c section recovery mumsnet

Coping with emotions after a c-section. If your urinary catheter is not out yet, medical staff will remove it the day after your C-section. ", Good news: Your initial primary healing is done. asking for support if you're recovering from a difficult birth. If this happens to you, know that you're not alone, but you are perfectly entitled to feel like you deserve a big fat medal and a round of applause (and lots of extra help while you recover). That could be donor milk, formula, or milk you have already pumped yourself. I have since come to terms with the fact I made the right decision for me and my babies and that is all that matters. Remember, slow and steady wins this race! But at $12.99 for a 4-pack, you might not feel guilty about tossing them in the trash if they get messy. Read more about PTSD. Sometimes it's harder to get breastfeeding started after a c-section because your milk is slower to come in. Your scar will be 10-20cm long and is usually just below your bikini line. While you're still in recovery in hospital you may want to feed lying down, but once home you can try lots of other positions that make things less tricky with a c-section scar. You can wear these undies for your nine months, postpartum, and even long after Babys birth. I can't remember when exactly they made the decision for a c section. "That's when the pain medication you were given with your spinal anesthesia wears off," says San Diego perinatologist Sean Daneshmand, M.D. These panties offer not one, but two areas of compression so that you feel protected. Talking to other parents who have had c-sections can help and may even give you some ideas for how to respond to unhelpful comments. (Yes, even after a C-section!) After this, you will be encouraged to get out of your bed, as this will help your bowels start moving quicker and prevent gravity-related swelling from building up in your legs. (If you see these signs, or are running a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor.) And you want to worry about taking care of your baby; not healing from surgery. Your blood pressure, pulse, rate of breathing and amount of bleeding will be checked regularly. Whether you have a C-section or vaginal delivery, you can wear the Nyssa FourthWear Postpartum Recovery Underwear. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Your partner or a midwife can help you hold your baby to the breast and position her. They should pass within a week, once your bowels are moving normally again (abdominal surgery causes them to "shut down" temporarily, so pooping after a C-section might not come easy). Learn more about. An outer pocket means you can place an ice or heat pack anywhere you need it. Expect to stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days after . Something that I highly recommend to c section moms is to invest in a good pair of c section recovery underwear. I made it to 1-2cm dilated and only laboured 5 hours before my baby was born. Don't forget to take painkillers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Week 4 of C-Section Recovery At this point during your C-section healing journey, you'll be moving more swiftly and comfortably, taking longer walks, and noticing your bleeding taper off. Tommys is a registered charity in England and Wales (1060508) and Scotland (SC039280). By two weeks out you will likely be feeling back to normal-ish. In the meantime, taking anti-gas medication and a stool softener will helpand so will walking around. A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. And wasn't the entirely coherent. 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. By the two-week mark you an expect to be able to esume some of your pre-surgery activities like playing with your older kids, driving, even taking short walks. It has a double layer of stretchy, soft fabric that sits at the waist and not by your incision. Enjoy all those sweet newborn snuggles- youve earned it! What are possible C-section complications? 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. A C-section is typically only recommended in medically necessary cases, such as in some high-risk pregnancies or when the baby is in the breech position and can't be flipped before labor begins. You've just had some pretty serious surgery, so your wound will be painful for some weeks. For women, these can include reactions to medications or anesthesia used during the procedure, blood loss and infection (which is why its so important to carefully follow your doctors post-op care instructions). Time and then exercise will help strengthen your tummy muscles, but don't hit the gym before you're ready as you can end up doing more harm than good. 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. A C-section is major abdominal surgery. Ok, Im going to get super real here, the second 24 hours (so 48 hours post c section delivery) were the hardest for me. Resting a heating pad or hot-water bottle on your belly can helpand so can over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. After delivering your baby by C-section, your doctor will tell you how to care for your incision. Except in extremem circumstances, most women will be able to conceive and safely carry a pregnancy after a c section. 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. This is fairly common among scheduled C-section babies when the mother doesnt experience any labor. If you use a flannel for this make sure it's fresh out of the wash each time so it definitely isn't harbouring any germs. They can help make sure you get support. I was the first person in obstetrics to have it at my hospital but I think they're used a lot more now, nearly 3 years later. But a good rule of thumb is two weeks. The rush of oxytocin will help to keep the pain at bay. How Long Should You Wait to Conceive After a C-Section? "Some people may still have pain if they're bumped along the incision, but for the most part the wound is perfectly healed at this point, and you can resume all normal activities," he says. But currently in the United States, about 32 percent of babies are delivered by C-section which means, all things being equal, you have about a 1 in 3 chance of having to go that route. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here), Stand up straight as soon as you can - it'll hurt like a bitch but the longer you leave it (and hobble round bent over), the worse it will hurt. Quick note: if you are still having moderate to severe pain be sure to contact your doctor. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In 2016, nearly 32 percent of all births in the United States were cesarean deliveries, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This is commonly called baby blues. They offer compression on the tummy without crushing your scar. (Any pain medications prescribed would still be safe for breastfeeding .) (Your bandages will be removed 24-48 hours after surgery and might replaced with small sticky bandages called Steri-Strips; it's fine if these get wet.) They can refer you to a counselling or support service, which can help you cope with your feelings. The short answer is c section recovery is different for every woman. Women who have a caesarean are more likely to have one again with future pregnancies, although nobody is really sure why, as there's not enough evidence to go on. "Increased physical activity helps with circulation, improves bowel function, and will get you back to baseline sooner.". You may lose feeling in the area of your wound . Every milestone comes with several actionable tips to help you heal better and faster. This is most often temporary and it usually heals during the six-week recovery phase. This post-birth bleeding is known as lochia. We had a little scare when our baby was a few hours old. 