How was your C-Section Recovery experience?👩🏻‍⚕️🩺

Question

Today I am 38+2w with my first, who is still breech, and my doctor said he weighs roughly 7.3lbs. My surgery is scheduled for October 25 (40+1w) because it’s not likely that he will turn at this point.
I’m curious to know about the recovery part after a c-section…
• How was taking care of a newborn? (Feeding, changing, diapers, etc.) 
• Is the postpartum toll different mentally than a vaginal? 
• What should I pack for a 4 night, 5 day hospital stay?
• Anything else I should be aware of/ prepared for? 
Definitely going into this surgery with a lot of nerves because I’m not a fan of surgeries whatsoever🙅🏻‍♀️ But I can’t wait to finally see my baby boys face, I’m so ready for him to be out!💙

Answer

I had an unscheduled crash c-section after a crazy ass labor so I was entirely unprepared and STILL the recovery was much better than expected. A few key things:
1) This affirmation kept me calm. Just kept repeating “I’m about to meet my baby. I’m about to meet my baby.”
2) If your partner can be in there with you (depends on what COVID is like by you right now) just look in their eyes. Don’t look around the room. Just look in their eyes and keep talking about how you’re about to meet your baby. 
3) Get up and get moving. Take laps around the room. Even if it’s literally one lap and then rest. It really does make an incredible difference. 
4) When you sit down / lay down / get up / laugh / sneeze / whatever, press a pillow firmly into your abdomen for counter pressure. 
5) When you sit or lay down, put your feet up on an ottoman or pillow to relieve your back. It’s gonna be achy. 
6) Literally resting all the time is just not a reality for most, but TAKE IT SLOW. If you must get something from down low, squat, do not bend at the waist. It’ll keep you more comfortable. 
7) Set repeating alarms on your phone for your pain meds. Stay on top of the pain. Don’t wait for it to slap you in the face. By doing this I was able to manage without narcotics. 
8) Listen to your body. You will feel like increased shit and start bleeding more if you over do it. Pay attention to what your body is doing. 
You are gonna meet your baby soon! It’s so exciting, no matter how they make their way into this world. If you get overwhelmed, just stop, take a breath and consider what you need to do for the next fifteen minutes. Not the next three hours or days. Just take it in little chunks and enjoy that baby ♥️

Answer

I’ve only had one baby so far (shes 4.5 months old and THRIVING). She was almost 10lbs, sunny side up, and was tangled in her cord 2x around her body and 2x around her neck. I was in active labor for 5 nights (labor ceased during the day). She was suspended by her cord and therefore could not progress through the birth canal (which is what was stalling my labor). I ended up having an emergency csection and I am forever grateful to my OB, my anesthesiologist, and the entire staff that brought her into the world. I could cry tears of gratitude just thinking about it. The entire experience was one of gratitude, joy, and therefore I was at peace. 
Recovery was a piece of cake compared to having my appendix out a few years prior.
Be strong, be brave, and surrender your trust to the incredible, skilled physicians that are overseeing the whole process. 
Your baby will be brought to you through the safest means possible. 
I remember when I was pregnant I would talk about my “birth plan” (wanted to go all natural, no epidural, no nothing) and at the end of my “plan”, every time I would say, “But even if they have to cut me open to bring my daughter into the world, I can handle that.” And handle that I did. 
You got this, mama. I promise.

Answer

Had an emergency csection with my daughter 17 months ago and scheduling a planned one with my current pregnancy in about 19 more weeks. Csection recovery honestly wasn’t too bad. I second all of the comments here but especially 1. Stay on top of pain by taking meds as prescribed, I only needed heavy meds first few days and got by on ibuprofen mostly. 2. Use a pillow when sneezing, coughing etc. 3. Wear the waist binder they give you. I used for first 6 weeks after delivery. 4. Rely heavily on your partner, if you have one, to hand the baby too you for first few days if possible. Not bending over to pick up. 5. Remember to breathe and you’ll get through!!

