C-section

MoRay05 · March 2015

Hi veteran moms!

I ended up having a c-section with my first and remember how painful the recovery was. I know I am going to have another c-section with this baby so I want to be a little more prepared this time around. I ran across the c-panty and belly bands online and was wondering if anyone has used them before. If so, I'd like to get your feedback on whether it helped or not.

Thanks!

amichael1408 · March 2015

I was wondering the same. I had a c-section with my first as well and I remember walking doubled over because it hurt to stand up straight for weeks!

Aaanjt13 · March 2015

This will be my third and last, I did see those but I haven't known anyone who has used them I also wondering about them.

amh0411712 · March 2015

The hospital I delivered at and had a csection at provided a belly binder that I wore and it really, really helped.

I don't remember my recovery being super difficult, a big key was getting up to wall as soon as possible.

I haven't really decided on if I will do a VBAC or RCS this go around. Last time was an emergency and premature. I'm hoping for Full term this time, it'll be our last babe so I feel like it's my only shot at trying it "normally" but part of me figures that I have the scar alreay, might as well use it again .

cjb14 · March 2015

The binders help a ton!

bishopgn · March 2015

Do scar massage now to prevent current adhesions from being worse after. It's j shape strokes on tight spots of your scar after a warm shower

Holly520 · March 2015

My second c/s was just easier in general. I think part of it was I didn't labor for the same amount of time beforehand, but it really was so different. I even left the hospital a day earlier.

MoRay05 · March 2015

@holly520 I hope it's different this time around! I didn't even think about not having to try and push. By the time I finally had a c-section we had been up for 48 hours, in labor for 12 and tried to push for 2.5 hrs. I was in complete exhaustion!

CBartee · March 2015

I had a c-section with my 2nd and honestly it was awful. The doctors had her halfway out when she suddenly sucked back in and they had to push in on my upper abdomen to get her out. Then the site didn't heal completely for 9 weeks, it became slightly infected but healed without the need for hospital stay. But regardless I will have to do it all over again with baby #3.

amh0411712 · March 2015

Holly520 said:
My second c/s was just easier in general. I think part of it was I didn't labor for the same amount of time beforehand, but it really was so different. I even left the hospital a day earlier.

I hadn't thought about the actual laboring aspect prior to a CS. Maybe that's why mine wasn't a bad recovery, I had no labor prior to the csection

snider4500 · October 2015

Bump*
Just learned I have to have a c-section on Thursday due to health reasons, just wondering if other STM could share there recovery stories

skabanak · October 2015

Thank you! I as well just found out today I will be having a c section in 2 weeks (at 39 weeks) due to baby being breech and not being able to try a version because the cord is wrapped around his neck so that's probably why he hasn't flipped

my two previous deliveries were vaginal so this is brand new territory for me and would love any and all advice!!!

rmbuchholz · October 2015

I had an emergency c-section 2 days ago, first baby so I can't give any thoughts from the past but I can tell you that I am wishing with all of my might that I had a belly band right now. I ordered one, but this emergency c section was 3 weeks earlier than my due date so my band hasn't arrived yet. I feel like it would be SO much easier for me to walk and sit and move if I had one, as I walk to the bathroom in my hospital room I find myself trying to hold my stomach together.

Pontot31 · October 2015

Stay on top of your meds- that's my best advice. They are safe for BFing- If you plan to do that, so don't worry about that.
I was on 2 different ones and asked how often I could have them. 1 was every 6 hours and the other was every 4. Literally every time a nurse came in I reminded them I wanted my next round of pills. You usually have to ask. They don't always just bring them.
Then when I got home I set alarms for both. I was never in any pain as a result. I slowly weaned off of them at about a week and a half PP.
I never had that feeling of my stomach falling apart and I think it'd because I got up and got moving as soon as I could. Just moving from bed to chair to feed my daughter. I think that helped a lot.

Side lying for nursing helped a lot when we got home. I could lay in bed and not use any muscles or have the baby pressing on me.

