Having a c-section Tuesday!

[AlisonK]

I have to have a planned c-section with this pregnancy due to complications from having my son. So I am scheduled for this coming Tuesday and I can't believe the big day is almost here! I was just wondering if anyone who has had a c-section recently or ever had any advice for me that I may not be thinking of? I have done some reading and research and talked alot to my doctor but I know there are always things that moms who go through this will know about.

Any tips or things that helped you recover quicker would be great! I guess the next time I post will be after I get home from the hospital next weekend sometime with my second little boy

Alison

 

[bridge]

I have no advice or experience with c-sections,but just wanted to say best of luck! You and your family must be so excited.

 

[mogambo]

Remember, Tuesday's child is full of grace.

 

[ebh87]

How exciting Alison!!
The best advice I got before having my c-section was to get up and moving as soon as possible. I did this (actually I had to - my twins were in the special care unit which was far from the postpartum unit) and I feel like it really helped with my recovery. My SIL didn't move from her bed at all and had a much longer recovery than I did. But don't force yourself to get up too soon - I remember that my blood pressure was low and getting up made me kind of dizzy at first. Just do what you can and you'll do great!!
Best wishes!! Can't wait to hear the good news!
Erica

 

[thebonniegirl]

Hi Alison,
I had a C-section 8 years ago. I think it does help to get out of bed and walk/shuffle to the bathroom as soon as you feel ready (with help). I took pain medication for the first week or two and that was helpful. Also if you can arrange to have someone home with you for the first week or two while your incision is healing to help with lifting the baby,and helping you sit up from a lying down position (it also doesn't hurt to get this helper to prepare meals, do laundry, and turn away any unwanted guests who happen to show up.) My mom was great after my c-section.
Funny Story: My husband had to hand the baby to me at night so I could breast feed him because it caused too much strain on my incision to lift him out of the crib. On our 3rd or 4th sleep-deprived night home, the baby started crying and I nudged DH and asked him to hand me "the baby". He said "Sure" and proceeded to hand me our little dog who sleeps at the foot of the bed (we always called the dog "the baby".) I set the dog down and said "No, the real human baby, the one that's crying." He said "Oh, yeah sure." and scooped up the dog again and set her in my lap. By this time my child was screaming, I was crying, and the dog thought we were ALL NUTS. Finally my husband came out of his fog and gave me the correct "baby".