A c-section is not something that I thought would be part of our birth story, but that’s what happened and it was still very beautiful. We had spent the weeks leading up to the twins’ birth prepping for a vaginal birth and so I feel like I hadn’t adequately prepared for a c-section. If a c-section is something you are planning for (or maybe you have scheduled) here are some of the things that I wish I would have known going into it, and also some helpful tips for recovery.
What I Wish I Would Have Known
Nausea: I was super nauseated during the actual surgery. I didn’t know that would happen? I told the anesthesiologist right away and he was able to give me something to help. Tony also held a puke bucket next to my head the whole time. A few times the puke started to come up in my throat and I had to hold it down.
Pressure: You can feel all kinds of pressure during the surgery. I didn’t think I would be able to feel that much. I think also because I had twins (and one was breach) I felt a bit more than a singleton?
The Itch: The c-section drugs made me so itchy! I am someone that would rather be in pain than itch, I hate it so bad. The nurses were able to give me something to help! Ultimately it took 24 hours to have the itching stop. It was mostly my face, but also my hands and arms.
Photos: The nurses are able to take lots of photos, so don’t miss out on that! The nurses took lots of photos for us (like the photo above!) Tony also took photos of the babies being weighed, cutting the cord, etc. all while I was getting stitched up.
Bonding time: You can still get the bonding time with your baby (or babies!) after delivery. It’s obviously different than a vaginal birth, but the nurses can help you hold your baby and still get those moments together. I didn’t feel comfortable holding the baby on my own (and the position is just awkward too) but the nurses helped.
Peeing: The first time you pee in the toilet after a c-section is wild. I could not go! It feels like a UTI where you feel like you have to go but then nothing (or very little) comes out. It helped me to drink tons of water, have the water running in the sink, and to go in there alone (with no one watching!)
Days 2 and 3 are the worst but it gets easier after that. On days 2 and 3, the medication from the surgery is wearing off and so you feel a lot more pain. I think also the lack of sleep is setting in, your milk is coming in, etc. and it just seems impossible.
C-Section Recovery Tips
Move! Get up and walk ASAP. It will hurt a lot! The nurse took my catheter out, so I had to walk in order to go to the bathroom! My hemoglobin was low and I got super light headed when I tried to stand the first time, but I waited a while and tried again. The nurses help and it kept getting easier. We pushed the babies around the hospital a few times a day and it was nice to have their bed to balance on.
Accept help from the nurses and ask them for help too. We had both babies go to the nursery one of the nights and our night nurse did a feeding for them. Anything to help with recovery!
Hospital Stay: Stay 3 nights in the hospital if you want, but don’t be afraid to leave after 2 either. I really wanted to see our daughter and introduce her to the babies. We could not have visitors so we were really excited for that reunion. I also loved the thought of my own bed, my own stuff, etc. that being said, if you feel like you could get more rest and relaxation at the hospital than at home, trust that instinct too.
Stool Softeners: Take the stool softeners offered because the pain medicine is going to make you constipated. Because I was taking iron supplements (for my low hemoglobin), that also can make you constipated.
GasX: Gas gets trapped inside your body after a c-section and so taking GasX (or similar product) will help with that!
Squeeze a pillow when you laugh, cough, sneeze, etc. It hurt for about three weeks to do any of these things (especially sneezing!) It really helped to squeeze a pillow (or something like that) onto my incision.
Pain Meds: Take the pain meds if you need them and don’t be shy. I wasn’t going to take them at all but the pain was so intense that I did take them in the hospital and also the first day home. After that I didn’t feel like I needed more than Tylenol and Advil, but definitely keep yourself comfortable.
Do not use your abs! Roll onto your side and use your arms to push yourself up when trying to get out of bed.
Wear a belly binder: The hospital provided me with a belly binder and wearing that felt really good! If they don’t provide one or you want to try something else, they have other options online.
Underwear + pads: You don’t want to wear any underwear that is going to rub on your incision. I wore the high-waisted mesh hospital underwear for about two weeks (with the hospital pads) and then switched to high-waisted underwear with lighter pads. Wearing Depends (or some type of diaper) would be a good alternative too.
Clothing: I preferred wearing items with compression (like pre-pregnancy leggings) versus sweats. It feels good to have the compression. I wouldn’t wear Spanx brand or anything with a lot of compression, but something with light compression. I also liked to wear pajama dresses because they didn’t have a waistband on my incision, or else pajamas that had high-waisted pants.
Accept any and all help from friends and family. I had a c-section with newborn twins and a toddler! I literally couldn’t have done it without our parents help. We are very thankful to have family close by that could pretty much drop everything and help us.