FTM w/c-section questions

I'm 35w and it looks like LO is still breech. I'm still doing lots of spinningbabies stuff and am hoping she'll turn by 39w, but I'm also starting to mentally prepare myself for a c-section, since that is now a higher possibility (my doc will NOT do a version because I'm also considered high-risk).

so here are my questions for the BTDT c-sectioners:

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

I'll prob have lots more questions as I do more reading but anything you ladies can share would be greatly appreciated!!!!

ETA additional question:

6) Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like? The idea of being awake while they cut me open freaks me out ALOT. Or the idea that I won't be able to feel anything below a certain point on my body (legs, etc) ---I'm terrified of how I'm going to react!

Message edited 6/12/2012 2:31:10 PM.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Hopefully your LO will turn, but if not, I honestly didn't think a c-section was that bad.

Here's my answers from what I can remember-

1. My section was at 8pm, so by the time I got to my room it was past 11pm. Therefore I didn't get up until the next morning, maybe around 8am. The timeline might be shorter though if you give birth earlier in the day.

2. I personally needed painkillers and rang for them every 4 hours. But I think it will kind of depend on your pain tolerance. Mine is very low

3. Granny panties! As high as I could get them. They were pretty much up to my belly button. In the hospital I used the mesh ones they gave you. I really did not like the sensation of anything touching near my incision and couldn't even wear pants for like two weeks. I had to send DH out to buy me nightgowns. You may not feel this way though. But low cut undies would be hard, b/c the incision is so low I'm not sure you could find something that would go underneath.

4. I really don't remember. It was a few weeks at least.

5. My suggestion is take it slow and easy, but make sure to move around. Just don't try to do too much. And don't be a hero about the pain meds. If you feel you need them, take them. There is no reason to suffer.

Good luck!

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) i had my csection at 8:30 and was up later than evening so id say 12it hours later.

2) my hopsital left the epi in me for two days after which i think really helped in my recovery. I took pain killers for maybe 4-5 days after that but it was definitely tolerable.

3) i took as many mesh undies from the hospital as i could and wore them for about 2 weeks. They were a life saver! I just wore high rise granny panties after that.

4) id say it was about 4-6 weeks or so but it got pretty light after the first week or two.

I had fairly easy recovery considering my labor experience was so rough. Id say rely heavily on your DH those first days in the hosp and TRY to rest. It will make your life so much easier when you get home of you can. HTH!

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Try acupuncture and chiropractors that specialize in prenatal care!!

I had an emergency C, so my answers might be a little different.

1) My c-section was at 7am. I wasn't able to get up until the next morning.
2) Motrin was my savior. Take the drugs!
3) My incision is low - all my low-rise undies cover it. I couldn't wear those for awhile though b/c the band sat too close to the incision. Buy a few pairs of granny panties a size or two bigger then what you wore pre-pregnancy.
4) 3 weeks, and it was pretty light. Spotted for another week.
5) I repeat: take the drugs. Get up and move. Sleep when the baby does. Remind visitors that overstay their welcome that you have a nb AND are trying to recover from surgery.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

I got out of bed maybe 18 hours after surgery

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

needed pain killers 100% but by the time I was home, I was just taking ibuprofen.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

granny panties ;)

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

i only bled for maybe 3-4 days heavily and then maybe 1 weeks very lightly

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

take pain meds, dont be a hero! also move as soon as possible and as often as possible. let people help! ask the nurses to show you how to move, get into and out of bed etc.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

c/s at 11:00, epi out and out of bed at 8:00 following morning.

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

I took Darvacet ( a milder percoset) for about 5 days after then some tylenol for a couple of days.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

I wore my maternity underwear some above some below and fold over maternity shorts.

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

About 3 weeks.

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

The gas pains were horrendous. I had no idea to expect that, don't be afraid to pass gas, it'll help lol. I had so many guests and my DH was there and I was holding it all in, big mistake. Also to get up and walk no matter how much it hurts.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Thanks for the responses, ladies! I'm feeling a little better and less overwhelmed after reading your responses.

Looks like I'll be making a trip to Walmart to pick up some granny panties at some point, just in case.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?
I had dd around 5 am and I was out of bed at 3 pm

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?
All I needed was motrin 2x....it wasn't bad. I was actually moving better than my roomie who had a regular birth

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? high rise grandma panties which will help with bleeding

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth? Nearly 6 weeks, unfortunately

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?
the more walking you do, the better. It helps prevent gas pains. Stay ahead of the pain. If you start feeling pain, take the Motrin at least. It will help prevent the pain from getting worse.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

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Message edited 6/12/2012 2:22:50 PM.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

My answers will be different than previous posters because I was not scheduled for a csection. I pushed for 3 hours and DS didn't want to come out so I had a cs.