Answer

My first was born by scheduled C-section for breech. He was never head down and we never found out why. 🤷🏻‍♀️
My C-section was actually a great experience. I never went into labor. I’m sure it’s not the same for everyone, but scheduled C-sections are generally way easier on the body than emergency C-sections. I took a shower before going in that morning, drank a black coffee, and just showed up on time! Everything was calm and procedural. The baby was out quickly and without complication. I was up and walking the following day and was discharged after just two nights. I had to take things easy when we got home and I definitely took the scheduled pain medications for at least the first 24 hours, but I was never in severe pain or felt like I couldn’t manage. I never needed the opiates.
It wasn’t all roses and butterflies though, there are some downsides. Sneezing and coughing feels like your insides are going to fall out. Having a catheter removed also wasn’t a very comfortable experience. And of course the first poop! They recommended that I take MiraLAX in apple juice the night before and the morning of surgery, which I think helped, but it was still a scary experience, haha. I was super scared about the spinal being placed, but it was actually super simple and I barely remember it.
The biggest psychological hurdle that I am still overcoming is that I missed out on spontaneously going into labor and having a vaginal delivery. I am hoping for a VBAC with this baby for that reason and also because we’d like more kids. But if this baby decided to be breech too, I’m not too worried about another scheduled C-section. 🙂
I hope this is helpful!

Answer

Oddly enough my first was a better recovery than my second. I had contractions all night with my second before the csection that didnt do anything except cause me grief lol. Try get up and walk as soon as possible. If you feel nauseous afterwards ask for benadryl, it's most likely a reaction to the morphine  because believe me puking an hour after your csection literally feels like puking your guts out. Stay on top of meds, like if you can take tylenol every 6 hours, take it every 6 hours even if you feel you dont need it yet. That pain hits you like a tonne of bricks.

Answer

I have all the tips! I had an emergency c section with complications but everyone says a planned one is easier. My favorite things to wear I brought to the hospital was just literally a robe and a nursing bra. I also had some super soft Lose nursing tee and maternity joggers. Things that sit on your incision tightly are uncomfortable. My bleeding has been less than any period I’ve ever had but this is my first so I’m not sure if that changes things. I bought the Thinx bikini period undies and I have been wearing those instead of pads since day 3 post op. The first day after surgery is hard but the second day is WAY easier. just make sure to try to get up and out of bed as SOON as possible Moving around helps so much. Also if you need the pain meds just take them lol. I was able to get by with Tylenol and ibuprofen though! 😊

Answer

I've had both - natural vaginal and 2 cesarean. My first was vaginal but it resulted in birth injury- Erbs Palsy. I was running on adrenaline for a few days hoping our daughter would be okay so I don't think I had the true after effects or a vaginal birth. My first C-section was fine! had to be careful not to turn twist etc...my body seemed to heal very well and having my hubby do little things like hand me the baby put on my sock helped me heal.  My second was a little more difficult recovery sharper pains and felt weak. The numb feeling never went away and the scar tissue build up hurts so bad sometimes I'm in the fetal position rocking the pain away! Next week will be C-section #3 my doctor plans in removing what scar tissue they can during the surgery.

Answer

Honestly, I worked out until right before I gave birth and my recovery was a breeze and I attribute it mostly to staying in shape throughout my pregnancy. I was back in the gym as soon as I was cleared at 8 weeks and felt mostly fine by 3 weeks pp.

Answer

At first,I was planned to deliver natural. My water bag break and my cervix not dilated to 10 cm. My OBGYN advised to do emergency C-section as the baby distressed and pass motion in the womb. I was nervous at first. But the whole process is very fast and smooth.  The medical team talk to me the whole process and encourage me.   Unfortunately, my husband cannot be with me due to Covid restrictions. The recovery process is a bit long.  I was on bed rest 24 hours and second day nurse ask me to walk around the room.  It was difficult and i need help to get up from bed but able to walk slowly by myself. Third day onwards, i can get up by myself but need to be careful. Get help . If you want to hold the baby ask someone to pick up for you.  Take care of yourself as baby need healthy mummy.  
For pain, just take pain medication regularly . It is manageable.

Answer

Better than my splenectomy recovery. That was laparoscopic but far, far worse than either of my c-sections.

How was your C-Section Recovery experience?👩🏻‍⚕️🩺

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey