Sunday, May 27/18
Today's post is all about c-section recovery, what I wish I knew, and my overall experience. For those who don't know, I had an emergency c-section with about 15 minutes between the warning of "you may need a c-section" to being wheeled into the operating theatre. Most caesareans don't pan out that way, but I think it's good to be somewhat prepared even if you're a low-risk patient who has delivered 12 babies vaginally. Things can change quickly and I realize I hadn't got a clue about what a c-section entailed until I had to live through it myself, so if I could go back to pre-delivery Megan, I would tell her to research c-sections and be prepared for all eventualities! And I don't mean that to be scary- it's just something I wish I had known before experiencing it myself!
WHAT TO BRING
Whether you know you're having a c-section or not, here are some items I'd pack in your hospital bag (or leave in your car) just in case you have to have surgery!
- Underwear and pants that will sit above your scar. The incision is verrrry low, but you will feel bruised a few inches above and below so it's a good idea to have comfortable underwear (preferably the huge disposable ones you're given in hospital) and PJ/sweatpants that aren't too tight in that region. Maternity pants were great afterwards because there were no low fastenings, just the huge elastic belly which feels great on a non-pregnant/just-had-a-baby belly because it feels as though it's holding everything in and it all feels a but less jelly-like.
- A body lotion or oil that you know suits your skin. The antiseptic liquid that they must paint your belly with before surgery leaves your belly with a bright pink stain and made my skin feel a bit rashy and dry. A non-scented lotion would be best in a hospital setting, not to mention fragrance near the incision may worry you, but truly any lotion or oil that makes you feel good would feel like such a treat when you can barely move and things feel dry and itchy. My mother-in-law actually went out to get me some because my skin was so irritated and sore and it felt amazing to lather it on when there's little else you can do to make yourself feel pampered.
- Loose socks and/or flipflops. Tight socks won't be fun when your legs are swollen to the size of tree trunks, and loose socks are comfy- plus you can walk around in them and not feel so gross. The downside to socks is that you'll need someone to put them on for you because you won't be able to bend down and put them on yourself, but flipflips would be the alternative and it's also handy for showering etc.
- Baggy shirts or button-ups. The same tops that are convenient for breastfeeding are also helpful when you've had a c-section. Loose shirts don't feel tight against your sore belly, and shirts with wide necks mean you don't have to use too many ab muscles to strain and put the shirt on. Something loose that you can lift over your head and then pull down with your hands rather that wriggling with your arms in the air will be so much more comfortable when it's on, it's easier for nursing AND you don't have to strain your ab muscles to put it on. Worst case scenario someone else can easily slip a shirt over your head and you can put your arms through.
THE PAIN
I will not lie to you. The pain of a c-section is pretty shit at the best of times. You've just experienced major abdominal surgery AND you have to figure out what to do with a newborn at the same time. It's no walk in the park. You have no idea how much you use your ab muscles, and after being sliced open they're pretty useless. I had a hard time blowing my nose, and eventually a nurse came up to me and said "hold onto the scar- apply pressure and it'll hurt less". It was a lifesaver. Laughing, sneezing, coughing- just hold onto your belly for dear life. I had to tell my husband and brother-in-law to stop making me laugh because I was in agony, and for some sick reason it made me want to laugh even more. Not fun. I took morphine and extra-strength Tylenol in hospital and by day 3 I actually asked for more morphine. If it helps, just trust that the first 4 days will be hard. But day 2 and 3 are the worst. It only gets better after that. On day 2 post-surgery I could have cried from the pain, but a mere 5 days later I was walking around with my stroller, and although I had to take breaks and lean a bit here and there, it was almost entirely pain-free. It's also important to note that the nurses will tell you that you have to walk to heal sooner and while I've never wanted to punch anyone in the face more in my entire life- it's true. Try and walk when you feel up to it- but don't overdo it because you'll pay for that too. It's a fine balance but as long as you have pain medication and support you will be okay.
NO DIGNITY AT ALL
As if labour and delivery are not enough, after having a c-section there are things you have to do before they'll discharge you. And those things are 1) urinate, 2) pass gas, and 3) have a bowel movement. At first when the catheter is out, urinating seems awful. But once you've figured out how to slowly lower yourself onto the toilet it's not so bad. Passing gas takes a bit longer. The gas bubbles I felt in my abdomen truly felt like a baby kicking and made me question if there wasn't another one left behind, but nope- just gas. It's no fun, and it's a bit daunting, but you'll feel a lot better when it's happened. Pooping was without a doubt the scariest part of c-section recovery. To begin with you have literally no urge to poop at all because you don't eat during labour and there's nothing to poop out in the first place. So it takes a day or two to start with. And then when there is something, the thought of having to push anything out of you in that general area is horrifying. I thought my incision would bust right open and I'd have to be stitched up again. I was given stool-softener to take, and when the time was right I got my darling husband to wheel me to a big, private bathroom down the hall and about 10 minutes later I waddled out and gave him a high-five. No dignity whatsoever. But it was a proud moment I can't lie.
RECOVERY
If I could do it all again, I'd tell every visitor other than mine and my husbands immediate family and close friends to eff off and come again another time. Everyone loves a new baby, but sometimes it's more important to just say no and to ask them to come back on week 3 then it is to painfully sit through a visit when you just want to be laying in bed with your boobs out ready to feed as needed. Rest is so, so important. I read once in a book by Clemmie Hooper ("How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out") that you should stay in your bed for one week, and on your couch for the second. For baby number 2 there is no question that I will do exactly that. The pain you feel when you overdo it in conjunction with the lack of sleep from a newborn could be some kind of torture technique. Just rest, you will not regret it.
