1) When there are concerns about baby's or mom's safety, you would be amazed how quickly they can get that baby out.
2) An emergency situation may mean being put under general anesthesia for the C-section.
3) The OR is wicked cold.
4) Assuming baby is OK, most OBs are fine with handing the baby over to you while still in the OR, and if that is what you want, it's worth mentioning in advance.
5) Post C-section bleeding is about the same as a vaginal delivery.
6) They make you fart before you can eat, and poop before you can leave.
7) Your milk may take an extra 1-2 days to come in.
8) Baby may cough up/choke on fluids since they aren't squeezed out during labor.
9) Most docs use staples on the outer incision, they pull them out with big tweezers before you leave, and it doesn't hurt too badly.
Anyone have anything else to add? I was so blindsided by my C-section, I wish I had known these things so I could mentally prepare.
Re: Things I wish I knew before my C-Section
Happy Endings
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
Jess & Adam, married 2009, precious Audrey born in 2011. BFP 1/6/13, 6-wk MMC discovered at 9 wks 2/11/13. D&C 2/18/13, second D&C 4/23/13 for retained placenta.
BFP 8/24/13!! EDD 5/1/14, delivered healthy and sweet Zoey Leanne on 5/5/14 by repeat c-section.
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
Also on the stapleless team.
9 wasn't true for me either. I got sutures and dissolvable staples internally and nothing but tape externally. The tape came off in the shower on day 4. I never had to go back and have anything removed.
I loved my C-section. My recovery was a breeze.
DS: 11/8/11 | 9 lb 7 oz, 22 in
DD: 5/22/14 | 9 lb 9 oz, 21.5 in
Actually now I'm thinking staples may be older, I remember having the strips the second time around...
Also, if you have to sneeze, laugh, holding a pillow against your belly helps. But it still hurts like a bitch.
My legs got annoying since I couldn't feel them for 24 hours after. DH was a champ and tried his best to help them feel better (even though I couldn't feel them)
The sooner you can get up and moving the better, just don't over do it. The nurses though I was a vaginal delivery because of how well I was up and moving.
Them pushing on your stomach for checks after hurts. And feels weird all at once.
To poop with no ab muscles takes a lot of time. Just sit and wait for it to fall out. No pushing.
-if you have a scheduled csection start drinking prune juice a couple days ahead of time and eat very light the night before. Also eat lightly until your first BM. The constipation was by far the worst part of my myomectomy, even though I had been taking Colace. (warning TMI) I got stuck on the toilet for 3 hours beyond the point of no return but couldn't get it out. It had to emergency send DH to cvs to get me laxatives. I drank a lot of prune juice before my csection, I actually overdid it a little giving myself diarrhea, but the upside was I had zero constipation in recovery.
- the anesthesia felt very strange. Like I'd been hit by a truck and I wanted to go to sleep so badly. Luckily it's over quickly.
- you will be on a clear liquid diet after the csection until you can hold things down.
- as soon as yo can feel your legs they will make you walk. Try to walk as much as possible. I was doing laps around the maternity ward pushing DD in the bassinet.
- I didn't have staples just glue and tape.
My OB did use staples and then give me a tool to bring with me to my PP appt so she could take them out. Had me envisioning a staple remover like you use on bulletin boards, but it was totally painless!
Yes to the bleeding. I bled the same as anyone I know who had a vag birth!
Am trying for a VBAC so I'd love a post about vag births too!
My milk came in about day 3, so I don't think the c/s delayed it, but I did have major bfing issues. Not sure if my c/s had anything to do w those, But my hospital took my perfectly healthy baby for a (hospital standard) 2 hours after he was born. This still angers me!
I wish someone had warned me to be more gentle on my scar. I have a huge keloid that I blame on too much pressure on my scar too soon.
I had glue, and my doctor recommended using silicone blister pads on the scar after the steri strips fell off for extra support. They stay on with showering & can last two weeks or so.
The stay at the hospital is generally a few days, which I knew. I didn't know that you can push to get out earlier if you ask and are generally doing well with recovery. My first I went into the hospital on Wednesday to be induced, had baby on Thursday (csec) and left the hospital on Sunday. That was far too long. The second time, went in on Friday at noon and was out by sunday at dinner time, because I asked constantly, and the dr said if I recover well, and baby is doing well then I could leave. So I'll admit I pushed myself a little harder with getting up and moving around more. But it was worth it to go home after 2 days rather then 5 like the first time. Of course, if recovery isn't going well, it's probably best to stay in the hospital. And I wasn't bitchy pushy, I was just making sure they knew I how was feeling.
Don't remember the name of the drugs, but there were pills you have to take rectally. I can't even remember what they did. The nurse did it the first couple times. then when you are up and moving they give you a glove, pill and lube and you have to go do it yourself. Not fun.
Peeing afterward the catheter is removed just feels strange.
Pooping is terrifying. Take the stool softener if they offer it to you. Especially if you plan on taking the T3's because those will bung you up. I had diarrhea in the hospital with my first so I insisted I didn't need the softener. I should have kept it and taken it home with me because I didn't poop for 5 days after I got home from the hospital and it was scary. But the second time it was much easier after learning my lesson. Take all the stool softeners they offer you. Doesn't mean you have to take it right then and there, but save it for later if necessary!!! Seriously.
DS#1 - Apr 22, 2010
DS#2 - Oct 26, 2012
DS#3 - May 28, 2014
DS#1 - Apr 22, 2010
DS#2 - Oct 26, 2012
DS#3 - May 28, 2014
The nurse gave me Tucks medicated pads (witch hazel) to rub on my skin. It provided instant relief.
I also had major swelling in my legs for nearly 2 weeks pp. It was from being pumped up with so many bags of fluid. I couldn't fit into any of my shoes. I had to go out and buy size ELEVEN sneakers to wear for a week until the swelling went down. I am normally a 7.5! It was crazy.
Not saying that was a normal reaction but just make sure you have stretchy comfortable shoes to leave the hospital.
Also going to say that I never had any up the butt pills. Could those have been given for hemorrhoids?
My nurses tried to give me Vicodin, but I refused it since it makes me throw up. The pain was plenty manageable with the strong Tylenol I took.
DS#1 - Apr 22, 2010
DS#2 - Oct 26, 2012
DS#3 - May 28, 2014
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