Well, change of plans ...

cashews29 · August 2014

I went in for my 37 week appointment yesterday. Turns out this kid is breech. So I'm going to be scheduled now for a C-section in two weeks. I'm kinda of freaking out. I was not expecting this at all.

C-section ladies -- can you send me any websites/blogs/whatever that helped you learn and get accustomed to the process and recovery? I need to absorb as fast as possible.

BeachM · August 2014

Good luck! I found that most of the c-section blogs talked about things I didn't experience like staples and issues with the spinal/epidural.

My cousin gave me this advice after my first c/s and it was by far the most helpful to me - You'll feel better after 2 weeks and mostly back to normal after 4 weeks. I told myself that every day during the first 2 weeks when I felt like I was going to split stitches every time I stood up and it was so true.

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to share from both my experiences. I had my tubes tied because we're done after 2, but if we weren't I would have no qualms about a 3rd c/s.

cashews29 · August 2014

I guess my biggest question is how you cope in those two weeks. I've read that I can't drive, and that I should avoid stairs. I'm really independent, so I'm not happy about not being able to lift or pretty much do anything.

Also, how was the recovery time in the hospital? H was wondering if I would even want visitors right away or if I'd feel too bad.

cashews29 · August 2014

I bought a Belly Bandit a few weeks ago when I thought I was still going vaginal. The website said it was good for C-sections too. Would that work as a binder? Or should I use the hospital one?

kmontem · August 2014

The advice above is great! I'm heading into my third c-section tomorrow morning and while the first few days are rough, the recovery is totally doable. I had family there during both, and had visitors (friends, family) the next day.

My best advice:

Stay on top of pain meds if you need them. It's always harder to catch up if it gets out of control....also ask for stool softeners if they don't offer them. If you were at all anemic pre c-section, there's a chance they'll also put you on iron, which just makes the whole pooping with an incision harder.

Walk/Move as much as you can - recovery is so much faster.

Bring a pillow/boppy to brace your belly for the ride home. You'll feel every bump. The bumpy ride home after my first c-section was by far the worst part of the entire experience. A pillow makes all the difference.

Binders are great if they offer them, I'd guess the bandit is pretty similar. My first doc didn't recommend them, but my second didn't mind it. It's up to you!

The general rule with stairs (I think) is once per day. By week 2 I was able to push it more, but for that first week I actually just slept on the couch - it was easier for me to use the arm rest to get up and down, and it was closer to the ground.

I hope things go smoothly - every day you'll feel better!

tabaskoa · August 2014

I had a scheduled C-section with DS, and actually had a pretty good experience. Recovery in the hospital was fine...was up and walking the morning after (CS was at 1pm), and took a shower that day. I took it easy and kept up with the pain meds, and didn't feel much pain honestly. We were only in the hospital 48 hours and then headed home. I didn't mind having visitors (at least not due to the surgery).

Since I knew I was having a CS, I had our house set up appropriately. We had a changing area and everything I could possibly need for the baby set up on the first floor (main floor). For the first few days I only went up and down the stairs once a day - we went upstairs for the night and stayed up there all night, then down in the morning. After a few days, I relaxed a little bit about the stairs rule, but there was really no reason to be going upstairs very often anyway. As for driving, I was out driving right at the 2 week mark - going to appointments with the LC. My H could only take 5 days or so off work, so I was nervous about being "trapped" at home after he went back to work, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

Honestly the C-section recovery wasn't that bad...it was the breastfeeding that was a b*tch.

cashews29 · August 2014

Oh yeah, breastfeeding. I was planning on trying that. I was reading that it's pretty much either the football hold/side hold or nothing? I have a Gia nursing pillow, so I'm guessing I won't be able to use that to nurse for several weeks?

cashews29 · August 2014

We are thinking that we'll invite people to come the day after the surgery, so we can have at least one day to recuperate and bond with LO.

Now I just want to get the official day so I can plan. Not knowing is killing me.

BeachM · August 2014

Recovery in terms of the incision in the hospital was fine for me. The whole catheter and IV debacle were awful but that is not something you should expect to happen to you. I had my c/s at 2am on Sunday and a friend came by Monday morning and I was out of bed.

