Csections
- Thread starter darkchild16
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Anything and everything. I am 99% sure I will be having one this summer. My doctor refuses to let me have a baby the size of my other two vaginally after everything I have been through. My mom will be here for 2 weeks so I will have help but I have NO clue what to expect. Everyone is telling me something different. WIth Bev I had 3rd degree tears so the not being able to get up for weeks on end is NOT foreign to me. Other then that I know NO one really that has had both or one period for that matter except my aunt and she didnt have any other YOUNG kids at home either.
First off, I am assuming you are having another little one? Congrats!
I have not had any vaginal births, but I have had 2 c-sections. What would you like to know?
You will definitely want some help the first week with another little one at home. You will not be able to carry them for a couple weeks. It is also hard when they don't understand that they can't climb on you.
I have not had any vaginal births, but I have had 2 c-sections. What would you like to know?
You will definitely want some help the first week with another little one at home. You will not be able to carry them for a couple weeks. It is also hard when they don't understand that they can't climb on you.
Yep. We had another surprise (that is getting fixed this time thank god) and Jeremy got his little girl due July 17th (this one is due 3 days AFTER my bday).
Thanks
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I know all the shows on TLC have you strapped down to the table how common is that? ALso that weird drink they have women take WHAT is that LOL. Any tips and anything really. This is so new to me and my OB is a male soooo I would like a females input LOL.
Thanks
.I know all the shows on TLC have you strapped down to the table how common is that? ALso that weird drink they have women take WHAT is that LOL. Any tips and anything really. This is so new to me and my OB is a male soooo I would like a females input LOL.
The actual surgery, if it is planned, you would go in and get an IV and a blood draw. (If planned they my allow you to do the pre-surgery blood draw a day or 2 in advance if they have pre-registration stuff) That will probably happen a couple hours before your scheduled c-section. Shortly before the c/s they will probably give you a little drink that is supposed to help reduce the acid in your stomach or something to help keep you from getting sick. (I have not gotten sick during either of my c/s, though some people I know have, but I think it was from their bp dropping and my bp was high) Then you will go down to the OR. They will take you in first. It will be freezing cold, you will sit on the table and you will have to somewhat hunch over while the anesthesiologist puts in the spinal. They will lay you back and strap your wrists out to your sides. Then they will bring your husband in. They will test and ask if you feel pokes before cutting you. Baby is usually out in first 10 minutes, then you don't notice much of the rest because you are so busy paying attention to the baby. When they go to get baby out though they will put a lot of pressure on your chest. Probably the most uncomfortable part of the c/s with my 2nd. With my first I got a really bad shoulder pain, which can happen when air gets inside because your cut open. Didn't happen the 2nd time around, and don't know anyone else that happened to, so probably not likely. They will unstrap your arms so you can touch your baby when they bring the baby to you. You get to spend a bit of time loving on the baby then they will clean baby and take footprints, etc. You can see it all from the bed. Daddy will then take the baby down to the nursery while they finish sewing you up, and you will go to recovery. Depending on your hospital policy, you may or may not be able to have your baby in recovery. First time I wasn't allowed, 2nd time I was going to, but she needed to be on oxygen for a couple hours so I didn't get to. You will be in recovery about an hour before going to your room. Most of the details surrounding that will depend on your hospital.
As far as recovery....you will have a cath for the first day. They will want you to start walking several hours after your c/s. Day 2 is the hardest day physically. Day 2 about the best I do is getting up to pee after the cath is removed. You will be on liquid diet for the first 24 hours or so, but definitely try to drink some broth and start eating as soon as you feel you can and they will let you. I know you have had problems with anemia in the past, I did too. I was very close to having a blood transfusion, but luckily didn't need one. Be very careful getting up and down afterwards, not only because your sore, but I got very dizzy, especially that 2nd day until I could start eating food.
They will push on your stomach ( I think they do this after vaginal too, but then you don't have an incision across your abdomen) this hurts quite a bit.
The first few days especially, take your meds on time even if you think you are feeling fine. Once the pain comes back, it is a lot harder to get to go away. I made this mistake and it was AWFUL. In the spinal it includes some kind of pain med that is supposed to last the first 8-12 hours or so. When it starts wearing off, I itched like crazy.