Today's post is all about c-section recovery, what I wish I knew, and my overall experience. For those who don't know, I had an emergency c-section with about 15 minutes between the warning of "you may need a c-section" to being wheeled into the operating theatre. Most caesareans don't pan out that way, but I think it's good to be somewhat prepared even if you're a low-risk patient who has delivered 12 babies vaginally. Things can change quickly and I realize I hadn't got a clue about what a c-section entailed until I had to live through it myself, so if I could go back to pre-delivery Megan, I would tell her to research c-sections and be prepared for all eventualities! And I don't mean that to be scary- it's just something I wish I had known before experiencing it myself!
WHAT TO BRING
Whether you know you're having a c-section or not, here are some items I'd pack in your hospital bag (or leave in your car) just in case you have to have surgery!
- Underwear and pants that will sit above your scar. The incision is verrrry low, but you will feel bruised a few inches above and below so it's a good idea to have comfortable underwear (preferably the huge disposable ones you're given in hospital) and PJ/sweatpants that aren't too tight in that region. Maternity pants were great afterwards because there were no low fastenings, just the huge elastic belly which feels great on a non-pregnant/just-had-a-baby belly because it feels as though it's holding everything in and it all feels a but less jelly-like.
- A body lotion or oil that you know suits your skin. The antiseptic liquid that they must paint your belly with before surgery leaves your belly with a bright pink stain and made my skin feel a bit rashy and dry. A non-scented lotion would be best in a hospital setting, not to mention fragrance near the incision may worry you, but truly any lotion or oil that makes you feel good would feel like such a treat when you can barely move and things feel dry and itchy. My mother-in-law actually went out to get me some because my skin was so irritated and sore and it felt amazing to lather it on when there's little else you can do to make yourself feel pampered.
- Loose socks and/or flipflops. Tight socks won't be fun when your legs are swollen to the size of tree trunks, and loose socks are comfy- plus you can walk around in them and not feel so gross. The downside to socks is that you'll need someone to put them on for you because you won't be able to bend down and put them on yourself, but flipflips would be the alternative and it's also handy for showering etc.
- Baggy shirts or button-ups. The same tops that are convenient for breastfeeding are also helpful when you've had a c-section. Loose shirts don't feel tight against your sore belly, and shirts with wide necks mean you don't have to use too many ab muscles to strain and put the shirt on. Something loose that you can lift over your head and then pull down with your hands rather that wriggling with your arms in the air will be so much more comfortable when it's on, it's easier for nursing AND you don't have to strain your ab muscles to put it on. Worst case scenario someone else can easily slip a shirt over your head and you can put your arms through.
THE PAIN
I will not lie to you. The pain of a c-section is pretty shit at the best of times. You've just experienced major abdominal surgery AND you have to figure out what to do with a newborn at the same time. It's no walk in the park. You have no idea how much you use your ab muscles, and after being sliced open they're pretty useless. I had a hard time blowing my nose, and eventually a nurse came up to me and said "hold onto the scar- apply pressure and it'll hurt less". It was a lifesaver. Laughing, sneezing, coughing- just hold onto your belly for dear life. I had to tell my husband and brother-in-law to stop making me laugh because I was in agony, and for some sick reason it made me want to laugh even more. Not fun. I took morphine and extra-strength Tylenol in hospital and by day 3 I actually asked for more morphine. If it helps, just trust that the first 4 days will be hard. But day 2 and 3 are the worst. It only gets better after that. On day 2 post-surgery I could have cried from the pain, but a mere 5 days later I was walking around with my stroller, and although I had to take breaks and lean a bit here and there, it was almost entirely pain-free. It's also important to note that the nurses will tell you that you have to walk to heal sooner and while I've never wanted to punch anyone in the face more in my entire life- it's true. Try and walk when you feel up to it- but don't overdo it because you'll pay for that too. It's a fine balance but as long as you have pain medication and support you will be okay.
NO DIGNITY AT ALL
As if labour and delivery are not enough, after having a c-section there are things you have to do before they'll discharge you. And those things are 1) urinate, 2) pass gas, and 3) have a bowel movement. At first when the catheter is out, urinating seems awful. But once you've figured out how to slowly lower yourself onto the toilet it's not so bad. Passing gas takes a bit longer. The gas bubbles I felt in my abdomen truly felt like a baby kicking and made me question if there wasn't another one left behind, but nope- just gas. It's no fun, and it's a bit daunting, but you'll feel a lot better when it's happened. Pooping was without a doubt the scariest part of c-section recovery. To begin with you have literally no urge to poop at all because you don't eat during labour and there's nothing to poop out in the first place. So it takes a day or two to start with. And then when there is something, the thought of having to push anything out of you in that general area is horrifying. I thought my incision would bust right open and I'd have to be stitched up again. I was given stool-softener to take, and when the time was right I got my darling husband to wheel me to a big, private bathroom down the hall and about 10 minutes later I waddled out and gave him a high-five. No dignity whatsoever. But it was a proud moment I can't lie.
RECOVERY
If I could do it all again, I'd tell every visitor other than mine and my husbands immediate family and close friends to eff off and come again another time. Everyone loves a new baby, but sometimes it's more important to just say no and to ask them to come back on week 3 then it is to painfully sit through a visit when you just want to be laying in bed with your boobs out ready to feed as needed. Rest is so, so important. I read once in a book by Clemmie Hooper ("How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out") that you should stay in your bed for one week, and on your couch for the second. For baby number 2 there is no question that I will do exactly that. The pain you feel when you overdo it in conjunction with the lack of sleep from a newborn could be some kind of torture technique. Just rest, you will not regret it.
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| Put your feet up, snuggle your baby and embrace looking like total crap. It's exactly what you need. |
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