I'm having my first C-section.
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As soon as I got my pain meds, I waited thirty minutes, and then I pushed my baby up and down the hallway. I did everything by myself, showers, clothing myself but utilize your support nd village if you need help. Good luck mama💕
Take arnica :) homeopathicl
Walking as soon as you are able to speeds recovery, staying on top of your pain meds, magnesium citrate drink to help pass bowel movement, belly band, holding a pillow over your incision when you laugh/cough/sneeze. When you try to get up from a flat position, turn to your right (or however you sleep on the bed) & lift up using your arms/hands rather than using too much of your abdomen. I overdid it my second c-section & ended up hurting for more than 2 weeks later. Never be afraid to ask for help.
Roll out of bed, do not sit up. You will pull your stitches out! If you feel ill at any stage, seek medical advice immediately. It’s highly likely to be an infection if you feel unwell and the earlier it is caught the better. Good luck with recovery ❤️
@Katie 100% second this, I took the midwife’s advice and regular walking and movement is absolute key! It really speeds up the recovery!
Remember everyone is different. For me getting up and pushing myself hurt me more. I was in incredible pain. Tore open. Took much longer to heal. Take your time and listen to your body. I wish I would have. A year pp and I still have issues. Make sure you have a place set up or in mind for sleeping when you get home. I could not sleep laying down in bed. I spent the first twoish weeks on the couch. Take the pain killers and ask for more if you feel you need it and do not just raw dog go home with piggy slowly getting off of them to actually get a sense of how you’re feeling and handling your pain. Do not let anyone rush your recovery. It is yours. Also belly bands and do the c section message and excersixed when you’re ready. I didn’t and I regret that.
@Sophie yes! I can’t remember with my first, but it took 8 hours to gain feeling in my legs & feet after my second c-section, but as soon as I could walk, I slipped my slippers on & went walking up & down the hallway until I couldn’t take it anymore lol.
@Willow yes! The first two weeks, should be propped up by pillows. I meant to mention that.
Keep ontop of pain meds and Walking little and often. The more you move the less your muscles seize up and the faster the wind moves and the bowels start to work normally too
@Ceri-Ann this!! I had such bad gas pains for 2 days until the night before I went home, I was finally able to let that trapped wind go 😂😂 my husband even felt relieved for me 😅😅😅😅
Stay on top of pain meds, don't overdo things, but try and be active. I also batch cooked and froze food beforehand. Also, hold your incision with a cushion if you need to cough or sneeze
Yes like all the ladies have said. Walk walk walk. Take it slow but walking helps with healing and also getting gas and bowl movements going. Stay hydrated as well. After all the IV fluids you’ve gotten will pass right through which can cause a fluid shift and cause dehydration and headaches so drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Best of luck to you momma! You’ve got this!
Get as much bed rest as you can and take all the support you can get. I stayed in bed for a week, husband did everything and it made such a difference. I then sat on the couch for another week while also walk around a little bit. Don’t push yourself and do whatever feels right for you. You’ll do great!! Xx
Rest, but also remember it’s important to move but gradually, eat well, drink lots of water (2-3litres) and remember you’ve had major surgery. Look after yourself x
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@Katie I had more home visits postnatally this time as I had twins whereas with my daughter it was Covid so we had to go to the hospital for all our appointments. The only difference postnatally was first time I walked more because of the appointments and didn’t have the wind pain. This time it lingered for days. It wasn’t until we had to go to the hospital for a jaundice assessment and I had to walk back and forth paediatrics it started to shift!
Best to check with a postpartum/women specialist physiotherapist to 1/check everything (diastisis recti, even pelvic floor issue, even with c-section you can have issue with it because of pregnancy it’s self) 2/learn what to do and when : you can make the diastisis recti much worse if doing the wrong exercises to early. And 3/ learn the massages for the scar : every scar and case need différents massages, and that’s really important not only for the look but also for mobilisation and good healing without some tissues stuck
I advise to take painkillers during the first few days or so. Take them before going to the shower, try to take it before getting out of bed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Try to walk a bit as soon as you can because it helps but don’t overdo it, take your time. Don’t cook or clean, if you have support then ask them to do it. My recovery was really good, my husband helped me the first 2 days but after that I was already showering etc by myself. You got this 🫶🏼
Bind your stomach up right away!!
It’s okay to ask for help even when you want to do things yourself. Take your time and do things at your own pace ❤️
Bed side everything taking it slow early on is so worth it for better long term results I didn't listen and worked hard really soon post partum and I bled 6 months and nearly bled to death don't do like I did respect your body
Stay active but don’t push yourself. Listen to your body and rest when you feel you need rest. Take it slow the first few days and be careful not to rip your stitches. If you take it slow you’ll be fine.
In addition to everything already said. Peppermint capsules for that post partum wind and constipation. And remember, 2 babies is indeed double the work, it's two feeds, two nappy changes, two outfit changes... accept help whenever offered so you don't overdo it x
Wear your C-section faja, drink lots of water, rest up. Remember you need to shower at least once a day, you don’t want the incision to get infected.
Ask for help! I had to stay at the hospital alone with my second. I couldn’t get up and down with the baby when she would cry. I had to have the nurses take her to the nursery at night. I also tried to be independent and take my first shower alone (at 24 hrs post c-section). Horrible. I took half a shower and had to call a nurse. Don’t be me. Nurses are there to help. Use them!
Oh also know that you might not be able to pee after they take your catheter out. I didn’t know that. I had to wind up having one placed again. Don’t be afraid to speak up. And congrats mama!
Thank you to all the mama's for the advice cause I'm so nervous, but I'm also excited to finally get to hold my little ones
Hiiii I just had my first c section with a breach baby but best suggestion is ask for help and don’t use your abdominal muscles to get up or move use your hands to push yourself up and take it slow I also didn’t want pain killers but most hospitals will give you them if you want mine offered oxycodone I was ok with Tylenol and ibuprofen worked just fine for me