C-Section Mommas...

maribeth0721 · June 2017

So my C-section is being scheduled at the hospital, they are supposed to call me with a date. If baby flips before then it will get cancelled but I've just accepted it is what it is at this point. My question for Mommas out there who know they are having a planned C-section: How many outfits are you bringing for baby? They told me to expect to stay at least 3 days at the hospital (they will send me home after 2 if I'm doing well and if I want to go). I know babies typically change their outfits more than once per day so I'm wondering what/how many outfits I should even bring for her. Is there anything extra special that you're planning to bring for yourself also because of the extra stay?

mslynn2012 · June 2017

Hi mama! So I leave my babies in just a diaper and swaddle while I the hospital. We leave to go home today and she will wear a footed pj home.

maribeth0721 · June 2017

Thank you @mslynn2012 and congratulations!! Good luck going home

satsumasandlemons · June 2017

Just one outfit to go home in - It's summer so I'm sure the kid won't need much more than diaper and swaddle like @mslynn2012 mentioned but even if it was cooler, I'd just use whatever the hospital provided.

Nothing extra for a csection - if I absolutely miss something I'm just going to call out for it.

notachanski · June 2017

I'm only bringing one outfit for going home. My hospital supplies a shirt for the baby's stay and I'm totally fine with that. The hospital stay is usually one day longer for c-sections, but that didn't change anything I brought with me. The first day I never even change out of my hospital gown since its difficult to get up and around and you are usually still attached to a catheter.

JmUDuuuukes 07 · June 2017

2 outfits. 1 in newborn 1 in 3 month. DD came out over 9 lbs and the newborn outfit was a little too tight and she protested. With DD we put her in a sleeper at one point, but honestly she wanted skin to skin when learning to nurse, so we went back to just the diaper and the swaddle.

nikkiandchris · June 2017

Hi! My babes were in a hospital kimono and diaper until they went home. They look so sweet and little in the hospital clothes

I did appreciate having my own clothes by day 2- nursing tank, hoodie and yoga pants mostly. I also brought a few nursing bras for under the gown.

Cejiml · June 2017

The hospital provides little white kimono tops. I bring 2 nursing gowns for days 2-3. I'm staying 3 nights this time as I did with my second. 1 going home outfit for the LO. Probably will wear same clothes in and out since its scheduled. I personally had issues wearing pants after my other 2 so dresses and gowns for me. I wore my nursing gown/coat/uggs home in December in stl with my second bc I couldn't put pants on my incision. Just something to think about.

mrsla0512 · June 2017

There are lots of mammas here having CS but to put clothes on baby doesn't matter if you're having a CS or not. There are many more responses in the thread called hospital bag and first days.

glitterfish-2 · June 2017

I would love to hear cs tips, though! I was wondering if I should start taking the colace the week before...?

mrsla0512 · June 2017

GlitterFish said:

I would love to hear cs tips, though! I was wondering if I should start taking the colace the week before...?

I didn't last time bc incident know you could. I plan to this time, just bc I had a HARD time going to the bathroom. For like a week.

JmUDuuuukes 07 · June 2017

@glitterfish I have already changed to FiberOne cereal and snack bars. I plan to start colace 2 weeks before my due date- with the full support of my OB. Main reason is because I ended up with an enema last time about 8 days after giving birth. It was more painful than pushing for 3 hours because the scar burned, etc. So yes. I will be preparing in advance and drinking more fluids in the hospital. (A little apple juice, lots of water) and I will also have miralax ready for me at home.

KissMeImScottish · June 2017

Just a word of caution, having just gone through this as well:

I actually went the other way and had an impossible time having solid stool. On day 3, I basically started having liquid stool because I had been on a liquid diet and the stool softener didn't help anything - it actually made it worse. I mean, I definitely prefer diarrhea to constipation with that damn incision, but it still sucked. (In my case, I still was punished, incision pain wise, with five or six bouts of intense vomiting, so I didn't escape that hellish kind of pain).

Cejiml · June 2017

GlitterFish said:

I would love to hear cs tips, though! I was wondering if I should start taking the colace the week before...?

First baby I took fiber during pg then just the colace in hospital. The worst pain was going to the bathroom after on day 7. Crazy! Second baby I requested milk of mag in hospital instead of the colace and things came by the time I made it home so Day 4 maybe. A little better. Sadly the pain pills and meds shut down your system so it doesn't matter how much you take it just has to work through. A good cleaning out before hand never hurt. I currently take colace daily bc I just have issues always when pg.

