C section advice

[obi]

Ok! I'm ready for it!

Yesterday my OB tentatively booked me for March 2nd which is 5 weeks from today! *internally screaming*

I have a lot of anxiety surrounding surgery of any kind, but I am confident this is the right/best thing and feel ready to prepare for it.

What I gather so far is that I need to take all the mesh panties and stock up on high waisted granny panties.
My H needs to figure out how to not be a clown and make me laugh.
Hold a pillow against myself when getting up, coughing, sneezing etc.

Is there anything you did to manage anxiety leading up to the procedure? Is there anything you SO or family did that was super helpful? Tell me all the things!

THANK YOU

[obi]

PDQ this because I may decide to delete.

Do they prescribe pain killers? Is there anything OTC you'd recommend? I was hoping to just use Advil but I recall one of you saying I'd need something stronger, so it got me thinking.

*snip*

[bethypoo83]

obi Yes, they will prescribe drugs. I had *i think* Tylenol 3s or maybe something a bit stronger but not Percocet or oxycodone. I also had stool softener. Take everything they prescribe and take it on time. Pain management was key to me feeling human.

Get up as soon as you can. Walk around. Have a shower. It does wonders.

As with any birth, accept help when offered.

I found that being propped up to rest/sleep was more comfortable and easier to get up from than lying down.

All the mesh panties/ones with higher waist to avoid the incision.

Drink lots of water and make sure you eat regularly. I was in hospital until day 3 post partum and the on time meals were amazing; we tried to keep up with that at home and it was a huge help.

[Deleted]

I'm one week out and already feeling much better. I am alternating tylenol and motrin. I was prescribed norco which is oxy and tylenol blend but stopped after 24 hours home. I'd discuss that with your OB beforehand since in the hospital I definitely wanted something stronger than tylenol. I agree that it makes you feel like you can do too much and it's easy overdo it when you should be resting.

I was very anxious before the surgery but there's really nothing to be done unfortunately. Going into it I was glad I was prepared for the logistics of the actual surgery. I started a thread on Jan, I'll tag you in it. Seeing my baby for the first time was amazing, I missed that last time since I was put under. I did not have a clear screen but asked my OB to hold the baby up after she was right out.

After she was out was the worst part TBH. I was shaking and was so cold and just wanted it to be over. MH held her on my chest briefly but I felt a little overwhelmed and had him take her and just hold her next to me. I was not expecting feeling that way. It went by quickly.

From the time I got the spinal to when she was born was only 25 minutes then it was about another 25 minutes to be stitched up. Some of the moms on my Jan board described an insane amount of pressure when the baby is actually born, but I didn't feel a ton and it was over in seconds. I was glad I was prepared for it though.

Just take it easy after. Don't hesitate to ask me anything!

[obi]

I am comfortable with T3s so I will discuss that with my doctor. They are the only thing that got me through my wisdom teeth removal. Will also add Motrin to my shopping list.

I in no way feel that my sobriety in regards to drug use is fragile, but PPD was a nightmare last time so I am resolved to assume nothing about what my emotional/mental state will be then.

[obi]

I think the pressure that people describe is one of the things I am most anxious about @orangcrush, so I'm happy to hear you didn't feel it was too much.

I think your reaction of feeling overwhelmed sounds very normal. Or, i can just imagine myself feeling exactly the same way.

The clear screen or mirror option is one I cannot decide on. On one hand, I like the idea of seeing what is happening for the false sense of control. OTOH it may freak me out even more, and at that point it is probably too late to change my mind.

Im happy to hear you are starting to feel better already! The picture you posted the other day just makes me feel so excited. Totally heartwarming.

[obi]

Jesslfar reading your experience actually puts me at ease a bit because I can place myself in your shoes. Thank you for sharing!

I gave up on the lady garden ages ago so no problem there haha.

Did you use an abdominal binder? Is there a brand that is recommended?

[JustinBobby]

Was anyone else instructed not to go up and down stairs for a few days following the procedure? I remember that being super annoying because everything I needed was upstairs.

My C-section was a horrible experience, but I am definitely an outlier because it was unplanned and everything leading up to it (including 50 hours of labor) was a clusterfuck.

I've heard other women saying their planned c-section was easy breezy. All the advice you've received so far is great.

Good luck!!!

[bethypoo83]

Jan 26, 2017 21:15:51 GMT -5 Jesslfar said:

Jan 26, 2017 20:32:22 GMT -5 obi said:

Jesslfar reading your experience actually puts me at ease a bit because I can place myself in your shoes. Thank you for sharing!

I gave up on the lady garden ages ago so no problem there haha.

Did you use an abdominal binder? Is there a brand that is recommended?

My doctor does not recommend them which is why I said ask in advance. I think they all have their own opinions. Other things: I was told to limit stairs, I was allowed to drive after a few days once I was off of medication, but some doctors say 2 weeks. You want to avoid bending over so using a basinet that is higher like a pack n play with attachment vs the rock n play would be my suggestion for the first couple of weeks.

This!

I was told no driving for 2 weeks as well. Obviously that didn't happen. I think I went to the grocery store on about day 6 because I just needed to have the 15 minutes alone. I definitely wasn't doing a full shop, or travelling very far though.

Also, no lifting anything heavier than baby for at least the first two weeks.

[obi]

Jan 26, 2017 21:29:30 GMT -5 bethypoo83 said:

Jan 26, 2017 21:15:51 GMT -5 Jesslfar said:

My doctor does not recommend them which is why I said ask in advance. I think they all have their own opinions. Other things: I was told to limit stairs, I was allowed to drive after a few days once I was off of medication, but some doctors say 2 weeks. You want to avoid bending over so using a basinet that is higher like a pack n play with attachment vs the rock n play would be my suggestion for the first couple of weeks.

This!

I was told no driving for 2 weeks as well. Obviously that didn't happen. I think I went to the grocery store on about day 6 because I just needed to have the 15 minutes alone. I definitely wasn't doing a full shop, or travelling very far though.

Also, no lifting anything heavier than baby for at least the first two weeks.

I literally cant get in or out of my house without climbing stairs. I live in a raised bungalow. It isn't many stairs though so Im sure it's fine. I was told the same thing after my vaginal delivery.
Same goes for lifting nothing heavier than baby in the carseat.

MIL gave us a bassinet so I will definitely make use of it

[emu0013]

Both of mine were c-sections. With DD it was an emergency at 35W and I wore a binder (the hospital gave it to me). It was at 530 pm and so I didn't get up until the next morning by the time I felt my legs, I had really bad gas pains. I was on a morphine pump for 24 hours and went home on Oxy and Tylenol 3. I only took them a couple days, mainly just the Tylenol 3's.I was released in 3 days and DH and I and DD went to the mall and to lunch. (I had been on bed rest for 7 weeks and was going crazy. It was really an easy recovery for me, I took DD on a short walk each day.

With LO it was scheduled at 39W - I didn't use the binder, because I felt like with DD I wore it for months because I just felt my stomach needed support, its weird and hard to explain. I got up walking the same day, and it helped a ton and I didn't have the gas pains, I was kept an extra day and had some sever complications with my blood pressure, I even ended up readmitted. I was feeling really lousy and didn't move around as much and I felt my recovery the 2nd time was harder. They had issues with the pain meds, and kept changing them, thinking they were elevating my BP, I realy don't remember what I was sent home on.

My recommendation is do not let the pain get out of control, because once you do, it takes a while to get it back under control. I did a loose fitting sun dress with both, (I have 2 summer births). Also, be sure to take the stool softer and they gave me these fiber wafer things as the first couple of times you have to go, its feels like your stomach may split. With LO she was able to lay on me while they finished me up and then about 5 min before I was done her and DH went to the room. LO was taken straight to the NICU for observation and I barely got to see her.

[mlbrooks]

I didn't read everyone's comments because I am lazy so some of this may be repetitive.
One thing I will be doing after my next one is getting one of these pillows or some sort of pillow so I don't get sucked into the couch. Our couch is kind of deep and trying to get in and out of it was hell with a c/s + baby. 




Take the Rx pain meds and the motrin simultaneously in the hospital... don't wait to feel the pain, just take it when you are supposed to. I only stayed on the Rx pain meds for 1 week at home then was fine with just the Motrin. 

Walk around as much as you can, it truly helps you heal faster. 

I took Colace in preparation for my first post- C/S poop but I don't recall it being bad. 

When laying down, the best way I found to get up was to gently roll to my side and push myself up with my arms. Don't try to overuse your abs. 

Mesh panties are life. 

I wasn't overly anxious about the surgery but they made me drink this like shot of some kind of medicine and wasn't pleasant. They told me some people vomit it back up. I didn't. Until they were stitching me up. So just FYI. 

You do feel some "pressure/pulling/tugging" but it's nothing to worry over. Doesn't hurt at all, just kind of a weird sensation. 

I went and got waxed 2 days prior to surgery. Saves you from the nurses shaving you and you don't have to worry about shaving for a few weeks. 

I wasn't offered skin to skin while on operating table - I definitely will be asking for that next time. 

I asked the hospital for an abdominal binder - it was just a cheap one and honestly I didn't use it much. 

Stairs: they said I could use stairs but not like multiple times a day. Like go down for the day and back up at night for a few days. 

I wore a stretchy night gown in the hospital post c/s that was able to let me breastfeed 

[honda13]

I think everything was pretty well covered. I will add regarding the pulling/tugging. You can feel it, but it doesn't hurt. It's just definitely a feeling that something is happening. I recall my OB doing some kind of post baby uterus massage bullshit when I was on the table. That was a lot of pressure. All in all it wasn't bad. I got to kiss dd on the head once she was out and mh held her by my head briefly. Everything is kind of a blur after being in labor for two days plus the pain meds. I wish you the best of luck!

[obi]

This is all so great. Thank you everyone! I know for many of you, having a csection was not in your plans and was a scary experience. I really appreciate you sharing with me

[mrsf0831]

obi they gave me a ibprophen 800 script bc I couldn't take the others w out getting sick. After I left the hospital I only took the ib prophen like 3x. So pain is different for everyone good luck!

[obi]

Jan 28, 2017 18:16:26 GMT -5 mrsf0831 said:

obi they gave me a ibprophen 800 script bc I couldn't take the others w out getting sick. After I left the hospital I only took the ib prophen like 3x. So pain is different for everyone good luck!

Wow! Fx I handle the pain as well as you did!

[mrsf0831]

Jan 28, 2017 19:45:43 GMT -5 obi said:

Jan 28, 2017 18:16:26 GMT -5 mrsf0831 said:

obi they gave me a ibprophen 800 script bc I couldn't take the others w out getting sick. After I left the hospital I only took the ib prophen like 3x. So pain is different for everyone good luck!

Wow! Fx I handle the pain as well as you did!

Honestly call me crazy but I think it depends on the surgeon. There were times in the hospital and once at home that I really needed the IB. I don't think I have a high pain threshold (i want to cry with a stubbe toe lol)

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2017 19:45:43 GMT -5 obi said:

Jan 28, 2017 18:16:26 GMT -5 mrsf0831 said:

obi they gave me a ibprophen 800 script bc I couldn't take the others w out getting sick. After I left the hospital I only took the ib prophen like 3x. So pain is different for everyone good luck!

Wow! Fx I handle the pain as well as you did!

I had a very similar experience with the pain. 

[jerseyakl]

Stranger danger alert; sorry, I haven't been here in forever.

I honestly thought the c-section ended up being easier than a vaginal birth. I hope you have a good experience.

I took Percocet for 24 hours and Motrin after that. I highly recommend switching quickly if it makes sense for you and your situation.

Drinks tons of water.

Take Colace. Yikes.

Get up and move. It was rough having a baby in the NICU but it forced me to walk to see her.

Good luck!