BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

What was recovery really like?
Please be honest.

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN?
-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)?
-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how?
-What else should I know?

Please share!
Thanks in advance.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I had a c-section not an emergency but not planned either I had an epidural. I had no issues. I was up walking within the day (DS was born at 5:15 am). I was out walking and shopping a day after we got home (day 5). I have a very high bed and so getting in and out of bed was a little difficult. I was breastfeeding in the hospital right after DS was born. There was no waiting period.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I had a scheduled c-section. It was hard the first 3 days but only when I walked. The more I walked the better I felt. By the time I went home on the 4th day I was feeling much better, and by day 7 I had no pain.

You can BF right away, there are no restrictions. Use a boppy pillow or something like it for support. I actually didn't pump for several weeks.

My stomach changed because of pregnancy, not the c-section. My stomach looked fine after DS (the c-section). I had a vaginal birth with DD and my stomach looked much worse after that.

Walk, walk, walk! It helps get rid of the gas/air bubbles trapped in your body after the surgery. Also helps you heal faster.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I had an emergency c-section at 33w and I had a placenta issue that caused my c-section to be around 2 hours long and under general anesthesia. So my answers are probably at the worse end of the spectrum, but this was my experience.

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN?
honestly i dont know because DD spent almost a month in the NICU.

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)?
again not sure - because of my circumstances i didnt get to pump until 3 days later (i was very sick immediately after). i didnt get to nurse until 1 week later when DD was able to. this along with the trauma i went through caused severe low supply. i was never able to make enough milk to EBF but i did nurse and pump and supplement until DD was 9m.

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how?
my scar is raised and dark and wide compared to other CS scars. it is below the bikini line, but im not sure ill ever wear a bikini again. i have a lot of flub but not from the CS directly, just due to how my body recovered from pregnancy. the scar is still itchy and i feel twinges and pulling on it a lot, esp when my lower cut underwear sits on it. since the CS the space between my belly button and the scar is still pretty numb (14m pp). i dont think ill ever regain feeling there. but i also had the placenta issue and the placenta was anterior so with all of the work it took to detach it im pretty sure that is why the area is still very numb.

-What else should I know?
i wasnt allowed to drive for 2 weeks after.
make sure you get up and walk as soon as you are allowed. i couldnt get up for 2 days cause i was on megnesium and i had SO much trapped gas that i was more bloated after i delivered than i was at 33w. i couldn't eat for days because my intestines didnt start working again, it was pretty painful.
hug a pillow when you get up and sit down.
take whatever pain meds they offer you, dont be a hero after delivery.

every experience is different. my advice is dont have a cs unless its absolutely 100000% necessary. i think i remember you saying your baby was breech in which case you prob dont have a choice. but i wouldnt go in expecting the worst because everyones recovery is different. my only advice is if you don't NEED a CS try to deliver vaginally. there are SO many reasons a vaginal delivery is the best option, but if you HAVE to have a CS, then just try to accept it. some people are fine within a week or two. for me it took a lot longer but i was at the extreme end of the spectrum.

Message edited 7/8/2012 10:07:56 AM.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN? DH was home with us for 1 week. After that it was just me and the baby. It was a bit hard, but I managed.

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)? did not breast feed (no milk and no desire to) I did try pumping for a while and the pulling was uncomfortable because of the c-section. (the motion cause my muscles to contract which pulled on the scar)

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how? i feel like the scar area is more sensitive. DS is 22 months and there are still days when it itches or pulls. Nothing is wrong with it, just feels funny sometimes.

-What else should I know? honestly, I completely forgot most of recovery so i cannot give you a time line at all. I know
i had a hard time sitting down or getting up (bending) for a few weeks. Maybe 3? I also had to sleep on the couch because our bed is pretty high and i could not get up on it. Plus the head rest of the couch gave me a nice support for my back and made it more comfortable.
there really wasn't much pain, just discomfort. you'll be so in love with DC and busy with all the changes, that the recovery will be the least of your worries.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN?

Right away although I left all diaper changes for the first few days to my Mom and DH. I was up walking within 7 hours.

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)?
I was in recovery for almost 6 hours due to bp problems, and didn't see DS until at least 7 hours after he was born. I began BF as soon as I was in my room. I didn't use a boppy. I had no problems.

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how?

You 100% can not tell I had a c section when I wear a bikini. I still have numbness directly about the scar though.

-What else should I know?

After you receive the spinal you may feel a bit queasy. I felt like I was going to throw up. THe only thing I wish was explained more was that the table shifts and shakes while they are pulling the baby out. No pain but lots of pressure. The time from cutting you open until you have your baby is four minutes.WALK WALK WALK as soon as they will let you. Also, IMO stay the 4th day. I took the full 4 nights there and came home totally ready for what was ahead of me. I love where I delivered and the nurses. Good Luck!!