Xath · June 2017

@GlitterFish I wrote up a big cesarean help post after my 3rd. I'll try to find it and update it with my thoughts from section #4.

mslynn2012 · June 2017

PSA - stay on top of your pain meds.

Signed,
3rd time CS mama at 2:17 in the morning, doubled over in pain.

KissMeImScottish · June 2017

mslynn2012 said:

PSA - stay on top of your pain meds.

Signed,
3rd time CS mama at 2:17 in the morning, doubled over in pain.

Truth. So much truth. First night home, we forgot the get the paper prescription from the doctor for my oxy. My husband had to go back and get it the next day, but I was 24 hours without meds and THAT was a special kind of Hell.

fiorip · June 2017

What kind of pain meds do you usually get here? Percocet, oxycodone narcotics type? Where I'm from they usually prescribe tramadol or acetaminophen, stronger medication is reserved for cancer patients.

KissMeImScottish · June 2017

I was sent home with a very low dose of oxycodone (5 mg, I think?) to take in conjunction with 800 mg of Tylenol. My doctor had originally considered percocet, but I had been on oxy in the hospital thanks to my morphine allergy and she opted to keep it the same.

ETA: I only take it as needed, which breaks down to maybe first thing in the morning right now. I'm still pretty damn sore, honestly.

mslynn2012 · June 2017

I'm on Percocet and Motrin 800. I am slowly
weaning myself off of them (5 days post surgery). I take them when I wake up, sometime during the day (usually after lunch) and then if I need them, at bedtime.

JmUDuuuukes 07 · June 2017

With my last c-section I got percoset and motion (600mg). I was off the percoset in about 5 dsys. But had to go back on it after a week because of a really bad strain behind the scar. Even still I had a rediculous number of pills left- mainly because I wasn't taking them as frequently as I could.

One thing to keep in mind, if you have extra narcotics, you should see if your pharmacy has a recycling program. That way it doesn't end up in someone else's hands (from your garbage) or the main water stream (from flushing). They have specific ways of incineration.

maribeth0721 · June 2017

I have some other random C-section questions if people don't mind....

1. When did your incision heal?
2. When could you drive again?
3. When could you bend over? I have serious anxiety about not being able to bend over and pick up the baby.
4. I know about the belly bands but is there anything else you wore to help you? I've read about C-section underwear but they are $30 a pair and wasn't sure if they were actually worth it or not.
5. Did anyone have an issue w/ the pain meds making them sick?

Dcwtada · June 2017

1. I felt "healed" 1-2 weeks post-op
2. 1 week
3. 1 week. I won't lie getting out of bed or a chair is really tough 2-5 days post-op. I never had trouble bending to pick up baby if I was standing though, it was more getting in and out of things.
4. I only used the hospital girdle thing. It does help, especially since I was getting over a nasty cough during this c-section and every cough was a stab to the abdomen, the girdle braces you so it's not as bad getting up or little things like coughing.
5. Not the pain meds but the spinal always made me super itchy afterwards. They can give you Benadryl to help. I wasn't warned the first time and it drove me crazy when I was itching all over and didn't know why. I thought I was losing it.

Re: pain meds - they prescribed me norco and I took it in the hospital but never filled my prescription. I took a combo of Motrin and Tylenol every 4 hours and it knocked out most of the pain.

And yes to @mslynn2012 my biggest mistake the first time was to wait until I was in pain for the meds, you start a game of catch-up you will never win. As soon as you can, despite how you feel, start the meds and keep on top of them. You will thank me I promise.

maribeth0721 · June 2017

@Dcwtada this is all GREAT information - Thank you!! I'm glad you and others have mentioned staying on top of the pain meds. I am definitely the type to forego the meds or "wait and see" if I need them so I'm sure you are saving me from a world of hurt!

fiorip · June 2017

@Dcwtada @maribeth0721 driving after 1 week is way too soon, most doctors recommend at least 6 weeks although some women have healed enough after 3 weeks. You risk tearing, rupture of stitches, herniation, bridles and adhesions even if you feel fine, 1 week is pushing it.

Dcwtada · June 2017

I am getting my stitches removed Wednesday which will be 6 days post-op. My doctor put no restrictions on driving and I will drive myself to that appt.

That said, listen to your doctor and body. If you are not up to it or your doctor has recommendations that trumps the mom board obviously lol.

ETA: my "official" discharge instructions say 3 weeks to drive and 2 weeks before you can be in a car but given they discharged me 2 days after the surgery knowing full well I would be driven in a car to go home, I take the instructions with a grain of salt.

JmUDuuuukes 07 · June 2017

1. I had an infection and my incision didn't cure for almost 3 weeks. Part of this may have been caused by my straining for a BM 1 week post-op.

