Tips for comfortable CS recovery....

[AnyDream]

Hi, only 9 days to go until the big day, and I'm wondering if there's anything I should be doing/getting to prepare myself better for recovery after the CS...

For example, before my VB, someone told me to buy the softest dunny paper I could find...I don't know what the CS equivalent to this is...

Any ideas or tips?

[Phteven]

Buy some granny panties - your scar will be just above your pubes and low-cut undies will be uncomfortable. Also try to take high waisted maternity clothes with you for the same reason.
Without overdoing it it's best to be up and about as soon as possible but don't try and be a hero - if you need a painkiller ask for it.
It's not easy BF with a c-section scar so try and get lots of help. The things I found that helped were feeding lying down (just get the nurse to position bubs) and putting a pillow under Imran so he wasn't resting directly on my sore tummy and so I didn't have to use my muscles to support his weight.

[~Jo~]

I didnt use any of the maternity pads, as my loss wasnt as heavy compared to my vaginal delivery, so maybe use other less heavy pads. Though they do come in handy in keeping the wound dry.

Jo

[sonya1]

definately get granny knickers..
as dachlostar said, dont be afraid to ask for pain relief.
dont try and do too much straight away.
maybe pre cook meals and freeze before the big day, makes lunch and dinner time easier on you
i used a ring cushion for BF, it helped keep bubs elevated above my scar and less strain on me
loose fitting pants like elastic waisted trackies for home trip and i wore light, loose PJ's in hospital...

take care and best wishes

[Danni]

yes lots of pre cooked meals!

use lots of pillows and place a pad over your wound as it helps to cushion it (obviously! lol)

Make sure you eat LOTS of fruit etc to help you open your bowels. I think my most painful part was trying to do that.

[krisp]

The one thing I remember was how much it hurt to sneeze or cough. Make sure you brace your scar when you have to sneeze or cough or even just get up in the first few days. If you can get your partner to stay over with you in hospital it helps alot for him to get bubs for you for feeds too so that you don't need to get up too much on day one or two.

Good luck.

[katkins]

ask for a monkey bar if they don't give you one to help u get out of bed. Remember it's painful to actually get out of bed or a chair, but once your up it's not so bad. Take it easy, ask for help. It's going to hurt, it's surgery, major surgery, take pain relief when needed (don't let the pain get TOOOOO bad as it takes longer for pain killer to work and it won't be quite as effective) and get people to help when you need it. I found the more I walked, the better I felt so while I tried not to overdo it, I made sure I walked the halls and got out of the room when I could. Keep the area dry and clean and as the girls said, brace if u need to cough or sneeze, also when having to get out of bed etc. Umm, let Dh or nurses lift the bub from crib to you for first day, loose comfy clothes and I found a hair drier on low was helpful to dry the wound after a shower.... There will be a burning pain under the skin for a few days/weeks, this is from the stitches thru the muscles. I found GENTLE stretches helped the burning fade quicker as it helped the muscles adapt. Try to keep an upright stance when walking, it's better for your back and wound as it's your normal posture and it will allow the newly stitched muscles adjust to the position they will eventually be in... I'm not sure this is making sense (have two toddlers interrupting me yay). Goodluck honey. It's not toooo bad, but it will hurt and it will take time to feel normal again. But it is so worth it to have a new bub!

[nic]

Marydean, Have you had a read of this thread here started by Monnie?
Might have some helpful ideas for you


C-section experiences (elective) - BellyBelly Forums ~ Pregnancy, Birth & Baby

Nic

[aussienic]

so many things..

Alot have been said..

Use a maternity pad against your scar to minimize sweating and rubbing ( when at home a hair drier on low setting is a nice way to dry it after a shower)

Walk as much as possible without over doing it.. Stand as upright as you can.. Try your best not to hunch.

If you have to cough or sneeze hold a pillow against your tummy

Ask for pain relief.. One they gave me with my last c/s was a bum suppository.. very embarrassing but gee it worked wonders

oh and when you stand for the first time it hurts but breathe and keep repeating it is all good it is all good.. The First couple times you stand it hurts like buggery but if you just remember that yes it is going to hurt but breathe your way through it then you should be ok.. I wish someone had told me that before my first c/s.. I was much better prepared when I had my 2nd ..

