Positive vibes and advice!

I had a c section last week. I went to hospital for induction but even after 4 pessarys I was still 0cm dilated with a long firm cervix! Despite being 13days over!! I had never had any surgery or been in hospital so was completely terrified. Honestly it isn't bad at all, they have me the spinal then I lay back on the table, they made the cut at 13.29 and had my baby girl out by 13.33! It's so fast! It felt like a lot of pullingn and pushing, not painful just very strange. They then took 20 mins to stitch me back up. I did get very warm and anxious so started to be sick and they then sedated me for 10mins but honestly it wasn't that bad!! You'll be fine :):). Just focus on baby and not what is happening to you, it's important you relax and don't stress and I wish I had told myself that. Once I woke up I held my baby skin to skin for around 3 hours! I didn't feel pain as was still numb from the spinal and had the compression things on my legs. After 12 hours they took away my catheter and then I could stand, it was scary to stand at first but not painful. Just stay on top of all pain meds they give you. Even if you aren't feeling any pain yet take them when they're due as it'll prevent the pain coming on and it'll allow you to walk and recover quicker. Walk tall. I can manoeuvre about no problem now. Still a bit stingy but definitely much better. The thing I hated most after was intense wind pain in my right shoulder and right ribs, this is from the gas they use in theatre, it went away after 2-3days but was so bad I couldn't lie flat, definitely the worst part!! Drink hot peppermint drinks as they help get the wind up!! Good luck :):) 

My biggest and best piece of advice: DON'T PUSH IT! Follow your hospital discharge instructions and take it easy! Accept help when offered. My husband got to stay home for a little over a week and after that my mother and siblings often came over to help me. Let people not only help with the baby but with house work! If someone asks if you need help, don't be afraid to tell them the laundry is piling up, the dishes need done, or if you need someone to cook and freeze some meals for you. I'm 5 weeks postpartum and still need help with some stuff. Don't lift things heavier than your baby, don't try to pick things up off the floor, stay hydrated, rest, and try to go ahead and take something for constipation because it will make your life SO much easier. I know it's tmi but you definitely don't want to be straining, and you will feel like you have to! Also maybe tmi but I wish someone would have told me this. I did not like the mesh panties and pads from the hospital and my mom stumbled across Always Discreet Underwear. Yes, it's kind of like a diaper but it just feels like thick underwear and I wore them with yoga pants and you couldn't even tell. You change it as much as you would change pads/mesh panties. It covers the incision comfortably so you don't have to worry about anything digging into it. I used them until the postpartum bleeding lightened up ad then I switched to regular pads and regular underwear. Just remember, don't try to do it all by yourself! Ask for help, you are about to have a major abdominal surgery!! Best wishes, I'm sure everything is going to go well. Aside from all of that, every time you look at your sweet baby's face, all of the struggles disappear 💗

My first was also a vaginal delivery and my second was a c-section. I would strongly recommend you get c-section compression panties or ask the hospital for a c-section compression binder. It's basically a girdle that helps hold the loose skin off of your c-section wound...it made a world of difference for me. It's going to be hard to cough, laugh, and sit up. If your bed is high off the ground, you're going to probably need help getting out of it. I didn't take the narcotic pain meds but I would definitely recommend you take something for pain...I took ibuprofen and let it wear off once and it cause my body to start shaking really bad and I started to feel some pain. Pack a small pillow to place on your abdomen for your trip home...you'll feel every bump and will appreciate the support of a pillow on your tummy. Good luck! 

I agree with the previous posters comment about your bed - we had to take ours off the frame and put the box spring and mattress directly on the floor.  Be prepared to need help with everything.  If you drop something you aren't picking it up!  Make sure the baby essentials are within easy reach with out bending down.  Same with essentials in your fridge and kitchen.  Good luck!

Thank you ladies for all your wonderful advice I truly took it all with me while entering the hospital for my c section.I had my c section April 6. I was very nervous entering the hospital knowing I was walking in to have a c section. Before surgery the anesthesia nurse came and spoke to me to let me know about medicine I would be getting during surgery and the spinal I would be receiving. Before I knew it I was being wheeled into surgery. The anesthesiologist came into the room and my spinal was given (which was slightly painful) drape went up and surgery began. My husband then entered the room which made me calm down a lot better (I was uncontrollably shaking) few mins later my beautiful baby boy was held above the drape and I heard him cry best moment for a mom ever! I began feeling my uterus contracting which was very painful and they had to reduce the pitocin intake I was receiving. I went to recovery where I was still very numb and 30 mins later I was in my room. The next day was the worst for me the pain was incredibly intense I tried taking a shower and cried my eyes out I was in so much pain ( I believe I overdone it) I'm a week pp and I'm doing much better I still have twinge pains in my right side. I have weened myself off of pain meds and take ibprofun as needed or Tylenol. I got myself some side steps for my bed which works wonders and a stool for my vehicle (I drive a large truck) ready to be back to my normal self