2. My doctor gave me the OK to drive after 2 weeks as long as I was off of narcotics, until I was readmitted. Then I was another 2 weeks. At that young age, I had to take DD to the doctor every week (wright gain issues) and if I couldn't drive at 4 weeks, I would have had to cancel the appointments because DH was back at work.

Definitely ask your doctor on that one.

5. No issues with pain meds and baby, just constipation issues for me.

fiorip · June 2017

@Dcwtada not a mom blog opinion. I'm a doctor, not an Ob but still a medical professional and I have seen my fair share of hernias, scar tissue and bowel adhesions post c-section. Which can be extremely dangerous, you can develop obstructions and potentially lose portions of your intestines or even die (severe but it could happen). Bowel adhesions could take years to manifest; I would strongly advice anyone against driving within a week of a major surgery. Not only is your skin and uterus cut open, your abdominal wall as well and it takes time to heal. My advice to anyone who has to get somewhere, get an Uber, a lyft, a taxi, rely on family members or neighbors but avoid driving at the very least for 3 weeks.

@maribeth0721

mslynn2012 · June 2017

1. I'd say 10 days (I'm on day 6 and it looks healed, but I'm not pushing it...)
2. Doctors notes say 10 days or whenever I'm off the pain meds.
3. I was struggling to fart so I bent over and touched my toes. Instant relief! I started doing this 3 days post-op.
4. I've only ever used the belly band the hospital provided.
5. Pain meds never made me sick, just sleepy. I felt sick without them (at the beginning) as the pain was super intense without them.

mrsla0512 · June 2017

maribeth0721 said:

I have some other random C-section questions if people don't mind....

1. When did your incision heal?
2. When could you drive again?
3. When could you bend over? I have serious anxiety about not being able to bend over and pick up the baby.
4. I know about the belly bands but is there anything else you wore to help you? I've read about C-section underwear but they are $30 a pair and wasn't sure if they were actually worth it or not.
5. Did anyone have an issue w/ the pain meds making them sick?

1. With DD, 2 weeks tops (on the outside) the inside hurt for 4 weeks. With DS, 1 week on the outside, I did too much moving my first week home and ended up hurting myself on the inside so one week 2&3 I had to take it super easy.
2. I had a different OB then and had a 4 week driving restriction as long as I was off pain meds.
3. A looong time. I also slept propped up on pillows for 2 weeks before I could lay down on one pillow. It was another week or two before I could sleep in my side and longer to sleep on my belly. But I know by 8 week pp I could sleep on my belly.
4. I've never used the CS underwear, just stashed a bunch of mesh undies from the hospital, extra long pads, and high waisted stretchy pants that went over my insicion. I did have a belly wrap and I swear by it. It's the Abdomend c-section recovery support belt, you can get it on Amazon. I posted some pictures in the other thread.
5. No issues with pain meds. I always got Percocet and 800mg Motrin.

Eta: How was everyone's incision closed? The "new way is dissolvable staples on the inside and glue stuff on the outside. That's how I've had it both times, apparently my OB does both ways, the other way being staples on the outside. I'm my Sept 14 bmb there were several that had staples. Just curious.

Dcwtada · June 2017

@mrsla0512 I had it done both ways, I like the dissolvable staples just because it saves you a trip in to your OB. It didn't hurt getting the regular staples out but it was just another trip PP I'd wish I didnt have to make. I noticed no difference in healing time or anything between the two.

maribeth0721 · June 2017

Thanks all! I definitely and obviously will follow the specifications from my doctor. I just really like to get feedback firsthand from people who have gone through this!

yellow1daisy · June 2017

I feel like I have total amnesia from the recovery of my last c section. I remember it was horrible the first 3-4 days and things got a lot better from there. I was off the pain meds before I was even discharged. I was lucky (although I didn't realize it at the time lol).

I can't remember when I drove. But it was several weeks (based on instructions). I never bought any special gear to heal. The hospital gave me a couple of free binders that I definitely used the first week but didn't feel I needed by week 2.

I also cant remember when I could comfortably bend over. But the day we took my daughter home from he NICU (day 6), I was able to go up steps and even made dinner. Never had issues with not being able to pick her up or change her diapers. But the first 6 days while she was in the hospital, NICU nurses and my husband pretty much did everything.

