C Section mamas

[aegis2005]

How long were you in the hospital post-surgery?  I took a c section class my OB's office offered last night, and the instructor mentioned 3 days was standard.  I thought the norm was 48 hours.

Also, how long were you on a liquid diet?

Any other recovery tips and tricks you want to share?

Officially scheduling my c section date at my appointment this morning... 

[mrsjason]

I got out 4 days after surgery. But to be honest, I liked being in the hospital. It was like we were in our own little world oblivious to the outside. It was nice. Plus the nurses were there to lend a hand.

I can't quite remember about the liquid diet thing, maybe 24 hours. But my advice is don't try to rush food or liquids too soon. I did and I was sick for HOURS afterwards. I think I threw up 15-20 times which isn't much fun after major abdominal surgery.

I don't have any tips other than be sure to take every moment in. I know I keep saying it but it's true. Before you know it you won't have a newborn anymore and that really is the most special time in life <3

[kimandross]

Quinn was born at 1:16 on Monday afternoon, I went home I think Thursday late morning/afternoon.

I was never on a liquid diet.

As much as its going to suck and hurt worse than pretty much anything ever, it is important to get up and walk when the nurses tell you. Ross told me he never felt more sorry for a human being then when he watched me take that first walk to the bathroom. But it did get easier and easier. Also, some people don't like them, but the mesh underwear the hospital has are the best. They don't have a tight elastic band and they'll go up and over your incision area. I lived in yoga type pants for the first few weeks, so have those on hand. Tell Erik to map out the smoothest ride home, as bumps in the road were the worst. And don't be afraid to ask for help or pain meds, whichever you may need.

[sara76]

They're right. 3 days. I recovered very easily with no complications and Amelia was very healthy, and I thought there was a chance we could go home early since they were so busy that week but nopers. In hindsight I don't know why I was in such a hurry to get home. The room service was nice:).

You're only on a liquid diet until you pass your first gas. I think I was able to have soft foods which is pretty much everything by dinner.

The advice that everyone gave to me was even if it hurts try and get up and move around as soon as possible. I think that helped. Just take it easy and go slow, but get moving. My motivation was I hated the leg cuffs they had on me for circulation. They were making me sweaty and I wanted them off and they said as soon as I got out of bed they would take them off. So I was like "we'll let's do this". I think I walked a couple steps to my chair around 2pm after an 8am surgery. I stayed there and had my liquid meal (they'll ask what you want. Its all free, just tell them you'd like one of each. You don't know what's going to taste good to you. You're on drugs . Then I took the couple of steps back to bed a few hours later. I begged them to keep the catheter in because I was really enjoying not having to pee every 5 minutes but they insisted it come out around 10 hours post surgery. So by 8 pm I was walking to the bathroom. Then in the morning the nurse said that my scar looked good and the Dr would want to see it without the dressing in a couple hours so I could get in the shower and take it off my way with nice warm soapy water or have them do it the dry way and I decided my way was good. So this is where the nice shower stuff comes in handy. Bring something that smells good and a fluffy towel for drying. I didn't and im still angry at how awful their towels are. I was able to take a shower completely unassisted 24 hours later and get the dressing off the scar. The rest was pretty easy. It hurts to laugh so keep a pillow handy to hold on your stomach just in case. Let them take the baby for a couple hours at night if they offer so you can rest. You won't sleep well anyway but just a couple hours of relaxing and knowing the baby is safe in the nursery is really good for your head.
Anything I missed?
I know it's hard not to be scared a little but honestly, it wasn't that bad. I've heard of much more difficult recoveries after relatively easy vaginal births.

[mrsmew]

I remember all the hospital tours we took saying 48 hours is standard for vaginal delivery, 3 days is standard for c-sections. I had some complications afterwards so I ended up being in there for 5 days post-c-section.

I don't remember the liquid diet but I had a lot going on afterwards and was pretty out of it from meds they gave me (for the complications, not standard). I guess if I was on a liquid diet it must not have been too long or too terrible or I would remember. I do remember being insanely thirsty but all they would let me have was ice chips, not even a glass of water. Again, not sure if that's standard.