Good Luck

[castle]

Marydean,
I think all of the above tips are good. Especially important are the ones about the undies, asking for pain relief (don't wait till it hurts--ask when you feel you need to rest, or about 30-45 minutes before a planned activity such as a shower) and organizing meals for the first few weeks.
I found Endone and ibuprofen to be the best pain relievers.
I think it's worth asking how the incision will be closed. My first c/sec was closed with staples and my second with a continuous suture. There was a huge difference.
You might also ask exactly where the incision will be. Mine is actually just above the pubic bone and is now completely covered by hair. This was the preferred site of my first doctor--I knew nothing about caesareans at the time. However, I'm very grateful for that. Because it's so low, it has never been irritated by clothing. Many women mention that that is a problem during the first few months especially. The cosmetic result is nicer too, although that was not important to me.
If you have a difficult recovery, you will be naturally cautious about movement, etc. However, if you have a great recovery (and I hope you do!), you still need to remind yourself to take it easy. It's a big mistake to think you can handle a normal activity level in the first month or so. Often at about 3 days after delivery you feel extra tired, and then again 10-12 days after. I think it's because those are times when you start doing a bit more. Keep in mind that if you were recovering from some other type of abdominal surgery, you would probably not try to exert yourself.
Encourage all of your nearest & dearest to think of this as an opportunity to pamper you!

[AnyDream]

Thanks everyone - I'm on top of the granny knicker situation (since I believe in comfy knickers nearly as firmly as I believe in comfortable shoes LOL)!

Jo interesting point about not much loss afterwards...I had hardly any loss after my VB (apparently bled it all over the delivery room instead LOL) so I'm bracing myself for it to go either way (both heavy and lighter pads in my bag).

We've already talked to the hospy about having DH stay for the first two nights and hopefully that will make a difference until I'm (semi) mobile.

Danni thanks for the fruit tip. Might even stock up on an emergency bottle of prune juice (it's always impossible to find when you need it)!

Aussienic, thanks for the tip about the bum suppository. After all the prodding & poking of my first VB (ending in the indignity of needing a bum op) a suppository here or there is no biggie...!

Castle, I know about taking the pain relief regularly but you make a good point about taking it before a planned activity (how strategic of you)...Trust me ladies I'm not aiming to win any bravery awards - I want all the good drugs and will happily chew them down for as long as I need them! I'm seeing the Consultant OB who will be there on the day today so I will ask him about the sutures & where the incision will be.

[Danni]

marydean, they axtually wont let you leave hospital until you have had a movement, so make sure you pack the juice in your bag

[Phteven]

See if you can get the super-glue for your suture. I had it and I've barely got a scar.

[castle]

Also Marydean, your loss may or may not be less than after your vaginal delivery. Some people, I'm sure you're not one of them, have a vision that with a c/sec you are "cleaned out" by the doctor and then think the lochia should be minimal. This is not the case--the lochia have to do with your uterus involuting and healing itself. I had rather heavy lochia after my first two deliveries (c/sec and VBAC) and lighter lochia after my next 3 (vaginal births and one last c/sec!). In all cases, the loss lasted the same amount of time, six weeks, even though the amounts were different. So, it's good that you're prepared for anything.
Try to drink lots of water. This will have a big effect on the bowel motion too To be perfectly honest, after my last c/sec I paid no attention to any restrictions. With my first c/sec, which took place during the day, I was not allowed anything by mouth for the rest of the day, then it was a liquid diet the following day, then foods. After my last one, I paid no attention to this. I drank and ate whatever and whenever I wanted, had no bowel issues at all. I recognise that not everyone is comfortable with a decision like that, but it was the right thing for me. (I have to say that I knew as soon as I woke up the next day that I felt really good, much better than after my first c/sec, so naturally that had a big impact on my desire to eat and drink.) Anyway, just try to keep the liquids up. If you feel great and want food before it's on your chart, just ask to see one of the doctors. They will probably tell you to go ahead and eat if you feel like it. If the recovery is slow & uncomfy--cross fingers it won't be!--then you won't feel much like eating anyway.
I've rambled on a bit but I'm feeling excited for you!

[AnyDream]

I've rambled on a bit but I'm feeling excited for you!

Thanks, nice to reframe it as excitement when I'm vacillating between mild worry and sheer terror...! I'm sure it will be FINE (*puts on brave face* )