Ask for help and do not expect to entertain people. If you have family who won't be helpful tell them you need 2 weeks. Tell your husband he will need to step up. If people offer to bring food or something take them up on it but warn them they can't stay long.
Once we got home I basically took it as easy as possible for the first week.
I didn't change a diaper for 2 weeks. My husband would get my daughter at night when she cried and change her so I could go to the bathroom and get water and go sit in the rocking chair. We had a nice system that helped me a lot.

Get stool softeners now and start taking them the day before surgery. You don't want to use those muscles.

Get some granny panties that go well above the incision so they don't bother you. And big high yoga pants that don't touch the scar either.

Being that yours are planned you should feel a lot better than someone who labored. I was in labor for 2 days before mine so everything hurt. Even then, it really wasn't horrible. The more you get your blood flowing and moving early the better but no need to over exert yourself either.

CheeseSticksfor4 · October 2015

I greatly appreciate all of this advice as well! I scheduled my c section yesterday for November. My first I was able to deliver vaginally so I don't really know what I'm in for this time

MoRay05 · October 2015

rmbuchholz said:
I had an emergency c-section 2 days ago, first baby so I can't give any thoughts from the past but I can tell you that I am wishing with all of my might that I had a belly band right now. I ordered one, but this emergency c section was 3 weeks earlier than my due date so my band hasn't arrived yet. I feel like it would be SO much easier for me to walk and sit and move if I had one, as I walk to the bathroom in my hospital room I find myself trying to hold my stomach together.

I would ask your doctor or nurse if the hospital can provide you with one until your other band arrives.

megandchase · October 2015

I'm having a rcs and didn't think of purchasing my own binder. Do most hospitals not provide them after a csection? With my first I got 2. I think I still have them somewhere I can dig out.

gck2012 · October 2015

My first csection was emergency after 3 days of labor. The recovery was terrible and I walked hunched over for days. My second one was scheduled and I felt amazing afterwards. I didn't even take pain meds, just an ibuprofen and was walking upright the next morning. I think that planned ones might be easier because we aren't exhausted and sore already. I am scheduled for my 3rd Nov 3rd so we will see if it goes as smoothly. Good luck!

tugskenyonkel+1 · October 2015

My second and third c sections were planned and far easier than my emergency c as far as recovery goes. Here are a few tips from the last two:

Walk the same day! My second child ended up in the nicu and I couldn't wait on nurses to make time to take me. I was getting up on my own and walking hours later. (With my first I didn't walk until second day and it was so very hard)

Belly binder. Ask for it immediately and wear it constantly. Helps when moving, coughing, and laughing like you wouldn't believe.

Avoid all carbonated beverages for at least a week. I never follow this rule and ALWAYS regret it. The gas pains aren't worth it.

Stool softeners asap. After that first post op poo things will feel better.

Ibuprofen is your friend.

Listen to your body. If it tells you something doesn't feel good then stop. (I know I said get up and walk but listen to your body. Don't overdo it.)

oliviaann91 · October 2015

I delivered my first child vaginally, and with this one I had an emergency c/s due to previa 2 weeks ago. As pp have mentioned, stay on top of your meds! Don't try to tough it out, you will wind up having pain that is hard to get back under control. Also, walk as soon as you are allowed to get up. My section was at 1:49 am and I was up walking to the bathroom before noon. Before you are able to get out of bed, use the hospital bed buttons to lay your bed back completely flat once every hour. The most pain I was ever in was after I had been sitting or reclining for a long time and had become stiff. Laying the bed back flat helps those muscles stretch out and avoid that before you're able to stand and walk. Stool softeners every day and lots of water. I was scared going into it, but all in all it wasn't bad

skabanak · October 2015

Thank you so much for all the info!!! I'm nervous every but due to this being the safest way to get my little guy out, it's the only option and this really helps calm the nerves!!!

Pontot31 · October 2015

megandchase said:
I'm having a rcs and didn't think of purchasing my own binder. Do most hospitals not provide them after a csection? With my first I got 2. I think I still have them somewhere I can dig out.

Mine didn't provide one. The one I bought was uncomfortable and I couldn't sit and BF in it so I never wore it.

Want a personalized experience?

C-section

Re: C-section

Choose Another Board

Search Boards