How to prepare for a c-section

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you stock your freezer with high protein foods? Chicken stews, meat sauce, etc. Easier for your spouse to pull something out and heat it up than figure out what to make for dinner. Set up deliveries of fresh fruits and veggies ahead of time

We don’t have a lot of freezer space. I figured we will be doing a lot of delivery or very easy meals like spaghetti, chili, roasted chicken and veggies. My husband can cook.

[Anonymous]

I had to have an unplanned c section. I didn't think it was that bad, all things considered.

Things that surprised me: I hadn't been warned about anesthesia shakes. The fact that my hands and jaw were shaky during the delivery was the thing I found hardest to deal with.

I didn't realize it would make your shoulder hurt afterward. They said it's an abdominal gas thing. Don't be freaked out by that.

I personally don't like opioids so I weaned myself off them in the hospital. I have trouble thinking.

The drugs can make your baby sleepy. I had to do some formula supplementing in the first week and some pumping. An IBCLC who comes to your house helps a ton.

Your core will be weak, but it does improve fast. I was surprised that I struggled to stand straight up for a bit. I'm someone who is quite physically active and so I very much had to be aware of how much weaker my core was.so I didn't hurt myself.

So verging on TMI but: a c-section does not mean you won't have pain with sex when you are cleared. The surgery weakens your pelvic floor which can cause pain . Use lubricant (breastfeeding lowers your estrogen) and be patient.

[Anonymous]

A pack of giant black cotton granny panties from Target or similar. Throw in the trash once you are done bleeding. Also some big drawstring pants of some sort (like oversized PJ pants or similar…and again, in darker colors)- those were the only type of pants/shorts that worked for me for at least the first week or two.

I’d get the house deep cleaned before your due date if you can (will be nice to come home to).

Not much else, honestly. The recovery really isn’t too bad IME. It isn’t super fun, but it isn’t terrible either (so don’t be too worried). I felt largely well by about 2wks pp both times (just the incision area still a bit sore when rubbed or getting up and down sometimes).

[Anonymous]

I had 2 c-sections. In order for the wound to heal better doctor told me to not climb stairs, so I had to stay at 2nd floor bedroom for a month ( or longer? But DH couldn’t wfh after 4th week do its on my own for both baby and 2.5 yo). Knowing I would have c-section 2nd time in advance, I precooked my meals for the month and freeze all, so even DH couldn’t cook he just heat up the pre cooked meal from freezer for me to eat. We moved somethings upstairs for easy access ( for me and baby). I breastfeed but also got single use supplements in case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:start taking a stool softener every single day starting 2 weeks before. I wish someone would have told me that with the first. Have everything you need on one level do you don’t have to go up and down stairs.

Oh definitely. I might even do a total cleanup before then and stick the fridge with stuff like kale and apples.
Also a good nursing pillow. I ha my Brest Friend is they still make that plus a boppy.

Figure you won’t be able to get out of bed the first couple nights in hospital so make sure your partner knows they are expected to get you stuff including the baby especially if baby is rooming in.

Bring cortisone cream to hospital.

Plan on wearing soft high waisted pants and undies. Take as many of the mesh stretch underwear from the hospital as you can. Those are the most comfy over the c section scar.

What snacks should I pack for the hospital and at home? I’m sure we will be relying on delivery for meals but having available easy snacks might be helpful.

What does cortisone cream do?

Cortisone cream is for itching. They sometimes tape things to you for the surgery — it made me insanely itchy and they couldn’t give me cortisone cream until the doctor prescribed it which took a full day! So stupid.

I didn’t bring snacks other than an apple. But I recommend maximizing the breakfast order as some hospitals will let you get lots of sides. So I’d get fried eggs and whole wheat toast and bacon with a side of Raisin Bran and skim milk and fruit. Then I’d just save the cereal and fruit for lunch. And then get delivery for dinner. It’s hard to get high fiber delivery (although something like chopt would be great) so basically hunt for fiber in that breakfast menu.

The baby will eat nothing in those first few days and your milk production will be very low so you won’t be that much hungrier than usual — probably less so because you’re lying around and no longer are growing a baby. The need for lots of protein and calories won’t kick in intil you are home and baby really starts to eat a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 c-sections. In order for the wound to heal better doctor told me to not climb stairs, so I had to stay at 2nd floor bedroom for a month ( or longer? But DH couldn’t wfh after 4th week do its on my own for both baby and 2.5 yo). Knowing I would have c-section 2nd time in advance, I precooked my meals for the month and freeze all, so even DH couldn’t cook he just heat up the pre cooked meal from freezer for me to eat. We moved somethings upstairs for easy access ( for me and baby). I breastfeed but also got single use supplements in case.

I’m not sure what single use supplements means.

We live in a single story condo with an elevator so no stairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 c-sections. In order for the wound to heal better doctor told me to not climb stairs, so I had to stay at 2nd floor bedroom for a month ( or longer? But DH couldn’t wfh after 4th week do its on my own for both baby and 2.5 yo). Knowing I would have c-section 2nd time in advance, I precooked my meals for the month and freeze all, so even DH couldn’t cook he just heat up the pre cooked meal from freezer for me to eat. We moved somethings upstairs for easy access ( for me and baby). I breastfeed but also got single use supplements in case.

I’m not sure what single use supplements means.

We live in a single story condo with an elevator so no stairs.

