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Houston Babies
C-section moms...
Please give me some tips?
I'm worried about the recovery time and how I'll feel after the actual surgery. I want/need to get back to normal asap so that I can get back to being with Mia. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to love on her like I'm used to.
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Re: C-section moms...
Take the pain meds they give you! Don't be a hero ... when you are in the hospital you are there to recover and that means getting up and moving around which you won't want to do if you are hurting. So I took every med they gave me and hit that pain button on my pump as much as they let me and as a result, I was up and moving around a lot - and that, the movement, helped me heal much more than skipping any pain meds.
When we got home, I think I took a pain pill just the first day or two, then I was fine without them.
You won't be able to pick Mia up which I can imagine will be hard, but maybe get her her own lovely so she can play baby when you have Marble in your arms?
Do you know your hospitals/doctors policy on how many people you can have in the OR with you?
j+k+m+e | running with needles
I agree... take the pain meds. I took darvocet and ibuprofen ;.. and get ahead of it for awhile.
Get up and walk around as much as you can. Walking means that you get the blood flowing.
No heavy lifting.
You will absolutely bond with marble! I didn't get to hold Joey until about 2:00 am (had him at 10:54) but Jason got to have a very precious moment with him and you get to see him and nuzzle him.
It's odd. It is. I would by lying if I said that it wasn't. but, what is important is you and marble are safe. No matter how you birth him/her... you will love and bond!
hugs!
My recovery was a breeze. Like kat said, don't try to be anyone's hero, especially with Mia at home. Stay on top of the pain by not missing any doses of your meds. Unfortunately, you won't be able to lift Mia for 6ish weeks. I like kat's idea of her having a baby to nurture and learn to take care of.
Lots of hugs. I am still holding out hope for a flip! Am I correct in assuming that you and/or your doctor are not comfortable with a breech vaginal delivery?
I agree with Kat 110%...take all the meds they give you. You want to enjoy that baby with as little as pain as possible.
I had to have an unplanned C-Section so it really was a big surprise to me. I got a little down when they told me and right after the birth. I was worried I wouldn't be able to bond with my DD right away. Look on the bright side, you can mentally prepare. Just be prepared that you might be a little sad but they will get that baby into your arms as soon as they can and the bonding will start immediately.
Concentrate on a healthy baby-no matter how it got into the world.
As much as you will want to hold your 1st DD make sure to take your doctor's advice. The more you follow his/her advice the sooner you will be able to hold her again.
Also, it really helped me to have a squirt bottle (like a small sports bottle) in the shower to clean my incision.
G/L, it isn't as bad as you think it will be! You will forget the pain (as I am sure you did having Mia vaginally) whenever you hold that baby.
I agree with PP. I was so unprepared when I found out I was having a c-section.
Talk to your dr and ask what kind of pain meds they will give you after the surgery. Unfortunately, I was knocked out for 3-4 HOURS afterwards! I couldn't even breastfeed. I wish I had known ahead of time to ask and I would have refused that particular drug and asked for something that wouldn't make me sleep.
I agree with the others- take your pain meds! I started feeling strong pain the day after surgery and immediately called the nurse. They increased my meds and I felt much better. And I agree, get up and walk around. It will be VERY painful, but the earlier you do it the faster you'll recover.
The first two weeks of recovery were the hardest for me. But then I felt pretty much back to normal. And I got to hold Rena less than an hour after the surgery. They brought her to me in the recovery room and I nursed her right away.
Don't worry, everything will be just fine! I was also terrified since it was my first surgery, but looking back it wasn't too bad at all.
It really isn't that bad. Take the meds and as soon as you can get up and moving do so. It will hurt at first but the longer you wait to get up the worse it will be. The first day was hard - I won't lie but it wasn't horrible and by day 2 I could bend over and dry my legs off after a shower. You will want to move slowly at first but do move. The worst part was not being able to drive for 2 weeks. It will be a little more difficult for you b/c you are not supposed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 2 weeks but I am sure you can find special cuddle time with Mia where you don't have to pick her up.
