If you missed it, I wrote a post about My 1st C-Section story. I talked about why I had a c-section and what it was like. In this post, I want to tell you what I learned from all 3 of my c-sections. Hopefully, this will help some one out who may be going in for a c-section.
Obviously, our first birth story did not go anything like we planned and hoped that it would! It was actually a little funny, because the day after Micaiah was born, Chris ran into our birthing class teacher, leading a group of soon-to-be Moms and Dads through the labor and delivery department. Throughout the class, she kept stressing that things often don’t happen as planned, so you have to remember to be flexible. She asked how everything went, and Chris told her, “Well, we went in for a regular check-up appointment, the fluid was low so we were going to induce, his heart rate kept dropping so we had to have a c-section, and he was really little so he has blood sugar problems and is in the NICU now.” He said as he kept going, he could just see all of these parents’ faces realizing, “That can happen?!” We definitely didn’t think it would happen to us... My pregnancy was completely normal. We never had any problems. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. There was nothing to indicate a problem, other than Micaiah not moving much at the end. So, just remember to be flexible!
2. Bring a dress in your hospital bag, even if you aren’t planning to have a c-section.
After my first c-section, I felt really uncomfortable having anything touch my scar area. I did not want to wear pants for a couple of weeks, but I didn’t really have any dresses. The day we left the hospital, my mom took me to Ross to buy a few dresses so that I would have something to wear! So, whether or not you think you are going to have a c-section, bring a dress! Just in case.
3. Ask your nurse for an abdominal binder!
I had never, ever heard of an abdominal binder until my 3rd c-section, about 6 weeks ago. I actually had read up about them just a week before I had Elijah, and saw all of these women talking about how great they are for c-section recovery. It actually was routine in the hospital that I had him at now, so I didn’t even have to ask. But, seriously, I felt like that thing was SO HELPFUL! It really helped with the pain because after a c-section everything hurts. Laughing. Coughing. Getting up to go to the bathroom. Straightening yourself up in your hospital bed. Pretty much any type of movement. But, that binder really really helped. If you are having a c-section, I would urge you to ask your nurse for an abdominal binder! Very, very helpful!
4. Don’t be a lady. Let out your gas.
Yes, I said it. After you have had surgery is no time to be a lady. Burp and fart as much as you possibly can. If you don’t, you’ll be in pain! When you have surgery, all of this air gets in your body that isn’t supposed to be there and the only way to get it out is to be gassy. It still may hurt, but that is how to help it. I had a lot of pain in my collarbone, because of all of the air built up in my body. I took pain meds, and let out my gas as often as I could. Eventually, it’ll go away. (My husband told me, “This is why you should be married when you have kids. Because giving birth and all of this aftermath is really gross!” Thanks, honey! lol)
Funny story: After I had Colton, I was in the recovery room and still couldn’t feel anything. I was holding him for the first time, and he farted this HUGE, crazy, manly fart and I was so shocked! Then, I realized it came from ME! Oh my goodness! It was so loud and super embarrassing and I couldn’t feel it at all. I think my nurse was laughing at me a little bit too, because every time it happened I was so shocked... and then embarrassed! :)
5. Stay on top of your pain medicine!
With my first c-section, I didn’t know that I needed to ask for my pain meds. I figured that they would bring them to me when it was time. They don’t do that. And with my third, I actually had a nurse trying to tell me to wait until I was in pain to ask for them. Of course, I am not a doctor and cannot tell you what to do. You should always consult with your doctor when it comes to medicine.
But, with my first experience, if I waited until I was in pain to ask for my medicine, I waited too long. It took twice as long for the pain to stop if I didn’t take it every four hours. And, it hurts. It’s not just a little painful. When you have a c-section, they cut through your ab muscles, and you’d be surprised just how often you use those muscles. So, after that first time, I learned to ask for pain meds every four hours whether I felt like I really, really needed them or not.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
With my first c-section, I hated to call my nurse and ask for something. I felt bad "bothering them." This is ridiculous! To help you is the whole reason that they are there! I mean, don't take advantage of them... they aren't your maid. But, don't feel bad asking for help or asking them to bring you something when you need it... They want to help you!
7. Let the nursery nurses take your baby so that you can get some rest!
Seriously, the nurses in the nursery LOVE babies and they want to take care of your baby so that you can get some rest! Your body, whether you had a c-section or natural birth, just went through a trauma, and you need some rest!
Of course, with Micaiah, he was in the NICU so I didn't have an option. But, with Colton, I had some crazy idea in my head that if I let the nursery nurses take him for a while that I was being a bad mom. That's dumb. Seriously. Taking care of your baby all by yourself and not getting any sleep is coming. Really fast! So, let the nurses help you while you are in the hospital... and get some sleep!
8. REST! And don’t take on too much.
With Micaiah in the NICU for the first two weeks, I did WAY too much! I walked down to the NICU several times a day and sat up in a really uncomfortable chair. When I had to go home, I would have my mom or Chris drop me off, and I would sit in that really uncomfortable chair for hours so that I could be there to try to feed him. (Feeding him was very difficult because of his low blood sugar. Every time I tried, he would fall asleep because I was warm and comfortable. I would spend 45 minutes trying to breastfeed him, then another 45 minutes trying to get him to take a bottle, then another 30 minutes going to a nursing room and pumping so that my milk wouldn’t dry up. Then, I would have an hour break and it would all start over again!) Honestly, looking back, I don’t know what I would have changed about that experience because when you become a mom, you want to be there for your baby when they are sick or in pain, etc.
But, with my next two c-sections, I still did way too much. With my second and third, I already had a kid or kids at home, and a house to take care of. So, while I rested a little bit, I started doing way more than I should have way too soon. When our house gets messy, it drives me nuts. So, I was picking up and doing dishes and cleaning up my house. And then, I’d have to lay down for a few hours because I was in pain!
Don’t get me wrong, I have an amazing husband who didn’t expect any of that! Actually, he kept telling me to stop it and he would help with all of that when he got home from working all day. But, I’m just that crazy... I get really frustrated and stressed when the house is messy. So, I push myself more than I should. So, if you can somehow make yourself relax and rest, DO IT!
Did you have a c-section? What else would you add to this list?