Scheduled C-section prep

so, I went to the Dr today and she said I'm still not dilated and she is strongly reccomending the csection --- soo, my question is how do I prep for it - can I eat before it? Any other prep I should know about?

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

buy granny panties!!!!!!!

As far as real prep, I don't think I did anything special before hand.

Message edited 3/22/2008 4:17:32 PM.

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

I didn't do anything special!

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

I didn't do anything special either.

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

If you're having a scheduled c-section, you should be sent for pre-surgical testing the day before--at least that's how my hospital does it. You have a vial of blood drawn and instructions for the day-of are given. My surgery was scheduled for 3:45pm and I was originally told not to eat from midnight before, although I protested and was allowed to eat a "light" breakfast by 7am. The rest of the day I gargled with flavored seltzer--you're not even allowed water! In the end, the section was not until 5:15pm--long day!

Otherwise, you don't need to do anything special. They'll set you up with IVs and a bag of fluid and monitor you for an hour or two before the surgery. That's about it!! Good luck!!

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

I wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight (I was scheduled for a 10am section, though it got pushed back.) They'll tell you though.

ETA: I also had to have an amnio but it seems from your post you're further along than I was (DS was delivered 38w 1d).

Message edited 3/22/2008 5:25:39 PM.

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

Mine was an emergency so I don't know. I guess I will find out as it gets closer to my c-section date this time

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

- Pre-testing done by the hospital 2 days prior
- No food or water/liquid from midnight the night before
- c-section scheduled at 1:00pm but really happened a bit after 3:00pm. There was 2 emergency c-sections that got bumped ahead of me. So I had to wait. I sent DH to get something to eat in their cafeteria. At first he did not want to but I ended up in the recovery room for 7 hours and DH did not get to go home until almost midnight. He was glad I told him to get some food.

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

You can't eat after 10 I think the night before, you cant even drink anything if I remember correctly.
Go out and buy the biggest granny panties you can so that they dont rub against the incision. My Dr told me to wear these for awhile after surgery as the rubbing can cause scar tissue to form.
Other than that, there is nothing to really do to prepare. Just relax and enjoy knowing your little one is on his/her way.

My advice for in the hospital, is to tell anyone who plans on comign the day you give birth to call your DH first. HOnestly the last thing I wanted was visitors that first day. between being tired and being on morphine, one family came without calling and I totally didnt even talk to them I was so tired. (this didnt apply to the grandparents obviously) Also, I let the nursery take care of the baby all night the first few nights. This let me sleep and I really think thats why I had such an easy recovery. My son had no issues BF so it wasnt a big deal to me to supplement with formula. Also on day 2 get up and walk around, walk the halls whenever possible, it totally helps, it breaks up the gas that is a side effect of surgery and it helps your muscles relax a bit.

As I said before i fyou have any questions feel free to FM me, I am now 13 weeks PP and had such an amazing experience.

ETA: If you dr doesnt mention the pre surgical testing, ask them. Mine almost forgot. You can also request another Sono if you are doing this because of anticipated size of baby. I had a sono on Tuesday, testing on wednesday and baby on thrusday!

Message edited 3/22/2008 7:36:10 PM.

Re: Scheduled C-section prep

Thanks so much for all the advice. I know its for the best and I'll be happy when she is here finally...its just not something I had planned for at all...