C-section advice?

Question

We're getting closer!! The c-section date is set for next Thursday (Sept. 6) and we are getting excited!

During my first pregnancy, I was in labor for 24 hours and had an emergency c-section. Obviously I know what the epidural will feel like, but everything else (not being rushed) will be new.

Any advice?

I'm getting my hair cut this weekend for the big day; I want to look good in the pictures! My mom is coming down on Wednesday to stay with our son as my husband and I head to the hospital at 5:30 AM.

But...any advice? Could I bring a book? Get a pedicure? What?

Like I said--we're gettin excited, but I am getting very anxious. I want my body back!! :-)

Yeah...the book is more for BEFORE the surgery! :-) Like I said, I've been through the surgery and recovery before, but not being able to just waltz in and say "I'm ready. Deflate me now."

If I had my choice, we wouldn't have a c-section but because I had a history of preeclampsia, they wanted to have a little more control this time around.

Answer 1

I had two c-sections, emergency with my first and scheduled with my second. The only thing that I found different for the second was not being in labor. I simply packed my bags and went to the hospital about 3 hours before my surgery. They will have you sign in and you pretty much just wait till they call you. Everything was pretty calm. I got dressed in my hospital gown once they called me and got my blood drawn and was hooked up to the machine to monitor the baby. Little did I know I was actually having small contractions while waiting. When the time came I just went in the room they did the epidural and maybe a half an hour later I forget, my daughter was born. with my second c-section they made me drink a liquid so that I could clean my system out, they didn't do that with my first maybe because it was emergency and also with my second they gave me gas pills so that I wouldn't be uncomfortable because of it. The first I was in pain because of the gas the inevitably gets trapped in your body after surgery. It is just more planning. I wouldn't recommend bringing a book cause you won't have time to read. But definatly get a manicure, pedicure and a hair cut. It will be a long time before you can do those things again! Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

You won't be able to do anything during the c-section but just lay there and wait. And after you will be in pain and or really doped up on pain meds. So the book and pedicure before are great, after...probably not. The only differance will probably be that one was unexpected and one is planned. Other than that expect the same or very close to the same experience as the first. Good luck and congrats.

Answer 3

Get a mani and a pedi before you go...no telling how long till you get out of the house again. Definately bring a book. Nothing more boring than laying around waiting for the doctors to get their sh*t together. Just because you are scheduled for 5:30 doesn't mean that will be the time you go in. You could wait for hours if there are emergency C-sections before you. Also, sleep if you can....no telling when you'll get to do that again either.

Nothing to it....you already know what to expect.

Good Luck

2 scheduled C's

Answer 4

I had a scheduled C Section with my second. Emergency with my 1st. It is pretty much the same, with out the pain leading up to it. Just the same after. I do wish I didn't do it though. ( Not to scare you) My daughter was born at 36 weeks when they said I was at 40. She ended up in the NICU for 10 days to develop her lungs properly. My only thing with this now, is that I think they should do another ultrasound a day or so before the delivery to ensure the baby is ready. I am sure everything will be fine, but I do wish I would have known about this before I decided to scheule it. I would have opted for trying to go vaginal after C. Good luck and Congrats on your new baby!

Answer 5

My first c-section was an emergency also but the 2 one was scheduled. I got to the hospital and it took a good 3 hrs to prep me for the surgery I did not bring any books but wished I did as for my hair I did a french braid that still looked good the next morning. Its scary knowing ahead of time. Good luck

Answer 6

My last child was a c-section, he was breech. The actual c-section is ok, it is the healing afterwards. Total time from incision until birth for me was 10 min tops. It is healing afterwards. It is quite painful just to roll over in the bed or to sit comfortably. You will experience less pain when your bladder is full but when it is empty cramping will be more. The pain meds help so take them as they offer them to you, they do help you sleep and total heal time for me was 2 weeks to have no more pain and discomfort. Remember if you have another child at home you have to be cautious when lifting so they told me nothing over 10 lbs and no extra exertion just take it easy, steps are hard too going up and down. You will need to rest...This is just the beginning. I was not rushed and I went to the hospital at 2:30. 3:10 my son was born.

Answer 7

Defiantly go for the pedicure. If you also have the manicure, the hospital will remove the polish off of at least one nail (for the pulse-ox monitoring thing). If you bring the book, you may have time to look at it before your surgery, so do what feels right to you.

Best wishes to you and your little one.

Answer 8

Ah, a scheduled C-section :) Hey, you have experience, you'll be a PRO this time around. Get your toes done and get that bag packed...it's almost time. Bring your book or magazines as the hospital will no doubt be running behind schedule! You'll have plenty of time to read. ENJOY.

Answer 9

aww :) how exciting! Good luck with your big day! Pedicure would be an excellent idea! I used to do that when I was pregnant, the massage helped the circulation in my feet... was kinda nice since I hadn't actually seen my feet in months.

Answer 10

My best advice is be calm, everything will be fine, but you can't bring a book!!! :)
Just take care of yourself, specially when the baby is born, so you will have a healthy recuperation and your body back sooner!
Good luck and congratulations!!