Sorry what I meant was the single serve formula, https://a.co/d/hc2z7un

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t drive for about 3 weeks. I can’t remember if that’s normal or if that was due to my senario (emergency c after long labor and huge baby). I couldn’t carry the baby in the car seat for a little longer than that. I was absolutely terrified when my husband went back to work. I would try and have someone with you as much as possible for the first month. I was feeling a lot better by 4 weeks but still couldn’t pick something off the ground. I had been active during most of my pregnancy but my core strength took so long to come back - they literally rip your muscles apart so I think it’s just tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:start taking a stool softener every single day starting 2 weeks before. I wish someone would have told me that with the first. Have everything you need on one level do you don’t have to go up and down stairs.

Oh definitely. I might even do a total cleanup before then and stick the fridge with stuff like kale and apples.
Also a good nursing pillow. I ha my Brest Friend is they still make that plus a boppy.

Figure you won’t be able to get out of bed the first couple nights in hospital so make sure your partner knows they are expected to get you stuff including the baby especially if baby is rooming in.

Bring cortisone cream to hospital.

Plan on wearing soft high waisted pants and undies. Take as many of the mesh stretch underwear from the hospital as you can. Those are the most comfy over the c section scar.

What snacks should I pack for the hospital and at home? I’m sure we will be relying on delivery for meals but having available easy snacks might be helpful.

What does cortisone cream do?

Cortisone cream is for itching. They sometimes tape things to you for the surgery — it made me insanely itchy and they couldn’t give me cortisone cream until the doctor prescribed it which took a full day! So stupid.

I didn’t bring snacks other than an apple. But I recommend maximizing the breakfast order as some hospitals will let you get lots of sides. So I’d get fried eggs and whole wheat toast and bacon with a side of Raisin Bran and skim milk and fruit. Then I’d just save the cereal and fruit for lunch. And then get delivery for dinner. It’s hard to get high fiber delivery (although something like chopt would be great) so basically hunt for fiber in that breakfast menu.

The baby will eat nothing in those first few days and your milk production will be very low so you won’t be that much hungrier than usual — probably less so because you’re lying around and no longer are growing a baby. The need for lots of protein and calories won’t kick in intil you are home and baby really starts to eat a lot.

I know many women who were starving after birth. A lot of them ate a hearty red meat based meal like a burger or steak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t drive for about 3 weeks. I can’t remember if that’s normal or if that was due to my senario (emergency c after long labor and huge baby). I couldn’t carry the baby in the car seat for a little longer than that. I was absolutely terrified when my husband went back to work. I would try and have someone with you as much as possible for the first month. I was feeling a lot better by 4 weeks but still couldn’t pick something off the ground. I had been active during most of my pregnancy but my core strength took so long to come back - they literally rip your muscles apart so I think it’s just tough.

My husband will home from 6 weeks. Possible longer.

[Anonymous]

If people offer to drop off meals, take them up on it. Get a biweekly cleaning service. You’re not going to want to rely on you or your H cooking every night, even if it’s an easy meal, at least not right away. Trade off night feeding duties with your H. The best thing we ever did in the early weeks was to split the night into shifts so we each got some sleep. I slept 8pm-2am, he slept 2-8am. We still usually got some sleep when we were “on duty” but wasn’t a big deal if baby just didn’t sleep much, because at least we each got a solid, straight 6 hours. As for the c-section itself, no one ever talks about the constipation post-op, OR the intense full body swelling- I swelled up like a water balloon post-op, after each c-section, which was upsetting and my Dr didn’t seem to have a great explanation. But it will go away within a week. My planned c-section was much, much easier to recover from than my unplanned c-section, but that said it’s still surgery avd childbirth and your body will need recovery time. There’s a lot of bleeding, as with any birth, and it’ll take awhile (a few weeks) to feel like you’re getting back to normal-ish. I’m a runner and being active throughout my pregnancy helped my recovery so much. I felt up for starting to walk immediately upon release from the hospital (took baby for walks with me), and felt fine to start up running (very gradually) within 3-4 weeks, with zero issues. Also, my Dr. said stairs were 100% fine, but I couldn’t lift anything heavier than my baby. So be sure to seek clarity and not just go by what other people’s Drs told them. Wishing you the best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember my doctor said after two weeks I would feel 70% better and I found that to be spot on. At 14 days post op I felt pretty good! The first two weeks is tough but it gets better fast, so don’t be discouraged

+1 within 2 weeks I felt pretty much fine but of course no heavy lifting and still be careful / don't over-exert. If this is your first baby + DH is there you should be fine. He can drive you to appts as well.

Stay all the nights in the hospital that insurance will cover (I stayed 4 nights each time). It's just easier and better to go home when you're feeling more up to moving around and you can get more monitoring in the hospital just in case.

We didn't prepare at all bc my first was a month early. If possible you should set up all the baby stuff in advance and buy some frozen meals etc.

[Anonymous]

I had two csections living in a townhouse so walking up

1) they really aren’t nearly as bad as people talk about.
2) get up and start walking as soon as possible in the hospital. Walking as much was possible in the hospital will dramatically improve your recovery.
3) get a pillow to hold against your stomach whenever you cough or sneeze, and it will also protect you from baby kicks in your stomach.

[Anonymous]

Walk as soon as you can. Go slow but walk and pace your own home if you can.

I felt better by the end of the walk.

I couldn’t get in and out of my own bed the first few days and slept in a chair.

Don’t look at yourself in the mirror. I did at the hospital before a shower but not at home (friends advice) and I think that helped.

Let yourself have all the emotions.

Don’t let the shower water hit the incision so back to water and take a little longer.

[Anonymous]

The no visitors is not a great idea unless you and baby are immuno compromised. It's extremely exhausting and isolating feeding your baby every three hours.