1st csection in a day & a half. Scheduled Fri at noon

Wendy - posted on 07/29/2012

Hi Ashley: I had an e-c-section at 34 weeks with my fist she was hand and cord first! SCARED US TO DEATH. Ask the doc to stitch your c-section with disolving stictched instead of staples. This helps witht he itching and healing. Remmebr that we are not super-human - with the hormones, newness and wonders of birth allow yourself to experince these emotions - I didn't and ended up driving myslef to almost a nut house. Allow your spouse to ahre too! Allow people to help...friends, family, dads dad even just to hold while you rest...Good luck

Lady Heather - posted on 07/28/2012

Congrats! Your little one must be here! You probably feel like poo today, but you will probably feel exponentially better every day for the next week! Hope it went well!.

Bonnie - posted on 07/28/2012

I have had 2 planned cesarean deliveries, due to complications, and gestational diabetes. The first one, it was a hard recovery for getting up to use bathroom, and not knowing what to expect, but I wasn't scared. Something I learned that will help with the air that gets built up inside after they open and close your abdomen. You need to have your husband or friends who are present, after surgery, help make you laugh and often, it will help the gas head out where it should so it doesn't end up in your shoulder and cause pain. Weird I know, and it hurt. That was the difference for me between baby 1 and baby 2 deliveries.

They want you to pass gas and have a bowel movement before they give you solid foods to eat, to make sure you are alright in that body function, and not give them too soon if you have difficulties. They will give you pain meds and meds to help you take care/prevent constipation. Another word of advice, make sure to get more of that med for when you get home, I didn't and the constipation was horrid.

Definately try to get someone over to your home to assist with chores, and baby care, etc, for at least 2 weeks. You will need that time to heal.

As for the photos in the hospital, I would plan on making sure you cover the top half, with a blouse or another top that is easy to slip in and out of, since you may still be hooked up to a bag for your urine, and an iv. Unless you can find a nice dressing gown for sitting in a chair, that you can drape around you. I

f you can, ask for a bed that has a hand lift bar, that makes it so much easier to manuver in and out of the bed. You may still need assistance for a day or two, to get up for the bathroom, after they take out the iv, etc. I remember being very tight with trying to stand and walk to the bathroom, and sore at the incision site for a few days. The belly pillow is a good idea to help you heal.

The hospital may also have the leg stimulation pads, that slowly squeeze and release your legs for circulation, instead of buying the socks for preventing deep vein thrombosis, the clots that can form in the leg veins from lack of movement. Just ask the hospital if they have the machine or do you need to buy the compression socks.

You should have the anestesiologist right beside you during the surgery, so if you feel anything, you let him/her know right away and they just adjust the meds, but usually they test you well for any sense of feeling before and during the surgery. I wish you well.

Autumn - posted on 07/26/2012

Congrats on the upcoming arrival of your little one! I just had my second c-section 3 months ago today and I have to say it was not bad at all. I will agree with what some of the previous posters had said about staying on top of your pain. Take the meds even when you aren't really in much pain or you will regret it. I didn't need more than ibuprofen by day two and was up and walking within the first 8 hours after surgery. I was allowed to eat after about 4 hours but wasn't really hungery until the second morning. One bit of advice that the anesthesiologist gave me was to put my hand by my mouth so I could feel that I was breathing. I know that sounds kind of silly but if you have a spinal (I have had both and epidural for and emergency and the spinal which hurts more to get but works way better) it numbs the muscles around your ribs so you cannot feel that you are breathing and it can freak you out if you are already on edge (which I definately was). I had my c-section on Wed. morning at 7:30 and was discharged by 10a Friday morning. It was quick but it was good to be home at the same time. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask for help!

Bekah - posted on 07/26/2012

I just had my third c-section on July 5th.
It will go beautifully!
Most of those questions depend on your doctor and the hospital you are delivering at so definitely call and ask those questions.
In my case I was able to eat food just a few hours after surgery.
For clothes to the hospital I wore a sundress because it was comfortable to wear their and then similar thing for the ride home and had one pair of pajamas to wear their. You will likely wear a gown for most of the time you are there so you don't need much in the way of clothes. Most hospitals have a snack area for the men and for you as well in between meals. I brought snacks just in case but a lot of hospitals have "nutrition stations" with sandwiches and juice.
I stayed 54 hours this time but could have gone home after about 44. I chose to stay the extra so that I wasn't leaving when the temp was in the triple digits. I left in the evening so it was only in the upper 80's :-) My doctor did offer for me to stay till day three but I knew I would be much more comfortable at home and they send you home with enough pain meds for an additional week or two. Just make sure that you have plenty of support at home for the first few days.
Good luck and congratulations!!! It will go easier than you realize!

