I had my appointment this morning, turns out both babies are still breech and don't seem to be moving any time soon. Baby B (boy) is also continuing to be in the 90% percentile for estimated weight...today they were estimating he is 7lbs 4oz But they said as they get bigger there estimates are definitely not as accurate so we'll see if they are right. Baby A (girl) is estimated to be at 5lbs 4oz. I'm hoping she will be closer to 6 lbs on delivery day but we will wait and see.
My c/s is scheduled for Monday 11/3, so less than 2 weeks to go, eek!
Any tips/advice from ladies that have had a planned c/s? All I've really done to prepare is gotten big maxi pads, a bunch of yoga pants, and big high waisted underwear. I'm thinking the hospital will give me a belly binder, but not sure.
And non-section related, but surgery related advice.
Try your best to go into this with a super positive attitude. It sounds so lame, but my first two surgeries I had I was excited about and recovery was a breeze. The third one I was SO bummed about and recovery took FOREVER. I know most people don't want a c/s let alone a scheduled one, but HEALTHY BABIES!!
I've had two c/s. My second was planned and truly a great experience. I would have loved a vaginal delivery with both my children but all things considered it was okay.
A few things you can ask to do (it depends on the OB/hospital) that I enjoyed with my second delivery: -watching you OB pull the babies out. Nothing gory at all. It's similar to what you would see if you had a vaginal delivery. I got to see DS2 take his first breath and cry. -skin to skin on the operating table -don't forget your family picture! I didn't have one with my first and I was so bummed. -couldn't eat for 36 hours after my first, asked my OB to put in my charts that I could eat with my second as soon as I felt ready which was three hours later. -get up and move as soon as you can!! -they normally won't bring you pain meds without you asking first. Find out how often you can get meds and set your alarm clock to be on top of it. I let it go a few times and that wasn't fun!
As for planning and prep,yoga pants were nice because they were comfortable and I could fold them over my incision and help "hold it in." The belly band helped me a lot too!
Post by imimahoney on Oct 21, 2014 17:14:39 GMT -5
My hospital did not give a belly binder, just an FYI.
Take your pain meds, walk slow and limit the visitors. Also, when sitting up or laughing it really helped to hold a pillow or even the boppy up against my belly. Walk as soon as you can.
I've had two c/s. My second was planned and truly a great experience. I would have loved a vaginal delivery with both my children but all things considered it was okay.
A few things you can ask to do (it depends on the OB/hospital) that I enjoyed with my second delivery: -watching you OB pull the babies out. Nothing gory at all. It's similar to what you would see if you had a vaginal delivery. I got to see DS2 take his first breath and cry. -skin to skin on the operating table -don't forget your family picture! I didn't have one with my first and I was so bummed. -couldn't eat for 36 hours after my first, asked my OB to put in my charts that I could eat with my second as soon as I felt ready which was three hours later. -get up and move as soon as you can!! -they normally won't bring you pain meds without you asking first. Find out how often you can get meds and set your alarm clock to be on top of it. I let it go a few times and that wasn't fun!
As for planning and prep,yoga pants were nice because they were comfortable and I could fold them over my incision and help "hold it in." The belly band helped me a lot too!
You got this
Great advice! My hospital offers "gentle or family centered" c sections so I'm looking forward to being able to see the babies as they are delivered and to have some skin to skin early on.
I've had two c/s. My second was planned and truly a great experience. I would have loved a vaginal delivery with both my children but all things considered it was okay.
A few things you can ask to do (it depends on the OB/hospital) that I enjoyed with my second delivery: -watching you OB pull the babies out. Nothing gory at all. It's similar to what you would see if you had a vaginal delivery. I got to see DS2 take his first breath and cry. -skin to skin on the operating table -don't forget your family picture! I didn't have one with my first and I was so bummed. -couldn't eat for 36 hours after my first, asked my OB to put in my charts that I could eat with my second as soon as I felt ready which was three hours later. -get up and move as soon as you can!! -they normally won't bring you pain meds without you asking first. Find out how often you can get meds and set your alarm clock to be on top of it. I let it go a few times and that wasn't fun!
As for planning and prep,yoga pants were nice because they were comfortable and I could fold them over my incision and help "hold it in." The belly band helped me a lot too!
You got this
Great advice! My hospital offers "gentle or family centered" c sections so I'm looking forward to being able to see the babies as they are delivered and to have some skin to skin early on.
That is awesome. The hospital I delivered my first at swooped him away - for no real reason either. I don't even think I really saw him until I was back to my room. My OB with my second did a method of "walking" my DS2 out which kind of replicates a vaginal delivery and helps them to get fluid out like they would with a vaginal birth. I might have explained that all backwards but I thought it was so interesting what a family centered hospital would do versus the one I delivered at.
Oh, something I found really helpful with my second was that I did get nauseas mid surgery and the anestheologist put a wet cloth on my head and alcohol wipe at my nose and it worked wonders. When she removed it I felt off again and so I asked her to put it back and I felt better almost instantly.
You are going to do awesome! Wishing you all the best
Good luck! It's so exciting to be getting so close! My hospital didn't bring up belly binders, and I didn't know to ask, but I will this time.
Here are my tips in no particular order of importance:
1. Shave/wax yourself (or have H or a professional do it). The nurse that did mine was basically a butcher and I had MAJOR razor burn surrounding the incision. That sucked.
2. Take the stool softeners. Do not slack on them. The same goes for pain meds - do not fall behind on them because you think you feel okay. You will likely regret it 30 minutes after the nurse came by with them.
3. I'm assuming all hospitals recommend this but get up and moving (slowly) as early as they will let you. You will think they are crazy but I really think it helped.
4. Having a pillow ready for coughs/sneezes/laughs was helpful, but mostly I just gave everyone a death stare if they were making me laugh
Post by thatgirl2478 on Oct 21, 2014 19:18:44 GMT -5
make sure you stay hydrated before going in for surgery. They are going to say you can't have anything to eat/drink 8 hrs before your surgery, but before that have as much water as you can so it's easier to find your veins & insert IV's. That was above & beyond the worst part for me.
make sure your hospital is covered for your insurance... I just got at $20k bill because even though the DOCTORS in my hospital are covered the HOSPITAL itself is not... We're working on getting that reduced via insurance & hospital appeal process.
my hospital didn't do skin to skin on the OR table, but they did get momma & baby together within an hour of surgery (except in my case because I had a rough recovery due to blood loss etc).
my hospital was pretty good about the pain meds - especially at first - but as they got busier they would forget a little. I just kept track of when I got them last and asked what the interval was. Stay on top of the pain though.
I've had both a vaginal birth and a planned csection, and neither were "harder" recovery wise in my opinion. A couple other things I thought of (and I agree with what has already been mentioned here): I really appreciated having facial cleansing wipes with me in the hospital. It was nice not up have to lean over the sink, or to clean up in bed. Make sure the big undies you got are either stretchy or a bigger size than your normal underwear to account for post partum swelling. Wearing a pad with the soft side in, over your incision, helps a lot with the pain. Take the narcotics while your in the hospital, especially in anticipation of the evening time. I felt pretty good during the day just taking ibuprofen, and then I would get really sore in the evening from being active all day.
This may be a dumb question, but in the MMMoms thread there was a ton of suggestions for the belly binder - what does this do exactly? And why is it helpful for c-sections in particular?
I've had a million abdominal surgeries, so I'm just curious why this was a lifesaver for so many.
As far as the belly binder goes, I'm assuming it's like an ace bandage and might feel better to have everything feel tight and secure rather then my deflated loose skin post twins. But, I'm guessing a pair of yoga pants and a stretchy tank could probably provide the same feeling.
Ooh, one more thing: not sure if you plan on bfing but in case you do....
This is more in general of delivery. I see that your in a Boston. I delivered at BI and they don't have LC's on staff. Not sure if you are planning on bfing but they trained their nurses in bfing assistance, some are good and a lot are bad. If your hospital is like BI ask for a better nurse or a different LC. Don't be stuck in pain and frustrated because they didn't provide the best bfing help.
Ooh, one more thing: not sure if you plan on bfing but in case you do....
This is more in general of delivery. I see that your in a Boston. I delivered at BI and they don't have LC's on staff. Not sure if you are planning on bfing but they trained their nurses in bfing assistance, some are good and a lot are bad. If your hospital is like BI ask for a better nurse or a different LC. Don't be stuck in pain and frustrated because they didn't provide the best bfing help.
Thanks, I'm delivering at BWH. I know they have a bunch of LCs on staff and have heard all the nurses are very pro-bf. I'm going to give it a try in the beginning and just see how it goes.
Post by demandypants on Oct 22, 2014 7:23:50 GMT -5
Silly babies! I can't believe that you are just two weeks away from holding your twins! I don't have any c-section experience as of now. But it sounds like you have some great advice already!
Yay for 2 weeks away! My estimates were 4 & 4.9 lbs day of delivery and my babies were 4 & 4.4. I'll be curious what yours weigh!
Wow you're estimates were really accurate! I'll be interested to see what their birth weights end up being.
How are you doing? How are the babies?
Good. Gaining weight good and we started bottles. Caiden takes them good. Aubrey would rather sleep and she weighs more. They both are moving to cribs today so its just feeding we need to work on. Dr said its usually around 35 weeks before they really get the hang of it so hopefully by this weekend she takes more interest.
Sunday night we got moved to a private room bc nicu is full. Like a recovery room but they remove the bed and put their isolates there. So nice having my own bathroom and privacy. And nurse station is right outside.
And pumping has taken off. I already have a freezer stash at home right now they eat about 2 1/2 ounces between both each feeding. When I'm here I can pump 8 ounces so have a huge supply.
Wow you're estimates were really accurate! I'll be interested to see what their birth weights end up being.
How are you doing? How are the babies?
Good. Gaining weight good and we started bottles. Caiden takes them good. Aubrey would rather sleep and she weighs more. They both are moving to cribs today so its just feeding we need to work on. Dr said its usually around 35 weeks before they really get the hang of it so hopefully by this weekend she takes more interest.
Sunday night we got moved to a private room bc nicu is full. Like a recovery room but they remove the bed and put their isolates there. So nice having my own bathroom and privacy. And nurse station is right outside.
And pumping has taken off. I already have a freezer stash at home right now they eat about 2 1/2 ounces between both each feeding. When I'm here I can pump 8 ounces so have a huge supply.
Glad to hear they are making progress! It must be so nice to have a private room so you can sit and be a bit more relaxed. That's awesome to hear that pumping is going so well!
Post by nonsenseabound on Oct 22, 2014 10:38:09 GMT -5
have you tried moxibustion? It's where they burn little cones on your pinky toes to help babies turn. I did it with DS. He busted his water during his turn but he was trying to turn. It work about 1/2 time and only cost $10
This may be a dumb question, but in the MMMoms thread there was a ton of suggestions for the belly binder - what does this do exactly? And why is it helpful for c-sections in particular?
I've had a million abdominal surgeries, so I'm just curious why this was a lifesaver for so many.
Because when you are pregnant -even hugely pregnant- your abs have something to "push" against (uterus), but after birth all that gets soft and squishy and your organs go back in place, so the binder helps to act as temporary abs. It also does a little to support the incision, but not that much.
As far as the belly binder goes, I'm assuming it's like an ace bandage and might feel better to have everything feel tight and secure rather then my deflated loose skin post twins. But, I'm guessing a pair of yoga pants and a stretchy tank could probably provide the same feeling.
Ime, no, the binder is tighter than you'd want your yoga pants to fit! Plus, most yoga pants only hit the lower belly, the binder covers the upper belly more and provides support for your now nonexistent abs.