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. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. The underwear are specially designed to support your weak and tender muscles. Great question! You may experience a range of emotions after your caesarean section (c-section). There's no point rushing things, but if you do make a timely recovery there's no reason why you shouldn't drive earlier than six weeks just make sure your motoring insurance isn't affected. Try not to get dispirited if things don't look how they used to. It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. All of the C Section Recovery Essentials & Resources you NEED in One Place Click here! It was a traumatic experience but when I was ready I talked through my notes with a midwife and was able to ask lots of questions. Only you know what was best for you and your baby. And as a general rule of thumb, if at any point in the postpartum process you start to feel worse, not better, call your doctor. An abdominal binder provides the support and stability women need and makes women feel more comfortable. Home And how it feels like you've been kicked in the stomach by a Shire horse. Read more about handling birth disappointment after a c section by clicking here. You can ask to speak to someone after you have left hospital. It takes time to recover emotionally from giving birth, even if it goes smoothly. I had a difficult first birth and developed postnatal depression afterwards. Microfiber and spandex are a match made in postpartum heaven. For more great c section & postpartum articles click here. 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. While C-sections are extremely safe, very rarely, complications happen. They can fade on their own with time or with treatments, but a visible line is often left. If your baby needs to be whisked away to the NICU nursery, dont panic. Cesarean section incisions are made very close to the bladder, so there can be some trauma as the baby is born. A common misconception is that you have to wait six weeks before you can drive again, but actually there's no law to say you can't drive yourself home from hospital although you'd be a numpty to try, and your insurers might have something to say about it. If you're breastfeeding twins, there are yet more positions you might find useful. Youll spend around three to four days in the hospital and it will take four to six weeks at home before youll feel back to normal. The Genius Tool You Need to Stash Your Freezer Full of Breastmilk After Your Cesarean Delivery, 8 CLEVER C-SECTION RECOVERY TIPS FOR THE NEW MOM. People who have given birth by cesarean want to give additional thought to the postpartum underwear they choose, since their scar needs extra protection from chafing and rubbing while it heals, she tells Romper in an email. Afraid to shower because you cant remember if youre allowed to get your incision wet. After this visit, you will usually see the health visitor in a clinic at key points in your babys development. 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. Alternatively, if you have to have an elective caesarean with a subsequent pregnancy, you should flag up any problems with your old scar as your consultant can try to address them during the delivery. After my first c section I didnt wear these because I was skeptical; I thought it was a gimmick, and more about vanity than anything else. Caesarean birth: NICE guideline 192. Unlike other drawers that droop, these will sit right at your waist, and away from your incision. Big time. I didnt have to worry about cooking, cleaning or laundry. These postpartum C-section underwear options can offer an alternative to those mesh hospital panties, and can give your belly some much-needed support until youre ready to rock your pre-baby undies again. 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. The support will make it easier for you to get up and walk which is key to your recovery. I know, all of this feels so unfair. The disposable ones from Frida Mom make recovery a lot easier (and less messy), thanks to this 8-pack. "I had a difficult and long labour, which resulted in an emergency c-section. Because the excess mucus in her respiratory tract wasn't squeezed out during a journey through the birth canal, some extra suctioning is needed to clear those little lungs before you hear that first cry. Being overtired and overwrought never left anyone feeling well-balanced. If you were to have a section it is important to remember that it would be major abdominal surgery, you are likely to still have the Symphisis pubis pain following your delivery for sometime whilst all the hormones adjust back to the pre-pregnancy state. Or if you had your period, you searched your underwear drawer for those lived-in undies that offered extra room and stretch. Unfortunately, submerging yourself in water is only safe once the incision has healed, which is generally seven to 10 days after surgery. Your midwife will visit you the day after you get home. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. This content should not be taken as medical advice; if you have medical questions please seek the advice of a medical professional. Ask them how often they will visit and who you should contact if you need help between visits. If the birth didnt go the way you expected, you may feel that you werent in control of what was happening or that you didnt do it right. While the condition sounds frightening, it usually only lasts for a day after delivery and then goes away on its own. When there are no strong uterine contractions, babies are born with the fluid still inside them. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. 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. If you take the regular dose of pain meds and find youre still in pain SAY SOMETHING!! 19/04/2023 15:11. This is caused by changes in hormone levels and is called baby blues. You also need to inspect the wound every day to check for any signs of infection, such as redness or swelling. The C Section Recovery Timeline will give you a guide about how long an average c section recovery might be. Whether it's a scheduled surgery or a last-minute decision, the typical C-section is straightforward and follows a tightly-scripted game plan. But others may feel guilty or disappointed about not giving birth vaginally. Read more here. Some women develop PTSD after a traumatic vaginal or c-section birth. I am sharing anecdotal advice based off of my personal experience and the research I have performed. 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. If you're having an emergency C-section, there might not be time to numb you, in which case (and fortunately this is rarely the case) you'll be completely conked out with general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure. I had my first c section in 2013 (an emergency due to the baby being in distress). Every milestone comes with several actionable tips to help you heal better and faster. At this point during your C-section healing journey, you'll be moving more swiftly and comfortably, taking longer walks, and noticing your bleeding taper off. VAGINAL BIRTH RECOVERY TIMELINE: postpartum help for new moms, Genius Ideas to Make Babys First Christmas Special , Mommy & Baby Gear for C Section Moms (stuff you need that wont hurt your incision). C Section recovery impacts every area of your life. As your c section recovery timeline continues into the first week you might realize that you are sore and tender. 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. ", "I had an emergency c-section two years ago.

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