Questions & trying to wrap my head around this

[Tigerlily01]

I just found out I'll most likely be having a c-section. I have a couple questions...

1) Is there anything I should be doing to prepare physically for this, that would assist recovery?

2) If I want to breastfeed, is that going to be more complicated now?

3) I'd planned on OH and I being on our own at home for a week before inviting my mom to come visit/help...is that a good timeline, or do you think I'll need help sooner (or will I need more recovery time before she comes)?

4) Is my scar gonna be numb permanently?

5) Will the spinal give me a sore back at the injection site permanently, like you hear sometimes happens with epidurals?

I never imagined I'd have a c-section, so I'm really clueless!!

 

[Melly Belly]

1) Is there anything I should be doing to prepare physically for this, that would assist recovery?

The only thing i would say is if you dont have to, dont push yourself too hard, get up and walk and get moving, but try to avoid steps, dont try to cook dinner, dont try to lift more than the weight of baby, and let yourself recover..it is major surgery, and my first instinct was "oh my goodness, i need to get all these things done!"

2) If I want to breastfeed, is that going to be more complicated now? Is there anything I need to ask about/be aware of with respect to breastfeeding after a section?

I didnt have any problem with the actual act of breastfeeding, she just decided that she didnt want to latch on once we got home, and seemed like she wasnt getting enough to eat (she was screaming at the top of her lungs nonstop!) You might have some soreness and i think they recommend the "football" hold for c-sec mommas

3) I'd planned on OH and I being on our own at home for a week before inviting my mom to come visit/help...is that a good timeline, or do you think I'll need help sooner (or will I need more recovery time before she comes)?

My mom and dad came out the day after we came home from the hospital, and they helped out sooo much with cooking and getting me out of the house for a little while...it was a godsend that they were here for that time, as DH cannot cook and i was feeling confined from being in hospital and then stuck at home

4) Is my scar gonna be numb permanently? I keep hearing stories where people never get feeling back, but I don't know if that's common or not.

My scar didnt seem to be numb at all, im 8 weeks PP this week and i can feel pressure and my fingernails around and on it, so it probably varies with everyone

5) Will the spinal give me a sore back at the injection site permanently, like you hear sometimes happens with epidurals, or is that rare?

I had an epidural, and didnt notice any lasting effects...i was a little itchy at the site for about a week afterwards, but other than that, no ill effects....i will mention that i had a Spinal Tap a few years ago and had a TERRIBLE post spinal headache, so i was worried, but everything was ok...my CRNA was wonderful!

 

[Tigerlily01]

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[klsltsp]

you're not silly. Is there anyway that you can have someone else there? I had my mom at the hospital so that if they had to take the baby one person would be with the baby and one person with me

I had no trouble breastfeeding told them i wanted to try right away and they did that for me.

THe planned section is fantastic, recovery is much better than having laboured first, the docs get to take their time cutting and stitching up etc. I had no problem getting around, but do rest lots.

Good luck! and it may not be the birth you initially planned, but it can still be wonderful.

 

[Tigerlily01]

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[minties]

1) Is there anything I should be doing to prepare physically for this, that would assist recovery?

I don't think so. More helpful would be to have meals prepared and frozen, as you'll need lots of rest.

2) If I want to breastfeed, is that going to be more complicated now? Is there anything I need to ask about/be aware of with respect to breastfeeding after a section?

I breastfed absolutely fine with 2 c-sections. I had gestational diabetes with my second and was told that may have an effect but it didn't make a difference, and my milk came in much faster actually.

3) I'd planned on OH and I being on our own at home for a week before inviting my mom to come visit/help...is that a good timeline, or do you think I'll need help sooner (or will I need more recovery time before she comes)?

If you OH will be at home with you, you won't need any other help.

4) Is my scar gonna be numb permanently? I keep hearing stories where people never get feeling back, but I don't know if that's common or not.

About 3 inches above my scar is totally numb (my kids are 3.5 and 19 months).

5) Will the spinal give me a sore back at the injection site permanently, like you hear sometimes happens with epidurals, or is that rare?

I've had one epidural and one spinal and no issues at all. Didn't have any pain the day or, or any days after and I am overweight too so it took them a while to get the needle in both times.

 

[Melly Belly]

Thank you!

Is it totally weird (and wimpy) that I'm terrified of having OH leave my side at any point during surgery or recovery? The doctor said I can hold the baby in the OR while she stitches me if everything is going well. But if they need to take baby away for a little while, I think partners usually go with the baby and I don't want him to leave me there by myself! Do you think he HAS to go with the baby? I really want all 3 of us together the whole time, but if that can't happen I don't want him to let go of my hand! Am I totally overreacting?

I know with my csection they made the initial incision, then brought my husband in, and he stayed in there until they wheeled me back to the room (he walked back with me while they wheeled us, i had to ask him, i didnt remember this part ), and i held her on the way back to the room, and then once we were back, we did kangaroo care and she fed for the first time, then they came in, weighed her and did all her mesurements, etc. then they had me hold her while we went up to the post partum unit....it probably will be different policies depending on where you are, but pretty much unless they were doing her shot or something where they wanted her at the nursery, she stayed with us in the room the whole three days post partum

 

[Citrine]

I don't remember having any real problems after my EMCS. Except when I was breast feeding I had the worst uterus contractions ever. I didn't even know about these. Not sure if they were worse since I had a c section maybe but they really hurt. Had to use a heat pad to ease the pain. Good luck with yours