C-section a week away

Knottie44209107 · December 2015

anyone else worried about an upcoming c-section? I am afraid the recovery will be horrendous. It's my first baby and she's been breech all along.
My hormones have been driving me crazy. Cried most of today because my husband still hasn't assembled the infant swing yet and only a week til d day.

caityleigh92 · December 2015

I am scheduled for my 3rd c-section in 2 weeks. My first pregnancy was actually an emergency c-section and was horrifying. But my 2nd was amazing, so I'm praying my 3rd goes smoothly too. What I did was make a list of my fears. My first c-section I threw up non stop on the table, and my anxiety was out the roof. So with my 2nd I told my anesthesiologist that I didn't want to be nervous/have an anxiety attack and please help me control my nausea. The spinal can make your blood pressure drop which can cause nausea. Your anesthesiologist will monitor that, so let them know you feel sick and they can give you a dose of zofran in your iv. If you are nervous, they can give you something to help relax you. Another thing that helped was I asked my doctor to talk to me during the surgery. Talk about plans for the weekend, give me updates on the surgery, anything. It helps to keep you talking than to lay there nervous.

You will be okay! As for recovery. I won't lie. It's hard. The best advice I can give is to invest in a post pregnancy stomach band. It helped me a lot. Also, rest. Take full advantage of any help you get, and don't worry about anything other than your baby and recovery. Dishes can wait, and so can laundry. Order in foid, do anything to help cut down the stress. Expect to be on the "hardcore" narcotics for about 4 days to a full weel, and then 800mg of motrin for a good week after. That's how I was, you may go longer or shorter. Best of luck!

rachel10488 · December 2015

I'm with you! I have my first c-section a week from Wednesday due to breech baby as well.
I'm feeling pretty anxious but I have really been trying to just not think about it. We are pretty "ready" as far as all the stuff goes (altho I hadn't even thought of having my husband put the swing together so maybe I should tell him to get on that haha)
But I do find myself getting really worked up and my blood pressure going crazy. I'm waiting on a few final decor items for the baby's room to come in the mail and USPS is making this impossible and has screwed up multiple shipments and I was practically having a panic attack over it yesterday.
I guess my stress is coming out in anger instead of crying

andreaAL11 · December 2015

I'm having my c section this Wednesday, she was breech up until 28 weeks, turned, then turned back to breech again! Doc says she's stuck and they can't move her and she won't move....getting nervous but definitely excited for her to come

mrsjoejones · December 2015

I'm having my second c section in just over 2 weeks (the hospital I want to deliver at doesn't allow vbac and I want the same dr that did my first) First was an emergency c section that was super scary but ended up going well. Up until this week I was actually relieved to know I'll be having a repeat but now it feels like knowing it's coming is super stressful. Even though I know what to expect it's still super scary!!

steffnstuff · December 2015

I'm having my 4th c-section on Friday. I'm of course looking forward to meeting and holding my baby, but not at all looking forward to the recovery process. Most of my anxiety is over the pain I know I'm going to be in. Not much I can do about that. PP was correct in saying to be prepared to be on pain meds for a while.

mrsadams0526 · December 2015

I ended up having to have a c section to deliver my daughter on the 8th. It wasn't planned but it was decided it was what was best for both her and I. I was super anxious and nervous. The procedure itself isn't just terrible. You feel a lot of pressure, but nothing else. Im not gonna lie, the recovery hasn't been fun, but it's doable. I remember having a small breakdown one night in the hospital because it was so hard for me to get up out of bed to use the restroom. I've never been one to take pain relievers, but they were definitely helpful the first few days. I find myself taking just the 600mg Motrin now, maybe once a day. Just keep your head up and remember that you will have your precious baby in your arms soon. It's all worth it. I keep telling myself that.. If I had to do it all over again, I would. My little girl is definitely worth every pain.

good luck!

pupsicle23 · December 2015

I had a routine c section last Tuesday. I was really scared about the surgery, but it was completely fine! Honestly, the IV was the most painful thing about it. My husband and one of the doctors in the room stood at my head and talked to me the whole time. My blood pressure dropped really low and I was shaky and nauseated. I did feel pressure on my chest, but I had an oxygen tube in my nose and as long as I had someone to talk to, I knew I must be breathinh okay

As for recovery, accept help and pain meds. Yes, it is better if you get up and move asap, but don't overdo it. I was up too much the day after my surgery and also tried to wean off of pain meds too early because I get antsy. Don't do that. Once I scaled back a bit, I felt great. I'm still taking one hardcore pill a day, and 600mg motrin every 6 hours.

