C-section question

Aren't I little miss thread starter today. Can you tell I don't feel like working?

I am going to have a scheduled c-section May 5th. My doctor decided that was best this time around due to complications I had after having Kevin vaginally. I could use the advice of those of you have had c-sections.

What should I do to prepare (both mentally and physically)? What are the really important things to know? What can I do to help my recovery after?

Thanks

My soon to be sister in law Lexi has had 2 C-sections..and the thing she always says to me is to make sure that you get up and get moving as soon as you can afterwards...otherwise you'll get too stiff and it will hurt more later!

I've went thru both,and the C- section was a lot less painful than the normal delivery! I went Christmas shopping 4 days after mine! And it was an emergency c-section after 24 hrs of labor! Standing up straight was the worst part,but it wasn't that painful At least I could sit comfortably!

A c-section aye? I don't really have any advice because I had complications during mine - they somehow botched the spinal and I could feel everything they were doing and that hurt - I don't think it happens to many people - I don't want to scare you! But otherwise, your tummy muscles will be weakened and you will feel really tired, so I suggest that you try walking around after you had the surgery - they will ask you to anyway. When Gabe was born, they wouldn't let me eat until I farted and boy, was I starving! So I hope you get to fart soon after the surgery!

I don't have any kids either, but I always said that if I were ever to have them I wanted a C-Section. My personal feeling is that nothing, and mean NOTHING! can possibly be as painful as pushing something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a orange (and that's being generous-it's probably more the size of a grape LOL) I've always been petrified of child birth, I have no idea why though. Good luck with everything though!

Originally Posted by Kiwideus

A c-section aye? I don't really have any advice because I had complications during mine - they somehow botched the spinal and I could feel everything they were doing and that hurt - I don't think it happens to many people - I don't want to scare you! But otherwise, your tummy muscles will be weakened and you will feel really tired, so I suggest that you try walking around after you had the surgery - they will ask you to anyway. When Gabe was born, they wouldn't let me eat until I farted and boy, was I starving!

So I hope you get to fart soon after the surgery!

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I absolutely love this post!

No kids here, but my sis has two - one normal delivery, the other an ermegency c-section. She said the vaginal delivery was by far the best experience. Less drugs, quicker healing time, and the post-birth endorphins etc kick in and help you through.
She took 5 weeks to heal from the c-section and couldn't lift her first bub up and had a hard time dealing with him and the new born.
Ummm, didn't mean to sound negative, this is all her experience and everyone is different of course. I think the main thing is that you're prepared for a c-section, it's not going to come as a shock as you're rushed into surgery.

Originally Posted by katiemae1277

I don't have any kids either, but I always said that if I were ever to have them I wanted a C-Section. My personal feeling is that nothing, and mean NOTHING! can possibly be as painful as pushing something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a orange (and that's being generous-it's probably more the size of a grape LOL) I've always been petrified of child birth, I have no idea why though. Good luck with everything though!

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You sure do have a way with words! I've never heard child birth described quite like that before... sounds more like a fruit salad!

Adrienne... I don't have any advice since I've never had a c-section, but I want to congratulate you & send lots of good wishes on the birth of your baby. Also don't be afraid of worry... c-sections are very routine.

having had two sections due to complications i can tell you to get up and moving as soon as they will let you. and drink TONS of water before and after your section. you may feel and look like a bloated whale but it will be worth it i promise. you have to get your bowels going after a section and the water and laxatives they give you will help. One of the worst things you can do it be still and dehydrated. being dehydrated and immobile will hinder you and your newborn in more ways than you can imagine.

walk as much as you can. prepare yourself for the pain-- i wasnt prepared for my first section at all and was in pain for several weeks, for my second, i was looking forward to the section. The nurses were amazed at how fast i got up and got moving. i MADE myself walk at least half way around the floor everytime the nurses came in to take vitals (about every hour or so for the first day/nite) I was also on a mag sufalte drip due to high blood pressure, so the high water consumption helped a lot.

LET people do things for you. DO NOT OVERDO yourself. again it will hinder you and your baby. Dont be afraid to cry or show your pain. dont be afraid to ask for help. you WILL need it. You will know if you overdo things-- you will hurt and may even have more vaginal bleeding. Follow your drs orders.

I will tell you that i took pain meds for my first section for well over a month-- for my last section i didnt take not one pain pill and i was driving 3 days after my section (against drs orders).

be careful driving -- i would suggest letting someone else do the driving at least the first week. you dont realize how much you really use those tummy muscles until youve had abdominal surgery. Ask for an abdominal binder and let the nurses show you how to use it. it helps i promise. i used one with my second section and recovered a heck of a lot better than without using one with my first section.

theres so much more i could write, but please remember just because you are giving birth via a section it doesnt make you any less a woman or mother. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot. ohh yeah TAKE IT SLOW. you have just had MAJOR abdominal surgery and birthed a child, you DESERVE to be waited on and pampered!
Good luck!

Anything else i can help you with let me know!

Amity