Ditto everyone about getting up and walking around ASAP. It's going to suck but DO IT. It will help. Move slowly, and hold your breath as you stand up. Keep a pillow nearby to hold over your abdomen if you have to cough, sneeze, or laugh. (I remember my H was changing Ellie's diaper the second night and had some major pooping mishaps - I was cracking up at him and it was the most painful laughter ever, but totally worth it!) I'd also have a pillow to bring home to hold over your abdomen in the car. I hadn't thought of that (hadn't planned the c-section) but we got lucky and the cab driver who drove us home was a kind soul who drove slowly and carefully and avoided as many bumps as he could. He earned himself a hefty tip, that's for sure. Also, FYI, I had tried to hold off on my heavy drug dose until right before we left so that I could be all drugged up for the ride home, but the hospital wouldn't let me leave if I did that, so I did it unmedicated. So be aware of that, or ask for something lesser (ibuprophen) before leaving instead of the good stuff.

And like I said before, keep on the nurses about the pain meds. If you're due for more meds every 4 hours, call them at 3.5 hours so they can start getting it ready. You don't want to have to come from behind when it already hurts and try to take away the pain - try to stay on top of it instead. No need to be a hero. And if the meds aren't working for you, say something. We tried a couple different things for me because the first (don't remember what it was) wasn't really helping. They wanted to give me Percocet but I know that makes me nauseous so we tried a 3rd drug that was the most awesome drug ever (Dilaudid). That worked for me.

And YES about the shower stuff!!!! Pamper yourself! We also brought swim trunks for my H so he could help me shower without it being awkward with nurses running around. I was thankful for that.

Also, YES about the mesh underwear. Steal all you can of that stuff. Seriously, clear the place out.

I think you're planning to breastfeed, right? For me, the football hold was the best for a long while afterwards because it didn't put the baby on my belly at all. We were big fans of the football hold.

That's all I can think of for now. Just be prepared to be slow moving for a while, and it will seem like you'll never feel normal again, but you will. By one week after the birth I was walking Ellie to her pedi appt - very, very slowly, but I did it.

[mrsjason]

Yes, I agree, I did not think C-Section recovery was bad. NOt at all really. I mean, it's not great for a few days but the anticipation of pain was worse than the actual pain itself. Just stay on top of your pain meds and you will be just fine

[aegis2005]

Thanks ladies

[sara76]

Oh yes, and for pain control, I forgot to mention. With the spinal they injected a medication that lasts 12 hours. I'm not sure what it was (Dilaudid? I'm pretty sure it started with a D). It was awesome. Take advantage of it. Afterwards the oral medicine is fine too but you probably could have punched me in the face during the first 12 hours and I would have been all "whateves, I've got a baby "

[moonstone523]

Just to put this in perspective and hopefully make you feel better.

The one thing I kept saying over and over afterwards was... I know they tell you c-section recovery is hard, but damn, so is vaginal delivery.

I was totally shocked by how long/hard the recovery was. I'm not sure what I expected going drug free, and well pushing a 9lb 6oz baby out of a small hole,  but damn.

So either way, you birthed a child, you have to recover!

GOOD LUCK MAMA!

[moonstone523]

Oh, and it HAS to get better.... or women wouldn't have multiple children.

[mrsjenrn]

Ditto what everyone else said! Get up and move as soon as you're able! My section was at 2am and by 8 or 9 I tried to get up and see Zoe, who was in the nursery for low blood sugar. I was too dizzy and almost fell over, but by noon I could get into the wheelchair. Definitely keep on top of your pain meds. I was popping percocet and ibuprofen as often as I could have it. I was d/c'd from the hospital 2.5 days after my surgery.

Also, avoid food that will make you gassy. Gas pain sucks when you have that incision. I chewed on simethicone as often as I could have it just to avoid any type of gas pain. And take your stoll softener. It hurts to poop and those pain meds will constipate you.

I also had trapped air in my upper left shoulder blade and it was the worst pain ever. I couldn't lie flat for 2 weeks and slept in my glider. Just a little side effect from surgery no one ever seems to mention, but it can happen sometimes.

[sara76]

Jen I forgot about how dizzy I was standing for the first time! Yes it was kinda hard not to fall. That wore off whenever that amazing injection of painkillers did.