@mrsla0512 I had regular staples with my c section in Aug 2015. I remember it actually being a relief to have them removed and it wasn't painful. I had to go to the doctor for an incision check anyway, so I don't think I could have avoided that appointment. I can't compare them though because I haven't tried dissolvable.

mslynn2012 · June 2017

@mrsla0512 all of my CS have had the glue outside and (I'm guessing) the dissolvable staples inside as I've never gone back to have anything removed/ just regular follow up appointment at 5-6 weeks!

Cejiml · June 2017

maribeth0721 said:

I have some other random C-section questions if people don't mind....

1. When did your incision heal?
2. When could you drive again?
3. When could you bend over? I have serious anxiety about not being able to bend over and pick up the baby.
4. I know about the belly bands but is there anything else you wore to help you? I've read about C-section underwear but they are $30 a pair and wasn't sure if they were actually worth it or not.
5. Did anyone have an issue w/ the pain meds making them sick?

1. Took about 3ish weeks. I had spasms with my second that would come out of nowhere and burn like hell on one side. But overall my recovery was way better with #2.
2. Dr said 2 weeks with both
3. No issues bending over. I kept a pillow on my incision if it was hurting.
4. Loved my belly bandit bamboo for after the hospital binder got too big. With both it was around 2 weeks. I would put ice packs on my incision in the hospital binder and that helped a lot.
5. The night of my second the meds they gave me had me almost high/messed up they were so strong. It was weird. I couldn't sleep. But once those were gone the others never made me sick.

Anyone scheduled for 7/12?

KissMeImScottish · June 2017

Re: the driving thing, my official discharge instructions say two weeks (which would put me three weeks post-op). Unfortunately, my husband went out to sea (he's Navy and the boat can't leave port without him due to the nature of his position on the boat) when I was six days post op. Unless I wanted to have the twins not make their doctor's appointment, not driving wasn't really an option. I took it very easy, my doctor's office is only 5 minutes from the house, and I just moved very slowly and was careful about rotating my torso. But you do what you have to do to keep life moving.

maribeth0721 · June 2017

Cejiml said:

maribeth0721 said:

I have some other random C-section questions if people don't mind....

1. When did your incision heal?
2. When could you drive again?
3. When could you bend over? I have serious anxiety about not being able to bend over and pick up the baby.
4. I know about the belly bands but is there anything else you wore to help you? I've read about C-section underwear but they are $30 a pair and wasn't sure if they were actually worth it or not.
5. Did anyone have an issue w/ the pain meds making them sick?

1. Took about 3ish weeks. I had spasms with my second that would come out of nowhere and burn like hell on one side. But overall my recovery was way better with #2.
2. Dr said 2 weeks with both
3. No issues bending over. I kept a pillow on my incision if it was hurting.
4. Loved my belly bandit bamboo for after the hospital binder got too big. With both it was around 2 weeks. I would put ice packs on my incision in the hospital binder and that helped a lot.
5. The night of my second the meds they gave me had me almost high/messed up they were so strong. It was weird. I couldn't sleep. But once those were gone the others never made me sick.

Anyone scheduled for 7/12?

@Cejiml Me! Me! Me! They just scheduled me for 7/12 at 1pm.

glitterfish-2 · June 2017

What about going in the pool?
I asked my OB last week, who had said 2-3 weeks for driving (whenever I was off the pain meds), and she said 6-8 weeks before I can go in the pool!
I was thinking more about that today, and shouldn't my skin be healed way before that? How long are the stitches in normally?
I'm talking about floating on a raft here, not doing the high dive!

notachanski · June 2017

@GlitterFish - This is my third c-section and I was told no driving or bath/pool for at least 4 weeks PP both times. Obviously based on everyone's varied answers, I think it will be highly dependent on your doctor. I think you would be ok though in a pool after your incision healed, especially if you are floating on a raft. I was allowed to get mine wet (shower) as soon as the bandages came off.

Also for what its worth, I was stitched up with dis-solvable stitches both times. Didn't need to have any staples removed.

@Cejiml - I'm missing you by a day. I'm scheduled for 7/13!

mrsla0512 · June 2017

@GlitterFish I think that may also go along with the type of suture/insicion closure. I was able to take a bath and soak as soon as my skin was healed. The scab came off in about 2 weeks.

BusyZee · June 2017

Tip: not sure if I'm having a c section yet but just a little tip. if you can then definitely use silicon sheets. I've used them for raised scars, a surgical incision and also on burns in the water and my healing was much much quicker. Do not underestimate the power of silicon sheets! I don't heal quickly at all and these work like magic for me .
These ones are specific to c- sections.
ScarAway C-Section Scar Treatment Strips, Silicone Adhesive Soft Fabric 4-Sheets (7 X 1.5 Inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VK977O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MkuszbK2G8GVR

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