After posting the birth stories of my girls Becky and Ellie last week.....It got me thinking about things I wished I'd known about before having the caesarean sections...These might not apply to emergency caesarean sections just planned one's....
In no particular order...
You’ll get the shakes....
Ohh yes....They're fun!! lol They're quite normal....I shook for about an hour....My teeth chattered, my muscles quivered and jumped and the more I tried to stop shaking the more I shook....
The operating theater will be full of people...
Don't worry!!.....There will be surgeons, nurses, midwives, anaesthetists, trainee people a whole heap of people who each have their own jobs to do...
Try for the first surgery slot in the morning!
On time. Relaxed. Not rushed. The later in the day, the more likely it is to get pushed back, start late, have stressed or tired doctors....Yes,you have to wake up at an ungodly time but it's so worth it....
Take the drugs they offer you...
Even if you don't feel like you need them and the pain isn't too bad....Take them....Don't try to be a hero....It's better to keep taking them regularly than to fall behind and have to catch up while being in pain....
Take a shower as soon as possible and put on your own comfy pajamas.
Getting clean will just make you feel so much better.....Make sure you have
someone there to help you because standing is just difficult and it hurts...I felt really dizzy in the shower but had the reassurance of someone being with me in case I did pass out....I didn't thankfully!
High-waisted bottoms are a must...
When you pack for the hospital, be sure to bring PJ bottoms & knickers that are loose-fitting and high-waisted. Think granny pants or PJ's that Simon Cowell would wear....You want to make sure that the waistband will not hit you at the bikini line....Bring something that you can hike up well over your hips....The bigger the better!!
You’ll have to walk before you think you’re ready...
After my first c-section with Becky I wasn’t allowed up for over twenty-four hours and even that seemed impossibly soon to be up and around. I was terrified of moving...The nurse explained that the sooner I was walking, the sooner I would heal and be allowed home....With Ellie I was wise to this and was up at 5am in the shower and walking around less then 24 hours after having her...lol Hurt like hell but I did feel better for it!!
Have a spare pillow...
Have a pillow to hug when you cough, sneeze or laugh...It helps! Laughing hurts!!
C-Section babies may not cry straight away...
I wish someone had told me that!! With Becky I was so worried when she didn't cry!I was convinced there was something wrong that no one was telling me.....Eventually the anesthesiologist nurse told me that C-Section babies don't cry because their lungs may still be full of fluid because they haven't been squished like with a normal birth...
You’ll have a catheter for a good while post-surgery...
Don't let anyone pull or touch the tube...It hurts when they do...Ohh it bloody hurts when they pull it out too you have been warned!!
C-section recovery is going to be much harder and longer than for a vaginal birth...
Remember, a c-section is major abdominal surgery. Your intestines were pulled out and after everything is put back inside and you are stitched up...Don't rush things!!
You’ll be quizzed on various embarrassing bodily-function-related milestones...
They need to know when you wee, poo and fart!!
Numbness....
There might be numb in spots near your incision.....they might wear off in time....They might not!! I had several spots along my incision that were numb for months afterwards but have got the feeling back...Now nearly 6 years after having Ellie there is still some spots that are numb....Totally normal you'll get used to it!
Do not stress about the scar....
Wear it like a badge of honor!
If you're facing a c-section don't be scared.....The more you worry the more stressed you and your baby will become.... Those people who say people who have elective c-sections are too posh to push.....Believe me it is not the easy option!! It will hurt afterwards but as long as you rest and take it easy you'll be ok....