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C-section ladies, tell me about recovery
Baby was breech again today, and I really don't think she is going to flip head down again at this point, so I'm ready to prepare for the c-section now, so...
What kind of clothing is most comfortable to wear after the c-section, like what would make a good going home outfit for me and what is most comfortable to wear the first few days at home? I've heard from some people they couldn't comfortable wear pants because of the location of the incision.
Anything I should know? Or be prepared for? I already know I won't be able to pick J up because he'll be too heavy for me, but I'll have DH around for a week and both of my parents around for 2-3 weeks to help me. I had abdominal surgery 1.5 years ago, so I kind of have an idea of what to expect with stitches and pain but those were around my belly button not at the bikini line.
Re: C-section ladies, tell me about recovery
I've had 3 c/s & a tubal reversal so I have a lot of experience! My case is a little different b/c my 1st baby was injured during child birth and I had a very hard, natural labor. Recovery was excruciating for me. With that being said my c/s were sooooooooo much easier!
I'll refer to my last two since the 1st c/s was almost 12 years ago.
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I have a very high tolerance to pain so in all honestly I was not in to much pain. With Abby then told me I had to wait 12 hours to get out of bed. At midnight 2 nurses came to my room to check me and change sheets etc. I begged the nurses to let me get out of bed so I could brush my teeth. They were shocked I walked to the bathroom w/ no help. I didn't take many pain killers. I was up that morning and walked the hallways. Again, told by several nurses that they couldn't believe how mobile I was and I was doing much better then the patients that had regular delivery. I actually had an up and down incision for the last delivery so that is worse then a regular incision.
The key is to walk, walk, walk! I did take advantage of using the nursery at night and I really recommend doing that! You need extra rest after the surgery! I woke up at 6am every morning & went and got the baby. I had horrible bruises up and down my arms and those hurt 100X worse then my c/s incision. I was driving 7 days after the birth. Just get the help if you have it! Dont vacuum, do a lot of house work etc. You don't want it to get infected. The worse part of the c/s for me was getting the staples out. I was sooooooooooo scared! I had to go back 2X w/ the last baby b/c I had so many.
That part really sucked for me.
Don't worry too much about it! Keep walking and you will feel better in no time.
I did have to LOL at the weight limitations. I remember after I had Jacob they told me not to carry anything over 10 pounds. Jacob weighed 11.2 when he was born so we all laughed about that!
I walked as soon as I was off Mag and could some what focus, which was about 24hrs afterwards. I only took advil for pain and that worked just fine and I didn't take it for very long. Go slow getting up from sitting down getting out of bed (this was the hardest part for me and caused the most pain). I wasn't allowed to drive for 5 weeks and my doc didn't want me going any further then work. I lifted nothing being that A was still in the NICU. The most comfortable clothes were my maternity cotton pants that I had from ON or cotton pj pants. Getting my staples out didn't hurt, but I thought it would. You might have a little pain or weird sensation for quite some time near the cut. I'm guessing it is the nerves doing whatever it is that they do. I still have a weird feeling (not really pain) around the cut area if i touch around there.
I walked as soon as I was off Mag and could some what focus, which was about 24hrs afterwards. I only took advil for pain and that worked just fine and I didn't take it for very long. Go slow getting up from sitting down getting out of bed (this was the hardest part for me and caused the most pain). I wasn't allowed to drive for 5 weeks and my doc didn't want me going any further then work. I lifted nothing being that A was still in the NICU. The most comfortable clothes were my maternity cotton pants that I had from ON or cotton pj pants. Getting my staples out didn't hurt, but I thought it would. You might have a little pain or weird sensation for quite some time near the cut. I'm guessing it is the nerves doing whatever it is that they do. I still have a weird feeling (not really pain) around the cut area if i touch around there.
Oh, and
mySorry for the duplicate.. stupid nest!
My #1 thing is make sure you don't have a tape allergy! I didn't know that I had well, but found out the hard way that I did. My whole entire back was red and itchy from the tape. It was horrible and didn't go away completely for almost 2 months! I actually think that was the worst part of it.
I'm not sure you want to hear mine b/c I had a minor complication....but I also want you to be prepared for everything that might/could happen.
When I got my shot in the back, they nipped something and I had to have a blood patch done b/c I had these horrible headaches and I felt like I was on an airplane. So I basically had two surgeries in 2 days. All they did was take blood out of my arm and put in in my back.
The whole c/s process went so fast and smooth. My recovery was a breeze. I was driving and doing laundry the following week....basically b/c I couldnt take it anymore. I think I slept on the couch the first three night b/c B said it was doctors orders. Oh, and sneezing/coughing really hurt. It felt like a tugging. I wear velor pants and a lose t-shirt home fromt he hospital and I just lounged around in pj pants for a week. If I had to go somewhere, I just threw on some yoga pants.
My sister had this! her back looked really painful and she went through tons of cortisone cream.
Recovery isn't all that bad really. With Kenleigh I didn't take meds until my second day and I didn't even go through half of my percoset prescription. With Charli, I was in more pain for some reason and did need more meds. Don't feel bad about taking them, you want to stay comfortable so that you can be up walking. You're going to be gassy, and you might want to take stool softeners so you don't have to push the first time you need go potty. That helps a lot.
Like Angi said there is a risk for spinal headache, which happens when some spinal fluid leaks out after they insert the needle. It's not all that common, but does really hurt if it happens. When the spinal block wears off you can get really itchy (I do!) and you can ask for nubain or benadryl to help with that. Steps will be a little hard at first, I slept on the couch the first week with Charli & Kenleigh because I didn't feel safe carrying them up/down the stairs.
Get up and walk as soon as you can. Stay on top of your meds. Even if you don't feel like you are in pain, I suggest taking them anyway.
I had an awesome recovery for both girls. On a 1-10 scale I would say I never really got past a 3.
As far as clothes I wore pants the day after surgery. Loose yoga pants are pretty comfortable. Also invest in granny panties. They will go up higher then your incision.
I drove about a week afterwards since I was completely off meds. I couldn't handle being stuck in the house and needed to get out and about.
I totally forgot about that! You don't want bikini's or anything will rub against the incision! The bigger the better!
) Pull over your belly button! HaHa! They actually are really comfortable. I wore jammie pants at home b/c those 1st few days home I just wanted to be as comfortable as possible. On the way home from the hospital I wore my jeans that I wore to the hospital.