocet and vicodin make me woozy so that's why I didn't take anything). But, overall, I've been able to get out and do things so I'm sure I'm getting better, it just doesn't seem fast enough. 
3. As mentioned, my C section wasn't planned. But a couple of hospital-related thoughts. It probably depends on the hospital, but the one where I delivered, they give you the boot after 48 hours - I was no way ready to leave after having major surgery, I could barely move to go to the bathroom. Thankfully, my insurance covers up to 96 hours and my dr "prescribed" that I stay longer, so I stayed an extra day. Also, MH didn't stay overnights at the hospital (with the exception of the night I went into labor) b/c it's, well, uncomfortable and we needed someone to take care of the dog. So at night I was able to send Little Z to the respite nursery so I could sleep (the nurse said it was also b/c I was alone in the room); otherwise I think it was normal to keep the baby in the room with you.
GL with your c section and I hope you have a speedy recovery!
Oh, I thought of one more thing. If I had known I was having a c/s, I would have asked how long it would be before I could see baby after the surgery. The timeline is a total blur to me, but due to the time stamps on the photos Brian took, Hank was born at 10:31AM and I didn't get to see him again until 3:15PM! I remember being in the recovery room for a while (it only felt like 1 hour, but it could have been longer?) because they didn't have a post-partum room ready for me. I wonder if they could have brought Hank to me in the recovery room? And I know there was some concern over Hank because there was meconium when they broke my water, so I'm sure they had to observe him for a while. Once I got all set up in my post-partum room, it was still a while until they brought baby in to see me. By that point, I was in tears because I just wanted to hold him!
Anyway, I know a lot of it depends on the circumstances, but I wish I had been a little more mentally prepared for a potential long wait before holding Hank in my arms for the first time.
I can't begin to imagine what the surgery and separation feels like and was not planning on responding at all but this stuck out to me b/c my birth class instructor did say something totally similar . She really wanted us to at least talking through some of the issues beforehand. My hospital really really WANTS you to come with a birth plan checklist they provide and one of those sections discussed having the H go with the baby or stay with you (in case you get caught up in the moment the nurse will know to nudge him one way or another) and I remember saying that DH would be with the baby at all times and skin to skin was super important to us and in the case of a C DH would do it.
My #1 piece of advice is to take stool softener as often as it says you can take it. Seriously! THE absolute worst part of the recovery for me was the constipation because pain meds make you constipated.
1. I had internal sutures and I guess Dermabond but I couldn't even see it. I had steri-strips on for a week or more. I can't remember when I finally took them off.
2. They got me out of bed after 12 hours, I think. By the second day I was up and walking the halls. Walk as soon as possible. Also, I went shopping at the outlets and wore Kaya in a sling 4 days post-partum. Probably not the smartest thing to do but I felt so good because of the percocet. Looking back, I'm sure I did too much too soon but it turned out okay.
3. My c/s wasn't planned. A scheduled c/s is gonna be pretty controlled so there's not really much to do as far as birth plans go, IMO. But if they allow, you should ask to have the baby with you in recovery. They don't do that here in Vegas, unfortunately, but I think in other places they do.
I didn't get to see Kaya until she was 4 hours old, either. But I had a rough recovery immediately post-op (the epidural migrated a little high so I felt like I couldn't breathe and I think the morphine made me really out of it). So I was in recovery for like 3 hours, when normally it's only about an hour. Even if they had brought her to me, I was so groggy I wouldn't have been able to hold her without fear of dropping her.
These are good things to discuss with your hospital. At mine you don't even need to mention it. They actively encourage skin to skin contact and the dad/birth partner being with the newborn if the mama can't be, which I thought was really cool.