Ummm....trying to think if there is anything else to add....if you have any questions let me know!
As far as recovery....you will have a cath for the first day. They will want you to start walking several hours after your c/s. Day 2 is the hardest day physically. Day 2 about the best I do is getting up to pee after the cath is removed. You will be on liquid diet for the first 24 hours or so, but definitely try to drink some broth and start eating as soon as you feel you can and they will let you. I know you have had problems with anemia in the past, I did too. I was very close to having a blood transfusion, but luckily didn't need one. Be very careful getting up and down afterwards, not only because your sore, but I got very dizzy, especially that 2nd day until I could start eating food.
They will push on your stomach ( I think they do this after vaginal too, but then you don't have an incision across your abdomen) this hurts quite a bit.
The first few days especially, take your meds on time even if you think you are feeling fine. Once the pain comes back, it is a lot harder to get to go away. I made this mistake and it was AWFUL. In the spinal it includes some kind of pain med that is supposed to last the first 8-12 hours or so. When it starts wearing off, I itched like crazy.
Ummm....trying to think if there is anything else to add....if you have any questions let me know!
If it all possible, WAIT until you go into labor naturally. Then go in and have your c-section. I know docs dont like doing it that way but it really helps you and the baby.
My first c-section I was on pitocin for like 28 hours and held off on the epidural for about 18 or 20 of those. I dont regret doing that BUT I was really really stiff and sore after that one. I dont do well with drugs as it is. For weeks I was really sore and had a hard time getting around etc.
Now, with my son, he was a planned homebirth. I labored at home for a good 18 hours or so before I realized I needed help so I transferred. I was on the epidural for probably about 7 hours before we decided to section. I recovered MUCH faster with him, was actually up and walking around, getting dressed easily, going out etc within days. I mean, I took it slow, but it was doable. I attribute it to my body not being as worn out...his labor was actually worse (my sciatic nerve was going nuts) but it was natural and not drug pushed so I healed much better from it. I also took arnica which I think really helped.
And yes, take the pain meds. With Lilah I took them when I needed or got around to remembering. With Cian, I made the schedule and took them on the dot round the clock.
My first c-section I was on pitocin for like 28 hours and held off on the epidural for about 18 or 20 of those. I dont regret doing that BUT I was really really stiff and sore after that one. I dont do well with drugs as it is. For weeks I was really sore and had a hard time getting around etc.
Now, with my son, he was a planned homebirth. I labored at home for a good 18 hours or so before I realized I needed help so I transferred. I was on the epidural for probably about 7 hours before we decided to section. I recovered MUCH faster with him, was actually up and walking around, getting dressed easily, going out etc within days. I mean, I took it slow, but it was doable. I attribute it to my body not being as worn out...his labor was actually worse (my sciatic nerve was going nuts) but it was natural and not drug pushed so I healed much better from it. I also took arnica which I think really helped.
And yes, take the pain meds. With Lilah I took them when I needed or got around to remembering. With Cian, I made the schedule and took them on the dot round the clock.
I dont know how we are doing it yet I would prefer to do it before then LOL. Mostly so my mom KNOWS when to come up because she doesnt want to be here before since Im going to need her longer after also when shes due I do not want to go in 4th of July and everyone else be in there with emergency csections or something knowing my luck LOL. Were either of you allowed to have someone else come in once the baby was taken to the nursery to keep you company/distracted while they sewed you up?
Oh definitely. My babies did not go to the nursery. My husband and doula both came in with me. Little hint, if needed, my husband faints during some medical procedures. He is very empathetic and it runs in his family...anyways, I put a bit of lavender oil on his surgical mask to help keep him calm and it worked!
Anyway, he went over and hung with the baby (in the same room though) while my doula stayed with me while I was sewn up. Then the baby went back to me to hold while we wheeled back to my room so I could nurse, settle in, etc. Now, with Lilah, again, the epidural really messed with me and I was almost passing out towards the end. Then I got the shakes really bad and was kind of flopping like a fish on the table. They were trying to hand lilah to me to get us out of the OR and I was like NO way. They broke the "rules" and let DH carry her back.
