C section Qs

[Deleted]

Hey guys, I have a few questions on my upcoming RCS. Last time I was put under so I am expecting a much different experience this time.

Is there anything I should request ahead of time to make it a better experience?

What was your experience like right after as far as interacting with the baby/recovering that day?

As far as recovery, when are you able to pick up your toddlers?

[weeklyplanner]

Literally was just contemplating posting this here or on parenting. My CS is Friday and I'm starting to get scared. Definitely following....

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2017 9:40:16 GMT -5 weeklyplanner said:

Literally was just contemplating posting this here or on parenting. My CS is Friday and I'm starting to get scared. Definitely following....

I figured I'd have to wait a while to hear back here with everyone, you know, busy with newborns 😄 I will keep an eye out if you do a thead on parenting!

[weeklyplanner]

My good friend just had a c section in November, so I'll pass along what she told me while we wait!

- Baby was born. She got to see her, etc. They took the baby to weigh, etc. while she was being stitched up. So, for me, this is exactly what happened after my vaginal birth due to extreme tearing. I didn't get immediate skin to skin, etc. but all was fine and it didn't make a difference.

- Her DH stayed with the baby at all times. They were in recovery shortly after and she nursed for the first time there. Baby has been nursing like a champ ever since.

- she was on IV morphine for 24 hours then switched to oral pain meds.

- Clear liquid diet only until you pass gas. She had a 10:30 am c section and was able to eat breakfast the next morning. She didn't feel hungry at all during this time.

- The at night she sent the baby to the nursery, which she didn't do with her first. Nurses brought baby back to BF when needed. She thinks this sleep was very helpful for her recovery.

[silvermelody]

You can ask for skin to skin and breastfeeding while you're still on the operating table

Two weeks before you can drive or lift more than new baby's weight

[heybulldog56]

The plan was for baby to be handed over to me for skin-to-skin and BFing as soon as he was checked over. I requested a clear screen so I was able to see him being born. Now, because of his respiratory distress, I only got ten minutes with him before NICU team took him away. If all goes well, you should be able to request, and receive, skin-to-skin time while you are stitched up. Definitely make sure the operating team is aware of this if you want it.

Pain meds: I was hooked up to my pain meds via catheter in my back. I should have been on it for 12 hours but I requested to have it removed early so that I could go to NICU ASAP. After it was removed I was receiving oxy and Motrin. My advice: keep ahead of the pain and take what you are offered! I felt pretty good so I was declining the full dose of pain meds. All of a sudden I went from feeling good to feeling like my incision and uterus were on fire. I wish I had listened to the nurses' advice and taken the meds to keep ahead of the pain rather than wait to hurt before taking them.

Let me know if you have any more questions. The experience is still very fresh in my mind

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 17, 2017 11:18:29 GMT -5 heybulldog56 said:

The plan was for baby to be handed over to me for skin-to-skin and BFing as soon as he was checked over. I requested a clear screen so I was able to see him being born. Now, because of his respiratory distress, I only got ten minutes with him before NICU team took him away. If all goes well, you should be able to request, and receive, skin-to-skin time while you are stitched up. Definitely make sure the operating team is aware of this if you want it.

Pain meds: I was hooked up to my pain meds via catheter in my back. I should have been on it for 12 hours but I requested to have it removed early so that I could go to NICU ASAP. After it was removed I was receiving oxy and Motrin. My advice: keep ahead of the pain and take what you are offered! I felt pretty good so I was declining the full dose of pain meds. All of a sudden I went from feeling good to feeling like my incision and uterus were on fire. I wish I had listened to the nurses' advice and taken the meds to keep ahead of the pain rather than wait to hurt before taking them.

Let me know if you have any more questions. The experience is still very fresh in my mind

A clear screen? So you could see your incision/insides too? You're pretty bad ass!

[heybulldog56]

weeklyplanner, oh no way! It was a clear "window" in the center of the blue screen. They kept it closed until right before they pulled baby out. They unsnapped the window so I could see as baby was born and then shut it while they stitched me up. No way could I handle seeing my insides! Dh did peek and he was fascinated. I told him I'd cut his balls off he narrated or described what he saw.

