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September 2014 Moms
MrsLaLaBug
member
BTDT C-section mamas - Real Talk!
MrsLaLaBug
member
I recently found out I will be having a scheduled c-section due to medical reasons/prior history. I'm new to this, and kinda nervous, as my first rodeo was a vaginal delivery. Suddenly find myself lurking the c/s board reading up on things, but want to hear the real talk from my S'14 BTDT mamas. Tips, advice, shit you WISH someone would have told you? All that jazz. Real talk welcome.
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Re: BTDT C-section mamas - Real Talk!
Look into gentle csections. Skin to skin while they finish surgery not having your arms tied down.
Like PP's have said WALK as soon as possible and often, it makes recovery so much better.
For some reason when I had my CS I didn't prepare myself for the fact that this is a major (albeit routine) surgery. Recovery can be really simple if you follow dr's orders however it does take some time to start feeling like your old self again.
I distinctly remember being so thirsty after surgery and begging the nurse to give me water. She gave in but told me to "sip slowly". Well I totally blew her off and chugged that ish and ended up puking EVERYWHERE. So yeah, listen to your nurses.
Even though I've done this before I'm so nervous bc I don't really "know" what to expect or like how to prepare before since mine was emergency. I keep thinking about how everything was rushed and it all happened so fast. And I remember I couldn't wake up for a long time, several hours I know, and I didn't get any skin to skin contact. I labored for so long before my CS that I feel like I wont know what to do.
-Make sure your nurses give your meds on time, even if they have to wake you up. You will be miserable if they miss or are late.
-Standing up and moving will be horribly painful. Learn to disengage your core muscles and only use your arms and legs.
-Your core muscles may never be the same. I was still pulling things randomly after 9 months. I got pregnant after that, so im not sure if they ever get better.
These were the big things that came to mind.
I've had 2 c/s. Both times getting up and moving around were vital in my recovery experience!! My first was in the NICU, so as soon as the catheter and IV were out I was up and walking to and from the NICU to visit.. it was painful, at times, but I definitely think that aided in my speedy recovery. I made a point to do the same with my second, and also was quite fortunate to have an easy recovery.
Pain meds. Don't be a hero!!! My hospital was a little bit of a PITA with this.. they'd only medicate you if you asked for it.. with my first, a lot of times I'd be "due" for pain meds, but not in my room or I'd forget until all of a sudden I was in unbearable pain.. so, with my second, I had the nurse write down the time I was due for my next set of meds that way I kept them in my body (mostly the Ibuprofen, as I was only taking 1 percocet here and there because it made me feel loops and I hatedddddddd that). Also, the IV drip medicine made me feel like SH!T. I couldn't hold a conversation, I was nauseous, ugh, it was bad.. with my second I got them to take me off that ASAP and just start me on oral meds.. muchhhh better!!
During the surgery.. a spinal is a bit different than an epidural. My numbness went ALL the way up my chest.. with my first I had an epi and didn't experience that (he was emergency c/s).. my second we knew it was a RCS so they did a spinal.. midway through delivery I started panicking because I couldn't feel myself breathing.. which them made my BP drop and I was passing in and out, etc.. the anesthesiologist was GREAT though, and talked me through it.. if you start feeling like that.. put your hand in front of your mouth and feel the air coming in and out... definitely helped calm me down realizing I was able to breathe just find, despite not feeling like I was!!
Get super high cut panties.. and sweat shorts that you can put on up high on your waist (belly button level) so nothing is touching your incision. I was shocked when just a few hours after delivery they took all my bandages off my incision! I didn't have staples, just stitches.. this may vary.. but, for me, they took the bandages off and then my underwear or clothes were free to rub against it.. not pleasant at first!
Gas.. PASS IT! Your belly will be FULL of air.. take gas tablets every time they offer it to you.. and, don't hold it in! It'll just make you more uncomfortable.