Anyway, he went over and hung with the baby (in the same room though) while my doula stayed with me while I was sewn up. Then the baby went back to me to hold while we wheeled back to my room so I could nurse, settle in, etc. Now, with Lilah, again, the epidural really messed with me and I was almost passing out towards the end. Then I got the shakes really bad and was kind of flopping like a fish on the table. They were trying to hand lilah to me to get us out of the OR and I was like NO way. They broke the "rules" and let DH carry her back.
It really depends on your hospital policies. In our hospital after your hubby leaves with baby, then no one comes in, but I was not in there for very long after they left before they were done and going to recovery. I have also always had great anesthesiologists (they stay there by your head the whole time, explaining what is going on, making sure you aren't feeling nauseous, etc.) and the nurses have always been great too. In recovery my husband was able to come back this time, but the first time he wasn't. But a nurse was in there with me the whole time.
I know in our hospital you cannot keep the baby the whole time, and NO ONE can carry the baby anywhere in the hallways. The baby has to be wrapped in a hospital blanket and in the cart to go anywhere.
Personally if you are certain you will be having a c-section, I would plan it. You can plan it for your due date, if you normally go over and don't feel comfortable going early. It is good so that you can have someone prepared to take care of your other kids, and I think the atmosphere of a planned c-section is much better than an emergency.
As far as with Mason afterwards, the hardest part was that for the first week or so, he couldn't hardly sit on me because that boy can not sit still. The first night in the hospital he was sitting next to me in the hospital bed, and then tried to get up, and of course he uses me to push himself up, and that hurt. He LOVES his Grammy though, and she was here for a week after I got home, and when she is here, he wants Grammy for everything. So while sometimes that makes me sad, it was very helpful when I was recovering. Also I don't know if you normally do bath time, but it might be helpful if your hubby can maybe take over that early before she arrives so he can be used to that. My hubby has always been great about doing bath/bed with the kids, so Mason was already used to that. Mason was not really too interested in the baby for quite some time.
You will also need someone to drive you to the baby's first doctor appointment which is usually a couple days after getting out. They say no driving for 2 weeks, but really it is until you feel like you can move quick and easy enough to be able to slam on the breaks.
I know in our hospital you cannot keep the baby the whole time, and NO ONE can carry the baby anywhere in the hallways. The baby has to be wrapped in a hospital blanket and in the cart to go anywhere.
Personally if you are certain you will be having a c-section, I would plan it. You can plan it for your due date, if you normally go over and don't feel comfortable going early. It is good so that you can have someone prepared to take care of your other kids, and I think the atmosphere of a planned c-section is much better than an emergency.
As far as with Mason afterwards, the hardest part was that for the first week or so, he couldn't hardly sit on me because that boy can not sit still. The first night in the hospital he was sitting next to me in the hospital bed, and then tried to get up, and of course he uses me to push himself up, and that hurt. He LOVES his Grammy though, and she was here for a week after I got home, and when she is here, he wants Grammy for everything. So while sometimes that makes me sad, it was very helpful when I was recovering. Also I don't know if you normally do bath time, but it might be helpful if your hubby can maybe take over that early before she arrives so he can be used to that. My hubby has always been great about doing bath/bed with the kids, so Mason was already used to that. Mason was not really too interested in the baby for quite some time.
You will also need someone to drive you to the baby's first doctor appointment which is usually a couple days after getting out. They say no driving for 2 weeks, but really it is until you feel like you can move quick and easy enough to be able to slam on the breaks.
I'm sure things have changed, but my middle child was a c-section, she was breach. My first born was 20 months old when the second was born. I had staples not stitches. I was in the hospital for 5 days. For me that was too long, should have shortened that by a few days. My husband always took 2 weeks off after each baby was born so I did have help and he was wonderful with babies. Even when he went back to work, he still got up with the babies everynight, he wanted to. That said I didn't take any pain meds after the first 2 days. I don't like taking them unless I really really need it. To be honest the thing I found the hardest at the hospital was changing those ungodley pads we had to wear with belts. They didn't want us to wear underwear for the first few days so trying to get a pad on with those belts was tough. I am assuming they don't do that nowadays but I don't know. I had my baby in my room most of the time except for the times I went walking. I did a lot of walking in the hospital and after I got home and I do think that made things so much better. I was sore for the first 3-4 days after, but bounced back pretty quick. The hardest part was keeping my first son off my belly, he made me wince quite a few times.
