Any advice for a C-section?

[BurtonBaby]

Hello ladies,
I'm going in tomorrow morning for my section. Will be in the hospital for 4 nights afterwards. Do any of you have advice for the recovery or the surgery in general? I've heard that as soon as the nurse wants to help you walk around, get up and do it, even if it hurts at first. But any other advice?
Thanks!!

 

[Vickie]

No advice but wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow! Only a few more hours and you'll be holding your LO in your arms

 

[welshcakes79]

Hi BurtonBaby, i had my C-Section 8 weeks ago and i have to say for me personaly it was THE best birth experience ever, the surgery itself goes by soooo fast and you dont feel a thing, your anaesthasist and nurse will talking to you the whole time making sure your ok, and then before you know it your baby cries, the first night i was on meds through IV then from the next day i was on very strong painkiller tablets and anti infalmatory tablets every 4 hours then after 48 hours it was whenever i asked for them, the next morning 16 hours after my surgery i was up and having a shower, even with a drainage bag in my scar... good luck for tomorow even though i know your prob very nervous but im sure it will all be ok big and good luck XXX

 

[marley2580]

Try and hold your LO asap to get that skin to skin contact. If I end up with a section next time I'm going to ask for the screen to be lowered so I can see the baby being born, but this might not be for you. Don't be afraid to ask the midwives/nurses to pick up the baby for you as you won't be able to do it yourself for the first day or so. Get propped up on some pillows as it's very painful to try and sit up. Good luck

 

[ColtonsMom]

I ended up going for an emergency c-section almost 2.5 weeks ago. I think next time I will do what marley said aswell, as I'd like to see my baby more. I was so drugged up that they just threw the sheet over my head. I couldn't see anything!
Also, with the recovery. When you are getting up at the hospital the bed is really useful because you can raise it and it makes it less painful when getting up (because you can then use those muscles less), but when you come home you dont have that bed. I was hurting so bad everytime I would get up when I got home, and they had given me this packet, which I wish I had read (like they said to) when they gave it to me. But it said to put a pillow or something against the incision and apply pressure when getting up and down. Well, I just used my arm in a bent position, but it made getting up and down SO MUCH easier! I wish I had read that packet so much sooner! It was like cake after that (compared to before anyways )! So make sure you apply pressure when getting up and down!!

 

[fifi83]

Good Luck for tom xxx

 

[Helen]

If you're at all squeamish don't look up into the light above you as they have reflective bits on! We thought that the screen was lower than we expected. I couldn't see anything, but DH said he had to keep ducking down so as not to see.

You can't eat or drink for so long beforehand, but take a bottle of water so that you can swill your mouth out while you wait if you feel thirsty. You just have to spit.

The birth bit is really quick though I thought the stiching up seemed to take ages. It's a funny sorta sensation. A bit like someone washing up in your tummy but it doesn't hurt at all. Just funny weird. Also, I thought it was quite noisy in the room. I dunno what I expected really but with music playing in there, loadsa folk about (there's more with twins so it probably won't be that bad for you) and two babies crying it was quite loud!

Make sure DH has camera with him!

Definitely get up and about as soon as you are able. Stand up as straight as you can. Don't be afraid to ask for help getting about. Make sure you take all the pain killers you are offered! BUT Don't do too much either.

Good luck! I'd agree with Welshcakes.... a planned c-section is a great birth experience!

 

[BurtonBaby]

Thank you so much ladies! I cant even watch them poke me with the needle when taking my blood, so I def can not watch them to the surgery. Even tho it would be awesome to actually see our baby being born. DH wants to watch tho. Helen, that is a good idea about swishing water in my mouth! I cant eat after midnight, and cant drink and clear fluids after 3:30am. And I'm sure I will get very thirsty. All of your girls advice was GREAT! Thank you so much! I have no idea what really to expect, and I had a pre-op visit today, and they didn't answer my questions! They told me to ask tomorrow!!

I'm also very happy to hear that you girls had such good experiences. I'm so thrilled and excited to meet our baby, but I'm terrified of the surgery! Your girls words are very reassuring, thank you!

 

[akamummy]

Good luck tomorow chicken!
You are going to be fine! As for no fluids etc before surgery try ice chips or little blocks of ice...yes you can swallow that water...
When I had my c-section my hubby could see everything...even though he was sitting at my head! I asked the Drs if I could have a mirror to watch the surgery but they said "NO, it might make you feel sick"...but at least hubby could see (even though he said he couldnt see anything at the time! He didnt want me to get jelous
).
You will be fine...just remember to get out of bed S...L...O...W...L...Y afterwards! And make sure no one makes you laugh! IT KILLS!!!!!! You never realise how much you use your stomache muscles for getting in and out of bed! Remember to roll on your side first and then sit up before getting out of bed! OTHERWISE YOU WILL KNOW ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!!!

 

[ColtonsMom]

You never realise how much you use your stomache muscles

OMG! You have no idea how many times I have said that!! Not only with laughing, but with everything!! It hurts to try and fart (sorry if TMI!), which I 'had' to do before leaving the hospital so they knew everything was 'working right', and it hurts to push up a BURP!! Seriously! I couldnt burp for days! It was bad!

 

[Holldoll]

I have no advice, but good luck! I'm very excited for you!!!

 

[leeanne]

Wishing you much luck for tomorrow!

The biggest advice I will give is to ensure you bother the nurses every four hours for your pain medication. Don't be afraid to bother them! It's best to keep the pain medication overlapping in your system.

During my first C-section I didn't bother them and they would come in 1 to 1 1/2 hours late. The pain was harsh. The second time, I made sure I bugged them and I was walking around with my baby the next morning.

And don't be afraid to ask them for assistance with your baby, etc.

Another thing, maybe TMI, but let go of your stomach gases when you need to. The helps move your system. My first bowel movement after my first took a week and it was like having another kid again. I was too modest to let go of the gases.

 

[Melissattc#4]

There are two helpful things I learned one is during the c-section don't get nervous when they push down on your upper stomach it takes your breath away for a few seconds then your fine .Two is after the c-section wear the binder as long as possible it makes you heal better that's what my doctor told me. I have Had1 vaginal birth 2 c-sections one emergency and 1 planned and i am now trying to conceieve again so it will be another c-section. Good Luck you will do fine get up and walk straight when they let you up don't bend over..Oh yeah make sure you eat something or drink something that normally would go through you it helps move the gas and resume normal bowel movements.A coffe coolata from Dunkin donuts or a Cheeseburger from Mcdonalds usually does the trick me my sisters and my girlfriends swear by it.Well Good Luck Again Take care