Dignity.. um.. check that at the door ;-) I needed DH's help a lot in the first 2-3 days while I was in the hospital.. I struggled with being able to pull my underwear/shorts up and down because reaching the floor and then pulling them up requires your belly muscles, which, were just sliced open.. it was not a proud moment asking his help on things.. but, seriously, SO much better to have him help me than to ask a nurse.. I also had him help me in the shower to clean around my incision.. your belly is still puffy, so you can't see your incision and I was terrified to just go wiping around there.. especially because you're still super numb! Even now over a year after my last delivery, most of my incision is still numb
Laughing will be the most painful thing for the first few days... I kept getting pissed at my family because they were making me laugh and then I'd almost be in tears from pain!! LOL. They will give you a small pillow that you're supposed to press against your belly when you laugh/move/change positions.. for me, personally, it never helped and I didn't bother.. but, some people swear by it.. so, if they don't give you one.. ask for one..
I think that's most of the biggies I can think of.... recovery varies A LOT.. I'd try to go into it with an open mind. MANY people I know had perfectly fine experiences with easy recoveries.. others, had more difficult recoveries.. how YOU will recover will be different, so try not to freak yourself out
Last thing.. at home.. I had a 1 year old at home when I had my 2nd.. one of the clarifications my OB made to the "don't pick up anything heavier than your new baby" rule was that she said not to PICK UP anything.. not that I couldn't hold anything ;-) Less than a week out, I was fine to hold my son, I just couldn't lift him up. Either someone had to hand him to me, or I'd have him climb the steps or up on the couch and bring him into my arms from there so I wasn't using my abdomen muscles to lift him. Again, my recoveries were really good.. I'd say by 2 weeks I was lifting him in and out of the highchair/crib and was mostly fine. Just listen to your body. If I did too much, I was sore.. I knew to back off a bit.
Sorry for the novel, but hope this helps provide some insight!! Best of luck with your delivery
Anyone else out there experienced both an epi and a spinal?
My hospital have me a binder, belly band, whatever it's called. It was thick stretchy material with a lot of Velcro. It was fantastic. I used it at home too. Ask if they will provide one. I've already got mine out ready to pack for my RCS if not.
Bleeding, there's lots of it. I somehow thought I'd skip most of that not delivering vaginally. Not so!
Walk. That's been said a lot. But it's true.
When they are physically pulling the baby out you will feel a lot of pressure on your chest like someone is sitting on it. Luckily the nurses talked me through that and reassured me. It felt like I wasnt going to be able to breath. Thankfully they were there so I didn't panic.
I also restricted stairs to once a day for a week or so. My H would carry our son up and down for me every day as well.
To be honest, and I know a lot of people say the opposite, I did not think the recovery was bad at all. I didn't even take the pain meds at home for more than a day or two because they made me feel worse than the pain itself, which really wasn't bad. The meds made my head feel so cloudy and dizzy and I truly felt drugged. Not saying you should follow this, just letting you know that it's possible to have an easy recovery from a c-section. And I truly hope it's as easy as can be for you!
In the past the baby was delivered, cleaned up and brought to me on the table all wrapped up. DH held them not me. This time the hospital is very supportive for breastfeeding and encourages the baby to be skin to skin for the first hour. Starting while you are on the OR table. They want 2 feeding before they even bathe the baby. I am really looking forward to this bonding time.
THE SHAKES!!! With each of my kiddos so far I have had teeth chattering, limb shaking shakes. Its the pain meds just don't be surprised if in recovery you suddenly develop the shakes.
With my first CS I was soooo nervous the Dr. gave me a dose of something to calm me down. It worked almost to well. I felt like a zombie and do not suggest anyone else take that option. I felt like I missed half of what was happening.
Take your stool softner and take it for a couple weeks after. I stopped after a week because I thought I was fine but then I ended up paying for it after.
Sitting to standing is tough and hurts
Your incision will pitch and pull and hurt for quite a while after.
Youll have lift restrictions for a while. Mine was limited to 10 lbs.
I wasn't allowed to do stairs for a couple weeks but I had no choice so I took it slow.
Driving restriction for a couple weeks.
If you have to cough, sneeze or laugh, hold a pillow on your incision.
That's all I remember at the moment. If I think of Anything else I'll add it in.
I also started out with an epi but right before they rushed me to the OR they rolled me over and did something with the epi then I was numb all the way to my neck. They had me in surgery, got baby girl out, and closed me up in 10 minutes. I was in recovery for an hour bc I couldn't wake up, DD was in nicu for that hour then DH brought her to see me but I never fully woke up, it took 6 hours to get me to wake up but my anesthesiologist also gave me something to go to sleep bc I was shaking and crying so bad.