Mine was a surprise too, so I had no idea what I was getting into.
My recovery was so much easier then I expected. I was driving in less then 2 weeks, with no problems. And I only took the pain meds a few days.
You seem to be in great shape and healthy so it should hopefully be an easy recovery too. I don't know about not holding Mia though, I would try to set up cuddle time with her on the couch or something? Maybe just a bit of time for the two of you to read or watch a movie so she feels like she still gets mommy time. Here's hoping Marble turns anyway so you won't have to worry!
just curious, because I've seen it mentioned a few times-why wouldn't you get to hold your newborn right after the c-sec?
I agree with all the advice given already.
I also wanted to let you know that I was able to hold and breastfeed Jackson within an hour of delivery. The nurse and lactation consultant brought him to me as soon as I was wheeled from the operating room in the recovery room. The LC stayed with me for a while to get me started with breastfeeding.
well, i am going to be the dissenting voice on the pain meds. granted, i have a high tolerance for pain but i really didn't need them much or often. in fact the nurses made fun of me, teasing me that the button on my pump must not be working b/c there were no meds missing... i just didn't need them and i was fine. i was more likely to take the pill than the iv pain meds... part of this was for nursing. i worry too much pain meds can hinder your supply and i didn't want that.
it was hard for me to have a c after planning for a natural birth and then laboring unmedicated for 14 hours. my body didn't want to make it happen and i am so thankful that i have a doctor who let me try but who also knew when to tell me to let science do its thing. we are so lucky that there is a quick, routine procedure that can eliminate many of the risks associated with childbirth.
i think i am very, very bonded with my son. i wouldn't worry there...
j+k+m+e | running with needles
I'm not reposting the list here, but I'm happy to send it or post it if you would like. (The list of things to take to hospital geared toward sections.)
It hurts. I won't lie. You just have to take care of yourself and let yourself heal. I believe in taking my meds - staying ahead of the pain or it can beat you down.
Some people heal faster than others, I think. I don't know that they do anything special.
You'll want to start walking the halls at the hospital by day three. You'll want to practice standing and sitting a little bit each day. Don't overdo it, but just laying flat won't get you moving in the right direction. This is at the level of sitting in a chair for a few minutes - not anything aggressive.
I was also nervous how I would be with Ellarie after my c-section. It all worked out! You have a couple of things working in your favor, they are at that independent stage so you can take full advantage of it. Have her use her step stool to wash her hands, get in and out of her high chair, things you would normally pick her up to do. I made a big deal out of what a big girl she was and she seemed really proud of herself. I didn't pick up Ellarie for about two weeks, if she asked me to pick her up I would take her by the hand and sit on the couch. Sometimes I would just get down on the floor and love on her. I know it may feel overwhelming but you will be fine!
As for the pain, I had two c-sections so I can't really compair, but within a week I was driving. I think at night was when I would feel sore so I would just rest. Good luck to you!
Seriously, I could've basically written every word of the above myself (except change son to daughter). I was so intent upon a natural, unmedicated birth, but got the complete opposite....and honestly had a wonderful experience overall. And I was able to almost immediately hold & nurse K, and I certainly don't think we've ever lacked in the bonding dept.
Re: the meds, I agree, just take the pills when necessary. And DO take the pills to prevent constipation! You'll need those!
I think it's different for everyone. I spent 4 days in the Hospital and was ready to go when they let me.... but i was up walking around (not anywhere close to a normal walk) the next day. By the end of the week, i felt 90%. I did not have a hard recovery at all!!!! the only think that hurt was sitting down, or standing up.... and of course getting up from laying down. it's then you realize how much you actually do use all those muscles....
by week 2 i felt fine!!! but still didn't push my self.
just take it easy, and relax, and you and marble and Mia will all bond tremendously of the up coming weeks!!!!
Keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.
Oh.. and I didn't take the IV pain meds... only the pills. btw.
and I had no problems there... I think the hardest thing was right after the section I couldn't roll over in bed easily...
you'll be fine!
hugs!