C-Section BTDT Questions

I had a c/s with my first but cant remember anything He was also a preemie and in NICU - hopefully this one shouldn't need NICU so not sure what things are different..... going to Stonybrook so anyone specifically went there helpful also....

What happens once the baby is out - I know they check the baby in the OR room - does the baby stay in there the whole time until surgery is done? does DH stay in OR until surgery is done or once baby is out to they have DH wait outside? and when you are in recover is baby with you there also?

Once recovery is done and you are in room - do they still wait 24 hours to take catheter out and get you up and moving? What happens if DH doesn't stay overnight? Do you have to call nurse to help you get baby up/changed/fed etc? Can you wheel the baby unit next to your bed and so it yourself?

How long do you stay in hospital? If my surgery is scheduled for late Monday afternoon - do I go home on Thursday or Friday?

What are the recovery restrictions once your home? How long for stairs / driving / lifting things (toddlers)?

Thanks for any info you can share - I think I seriously blocked out all memories from the 1st

Message edited 5/4/2014 12:54:03 PM.

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

I went to Storybook and had my DD last May.

From what I remember, the baby stayed in the OR for a little while and then went to the nursery to get cleaned up. Dh stayed in there for a little while and then got kicked out once I was getting stitched back up. When I went to recovery, they gave me DD and I was able to BF her in recovery. They then took DD for another little bit and once I got my room she got wheeled into the room within a few minutes.

I'm not sure about the catheter, but I feel like mine was in longer than usual. My DH did not stay overnight and I did have to call the nurses to help me change/feed DD. Once I was ok enough to get up I mostly did it myself.

My section was scheduled for Tues afternoon and I was cleared to go home Friday evening.

My restrictions were no lifting anything heavier than the baby and no driving for two weeks. I also had high bp post pregnancy, so I had a few more restrictions than usual.

I think that's everything! Hope that is helpful!

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

Baby stayed in the OR. I remember DH holding him while they were finishing up. He came to recovery with him for awhile, but when I was brought to my room, they had to bring him to NICU.

Catheter stayed in about 24 hours. DH did not stay with me all the time. If I needed help getting up I'd call the nurse. When I wanted to go down to NICU (it was on a different floor) they would push me in a wheelchair.

Recovery was most difficult the first couple of days. Until 3-4 days later I couldn't go up/down stairs. I couldn't get onto my bed (we have a high bed). DH needed to help me put my clothes on because it was difficult to bend down. By the middle of the first week I was feeling better and even more so by the 2nd week. I was told not to drive for 2 weeks. I wouldn't have been able to lift a toddler for at least a week.

I stayed in the hospital 4 nights. I had the option to leave after 3 nights, but chose to stay b/c DS wasn't going to be released until the next day.

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

Posted by Cindyrella

I had a c/s with my first but cant remember anything He was also a preemie and in NICU - hopefully this one shouldn't need NICU so not sure what things are different..... going to Stonybrook so anyone specifically went there helpful also....

What happens once the baby is out - I know they check the baby in the OR room - does the baby stay in there the whole time until surgery is done? does DH stay in OR until surgery is done or once baby is out to they have DH wait outside? and when you are in recover is baby with you there also?

Once recovery is done and you are in room - do they still wait 24 hours to take catheter out and get you up and moving? What happens if DH doesn't stay overnight? Do you have to call nurse to help you get baby up/changed/fed etc? Can you wheel the baby unit next to your bed and so it yourself?

How long do you stay in hospital? If my surgery is scheduled for late Monday afternoon - do I go home on Thursday or Friday?

What are the recovery restrictions once your home? How long for stairs / driving / lifting things (toddlers)?

Thanks for any info you can share - I think I seriously blocked out all memories from the 1st

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

Just finished my clinical rotation in L&D at SB. They have a no separation policy, which means as long as baby does not need to go to NICU, he/she will be with you the entire time. After the baby is delivered, pediatrics will check baby in the OR, dad can take pics after they finished their assessment and they will bring baby over to you while they finish stitching you up to take a pic by your head. Then in recovery you will be free to breastfeed and snuggle with your L.O. While RN monitors you, once your cleared and can move your feet you will be discharged to the mother baby unit. If for some reason the little one needs NICU, ask that your room be on the 5th floor if it's possible.

Once in your room, the nurses will give report and as long as everything is ok, baby can have his/her first bath in the room with you : )

The foley cath will remain in for 24hr and you should try to pee ASAP within a few hours. You might not have the sensation to go but a heavy bladder is not going to let your uterus contract and it's important to go within a few hours of the cath removal.

If it's possible for DH/your partner to stay overnight especially the first night, I would encourage it. You will be tired and sore and it's very difficult to get out of bed, and discouraged because you may feel a little dizzy. The nurses will assist you as much as possible, and of course you can use your call bell to get them to the room to help you pick up baby.

No more pacifiers given out at Stony Brook, thank Bloomberg, because if the breastfeeding movement. Once baby has latched properly though, I wouldn't worry about nipple confusion at all. Plus don't forget, binky a have been proven to reduce the incidence of SIDS. You can bring your own pacifiers and use them.

It's up to your doctor, but generally no driving for two weeks and no picking up anything heavier than the baby.

My best advice is get up when you can and take baby on a walk in the bassinet in the hallways of Stonybrook. Gas pain from the C/S will be relieved and your recovery will be easier. Barely any moms were doing this while I was there, but ambulating is going to help you tons! Also, if you have the painful gas pain, ask the nurse to make you ginger ale tea, it works wonders : )

Message edited 5/5/2014 10:01:06 AM.

C-Section BTDT Questions

They took my DS to the nursery with DH while they were finishing sewing me up and then I went to recovery.

I do not remember when they took my catheter out but I had my DS in the room with me the entire time so I don't think it was that long cause DH went home every night.

I went home after only a few days cause I hated being in there and my Dr said I could leave whenever.

As for recovery restrictions...I just couldn't drive for a few days. I did stairs right away and lifting I just used my judgement. I know someone said no more than 5 lbs but most babies are more than that.

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

What happens once the baby is out - I know they check the baby in the OR room - does the baby stay in there the whole time until surgery is done?

Babies were checked, measured and handed to DH. My son was placed between my legs on the gurney as we wheeled to recovery. I held my daughter.

does DH stay in OR until surgery is done or once baby is out to they have DH wait outside?

He stayed with me the entire time, so did the baby.

and when you are in recover is baby with you there also?

Yes, never left my side. As I was wheeled to maternity, they took both kids to the nursery briefly for a bath and official stats.

Once recovery is done and you are in room - do they still wait 24 hours to take catheter out and get you up and moving?

Depends on when you give birth. I gave birth to my son in the afternoon so I didnt get up until the next morning. I gave birth to my daughter in the morning so I was up by dinner. Cath came out when I got up.

What happens if DH doesn't stay overnight? Do you have to call nurse to help you get baby up/changed/fed etc? Can you wheel the baby unit next to your bed and so it yourself?

Yes and yes. I sent my kids to the nursery at night (I was FF) so I could rest.

How long do you stay in hospital? If my surgery is scheduled for late Monday afternoon - do I go home on Thursday or Friday?

4 nights with DS, 3 nights with DD though I could have stayed a 4th with her. I opted to go home (was feeling great)

What are the recovery restrictions once your home? How long for stairs / driving / lifting things (toddlers)?

ehhh, I just took it easy. I'm sure I did way too much too soon but I was fine.

Message edited 5/5/2014 12:27:57 PM.

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

I delivered at a different hospital but...

DS never left my side. He was cleaned up in the OR and stayed with DH and me while I was stitched up. I carried him when they rolled me into recovery and again when I was wheeled to my room. DH was with me the entire time, except he left to go tell our families that DS was born, show a pic, and have them come up to the recovery floor to see us.

My catheter was removed 12 hours post-surgery. That's when I got out of bed and for the first time. Ouch!

The baby can stay anywhere in your room, but it's impossible to really get the baby out of the bassinet on your own for the first day or so b/c of the pain. If your husband doesn't stay, you'll have to call the nurse when you need/want the baby. Other option is to have the baby in the nursery overnight.

I was in the hospital 3 nights, but insurance would've covered 4.

C-Section BTDT Questions

I delivered at a different hospital, but DH and the baby were with me the entire time. From the OR to recovery to my room. DH did not stay over and I had the baby sent to the nursery at night.

My C/S was around 6pm and the catheter was removed the next morning. Once it was removed and I was cleaned up, I walked to the nursery to get my DD.

Re: C-Section BTDT Questions

When they took Julian out AKA when he was born lol they had DH cut the cord, snapped a photograph, and then just whisked him over to the heater/table thing and put these mirrored stickers in the shapes of ducks on him (monitors) and checked him out. Vitals and whatnot. They weighed him, measured his length. After a few minutes of doing what they needed to do they wrapped him up and plopped him on my chest for skin to skin. This was all in the OR. Oh by the way!! I wore a sports bra during it - I asked if I could. I just didn't need the entire OR seeing my boobs and then when we were wheeled into recovery I didn't need my dad and brother coming back to see Julian for the first time laying and doing skin to skin on my breasts! LOL So that sports bra was a HUGE help. And DH could snap pics left and right without me worrying about a nip slip. During this whole time they were suctioning me, sewing me up and I guess at some point they put all my guts back inside me lol. Then they wheeled us, together, into recovery. God it was such a nice day - I'm lucky, I have very fond memories. I wasn't worried or nervous and everything went so seamless. Yeah DH was there the whole time. They made him leave when they gave me the epi in the beginning but then he came back in. I asked them not to strap my arms down so they didn't. I felt like that would make me feel trapped lol.

Once they plopped DS on me in the OR he was with me from then on - we were a team lol. We got wheeled into recovery and he stayed on me and people popped in to visit -- one by one because the nurses were very nice about letting family in to see the new boy lol. So, first was DH, and then he would go out and get my mom, my sister, my dad, his mom, dad, sister, my brother, etc. They all came in one at a time and saw Julian (and me). But they were really there to see him!


I was in recovery for an hour or so - but that depends on how long it takes you to get the feeling back in your legs and I think how long until your vitals go to normal and they are happy with how you are doing. I'm sure if they have a room ready for you matters as well. I was at Saint Catherine's and had a private room. I heard that SB has ALL private rooms so hooray! Having a private room was EVERYTHING. You have no idea. They took the catheter out like hmmmm right after recovery -- so only a few hours later, once I had my movement back which was within a few hours, I was BEGGING to get up and walk -- begging. But they waited until that night, took it out and I was able to get up and go and pee. I was fine. I was up and walking the halls the following morning. It was important to me to get up ASAP - everyone told me to do that. I asked a lot of BTDT moms. I also BEGGED to have them remove my epi as soon as possible - the guy came the next morning after DS was born and took it out - AMEN! I hated that thing. I also refused pain meds b/c they make me loopy and feel sick to my stomach. So I took high doses of motrin bc the RX stuff like percocet makes me sick. I was fine with the motrin. DH could not stay at night - he was allowed - but he had work early the next morning, just started a job so couldn't take off. I insisted he go. So, the first night they were all like don't walk without one of us (the nurses) so I would ring them to have them help me put DS in or take him out of the bassinet and give me the bottle to feed him. They really encouraged having baby in the room at all times with mom which I loved. You could ask for them to take him to the nursery but I kept him with me. Once the first night was over this was no biggie and I was able to get up and down without their assistance LOL and then I just kept him with me and we hung out :) That little plastic bassinet wheels anywhere so yeah I put him right next to me - I could even touch him as I slept if I wanted to. And I would wheel him around in the halls during the day lol. I just wanted to walk so that helped.


My surgery was at 1pm on Monday and I went home at around 10am that Friday.


My doc is old school - he said NOTHING but taking care of baby and NO lifting anything heavier than baby - no steps, no housework, no chores, or anything except taking care of Julian for SIX WEEKS. I was like OK COOL lol called a housekeeper and enjoyed that treat. I was also not allowed to drive for that long too. Unreal! So I had my mom or sister or DH help take me places. That includes stairs he said so thank God I live in a ranch. He really stressed all of that for some reason.


Do what the girls told me to do - GET UP AS SOON AS YOU CAN. It will be hard but force yourself. I felt so much better once I did. I brought music for the room and was happy I did. I didn't want the TV on all the time so my IPOD and docking station was great. I think DS liked it too! Bring your own binkies if you want to use one. They are now acting like they are giving out HEROIN if you want a binky - it causes "nipple confusion" - I didn't breastfeed so no confusion here! But they still were like we can't give them out and if they did it was like begging to have ONE and that was it. So, I just brought the newborn binks from home that I had registered for and were given. I also brought my boppy - it helped support when I was giving him his bottle. :)

My stitches were left in and then dissolved.

Message edited 5/5/2014 3:39:04 PM.