Any post c-section tips?

Structenggal · July 2011

So, it looks like we'll be scheduling a c-section for the end of next week. Does anyone who had a c-section have any tips or any must have items for the days/weeks after the birth? I really have no idea what I might need or want!

Thanks!

hersheykiss · July 2011

Lots of help! I made the mistake of trying to take care of Emme and doing it all when I should have let my mom do the laundry, and bring Emme to me.

Also, I still slept with the body pillow for a bit and used the fabulous mesh panties the hospital gave me for the first 2 weeks after E was born. They were the only thing comfy that didn't hurt the incision.

maryh01 · July 2011

Ditto PP about the help. Although, I do have to say, the recovery wasn't as bad as I expected it to be and I was up and walking around (slowly) that night and even took a shower the next day. I didn't have stitches or staples though so that may have been the difference. I didn't like the undies from the hospital so I went to Target and bought some big ol' granny panties that were high waisted so that they wouldn't sit right at my incision.

Other than that, once your incision is healed and isn't painful to touch, start massaging it with lotion or oil (I used the cocoa butter I already had). That will help with the scar tissue.

ETA: Just to clarify...mine was a scheduled c-section

amyfelice · July 2011

I had a rough recovery, but there is nothing i could really have done to prevent that. I think it will probably be easier as an elective than after 24 hours of labor. However, I have heard of these bands that people wear post c-section that help and I will be getting one next time. Here is one example, I'm sure that there are many others.

https://csectionrecovery.net/

Also for me, i was reluctant to take pain medication and get enough rest and when I did those things I felt a lot better.

futrkingsley · July 2011

I had a very rough recovery and like A, couldn't have done anything about that as I had an induction that lasted days and days. Managed your pain, don't try to be a hero if it's impacting your ability to function. Get help!

My pain wasn't easily managed even by strong drugs and I was too in the fog to think about the affects of that. DH was too worn out by the days of supporting me in labor to be the kind of support I needed afterwards and I should have asked for more help.

A super kind nurse brought be a giant elastic band a few days after my surgery when I still couldn't stand and it was a life saver. The one I used was a no name white elastic hospital issue band. Nothing fancy. But it worked great and I wore it for several weeks as it helped ease my pain.

ladipale · July 2011

ditto the pain meds. I tried to wean way too early and paid dearly.

and line up help for your older son, its hard enough trying to take care of a newborn after a c-section.

if you use a bassinet or something in your room in the newborn stage, put it on DHs side for the first week or so. Trying to get E out of her bed in the middle of the night was nearly impossible.

I also used one of those elastic bands/binders (was given to me when I had NSTs) after the surgery at the rec of my doc and it did help me feel better.

but it sounds like a c-section after labor is much tougher than a scheduled c/s, so maybe you'll be better off than i was.

ladipale · July 2011

And try to remember that this is major abdominal surgery. I still have trouble accepting that I am still healing!

Mrs.K&C · July 2011

GRANNY PANTIES!!!!!!

RevJG · July 2011

Can you ask for a Xanax during the actual surgery?? Ha. Seriously though, I had both an emergency and scheduled section and the emergency one was so much easier because I was so out of it (48 hours of labor) and slept through most of it. Getting the spinal for the second was creepy and awful and being awake and hyper aware of everything the entire time was no good for me.

As far as recovery goes, take the meds, take short walks around the hospital floor starting the second day, and ask for a lot of help. Also, I don't know what your plan for your DH is, but we had decided mine wouldn't stay at the hospital so he could get some sleep and help out with our older kid. I soon realized that it took me 15+ minutes to get out of bed to get the baby out of his isolette when he started screaming and I ended up having to call the nurse every time to say, 'um, could you please come hand me my baby' and I felt like a total a-hole. He stayed with me after that first night just so he could fetch the baby.

maryh01 · July 2011

RevJG:
Can you ask for a Xanax during the actual surgery?? Ha. Seriously though, I had both an emergency and scheduled section and the emergency one was so much easier because I was so out of it (48 hours of labor) and slept through most of it. Getting the spinal for the second was creepy and awful and being awake and hyper aware of everything the entire time was no good for me.
As far as recovery goes, take the meds, take short walks around the hospital floor starting the second day, and ask for a lot of help. Also, I don't know what your plan for your DH is, but we had decided mine wouldn't stay at the hospital so he could get some sleep and help out with our older kid. I soon realized that it took me 15+ minutes to get out of bed to get the baby out of his isolette when he started screaming and I ended up having to call the nurse every time to say, 'um, could you please come hand me my baby' and I felt like a total a-hole. He stayed with me after that first night just so he could fetch the baby.

