When I found out I was pregnant 2 years ago, I went through all the emotions new moms go through- excitement, joy…and WORRY! But the one thing most new moms often worry about the most, LABOR, was not on my list. Actually, my worry was one that many moms are absolutely terrified of…C-SECTION!
There are several different reasons a doctor will suggest a cesarean delivery, including risk to the mom or baby with a vaginal delivery, labor not progressing, or emergency situations. In my personal experience I was having a planned C-section due to a past surgery making it dangerous to deliver vaginally. Through my experience I gained knowledge on how to prepare for the big day and the days following delivery. While many C-sections are not planned, many of the tips below can be followed by any expectant mom. You can never be too prepared for one of the biggest days of your life!
Tips on Preparing For a C-Section and Recovery:
1. Work on Strengthening Your Core. Every expectant mother should do this, but especially those having a C-section. Planks and other core stabilizing moves, including prenatal yoga, are a great and safe way to strengthen your core muscles. Not a gym fan? Check out Knocked-Up Fitness or Stroller Strides here in the Quad Cities to help stay fit. Always consult your doctor before performing any exercise routine!
2. Line Up Post-Partum Help. Do NOT be afraid to ask for help, you will need it. Make sure your partner, mother, mother-in-law or other friend/loved one can stay with you for at least 2 weeks. After surgery it will be more difficult to get around and it is important to have a very able person around with a newborn. Plus you will need a driver to your baby’s first doctor appointments.
3. Do Your Research. Research what a C-section is and ask your doctor to explain the procedure and risks. You can also find videos of C-sections online if you would like to see the surgery beforehand. Get your partner involved with this too as he will likely be in the operating room with you. Make sure you understand the pain medications you will be receiving and when to take them. Pain management done correctly is vital in a speedy recovery.
4. Go Shopping- There are some helpful things you should get to help with your C-section recovery:
- Co-sleeper or bassinet. Make it easier on your healing body and have your baby as close to you as possible during the night
- Boppy Pillow- I found this to be a great way to support the baby while nursing without irritating my incision.
- Extra pillows- Make sure you have extra pillows to help prop yourself up while sleeping. If you are propped up, it will make it easier and less painful to sit up to tend to the new baby.
- Granny panties and lose pants- Or better yet keep around your maternity pants and grab some of the extra undies from the hospital. You will want very little touching your new incision.
- Belly Band- I HIGHLY recommend getting a post-partum support band to help support your core after your C-section. I personally recommend the Babies R Us post-partum support band. It worked great for me and affordable enough to get two sizes (larger for right after delivery and smaller as you lose the baby bump!)
5. Post Delivery and Lactation Consultants. It was VERY important to me that I got to hold and nurse my son right away. If you wish to do this too, make sure your doctor knows your wishes. Your baby will be taken care of while the doctor is finishing your surgery. If all is fine with you and baby you should be able to hold your new bundle of joy right away. Ask if there are Lactation Consultants on duty to help with breast feeding. Breast feeding a newborn can be difficult and even more so while recovering from surgery. Finally, when the nurses or doctor give the OK for you to get up, do so. Getting up and walking around ASAP is a great way to regain strength and stability. The sooner you get moving the sooner you will feel back to normal. As always, inform your doctor if you are in pain or need assistance.
Now that you are armed with some tools for the big day, please remember that whether you are having a planned C-section or an unexpected one, know that your birth experience will be special no matter how you deliver. Most importantly, that baby in your arms will think you are the most amazing person in the world regardless!
Jennifer, originally from Des Moines, just moved to the Quad Cities with her husband of 5 years, Todd, and 1 year old son, Tate in April. She is a stay at home mom, busy making a new home, meeting new friends, and playing with her very active toddler. Jennifer also enjoys running, working out, and indulging in reality TV during her “mommy breaks.”
Great post. I had planned an unmedicated, vaginal delivery with my first and ended up having an emergency C-section at 37 weeks. While my experience was great. I wish I hadn’t skipped over that part of the “learning” process while pregnant. Anything that said C-section, I skipped over, because that wasn’t “my” plan. I was scared and quite frankly experienced post-postpartum depression, because I lacked the knowledge. Like I said my experience and recovery were Amazing! I just wish I would have known more. I also proceeded to have an unmedicated, vaginal delivery with my 2nd, which was also amazing. Be prepared for all situations, it will make the shock so much easier to handle!
My husband and I mentally prepared for a c-section b/c sweet baby was breach. Went to the hospital, in the bed, on IVs for two hours. doc came in to ask if we had any last minute questions before wheeling us back. Then she said one last ultrasound to make sure baby was still breach. Low and behold, baby had flipped and they sent us home! That was much harder to comprehend and deal with for us than it was to prepare for the c-section b/c we were so excited to finally meet baby (we didn’t know the sex) and bring home that to go home without him yet…..
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Mission Statement
To improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
Please join us for support and information about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and prevention of a first (primary) cesarean.
ICAN of the Quad Cities
- Are you pregnant and want to avoid a cesarean?
- Do you need support recovery from a difficult birth?
- Are you currently seeking a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)?
If you answer yes to any of the above questions, you belong in ICAN.
The cesarean rate in the United States is currently 32.8%. Help us reduce the 1 -3 women under going cesarean surgery one birth at a time.
Date: 3rd Sunday of each month
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: To be announced
August Presentation – Pre/Postnatal Yoga and Meditation by Michelle G
For more information contact: [email protected] or 309-737-9255
Meetings are a family friendly event. No childcare services available.
I love that you posted on this. I was unprepared for the after math of a c-section even though I had mentally prepared myself for a c-section if the baby needed it. After twenty-six hours of labor, our daughter was born via c-section. I wish I had this great list before hand because no one close to me had had a c-section before and could give me tips. If anyone got rashes like I did because of all the tape the used let me know. I have the miracle cure which was passed on to me from a family friend.
I asked many friends about C-Sections before I needed to have a C-Section with my 2nd and no one told me about the gas pain that you CAN get in your shoulder area. I thought I was having a heart attack. I have never ever been in so much pain, well maybe when I was giving birth to #1 with no drugs. The gas pain felt like some one was stabbing me. It hurt so bad that I would cry, but when I cried it hurt worse but I could not stop crying because it hurt so bad. The gas pain was worse then the pain of the C-Section and recovery! I honestly feel like I recovered much quicker from my C-Section than I did from the vaginal birth with #!. Note this is not something that always happen, but I wish I knew it was a possibility (especially since when it first happened I thought I was dying and the nurse ran out of the room because she did not know what it was). Luckily when I had #3 I explained how bad I had gas pain with #2 and they gave me extra medicine when they did my surgery, not sure if it helped or I was just lucky with #3. I could feel the gas pain when I had #3, but it was no where near the pain I experienced with #2!
Great post Jennifer,
You were so smart to research and plan for having a C-Section. So many women don’t and that’s because many women don’t expect to have a C-Section. I didn’t expect to have one myself, it was a complete shock and my recovery reflected that
Thanks for your tips and suggestions. They’re all great points to consider.
Blessings,
Elizabeth