J14 moms who had c sections the past couple weeks

1017Shannon · January 2014

Hi all! I am making a last ditch effort to ask all the moms who have had c sections in the past few weeks to dish on advice or ANYTHING they have learned and want to share. From prep, to actual surgery, to recovery, to recovery with older kids?? No specific questions really...everyone has responded to my specific questions posts awesome...i guess I'm nervous it is actually a week from Friday!!
hope you are all healing well!!

monkeybutt61612 · January 2014

The tugging and pulling feeling during surgery is so gross

sleepymonkey · January 2014

I had an unexpected c-section 10 days ago so I'm no help with prep. The actual surgery isn't bad, I felt no pain, just some tugging and pressure but it was only slightly uncomfortable at most. As soon as it was over, my whole body started shaking uncontrollably for @ an hour, which is very common and nothing to be concerned about. My biggest piece of advice is to take your pain meds. I was scared of prescription painkillers so I held out a few days and was in so much pain. The ibuprofen just barely took the edge off. If you take your meds before the pain gets too bad, it is much more tolerable. And get up and walk around as much as possible, even if it hurts. It really does help. Good luck!

monkeybutt61612 · January 2014

Stool softeners are your friend

MindyBadger1 · January 2014

Take your meds. Minimize visitors. Take home lots of mesh undies.

megs12914 · January 2014

Yes on the mesh undies. I only have two and I am washing them. There was another question on this not too far back. Some of us explained what it was like in detail. I'd search that because it might be helpful. If I wasn't mobile I totally would.

ccip82 · January 2014

Don't laugh or sneeze for at least a week after your C/S without holding your stomach.

Start taking Colace now.

megs12914 · January 2014

Yes on the mesh undies. I only have two and I am washing them. There was another question on this not too far back. Some of us explained what it was like in detail. I'd search that because it might be helpful. If I wasn't mobile I totally would.

jms1374 · January 2014

I am only 2 days out from my c-section, but all of the above is great advice. One thing that I am finding that I wasn't prepared for is that it is so difficult to blow my nose--sadly, I have no advice on that but it might be something to be prepared for. Also, rest when your body tells you to. I am battling a massive headache because i wouldn't stop and rest yesterday. It breaks my heart to let my little guy stay with the nurses, but it was necessary for me to to get some rest and I am much better (except for the headache) today physically, and more importantly, emotionally.

JaneW2 · January 2014

I have just today (day 8) started wearing a 6-inch ACE bandage around my belly. It is really helping the cramping! (Or you could use a commercial belly binder, but that would require money and effort to obtain, and I already had the elastic bandage.)

Lilyrussell · January 2014

I had an unexpected section on wed! It went well but I was surprised at how much I could feel. I could basically feel everything it was just painless. I have major anxiety but managed to get through it by praying, breathing, and focusing on the end result! I didn't change out of my hospital gown until later the next day but luckily I bought an xl 'granny nightgown' from walmart and am so glad I did! Any sort of waist band/pressure in my abdomen really hurts. Also, comfy slippers. I didn't have any swelling in my feet my whole pregnancy and now they are balloons!

SoInLoveCJ2011 · January 2014

I had an unexpected csection on Monday so no help with the prep.

However I was so tired from laboring all day when it came time for the surgery I felt the pressure of getting the baby out but it was more relief than anything.

For recovery the mesh panties and pads in the hospital are amazing because you don't have to worry about your incision being pressed on. Lose clothing and underwear that are high enough to clear your incision are best. Nothing too tight.

Hope that helps.

tootsscott · January 2014

Lilyrussell said:

I had an unexpected section on wed! It went well but I was surprised at how much I could feel. I could basically feel everything it was just painless. I have major anxiety but managed to get through it by praying, breathing, and focusing on the end result! I didn't change out of my hospital gown until later the next day but luckily I bought an xl 'granny nightgown' from walmart and am so glad I did! Any sort of waist band/pressure in my abdomen really hurts. Also, comfy slippers. I didn't have any swelling in my feet my whole pregnancy and now they are balloons!

all this for me!

sugarland726 · January 2014

Agree with holding your stomach in tightly before coughing/laughing/sneezing. Ditto the mesh undies. And save them if you plan on more kids for next time around. Stay on top of your pain meds. You don't need to be a hero by not taking the Percocet. I got super itchy after my spinal. Apparently that's very normal and they can give you Nubain to stop that. As for older children, I am significantly more functional after this C-section than after my first one. I can do just about anything only 2 weeks out. Last time I could barely hobble down the hall.

nbbride06 · January 2014

After 2 c-sections, the only thing I have to add is to leave the hospital ASAP. I stayed 4 nights after my first. I stayed 2 nights this time. Both c-sections were unscheduled but not emergency. I've had a much easier recovery this time. I will reiterate what others have said as well. Keep up on the pain meds and take the Percocet

sarahlisa00 · January 2014

Pee often!!!! I'm 13 days out and still making sure I pee every 3 hours or so. If you let your bladder get too full it pushes against the incision and it's not pleasant! I was opposite of loose clothes, I wore my maternity leggings that would somewhat hold my tummy in. Grandma underwear that go up high! I didn't think to wash the mesh underwear and having somewhat normal underwear on made me feel more human. Take the Percocet 30 min before walking the first time. That was advice given to me which I heeded so I'm not sure what happens if you don't! You'll do great!!