[lakegirl]

That was mh with my epi. The nurses requested he sit down and he was like nah, I'm good. No you really need to sit they said so he did. Said he was glad he did because it was some matrix level stuff!

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 17, 2017 12:48:27 GMT -5 lakegirl said:

That was mh with my epi. The nurses requested he sit down and he was like nah, I'm good. No you really need to sit they said so he did. Said he was glad he did because it was some matrix level stuff!

I know someone whose husband passed out and ended up in the ER for most of her labor due to the epidural. It's not policy at that hospital that husbands leave the room. My DH went and got a cheesesteak while I got my epi. #priorities

[geauxtigers79]

For my first scheduled section they brought me into the OR to do the epidural while DH waited outside. Epidural in, catheter in, all draped and ready to go. First incision was at 9:08 and baby girl was born at 9:18. It goes by fast!! They showed her to me then took her to a "warm room" in the OR to clean her and weigh her -
DH was with her the entire time. He brought her out and we spent time together while I was being closed up. DH and baby nurses too DD to nursery for a bit (not sure what they did) and I went to recovery. Shortly after they brought DD back and we attempted nursing and had skin to skin time.

A few things that stick out to me:

The Epi - not sure if you had one last time but it's weird. Doesn't hurt at all just super weird to me!

When they take the baby out - it will take your breath away!! I literally felt like I couldn't breathe while they removed her. My doctor said there was going to be a LOT of pressure and asked if I was ready. I vividly remember telling her that she should describe it as being kicked in the chest by a donkey lol. Again it didn't hurt but just weird.

Each hospital/doctor has different regs on skin to skin, dropping the drape so you can see, etc.

Nausea meds - the nurse anesthetist asked me constantly how I was feeling and told me to tell him immediately if I felt or even thought I felt nauseated. He was great!! After he also gave me something for anxiety bc I guess I was a mess. He asked me if I needed anything and I said "yea, a big ass Jack n coke." To which he replied - oh I can do a whole lot better than that and you won't have a hangover!! It was glorious! I had lots of fibroids and my doctor was checking those out so closing me up took a little longer than expected.

DH - was a champ. I threatened him to not look bc I didn't want him to pass out lol. He watched the entire surgery and narrated parts of it to me. And my OB played show and tell with my uterus showing him all of the fibroids. He also got AMAZING pictures of DD being born! I'm hoping for the same pics with DS coming out!

Where I deliver they have a policy that you keep the catheter and stay in bed for 24 hours after surgery. That part totally and completely sucked to me - I was SO ready to get up and moving!!

Liquid diet at first, then graduate to solids as tolerated. I don't remember being hungry at all.

Morphine pump through IV in arm for first 24 hours too. I didn't use this at all until the nurse was about to remove it. She strongly suggested that I use it before she took it away - so I used it then took a shower.

My best advice is get up and moving as often and as much as you can. I really attribute that to healing without much pain at all last time. I'm really hoping for a repeat performance this time around as well!! Definitely stay ahead of the pain. Don't wait to start hurting to take something - even if it's just Motrin - take something!!

Ask any questions you have - I'm trying to remember all the details!

[heybulldog56]

geauxtigers79, best description ever of baby being taken out! It really did feel like a donkey kicked me in the chest! I told H I couldn't talk to him because I had no air. It's such a weird feeling!

[Deleted]

Thanks so much @geuxtigers79 that is so helpful to hear.

My OB mentioned an anti anxiety med afterwards, I might take her up on that. I just don't want to be too out of it.

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 17, 2017 13:34:07 GMT -5 heybulldog56 said:

geauxtigers79, best description ever of baby being taken out! It really did feel like a donkey kicked me in the chest! I told H I couldn't talk to him because I had no air. It's such a weird feeling!

How long does this feeling last? It sounds kind of freaky!

[heybulldog56]

Jan 17, 2017 14:50:10 GMT -5 weeklyplanner said:

Jan 17, 2017 13:34:07 GMT -5 heybulldog56 said:

geauxtigers79, best description ever of baby being taken out! It really did feel like a donkey kicked me in the chest! I told H I couldn't talk to him because I had no air. It's such a weird feeling!

How long does this feeling last? It sounds kind of freaky!

Less than 5 minutes, probably like 2? It was only the moments right before baby was delivered.