I've always been told you can't drive for 2 weeks OR while taking narcotics. I have a friend who didn't need pain meds very long and drove before 2 weeks. You just need to be sure you can move comfortable enough to be able to react quickly should you need to, like if you need to turn your body to look at another car.

Both times I also found it easier to sleep on the couch for the first 10 days or so. It's hard to get up from laying flat for awhile. I'm a little over 2 weeks out now and can sleep comfortably in the bed in any position.

rockyrollgirl · August 2014

I was more then fine to receive visitors right away.

I used the binder the hospital provided. I imagine the belly bandit works just as well.

No driving for two weeks, I wasn't interested in going anywhere anyway.

I was fine walking around, getting up took a bit of time. The nurses will show you the best way to do that.

My overall experience of recovery was that it wasn't that bad and I was doing better then some other moms that birthed vaginally. It can go either way.

Stay on top of your meds, get moving right away and use the spirometer.

cashews29 · August 2014

Spirometer?

rockyrollgirl · August 2014

cashews29 said:

Spirometer?

The deep breathing device they give you after surgeries.

cashews29 · August 2014

Ahhh, thanks!

rae_dylanzmom · August 2014

It's funny, I can't remember any of these details the other ladies are recalling. I do remember trying to refuse pain meds and a nurse really making it clear that I needed them.

I loved having company in the hospital, but I'd just play that one by ear. I guess I enjoyed it because that was part of my birth experience.... and I wasn't robbed of that just because I needed surgery.

The nurses/lactation consultants will be a big help with a lot of your questions.... nursing, how to get up, etc.

I had the opposite experience from some of the ladies here.... I didn't go downstairs much in the first few days home. I cuddled in bed with my DS and company, food, and whatever came up to me. My husband couldn't stay home for long after we got home (long story), but I was lucky that my mom was visiting and my neighbors cooked all of our food for awhile.

I understand about being independent and all.... one way to think about that is that this can be a growth experience for you. Letting go of attachment to your birth plan for your reality, asking for help when you need it... Doesn't make you a weak person. At all. You'd be surprised at how much people want to help if you open yourself up to it.

GL!!

cashews29 · August 2014

Thanks, @rae_dylanzmom. I'm so used to doing things on my own, so I need to prepare for sitting back and allowing people to help me.

cashews29 · August 2014

Yeah, I don't think I want other people to see her before me. Or at least, until I get a decent amount of time with her. I'm selfish that way.

tabaskoa · August 2014

MorseBrooks said:

cashews29 said:

Thanks, @rae_dylanzmom. I'm so used to doing things on my own, so I need to prepare for sitting back and allowing people to help me.

This is me - and my husband has been great about forcing me to take the help. TAKE THE HELP.

I have a had a fairly easy recovery, and feel like I could do more than I am only a week out, but my nurses put the fear of another surgery (if you herniate the muscle) if I do too much too fast - so I am taking it easy. I would second taking the pain meds early - my nurses put me on extra strength tylenol prior to the morphine wearing off just to stay ahead of the pain. It worked wonders and I haven't had to fill the T3 prescription they gave me, and stopped taking XS Tylenol a couple of days ago.

The catheter was one of the best things about the C-Section - I told my husband that I was really enjoying not having to get up every 10 minutes to pee.

The weirdest part for me was not being able to feel my legs. At one point I had my hands at my side on one of my legs and was like "what is that?" It took a couple of seconds to realize that was my leg.

Yeah my spinal worked really well...I basically couldn't feel anything at all, not even pressure really. And it took longer than I thought it would to wear off. Kind of weird laying there and nothing feeling your legs for hours. I totally forgot about this!

audreylaine510 · August 2014

I have no advice but just wanted to say good luck! I know it's stressful to have a last minute change of plans but try to stay calm and you will do just fine. Hope everything goes smoothly for you in these last few weeks!

MC03 · August 2014

I am on day 5 of recovery from my RCS today and I am able to walk, shower, pick up baby, etc. just trying to still take it easy and rest so I don't have any set backs. The first few days can be rough, but this time around (scheduled) vs last time (emergency) the recovery is soooo much easier. Good luck. And I also agree with pp - I enjoyed the catheter and not having to get up to pee every 20 min!

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