1017Shannon · January 2014

Wow! Thanks you guys! I had an allergic reaction to the mesh undies my last pregnancy so I bought extra large cotton grannie panties to use instead!
I am so nervous about the feeling tugging and pulling

I have been taking miralax, two stool ssofteners a day, and a probiotic because constipation is my biggest fear!
good luck to you all!!!

holly142 · January 2014

I had an emergency c-section on Tuesday. The doctors and nurses were upbeat and wonderful! It made me less stressed. Within 5 minutes of the baby being born, she was put right next to my face. When we got back to my room (about 30 minutes after birth) I was able to hold her skin-to-skin and then feed her. If you need the pain-meds, take them, but I have only taken ibuprofen and Tylenol since it and haven't been in pain (except when I cough or wait too long to go to the bathroom). On the 2nd day and on, make sure and get up every 2 hours, use the bathroom and walk around.

I am thankful that I have a helpful, relaxed family and I love having them around for short periods of time. My MIL and FIL came to the hospital each day for a few hours. They stayed with my while DH went home and showered. SIL came this morning and held baby while I took a 1.5 hour nap (amazing!) and she brought food. I am limiting visitors to 1-2 families per day and I am sleeping while they are here! After all, they are here to see the baby

Don't feel bad about having them help with your older children or you going and taking a nap.

I am really happy with how the c-section went and I hope you don't stress about it. Good luck!

kiki1978 · January 2014

I agree with the PP about the mesh undies. I threw mine away, but the PA at (who had a baby in August) recommended Depends. I was put off at first, but got some on the way home from the hospital. Super comfy and absorbent for your bleeding.

luvdelilah · January 2014

ccip82 said:

Don't laugh or sneeze for at least a week after your C/S without holding your stomach.

Start taking Colace now.

Both of these. My mother taught me to lean forward and hug a pillow to my stomach when I had to laugh or cough - that was a huge help.

Get up and walk as soon as you are allowed to. Wear whatever belly binder they give.

Take a shower and put on "clothes" (pj's, yoga pants, whatever) as soon as you are ready/able. I felt a million times better after my first shower.

cnwilbur1030 · January 2014

3 things:
1) stay ahead of the pain, ask for the meds before it starts to really hurt.

2) This time I had a RCS (so far so much better than with DD's unplanned one after labor), which had some weird things. I felt the epidural insertion more since I wasn't distracted by contractions. And also, by weird coincidence, I had an epidural "hot spot" where I could feel a small part in my groin during surgery. It freaked me out thinking I would feel the whole process, but really I just felt the normal tugging plus a little pinch in the hotspot. No searing, horrible pain. Then the anesthesia doc gave me fentanyl as soon as DS was out and the pinch went away. I kind of freaked myself out too much over it, but the feeling of some pain down there dying the CS wasn't that bad. So don't be scared!

3) When you breastfeed, your uterus contracts. That hurts but kind of hurts-so-good because, now that my milk is in, I know I'm having let down and LO is getting the good stuff

slmille4 · January 2014

Make sure u shower right before heading in. I felt gross the first day of visitors. I had an unplanned csection so def don't have enough clothes/ undies that don't rub the incision. Take ur pain meds and if ur feeling good after still follow the activity guidelines. I am 7 days out and paying today for cleaning the kitchen (I was going stir crazy)

MIT721 · January 2014

I just had a planned csection on the 10th - one week out!

1) The surgery:
I got a spinal block. It was lovely. I asked the nurse anesthetist to keep us updated on what was happening. The pulling and tugging freaked my husband out but I did a lot of deep breathing and singing (my doctor put on Pandora for me!) and that helped. Also I kept the anesthetist aware of when I was nauseous - he was able to get ahead of any vomiting or worsening of the nausea.

