While you're less likely to start breastfeeding in the first few hours of your baby's life, there is nothing to stop you breastfeeding as soon as you feel up to it. Heres a play-by-play of what you can expect: A C-section begins with a routine IV and anesthesia usually anepidural or spinal block, so the lower half of your body will be numb but you'll stay awake. With my second, I was on my own chasing a preschooler, caring for a newborn, and recovering from major surgery within two weeks. Turns out, her stomach and lungs were full of amniotic fluid. Your blood pressure, pulse, rate of breathing and amount of bleeding will be checked regularly. It will be red at first but will fade over time. Other potential benefits of a gentle C-section include: You may feel like you were able to have an active versus passive role in birth. "Increased physical activity helps with circulation, improves bowel function, and will get you back to baseline sooner.". Having some support and compression around your belly and incision site will feel necessary. During both of my c section recoveries the second 24 hours after surgery were the most difficult. Then I was taken into the OR, where my OB was waiting for me. Stacey. Being rested going in and knowing what to expect physically made a huge difference in my recovery. At some point in the first 24 hours the nurse will be able to remove your catheter whic is fairly painless. It doesnt matter how long ago you had your baby its never too late to ask for support. (If you see these signs, or are running a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor.) Then you'll be prepped by having your abdomen shaved (if necessary) and washed with an antiseptic solution. Theres usually something the nurses and doctros can do to help you manage your pain. This gives you the chance to go through your maternity notes and talk about what happened. As for babies born by C-section, they may be at a higher risk of transient tachypnea, rapid breathing caused by leftover fluid in the lungs. Silver-infused fibers work to reduce bacteria (and a possible infection) from forming. Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) is growing in popularity. Its a very common way to feel but try not to let these thoughts take over. The mesh panties you get from the hospital might be super comfy, but since most of them come either in white or nude, theyre not the best at hiding leaks. And thats a good thing! I know this is hard when you have other small children and trying to recover. Finally, there's growing recognition that while C-sections are very safe, they're still major surgery, which isnt risk-free. If you're opting for a "gentle C-section," the drape will be clear; otherwise you can also ask for a mirror to watch. You can ask to speak to someone after you have left hospital. asking for support if you're recovering from a difficult birth. Every milestone comes with several actionable tips to help you heal better and faster. In most cases it won't be, but you might be asked to provide written confirmation from your doctor that you are fit to drive. You may hear the following terms used to describe C-sections: Your doctor may peg you for the procedure in advance ofyour due date, which means youll have a planned C-section. Before I had my second baby by c-section, I was referred to a specialist midwife who went through my first birth with me and diagnosed PTSD. Heres where I get super honest with you: c section recovery sucks. To start with, I found that I was justifying my decision to have a c-section, even though it was needed for health reasons. Some women bounce back quickly, others take longer to recover. Cut like a high-waisted boy short, the UMMISS C-section underwear can be worn after delivery and beyond. Ignoring this advice will only lead to a longer C-section recovery, so keep these strategies in mind: Although itll be hard to keep from taking charge at home, remember to be kind to yourself and, when you can, relax. The full coverage underwear has elastic that doesnt dig, and sits at the waist without feeling constricting. What is the typical C-section recovery time? You may still find yourself Googling Infected C-section Incisions in the middle of the night. They also dont have an elastic waistband so you wont have anything digging into your already-sensitive skin. A C-section, or cesarean section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. Fortunately, this is a fast operation, with the procedure itself lasting just 10 minutes or less, followed by another 30 minutes or so to stitch you back up. You know what your incision should look like, you know how much it will hurt to get in and out of bed, and you know that it will all feel better sooner than you would expect. 2022. The nurses were expecting me, and I had already filled out all my admissions paperwork. The underwear are specially designed to support your weak and tender muscles. Driving right after a C-section is a no-no in certain situations, and so is taking the stairs if it's uncomfortable. Or if you had your period, you searched your underwear drawer for those lived-in undies that offered extra room and stretch. You can still expect to look pregnant at this stage (and much longer, for many people) due to laxity of the abdominal wall. Once you've had a C-section, ACOG adds, you're more likely to require another in the future. Well, the waistband on your underwear might irritate your incision, and the last thing you want is for extra friction to hamper your healing. Microfiber and spandex are a match made in postpartum heaven. If there aren't any complications, your medical team will continue to monitor you for a few hours as your anesthesia continues to wear off. All of the C Section Recovery Essentials & Resources you NEED in One Place Click here! You may