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?
My csection was at 8:30pm and I was up and walking by 12 noon the next day so around 16 hours. That's considered long because I had both labor and cs. You should be get out of bed sooner than that.

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?
They gave me an spinal tap for the c section since I did not have the epidural during labor. I'm not sure what the difference between the 2 is but the nurse told me the spinal tap had morphine in it. I was good without any medication for a long time. The nurse asked me if I wanted oxycodone and each time I turned it down. She said once the morphine wears off you"ll want it. And she was right, I begged for pain killer once that shot of spinal tap was out of my system. And not to scare you or anything but the anesthesiologist (sp?) tapped me 3 times bc he kept missing.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?
Since I was pushing before my cs, I had no underwear on. After the surgery I wore maternity panties which worked out great because it had a lower cut in the front and it did not brush against the incision.

ETA: Maybe the maternity panties did not go underneath my incision, can't remember. I might've had to fold and roll it down. you're better off with granny panties and have it cover over your incision. My incision is very low, just above my pubic bone.

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?
It was bright red up till 4 weeks. between 4-6 weeks it was brown discharge. No more bleeding after 6 weeks and dr cleared us for

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?
Just take it easy. Always use your arms to help yourself up. You will have no abdominal muscles. It will hurt when you cough or sneeze. Don't be afraid to take pain meds when you need it.

Message edited 6/12/2012 2:22:03 PM.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

I'm going to have to keep reminding myself about the pain meds and to not be a martyr about it, if I do end up with a c/s.

I'll edit the original post too, but follow-up question:

Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like? The idea of being awake while they cut me open freaks me out ALOT. Or the idea that I won't be able to feel anything below a certain point on my body (legs, etc) ---I'm terrified of how I'm going to react!

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?
That same day. The BEST advise is to get up and walk as soon as you can. the WORST of it is the gas pain - walking is about all you can do for that.

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?
I was offered Motrin or Morphine (I think). I took Motrin and it worked for me. My last night I took Morphine (to get one last hurrah before going home) and I got so sick from it. I stuck with Mortin at home too.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?
I wore Granny Panties b/c I wanted to be comfortable. The incision is VERY low, like at the pubic hair line. regular bikini undies will not affect the incision/

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?
Yes, you bleed the same. No one told me beforehand.

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?
Follow your dr's instructions. I was told no driving for 2 wks. Stairs will be a bit difficult, just take them slow (1 at a time). Don't be afraid to get up and walk - even if it's just slow and to the nursery to get/look at the baby - it will relieve the gas pains!

One thing not related to recovery that I was told by the nurse (thankfully) is a c/s baby will sound congested and be congested - this happens b/c the fluid is NOT pushed out their lungs as when they come thru the birth canal during a vaginal delivery. It's not bad, but had I now known I would have freaked out! It mostly occured when he was reclined to feed.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Wanted to add- ask for a wrap - I didn't have one with DS, but did with my niece. It's a soft ace bandage material wrap that goes around your abdominal area and velcros shut.

It's a PITA when you have to goto the bathroom, but it helps hold you all in after the c/s. I would lift my bellly up then put it on (lyaing down) to help keep it off my incision while healing.

Also, you may have staples or stitches.

1st time I had staples - they were removed in the dr's office 1 wk later - healign was fine with them.

2d time I had dissolvable stitches. Healing was okay with this as well, but i preferred the staples.

Going into the c/s the Dr said it would depend on whether he used staples or stitches (I had same Dr for both)

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Sorry this turned into a book, but I hope it helps you!!!

I delivered at Winthrop via c-section after 30 hours of labor. My water broke on it's own at 2AM on a Tuesday but I never dilated past 3cm.

My C-section went smooth, but I got "stuck" in Recovery for 8 hours after delivery because my oxygen was low and I wasn't filling up the catheter enough. I was kept there for monitoring. During that time, they brought DD in to me for her feedings (I wanted to BF). Only DH was allowed to visit me in Recovery.

