What do they not tell you about c-section?

[Anonymous]

It’s sort of been mentioned a couple times but the number one thing I wasn’t prepared for either c section was the gas pain in my upper chest and shoulders. First c section I was on a magnesium drip for 24hrs and not allowed to move and second one I had a bad allergic reaction to the pad and mesh panties and was up pacing way sooner (and for longer stretches) than I wanted to be and the gas pain STILL hit me hard both times despite the movement. It actually hurt worse than the incision. GasX provided a little relief but I still really struggled to get much sleep the first 48 hours because of it. It occurs worse in some people than others but even being aware of it before the second c section I was still a bit blindsided by how much it can suck in the moment.

[Anonymous]

Much like everyone said
Keep pressure on c section area before laughing or doing any type of reaching it will be extremely painful to cough, sneeze, laugh if you do not

Here’s my take:

Before you go under they give the sedating but it’ll make you cold and shiver
- Don’t worry it’s normal, just mentally prepare for it because it’ll happen in seconds
- Sing yourself you’re favorite songs or focus your thoughts on hearing your baby, think happy thoughts and try your best to remain calm
- After, you finally arrive to your room try your best to look up whenever you are allowed to walk again
Don’t look down because the blood rushes to your head, look up and take small steps

- if you nurse, football position will be your favorite so get a lot of pillows to support yourself
- Don’t worry too much about looking at the scars, you’ll have to keep the gauze on them
- when washing yourself for the first time, take deep breaths have someone help wash you but it’s better to be seated and have the wash cloth rinse water over you
- keep the belly band on, it’ll help you SOOOO much because it’ll be the support that you need to walk around and feel stable
- DONT DRIVE, bend over to pick things up, lift anything - just be patient with yourself... I wish I would’ve :’(


Clothing:

- Wear loose fitting clothing especially around the waist area nothing should be tight where you cannot move free or when you sit the band fits tight around your waist
- the best pads and underwear are the ones given at the hospital they are wide and rise to your stomach plus cover your scar it gives soooo much support
( I took PACKS home of these underwear and large sized pads)
- Wear shirts that button up, nothing that you have to pull over your head





For me, I should’ve sat myself down but I couldn’t

I now have keloids all where my scarring is because I didn’t properly let myself heal

It’s important to take these next two weeks and just be in the moment of motherhood

Relax and have family help you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t automatically take the narcotic painkillers if you don’t feel you need them. Advil was enough for me with my second. The first time I just took what they gave me and the resulting constipation was by far the worst part of the whole c-section/post-partum experience. By FAR!! Seriously. Stick with Advil.

I agree with this. If anything, the constipation causes more pain than the surgery because when your bowels are full and sluggish, they press on the incisions. I brought my own colace and water and started on the ASAP. I brought my own snacks, too.

I will be the dissenter! The oxycodone made my life so much easier those first few days. The pain was basically gone, I had a nice relaxing buzz, could sleep easily, and it made it easier for me to walk around and therefore heal faster. I took a ton of miralax and colace from day 1, and the first poop wasn’t awful. Well worth the benefit of the narcotics for me. OP is going to be stuffed full of narcotics anyways after that C section- REAL ones- that a few doses of oxycodone aren’t going to make a big difference.

But have you had a c section WITHOUT the oxycodone? I’ve recovered from two—one with and one without—and while I agree the buzz can be lovely, I honestly didn’t NEED it after the second c section and recovered better/faster without it in my system. I’m not anti-opioid at all (I’ve taken them recreationally back when I was more fun) but my body felt better with milder meds after the c section. If OP feels like she’s struggling I’d strongly encourage her to request them but I wouldn’t do suggest she ask automatically before the IV meds wear off (and my feelings have nothing to do with constipation, which wasn’t a problem for me either time.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t automatically take the narcotic painkillers if you don’t feel you need them. Advil was enough for me with my second. The first time I just took what they gave me and the resulting constipation was by far the worst part of the whole c-section/post-partum experience. By FAR!! Seriously. Stick with Advil.