Ashley - posted on 07/25/2012

thk u all so much for your advice and encouraging words. They have really helped ans
it is much appreciated. I have a little over 24 hours left I guess depending on how you clock
it but I do feel a little more at ease ... She has moved around a lot tonight as well as yesterday
so I think she is getting ready to prepare herself as well for alittle road trip :-). ..
I will post how everything goes when we get home with our new family. Thanks again everyone

Amanda - posted on 07/25/2012

I just had my second c-section on May 3rd. I understand your anxiety, but it will really be OK. Having a planned c-section is the best way to experience one (vs. having one after laboring and using an epidural). I have had it both ways and the spinal tap is way more comfortable and most importantly, WAY more numbing. I could not feel a thing, not even tugging, which I felt a lot of with my first c-section. It is a fairly quick surgery and you should expect to stay in recovery about an hour. The BEST way to heal quickly from a CS is to get up and move/walk as soon as you can. Your nurse will be with you the first couple of times you get out of bed and she will assist you in getting to the bathroom and back into bed. Do not be afraid to get up. The less you move after surgery, the slower and more painful your recovery will be. They will even tell you this in the hospital. As far as your hubby, he will need to get his own meals, unless the hospital you are delivering at is ultra generous! One thing we learned from our first son's birth: bring Tylenol for daddy. The hospital can not and will not give him any and the gift shop will rip you off big time. My poor hubby woke up in the middle of the night with an awful headache and there was nothing we could do about it. Best wishes to you! It'll be over before you know it! ;o)

Heather - posted on 07/25/2012

I had my first c section with my fourth child cuz he was macrosomic. I was more scared aboutt doing it naturally. My c section was planned. I had a hard time naturally with my first three. My pelvis is not very wide. I didnt get to eat til the next day and they should feed the dad. I left the hospital less than 24 hours after I had my baby to be with him at all chidrens due to a heart condition he has. The staff was great they caught my sons heart problem fast and treated him fas5. U will do great have faith.

Jennifer - posted on 07/25/2012

Congratulations on your new arrival!!

I have had 4 C-Sections, and 48-72 hours is a normal stay. With #4, I left the hospital after 26 hours. I had a 10 year old graduating from 4th grade, and I wan't about to miss that ceremony! I think that the most important thing is to make sure you get up and move as soon as possible. Also, know what to expect during the actual surgery. I don't want to get too detailed, but during my first surgery, I had to be gassed and put to sleep because I didn't understand what was happening inside my body. For surgeries 2,3,&4, I had no problems, and was awake for everything! Your hubby may receive vouchers, or may have to eat at the cafe; it will just depend on what your insurance/hospital plan is. Remember to relax, take deep breaths, and enjoy the arrival of your new bundle of joy.

Andrea - posted on 07/25/2012

I had a planned c section in December 2008. It was the best thing I ever did. Barely any pain, and I was dying to go home after the first day-I was up and walking that night! Barely had to use pain meds at all after the first day. Don't push yourself, but with a planned c section, your body heals faster than with an emergency one since you won't labor. Do what your body tells you to do.....and as for food.....they make you eat, and you will want to. I was starving afterward!
Good luck and congrats!

Dove - posted on 07/25/2012

As far as I know a 'typical' c-section stay is 3 days. I stayed 5 days with my first (complications with me mainly... little bit for baby) and 3 the second time around. I actually wanted to go home after 2 days the last time, but the ped wanted my son monitored a little longer.

Try to relax. Afterwards, don't let the nurses push you more than you know your body is able (they tried my first time and I passed out on them), but also get moving asap. Take it SLOW and easy at first, but do get moving.

You will be on a liquid diet at first. This could last just the first meal or it could last a day... depending on your body's recovery. The worst pains for me were some of those first gas pains... and a pain in my back. The actual c-section site was sore, but after the first 2-3 days I never needed pain meds for it.

