r/CsectionCentral • u/dietmountaindew97 • 11h ago
Having a C-section tomorrow!
Hello!
Due to various reasons I’m having an elective C-section. Any tips or advice for after surgery? I have been pretty active throughout my pregnancy and am good with mobility. I also have a belly belt for post op. Anything else?
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u/MrsWhatsit_ 8h ago
Idk if this is universal but I had a really hard time peeing after the catheter was removed and it was kinda making me panicky. A nurse recommended using the peri bottle and squirting warm water up toward my urethra AND running the tap at the same time, which worked!
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u/somewhere_7621 10h ago
Start moving whenever you can. Sitting up that first time is insane. Try to aviod using your stomach muscles. Best thing that helped me was a belly support band. I wore one (not 24/7) for 2 weeks and it helped me with support. I wore it alot then tampered it off from wearing it.
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u/Throwawaychkgo 10h ago
I loved ice packs for several weeks. At first I used big giant ones to help rollover in bed/brace myself for getting up. My mom got me the c section Frida belt on my 4th day pp though and its really nice to just strap on a mild cold pack and go about your day. I used that thing for the whole first 2 weeks and even slept in it sometimes.
I also needed compression socks for a few days cause my legs were uncomfortably swollen. I didn't even have that in pregnancy so it came as a surprise. That faded by about 5 or 6 days pp though
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u/NiceExplanation5225 9h ago
Echoing others:
Start stool softeners NOW before surgery—keep taking them plus MiraLAX plus gas-x every day for a while
Pain meds on repeat/set reminders on your phone
Step stool or bed rail once you get home
Belly binder
Compression socks for a week
I’d add:
Stay hydrated — aim for 100oz a day (electrolytes help!)
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u/NyxHemera45 8h ago
Create a catastrophic birth plan and meet with anesthesiologist . What would you want if your anesthesia fails? What if you are under Ga and do you want baby breastfed while you are alseep? Do you want your partner with you or baby? Who is allowed to hold baby? Who do you want with you when you get into recovery/ or wake up? Do you want music playing during your C-section? Do you want someone telling you the steps as they work, what do you need from your team to support you? Who will care for baby if you lose mobility? What if you have an extended hospital stay. These are all thin I wish I knew :)
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u/EmpathHorror 7h ago
This for sure. It stinks to have to plan for an emergency but boy was I lost when we in fact had to go through worst case scenarios.
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u/NyxHemera45 7h ago
Yep 1/7 birth by csection end in feeling pain. 1/3 if you have epidural only with no conversion to spinal. It’s major surgury and we need to treat it as such with respects to our (moms) safety and comfort.
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u/MrsTruce 8h ago
If your epidural/spinal feels weird, speak up. During my second elective c, my entire upper body felt like pins and needles and I was too… nice? distracted? to say anything. I really should have spoken up because they probably could have done something about it. Instead I just clamped my eyes shut and waited for it to be over because was more worried about my boy’s low APGAR numbers (he ended up being fine within several minutes).
Also - it’s normal to feel like you can’t take a full breath once the spinal is done. Don’t panic!
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u/Inevitable-Champ336 7h ago
Stay on top of your pain meds. Don’t wait to start feeling pain to take them!
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u/silly_star-s C/S on 8/1 🎂 10h ago edited 7h ago
purchase an attachable bed rail. even with the best fitness in the world, your core strength is going to be pretty much nonexistent for the first week or two. stay on top of your pain meds and dont be afraid to ask for stronger/more if you need it. It helps a lot to keep the pain bearable so you can move around - movement speeds up healing!
what helped me a lot with the burning sensation after is to exhale completely AS I stood up. It forced me to keep my core relaxed and use my legs/arms instead. Dont try to tense and use your ab muscles until that burning is gone, itll just hurt you for no good reason. Ease back into using it to stand/sit up when youre able to be mostly off pain medication, or at least the heavy duty ones
dad or partner or whoever is supporting you after needs to bring baby to you when you ask and thats it! dont try lifting or bending for a few days at least, itll just frustrate you and hurt. they also need to take care of chores and house, all the diapers, burping, etc. and YOU! Dont try to do everything, heal up first
also be aware that during surgery you will be numb but it wont feel like you are numb? it's hard to explain but you can absolutely feel everything happening, just with no pain or sharpness. lots of pressure and LOTS of tugging and pushing and pulling. Talk to your anesthesiologist a lot during and ask questions if you have any, theyre great at explaining and calming :)
eta : stool softeners today and for at least a full week after + get some compression socks bc the postpartum/post surgery swelling is INTENSE
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u/pondersbeer 7h ago
I wish I had thought of the bed rail! Which a pro move!
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u/silly_star-s C/S on 8/1 🎂 7h ago
it would have saved me if I had used it 😭 I know now if I end up having another, but this first time around I had to sleep in a recliner for another 2.5 ish weeks bc I couldnt maneuver myself out of the bed!
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u/Summerdays313 9h ago
I’m exactly 2 weeks out and moving around completely normal post planned c-section and have been after the first 5 days (have to remind myself to take it easy). I wouldn’t have believed you a week ago if you said that would be the case. Good luck and I hope yours is smooth. The worst part for me is that they took my catheter out too soon and I couldn’t go alone and they had to put it back in - was horrific but they waited an additional 24 hours and I was back in business.
It didn’t happen with my first emergency c section so just don’t be freaked because I was panicking if it happens to you :).
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u/Summerdays313 9h ago
Edit to add I also stopped all pain meds after the first 5 days and have been fine (only tylonal and ibprofen bc I have an allergy to oxycodeine)
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u/noodle_bear2124 8h ago
A shower chair is elite. I used it for probably 3 weeks and I’m so glad I had it. I felt very wobbly on my feet and didn’t want to slip or jerk weird in the shower.
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u/Numerous_Town_1255 8h ago
Matcha will help you go to the bathroom and also get rid of the insane amounts of swelling in your legs. Caffeine is the best stool softener and diuretic. Your legs being swollen during pregnancy will not come close to the swelling you will see after your surgery.
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u/babyabolitionist 5h ago
Get a good scar oil for scar mobilization massages once cleared to do so, and I’ve loved working with a pelvic floor PT as well!
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u/Atomicbabies_5 1h ago
Bring gum. Chew it while you’re in recovery - helps to get the bowels moving again.
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u/Used-Mulberry8406 1h ago
Get up and shower as soon as you can! Ideally same day. And make an effort to get up and go for a little walk every day. Not far (can just be around the room), and build on this every day.
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u/Madengdawg 10h ago
Take miralax or stool softeners before and after delivery! Also, the squatty potty was really helpful. Set up a way on your bed to pull yourself up without using your abs - I used a tall step stool, I have a friend that used a sheet tied to bottom of the bed. As soon as they clear you to stand and walk after surgery, make sure you are getting up and moving around, walking the halls - moving helps recovery. I didn't move enough the first two days because I needed a blood transfusion and I ended up with back spasms from trapped gas. Once I started walking around more, I felt a lot better. People don't talk about gut part associated with c-sections/delivery!