I agree with this. If anything, the constipation causes more pain than the surgery because when your bowels are full and sluggish, they press on the incisions. I brought my own colace and water and started on the ASAP. I brought my own snacks, too.

I will be the dissenter! The oxycodone made my life so much easier those first few days. The pain was basically gone, I had a nice relaxing buzz, could sleep easily, and it made it easier for me to walk around and therefore heal faster. I took a ton of miralax and colace from day 1, and the first poop wasn’t awful. Well worth the benefit of the narcotics for me. OP is going to be stuffed full of narcotics anyways after that C section- REAL ones- that a few doses of oxycodone aren’t going to make a big difference.

+1 on stronger pain med than ibuprofen. I had 2 csections, took only ibuprofen after the first one and I still had some residual pain / strange feeling. After my 2nd csection, I made decision to take the stronger pain meds (Tylenol 3) because I had now an older child to take care of in addition to baby and me. It was a huge difference compared to being only on ibuprofen - like night and day and I regretted not taking it the first time around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, buy stool softener in advance for your recovery

+1

And if you take all the post-op pain meds you will not poop for days. The constipation was far worse than the surgery.

This was not my experience. Everybody's different but I don't want OP to think she can't have pain relief because of some monster poop down the road. I took a stool softener before and after the surgery and my first poop was unremarkable. I was on Percocet then and for several days after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uniqlo maternity leggings and their over the bump
Underwear are great for the weeks after the c section because it doesn’t put any pressure on the scar area

Have ur partner do all baby care in the first weeks—it is such a special bonding time for them and it will help you heal faster and better.

I always have wondered about the underwear thing. I feel like everyone says this and I never understand what they are talking about. I own no pair of underwear, and have never seen a pair that I could buy, that would come down low enough to even remotely put pressure on my scar. If it were that low, the back would not cover my butt at all. 2 c-sections here. Maybe my incision was very low or my anatomy is weird, but I have never had this issue.

Same! I would need tape to hold up underwear that hit so low. My scar is 4 inches lower than my hip bone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. I just got emailed instructions from the hospital.

On the topics of medicine it says: "You will receive Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 6 hours throughout your hospital stay. For the first 24 hours you will receive Toradol (ketorolac) through your IV every 6 hours. This is similar to ibuprofen. After the first 24 hours you will receive Motrin (ibuprofen) by mouth every 6 hours. If you continue to have pain, you can ask your nurse for a stronger pain medication (oxycodone)."

I understand the constipation issue and also that medical professionals are trying to keep ppl off addictive pain meds. Does what they describe seem like the right balance? Seems like the only options are mild over the counter or oxycodone. There is nothing in the middle?

Toradol is money. That’s some good stuff. I had no problems getting oxycodone when I asked. Be confident in your own voice. Some doctors and hospitals will make you feel like an addict. You are not. You are a woman who just has her stomach cut open and don’t let them convince you you don’t know your own pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, buy stool softener in advance for your recovery

+1

And if you take all the post-op pain meds you will not poop for days. The constipation was far worse than the surgery.

This was not my experience. Everybody's different but I don't want OP to think she can't have pain relief because of some monster poop down the road. I took a stool softener before and after the surgery and my first poop was unremarkable. I was on Percocet then and for several days after.

No. I absolutely took pain meds and had poop issues. Three c sections and the only one I had bad issues with was the one where I was not diligent about colace. You should not avoid pain meds just to avoid poop issues, just stay on top of the stool

[Anonymous]

I wish I would have known my husband couldn’t be in with me until after they confirmed the anesthesia would work etc.

I wish I would have known not to refuse the pain meds until I knew what it would feel like to be off of them AND be home with an older child to take care of.

[Anonymous]

As many have mentioned previously, you can still advocate for skin to skin, letting baby attempt to nurse, etc. I wish someone would have let me know that feeling cold and shaking was normally. My arms were literally bouncing off the table and my teeth were chattering. I was not prepared for the pressure and some points made me feel very nauseous/light-headed.

I didnt have any issue with gas or bowel movements nor pain. I was moving within 12 hours of my c-section and literally begging them to take my IV out (mine was in the antecubital so it was super painful to try and nurse). The nurses were flabbergasted that I could raise my hips up when they were trying to change my chux pads. I had only Motrin and Ibprofuen post-surgery. My pain was never above a 3-5, except when trying to nurse with the IV

Nothing prepared me for getting in and out of bed though. That was the hardest part of the immediate recovery for me. Our bed isnt super firm and that does not help. I was very tender for weeks/months with pressure against the scar- it would be random things like the edge of the sink against my scar. Also, baby will likely kick you at some point and that hurts like the devil.

Go slow for a few weeks. I didn't have the opportunity since I was left alone for 8-10 hours after 3 days of my DH being home.

Even if you have a csection get evaluated by a pelvic PT for any PP complications. Also, learn how to massage your scar (once it is healed!!!). 2.5 years out and my scar is barely noticeable, but its been within the past year that I finally felt like my top half and bottom half worked together again. Really focus on breathing and PP-specific core work, that is my only regret!

Congrats!

[Anonymous]

This is such an awesome thread, thank you so much PPs! NP here. Knowing what you know and reading this thread, if you had a choice between an elective C section (for context, DH was born without GD at 12.5 lbs and 24 inches and) would you just...elect for this from the get go? Seems like the ideal is:
1) Vaginal Birth- no issues, no tearing
2) Planned C section
3) Vaginal birth, vaginal trauma
4) Emergency C with hours and hours of pushing and trauma

Is a scheduled c for a first birth nuts? It sounds a heck of a lot better than some of these horrible pelvic floor tearing options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s sort of been mentioned a couple times but the number one thing I wasn’t prepared for either c section was the gas pain in my upper chest and shoulders. First c section I was on a magnesium drip for 24hrs and not allowed to move and second one I had a bad allergic reaction to the pad and mesh panties and was up pacing way sooner (and for longer stretches) than I wanted to be and the gas pain STILL hit me hard both times despite the movement. It actually hurt worse than the incision. GasX provided a little relief but I still really struggled to get much sleep the first 48 hours because of it. It occurs worse in some people than others but even being aware of it before the second c section I was still a bit blindsided by how much it can suck in the moment.

This was crazy for me. The shoulder referred has pain post surgery was way more intense than my incision. It doesn’t happen for everyone but know you’re not crazy if it happens to you.

I’m confused on all the posters who have pain years later, can’t wear low underwear, etc. Makes me think perhaps some really didn’t heal properly. I’m 7 weeks from my 4th csection - back in normal low thong underwear, just rubbing Vitamin E oil along my scar once a day, and started cardio at 5 weeks out. Definitely be gentle on yourself first few weeks, but more than likely you will heal.

One thing I did the last two csections is take collagen to help heal wound - I drink it normally in my coffee every morning.

Also the toradol post surgery is amazing ... kind of wish they would keep that going for longer than 24hrs. I can’t tolerate any narcotics so I have to suck up pain with just Tylenol and I used the Motrin very sparingly. It’s possible, and by day 7 out I no longer needed anything. Again, just be gentle with yourself ... walk around as much as you can tolerate but slowly.

Also the belly binder works well too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t automatically take the narcotic painkillers if you don’t feel you need them. Advil was enough for me with my second. The first time I just took what they gave me and the resulting constipation was by far the worst part of the whole c-section/post-partum experience. By FAR!! Seriously. Stick with Advil.

I agree with this. If anything, the constipation causes more pain than the surgery because when your bowels are full and sluggish, they press on the incisions. I brought my own colace and water and started on the ASAP. I brought my own snacks, too.

