C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

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Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I breastfed in the hosptial - so I brought with me a robe, and some button down shirts. My incision is on my bikini line - so you won't really see it if I wear a bathing suit - (not that I will be wearing a bikini anyway!) -
The recovery is a bit longer than a vaginal delivery - and in my opinion, cuz I've had both - a little harder. I don't want to scare you so thats all I will say.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Bring granny underwear!! The incision is low so you want your underwear to go over it and not lay on it. You will also be bleeding so you don't want anything nice. You will be sore and it will be a little tough to move around the first day but I recovered VERY fast from my c-section. If you are going to breastfeed bring button down shirts or PJ's. I had a ton of people visit so I got PJ's that were a shorts and shirt combo so I did not feel weird when people came to visit.

Other than that I can not think of anything you will need in addition to the basics I am sure you already know about.

Good Luck and enjoy every moment.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Definitely bring granny underwear. I bought cheap ones from Kmart to wear because you will ruin them. Also, whatever pants you bring to wear, make sure they are not low rise pants. I made the mistake of bringing pants that were too low and came up to my incision.. very uncomfortable.

Try to get up the first day/night. The nurses will help, but the sooner you get up, the quicker you will feel better.

You will do great! And no matter what you hear. its really not that bad as some people make it. Good luck!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Definetly granny panties. I wouldnt suggest wearing pj bottoms, the dr's and nurses come in to check the incision and it will be a big PAIN to keep pulling them down. As soon as they let you out of bed do it. The quicker you move around the better. By the 2nd night they had me doing a lap or 2 around the maternity ward. Even if you breastfeed, if they allow you some pain meds, take them. They were a lifesaver.

Good luck!!!!!!!!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Yes, bring giant granny panties. Be prepared for them to get ruined. Not only do you need them to go over your incision, you'll need them to hold in the mattress sized pads you'll have to wear.

Also, always take your pain meds. Even if you feel you don't need them when they come around to dose you, take them because when the pain killers wear off...oh boy, you'll want them immediately. You can leave them off to the side and take them later, never turn them down.

You'll have a catheter for awhile. When they take it out you have to pee before they'll take you off the IV. That first pee is quite painful - just be prepared.

As for BFing, it would be a good idea to bring your own pillow (or two) and a boppy. Look into the different positions for BFing because you'll probably need to use the football hold to BF because of the incision.

Bring a pair of pants that are loose and comfortable to go home in.

You won't be allowed to drive for the first 2 weeks or so, so be prepared for that.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I couldn't agree more about the grandma undies - I brought my regular maternity ones, and they weren't high enough.

Your going to be sore, and your going to bleed alot so bring a few changes of pj's or sweats or both - whatever you plan on wearing.

I shook a lot during the procedure and afterwards.... I didn't know it at the time, but it's from the drugs, and totally normal.

I labored (didn't progress) so I was tired after the procedure - You may or may not want visitors right away. I know everyone is excited to see the baby, but I was just out of it.

Bring your Boppy pillow (if you have one). I didn't and wished that I did because I was uncomfortable feeding Emma.

I had my incision closed with staples - Looks worse than it really is. It's normal for the incision to burn, itch, open, and pull (or feel like it's pulling). I also had trouble urinating afterwards because I was "numb" feeling - I couldn't tell that I had to go

Your going to do fine!!!!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

They cut, in a non-true emergency across where a binkini underwear would come up to on your stomach area.

You need granny underwear. I didn't bleed a lot so that was not an issue for me.

Request NOT to have your arms tied down. IMO, that is awful, although some women don't mind. I insisted on this and my arms were left untied.
You can request to have special music played, if that would help you.
You can request to NOT have the hospital staff tell waiting family members the baby's gender or name. The doctor left my OR and told my family "It's a girl named Molly" They totally cheated us out of that moment.

You can ask your doctor to explain everything PRIOR to consenting to the operation. Ask for any details. You can explain to him/her things that you would like done to make this birth experience special..such as being able to BF your baby in the OR (I did this), or that you want the baby brought to you in recovery. Also discuss all pain management issues PRIOR to the surgery. I have a lot of issues with pain medications so this was important for me.

You can request that the insert the cathedar AFTER your spinal.

Be prepared for the OR to be very bright and IMO, it can be really scary and inpersonal compared to those pretty L&D rooms you are shown. I was very unprepared for that and it was very upsetting.

I never had any painful pee issues.

Bring your own pillow and towels. When you drive home make sure that you place the pillow in between your incision/stomach and the selt belt. Trust me. This is a nicer ride home ride.

And remember this is YOUR body and you have rights!!!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I had a c-section with my first and my arms where not tied. Not that I remember. Is this a normal procedure? Why do they do it?

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

arms tied down??? i have had 2 csections and my arms were not tied down for either one, im curious also. why did they do that??

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

At Winthrop, they gave me these mesh underware that were like boy shorts..they were so comfy. Plus bring your own pads.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Mine were not, and other moms I know didn't have thiers tied down either.

I also got sick during the procedure, which they said was very normal.

Also, if you can see something in a reflection, ask them to move it. I got a sore neck from laying wierd so I would not see what was going on.

I had them do the catherization after they did the spinal, I had to ask though, they were going to do it before.

I was not aware that DH would come in after I had the spinal and was laying down. I kept asking for him thinking they would forget to get him, LOL.

I also had the shakes bad after the surgery, and had motion sickness when they were wheeling me to my room, and then even about 6 hours after when I wanted to go to the NICU. They had to give me a med for that.

Good Luck!!!!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I don't think I have anything to add that hasn't already been posted...however, there is some good news...

Neither catheter nor staples hurt going in or coming out! (In fact, I wanted to keep the catheter in so they wouldn't force me to get up to use the bathroom!)

You are already 100% more prepared than I was--I neglected to read anything about c/s figuring it would never be me.

Everyone has to be REALLY extra-special nice to you! 6 months later, I still use the excuse, "I can't do that...I JUST had major surgery!"

DH is going to have to get used to changing diapers REALLY quickly; you won't be able to get up right away. I don't think DH would have changed even one yet if it weren't for the surgery...thanks C-Section!!

You might lose some baby weight on the lovely liquid diet the first 24 hrs.

Also, DH often reminisces about the first time he held her while I was being sewed up, etc. He brought her to recovery to wait for me and he thought Katherine and he were the only two people in the world and he knew right there that she was going to be fine (she had been in distress) if the staff actually left her alone with him. It was the best moment of his life; a real daddy/daughter connection!

Best of luck...you're going to do great!!

Message edited 3/24/2006 12:14:32 PM.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

It is often considered "normal" to tie down your arms..some doctors don't do it, but other's do. It is your right to say NO to that. Tell them "if you tied them down, I refuse the surgery"..they listen pretty quickly

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I got sick prior to them starting. I didn't even know I had a cathertor until I got to my room.

My arms were not tied down either.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Ask them what their procedure is if your spinal does not take. My doc said that after they had the spinal done once they werent going to retry it. They gave me ketamine (horse tranqs) without me knowing it was going to happen I was hallucinating, not what I expected at all.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I agree with what everyone has said (ESP THE GRANNY PANTIES)

The pillow is also a good idea- if you have to cough or sneeze putting it where your incision is- helps a little....


DONT BE A HERO (this was said to me by Hayleys mom- Tracy- best advice I have ever gotten) take the pain meds (while I hated the demarol they gave me in recovery)- the motrin and perkeset- were greatly appreciated later on... I didnt take her advice at 1st- and tried moving around and took a shower not taking anything.... and it was really rough! Know that they key to recovery is moving around... take it easy- but stay mobile... and the only way to do that is to take the meds!!!

I had a wonderful exp. My arms were not tied down.... and after getting my spinal I felt so good (so relaxed) I had full length conversations with everyone in the OR while the procedure was going on...


I would bring some snack... you'll be in the hospital a few nights- and if you want a midnight snack... there really isnt anything to choose from... a friend of mine brought me some chips and candy- and I was so grateful in the middle of the night, after waking to BF.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Thank you ladies so much!! This has been so informative. As scary as some of it may be, I would rather know what I am expecting when I go in than to learn about it while I am there.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

I think a lot was covered. I knew going in that I would have a c/s, and I mentally prepared myself for it, which sounds as though you are doing just that! You have a great attitude and that will help a lot!

I did not have my arms tied down, I didn't even have to ask not to.... DH waited outside until I was laying down and the curtian was up, and then he sat right next to me and held my hand.

The nurse did my catheter after my spinal while another nurse was prepping the area of the incision. The incision is real low, and mine was about 5 inches across, and its faded and hardly noticeable now. I did not get stapled, just stitched and had a few steristrips to hold it together.

I had a very easy recovery, I was up and walking within 24 hours. I never took any narcotic pain meds, I was fine with Motrin. I brought my own granny panties and pads, but lucky me, I hardly bled at all. Even the nurses were amazed.

I BF when I got to my room 2 hours later, and all was fine. I wasn't able to in recovery, but you can certainly request it if your baby is fine. My milk came in before I left the hospital, so I would say by day 3.


ETA: you will be on a liquid diet until your bowels are working again and you can pass gas That did not happen for me right away, and I am glad I followed the menu and stuck with the liquid diet (chicken broth, jello, tea, etc.). A friend ate within 24 hours and not having passed gas, she had her intestines fill with so much bloated gas, she was in more pain from that than from the actual c/s.

Message edited 3/24/2006 2:19:00 PM.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Some hospitals strap you down because they fear you might try to touch something (like your belly or the make shift screen over your face) I was strapped down for my first not my second& third.

I did vomit ALOT during & after Patricks birth. For the twins I got sick after.

After you get settled like the next day get up & walk. You won't want to but, it helps get the gas out. And beleive me it's a good thing & there will be ALOT of gas. Gas causes alot of the pain you might feel afterwards.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Okay, after reading everyones reply it is safe to say that every hospital and every doctor is different!!!
I did not have to be on a liquid diet. I was eating lunch two hours after I delivered. I was not tied down and my husband was with me the entire time. We both walked into the delivery room I hoped on the table, they gave me my spinal (while my husband was holding my hand) and we had a baby. It was a fabulous experience.

I wish everyone who has a c-section the same fabulous experience I had!!

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?

Posted by chmlengr

ETA: you will be on a liquid diet until your bowels are working again and you can pass gas That did not happen for me right away, and I am glad I followed the menu and stuck with the liquid diet (chicken broth, jello, tea, etc.). A friend ate within 24 hours and not having passed gas, she had her intestines fill with so much bloated gas, she was in more pain from that than from the actual c/s.

Re: C-section Mamas- What do I need to know?