Janie, i have no experience (other than working there) of a bub in NICU, but c/secs I'm good at.
Take the pain relief that's offered. If you can't move because of pain, you can't do what you want.
Move your legs in bed as often as you can manage. Keep the blood moving.
Express as often as you can.
Use a rolled up towel (in eigths like a big pad) against your tummy when you want to move/cough/laugh. It braces those tender muscles a bit.
Use a thin mat pad between your wound and your knickers. It protects the wound a bit more.
ETA speak to the anaesthetist in depth before hand. Tell him what you expect to be able to do. I had a much better experience this time because of this - ie I wasn't so nauseas because I don't do well with morphine so asked for different drugs and lots of anti nausea drugs.
If you wear hipster undies get some higher ones! They sit right on the scar. Like Kim said, if you need to cough/laugh or something hold something against your scar like a pillow. Get up as soon as you're able to. To get out of bed roll onto your side first and use your arms to push yourself up, you can't use your tummy muscles to sit straight up.
Janie, first of all You've been given some great suggestions. Personally I had a c/s and have also had other major abdominal surgery. I suggest keeping up the pain killers, it enables you to move around and the sooner you get moving (within reason ) the quicker you'll heal and feel better.
Most NICU/SCN will give you a photo of your baby - this is important.
Don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you want. Get the phone number for the nursery, ring them, ask how your bubba is doing (until you're able to go down yourself).
Definately get the expressing going regularly (hand at first obviously). Most SCN will have breastpumps in there that you can use - it helps your milk supply if you're able to see your baby.
I was one of those people who felt so much more better and positive when I had got up showered and put real clothes on. Some mornings I would even blow dry my hair and put a bit of mineral powder make up on. I felt good, I would get out of bed do this and head down to SCN for her first feed.
Find out when the paed visits daily. I was always there for the weighing and pead visit. It made me feel more part of what was going on rather than hearing second hand off a nurse who'd heard it off the previous nurse lol.
Most of all, get rest! Don't be afraid to go back up to your bed put a sign on the door and get some sleep. Sleeping heals and you'll be better able to make your liquid gold for your precious baby.
Good luck Janie...I would suggest someone for you, in recovery and back on ward..I imagine you will want DH to be with baby as much as possible...you will be out of action for 24 hours approx, make sure you use those wisely and keep your pain meds up to date, as soon as all the drips cathertar come out..make sure you keep taking the oral pain relief, and don't do too much the last thing you wnat is to make your pain worse.. take care it will be a stressful time, look forward to your BA, hope all is good and your little one is healthy.
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Janie, will be thinking of you.
) the quicker you'll heal and feel better.
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