I was fine to drive almost right away, but getting the kids in and out of the car was uncomfortable. It is definately harder than giving birth naturally, My third baby I had the choice of c-section or vaginal birth and I picked vaginal. I came home 24 hours later and felt wonderful. My c-section scar is horizontal and very low, so I could wear a bikini and you still couldn't see the scar.
I found it different than having say an appendix out, because there is so much joy involved in having a new baby, I really think that joy and the fact that you are fascinated with the baby while trying to show the other child attention still made me more active and that helps a lot with the recovery.
Good luck and congratulations.
I was fine to drive almost right away, but getting the kids in and out of the car was uncomfortable. It is definately harder than giving birth naturally, My third baby I had the choice of c-section or vaginal birth and I picked vaginal. I came home 24 hours later and felt wonderful. My c-section scar is horizontal and very low, so I could wear a bikini and you still couldn't see the scar.
I found it different than having say an appendix out, because there is so much joy involved in having a new baby, I really think that joy and the fact that you are fascinated with the baby while trying to show the other child attention still made me more active and that helps a lot with the recovery.
Good luck and congratulations.
My stay was 3 days, my sister got out after 2 days, she had a different OB (and was in over a holiday). My OB wanted me to stay 3 days. When they close you up in the OR, they will put staples in. Before you leave the hospital they will remove the staples and put on the steri-strips things. You keep those on for about 7 days and then you can take them off at home.
And Linda, they don't do the pad/belt thing now, you get mesh undies and as soon as you can get up and go to the bathroom, you can wear your own pads if you don't like the hospital ones.
I had pretty minimal bleeding after both of my c/s. I was expecting awful bleeding from many people who had vaginal births and had even heard to use like depends or something. My bleeding was pretty light and lasted about 3 weeks. I had bought a bunch of overnight pads because I was expecting it to be bad, and I didn't need much more than regular pads. I don't know if that is because they clean you out better with a c/s so you don't have as much to get rid of after, or just that it is different for everyone no matter what kind of birth you have.
And Linda, they don't do the pad/belt thing now, you get mesh undies and as soon as you can get up and go to the bathroom, you can wear your own pads if you don't like the hospital ones.
I had pretty minimal bleeding after both of my c/s. I was expecting awful bleeding from many people who had vaginal births and had even heard to use like depends or something. My bleeding was pretty light and lasted about 3 weeks. I had bought a bunch of overnight pads because I was expecting it to be bad, and I didn't need much more than regular pads. I don't know if that is because they clean you out better with a c/s so you don't have as much to get rid of after, or just that it is different for everyone no matter what kind of birth you have.
I don't really know what to say. I've had 3 c-sections, with 1 being a vertical incision (had to get Cole out in a super-hurry) and 2 being the standard horizontal incisions.
Yes, they hurt. I felt lots of burning at times, and I think the worst of the pain came about 2-3 weeks after the surgery as everything was healing up.
But with that said, I have a high pain tolerance. Pain isn't anything new, and I don't let it stop me. I lifted, carried, and held all my babies. Even with the third, I was still lifting the other two, and getting down on the floor and back up again.
I moved slower, and I took care when lowering myself down and getting back up (whether it be to sit or lie down), but that was about it.
One thing that many docs don't tell you is that you may leak serum (bloody/watery discharge) from your incision. It's no big deal, but it can get oogy especially since it's right about the waist of your panties. I bought panty liners and would slap one over the incision to help. Of course, since I had that MRSA in the incision after Cole was born, I spent a year leaking icky stuff.
I think people react differently. Some people follow all the post-surgery rules, others, such as myself, do not. lol
After Cole, I pretty much had a year's supply of Percocet to help me through (remember the MRSA and allergic reaction to the internal sutures thus they all popped out through my skin ). After Carson, I had 10 Lortab 7.5s to see me through. After Cooper, I had 6 Darvocet and was told to use them wisely. harharhar. I cut them in half and used them only as needed, but I live off 800 mb Ibuprofen anyway, so I pretty much stuck to that. 3 weeks after Cooper was born, I was pushing a jogging stroller and walking 3 miles a day.