push yourself too hard physically because you dont understand your limitations. The support will make it easier for you to get up and walk which is key to your recovery. A cesarean delivery (C-section) is major surgery. Usually, uterine contractions squeeze some of the fluid out of the baby while they are still in the womb. Our C-section recovery guide will help you prepare for side effects, scar care, and everything in between. You might find that some activities you found to be easy before your c section are now more challenging. And my second in 2016 (a planned c section due to placenta previa). You can wash and wear them a few times, or toss them into the trash if they get soiled. Although you will most likely be healed by the two month mark, continue to listen to your body and adjust your activities accordingly. All About Vaginal Birth After C-Section, C-Section Scar Care: Your Guide to Helping It Heal, One Mom's Experience with Vaginal Birth After C-Section, Postpartum Timeline: What You Can Do When After Giving Birth, Emergency C-Sections: A Guide for Moms-To-Be, Reasons for a C-Section: Planned and Emergency, 7 Things I Wish I'd Known About C-Section Recovery, Waiting for Baby: 8 Reasons to Wait Until Your Due Date, If Possible. If you can't see it properly, get your partner to look for you. Remember, treating yourself kindly is not being lazy it's common sense. 19/04/2023 15:11. When it comes to recovering from a c-section, lifting heavy items (and that includes small children and shopping), doing the vacuuming or anything else that puts particular pressure on your tummy muscles (or current lack of them) is to be completely avoided: you do not want your scar to tear. "It can be difficult to situate your newborn in a position that you can maintain for upwards of 20 minutes comfortably when . Sometimes it's harder to get breastfeeding started after a c-section because your milk is slower to come in. You'll get weekly tips about c section recovery, postpartum care, and support for new moms delivered straight to your inbox! The nurse suctioned her out, and she spent a couple of hours in the nursery so that the nurses could observe her most closely. This is commonly called baby blues. It can take several months for your stomach muscles to knit back together and even then you may feel numb around the scar area for years to come. This is most often temporary and it usually heals during the six-week recovery phase. The airy fabric allows for healing, and since the underwear doesnt have an elastic waistband, you wont have to worry about it rubbing up against your incision. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. We've put together a 6-week C-Section recovery guideline to help you return to exercise. This helps so much. An abdominal binder provides the support and stability women need and makes women feel more comfortable. our editorial and medical review policies, 9 Things You May Not Know About Having a C-Section, C-Section Scars: Care Basics During and After Healing, Breech Position: What It Means if Your Baby is Breech. In fact, youve probably been feeling more like yourself for a week or two now and slowly enjoying laughing and sneezing without being in pain. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. I moved about but did spent quite a long time in bed breastfeeding as this was the easiest position. I do know it was because of foetal distress and my blood pressure rising. You can try gentle exercises a few days after the C-section: Deep breathing: Take 2 or 3 slow, deep breaths . In fact, mums who have had a c-section have exactly the same chances as those who had a vaginal birth of getting breastfeeding going successfully. Typical C-section stays average about three to four days, depending on any complications you may have had during surgery. C-section recovery varies greatly from woman to woman and there's no point suffering in silence. Youll be numb from the waist down if youve been given a regional anesthetic, which means youll be awake during the operation and when your baby emerges. However, I was pleasantly surprised. How Long Should You Wait to Conceive After a C-Section? 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. You will have a scar but this will fade over time. This is the part where we get super honest with each other:this is going to be painful. You accept all offers of help and ask for more if you need it. It offers a constant amount of compression (which can be adjusted so you can breathe) and without cutting into your incision site. I had a difficult first birth and developed postnatal depression afterwards. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. And wasn't the entirely coherent. Inducing Labor: What Happens When Youre Induced? During the first 24 hours post c section operation youll likely be more focused on the precious baby in your arms than anything else. Only you know what was best for you and your baby. The cotton/lycra blend will feel soothing on your sensitive skin. Benton M et al (2019) Womens psychosocial outcomes following an emergency caesarean section: A systematic literature review. Having both vaginal stitches AND a caesarean scar is understandably rage-inducing. Skin-to-skin contact also helps get breastfeeding going. Coping with emotions after a c-section. Preeclampsia: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatments. Plain and simple. and Spiritual Pregnancy. Badr HA, Zauszniewski JA (2017). You dont know how much pain is normal or when it will go away. And if the surgery was performed before week 39, your baby may be at greater risk of breathing problems if her lungs arent fully mature but your doctor will be keeping a close eye on her and treating any problems while youre in the hospital. Some will need a few months before resuming certain