2) Recovery
They will out compression booties on you to keep blood flowing since you can't get up. They get annoying but are essential to making sure you don't get any clots.
Swinging your legs over the side of the bed: This hurts. A lot. The nurse had me do this after midnight when the spinal block wore off. You should be up and walking by the next day. This also hurts quite a bit but is important.
Bleeding: for the first few days you'll have a catheter and the nurses will come in, clean you up, empty your pee and press on your belly. It's kinda gross but man it's amazing to have someone clean you up.
Note: I haven't bled too much and am able to wear granny panties and regular maxi pads. Others bleed quite a bit - take the mesh panties, the pads and the wipes.
After you're up and walking they will ask if you have farted and are able to pee on your own. They had me pee into a measuring cup attached to the toilet for 24 hrs. They'll ask you how much you've had to drink and when so pay attention (or have your SO make note). They'll also have you monitor baby poop/pee and write it down.
Send the baby to the nursery. I learned this the hard way when I sent my hubs home to sleep and didn't send the baby to the nursery. I couldn't really get up and get her out of the bassinet to sooth her - that kinda sucked.
Take Colace/ stool softeners now will help for later!

I just realized this is probably too late.

mommygrams0730 · January 2014

You've gotten great advice!

Just to second some sort of compression wrap. I asked the nurse if they had them and although I didn't use it in the hospital I have worn it everyday since I've been home. It significantly made a difference in my stomach going down, but even better than that it gave my back the extra support from not being able to use my stomach muscles.

I also iced my incision at least 1-2x a day just because it felt so good. (Ice pack wrapped in a kitchen towel)

Winnieella · January 2014

I had an emergency C on the 3rd. I can't talk about the procedure because I felt everything after my placenta abrupted, but for recovery take the meds. Also, let your H/so know how you are doing and help out as much as they can.

thegosiers · January 2014

I had been pumped so full of fluids through my IV that my entire lower body was swollen for about 1 week after. Walking helped immensely! My advice - as soon as your catheter is out do some slow laps around the hospital ward.

MarkandAbbi · January 2014

I'm 5 days post c-section. My advice is, Definitely prep your stomach yourself. I didn't have an emergency c-section but it was unplanned. They were brutal down there and their razor was very blunt. Even being numb I could feel the tugging of them hurrying along. I had uncontrollable shakes during the whole procedure as well as vomiting. They maxed me out on anti nausea meds and I was still vomiting. That I think was the hardest part, my arms were strapped down because of the shaking and then having to turn only my head to vomit while laying flat on my back. My surgery team was absolutely awesome and talked me through everything which I found extremely helpful!!!

Good luck, your LO will be here very soon!!

iLoveMacaroni · January 2014

Pee as soon as possible after the catheter is out! I didn't do this and eventually my bladder was too full to go on my own so the nurses had to empty it. The overfull bladder was very uncomfortable and just added unnecessary pain!

notthecheat · January 2014

I had an unplanned C-section. The surgery was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. I was throwing up before, during, and after the C-section. One time after, my vomit was dark brown and I hadn't been able to eat anything so I was afraid it was blood but the nurse said it was normal.

During surgery, my arms were tied down and I couldn't see a thing. I relied on DH to tell me everything that was going on once the baby was out. Before then it was his job to distract me from the pulling and tugging!

Take your pain meds, and take your gas pills! Your intestines get tossed around like a salad and this creates a lot of gas that can make your abdomen hurt even more unnecessarily. The IV fluids they give you will make you blow up like a balloon- there is not much you can do for the swelling besides stay hydrated and keep your feet elevated. Get up and walk as soon as you are allowed. It will feel really difficult to do, and almost like your abdomen is pulling apart, but it will get slightly better each time. I was surprised that peeing hurt and it looked like I was peeing pure blood the first time I went after pulling out the foley. It felt almost like a bad UTI- it hurt most at the end of the stream as my bladder became empty and I had to brace myself with my hands on the bars on the sides of the toilet. This will slowly get better also. I have heard other moms complain of not feeling the urge to pee for some days/week after C-section and had to remind themselves to pee, but it didn't happen to me. Mesh/granny panties and high-waisted comfy elastic waist pants that avoid the incision site are lifesavers.

I recovered very well and very quickly. I got up as soon as I was allowed to, and then frequently to pee from drinking water to stay hydrated, and no more walking until it was a lot more bearable (about 4 days later). At that point my perineal bleeding had started to diminish, and I used that as a guide to my activity so I didn't do too much. If I started bleeding heavier or brighter red, I took it easier for a day or two. By 3 weeks postpartum I was pretty much back to normal. I am doing a lot of walking and some chores, but waiting until the go-ahead at my 6-week check-up to do anything more like exercise.

It was certainly a difficult experience (especially being unplanned and having LO in the NICU) while I was going through it but nothing I couldn't handle and now that I am back to "normal" it doesn't seem like it was so bad.

Good luck! You will do great!

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