What do they not tell you about c-section?

[Anonymous]

Take the stool softener. A lot of stool softener.

[Anonymous]

-my guts felt like they were going to fall out for the next 2 months after my c section. I used a binder, which limited that weird sensation.

-take the colace, and also ask for prune juice and hot tea to keep things moving.

-if you have trouble peeing after they take out the urinary catheter the next day, have them turn on the water on the room & give you a whiff of peppermint (or spearmint, I forget exactly which one) oil.

Also, ask if they can put the urinary catheter in AFTER the spinal - it hurts.

-the shakes when the anesthesia is wearing off are no joke

- I was all puffed up with fluid. Then a few days later i peed out like 8 gallons of water and was pretty much back to normal

-I didn’t mind the spinal - I had been very uncomfortable when I was pregnant and it felt great to get rid of the back pain! I am a doctor and the anesthesiologist asked me my salary while starting the spinal. I was out of it so I told him & I am in a low-paying specialty. Then the OBs and anesthesiologist discussed how lousy my salary was for the rest of the procedure. They were like “here’s the baby! I guess this kid is going to public school! Hahaha! What’s the match on your 403b?” I get it though. Basically it’a a huge day in your life, and just another day at work for them…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:-my guts felt like they were going to fall out for the next 2 months after my c section. I used a binder, which limited that weird sensation.

-take the colace, and also ask for prune juice and hot tea to keep things moving.

-if you have trouble peeing after they take out the urinary catheter the next day, have them turn on the water on the room & give you a whiff of peppermint (or spearmint, I forget exactly which one) oil.

Also, ask if they can put the urinary catheter in AFTER the spinal - it hurts.

-the shakes when the anesthesia is wearing off are no joke

- I was all puffed up with fluid. Then a few days later i peed out like 8 gallons of water and was pretty much back to normal

-I didn’t mind the spinal - I had been very uncomfortable when I was pregnant and it felt great to get rid of the back pain! I am a doctor and the anesthesiologist asked me my salary while starting the spinal. I was out of it so I told him & I am in a low-paying specialty. Then the OBs and anesthesiologist discussed how lousy my salary was for the rest of the procedure. They were like “here’s the baby! I guess this kid is going to public school! Hahaha! What’s the match on your 403b?” I get it though. Basically it’a a huge day in your life, and just another day at work for them…

I don't know why but this is cracking me up.

My C was at a teaching hospital and I had to listen to the doctor coaching a resident through how to stitch me back up. I was like: at least she's supervising?? They tried to do the "now we're slicing into you" bit but my reaction was ABSOLUTELY DO NOT TELL ME THESE THINGS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:-

Also, ask if they can put the urinary catheter in AFTER the spinal - it hurts.

…

Yikes!!! I thought it was standard to wait until you are numb to insert it?? Does this happen before the anesthesia?

[Anonymous]

This is such a fantastic thread for those of us contemplating a c-section.

Any updated advice on how to recover or what to take to the hospital?

[Anonymous]

One planned c section here.

Agree with all posters about doing everything possible leading up to and after c section to ease stool movement. I ended up with anal fissure due to incredible difficult and painful stool movement a few days after c section. That took medical ointment and a few months to heal from.

I have always been active and fit but it took me a few months to feel comfortable moving about and resume running. I know for many women they can get back to exercise much sooner but for me it took longer.

I ended up having ectopic pregnancy years later due to scarring in Fallopian tubes. Doctors mostly wouldn’t confirm it was from c section but one RE said it is likely from c section scarring. I did research on my own and learned, depending on what studies you read, that increased chance of ectopic pregnancy due to scarring is increased risk factor from c section.

[Anonymous]

For recovery: scar massage from masseuse who specializes in pregnancy and post c section massage. Also, acupuncture.

[Anonymous]

If you know you don’t have an addictive personality, take the drugs. Demand the drugs. And get up to walk ASAP, like no longer than 24 hours after the procedure. Mine was easy peasy.

[Anonymous]

This is such an amazing thread! I had two c-sections: one unplanned and one planned. Three things:

1) referred pain in the shoulder was a surprise.

2) the first 12 hours you won't really be able to sit up at all on your own so someone else (nurse, partner, etc.) will have to hand you your baby, change your baby's diapers, etc.

3) start stool softeners right away; for my second I had to resort to suppositories and they worked like a charm.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone post about random nerve damage on their stomachs? I thought they must have accidentally severed a nerve or something but I had a ton of numbness on my lower abdomen. Five years later, some numbness remains. It doesn’t effect me, but it’s so weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone post about random nerve damage on their stomachs? I thought they must have accidentally severed a nerve or something but I had a ton of numbness on my lower abdomen. Five years later, some numbness remains. It doesn’t effect me, but it’s so weird.

Pelvic PT can help with that, also scar massage.

[Anonymous]

No one told me how much better it was vs. a vaginal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:-

Also, ask if they can put the urinary catheter in AFTER the spinal - it hurts.

…

Yikes!!! I thought it was standard to wait until you are numb to insert it?? Does this happen before the anesthesia?

Mine was before. I'm literally cringing and crossing my legs as I type this just thinking of it. I also hated getting it pulled out.

99% the reason I had a totally natural VBAC for my third. I HATE THE CATHETER.