I'm having a c-section! any advice from people who have had c-sections?

[alisonf]

I am having a c-section and would like to know what it feels like to have it done.Also,any advice for what to do after the c-section aka recovery?Any tips?

[Kimba15]

Rest, rest,rest, Lots of fibre to make no.2's as easy to pass as possible.Keep the baby as close to the bed as possible. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do your physio exercises that the hospital give you.

[Kerileanne99]

I had one and it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting! Plan ahead, like make sure you have some help booked in and meals taken care of (or freeze food in advance like I did!), make yourself a 'nest' for when you get home. Put everything you could possibly need in close proximity to the bed or sofa you will be recuperating on...A nursing pillow is an absolute must as this helps tremendously!
One thing I wish someone had told me that you just don't prepare for! It was cold when I left the hospital, and even though hubby pulled car around, I wasn't dresses warmly enough to prevent shivering! (probably because when I was pregnant I was so HOT all the time at the end ) anyway, the most excruciating pain I can remember feeling overal is when I began to shiver and all those muscles tried to clench!  So if it will be even remotely chilly where you are, make sure you arrange to stay warm!
Good luck with everything and I am very excited for you!

[TeachingMyToddlers]

I just wanted to tell you how "lucky" you are to know about it in advance. I had a labor with #1 that ended in c-section after about 24 hours. My recovery was far worse than with #2 when I did NOT go into labor. If you have to go into labor, you have to deal with all the aftermath of that PLUS the surgery, versus one or the other.

So, I don't know how you feel about having one, but I figured I'd share that perspective. And ditto to all the mom's saying to keep everything you need close by. Try to isolate yourself to ONE floor for a while if you have more than one, particularly if/when hubby goes back to work. Do you have a friend or relative that can come stay for a while? Not because it's 100% necessary but just because it will be easier on you while you recover.

[Skylark]

Alisonf,

First off, congratulations on your pregnancy and soon-to-be-born baby!

C-section is a major surgery, so you would want to be prepared for it as such. Like others mentioned -- support is very important. You might want to arrange to have freezer full of prepared easy to warm up meals; help around the house and someone to possibly even help you for the first few days to go to the bathroom, to get things, etc

The first few days will be very difficult so prepare for it, and it WILL get better.

The reason it is more difficult then after most normal births is that you would be recovering from surgery, while adapting to motherhood and not being able to do so many things that mommy just naturally want to get up and do for her baby.

Try to have your husband to help you with baby's changes - nappies and clothes, burping the baby, bringing you all the needs. But also try to spend as much time as possible having the baby with you, nursing, sleeping next to you, cuddling. These first few days will be crucial to your breastfeeding. When I worked with mommies, I've noticed that babies born through C-section usually need a bit more help with setting up a good nursing pattern. But if you are consistent, and letting baby to be on your breast as much as possible, it will all work out! Dont hesitate to ask for support from lactation specialist, they can be really helpful.

Have a good nutrition before and after surgery.

If at all possible try to wait till going into labor naturally and then going for C-section. That way you would know that yours and baby's body are ready for birth, and it is a good way in many cases to avoid premature birth, which is often the case with scheduled c-sections.

What I mean by waiting to go into labor  -- it does not mean that section will be after hours and hours of hard labor, but more like you would know that your body went in labor when it was ready and then you can proceed with your medically necessary c-section. It would not make much noticeable difference for how you would feel, but it may mean night and day for the baby.

Have positive attitude, relax and focus on your baby. You will be surprised, but it makes a huge difference. I remember working in the hospital, when I was still interning and assisting in administering anastesia, -- people who were very scared and tense, had it way more traumatic. It also takes higher amount of medication to reach the needed result. You would want to avoid that -- to make it easier for yourself and better for your baby (less medication - less recovery for the baby - better latching and breastfeeding among other factors)

And last but not least, if you really need to have c-section, don't let it get you discouraged. The end result will be wonderful baby and it will be all worth it!

And I really agree with TmT, having an emergency C-section after long labor is very hard, emotionally and physically. I am glad you have a chance to get yourself ready for it.

[andreasro]

Rest a lot, eat good / healthy / nurturing food.
It would help you if you were conscient during surgery (of they would use rachianesthesia).
The scar can heal much better and faster if you have few sessions of violet ray http://www.cayce.com/vray.htm - I had after C-section and you can barely see the scar and perhaps it helped me a lot with my recent VBAC (no scar tissue problems).

Be in high spirits as much as you can before and after giving birth.

Congratulations and may you and your baby be healthy and perfectly fine! Your inner state determines the emotional state of the baby. And your inner state influences a lot / determines the way you cope with recovery and surgery effects. Try laughing at or mocking at you a lot 
 

[TeachingMyToddlers]

I had after C-section and you can barely see the scar and perhaps it helped me a lot with my recent VBAC

You are my hero! I wanted a VBAC so badly but for a variety of reasons it didn't work out. Huge Kudos to you!!

[Skylark]

Oh, and did you know eating certain foods really helps with healing?

Eat cherries ( if available, or even cherry juice),
Make nettle and alfalfa tea,
Take homeopathic arnica ( it will help to relieve any bruising) and it is safe

Supplements that is safe to take:

Zinc: Best taken prior to C-section, zinc reduces wound healing time, rapidly reduces wound size, and bolsters immune function to help ward off infection

Vitamin C is required to make collagen, the connective tissue in the skin that helps healing and prevents blistering. Vitamin C strengthens scar tissue. My best suggestion -- take acerola powder ( found in health food store), it is the safest and easiest absorbing Vit C form, take plenty before and after. Or you can even get it from Rose hips, making a rose hip tea. But remember temperature kills vitamin C, so you would want to make it in thermos, leaving rose hips in hot ( but not boiling) water over time

Chlorella -- Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) is especially effective in speeding up cell growth, and it is safe when you pregnant and BF as well

Spend some time on the sun after C-Section -- vitamin D, which is produced in your body when you spend time o the sun, will aid in healing, plus it is good for your newborn baby as well -- natural way to help his/her body to ward off any potential jaundice

Colloidal silver on the scar -- will help ward an infection

GSE ( Grapefruit Seed Extract) in your juice throughout the day will act as natural antibiotic and is much safer to your baby, then antibiotics

Hope these help!

[Kimba15]

@TmT sounds like you and I had similar birthing experiences. Miss S was 18 hours of Labour and then emergency c-section toooook forever to recover no 2 wanted to VBAC but I got very sick and pulled all of my left side rib muscles from coughing and coughing and coughing so I decided to ceasearen instead.

[TeachingMyToddlers]

Yes, it was not exactly a walk in the park. But so many women I have heard have great experiences, so I am wishing OP the absolute best!

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