Message edited 7/8/2012 10:15:33 AM.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I was ok to take care of DS once I was home from the hospital. I tried not to go up and down the stairs too much during the first few days home, but other than that, I could do everything. I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks though.

I tried to BF in the recovery room, but felt nauseous when I sat up. I didn't BF until later that day probably a few hours after delivery.

I had a c-section 3.5 years ago and I still don't have full feeling in the area. I don't know if it's from the pregnancy or c-section, but I think that no matter how much weight I lose, I'll always have at least a little pooch above the scar.

It took a while to completely feel normal again. I definitely had some stomach issues for several weeks, but eventually returned to normal. Take colace throughout the time in the hospital and gas-x if needed. I was ok in the hospital, but had the most horrible gas pains about 2 weeks after delivery.

Walk around as soon as you can. It will help with the recovery. Take the pain meds as directed even if you feel ok when it's time for the next dose. If you wait until you start feeling pain, it will be harder to get back to feeling ok. Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I just has a cs 3 weeks ago today at Winthrop. She was breech and I tired everything except a version to turn her. It was scheduled but I went 2 days early.

Recovery was not nearly as bad as I thought and I am a sissy with pain. I didn't take anything stronger than Mortin because I have allergies to codeine. My advice - stay on top of your pain meds and ask for dulcolax on the second day! Also, no matter how much it hurts...get up and walk! She was born at 2:01pm and by 10pm that night I had a nurse help me up and into the chair in the room. That first time I tried was really painful - DH and the nurse had to help basically lift me out of the bed. I did 4 laps around the nurses station the following day and 10 laps the day after (per my ob). I noticed if I sat too long I was really sore and still.

What sucked the most was the gas pains. I couldn't eat solid foods until I passed gas. For some reason it was just not coming out and it hurt! I think it took an entire day.

I stayed in the hospital the extra day (4 nights total) because my insurance covered it and I appreciated the help from the nurses. I had her on a Sunday and was released on Thursday. I rested a bit when I got home and by Saturday I went for a pedicure and, though still pretty sore, felt good enough to take care of her. Getting up in the middle of the night seemed harder for some reason.

I breastfed right in recovery no problem.

Besides the scar I don't think there is much else other than still being puffy at this point. I'm not sure how my stomach will look long term or how long it will take to get back to my pp weight.

If you have any other question feel free to FM me. I was terrified before the procedure and can understand the apprehension!

Good luck

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

For me, in all honesty, the recovery was BRUTAL initially. The morphine they gave me in recovery really did a number on me. I had my DD at 5:41am and was SO sick and delirious all day I wasn't able to sit up and see her until almost 6:00 that night. I just felt AWFUL. Not a good day at all!!

The first few days were the worse, especially having to stand up and walk for the first time. The incision hurt a lot and it just wasn't comfortable. But it's true what they say, every day got easier and easier. Within a week I was moving around a lot better and I wasn't in as much pain and within a few weeks I felt pretty normal. Again, it's the first few days which are really the worst.

As for BF'ing, because I was so sick I wasn't able to do it at all the first day. It was about 30 hrs. after her birth before I was able to try. I ended up having low milk supply and eventually had to use formula in addition to breast milk. I don't know for sure if being down and out for the first day had an effect but I personally tend to believe it set things off on the wrong foot. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do about it.

ETA - I had a planned C-section

Message edited 7/8/2012 1:51:54 PM.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I had a scheduled c section with DD. I was walking 24 hours after and I felt almost 100 percent by the time I left the hospital which was day 4. I had someone helping me at home when DH was at work but it wasn't because I physically couldn't do it....more because of the lack of sleep from being up with the baby. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the recovery....I thought that it would be brutal. I formula fed and I was able to hold her right away and feed her.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I just had my third csection three weeks ago. With each one the recovery seems to be easier and easier.

The first day after is not fun. Getting up for the first time is torture. The good news is that if you keep up with your pain meds you will be able to control the pain.

At 10 days after I gave birth this time I had 30 people at my house for my sons birthday. By the time I got home from the hospital three days later I was fully taking care of all of my kids (my husband did help me during the night though because I have a higher bed and it's not that easy to get in/out right after surgery)

It's very surreal to be awake during the actual surgery. I like to describe it as an out of body experience, but it's over before you know it.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN?\

by the time I was home (day 4) I was able to move around well enough to really care for DC alone (if I had to)

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)?

I FF.

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how?

not really, and the scar is so minimal that even I hardly notice it.

-What else should I know?

The first week sucks, but you get through it. Move around as much as possible as soon as possible and if you are in pain, TAKE MEDS! Don't wait until you are in pain to take the meds either. Get on a schedule (every 4 or 6 hours or whatever it is).

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Recovery was not really that bad. I was walking around the next day. A little over a week after I felt almost completely back to normal.

I think pregnancy changed my abdominal area, not the c-section. My belly is looser, but all the "flab" is well above the scar.

They brought DD in to me in recovery and I BF immediately. So there was maybe a 20-30 minute delay while they stitched me up, but that was it.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Recovery was no problem at all and I was up and walking around in no time. As a matter of fact in the hospital one of my friends who didn't know I had to have a CS was shocked to hear that i actually did have one because I was up and walking around so easily. It varies from person to person. Dont be scared - you'll be fine

BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

What was recovery really like? Honestly the recovery wasnt really as bad as i thought it would be. I had an emergency csection and by the next day i was up and walking around (VERY SLOWLY and with a lot of help) but that really made it easier for me to heal faster. Even though i was up and walking around it was a PAIN to do anything. Peeing hurt, laughing hurt, sneezing was IMPOSSIBLE, and getting up hurt, but after about 3 weeks it started getting better and now at 6 weeks post delivery its not bad at all. Once in a while im reminded i just had surgury but its very seldom this happens.

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN? - unfortunatly my son is in the NICU so i can not take care of him on my own just yet :(

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)? DS still is not BF so i still pump so i cant really answer this question

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how? as of right now i dont think its changed, then again i am only 6 weeks out so i still have a lot of the baby weight on and cant really see a difference in that.

-What else should I know? Listen to what the doctors and nurses say, as soon as they tell you you can get up and start walking around DO IT!! there are plenty of mothers that just lay around when they are in the hospital and dont walk or get up to do anything on thier own. I was up right away and was walking as much as i could as soon as i could. People kept telling me i should take it easy but i just kept doing as much as i could do. i really think that has helped me get to the point i am now. DS was born 6 weeks ago and i have been back to work for 2 weeks already. ( this is just because i wanted the time off when DS comes home later this year)

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Honestly it was cake. Take the pain pills the first day, by day two I was just doing motrin and walking on my own. I showered and felt great. By day three I was ready to go home and get out but couldnt until day 4. I lved on a second floor apt at the time, the stair were outside, and that sucked, but not bad.

I had no help the first few days at home, just me and dh. I did my normal things. I vacuumed by day four home. My mom came down and then babied me for 2 weeks. But i still did what i needed to do.

My scar is barely visible. According to my nurse my dr was the woman to have for a cs. As far as my stomach after, it wasnt that groovy to begin with.

Im a freak, but also firmly believe that if you think you feel like poop, you do. So I made sure i did me, even in the hospital.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

Message edited 7/10/2012 4:40:16 AM.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I had a section after pushing for hours.

I was up and moving the next day. As soon as they took the catheter out.

I was able to BF as soon as I was out of recovery

The csection did not change my body...... Pregnancy did!!!!

Honestly you will hear horror stories about section but there are just as many good stories. I had an amazing recovery and it did not stop me from doing anything. I took zero pain meds

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS

I just had mine on 6/30 and it was not as bad as I imagined it would be.

- What was recovery really like?
I had a little nausea afterwards but other than that, everything, including hte pain has been manageable. As for the pain, as long as I took the painkillers on time, I was fine. I missed 1 does while still in the hospital, and I definitely felt it. Even at home now, I'm sore in the mornings and it hurts a little getting up, but everything is tolerable.

-How long did it take before you were able to take care of your child on your OWN?
It's been about 1 1/2 weeks. I'm fine during the day taking care of DD on my own, but I confess that at night, DH has to help a bit since getting in/out of bed is still a little tough for me with the soreness/pain.

-If you breast-fed, how long did you have to wait before you were allowed to BF (and directly from you- not from the pumped milk)?
Immediately! They brought DD in to me during the recovery and I was able to do skin-to-skin and BF. The hospital also allowed rooming in so I kept her for most of the hospital stay. At night, I did send her the nursery so I could get some rest and the nurses would bring DD in for feedings.

-Besides the scar, do you feel the procedure changed your stomach/abdominal area at all? If so, how?

-What else should I know?
Everyone says to stay ahead of the pain by taking your meds. I couldn't agree with this more! Also, definitely start walking, even if it's just to the hospital bathroom and back as soon as possible. Each day that went by, I felt like I was a whole new person.

Please share!
Thanks in advance.

Re: BTDT moms who have had CSECTIONS