Tips from a two-time C-section mama.
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Just like motherhood, during pregnancy and birth you should expect the unexpected. When we were awaiting our first, I had envisioned how my labor and delivery would go….and it happened the exact opposite of that.
I was a few days past my due date and they elected to move forward with an induction. My husband and I grabbed our bags and headed into the hospital. Of course, I had to stop by Chick-Fil-A to get breakfast. We checked in, filled out a ton paperwork, and waited to be brought to our room (this process took what felt like hours.)
I was flooded with so many emotions as I sat there in the most uncomfortable hospital chair.
After being taken to our room, I was hooked up to the monitor and they started the induction process. It was slow going and not much progress was made during our first 24 hours so they decided to stop the medicine and give my body a break.
The next day we started again and around lunch time they broke my water. The clock was ticking now. I just knew he was going to come soon. Wrong.
Fast forward another 24 hours of experiencing horrible back labor, three hours of pushing, and a failed vacuum- the doctor crushed all of my hopes and dreams of a vaginal delivery.
…We were headed to the operating room.
It was the longest thirty minutes of my life.
Those emotions that flooded over me when we first arrived at the hospital came back with a vengeance…and then some.
My grandmother passed away when my mama was a baby. It is suspected she had Malignant Hyperthermia. If you don't know what that is, it is a severe reaction to certain drugs used for anesthesia, which can be fatal. It can also be genetic so heading into surgery, my first surgery, was especially terrifying.
I said many things I wish I could take back. I just wanted to live to see my little boy grow up.
'Where the beep is the anesthesiologist?!' I yelled. I wouldn't let my husband put my leg down because every time he did, the back labor would intensify.
I cursed any one and every one. I experienced a level of pain I didn't think possible except during death.
The anesthesiologist finally arrived and let me tell you- In that moment, he was my favorite person on the planet.
I was robbed of the moments I thought we would have. To be the first to hold my baby. To watch my husband 'cut the cord.' Instead, I lay there strapped to an operating table, lights blinding me, my teeth chattering, and listening to my baby scream from across the room.
The weeks that followed were hard. Really hard. My body was trying to recover from both an attempted vaginal delivery and cesarean. I needed help with everything and if you knew me, you would know I don't accept help very well.
In the words of my mom, 'That was the most torturous labor I have ever seen or heard of anyone experiencing.' And she has seen a lot of babies born.
That is why I decided to schedule a cesarean when we were expecting our second child. What a world of difference.
I don't tell this story to scare you by any means. I tell this story because I want the world to know that having a c-section is most certainly not taking the easy way out. Recovery is hard. That is why I have compiled a list of my top C-section recovery must haves!
You got this, Mama!
FridaMom Upside Down Peri Bottle This product was probably one of my favorites. Going to the bathroom after any type of birth is not a fun experience and the FridaMom Upside Down Peri Bottle helped tremendiously.
Step Stool Our bed sits pretty high. After my first birth I used a milk crate, but I invested in a step stool when our second was born to help make getting in and out of bed a little easier. You can get a folding stool, but I found one that did not fold safer and more sturdy.
Quade Cane I know this one sounds silly, but it helped me gain independence during recovery while getting off the couch, going to the bathroom, using the stairs, getting in and out of the car, and made me feel much more comfortable stepping out of the shower (if you have the shower/bathtub combo.)
Pads or Adult Diapers While it may not be as heavy, you are still going to experience Lochia (vaginal bleeding after birth) even after a C-Section. This normally lasts several weeks following delivery.
Peroxide You don’t want to initially put peroxide or alcohol on your incision, but it’s a good idea to have some on hand should your health care provider recommend the use due to oozing. While you are at it, have a few sterile gauze pads as well.
Adhesive Remover After the tape was removed, I felt like I was scrubbing the area for hours (after safe to do so) to remove the adhesive stickiness! Dirt and other gunk can get stuck to the area so I highly recommend a safe adhesive remover to get it off.
Slip-on Shoes You’ll want shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Not to mention your feet will probably be swollen from all of the fluids anyway. I loved my Birkenstock sandals, even during winter.
High Waisted Underwear I hated having anything rubbing against my incision. I found these underwear during my pregnancy and they were also great during my recovery period.
Bedside Sleeper All parents can appreciate a bedside sleeper, but C-section mamas find one especially convenient. It makes things so much easier when you’re not as mobile. The Halo Swivel Bedside Sleeper is amazing! We love this bassinet because it offers a waterproof mat, breathable mesh walls, and a lowering side that makes it easier to tend to baby in the middle of the night. It’s adjustable to fit most beds and even comes in a double bassinet for twins.
Boppy Whether you have a C-section or vaginal birth, this is a must have item. The incision area will be tender for a while and keeping baby off the area will help you stay much more comfortable.
Claw Grabber Bending over after any surgery can be uncomfortable and if you have another kiddo at home, things are bound to end up all over the floor. They may ask you to pick something up or your anxiety may increase when the house is a mess (yes, I know my husband can help, but it’s important to stay active during recovery and cleaning is a stress reliever for me.)
Stool Softener Your provider may prescribe one for you, but if they don’t, you definitely want some on hand… trust me. As always, make sure you consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.
Gentle Soap They never told me I couldn’t use specific soaps, but I didn’t want to irritate my incision site so I decided to wash with Baby Dove or Baby Cetaphil.
The most important thing you can do is stay hydrated and active. Don’t push your limits by any means, but going for a short walk around the house will do wonders for your recovery and even helps to relieve post-surgery gas.
Do you have any words of encouragement for C-section mamas? Any must have items of your own to add to the list? Let me know if the comments.