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp?

they had me sit up the next day. i had my c-section at 8am on Wednesday and by midday on Thursday I was up and into a chair next to my bed. I had my catheter out on Friday so anytime I had to "go" after that, I had to walk hunchback to the bathroom. I was (FINALLY!!!!) allowed to shower on Friday. Friday and Saturday my doctor told me to do 10 laps around the nurses station that day. I did 1 at a time on Friday and eventually worked up to 3 laps at a time by Saturday. I was discharged on Sunday at noon, where I was wheeled down to the car. When we got home, I had to climb 5 stairs to get to my front door. The first few days I would walk hunched over around my house. The only place I felt good and could stand straight was in the shower. I remember my back burning from the strain of walking hunched over. Recovering from abdominal surgery is not fun...but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.


2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

Absolutely 100% TAKE THE PAINKILLERS!!
When you get to your room in maternity, your nurse will go over with you a "Pain Management Strategy". She wrote it on the dry erase board on the wall at the foot of my bed. Keep track of the time and call the nurses station 10-15 min before it's due so that it will be there before it wears off (especially in the middle of the night!). You know your body, you know the type of pain you can handle. Go day by day and you will be fine. My doc did not send me home with a prescription - just told me to take Motrin, which I did for about a week after I was home when I needed it.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home?

You want HIGH rise granny panties. They sell them at Wallmart, CVS, etc. I did not expect to have a C-section so I packed loose-fitting boy shorts. I put them on and when my doc checked me he told me to have someone go buy me high waist undies so that the band is above the insision. My mom had to go out and buy me some. The type I had were Hanes and the band came up to my waist/over my belly button. Yes, super sexy!!

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

I bled for about 2-3 weeks I think? I can't remember but after a while I just counted on it being there. Totally sucks but you'll get through it.

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

Just remain calm and go with the flow. I realized very quickly that the hospital moves very slowly.

Another tip: if you're having a manicure done before, go with a LIGHT color. The oxygen machine thing that goes on your finger could not get a reading bc I had dark nail polish. They had to take the nail polish off that finger for me.


6) Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like?

I have a vivid memory of being rolled down the hallway on my gurney to the operating room. It's exactly how they show it in movies - with the lights streaming by and heads walking past, etc. I remember crying and my doctor stopping everyone to comfort me and tell me that it was alright. I had already had an epidural and hadn't slept since Monday night so I was just DONE. They got me up on the table which is like the width of a surfboard. My water was leaking all over and I apologized to the OR Nurse who laughed at me and told me it was ok. They had me hunched over to do the spinal and I remember thinking I wanted to be at home. I was team but I didn't even care what the baby was at that point because I was scared out of my mind. They had me lay down and my doctor came in. Then my husband was by my head and I was thinking OMG I can’t believe this is happening. I remembered reading somewhere (probably here) to NOT look up into the lights above the table because they are chrome and you can see the reflection of the surgery. So I looked to my left towards my DH but there were glass door cabinets behind him and OMG I saw -for a split second- the surgery. I made sure not to look anywhere but at DH from then on. I don’t know when the cutting started because I didn’t feel it but during that time my doctor asked us what names we had chosen and I told him. Then he asked me what I thought the baby was. I said “After all this drama, it’s got to be a girl” And he said, I think so too. Some tugging (no pain at all just a weird feeling) later, my doctor said “ It’s a Ourgirlsname!” And immediately happiness replaced the fear. The docs and nurses were all saying “Look at all that hair!” “A BIG girl!” She was weighed (9lbs!)and cleaned up and DH was able to go over to pick her up. As he was walking her over I felt the urge to throw up. I looked up at my nurse and said “I’m going to throw up right now!” They pumped something into my IV and I felt better in a matter of seconds. And then there she was. You don’t even notice that there are other people in the room, let alone those people are literally putting you back together.

A piece of advice for the OR: If you are allowed to bring in a camera and your DH is skittish, see if the nurse will take pics for you. Mine got some amazing shots that are extremely graphic but they are SO special to me because I had always pictured a V-birth, where I would be able to see everything.

Good luck, you will be FINE!!! And that present at the end will make every second worth it!!!!

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Im glad to see this post. I will be induced tomorrow and there is a good chance that I may be getting a CS since LO is big. At least I know what to expect and usually I am good with surgery since i have had to have a few in the past but I have been asleep.

I feel better

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

Yes, thank you for this post and everyones candid answers! I am scheduled for a cs on Tuesday and am terrified. Baby never turned and I tried everything. I'm still seeing the chiropractor!!

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1)
ds #1 - un-scheduled c-section, gave birth at 10:30 and was allowed to move late the next day


DS #2 - scheduled c-section, gave birth around 9:30am and was allowed to mve the next morning.

For both'move ' meant take a few steps in the room to my chair and then progress gradually to more

2) absolutely took painkillers for both C/S...as PP'ers said...don't be a hero.

3) Granny panties all the way!

4) Bled for about 6 weeks

5) Rest, Walk, don't lift anything heavier than your baby...basically follow all the insrtuctions. Once the staples are removed you'll feel so much better.

6)

I have surgery issues...especially where genreal anesthesia (fully out) is concerned because I coded well before I ever had children for another surgery. So I was glad to be awake for my C/S. Nonetheless I was really scared and soo apprehensive. I kept reminding the doctors about my general anesthesia issue.


DS #1 - I was already loopy from the epidural so I didn't register it as much. I was scared because of my prior history but not more than I could handle.

DS #2 - Was a little more apprehesive than with #1 because I had no drugs in me...LOL. I kept asking questions and talking and DHand anestheialogists an nurses kept me calm.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

I was up as soon as they took the catheter out. I think it was later that day

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

I did not take any meds not even Motrin

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

I have Hanes briefs. I had zero issue with anything bothering the incision


4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?
7 weeks but it was super light for most of the time

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

Get up an move around ASAP. I had to due to my clotting issues. I was walking the halls. Also liquid only diet for at least 24 hrs after.


6) Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like? The idea of being awake while they cut me open freaks me out ALOT. Or the idea that I won't be able to feel anything below a certain point on my body (legs, etc) ---I'm terrified of how I'm going to react! I was an emergency section. DS was not coming out and we had heart rate issues. It was kind of a whirlwind so I had zero time to think about it. But because of my clotting issues I knew a section was always a possibility and kind of wanted one. My recovery was amazing. No pain was only in hospital for 3 days and the day after I got home I was at the nail salon.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

I am probably having my 2nd c section in a few weeks. Here are my answers!

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

My C section was in the morning and they made me walk 24 hours later. It was painful to say the least.

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable? I was on morphine or morphine equivalent for 24 hours with a button I could push every few minutes for more. I think I was also on pain pills too. Cant remember the first 24 hours, I was so drugged up. I was on percocet the other days but send home with nothing.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

The nurse actually sent my DH to CVS because I didnt have grannie underwear. I thought anything that wasnt a thong was considered grandma but according to this nurse that is not the case. She made my DH buy CVS bloomers in a large size. The were 3 times the size of me and we were cracking up when he came back with them! They were comfy though.

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

Dont remember. Maybe 4-6 weeks but the bleeding wasnt bad at all.

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

No, my recovery was painful but I toughed it out.

6) Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like?

I had an unplanned c section due to a failed induction and the baby's heart rate would go haywire when I was given more pitocin. I did feel pain during the surgery. I will spare you the details but my situation was "unusual" according to my doctor.

Good luck! I hope your baby turns.

Re: FTM w/c-section questions

1) how long post-op until you were able to get out of bed at the hosp? a few hours? the next day?

**They had me stand that night, but I was up the next day. I was also on magnesium though which made me loopy and that much tougher to get up on my own

2) did you need to take painkillers afterwards or was the pain tolerable?

**I had a pain pump that I controlled when I needed pain meds. They also gave me liquid motrin that was awesome! I didn't use too much of the pain killer since the liquid motrin did the job.

3) (very important!) what type of undies did you wear afterwards/at home? I'm not quite sure where the incision would be and would you want low rises so it goes under the incision or ones that are high so it covers it up and protects it?

**I wore granny panties! They were bigger size and also I got some bikini cut that went up over the incision.

4) how long did you bleed for afterwards? 4-6 weeks like a vaginal birth?

**I was around 4 weeks PP when the bleeding stopped.

5) any tips/suggestions on having an easier recovery?

**Try to get up and walk as much as possible. Ask for help when you need it and if you need the pain meds don't be afraid to ask for it. The first couple of days are the worst of it, but by the time i got home on the 5th day (I had other complications so I had to stay an extra day) I think I only used the pain meds once and then just used tylenol.


ETA additional question:

6) Did anyone freak out during the actual procedure? What was it like? The idea of being awake while they cut me open freaks me out ALOT. Or the idea that I won't be able to feel anything below a certain point on my body (legs, etc) ---I'm terrified of how I'm going to react!

**No I was fine. I was more concerned b/c I had my DS at 31 weeks about the health of the baby. It wasn't bad during the procedure and I didn't feel anything while they were doing it.

Any questions please feel free to FM me. Good luck. Hopefully you won't have to have one, but if you do its not so bad as least mine wasn't.