When to have visitors after c-section

skits_1 · September 2011

How soon after did you have visitors after your c section? I don't want anyone in recovery except DH but after that will I feel Well enough to shower and change? I don't want to be in the gown when people start to visit. Will I be able to get out of bed that soon after?

TanyaKM · September 2011

Probably not. I didn't get out of bed until 10 p.m. (my c-section was at 7:30 a.m.) and I didn't shower until the next day. I definitely wouldn't have wanted many visitors that first day. Only my mom came that day.

ConnieRob · September 2011

I had my c-section at 4:30 in the morning (I had been in labor 22 hours at that point). I was a HOT MESS! When we went to the hospital for my induction I had it in my head that i would only be in labor for a few hours so I did my hair and makeup so I could look cute in my post-birth pics. Needless to say, we have pictures of me with mascara all over my face and hair sticking straight up.

I was moved to my room about an hour after the c-section. They wouldn't let me leave recovery until I could wiggle my toes. I only saw DH, my parents and my best friend that day.

I was able to take a shower the following morning, they didn't remove my catheter until then. That afternoon I had my first visitors - DH's relatives and my coworkers.

Your Dr and nurses probably won't let you take a shower until the morning after your c-section. I took one as soon as they would let me.

muddin_lil_sis · September 2011

As soon as they took me back to my room (about 30 mins to an hour after the c/s) DH, my parents, FIL, BFF, and DH's BFF (and his wife) were all in the room with me and they took turns holding DS. He was born at 10 that morning. I was able to get out of the bed at 10 that night and showered at 10 the next morning.

Shoshi10 · September 2011

My Csection was early in the morning. I had my mom in recovery with me for about 2 hours while DH was up watching DD in the nursery. After I got moved to my post partum room, I had about 30 min or so before family started coming in. I wanted more alone time with DD, but certain people didn't follow my request (MIL, DH's best friend)so I figured let everyone visit and then DH and I would have alone time with DD all evening. All modesty goes out the window at that point. I am a very modest person, but didn't even care who saw me in my hospital gown. All I said to DH and my mom was make sure you can't see my boobs (DD was laying on my chest) before I let anyone else in. I was not able to get my catheter out or take a shower until the next morning.

pepomntpat · September 2011

I had LO at 8 PM. I did not have visitors until after breakfast the next day. I told everyone that they had to obey visiting hours. LOL!

ETA: I did not feel well enough to move around for a shower until that afternoon. You just had a baby! People don't expect you to be beautiful.

ChiTown Bridget · September 2011

My parents came the next day. My c-section was not planned and my little one was taken to the NICU for some breathing difficulties so I was definitley not up for any visitors.

MeghanF13 · September 2011

I had the c/s at 3:30pm and couldn't get up until 4am (because they didn't take the catheter out), and help me to the bathroom to clean up. Most people I know can't just hop out of bed and shower - I needed help getting out of the bed the first few times, and the nurse actually took me into the bathroom to clean me up. The next day I had a shower, but had to sit through most of it, because your abs don't have the strength to hold you up. I had visitors as soon as I was moved into the maternity ward - but I was kind of groggy. This time I may say no visitors except for DD (even with a VBAC), and my parents (hoping for a VBAC with my Mom and DH in the room). Everyone else can come the next day.

RayRay007 · September 2011

I had my section at 9am, was up walking around within 6 hours (nurses orders), but not allowed to shower for two days. The ILs visited the first day after supper and my parents came the next day. I was in my gown and didn't care. The only other people to visit were our best friends. I wouldn't want a ton of visitors, not because of how I looked, but because of how I felt (tired, etc.)

LadyXaverian · September 2011

My DD was born at 2:43 a.m. so I didn't have to worry about people showing up right away. I think our first visitors came early afternoon, approximately 12 hours post-surgery.

ETA: Pretty sure I was just in my hospital gown when they came. I didn't get a shower until the following day, at which time, I changed into some pjs I had with me.