Oh yeah...the scheduled c-section is a whole different animal. I walked myself into the OR, sat down on the table and then they gave me the spinal....sooo weird to be aware of everything going on. Although, the meds made me a little out of it and loopy too. I remember everything but it's kinda foggy and after is definitely foggy. I'm not sure if it was meds that they gave me after or what but I remember being in recovery and J nursing for the first time, but then they wheeled me to my room and I'm pretty sure I passed out while everyone was there. No one was paying attention to me anyway! I know everyone was there, but I really have no memory between leaving recovery and that evening when the nurse made me get up and then I was STARVING.

And definitely ditto DH staying with you. I needed his help to get the baby and get out of bed...sucks to have to call the nurse everytime.

LoLoPanda · July 2011

Ditto PP about the waist binder. That thing saved my life and the hospital gave it to us.

Wear yoga pants or those soft gaucho capris with the soft waistband. I lived in those for 3-4 weeks until I could wear my maternity pants again. Other than that, I would suggest bringing mild soap (like Ivory or Dove) to the hospital for your shower. I found that even just the running water over my body after the surgery made me feel human again.

oceanangelbeauty · July 2011

Get good sleep and rest before.

Mine was emergency but I loved my granny panties. I also loved a bag Dhade for me that ties to the bed. It was basically a pencil pouch tied to the bed with string. I had my cell phone, boob cream, chap stick and note paper with pen in it. I fished that thing out ton and it was nice to a tiny bit independent. Ditto ask f0r help. I really needed a lot of support the dirt few weeks.

EmmieB · July 2011

lots of sleep the night before.

fold-over waistband maternity yoga pants.

help.

pain meds

and....the moby. I wrapped it wide and actually felt like it supported my abdomen, and then i could walk and "carry" Baz much more easily.

HTH!

Structenggal · July 2011

Thanks everyone! I know my biggest hurdle is going to be allowing myself to rest (though, maybe I won't have a choice!). Last time DH wasn't able to stay in the hospital with me (I shared a room), so I'm really hoping that he'll be able to stay/help this time. It's an odd feeling to know when this baby is going to be born!

Mrs.K&C · July 2011

Structenggal:
Thanks everyone! I know my biggest hurdle is going to be allowing myself to rest (though, maybe I won't have a choice!). Last time DH wasn't able to stay in the hospital with me (I shared a room), so I'm really hoping that he'll be able to stay/help this time. It's an odd feeling to know when this baby is going to be born!

I had some bad complications with mine so I assumed that's why ended up with a private room despite the fact that maternity ward was PACKED, but the nurses told me they try to give all the c-section patients a private room. I was in a pediatric room, actually...just right next door to the maternity ward. So maybe that will be the same case for you!

fricksgirl · July 2011

I sailed through both of my scheduled c/s like it was a trip to the spa!! You're going to be great!

Take the medicine! Take it every 4 hours or however they let you and do not let up early! If you get behind on that medicine you are never going to stay on top of the pain. Pain management, for me, was key. Pass me the Norco, man.

Stay in the hospital as long as you can! Especially for #2. Once you get home you are back to "mom" and it's hard to stop that. I know my DH couldn't be there mearly as much the second time because we had Alex and that was fine with me. I really took advantage of the four days and Simon and I had quite the little respite to establish nursing & get to know each other. Yes, you'll miss baby #1, but really, you'll live together for the next 14 years at least, it will be fine!

Lastly, stock that freezer! Seriously, start cooking RIGHT NOW. Both times I had an arsenal of food ready and I can't tell you how much it helped.

Good luck, exciting!!!

Want a personalized experience?

Any post c-section tips?

Re: Any post c-section tips?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards