Did you prepare for an RCS

[hw77]

I'm a little more then half way and at some point have to make the final decision on vbac or rcs. I'm pretty sure I'm going rcs as I did get to "experience" contractions, pushing and everything with a vaginal birth but baby girl got stuck. Assuming the next baby is the same size and my pelvis shape hasnt change then I dont think a VBAC will work and certainly dont want to go thru all day labor, 4 hrs of pushing to figure that out, half her head was out and she was just stuck stuck.

Anyway how did you prepare? any exercises to increase core strength or back strength? I'm hoping knowing what its like will make the recovery easier but not sure if I can do more before hand to be in better shape... I definitely am staying much more active this pregnancy chasing a toddler and it being summer. Last pregnancy 3rd tri fell during NE's record 100 inches of snow and i wasnt even leaving the house for days at a time. 

this time i definitely want to wear a belly band soon after and help everything stay together. Last time it was months of feeling like my insides were going to come out (more up near my belly button then down near the incision). The incision healed awesome but something was off.

So recommendations of things to do before an RCS, to help with recovery.

[boiler717]

I don't know if it was related, but I did a prenatal strength training program my whole pregnancy to worked my core really well the whole time. I had a super easy recovery.

[thebreakfastclub]

I did nothing and actually quit all workouts at 12 weeks. I feel like I had a pretty good recovery.

I didn't use a binder but I had a tank top with light compression and that did give some needed support.

[Koala]

Mine wasn't a RCS, but I knew from pretty early on that I would have a CS. I didn't do anything to prepare. I wore a binder for a couple weeks after. I think it helped. I also got out of bed as soon as they would let me. I had a pretty easy recovery.

[rootbeerfloat]

I didn't do anything. I worked out during my first pregnancy, but not my second. Second recovery was easier because I didn't labor; exercise didn't matter.

[kdubs923]

I had two scheduled C-sections. I did nothing special to prepare other than continue participating in normal daily activities (not work outs).

Both recoveries were pretty easy.

[broadsheet]

I did no real preparing but I did stop picking up/carrying DD1 around 30 weeks so it wouldn't be so jarring to her when I couldn't do it postpartum.

[hw77]

@starry, great birth story! I hope the 2nd time will be much calmer. I was screaming crying being wheeled into surgery b/c I had literally had contractions for 30 hrs, pushed for 4 hrs and the whole time they said they could see her head, almost there and really her entire skull was getting longer and longer b/c i was pushing her so hard and she was so stuck!

[hw77]

I absolutely need to do more yoga! I've bookmarked some good youtube options. Last pregnancy I went to a studio but only once a week

[jeaniebueller]

I did nothing. I couldn't even work out during my pregnancy due to being high risk and having a bunch of other physical symptoms that made movement uncomfortable.

[loira]

I didn't do anything either. I was also high risk and on bed rest. I'd had an abdominal surgery a couple of years ago, though, and I think just knowing what my limits were going to be helped tremendously. I did not wear a binder, and had a very easy recovery.

[sunshineluv]

Jun 14, 2016 13:17:11 GMT -5 kdubs923 said:

I had two scheduled C-sections. I did nothing special to prepare other than continue participating in normal daily activities (not work outs).

Both recoveries were pretty easy.

Same here.

[hw77]

Thanks everyone!

I dont think my recovery was that bad last time just feel like I can do a little bit more before hand to keep my core strong as by 3rd tri last time my low back and hips were not happy!