The most important thing is to take it as easy as possible when you get home. Take care of you and take care of baby... anything else can wait or be done by someone else.

Casey - posted on 07/25/2012

I have had two c-sections. After the first one I was in so much pain for a long time that I was very afraid to have the second one. It was so much easier the second time around though, because I realized that I needed to move more to recover faster. I was up just a couple hrs later where as w the first I didn't get up until the next day. I was at the hospital for five days with the first and I think it was the thought of being away from my daughter for five days that pushed me. I was able to go home a whole day sooner. While home I was urged to take it easy and lay around, but I had a three year old who I had to take care of. My husband could only stay home for so long. I did have to make myself slow down a couple times as I was in a bit of pain from doing too much, but while it took about 12 weeks to be able to feel ok enough to go back to work with the first (I stand for hrs and hrs everyday), by the time 6 weeks rolled around I felt like I could have went back then. Of corse I couldn't because I had to wait until my eight week check up. My advise is too move around as much as possible without overdoing it. Listen to your body. If it tells you to slow down do it, but also don't spend your time in bed waiting for the baby to wake either even if that means just getting up to get your self some water every few hrs.

Melissa - posted on 07/25/2012

Hi, the first 15 hours won't be too bad they will still have medication that is long lasting in you. The next 24 hours you will be the sorest. The next day you will be moving fairly well. You can order lots of food for yourself and there will be some for your husband then to eat. Normally you will get jello, broth food like that that for the first 12 hours and then a regular diet after that. You want to get up walking a little about 12 hours after the delivery, that promotes healing. Be careful about medication after the birth if you are breastfeeding many of them can make the baby sleepy and making nursing difficult. I have been a child birth instructor, doula, lactation consultant for 20 years now. You will do better than you think you will.

Elizabeth - posted on 07/25/2012

Don't panic. 72 hours is kinda excessive of a stay unless something's wrong. Until you get through it, there's no telling how you'll feel afterwards. Personally I have never had a C section, but I have multiple friends and family members who describe totally different experiences. Just like a vaginal birth. Some people heal quicker and are up and moving quicker than others. You're doctor should make the call on when you get released. Also, wear something comfy to the hospital, you're gonna be put in a hospital gown anyway. Don't worry about dolling yourself up and wearing something fancy, just be comfortable!!!! Good luck!!!!

Tracy - posted on 07/25/2012

Congratulations! My 1st baby was emergency csection and it was sort of scary, and took time to recover. My second was a scheduled csection and it was a breeze. Very relaxed environment for me and the staff. I had it on a tues morning and went home Friday noon. My hubby stayed in my room and ate at cafeteria. I had whatever I wanted to eat soon after, they just watched to see if I kept liquids down first. I had local anesthetic so I was awake the whole time, and got to see my baby right away. It was great. Don't worry too much, it will be exciting to meet your baby!

Julie - posted on 07/25/2012

I had a emergency c-section 20 months ago, it was my 5th child and never had one before, I was scared but I'm also a strong willed woman with a huge tolerance for pain, I was up and walking 2 hours after , was eating about 4 hours later, I only took pain meds first day after that I just took tylenol, I was in hospital for 5 days because of my newborn was in Nicu cause she was 10 weeks early, I thought what hurt the most was having the staples removed a week later, Good luck and you'll do fine, Ask Dr to give u vouchers for your husband to eat that's what we did and she signed about 10 of them so the kids could eat too, also if u do go to cafitera u can bill it to ur room....

MeMe - posted on 07/25/2012

I have had 2 emergency c-sections and am having another - planned this time - in February. Yes, the length of stay is crappy. I have had to stay 4-5 days, both times. They let me eat the very same day but only very light foods (broths and jello) and then work your way up to regular stuff, usually by the next day. This helps you from getting constipated (which I did my first time and it was NOT pleasant). No, they do not supply food for the hubby. At least not in Canada. If they don't here, I doubt they do in the States but I am not sure, where you live.



The biggest thing is, the quicker you make yourself get up and walk, the faster you will heal (and keep all the terrible gas from forming), then the faster you will be released. The quicker you show them you can pee on your own, the faster the cathider comes out.



It is different for everyone. My first c-section they out me to sleep and I felt nothing. My 2nd c-section, I was awake and felt all the tugging and I had panic attacks because I could not feel my body (which is normal).



Some people jump right back without much problems, like I did, others take longer.



I brought nice loose clothing, a house coat and slippers. Anything to feel cozy and comfy.



It really is not that bad. Good luck and enjoy your new arrival! ;)



ETA:

I cannot take any hard pain meds, they make me feel really sick. So, I settled with ibuprophen and extra strength tylenol (Not T3's, I cannot do codene). Worked great for me. See, not too bad. ;)

Ashley - posted on 07/25/2012

oh yeah I have to have my section scheduled due to a previous pelvic injury. it was crushed in a mva years ago & to ensure no further damage is done which I agree with that was painful enough.But its for the best, my lil girl can't even.drop due to it so I know.it has to be done and I'm okay ! But since a lot of pop ups have asked why? That is why. thks for listening

Ashley - posted on 07/25/2012

well ladies I've got a day and a half left maybe at the most.. I know less than 48 hours which scares me but I'm ready to that kind of contradicts itself . lol. oh well.. I do know I will have dissolved stitches but I'm still concerned about the recovery time. The OB said its 48 hours unless I need more time which is fine but I want to ensure of that . I'm going to place a call into my OBGYN today just to leave a message if I have too stating I WILL need an additional day and I do not feel comfortable at all being sent home Sunday with my just having the surgery Friday mid day(noon).. That's not too bold right? Oh do you know when they allow you to eat real food? I barely have an appetite pregnant( I seriously get hungry maybe 1-2 times a day that's it. but I know they use that as. a recovery tool after the sectioni thought? sorry I keep adding the questions . but tks again

Felicity - posted on 07/25/2012

They should be keep you at least 72 hours as they will usually wait until your stitches is removed. I think the great thing about a csection too is that you can be awake with the spinal and because you won't need to push with labour you won't be so tired so you can enjoy your bub. You might be a bit zonked though for the first few hours with the pain medication but that's about it. It is really exciting and I totally understand the nerves.

Another thing too is if your partner/husband/mum or whoever is allowed in the operating theatre with you, get them to take a camera too. I have some amazing photos of both my kids being born and photos with me and them at that time too!

Lady Heather - posted on 07/24/2012

I was mega nervous for mine. I don't know what they gave me, but once I was in there I was super relaxed and we laughed through the whole thing. The only bit I didn't like was the needle in the back. Seriously, I would have to be desperate to get an epidural with a vaginal birth and I've done one so I know the pain. But after that everything was great. And my recovery had a small hiccup (really low blood pressure), but in all honesty it was a far less painful recovery than my vaginal birth. Two days after I was walking around a bit and four days later I felt mostly normal. With my vaginal birth I couldn't walk properly for two weeks!

Jessica - posted on 07/24/2012

Its scary I know, I had one June 2008. They do give you something to calm your nerves and I know that everything that has been said wont completely comfort you. Just do your best to relax once its over you will be hold your beautiful, perfect new precious baby.

Ashley - posted on 07/24/2012

Thank you both for responding. I was told I am going to be given a spinal for my scheduled
c section and a pca pump for the next 12 hours after I control w/dilaudid for my pain concerns so I am sure I.will be OK. I just am like I said more so nervous I feel well fear I will freak out in panic mode in the or while waiting for the big moment ans that scares me. I want to be focused on my lil girl being born
which I know you both understand that concept. my SO is awesome so I'm sure.he will aid in keeping my mind focused better. I.however cannot breastfeed wasnr able with my first and I'm OK with that so bottle feeding it is but this way both mommy and daddy can bond equally feeding her . my hospital is very big on skin.to skin with the newborns that they are not big on whisking baby away to the nursery unless medically needed so I am happy I am not going to be seperated once she is born like alot of csection patients are from the spouse & baby. I'm just ready. who btw can I convince I need to stay at least 72 hours not there normal 48? I'm real concerned about that.

Felicity - posted on 07/24/2012

Hi Ashley,
Congratulations on your near arrival!

Please try not to stress about your csection (I know easier said than done). I have had 2 csections- first as my daughter was breach and the second as the hospital I was going to did not offer vbacs and I was very happy to have another (I did though go into labour 1 day before my csection was scheduled and didn't progress at all so it was brought earlier. My main advice is to take the pain medication offered to you at regular intervals and not wait until the pain builds up. After the first day my pain medication consisted of a combination of voltaren (anti imflammatory) and tramadol do I was very capable of looking after my baby and was not zonked out by the meds.