1. no choice, they dissolved
2. 4 days in hospital and then pretty mobile right away
3. hospital plan wasn't worth the paper it was written on. Had the twins at Kapiolani, was still in waiting room at 4 minutes apart. Did not see my babies after the initial delivery until about 9hrs and 9.5 hours (at first rooms weren't available so they told me I had to wait -babies weren't allowed in the recovery room were I was waiting, then they got me a room in another ward and perhaps because the nurses weren't used to having new mamas ? -They told me I had to wait..I feel I missed out on the initial bonding).. I would never, if I had a choice, go there again for delivery!
Don't worry about submitting the plan, but be prepared to tell them what you want. My aunt who is a nurse in the baby ward on the mainland told me later.. I am the customer, I should have demanded to see the kids. Just be firm and make sure your needs are met. And your OB should discuss with you any options that might be available, mine did close to the date.
Best Wishes!
Oh yes! Our hospital & birth class were also very big on this and I'm glad MH and I discussed this early on. Brian was able to have skin-to-skin contact with Hank as he went with him to the transitional nursery (while they were finishing up on me in the OR and while I was in recovery). Come to think of it, we also included this in our birth plan. It just didn't occur to me that it could be a while (almost 5 hours) before I could hold Hank for the first time.
This is off topic (sorry kini!), but I wanted to share another perspective in case there are any lurkers considering Kapiolani. I had LO at Kapiolani and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I pre-registered, which was great! No need to fill out paperwork on the day-of. I had to wait about 10-15 minutes once we got to the L&D floor. They had to pull up my info, prepare my ID bracelets and get a triage room ready for me. I really liked the L&D room. Regarding the nurses, there were a few who didn't seem very helpful or whose bedside manner I didn't care for. It was a little tricky for me because, while I didn't expect the nurses to be mind-readers, I also didn't really know what to expect/what to demand as a first-time mother and as a first-time surgery patient. On the flip-side, there were a few nurses who I absolutely LOVED! I wish I could go back to the hospital to visit with them and share the progress we've made.
I had a complication-free pregnancy and was not high-risk at all, but I decided on Kapiolani because I knew they were equipped to provide the best care for my child should something go awry. There was meconium when they first broke my water and more when they checked my cervix a few hours later. If LO ended up with a severe enough case of MAS, he would have ended up at Kapiolani anyway. And if I had him via c/s at another hospital, we would have been physically separated for several days.
Hindsight is 20/20. If we are blessed with another child, I plan to deliver at Kapiolani again. I feel that I'll be better prepared the 2nd time around and will make my needs known.
Wow! I can't even imagine not getting to see the baby right away! Henry was born at 1:07pm, and he was handed to daddy right away, who showed him to me. They then quickly weighed him, evaluated him, and wrapped him, then had daddy hold him next to my cheek while they delivered the placenta and stitched me up. By 1:40 I was being wheeled to recovery, where they immediately placed him on my chest for about an hour while they monitored both of us (and attempted feeding for the first time). Then they took him to the nursery (right next to recovery) for only about 15 minutes to clean him up better, then they wheeled both of us back to the room. By 3:30 we were alone in our room, just the new little family!
1) not sure if i get the choice re staples/stitches following the csection. what was everyone else's experience?
I had no choice. I had internal sutures, staples, and steri-strips. they removed the staples from me on the day of my discharge from the hospital (day 5) and left the steri-strips on there....they basically looked like opaque pieces of tape running across the incision. they said i could either peel them off myself at home or just let them come off on their own over time with bathing and what not.
ob said the numbness around my incision might go away or might be permanent. mine was temporary but it took months to go away (maybe over 6 months?)
2) i know everyone's recovery is different. but how many weeks did it take for you to be somewhat mobile and be able to do things? what was the most challenging thing with recovery? how soon were you up for visitors at home?
i was able to get around do stuff after the surgery but what took me a very long time to do on my own was getting up/down from the bed! i needed DH to help me w/that for quite some time (over 4 wks I think?). and I could go up/down stairs ok but not w/o pain for 6 wks - I'm not saying I was in significant pain doing that...but if I didn't take my pain meds it would hurt. I had visitors arrive about a week after she was born. it wasn't a big deal for them to be around and it was nice to have help
i have trouble remembering it now but i did post about it a while back and i have it saved on my computer somewhere...will try to dig it up and email it to you...
