C-section Advice

Congratulations! I had an unplanned C-Section but was 12 days late and could care less how this baby girl came out! I was pleasantly surprised at how tolerable the pain was. so much so, that I forgot I had control of the pain medication release. It is painful to cough/laugh, but I think the endorphines kick in when laughing that it is bearable. I also found it extrememly helpful that I got out of bed very early the next day...much to the nurses dismay as I did it alone. Accept as much help as possible and warm showers work wonders. Bowel movements went well because i took Mylicon gas tablets on a schedule and milk of magnesia as a stool softener. In 9 days, I was back to normal movement with discomfort. It is different for everyone, but I do believe the images we conjure in our heads are alot worse than reality. Have a blast with the baby and enjoy your extended hospital stay.

Hello S.,

Congratulations! I am a mother of two boys. My first son was born via an emergency c-section and my second son was born naturally (V-Back). Although my son is turning 13 years old next month. I do remember the experience. During post surgery you will experience soreness. I remember holding on to my stomach when I coughed or laughed. A must is for you to get out of bed as soon as you are allowed. It helps SO much with your recovery. Take the meds if necessary and also take any OFFERS on help when you are home for the first few weeks. My doctor performed a beautiful incision that I no longer have a scar. I am sure you will be fine. All the best of luck.

hi S.,

i had a c-section due to a failed induction. my baby was small and had late-term growth restriction. she's fine-no delays. like the others said, you will be on clear liquids until you pass gas and full liquids until you poop. they need to make sure you don't have any bowel obstructions or paralysis before they feed you. the worst part for me was getting in and out of bed for a few days. once i was sitting or standing or lying down, i was fine. it was the position changes that killed me. i'm not sure about an abdominal binder. i've never heard of that for a c-section for myself or any of my friends, but it's quite possible some doctors do that. oh, i almost forgot. i was nursing, so for the first couple days, i had to have someone hand me the baby once i was comfortable because it was a little difficult to move. really it was not a big deal.

Hi S....First of all congratulations! I'm going to give you advice from 2 angles! I'm a mom who has had 2 C sections, and I'm also a maternity nurse! Don't be afraid of the C/S...it's not horrible, although it's definately going to be worse than a vaginal delivery. I'm not sure about the hospital you will deliver in, but most places are routine. You will arrive, they will insert an IV, monitor the baby's heart rate and then off to the OR you will go. You will get a spinal, which in theory is much like an epidural, just a different level of anesthesia...don't fret it's not too bad...the same burning sensations and pressure as getting an epidural...then they will insert a foley catheter for urine and you will have a baby within about 10 minutes!!! As far as recovery goes, you wil spend about the first 12 hours in bed and then your nurse will remove your foley catheter and IV. After that, just get out of bed!!!! I know it's gonna hurt, but you gotta do it! The gas pain is actually about a trillion times worse than the incision! THey will have pain meds for the incisional pain and I highly recommend taking them, however they are usually narcotics which can be extremely constipating, which in turn does not help the gas! The only thing that is going to help the gas is walking and maybe some warm water with lemon ;) Because it's your second child, the after pains are going to be a little worse this time because it takes alot more contracting to shrink your uterus this time....it's a muscle and it's been stretched not once but twice now, so just like our bodies, it takes a little more to get it back into shape. For this, motrin will work and you can definately take motrin in combination with the narcotics and the good thing about that is that it won't constipate you...sometimes it's even enough for the incisional pain! As far as the binder goes, you could definately purchase your own or use the one the hospital provides. They definately help to hold everything taunt when you are up and that reduces pain.....big note on that though..you cannot sleep in the binder because theoretically it could actually collapse your lungs...so just take it off when you are lying in bed! Good luck, you will do fine..and let me know if I can be of anymore help!
A.

Hi S.! I had an unplanned c-section after a failed induction and I was not prepared whatsoever, so at least you have the heads up! Although I have nothing to compare it to, I did not like having a c-section and was very upset by needing it. I didn't seem to heal quite as quickly as the other moms who replied. My advice would be to get as much help for the first 2 weeks as possible! My husband took the first week off of work and then my mom and sister helped out the second week. It took me that long to feel like I was getting back to normal. I was very sore around my incision and had a very hard time when turning over in bed, getting up from a sitting position and bending over to change the baby.