Looking at my recovery compared to my friends - yes I was a little sorer and worse for wear compared to those who had no tears or an episiotomy with their vaginal birth, but was in a lot better shape and less pain that those that did having tearing or an epis.

When you come home, you will be a little more limited into how heavy you can lift and shouldn't drive for 6 weeks but for me when I came home I was back looking after my 2 1/2 year old (with my 2nd csection) as normal and was back driving after 2 weeks. BUT each person is different and you should take things at your own pace and ask for help when needed. Also continue taking the pain meds at home when you feel tender as a preventative (nothing worse than being in pain) and for those concerned -NO for the short time on the meds I did not become reliant on them.

Good luck and stress less - you and your baby will be in good hands.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/24/2012

Oh, and as soon as you feel up to it, get up and walk around. The sooner the better. Don't push yourself to hard, but just getting up and moving will help with your circulation and recovery.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/24/2012

Yup, they can give you something to ease your nerves.

I had a c section with my son. I already had an epidural in, due to me trying to push but I ended up in for emergency c section. I was one of those women that felt stuff during the surgery. It was NOT cool, and if you feel anything speak up immediately. Chances are you will get a spinal because it is a planned c section.

Couple pieces of advice, make sure the hospital gives you a little belly pillow. This is when you need to get up, sneeze, cough, laugh or whatever. You press it to your lower abdomen so the pain is not as bad. It really helps. Do not push yourself. Let your SO hand the baby to you, change the diaper, and help you get up. I would stay in the hospital as long as you can for the extra help. Take the pain medication, and make sure to drink a lot of water and possibly a laxative. You will get constipated from the meds. I HAD to take my meds. i was in a lot of pain.

In my opinion, it is better to know it is coming as a planned c section, rather than an emergency. You can prepare better than most emotionally.

One other thing, very important. If you are going to BF, do not get discouraged. Usually the milk fully comes in a bit later. If you are really definitely going to BF, do not let anyone pressure you into supplementing as long as colostrum is coming out. That is all your baby needs. It took me 4-5 days for my milk to fully come in. With my daughters vaginal birth it was a day. Your body needs time to adjust, and your baby will not starve. Also, if you are unsure and need help with it or are worried, tell them you want a lactation consultant to come help you. Good luck

Ashley - posted on 07/23/2012

thanks so much for replying. It does help that its scheduled for this Friday and it now being
Tuesday so my time is.near I'm just very scared I'm going to feel the pain.and not be able to focus on my daughter which is where my mind should be. have you ever heard of them being able to give you anything prior to the surgery in your iv to.calm you down if its needed? idk why but I'm terrified and I shouldnt be
I will have tons.of support and my so will be by my side the whole time. this again
ashley

Julianne - posted on 07/23/2012

I had an emergency c-section with my first, literally cried my eyes out and flipped because i thought i was going to die(i was on pain meds so total overreaction). I would suggest setting things up so you don't have to do a lot of lifting for the first little while. Like putting the babies bassinet close to your bed so he/she is in arms reach, setting up entertainment area and plan on staying pretty stationary for a while. Emergency c-sections are often harder to recover from than scheduled ones. I couldn't really get out of bed for a couple weeks because of all the bruising and pain.
Also read about exercises you can do to recover faster. I would also suggest getting the full spinal and not just the epidural. I have talked to many women who had an epidural and it wore off before the surgery was complete.

Crystal - posted on 07/23/2012

I had a C-section with my twins March 2011 and I was so scared. But I had very good support and a very nice staff of nurses and doctors. They talked me through it and it wasn't bad at all. i had to spend five days in the hospital afterwards which was pretty nice since i had everyone waiting on me for once lol. but my twins were early so they were in the nicu which gave me motivation to get out of bed and see them. but with support and the nurses it went so fast it seemed, But i dont remember any of the surgery and i was awake the whole time.

Ashley - posted on 07/23/2012

Just wanted to add this is my first scheduled, having to have it done due to a previous pelvis injury. I'm super scared. I had a vaginal birth 14 years ago I know a lot has changed. Thanks in advice for any help