SarahRae812 · September 2011

My scheduled c/s was at 2pm on a Friday. DD was born at 2:45 and we were back in our room by 4pm. Our hospital doesn't have a recovery room. We had visitors at 6pm that evening so we had a couple hours to bond w/ DD and try BFing. But, I was still partially numb & couldn't get up. I also still had my catheter & was rocking the surgical gown. I tried to get up later that evening but was too nauseated.

I didn't get up until 5am Saturday morning when they took out my catheter & cleaned me up. I can't remember exactly when I showered first. I think it was Saturday but it might have been Sunday morning. I definitely sat down for it.

SarahRae812 · September 2011

Oh, I should also say that I wish we had waited another hour or so for visitors. I really could have used a nap. The meds wiped me out! Plus, I was up a lot during the night trying to feed DD. Then, DH came back to the hospital before 7am, so I was up for a long day on Saturday.

MDmama519 · September 2011

DH was with me in recovery but, I was met by family once they wheeled me back to my room.

Honestly, I didn't mind it one bit. The new baby was the center of attention and I was over the moon to begin with.

I didn't shower until I believe the next day, with a lot of help from my mom. And, I really didn't care what I looked like at the time.

g00dg0llymsm0lly · September 2011

I had visitors that very night (Csection was at 5 PM). I honestly don't remember much of the visit, I was a bit medicated lol. But I was so excited to show DD off, I didn't mind one bit.

Then again, my crazy MIL showed up unannounced the next morning, and that was a horrific ordeal.

My advice is: Visitors are great, even soon afterwards, as long as they're the RIGHT visitors!

Edit: I wore a hospital gown and bra and was still in bed- trust me, after the baby arrives you won't care what people see you in- all they care about is the cute little baby anyways!

lewis514 · September 2011

I wore the hospital gown until the day I was going home. It was easier with the bleeding to wear the gown and mesh panties.

I didn't have visitors outside of my Mom until the next day. I did get to shower before they arrived but still wore the hospital gown.

glinters · September 2011

After a failed induction and 28 hours in labor I had my son at 7:30am. I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and was unable to even pick my head without vomiting for almost the entire day. We kept everyone away until the next day and by morning after the catheter was out I was able to shower and dress in pajamas before visitors arrived.

annabelle.27 · September 2011

probably not. I still had the catheter in 24 hours later. I only had my immediate family visit in the hospital- everyone else had to wait until we were at home.

ladybugpjb · September 2011

My c-section was at 5:30am. My parents came to the recovery room for a little while, and then were in my hospital room. I had a friend drop by later, and I was exhausted and still feeling the effects of the drugs.

They wouldn't let me get up for about 12 hours, and I didn't take a shower until the next morning.

lilydeven · September 2011

my SO and mom were there the second day. on the third day I had 2 visitors. I knew I looked like crap but I didn't care. It was nice enough they came to visit me and the baby!

lorist202 · September 2011

I was in recovery for 3-4 hours. Then my parents, ILs and BFF came about an hour after I was brought to my room.

rachbenn2007 · September 2011

My first c-section was an emergency at 730pm and DD was taken to NICU after i got to see her in the OR. DH stayed with me in recovery (hospital policy is only one person in recovery with the patient) until I was wheeled into NICU to see her. And at that time both of our families were there. Only 3 people at a time are allowed in and one has to be a parent. After I was done visiting her, i was brought up to my room, where DH would bring 2 family members down at a time to see her.

Now with DS, I had a repeat at 9am. He had no complications. So he went with us to recovery and I started to BF him there. I had visitors starting after I was brought up to my PP room. Which I didn't mind. The only thing that really upset me was DD wasn't allowed up to see me or the baby because I had him right at the height of the H1N1 outbreak in 09'. But she had her vaccine for it and they still wouldn't let her come see her mommy or baby brother! I'm glad I had a lot of visitors with DS especially that first day cause I couldn't move, I was still numb and DH was downstairs a lot with DD so I need friends and family help me feed and change him.

RoxBride · September 2011

You won't be able to get out of bed for at least several hours. I didn't until the next morning. Shower was after that. I was a 'fall risk' so getting up, changing out of the gown, none of those were even remote options.

We had visitors as soon as I was out of recovery - parents and siblings, and it was fine.