My hospital did use a binder after the surgery and I highly recommend them. Your stomach is like jello afterward and with a c-section, especially, you don't want to use your abdominal muscles to make sure that your incision heals properly. It just makes you feel "tucked in."

I did not have to be put on a liquid diet afterward, thank goodness! I never heard of that. I was able to eat breakfast the next morning and every meal after that.

Be patient with breastfeeding. Your baby may be drowsy because of the drugs. I have friends who have had c-sections and never had a problem, but my son was extremely hard to wake up those first few days and he just couldn't seem to get the hang of it. But I just kept at it and he finally got it :)

I would just read as much as you can about the surgery and recovery and ask your doctor everything you can think of so that you are prepared. You will at least then have an idea of what's coming. Good luck!

Hi S.,
Congratulations on your next arrival! I've had 3 c-sections. All the moms are right in that you shouldn't worry much pre-surgery. They've said it all for me, so I'll move on. Post surgery is the challenge. Don't overdo it. Graciously accept all offers for help within the first 2 weeks. It may be hard if you're the self-sufficient type like me. I was lucky to have mom & hubby by my side. Mom catered to me while hubby focused on the baby. With each of my c-sections, the scar was practically invisible. When they remove the staples, it may feel a little pinching. You may be lucky enough to get the dissolving ones. TAKE THE DRUGS!! It will surely help in managing the afterpains (which won't be too long). Also, during the first week or so, my lower belly felt like there was a ton of rocks in it. It's pretty normal, but that feeling will subside as well. Good luck.

Hi there! Just wanted to reply about c-section concerns. I am a first time mother of twin girls (born on New Years Eve 2007!). I had a c-section because Baby A was breech and Baby B was laying transverse. I was told the usual "horror stories" about c-sections while I was pregnant...and I can tell anyone honestly that it is SO NOT AS BAD AS EVERYONE MAKES IT OUT TO BE!!! #1 advice-listen to your nurses..they know best! Take the medication they give you for the pain and gas and bowel movements. They do wonders! Get up and walk the next day! You will be sore and will find it hard to cough or sneeze or laugh really hard...but you will be good as new by discharge! Enjoy every minute of your new blessing! The love you will feel will so overpower any pain!
Best of luck!

Hi S.! Congrats on the new baby!!! how exciting!! I am a mom of two and a maternity nurse at Bridgeport hospital (where are you delivering?) I work on the post partum side. When you arrive to the post partum unit you will stay in bed for about 4 hours and only have ice chips. After the four hours, we dangle you twice per the 8 hour shift (dangling involves sitting you on the side of the bed and you standing if you feel up to it. then we clean up your bottom and change your pads. You will have what's called a PCA pump (Patient Controlled Analgesia) either of morphine or Dilaudid. you push the button when you feel pain and a dose of the medicine goes through your IV. You may have some itchiness from the medicine so make sure you let your nurse know as we can give you medicine to counteract that. we DO give you a binder to wear so you do not need to buy your own. you sleep with it on while you are in the hospital. I recommend wearing it the first couple of days around the clock, but afterward you can take it off for a while if it gets uncomfortable. AFter roughly 12 hours or so, your PCA will be discontinued as will your Foley catheter. You will then start on meds by mouth, usually Perocet. they can be constipatig, but we also give you ao stool softener and Milk of Magnesia to help you go easier. don't not take the meds. they are ordered as needed so y ou need to let your nurse know when you need it. the percocet you can take every three hours (yes it's safe to breastfeed with if you are choosing to breastfeed). You can also take Motrin 800mg, but for the first day or so I'd definitely take the percocet. It is important to get up and walk as much as you can as it helps the gas pass through. this is the one time when it's ok to pass gas!! LOL I'm trying to remember if I've told you everything! Pleaes feel free to email me if you have any other questions!!! good luck and don't worry about it too much!! You still get a beautiful baby afterward so that's your reward!!

I am responding to your c-section question. I had a c-section unplanned so I never really bothered to read up on them but that said it went just fine. Follow all instructions from the nurses and doctors and take it easy don't over do it after wards you'll be great. Take all the help you can get too. You want to be able to enjoy all the moments with you new little one. I did have a panic attack while they were sewing me up and they helped me out with that as well. It wasn't really that bad just kinda not what you would want to do but very manageable. Good Luck you will be great.

I'd buy one just in case -- if you don't use it, you can ask someone else to return it for you. OH -- bring your own sanitary napkins -- the biggest ones that you can buy -- the hospital ones are bulky and uncomfortable. I have been through two sections within 22 months apart, and I did things differently for both.

The biggest bit of advice is take the pain meds afterwards (don't make the mistake I made with my first -- I thought I felt fine, and thought that I didn't need it...I also worried about the baby getting "drugs"...silly, silly me). With my second c-section I did things differently. I took pain meds regularly. And since you'll be in the hospital about five days, depending on insurance coverage, think about limiting the number of visitors and daily visits so you could sleep. It helped me be a better mom (made breast-feeding easier) and enjoy baby's firsts -- painfree. I gave my cousin this same advice, and she didn't listen (we're both kinda stuborn)...and wished she listened.

Also ask others if they are available to help you after you return from the hospital. A section is still major surgery -- you'll be in recovery...no stairs (well, some you can't help).

Oh, what I loved most was when Matthew, for the first time, greeted Erik wearing "I'm a big brother" T-shirt and gave him a stuffed animal and a kiss.

Well, I hope that I didn't alarm you...it just advice that I wish I had! Good luck!

The hospital I delivered at never gave me a binder for either of my sections. Both my children were born by section. My 2nd one was much better because I didn't have to through labor like I did with my first (21.5hr). Afterwards I felt much more rested rather then being in pain all that time. Be prepared for after though. You can't do anything for 2 wks but pick up the baby. No driving, going up and down stairs as little as possible. No picking up your other child. Forget about laundry or anything else. If you are in a lot of pain, don't wait until the meds wear off before getting more. They will get you out of bed a day after delivery to take a shower. I always had my hubby help me. I couldn't reach down to get to my feet. And it does actually make you feel a little better. You won't be allowed to eat anything but liquids until you fart or go poo. This is precautionary because of the nature of the surgery. Also your going to have to learn to do things without using your abdominal muscles. We use them for everything, getting out of bed is the biggy. Use your arms and legs to pull you up instead. Follow the instructions from your doctors office. It will help you to feel better faster.

my son was delivered via emergancy c-section.and i am 13 weeks pregnant with our second child and im getting a c-section for this one to.i have a little advise for you, as soon as they let you out of bed start walking....yes its going to hurt but it feels better after the 1st day..accept ANY and ALL help that is offered to you at home...and when you cough and sneez or laugh your going to want to hold your stomach...dont worry by the time your ready to leave the hospital you'll feel good as new...congrats on the baby too....

I had both my babies via C-Section - they're just less than a year apart, and since my son was an emergency C, my daughter was planned, although I did go into labor, but that's a story for another day.

The recovery was fine - not as quick as a vaginal delivery, but I was able to be up and around in no time. The key is making sure you get up and start moving around as soon as you're able. Seriously - that is essential. It won't be so comfortable once the meds wear off, but it's so important to a speedy recovery.

Good luck - don't be nervous! All will be wonderful!

I asked the ICAN yahoo group that I'm on and they suggested for you to see this link found here:

http://ican-online.net/resources/white_papers/wp_familyce...