The hardest part for me is not feeling guilty for resting. I'm still in a decent amount of pain and tired from what feels like constant feeding, and I get upset about not being more helpful to my husband. He finally explained that he would feel really left out if he didn't get to do the baby things he's doing, so I'm feeling a little better about it.

All in all, though, the experience had been much easier than I'd anticipated. You'll do great, and you get a baby out of it! Good luck!

ljhgrey · December 2015

I'm just so terrified of a c-section because the idea of that type of recovery with not only a newborn but also a super active 3-yr old at home seems like I'll have to have someone with me 24/7. Any advice for recovery from moms with toddlers?

blended10 · December 2015

I'm scheduled a week from today. Last night & this morning I'd been having mild contractions but they went away after a while. Hoping I can just lay low.
@ljhgrey I have a super active 5-yr-old so I'm slightly better off but still terrified. I am planning on having 24/hr help (my mil) for the week I get home, then recruiting help as much as possible everyday after that. Mostly I'm asking ppl to take my older child out to some activity (indoor bounce house place, bowling, arcade, etc) that I'll pay for. Good luck!!

springbreak33 · December 2015

I'm having my 4th c section next Tuesday and my oldest is 5. My last c section my husband only had the day of the surgery off because he was in an academy. And I didnt have much other help when I got home. But Give yourself a break and just rest. If your kid stays in their Jammie's all day or watches a ton of tv then let it be. You will do great. It will take adjusting but you will do great! And as long as they are fed and safe then everything else is temporary. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And I find prepping dinners before hand really helped too. And if people/family offer to clean etc.... Let them!!!! Good luck!

katy4128 · December 2015

@ljhgrey I had a repeat csection on dec. 7. I also have a 20 month old.
My recovery has been pretty good so far. I am not allowed to lift more than ten pounds for the first two weeks so that makes caring for my toddler very difficult. I actually do have help all the time and haven't been left alone with both kids for more than an hour. Luckily, my mom has been a huge help and comes over everyday when my husband goes to work. If you have someone who can be there to help all the time it makes things a lot easier. The first few days are hard but it gets better. I am a week post csection and am feeling almost 100%.

angelicac06 · December 2015

Recovery wasn't horrendous. I had my first c section almost 2 weeks ago and I was very nervous about it. I had to be put out for the surgery itself so no recolection there. But the recovery was very manageable. I definately needed the hard pain pills every 4 hours along with ibuprofen every 6 for the first week. Matter if fact, my perscription was non refillable and only with a quantity of 30 therefore it meant it would only last 5 days so I was very concerned but it turned out thats all that was needed. As far as help @ljhgrey I highly recommend finding someone to to help with both newborn and todler. In my experience, I couldn't have done it without my spouse to even pick up the baby at least the first week.

vvwatkins · December 2015

I had a scheduled c-section on the 1st due to my LO's size. It honestly wasn't bad at all. As a PP said, the IV was the worst part. My blood pressure went pretty low and I got nauseated, felt faint and had to be on oxygen. The oxygen made a world of difference! I also had the same thing happen once I got the epidural. Just be sure and let your anesthesiologist know when or if you start to feel nauseous or light headed. Or whatever you start to feel. They were really good about making me feel comfortable immediately. Also, I got weird pain in my left shoulder. Totally normal and will go away shortly. I felt a lot of pressure, but no pain at all. The surgery itself was super fast and I had my baby in my arms within 10 minutes doing skin to skin which made the stitching seem like no time at all when in reality it was probably half an hour. But honestly, the moment you get to see and hold your baby for the first time makes it all worth it.

As far as the recovery went...I don't know. It wasn't bad at all. I know that it's different with everyone. Just take it easy. Ask for help when you need it. I think that was the hardest part for me. Also, as PP said, be gentle getting in and out of bed. Take advantage of those buttons on the bed and lower that thing every time you need in or out. I did take Vicodin while in the hospital but took Motrin once I got home. But don't feel bad if you have to take pain meds when you get home. It's all about getting you recovered so you can enjoy your new bundle of joy

I wish you the best of luck with anything!!!

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