My biggest advice, I suppose, is to stay on your Ibuprofen regimen every 6 hours. Keep the pain at bay without allowing it to take hold.
As far as hosptial stays go, I stayed 4 days with each one. That was the hardest part as I was away from Cole and then Cole and Carson.
Yes, they hurt. I felt lots of burning at times, and I think the worst of the pain came about 2-3 weeks after the surgery as everything was healing up.
But with that said, I have a high pain tolerance. Pain isn't anything new, and I don't let it stop me. I lifted, carried, and held all my babies. Even with the third, I was still lifting the other two, and getting down on the floor and back up again.
I moved slower, and I took care when lowering myself down and getting back up (whether it be to sit or lie down), but that was about it.
One thing that many docs don't tell you is that you may leak serum (bloody/watery discharge) from your incision. It's no big deal, but it can get oogy especially since it's right about the waist of your panties. I bought panty liners and would slap one over the incision to help. Of course, since I had that MRSA in the incision after Cole was born, I spent a year leaking icky stuff.
I think people react differently. Some people follow all the post-surgery rules, others, such as myself, do not. lol
After Cole, I pretty much had a year's supply of Percocet to help me through (remember the MRSA and allergic reaction to the internal sutures thus they all popped out through my skin
). After Carson, I had 10 Lortab 7.5s to see me through. After Cooper, I had 6 Darvocet and was told to use them wisely. harharhar. I cut them in half and used them only as needed, but I live off 800 mb Ibuprofen anyway, so I pretty much stuck to that. 3 weeks after Cooper was born, I was pushing a jogging stroller and walking 3 miles a day.My biggest advice, I suppose, is to stay on your Ibuprofen regimen every 6 hours. Keep the pain at bay without allowing it to take hold.
As far as hosptial stays go, I stayed 4 days with each one. That was the hardest part as I was away from Cole and then Cole and Carson.
My DD was vag 10 yrs ago and just last May I had a c/s. What specifically do you want to know?
With recovery my nurses urged me to do what I could. The more I moved the faster I recovered. Though don't overdo yourself either. You'll want to have meals frozen so they can just be microwaved, have someone come over daily to clean up for you and fetch you things from the store or whatever you need.
I don't know if you plan to breastfeed, but having a c/s can be harder to establish milk. Nurse as soon as you can and often. Use a pillow covering your incision so baby doesn't kick and hurt you. I had 2 or 3 pillows nearby me so I could prop my arm up and cover my incision. And I still nurse my DS (Now almost 1 yr) with a pillow under my arm.
Hold that pillow to your incision when you stand up and it will help you cope with the pain.
And be prepared for your stomach to be numb. Mine still is. From the incision all the way down I have limited feeling. That can remain for years.
Your welcome to PM me with other questions if you like. My oldest was a huge help after surgery. She's 10 yrs old so she was able to do a bit of light cooking, changing diapers, etc..
With recovery my nurses urged me to do what I could. The more I moved the faster I recovered. Though don't overdo yourself either. You'll want to have meals frozen so they can just be microwaved, have someone come over daily to clean up for you and fetch you things from the store or whatever you need.
I don't know if you plan to breastfeed, but having a c/s can be harder to establish milk. Nurse as soon as you can and often. Use a pillow covering your incision so baby doesn't kick and hurt you. I had 2 or 3 pillows nearby me so I could prop my arm up and cover my incision. And I still nurse my DS (Now almost 1 yr) with a pillow under my arm.
Hold that pillow to your incision when you stand up and it will help you cope with the pain.
And be prepared for your stomach to be numb. Mine still is. From the incision all the way down I have limited feeling. That can remain for years.
Your welcome to PM me with other questions if you like. My oldest was a huge help after surgery. She's 10 yrs old so she was able to do a bit of light cooking, changing diapers, etc..
Oh yeah, this is something I forgot to add. You will definitely want some underwear that is not low cut. That happened to me the first time, and I too had to have my mom go out and buy me some higher cut underwear.
I never had to use a pad or anything to cover my incision.
I followed the rules mostly, not because of the pain, but because I really did not want my incision to open up and get an infection or something.
I never had to use a pad or anything to cover my incision.
I followed the rules mostly, not because of the pain, but because I really did not want my incision to open up and get an infection or something.