They would suggest that you do your absolute best to not schedule, but wait until labor has started on its own.

hi S., i had unplanned c-section and was very upset about it (because i was in labor for over 20 hours, without epidural etc). The recovery was pretty painful first 2-3 days, to get, sit up , breastfeed (find a comfortable position) in about 2 weeks i pretty much felt way better, still a little discomfort. the doctors gave me drugs for the first days which helped. If someone can be there with you to help the first week or two it will be great since you're not going to be fully physically capable lift, walk/move fast enough. I wasn't in liquid diet and left the hospital after 3,5 days. I didn't feel like my baby was effected by the drugs i was taking. The scar healed pretty well and almost not noticeable, even in the lowest bikini. Don't be scared, you will be ok and the best thing the whole procedure is like 10-15 minutes, its the recovery thats uncomfortable. Good luck with the pregnancy and labor, you both will be fine!

Hi. I have had 2 c-sections, the first one was emergency and the second was planned. With the planned c-sec, if you have a spinal, inquire about the pain meds that they can actually inject at the same time as the spinal as it helps with the pain for up to 24-hours (I think) afterwards and was AWESOME! I had that with my second, and it was terrific. It does sometimes cause itching as a side effect but they can give you meds to help. It's totally worth it. After surgery, make sure they give you a rolled up blanket to push against your tummy when you start getting up and around; it makes all the difference in the world. Also, if you're planning to nurse, I would highly recommend bringing a boppy pillow to the hospital. It helps so much as you can protect your incision and position the baby at the same time.

Hope this helps a bit. You will be just fine!!! I've learned that c-sections aren't the end of the world, and the healthy baby in the end is all that matters. Enjoy your new little one! Congratulations!

S.,
I had to have a C-section too and was upset, but it ended up being a great experience. I felt like the first few days might have been harder than a vaginal delivery, but after that, I felt like I was in much better shape than I would have been. My experience was similar to the other person who wrote you. Hard to get in and out of bed for about a week, and I had to take it easy for about 2 weeks total. After that, I felt fine. And I only had bleeding for a few days. Get up as soon as they let you and walk as much as you can while in the hospital. (You'll be walking very slow, and this is no fun at first ...) Be prepared for an all liquid diet for a few days. I didn't expect that, and didn't get solid food until the day they discharged me. Take the pain meds they give you without waiting till they wear off because it is hard to get it back under control if you do that. Once I left the hospital, I only took advil and was fine unless I let it wear off. After 10 days, I wasn't taking anything at all. I was able to work out after 6 weeks. Bring towels to the hospital so that when they let you take a shower, you have them. Theirs are awful. And bring your boppy, which will help you breastfeed. You'll have to use the football position because you won't want the baby laying on your stomach. Also, you will definitely want your husband there overnight if you are able, because you won't be able to get out of bed at all the first night, or without help after that. Mine stayed, and we had the baby room in with us, but I didn't change a diaper until he was about a week old! You will need more help than usual for the first week you are home, but then you'll be good to go. Good luck! Feel free to send me more questions if you have them.

ps I don't know what a binder is either.

Hi Sara! I had two c-sections; the first one was an emergency and the second was planned. It's so nice to have a planned c-section! You and your husband go to the hospital and it's so easy. . .make an appointment, and have a baby!

This is what I can tell you. It's very hard to get up and walk the day of your c-section, but you should do it. It helps you feel almost normal again. You do bleed a lot afterwards, and some people bleed for almost 6-8 weeks, although my heavy bleeding only lasted about 2 weeks. There is pain at the incision site, of course, but Advil works fine to help that after about a week. I took a prescription painkiller for about one week and then just Advil. The hardest part for me was getting in and out of bed, and keeping my older daughter away from my stomach for so long. I don't know what your sister-in-law is talking about because I've never heard of a binder. I didn't use one and my doctor never mentioned it to me. I say if it helps, use it! I am on Long Island, so maybe it's just my doctor. I got back to exercising (walking) after about 4 weeks, but wasn't allowed to work out (treadmill, weights) until after 8 weeks (I cheated and started at 7). You will be totally fine! Don't worry---just keep the incision site clean so it doesn't get infected, and try not to have your 2 year old son kick you while you are changing his diaper, and you'll be back to yourself in no time.

PS-I am also a teacher---and I'm a bit jealous that you stay at home now. I wish I could. :)