3) also, if you had a hospital plan for csection, what kinds of things did you put on there? i went ahead and googled hospital birth plan and found a template. but i wanted to see if there were any personal experiences re what they were glad they did/wished they had specified.
my c/s was unplanned
I had no idea Nicole was away from baby for so long! after Miss A was born they showed her to me, then took her a few feet away to weigh her, clean her, etc and then they immediately wheeled me to recovery and gave her to me so we could do skin to skin and nurse. they gave me one hour before they took her from me again to take her to the nursery for a bath. the hospital i delivered it is a "baby friendly" hospital - check and see if yours is. if they are, they have met certain criteria to promote bonding, breastfeeding, etc. they won't give your baby a paci unless you ask for one, and they won't supplement with formula unless you ask them to.... and most of the nurses will be able to help you w/basic BFing stuff so you don't have to wait for a LC
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
This is a good point! Definitely take every pain killer they offer you. They don't pass out medals for suffering after you've had your stomach cut open, so don't try to be a hero - take the meds and make recovery easier on your body!
Oh and I'm with Jaime on the numbness - mine lasted for a good 6 months, so don't freak out if it doesn't go away right away.
Nicole, thanks for posting your experience with Kapiolani. We're not TTC yet, but we've been talking about it. I've been thinking about which hospital I would go to, so hearing your experience helps. I know everyone's experience is different, but I'm glad you had a positive one there.
Bumble, thanks for sharing your experience too. Sorry your's wasn't as positive. It's always good to hear both sides...
thanks guys... i read most of the posts before oiur prenatal classes this weekend, so i knew what i wanted to ask.
so the hospital does staples. and they don't put the baby on your chest for bonding because of everything hooked up to you. then they take the baby to the nursery to do the bath, medications, whatever and what not.
they don't bring the baby to you in the recovery room, but you can ask them to.
i was kinda sad though following all the classes 'cause i had wanted him on me after the birth but didn't realize the logistics of all that. i think i like the idea of MH holding the baby so i could see him.
i'm sad though 'cause i really wanted to be there and watch his first bath, medicine (although he would probably be crying hehehe). and i wanted to be able to try to breastfeed him right away. so none of that will be happening.
i'm going to make sure MH knows to ask the baby to be with us in the recovery room. the idea of being separated from him right after birth just makes me really really sad. i know it's best for both me and him, but it still makes me sad.
i will make sure to try and walk as soon as possible and make sure i'm on top of all my drugs.
hawaii 10.2008 plan ;P married bio ???
just ask them not to bathe him. The vernix is beneficial to baby's skin anyways. Jack was rubbed down eventually (I tore so he did have some blood on him) but never got a bath, like with soap and water while naked, in the hospital. You can and should do whatever makes you comfortable as long as it is medically safe. Just a thought
I'm the crazy mom that said he was not to be taken out of my sight and declined EVERYTHING at that hospital.
I didn't get to see any of those "firsts" either but did get them captured on camera...they were doing the initial stuff in the OR but it was outside of my line of sight... I can totally understand why they can't let you hold him in the OR - the ob will still be stitching you up and you'll have the drapes on you etc. but I don't see why they can't give him to you in recovery BEFORE taking him to the nursery for bath and such. the whole thing about you having so much 'stuff' in the way from the surgery is a bunch of crap IMO.... b/c if they do it for every single c/s patient at the hospital where I delivered then it can't be that much of a hassle...and really what is there? there is the IV, your pulse ox (on your finger) and the epidural line.... why would those things keep you from holding your baby and BFing? I would say that even if it isn't the norm at your hospital, I would advocate for yourself and for the baby and ask that he not be taken to the nursey until you have had time to do some skin to skin and some initial BFing! it's not like you would be doing something that could potentially harm the baby!
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats