TTMA - planned csections

[Deleted]

At my 31 week OB appt today both babies turned breech so doctor said to start planning for a csection over my preferred vaginal delivery. What are some things to prepare for and also any recovery tips are welcome too!

We also set the date if I make it that long as either Jan 27/30 pending hospital schedule- I'll be called next week to confirm date. TIA Ladies!!

[fightersince83]

Get undies that sit super high. Most underwear falls right on the incision line and you won't want that. I wouldn't buy a belly binder until you're sure you're getting s csection because they are pricey. I liked the belly bandit. But, ask your Dr to prescribe one and the hospital will provide one that's fine till your swelling goes down & can get your own binder. Stay on top of the meds so you're not playing catch up with the pain. More so initially. I was able to stop meds early once I was home. You won't be able to drive for about 2 weeks after surgery. Baby will have a Dr appt one week after being released from the hospital so you will need help and a ride for that.

[requiressnacks]

@jacks605, sorry it looks like you're going the CS route! But, I just went through it and I promise, it's not that bad.

Here are a few tips that I can think of. I'm mobile so this will be short, but feel free to ask any questions...

1. Eat a big ass meal the night before your CS. They will restrict food the night before and you will be so F*cking hungry when you deliver those babies. (I didn't have the opportunity and I think I was as excited about a sandwiches as I was to meet my babies....joking, of course)

2. High waisted undies for sure. And steal as many mesh panties from the hospital as you can. I loved that they were comfy and disposable.

3. Take the pain meds. Don't be a hero. I took Percocet in the hospital and was on ibuprofen by the time I got home.

4. Get up and walk as soon a stay you can.

5. Bring comfy leggings or pants for said walking. I had one baby in the NICU so I was really happy to have "real" outfits to wear when I went to go see him.

6. My mom made some weird comments about a CS not being "real" labor. Tell anyone to fuck off who says this. That shit was real.


I may think of more....

[lastkiss]

I had a csection with DS after labouring didn't go so well.

+1 for everything @requiresnacks says.

Also:
1. I didn't shower until about day 3 in the hospital. I really wish I had brought some dry shampoo as my hair felt so gross.

2. Make sure you take your lstool softners and stock up on fiber related products for home.

3. I found it very painful/uncomfortable to get up from a lying down position for the first week or two so I slept in the recliner. You may want to consider alternate sleeping arrangements to a bed at first.

[requiressnacks]

Dec 10, 2016 15:08:37 GMT -5 lastkiss said:

I had a csection with DS after labouring didn't go so well.

+1 for everything @requiresnacks says.

Also:
1. I didn't shower until about day 3 in the hospital. I really wish I had brought some dry shampoo as my hair felt so gross.

2. Make sure you take your lstool softners and stock up on fiber related products for home.

3. I found it very painful/uncomfortable to get up from a lying down position for the first week or two so I slept in the recliner. You may want to consider alternate sleeping arrangements to a bed at first.

+1,000 for dry shampoo! I existed on Batiste and OJ ffor like 2 days.

[schmella]

Things for your go bag-
1-extra long charger cord for your phone, tablet, etc.
2- black yoga pants (easy to put on, waistband is easy on your belly, hides stains). Leggings might be more your style but the swelling gets worse after birth, so stick with loose things.
3- pumping bra- your milk might take longer to come in because of a cs, and you want your hands free. I can't even tell you how many times I fell asleep pumping in the hospital and had to go longer because I lost the seal., and the pumping bra allowed me to massage my breasts to get more milk out.
I 4- robe- best advice I got from my twin club. Something you can throw on quickly if someone comes to visit.
5- consider a nursing nightgown- I had 2, I loved them. I had a lot of trouble with mobility in the early days and pants were too cumbersome. And with all the checks on my incision, feet, and legs, I would have been taking pants on and off every hour? No way.

[bocaburger]

I agree with what everyone else has said.

Take all the mesh undies from the hospital and keep asking for more. I wore them for my first month postpartum and cried when they ran out. They are seriously so comfy.

Get up and moving as soon as possible. Ask the nurses to help you the first few times you get out of bed.

Keep up with your pain meds in the beginning. They are more effective if you take them before the pain builds up.

Warn YH/family that they will be on for all diapers and other non-feeding baby care for the first couple days.

Know that for a c-section, your insurance will pay for a longer hospital stay (4 days I think). I chose to stay for the whole time allowed because I was simply not ready, physically or emotionally.

Be kind to yourself! People had to keep reminding me that not only was I dealing with becoming a mother and caring for twins, I was also recovering from a surgery.

All in all though, my recovery was much better than I expected. I'm sorry you won't get the delivery you hoped for though.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone!! I'm still hoping at least Baby A flips but going from breech to head down at 31+ weeks I'm guessing we are done.

[DVMmomma]

Dec 11, 2016 12:35:37 GMT -5 @jacks605 said:

Thanks everyone!! I'm still hoping at least Baby A flips but going from breech to head down at 31+ weeks I'm guessing we are done.

I still have faith! They've got a good month or so to get it together!  SaveSave

[richzep]

Yes to everything everyone said.
I had a very difficult time coughing and laughing for a couple weeks after.
I've had two c sections. One planned and one emergency.
Both were totally fine. Take your meds. Get help with whatever you can. If you over exert yourself you may bleed a lot or cause an infection with your scarring. Just be careful with that.

[schmella]

Dec 11, 2016 12:35:37 GMT -5 @jacks605 said:

Thanks everyone!! I'm still hoping at least Baby A flips but going from breech to head down at 31+ weeks I'm guessing we are done.

There is still plenty of time- @feegan didn't yours flip in the OR?

[housecarder]

Dec 11, 2016 12:35:37 GMT -5 @jacks605 said:

Thanks everyone!! I'm still hoping at least Baby A flips but going from breech to head down at 31+ weeks I'm guessing we are done.

Evie flipped head down to head up every week until delivery at 37 weeks so you have plenty of time. I had a scheduled RCS and agree with everything here, you've gotten some great advise.

[piccyami]

Dec 10, 2016 15:08:37 GMT -5 lastkiss said:

I had a csection with DS after labouring didn't go so well.

+1 for everything @requiresnacks says.

Also:
1. I didn't shower until about day 3 in the hospital. I really wish I had brought some dry shampoo as my hair felt so gross.

2. Make sure you take your lstool softners and stock up on fiber related products for home.

3. I found it very painful/uncomfortable to get up from a lying down position for the first week or two so I slept in the recliner. You may want to consider alternate sleeping arrangements to a bed at first.

Yes! We had to get creative to get me up high enough to get into bed without nearly killing me for the first few nights. The bed was just slightly too high and too soft to easily get in and out.

[Deleted]

Well I still have about 5cm of fluid left around each baby. Had a NST today and both me bed again from breech to trans right. Guess I still have room left even though my OB said likely they'd stay put. Haha!

[piccyami]

One of mine flipped from head down to breech between the ultrasound in the MFM's office and the c-section 2 hours later.