[geauxtigers79]

Jan 17, 2017 14:50:10 GMT -5 weeklyplanner said:

Jan 17, 2017 13:34:07 GMT -5 heybulldog56 said:

geauxtigers79, best description ever of baby being taken out! It really did feel like a donkey kicked me in the chest! I told H I couldn't talk to him because I had no air. It's such a weird feeling!

How long does this feeling last? It sounds kind of freaky!

Yea - it's not very long at all. It's just while they are actually removing the baby - not the entire time. My surgery was 10 minutes from first incision to when she was out and that feeling only lasted a very small portion of that time.

[geauxtigers79]

Leading up to actual delivery I don't remember much other than pressure. And after delivery when H and DD weren't around I remember my OB telling me repeatedly that the section was the definitely the right decision with the fibroids, I remember my nose being ridiculously dry and stuffy from the oxygen and crying, and the nurse anesthetist drying my eyes. Again, he was amazing.

No one warned me about this part - they put my arms out (imagine standing to resemble a "T" shape) and then they actually used soft restraints on my wrists and covered my arms with warm, heavy blankets. I found it odd, but didn't really bother me and then blankets were nice. If I hadn't had my head turned talking to the nurse I would've never known about the restraints - I saw them going on.

[weeklyplanner]

Oh geez...I didn't realize how anxious I was about this surgery. I'm feeling so claustrophobic about being strapped to a table. And my friend said she couldn't get out of bed for 24 hours.



ETA: Bring on the anxiety meds asap. I hope I get offered something.

[heybulldog56]

I forgot about the arms. So weird having my arms out to my sides like that. It was awkward but didnt bother me.
I didn't have to be in bed for 24 hours. My doctors told me they have to remove the epi or whatever is being administered via back catheter no later than 24 hours after surgery. They allowed me to take it out 12 hours after so that I could go to the NICU. It also meant I started the pilll painkillers sooner.

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 17, 2017 16:23:28 GMT -5 heybulldog56 said:

I forgot about the arms. So weird having my arms out to my sides like that. It was awkward but didnt bother me.
I didn't have to be in bed for 24 hours. My doctors told me they have to remove the epi or whatever is being administered via back catheter no later than 24 hours after surgery. They allowed me to take it out 12 hours after so that I could go to the NICU. It also meant I started the pilll painkillers sooner.

Good to know. If I'm feeling up to it, maybe I can request to get up sooner if my Dr is doing this 24 hour thing.

[geauxtigers79]

weeklyplanner don't stress about it! I'm sorry if I upset you - just wanted to prepare you for things no one told me.

I can't stress how not a big deal the entire procedure really is (I mean it's a big deal, but it's not if that makes sense).

Each hospital is different with the 24 hour rule - never hurts to ask if you can get up earlier!

You will do great!

[vlagroupie]

weeklyplanner is this your first c/s? My first I was very anxious of the unknown, I had never had a major surgery or even been in the hospital before. But like geauxtiger said it's a big deal but not a big deal really. It's hard to explain but you will recover quicker than you think and like pp said stay on top of the pain meds. If they offer you 2, take 2. That was a mistake I made with my first, I thought oh I'll just take 1 but it wasn't enough.
Oh and I would recommend walking around as soon as they let you. My rcs was at 11:30 and I think I was up and walking around 830 that evening. Every day I took a walk up and down the hallway too and I really think that helped. The recovery for this baby seemed so much faster and easier than previous c.

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 17, 2017 20:10:36 GMT -5 vlagroupie said:

weeklyplanner is this your first c/s? My first I was very anxious of the unknown, I had never had a major surgery or even been in the hospital before. But like geauxtiger said it's a big deal but not a big deal really. It's hard to explain but you will recover quicker than you think and like pp said stay on top of the pain meds. If they offer you 2, take 2. That was a mistake I made with my first, I thought oh I'll just take 1 but it wasn't enough.
Oh and I would recommend walking around as soon as they let you. My rcs was at 11:30 and I think I was up and walking around 830 that evening. Every day I took a walk up and down the hallway too and I really think that helped. The recovery for this baby seemed so much faster and easier than previous c.

Yes it's my first. I thought I was handling it ok, but I'm definitely feeling scared. I kind of just want it over with at this point, but it's not until Friday.

