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pumpkinpye517
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 1060 total posts
Name:
Tiffany
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C-section next Thursday!
Im scheduled for my c-section next thursday and Im definitely nervous of the unexpected being that this is my very first pregnancy. Any words of advice that can comfort me or suggestions to make it a great experience? I have a fear of the unexpected I guess. TIA ladies!
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Posted 6/4/08 8:49 PM  |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
The fear is completely normal. Try not to panic when you are in surgery. The spinal was nothing so don't even give that a second thought. I talked to my anestesiologist (sp) the entire time. He was great and put me at ease!
Recovery stinks but every day gets a little easier.
A trick - that one of the med students taught me - that was a HUGE help - was when you first get up and start walking - walk backwards. You are putting the pressure on your back instead of your front where you are sore. i would walk backwards to the bathroom and by the time I got there I was much better. I did this my entire hospital stay. No one else has ever heard of this....the girl was a godsend!
Take your meds. And, make sure to switch the motrin/percoset every few hours. I thought the percosets would be the strongest but it turns out when you mix the two the relief lasts longer.
Ask for the tea to help with gas - and take the Gas pills. You will need them to help you pass gas.
I will try to think of some more.
Oh - and def. don't overdo it when you get home - ask for help. I was doing everything and going everywhere and ended up paying two weeks in.
Good luck and congrats! 
Message edited 6/4/2008 8:58:33 PM.
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| Posted 6/4/08 8:56 PM |
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Suzanne
May the Force Be With You!
Member since 5/05 2083 total posts
Name:
Suzanne
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Don't be nervous. You will be fine. It is not so bad.
I do have some words of advice though. Make sure you walk as much as possible afterwards. Don't sit around for too long at once.
I also have to tell you it is very important to pass gas as much as possible afterwards. I know, crazy advice and I  every time a nurse would tell me that but it made a huge difference. Once I finally was able to do that (and it took 2 days) I felt like a whole new person and was raring to go!
Good luck! I look forward to seeing you on this board with pics of your baby.
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| Posted 6/4/08 8:56 PM |
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jinglemommy
I <3 my boys!
Member since 12/06 1389 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Remember to use a pillow if you have to cough or laugh....hold it up to you stomach---makes it easier on you
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:00 PM |
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pumpkinpye517
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 1060 total posts
Name:
Tiffany
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
wow thank you ladies soo much.. i was almost in tears the other day b/c I was getting so nervous thinking about it. I packed a small pillow in my hospital bag and I will definitely do that walk backwards thing for sure! Thank you for all of your advice!! Its all very useful and stuff I wouldn't have thought of!
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:07 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by jinglemommy
Remember to use a pillow if you have to cough or laugh....hold it up to you stomach---makes it easier on you
yessss - laughing - sneezing - coughing - hold the pillow up!!!
Also - if you have a boppy - bring it to the hospital - it was easy to lay the baby against you on that.
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:10 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
If you'd like, you can check my profile for my birth story--I had a scheduled c-section with my 2nd.
Just some random stuff you may not realize--
You'll be hooked up to an IV bag in triage for an hour or so before you go to the OR. They'll put some really tight socks with no toes on you before the surgery also...that was weird!
Your DH will probably not be allowed in the room when you get your spinal. The spinal is NOT a big deal. You will get numb almost immediately and that was the freakiest part for me.
You'll be on a really narrow table--it's like you're on the crucifix with your arms outstretched! They tilt the table slightly to one side--you will feel like you're falling, but you won't. The same goes for afterwards when the nurses clean you up. They'll be jostling you all about, but you WON'T fall. It's just a really odd feeling.
You may experience some "tight" breathing...the numbing may reach your chest. You can and you are breathing--remember that.
You'll probably be on a liquid diet for the first day. I delivered at LIJ and that was the case.
Otherwise, you'll do great!!!
Good luck to you!!!
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:57 PM |
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Laura1976
Member since 5/05 5754 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
its not that bad, I think it might be easier knowing that your going to have one then to have an emergency c-section.
couple of things that you may or may not be prepared for:
your going to have a catheter in for the first day or two
the first day or two you won't be able to stand up, when you do try it for the first few times it hurts like a b*tch
you won't be allowed to eat until you pass gas (sounds ridiiculous, but its true)
you won't be wearing pants for the first day or two, so you'll be meeting and greeting visitors with a sheet covering you and not the prettiest scene underneath
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:57 PM |
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HillW9608
Hello Summer!
Member since 5/08 5916 total posts
Name:
Hill
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
No advice but good luck!!!!
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:58 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
We already have spoken. Just keep your eye on the prize, your little one will be here in a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck!
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:58 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by Laura1976
your going to have a catheter in for the first day or two
Oh yes! But don't worry...it will not hurt going in OR out!
Also, if you get staples, they will not hurt when removed!
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| Posted 6/4/08 9:59 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
- Spinal was nothing for me
- Don't be brave and take your meds. They will help move around and heal faster
- stapples don't hurt when you remove them.
You will be fine!!
ETA: bring your boppy pillow if you have one. It will be helpful to hold the baby for both BFing or formula. It will be more comfortable.
Message edited 6/4/2008 10:05:35 PM.
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| Posted 6/4/08 10:03 PM |
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CunningOne
***
Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
Name:
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
buy lots of granny panties. You want them to go up and over your incision. I would put the hospital maxi's over the incision as a cushion.
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| Posted 6/4/08 10:07 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by chmlengr
buy lots of granny panties. You want them to go up and over your incision. I would put the hospital maxi's over the incision as a cushion.
Forgot about that one! It did help me.
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| Posted 6/4/08 10:09 PM |
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pumpkinpye517
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 1060 total posts
Name:
Tiffany
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Thank you all so much for your help and advice. This is starting to make me feel more confident about this. I am having a spinal block and so far everyone told me not even to worry about that and my next worry is staples which I too will be having and again Ive heard they dont even hurt coming out. Oh yes, and the catheter..this really doesnt hurt coming out? Id assume they put it in after the spinal block..
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| Posted 6/4/08 10:33 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by pumpkinpye517
Thank you all so much for your help and advice. This is starting to make me feel more confident about this. I am having a spinal block and so far everyone told me not even to worry about that and my next worry is staples which I too will be having and again Ive heard they dont even hurt coming out. Oh yes, and the catheter..this really doesnt hurt coming out? Id assume they put it in after the spinal block..
Yep - you won't feel the catheter going in or out either.
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| Posted 6/5/08 8:07 AM |
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JChia
Mom of 2 Princesses
Member since 9/07 2540 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Def ask for the gas pills if they don't offer it...my day nurse didn't offer it and I didn't know about it. I didn't find out about them until the next night when a different nurse was on the night shift. It took me two days to pass gas - fyi you are on a liquid diet until you pass gass, so the sooner you do it, the sooner you can eat!
though we did bring it, I didn't use the boppy in the hospital - my huge uterus was still too expanded - bring a regular pillow or 2 - I had one for the bed and one for the chair.
Best wishes!
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| Posted 6/5/08 8:21 AM |
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jambalady
Is it summer yet?
Member since 8/06 7392 total posts
Name:
Holly
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
The gas pills were a must for me!! The gas pain was worse than the surgery pain. And try not to eat things that will constipate you more!
As for the catheter, they put mine in before the spinal. It's a little uncomfortable but once the spinal is in you won't feel it at all.
And maybe I'm dumb, but I didn't realize that I wouldn't be able to go to my room right afterwards and be with my baby. I was in recovery until I could bend both legs which took about 1 1/2 hours. I was so anxious to see my baby at that point and wish I would have known beforehand that I wasn't going to be able to go straight to my room.
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| Posted 6/5/08 11:41 AM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by Diana1215
Posted by jinglemommy
Remember to use a pillow if you have to cough or laugh....hold it up to you stomach---makes it easier on you
yessss - laughing - sneezing - coughing - hold the pillow up!!!
Also - if you have a boppy - bring it to the hospital - it was easy to lay the baby against you on that.
That never helped me, I thought I was going to die when I coughed for the first time after my c-section..... but I would put something (boppy or pillow) by your stomach if you have to cough or sneeze cause it will hurt!
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| Posted 6/5/08 12:12 PM |
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robin
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 495 total posts
Name:
robin
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
i have 4 girls ages 14,16,18,19 years old,then out of the blue i had a son who now is 7 months old.all my girls i had vaginaly,my son turned breech a week before he was born,so i had to have my first c-section,i was so scared,but the minute you see that baby,you know it was worth it.dont worry,everything will be fine,god bless you,your baby and your family...
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| Posted 6/5/08 1:17 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
all the hospital advice is great (if I have another I will have to try the walking backwards!)
since you have a week, try to get anything you can think of done while you can. Cook a few meals, run errands, grocery shop, etc. I was surprised with my second c/s. It was scheduled for one date and my OB bumped it up a week (for size issues) and I lost out on a lot of time I thought I could do things (I had only been off work 3 days)
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| Posted 6/5/08 1:45 PM |
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pumpkinpye517
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 1060 total posts
Name:
Tiffany
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by Erica
all the hospital advice is great (if I have another I will have to try the walking backwards!)
since you have a week, try to get anything you can think of done while you can. Cook a few meals, run errands, grocery shop, etc. I was surprised with my second c/s. It was scheduled for one date and my OB bumped it up a week (for size issues) and I lost out on a lot of time I thought I could do things (I had only been off work 3 days)
im definitely going to try this walking backwards thing and the pillow suggestions!
I already cooked a few meals.. chicken noodle soup, lasagne, meatballs, extra sauce, broccoli cheese quiche and i think thats it SO far.. I need a bigger freezer! All of DD's clothes for the first 3 months have been washed too and her bedding stuff.
I just want to thank everyone for their advice and support. I feel really good about everything I read and its calmed my nerves down alot. Thanks for letting me crash the board a little early!
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| Posted 6/5/08 2:14 PM |
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SuzyQ
Mama to 3!?!?!?
Member since 7/06 8069 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
All of the above advice is terrific. Just one more thing to warn you of - my arms had uncontrollable shaking after getting the spinal. I was laying on the table when they were starting the c-section and my arms would not stop shaking. I hated that. I'm not sure if that happens to everyone though.
Good luck!!
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| Posted 6/5/08 3:10 PM |
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octoberbride
Big sister to be!
Member since 11/05 2174 total posts
Name:
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Posted by pumpkinpye517
wow thank you ladies soo much.. i was almost in tears the other day b/c I was getting so nervous thinking about it. I packed a small pillow in my hospital bag and I will definitely do that walk backwards thing for sure! Thank you for all of your advice!! Its all very useful and stuff I wouldn't have thought of!
I had a scheduled C-section as well, and couldn't sleep for nights beforehand. It was definitley not as bad as I anticipated. The spinal was not bad. If you can, try to talk alot to your nurse and the doctors, especially when you are going to get the spinal - it can get your mind off of what is actually going on!
The recovery is hard - I won't lie. But like everyone else said - walk as much as you can!
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| Posted 6/5/08 3:18 PM |
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AtomicMom
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/05 632 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: C-section next Thursday!
Another helpful hint....bring a sheet or a large beach towel...roll it up tight and place that against your belly for support on your way home in the car...the bumps and potholes REALLY make the incision hurt...the towel or sheet helps support more than just a pillow....
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| Posted 6/5/08 3:59 PM |
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