I would look into a C-Section compression wrap instead of the panties. Just my personal opinion. I found one on amazon with good reviews.
For breast feeding it's different for everyone, I know, but my milk came in at four days, I was in the hospital for three days.
While my hospital had an incredible NICU, I would not say they were "nursing friendly" in the NICU
Oh and I forgot about the closing up part. Some drs do it differently now, instead of using hard staples on the outside of your belly you will probably get dissolvable staples on the inside and a glue substance on the outside. And don't take the bandage off until you get in the shower, it doesn't hurt as bad when it's wet. Ask your dr how your incision will be closed. It will be very tender for a while and it might keloid, mine did and you can get a shot of steroids in your scar to make it go away. No thanks, not me!
Lol, what?! I do not have this and never did. But now you all are scaring me that I could this time around!
*Ticker/Siggy Warning*
Me: 37 DH: 38 TTC since 2011 DH normal Dx: DOR (AFC ranges from 6-11; AMH 0.16; FSH 11.9; E2 45) 11/13: 1st IVF converted to IUI due to poor response to high dose antagonist protocol (only 3 follies) = BFN 12/13: IUI #2 letrozole + Bravelle = BFP, beta #1 156, beta #2 196 (diff. lab), beta #3 1037; 1st ultrasound @ 5 wks 1 day = 6 mm gest sac; 2nd ultrasound 6 wks 1 day = tiny flickering heartbeat; 3rd ultrasound 7 wks 1 day 10.3 mm embie growing away!
PAIF/SAIF Welcome!
This is me. I'm in good shape, but have never been able to get rid of the pouch.
1. Epi. vs spinal----big difference. I had claustrophobic can't breathe moments. I just talked to anesthesiologist and he helped tremendously.
2. The wait before going into OR was agonizing! Just knowing what was about up happen but being so nervous!
3. The shakes and the chills---after were unexpected! But I now know normal!
4. There was a lot of pressure and pulling once incision was open...and I felt it in my lungs. But when they pull baby out its as if someone just pops a balloon and suddenly you can breathe again! Strangest sensation!
5. For me, I got a few minutes if contact time with DS and then he was taken away. It took doctors about 20 min to finish stitching me.
6. The cathether is a strange sensation! I found it shocking that I had gown on with no underwear for first 24 hours. Nurses just laid me on chicks and they changed those as needed .
7. Take meds to stay on top of pain. I took hard core stuff day one and two. By day 3 I was strictly on Motrin. Don't be late... It's harder to chase pain.
8. I know it seems crazy.... But when they tell you to get up and walk, do it! The more you walk the better you are. It also helps the gas situation!
9. The morphine or pain killer they initially put in your IV may make you itchy. This is NOT a normal reaction. Ask for help and they will give you Benadryl.
10. @MrsLaLaBug ---yes, they come in and press on uterus even with c. They are making sure it's shrinking.
11. Mesh undies are the bomb. They are exactly what you need!
12. When they uncover incision you can use an extra long pad to help underwear and other clothes not bother you. Put it pad side down on top and stick pad longways into ubderwear.
13. Definitely pants that won't lie right on incision!
14. It sucks to get out of bed for like a week or even more. First few days I needed the bed rail to pull myself up. Once home, I had to roll off bed and then stand. Very painful!
15. Others making you laugh feels good for emotions but it hurts like hell!
16. The ride home in the car will suck! Bring a pillow to put over your incision since seat belt will lie right there.
17. There is a lot if blood that first week. Clotty and gross! If you think it's too Clotty or a clot is particularly lArge, ask a nurse. They will make decision about calling doc.
18. It will be tough at home first couple of weeks. Bc DS was delivered in the midst of Hurricane Sandy I cant give am answer of how much time.
19. You won't get your appetite back for a few days.
I think that's it.....if I think of more.
I'll add them!
At my hospital after the CS the nurse came in to check my incision and asked if I was feeling cramps bc they don't like "pushing" to see if your uterus has started contracting. If you don't feel it then I guess they do a check. When I went to my ob for my two week check up afterward they did a full exam to make sure my uterus had contracted, they do not do a vaginal check until 6 weeks bc you will be bleeding.