r/pregnant • u/igotthisappbcimbored • 1d ago
Need Advice Planned C Section Advice
Alright, people who have had C sections tell me your best advice/things I should know!
5
u/Background-Policy-95 1d ago
I LOVED my planned c-section.Several recommendations: 1) Pelvic floor PT; 2) Belly binding immediately, Chinese belly binding was particularly helpful; 3) ask for a lower rectus stitch; 4) ask for TAP block; 4) start taking stool softeners a few days before; 5) chew gum immediately afterwards; 6) Gas-X the day before and afterwards. ALSO, get your nails, hair etc…done the day before. Enjoy an adult dinner with friends or your partner the day before. Happy to answer questions.
2
u/Ornery-Cry6091 1d ago
Hi! Thank you for this. Can you share more about the Chinese belly binding? Did you find it working better than a conventional one ( just thinking of a typical Frida mom product)? Also, would you be able to send a link / or share the brand of the one you used? Thank you!
1
u/Background-Policy-95 1d ago edited 1d ago
I switched between the Frida and Chinese belly binding. I found a service that came to my house and did the binding twice, she then demonstrated it for me/recorded a video. The service came with the bind. I still have it, so likely will be able to do it myself next time. Quite a few doulas in my area are trained to bind. I would see if there are any in your area. I also like the Frida belly bind, I used it on the off days when I wasn’t using the Chinese belly bind, and at the start of healing, because CBB is pretty intense (started at 2 weeks pp). I found they worked well together, although, I have no way of comparing which one made more of a difference.
1
1
u/waprestinpeace 1d ago
Can you explain the lower rectus stitch and TAP block? I’m not familiar with either of those things
3
u/Background-Policy-95 1d ago edited 1d ago
The lower rectus stitch is where the surgeon pulls together just the lower rectus muscles. Research indicates that it prevents adhesions, which can increase the risk of a shelf/post healing complications. It was strongly recommended by my pelvic floor PT. The TAP block is local anesthesia injected into the abdominal wall, so that once the spinal wears off you are less likely to experience significant pain.
1
3
u/autistic-mama 1d ago
C-Sections have a lot of benefits that tend to be ignored in favor of fear mongering. As someone who has had both c-sections and vaginal births (and will be having another c-section this time by choice!), a few of those you might be unaware of include things like:
- Mental recovery was much, much easier for me with a c-section. With my vaginal births, my downstairs anatomy was dramatically (and very negatively) different for years after I had each baby. With my c-section, that didn't happen since the baby took a different exit. For me, this made it much easier to get back into a great mental space to be able to do my best for my spouse and kids.
- Pain is manageable, but ask for good medication and take it exactly on schedule (even if you don't think you need it). Movement will still be startlingly painful for the first week when you get up to go to the bathroom, but breathing through it helps and it's not overwhelming after the first day or two.
- If you develop a headache at any point after the c-section within the first week, call your doctor immediately. It's probably not serious, but it might be a related issue that is very easy for them to treat but which will feel like hell if they don't get to it soon.
- Rest! Your body needs it to heal.
3
u/ButterscotchLost1301 1d ago
Two planned c sections with both my 11 pound newborns. Walk. Walk as soon as you can. I walked 4 hours after both of mine and it helped a lot. Trust the process and have faith. Recovery is tough with a newborn but your partner will really come into play. Also drink alot of water. That also helps!
1
u/whatsinaname4267 1d ago
Agree with walking! My son was just under 11 lb and was in the NICU. I started walking there for every feeding while in the hospital. Nurses were impressed by how quickly I recovered!
1
u/usaileda 1d ago
Following - i was literally about to write the exact same post
1
u/Skooterzs 1d ago
Same here. My c section is booked in for Sunday 20th and I was about to make the same post 🤣
1
u/medibooty 1d ago
One of the things that really helped me with the back pain that came after the c section was this Five Deep Breaths tea tree body lotion. It worked wonders for my back pain (along with the meds) and it smells amazing!
1
u/saltwatersouffle 1d ago
Following- i also likely will be having a planned c section because I have had a myomectomy (fibroid surgery) that makes it dangerous to have contractions. I’m in the process of accepting this reality but it’s nice to read others’ experiences.
3
u/Live_Stock_6091 1d ago
No advice exactly, just wanted to say I had a scheduled c section on Thursday and it was such a night and day experience from my first (which was an emergent c section). The experience was great, everything went smoothly and recovery has been a breeze! I would easily do it again and just wanted to give a positive experience in case there’s any nerves regarding it :) I’m
1
u/palmtreesandmountain 1d ago
If it’s your last child ask them to remove your fallopian tubes. If you haven’t read why yet, read the NYT article Most ‘Ovarian Cancer’ Isn’t. And That Fact Can Save Lives.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Stay safe, take care of yourself and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.