[heybulldog56]

@weeklyplanner, it's all going to be fine. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to let them know what you want and how you feel. It is scary and I won't pretend I wasn't scared for my second one. I just kept reminding myself that they knew what they were doing and that I had to stay calm for myself and my baby. Taking deep breaths and visualizing also helped. I was seriously amazed at how... not bad the surgery was. Even the recovery has been unexpectedly easy. I will happily answer any more questions you have or go into more detail on anything you are curious about.

[geauxtigers79]

weeklyplanner I agree with everything above. Don't hesitate to let them know how you're feeling and to ask questions! You will amaze yourself at how strong you are!! You're gonna do great!! The anticipation is definitely MUCH worse than the actual event!

[biscotto]

I will reply to this when I am on my computer later but a c-section in Switzerland is different, especially pain meds.

[peaseblossom55]

I agree with keeping up with the pain meds. I tried to be a hero and cut back at one point but I was in too much pain. Just follow
Their schedule.

[biscotto]

Is there anything I should request ahead of time to make it a better experience? With DD, I didn't get to see her until about 5 min after she was born... I would ask to be able to see the baby immediately, with DS they held him up over the curtain. My hospital didn't offer "gentle" c-sections so I couldn't really request much.

What was your experience like right after as far as interacting with the baby/recovering that day? DS was brought to me in the recovery room, where I stayed for about 3 hours. It was the same with DD. With DD, we tried nursing there as well. With DS, I gave him his first bottle in the recovery room. Both times, my babies stayed in my room, there is no nursery at my hospital.

With DD, she was born at 2:45am and I walked to the bathroom in our room by 7:45am and was able to take a small walk around the maternity wing later that afternoon. DS was born at 12 noon, the anesthesia I had with him was stronger, but I did walk to the bathroom at 8pm. The next day I took a shower and walked to another room to do the bath and speak with the pediatrician, I almost passed out twice there. The rest of the day I laid in bed. I was able to walk the next day.

The only pain killers I had was the initial morphine directly after the surgery. Then an IV of paracetamol, it didn't work well and was given Oxycontin which I took for two days, in addition to paracetamol and ibuprofen. By day 3 I was fine with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. I stopped taking everything by day 6.

2nd recovery has been harder.

As far as recovery, when are you able to pick up your toddlers? I'm able to pick up DD for a short period of time now, exactly 2 weeks PP.

[bazinga]

My experience was like others described with a few minor differences...

-skin to skin in OR while being closed up after LO was all checked out, assuming no issues with either of us. With DS1 (vaginal attepmt turned CS) the nicu team took him back to my room early for monitiring of his breathing. This time DS2 was with me until they were almost done with me.

-I was laid out like a cross but my wrists weren't strapped and once they got started I was able to bring my arms in to my chest if I wanted. However your feeling, tell them and ask questions - don't worry in silence. The procedure is understandably nerve-wracking but you'll do fine.

-I had iv pain meds for about 12 hrs or do, until the spinal wore off yhen switched to oral percocet and ibuprofren. Definately take them both and on schedule and call for them if the nurses aren't there on time. My Ob staggered the 2 drugs by 3hr so they never ran out st the same time and recommended to wait for at least a couple of days before trying to lower the dose.

-they had me up out of bed a couple of hours after the spinal wore off. Catheter in for 24hrs. Iv removed after 3 measured pees post catheter removal.

- once you're cleared to be up without support, move about regularly. It helps with the gas as well as getting you mobile.

- no lifting anything heavier than baby in car seat for 2 weeks. As difficult as it has been, not lifting my 40lb 3yr old is the right thing still and I'm almost 3 weeks out. Listen to your body and don't over do it.

I had an easy first recovery but had a set back after about 1 wk after tackling housework. I learned and have tried not to over do it this time and have recovered quickly this time too.

- I was cleared to drive 24hr after last dose of pain meds, so long as I could comfortably wear the seat belt. This was 6 days post CS for me. It felt great to be free!

[Deleted]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, everyone! It's so helpful to hear. It's funny, as soon as the warm blankets were mentioned I had a memory of them. I'm glad everyone is recovering well.
weeklyplanner I will try to update on my experience before you go in Friday!