Offering Some C-Section Advice..

DD#1 was born vaginally and bc of many complications during her delivery it was decided that I could only have csections going fwd. Of course I was so nervous and asked many of you ladies for advice and information. Some which was super helpful, and some super terrifying. Overall tho having good information really helped me pre-plan and prepare for what was in store. Now that I am 2 weeks out from my c-section date I thought maybe I could pay it fwd with some of the advice I got and what worked for me...

1. Eat Light Meals 2-3 days before csection
2. Take Gas X and Pepcid daily, 2-3 days before csection
3. Continue to take Gas X in the hospital after csection
4. Start taking colace stool softener, keep taking it after csection.
*My advice for these 4 things is because many women say they have bad gas pains after a csection or even throw up during it bc of all the jostling of the insides. I didn't throw up nor did I have major gas or poop issues after bc I did the above.

5. Use the pain meds!!!!! They hooked me up to a pain pump in the hospital. I kept waiting to feel the pain before I'd dose myself. The nurse said no way--stay ahead of the pain. Use the pump every 15 minutes or so. It does not make you feel loopy or disoriented at all. One day I had a major headache, they lowered the pain meds a bit and it went away. I was able to go home only with motrin and tylenol.

6. Use a belly binder after the csection. I got the binder in the hospital (at my hospital you hafta ask for one and they will totally give it to you. It is not offered unless you ask) The first few days you feel like your body is in two pieces when you move. The binder helps that feeling and it was such a relief! I wore it at home every single day.

7. Walk, walk, walk. The first time I had to walk I thought I was going to pass out. Very light headed etc.. The next day it was much better and each time I walked through the pain it actually felt better! It will be really hard at first but please push through it. It will make recovery so much better.

8. When you go home please ask for help. My husband and mom were amazing especially the first 2-3 days. It allowed me to rest and a week later I was feeling more like my own self. Take it easy. The house does not need to be clean!! Just take care of you and baby.

Any other c-section mamas feel free to add to what I have written or agree/disagree... Hopefully my situation cause make it easier on someone else..

Offering Some C-Section Advice..

Great advice!

Re: Offering Some C-Section Advice..

Great advice!

Offering Some C-Section Advice..

I agree with all of this except I didn't know I was having a csection so couldn't start taking those meds a few days before. The nurses gave me the gas-x and colace though and I never had any issues. I also took my pain meds as often as I could in the hospital and continued them at home (I was never hooked up to a pump with the meds). I needed them badly!

I actually couldn't even deal with the belly binder, it was too painful.

My added piece of advice is to take as many pairs of mesh underwear as you can! I bought granny panties prior to birth that I expected to wear during recovery but the waist band would have bothered my csection scar so I lived in mesh panties for the first few weeks. I don't know what I would have done without them!

Re: Offering Some C-Section Advice..

Offering Some C-Section Advice..

I didn't know I was having a c section. Never took Gas X at all and they gave me colace right away and had me on a liquid only diet for the first 24 hrs after.

Never used a binder. Tried it for a hot second and it was just uncomfortable so I figured my body would do what it would do.

Never used pain meds. IMO you need to be able to feel some of the pain to know if you are pushing yourself too much so I would recommend taking the meds only as really needed.

I walked as soon as they would let me. I had to. I had blood clots and the worst thing for me would to stay put. I truly believe the more you move the better you will be.

Offering Some C-Section Advice..

I think the walking is the most important for sure. I was walking to and from the nicu within 18 hours and did it several times a day. Never had gas pains between that and gas pills afterward.

As for meds, I took the heavier stuff maybe twice and then just used motrin as needed. Definitely take what you need but like pp said, don't overdo it physically.