Monday, 16 May 2016

C Section Tips


One of the questions I see asked by mommies these days on forums and mom sites is how to prepare for a c section or tips on c section healing so having had 3 myself aside from my hysterectomy which was performed as a c section minus the gorgeous baby at the end 

I decided this would be a fun post to do. I have done this tips based on knowing you are going to have a c section or if you have chosen to have one.

1.       Research and preparation, I cannot tell you what a difference it makes, every woman I know that has gone into a c section with a prepared state of mind has had a much better experience than others who have gone in not knowing what is going to happen.

2.       It may be painful it may not, everyone has a different pain threshold, my mom’s advice was to rather prepare for the worst and be better off when it is not that bad and I think that, together with research etc is the reason I had 3 almost if not completely painless experiences

3.       Ask questions- that is what your doctor is there for, no question is stupid

4.       ‘Birth plan’, if you want the lights dimmed or music played, if you want the cord clamped etc make sure your wishes are noted and given to your doctor discuss everything with them so that you can have the best experience for you and baby.

5.       If you would prefer to go to a longer gestation than 38/39 weeks it is possible discuss this with your doctor.
6.       Prep meals and such beforehand, make sure you have plans in place for any other children you have ie getting them to school etc. 

7.       Talk to your other children about helping you and their sibling post birth if you have other children, it not only enhances their relationship with their sibling but can be a great help to you (post op) and the bond you have with your older child, it makes them feel a part of the process and appreciated at a time when they may feel a bit out of sorts.

8.       Pack well bearing in mind that you will be in hospital for 4 days and so will baby, ask about a hospital bag if you are going to a private hospital, often these contain nappies, creams and many items on the list, most hospitals will also give you a list of what to bring.

9.       Pack snacks and a book for when baby is sleeping or when you have the nibbles and it is in between hospital meal times.

10.   If you go into labour early be sure to get to the hospital as quick as possible.

11.   Talk to the nurses and your partner it really helps ease any anxiety you may have, I found having a good relationship with the nurses is a big help post op as well.

12.   After the operation, try and get skin to skin contact with your baby as soon as possible, also encourage baby to latch as soon as possible if you are breastfeeding.

13.   Get up as soon as you can and take a shower, the longer you lie the worse it is to get up so get up as soon as you can, most hospitals will have you wait a few hours, you will also have a catheter in and some prefer you to wait until that is out.

14.   Prepare yourself for the post op bleeding those boat pads look bad but they as well as throw away underwear will be your best friend as post op you will bleed heavily for anything up to a few days.

15.   Remember to have water or clear juice at your bedside within easy reach to keep hydrated, acidic juices can cause your baby to break out if you are breastfeeding.

16.   If you need your meds take them and take them on time, do not wait for the pain to set in or become unbearable.

17.   Listen to your body, try and move and do what you can as soon as you can but do not push above your bodies limitations.

18.   Take note of your cut  and take care of it, if there is any burning, oozing or redness call your doctor immediately, take showers until your dressing etc is removed by your doctor, the stitches normally dissolve as well, make sure the cut is kept dry and clean, the healing of your cut and resulting scar depends on the doctor, your own skins ability to heal and the caring of the cut post op, you can hardly tell I had a c section let alone 3 the scar is so light and small.

19.   Hold a pillow in front of your tummy when you laugh or sneeze, this I will admit can be quite sore if you don’t know about it and the pillow takes the pressure off.

20.   A boppy or breastfeeding cushion is a big help when feeding ensuring you do not have to bend over and put strain on the sensitive area of your cut.

21.   A belly binder can also be a big help to hold everything still and tight.

22.   Doctors normally suggest you do not drive for 6 weeks this can be less in subsequent c sections, I drove from day 4 days on with both my second and third births because I had no other choice but it is not recommended and your insurance may not pay out if something happens.

23.   Do not lift anything heavy or strain to reach anything up high for 4-6 weeks even if your scar has healed externally it still needs to heal internally.

24.   Set up a bedside table within easy reach that includes a soft lighting bulb, water bottle, snacks, if you co sleep you can extend this to a nappy or two and wipes.

25.   Breathe and enjoy it, for me it truly was 3 wonderful experiences bar the fact that my monkeys were in NICU which is a whole other story the actual c sections, hospital stay and post op recoveries were awesome, I had very little to no pain and resumed normal activities from leaving the hospital, I did not need to take pain meds post hospital either and the bond I have with my children is no less than it would have been otherwise.

If you are told to have an emergency c section the only advice or words I have to give are as follows:

I know it may not be what you wanted, you may be disappointed angry or scared but please know that this is such a precious moment in yours and your babies lives and it is gone in a flash, even if it is not what you envisioned know that your baby will be in your arms soon and as long as they are healthy and here you have done what you needed to do as a mom at the end of the day as I have said many times before your baby will not remember how they got here they will only know that they are loved and that is what matters.

Lastly I highly recommend to any pregnant woman that you do research for a c section even if you plan on having a natural rather be prepared in the event of an emergency and know what is going to happen should you be faced with it than not know.

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