The next morning and day we had several visitors, and it was fine. Again, I was in bed. We probably had 10 different groups pop by and say hi (It was Christmas Eve, everyone was off work, and due to being on bedrest it was a BIG deal when she arrived healthy). I was fine with it. I just laid in bed admiring my sweet pea.

LoveMyMen · September 2011

My c-section was at 8 pm. Our immediate family came in the room afterwards. We had other vistiors the following day.

magdalina.h · September 2011

Probably not. You can wait to have visitors the next day because then you'll be up a little. Honestly, they are there to see the baby and you are just an after thought.

thebubble09 · September 2011

at one point about 4 hours post op i had 15 people in my room- my family, dh's family, including neices and nephews. it was a horrible experience. at one point someone asked me how i felt as a new mom. id barely had a chance to hold my baby, i was dizzy, nauseous, and overwhelmed. so i said i feel like s*it. she thought that was hysterical and the drugs speaking. by then i was off pain killers (except anestesia remnants)- it was ME speaking. i told dh that next time i want no visitors until i feel well enough to sit up straight which was later that night after i had something to eat (broth and water ice). having all those people around is my biggest regret.

i will say though that about 12 hours post op i felt much much better and woudl have been ready then. i was in bed for almost 24 hours and although i was in a lot of pain i really felt okay. the nurses helped me wash my face and get cleaned up enough for me to feel human again at aroudn the 12 hour mark.

capulet · September 2011

I had an emergency c/s after several hours of labor at 1:56 AM. I didn't get up until probably about 12 hours later. I don't remember exactly when I got my catheter out (it was probably at the same time, but may have been later in the evening) and I don't think I showered until the next day. It's surgery; you're not going to be on your feet that quickly. I don't think we had visitors the first day with DD except maybe for family friends in the evening - DH's parents came from out of town and that took a couple of days. This time I'm sure DH's family and our DD will visit earlier, but I know (and don't particularly care) that I'll still be in the hospital gown and won't look all that hot.

clo1982 · September 2011

I didn't have any visitors until the following afternoon (my C section was at 9am). The spinal caused my blood pressure to drop which made me extremely nauseous. They gave me something to control that since I was throwing up about every 15 minutes, and the anti nausea meds made me loopy. Unfortunately they didn't make me throw up any less either. So it wasn't until the next afternoon that I even was up and out of bed to move to a chair, much less shower and have visitors. I would tell any potential visitors to wait for your call to come in. That way if you aren't feeling up to it, you won't have to deal with visitors. I thought my parents and in laws would be super disappointed about having to wait a full day to see the baby after she was born but they were totally understanding and didn't want to make me uncomfortable by coming in.

shouldbworkin · September 2011

Our hospital didn't allow anyone in until 2 hours after delivery. DD had trouble regulating her temp, so they waited even longer. The first time around I wouldn't let anyone wait while I was in labor (unplanned c/s). The 2nd time I let them wait during my c/s and they busted in b/c "they had places to go" (WTH?!) This time around, I think I'll make them wait until we're ready. Really, nothing was more uncomfortable then my dad busting in while I was skin to skin with DD trying to get her temp regulated.

aandg · September 2011

Only DH and the baby were in the recovery room with me. My parents were waiting in the post partum room when we were wheeled upstairs. At my hospital they don't let you get out of bed until 24 hours after the c section. There's no way I could have gotten up before that. I had visitors the next day (she was born at 6:33pm) but was pretty out of it from all the pain meds.

Jen&Peter · September 2011

I have had 3 scheduled c-sections and didn't mind visitors (family members) even in my recovery room. Only one person is allowed in at a time in my hospital. You will not be able to shower right away as you will have a catheter in for 18-24 hours most likely. It really depends on your comfort level and the hospital's policy.

Mrs_MBed · September 2011

With DD1, the c/s was unplanned and after several hours of labor, so my mom and my sister just stayed in my room until they wheeled me back. I didn't get out of bed until the next morning (about 8-10) hours later and didn't shower until that night. I wasn't up to having (non-family) visitors for the first two days.

With DD2, the c/s was somewhat planned (I was intending to have a RCS, but b/c of PTL had it at 33 wks instead of 39 wk) and the nurses had me moving around 4-5 hours post op. My mom didn't arrive until 12 hrs after the c/s, so she was my first visitor. I had a shower that night. My friends visited on the 2nd day and that was perfect.

This time around, I'll probably try to have my visits while at the hospital b/c once we get home I probably won't leave the house til we move a few months after they are born.

biblionerd · September 2011

At my hospital, I believe the catheter had to stay in for 24 hours, which meant no getting out of bed. I Honestly, the thought of getting out of bed a couple hours after a c-section is horrifying to me. For one, you don't even get all the feeling back for a while. Once you do, you still would not be stable enough to walk, even if the pain didn't stop you. I had the catheter removed the next day and struggled to walk the 5 or so (normal) steps to the bathroom. It took forever just to get there. I didn't bathe until late the second day, like probably 10 or 11 at night.

byrne15 · September 2011

i had people visiting with ds withing minutes after he was born. i wasn't conscious until about 2 hours after he was born. once they wheeled me back to my room, my family came in. i actually don't even remember it. they left after about 45 mins (it was about 7:45pm when they left). i had about 30 visitors total in the next few days. i enjoyed seeing everyone.

the only thing i would change is to have people leave by 7-8pm at night. My FIL and his girlfriend stayed for the entire superbowl and I wasn't feeling very good and wanted to shower and walk around.

girllennon · September 2011

I did not want any visitors the day after my c-section. I still had my catheter in and stuck in my hospital gown until early evening, so people were wise to stay away. I started to have visitors the day after the catheter came out, but I was still in a ton of pain.

ejagk · September 2011

It will all depend on how you are feeling and how you are recovering, as well as the hospital guidelines. My hospital doesn't have a separate recovery area- you recover in the room where you will stay- so I went straight back to my room. My parents arrived before the surgery and waited in my room, so they were there when I came back from surgery.

I had my c-section at 8am and was up walking around by 6pm, which I've been told is not the norm. I showered the next morning because I still had my catheter in until then.

Be sure to walk around as soon as your allowed- it will help your system get back to normal. Also, drink some juice and ask for stool softeners or else you could get backed up. Good luck!!

Sa039ra · September 2011

I had DS at 11:00am. I was able to see him quickly in the OR and he was taken to the NICU. I went to recovery and they brought me by his NICU room briefly on the way to my PP room. (In our hospital, each baby in the NICU has their own room, it's a great setup for parents for babies in there long term) My IL's were already in there with my DH, annoying. Family started arriving around 2pm and were brought down by DH to the NICU two at a time. It was a revolving door of visitors coming up and down. AND my BFF, her husband, my mom, dad, SIL, BIL, MIL, FIL, sister, aunt and uncle all spent a chunk of time with DS before I did. They finally allowed me to go down to his room at 8pm.

The whole situation has definitely made me decide to not plan for visitors until day 2 with number 2. Being the last one to really meet DS sucked.

Edit - spelling.

ghdst1 · September 2011

It depends when you have the baby. DS was born via c/s at 4pm. By the time we got to post partum it was close to 8pm. BY that time we were ready to chill and sleep. We had visitors the next day and after that.

If we had baby earlier in the day I still think we wouldn't want a lot of people there. You at least have 2-4 hours after delivery that you will have in recovery before you go to the post partum room.

hnmccormack · September 2011

I had my c-section at 11:10pm, my parents were there the whole time so I saw them as soon as I came out. The rest of family didn't start coming in until later on the next day. I didn't take a shower until the following day because I was still attached to IV's and such.

starlettedir · September 2011

Only DH in recovery. Everyone else was the next day.

Quiksilver620 · September 2011

I had visitors that night, close family and friends, but I had DD at 7am on a Tuesday so people couldn't come until after work anyway.

I wasn't up walking around until sometime overnight

beachykeen1723 · September 2011

Our plan this time is that I will have my c-section at 7 am and our first visitors will be my parents at noon (they get to bring DH lunch). DS will come after his nap with BIL and SIL. Then his parents can come that night, and my other SIL is welcome to join them (she has little kids so that is up to her).

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