I will be the dissenter! The oxycodone made my life so much easier those first few days. The pain was basically gone, I had a nice relaxing buzz, could sleep easily, and it made it easier for me to walk around and therefore heal faster. I took a ton of miralax and colace from day 1, and the first poop wasn’t awful. Well worth the benefit of the narcotics for me. OP is going to be stuffed full of narcotics anyways after that C section- REAL ones- that a few doses of oxycodone aren’t going to make a big difference.

But have you had a c section WITHOUT the oxycodone? I’ve recovered from two—one with and one without—and while I agree the buzz can be lovely, I honestly didn’t NEED it after the second c section and recovered better/faster without it in my system. I’m not anti-opioid at all (I’ve taken them recreationally back when I was more fun) but my body felt better with milder meds after the c section. If OP feels like she’s struggling I’d strongly encourage her to request them but I wouldn’t do suggest she ask automatically before the IV meds wear off (and my feelings have nothing to do with constipation, which wasn’t a problem for me either time.)

PP here- my first C section I tried hard to avoid the oxycodone (took it only once or twice total) because the nurses told me my milk would come in better without it (it didn’t either way, so, who knows). I actually didn’t heal nearly as fast after the first one. But apples to oranges since my first was unplanned after a day of labor and my second was scheduled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such an awesome thread, thank you so much PPs! NP here. Knowing what you know and reading this thread, if you had a choice between an elective C section (for context, DH was born without GD at 12.5 lbs and 24 inches and) would you just...elect for this from the get go? Seems like the ideal is:
1) Vaginal Birth- no issues, no tearing
2) Planned C section
3) Vaginal birth, vaginal trauma
4) Emergency C with hours and hours of pushing and trauma

Is a scheduled c for a first birth nuts? It sounds a heck of a lot better than some of these horrible pelvic floor tearing options.

Most women only get minor tearing and they usually heal just fine. There are risk factors for severe tearing but large baby isn't the biggest. Having a prolonged labor, an induction, a first birth to an AMA mom, an episiotomy, or an operative birth (vacuum, forceps) are much bigger risk factors for severe tears.

I don't think the categories you listed are that clean in reality. The majority of women have tearing with no trauma. I had a tear and I have a pelvic pain disorder so I thought it would be debilitating, but it healed quickly and I never had any issues. More women have severe hemorrhages and emergency hysterectomies from planned c-sections than they do from vaginal birth. Plus, labor and vaginal birth carry benefits for the baby and typically reduce your recovery time. However, c-sections are somewhat more protective of your pelvic floor - prolapse and incontinence issues (although studies show as women age the rates of incontinence are about equal between the two modes of delivery).

There are things you can do to reduce your risks of tearing. Waiting to go into labor on your own, laboring at home until active labor, moving around throughout labor, delaying pushing for up to an hour after transition, and pushing in an upright position are all things that raise your chances of giving birth without trauma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such an awesome thread, thank you so much PPs! NP here. Knowing what you know and reading this thread, if you had a choice between an elective C section (for context, DH was born without GD at 12.5 lbs and 24 inches and) would you just...elect for this from the get go? Seems like the ideal is:
1) Vaginal Birth- no issues, no tearing
2) Planned C section
3) Vaginal birth, vaginal trauma
4) Emergency C with hours and hours of pushing and trauma

Is a scheduled c for a first birth nuts? It sounds a heck of a lot better than some of these horrible pelvic floor tearing options.

As someone with major pelvic floor injuries after a low risk pregnancy and planned vaginal delivery, I will 100 percent recommend to my daughter that she have scheduled c sections for her births. The incidence of prolapse, incontinence, pain, etc. after vaginal birth is quite high - let alone anatomical changes to nerve function and vaginal shape/size that really can damage sexual function - is extremely high. Wanting and needing to be able to poop, pee, have sex, exercise, wear tampons/manage periods easily, and orgasm normally for the rest of your life after childbirth really matters and right now no one takes that into account when considering Risks of vaginal delivery.
Birth.