C Section Experiences - Looking for stories/advice!

sconniegrl · June 2015

Hey Ladies! For all of you BTDT moms, I'm interested in hearing your c section stories and what suggestions you might have for someone that will be undergoing one. Anything I can do to make the experience easier or more special for our little family? Anything you suggest to help with healing? Did you have issues bfing after and do you have suggestions for that?
My baby is transverse and has been the entire pregnancy. My OB thinks there might be something keeping the baby from turning. I'm not giving up - doing a lot of searching on spinningbabies.com - but I also want to be as prepared as I can be should the baby not turn.

Thanks in advance!!

Wering · June 2015

I just posted this on another blog, as well. Hopefully you'll find it helpful.

https://www.worry-free-c-section.com/the-gentle-cesarean/

Guide to Surviving a C-Section

Ask your doctor if there are safe exercises you can do to strengthen your core.
Know about the Belly Band (Binder) – Buy one in advance just in case the hospital doesn’t give you one. You can always return it.
Get out of bed ASAP. It will hurt; you will be stiff. But do it anyway. The more you move, the easier recovery will be.But, take it easy and listen to how the Dr. wants you to move. Take three small walks per day immediately (push the baby around the maternity floor). Continue moving as much as possible once you’re home. Don’t be afraid to go to the store for brief shopping. Just be careful of the steps. They’re brutal!
If possible, before the C-Section, negotiate your care. Find out how long you’ll need a catheter. If you don’t like it, try to get it out earlier. Ask about the pain medications, IVs, etc. you’ll receive and how long you’ll be hooked up. Try to know what you’re getting yourself into; it’s more for comfort than anything else. It’s a happy occasion, but scary experience.
Set expectations for seeing the baby. DH is your advocate. FIGHT. My hubby did, and it made all the difference. They’ll separate you (you should have a choice for doing the baby’s vitals in the ER – take that option). Tell them you want the baby to meet you in the hospital room for recovery. They’ll try to bathe him. Tell them it can wait. Send DH with the baby to hurry them along. Don’t miss out on those precious first moments. (ESPECIALLY if you plan to nurse!)
Set up your house before you go. Try to avoid stairs as much as possible. Pick a floor to hang out on, and put everything you need there – diapers, changing station, bassinets, pacifiers, entertainment, etc. Try to only go up and down the stairs once in the morning and once in the evening. Your incision will thank you.
Buy (or pull out) good pillows. You probably won’t be sleeping laying down for awhile (sitting up relieves pressure on the incision and takes the stress off when you need to get up).
If you didn’t buy maternity underwear, buy some in a bigger size to ensure it is above your incision at all times.
Make sure you have plenty of loose fitting sweats that hit belly button or above. They’ll be your best friend until your incision is fully healed.
Know that you won’t be able to drive for at least two weeks. Prepare the house as much as possible. Designate a spot in the house where you can leave a list for DH.
It’s hard to get in and out of the car. Get a milk crate to use to step into a taller car. For a shorter car, carefully sit down facing out, then turn each leg in one at a time.
MANAGE YOUR PAIN! While in the hospital, take more pain meds as soon as you are allowed. Don’t let the pain start. You might need to call up to 45 minutes early to remind the nurse that you’re due for medication. They can’t always get to you right away. Once home, see how long you can stretch starting on day 5, no sooner. Take some medication proactively if you know you’ll be more active.
Don’t be a hero. Take the anti-itch meds immediately post-surgery.
If you have a spinal headache, make them fix it BEFORE you are discharged.
If nursing, see a lactation consultant either before or immediately after to learn nursing positions for c-section relief – ask about the football hold.
Let your provider know that you want the option for a VBAC.
Forgive yourself for needing medical intervention.

MamaMandy2015 · June 2015

Having a little travel pillow to hold over your incision while you walked was a lifesaver for me, the pressure helped relieve some of the pain. Wear those mesh panties they provide, yes they are obnoxious looking but are really comfy. I'd say bring your own pillow from home, I hated the bedding at the hospital. They will make you get up and walk so having some non slip socks or even slippers comes in handy. I wish I would've had a robe, wearing 2 hospital gowns was annoying. Bring a book or kindle, something to keep your mind occupied during those down times. Make sure you eat, you may not want to but you need to, I hardly are while there and lost 40 lbs in the course of a week, bad idea. Most of all, rely on the hospital staff to help you and your family, being unable to do a lot of the things you used to can be annoying and frustrating but you need to heal. Don't be shy to speak up and ask questions if you have a concern over how you feel, how the incision feels and what to expect.

Lalala2326 · June 2015

My daughter had a cord around her neck that kept her from turning. They couldn't see it on the ultrasound but was obvious when she was born what the issue was. She was perfectly healthy though fortunately.

No breastfeeding issues for me related to the c-section at all. I nursed normal cradle/cross cradle, my milk came in within 3 days (my daughter was born on her EDD though so not early - I wanted to get her as much time as possible to turn - don't let your OB bully you into scheduling early), and we never needed to supplement or anything and nursed till she weaned herself at a little over 18 months.

Get up as soon as they will let you even though it hurts, but take it easy on yourself. Don't feel bad about calling for help to get baby out of the bassinet for changes/feedings etc... as needed. That is what they are there for.

I wrote out a list of requests ahead of time that I gave to the nurses such as delaying the bath till I could be there, having DH with the baby at all times when I couldn't be there, being able to breastfeed as soon as possible, not giving any formula or sugar water unless absolutely medically necessary, etc... That helped me feel like I had a little more control in a less than ideal situation, and the nurses were great about them (possibly cause I did word them as requests and was nice about it rather than demands).

Use some sort of a binder (I used an ACE bandage most of the time just fine). Have a pillow handy to push into your stomach for getting up, sneezing, coughing, etc... Gentle pressure on your incision for those things really helped with the pain.

Take all the gas meds and stool softeners they give you!
Stay on top of your own pain meds. I for some reason just assumed the nurses would provide me with pain meds when I needed them. I was horribly mistaken. I had to call down and request them when it was time, and it sometimes took a little while for them to finally show up with them.

AGundy · June 2015

I had a Csection due to breech position. My section was scheduled at 39 weeks. The reasoning why they schedule at 39 weeks and not 40 weeks is they want to get you before you go into labor to prevent a prolapse cord.

Mine went great. No complications. Got to hold my son very quickly afterwards and did skin to skin I'm recovery. Didn't interfere with the baby rooming in with me or with breastfeeding. Everyone pretty much said everything. Walking is the best thing you can do. Use the binder.

Just an FYI, pain pills aren't scheduled meds. They're PRN meds (as needed), which means you have to request it. You can tell your nurse that you want to stay on schedule with your pains and to just bring them. If for whatever reason they are unwilling to do that, have them write on your communication board the time that you got your pain med, so you can request it when it's due.

Thj417 · June 2015

The best way to be prepared is to know what to expect of your hospital. If they don't offer classes, call labor and delivery and ask for a tour. I knew what to expect if I had natural birth, csection, or even emergency they couldn't handle and where they would transport baby or myself.

As for recovery, expect to be a little foggy. If you want to nurse tell them before they deliver baby. If you want baby to room in with you, tell them.

We ended in csection and they had baby in my arms within 30 minutes of delivery if not sooner. I randomly took a picture not knowing there was a clock in the background - baby was delivered at 948, and the picture with me, baby, and the clock said 1017. Crazy!! In between times they did give baby a bath and gave him to dad. I was fine that I missed the bath - I'm not into blood and ooey gooey stuff.

Do get a belly band - that was so nice once I finally got one - I no longer felt like my guts were falling out haha!! My hospital took out the catheter fairly early though I don't remember when exactly. Getting in and out of bed was miserable. Use the controls to help you go from laying to sitting and know that the hand rails do go down! Something I forgot! I had to pee a measured amount before they would remove the IV. If the same is true for you, make sure there is a measuring cup on the toilet before you go! Speaking of IV - that hurt like a ... Also, DO take a shower the next day. You'll feel so good for making that accomplishment.

Expect to be sore for a couple weeks. Don't laugh, lol! Continue to roll/push up out of bed (when you get there, I slept in the recliner for the first week). Let everyone help you. Just focus on you and baby. If you get the baby blues, talk to you SO, talk to your doctor, talk to anyone!! Oh and be prepared, you might cry a lot those first 2-3 weeks.

ambah · June 2015

I am having a scheduled c-section this time around.
Is there is a specific belly band? How soon could you use it?

Wering · June 2015

There's not really a specific one - I'd use one medical grade rather than the ones sold by Medela or other "baby" brands. An example link is below.

Your hospital should have them; if one is not offered, you should ask for it. I got mine next day (my section was at 6:30 at night). I'd think that as soon as they get you up and walking you should ask for it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GABRIALLA-Unisex-Elastic-Abdominal-Support-Binder/23635578

kriszty2 · June 2015

Definately get a belly binder! The hospital should give you one if you ask. I waited both time until my staples were out and wore it home for the next couple of weeks. Seriously a life saver! It allows you to move easier and aligns your body back quicker.

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