activities. After this visit, you will usually see the health visitor in a clinic at key points in your babys development. I was given IV fluids, which took about an hour. While C-sections are extremely safe, very rarely, complications happen. Over the days and weeks following a caesarean, make sure you really look after yourself, ask for help whenever you need it and follow any advice the doctors and midwives give you. The double-layer crotch offers breathability and protection in case you leak. Who better to design a pair of C-section panties than a mom, amiright? If you had an epidural or spinal block during your c-section (rather than a general anaesthetic), it's likely this won't be removed for a few hours or so after your baby's birth. Enjoy all those sweet newborn snuggles- youve earned it! She was able to deliver my baby because we were able to plan ahead, which I appreciated. (Yes, even after a C-section!) Here is what I wish I knew going into my second C-section: Lets just lay it out there: An emergency C-section isnt the dream outcome when you go into labor. 2017; 4(2): 179-183. You can ask your midwife or GP to refer you to this service or for counselling. I can't remember when exactly they made the decision for a c section. THANK YOU!! You also need to inspect the wound every day to check for any signs of infection, such as redness or swelling. The advice after a c-section is not to lift anything heavier than your baby, and that includes toddlers. remember, I am not a medical professional. I had my first c section in 2013 (an emergency due to the baby being in distress). Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Depression - antenatal and postnatal. Try not to get dispirited if things don't look how they used to. they gave me this magical dressing with a pump that regulated the wound by measuring moisture and applying pressure as appropriate; that made a big difference. But if you continue to have negative feelings, or if you get new symptoms after the first 2 weeks, talk to your health visitor or GP. The emergency room staff will place a short screen blocking your vision of your abdomen, so the field remains sterile and so you don't have to watch yourself getting cut. Dont get me wrong, its still going to hurt like hell. Take the drugs. While you may be eager to start caring for your precious newborn, thephysical and emotional recovery after a C-sectiontakes longer than it does after a vaginal birth. And how it feels like you've been kicked in the stomach by a Shire horse. "That's when the pain medication you were given with your spinal anesthesia wears off," says San Diego perinatologist Sean Daneshmand, M.D. "Listen to your body, and if things hurt, slow down; if you feel tired, rest as much as you can. Some women feel ok, but some may feel depressed or have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I personally didn't feel like myself again until around six months postpartum. From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. Should You Take a Pregnancy Test Before Each Birth Control Shot? My c-section is scheduled for April and Im kind of terrified. Some women feel upset and others feel more positive. Giving birth But a good rule of thumb is two weeks. This is fairly common among scheduled C-section babies when the mother doesn't experience any labor. At this point, Dr. Tassone says, most of your sutures, if you had them, will have been about 50% absorbed, your uterus will be back down to its normal size, and you'll be free to have penetrative sex. Your doctor will then make another incision in the lower part of your uterus. Some will be running a 5k six weeks after their cesarean delivery (although I wouldnt recommend that). Dry the area by gently patting it or using a blow-dryer set on cool. Some women are able to nurse on the operating table or, at the very least, in the recovery room. The silicone panel ensures that your scar wont be scratched or irritated. Still wondering if you should request an elective C-section? These high-waisted panties (which, woot, come in a 5-pack) are perfect for when you want to feel a little like yourself again. At this point, you still won't have sensation in your lower body because of the anesthesia, and you may feel a bit shaky and woozy if you received pain medicine in your IV. The epidural will still be in effect (but wearing off) and by now you will have received pain medication. You might feel that youve let your baby down. The fact is, nobody makes as big of a deal over the second baby as they do the first. And remember, the type of birth you have is secondary to the most important thing of all: a safe and healthy outcome for both you and your baby. Body image after a c-section Pregnancy and childbirth change the way your body looks and feels. www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/, www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/feeling-depressed-after-childbirth/, www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/services-and-support-for-parents/, https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/depression-antenatal-postnatal/, having lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby there is some evidence that this can help women feel happier about the birth, meeting other parents and babies your midwife or. C-section scars are scars on the abdomen made by a doctor to help deliver a baby. High-waisted underwear will be more comfortable for most people since they wont irritate the scar.. I had all the help I could ever want. As the birth of my second child approached, I was seriously dreading going through all that again. An outer pocket means you can place an ice or heat pack anywhere you need it. They offer compression on the tummy without crushing your scar. 1. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests.