Monday, May 13, 2013

My C-Section Survival Guide

After a traumatic 44 hour labor with my first child, I was determined to have a better experience second time around.

 Hearing from my specialists that it would be my only option to have a C-Section due to a medical condition, I was silently relieved, too ashamed to tell anyone.

I spoke to all my friends and friends of friends who had had a c-section to ensure I knew what was coming but I found a lot of vague answers and nothing that offered me comfort or a sense of control.
So I hope to share with you my C-Section experience to empower you through this slice of your life.

Let me start by saying, after going through both a natural birth and a C-Section, the C-Section was a really wonderful experience, when I tell people this I often get a strange look.
But it gave me the opportunity to enjoy the experience of bringing my child into the world rather then me trying to recover from it.
My first pregnancy and labor was traumatic leaving me with 3rd degree tare and chronic pelvic pain after 44 hours with 3 inductions and being rushed to hospital with Preaclampsia, by comparison the C-Section was like a relaxing bath after an 8km brisk walk.

I strangely woke on Labor Day in the early hours of the morning in Labor, I couldn't believe my luck just 24hrs before my booked C-Section.
Around mid day I arrived at hospital with contractions 6 minutes apart but in good spirits.
I had had a chocolate chip Muffin and a Berry Delicious drink plus a relaxing swim in the pool and my Mum blowdryed my hair before we heading off.
I even had time to lay in the hospital bed and check in on facebook.

The lead up the C-Section was probably the hardest part.
The theatre was very cold and  clinical, I was sweeting with anitispation and cold at the same time.
First came the anesistic who gave me the spinal and then I laid down with the anticipation of  my Obstetrian arriving, she knew everyone in the room socially and they seemed to pick up where they last left off.
My husband joined us at that point and we had a giggle at his hospital attire he could have passed for a cute doctor.

I had heard horror stories from friends who say they could feel everything during their C-Sections so as soon as the cold wet sponge was rubbed over my mountanous belly I was quick to alert them that " I can feel that"
They waited a few minutes longer and started again, it was sureal.

I remember hearing my Obstetrian chat away to the doctors as if they were out for lunch, it felt very strange and almost like I had left my body.
I couldnt feel a thing, but I could still smell and I could smell them burning my skin and that is a horrid smell I quickly tried to forget about because the next thing i knew It felt like they where inside my chest moving my lungs around.
I knew from my research I'd could expect a lot of pulling and tugging and next thing I know this giant monkey like little man is screaming as loud as he could to let me know he had been disturbed from his slumber, I remember watching the doctors take my baby boy across the room to check him out and they all repeated " he's big" over and over. I had tears in my eyes and that moment of first sight I will never forget.
While the Obsterition was taking my baby out, they gave me an updated report on his appearance which helped me feel involved in the process.

My husband soon got to hold him, I got a quick close look and off they went.
It was this time, the time when your baby leaves you I feared the most, I was concerned I was missing out and it was going to take forever to see him again,
But it was over so quickly and the entire time was just like when your footy team wins the grandfinal and the entire trip home is spent recapping the game.

I was taken to recovery, It was Labor Day Long weekend and I was litterally the only one there.
I was in recovery for just 10 minutes { I watched the clock } before heading up to my room.
The peace and quiet of my husband sitting in the dark with the most precious gift wrapped up into a bundle was so calming and exhilerating.

RECOVERY.
What you need.

I wished so much someone could have written me a list of all the things I would need for recovery.

  • Large High Waisted Undies, Yep as big and soft as you can get { Black }

I wore these for months after my C-Section as the scare and my stomach were too sore and sensitive to have any clothing touch it.

  • A C-Section Recovery Belt.

This would be the best thing I purchase, although expensive.
This aids with recovery and gives you the support you need to get out of bed quicker.
It took me a day to get out of bed for the first time, but once I was out you couldnt get me back in.


  • Breastfeeding pillows.

Breast feeding was very hard a first, I like to sit up to feed but couldnt, and trying to even see what was happening was hard and frustrating.
A breastfeeding pillow is also a must as you will need all the support you can to feed baby.


  • Sleeping after a C-Section. Is Impossible!

I literally slept sitting up with two pillows on my sides and one over my belly for 3 months before I could actually lay down in bed, laying down flat was too painful and I would feel sick doing so.
It makes it very hard to sleep at all.
I heard of women who slept in an easy chair after their C-Sections.


  • Recovery time

It took me around 9 weeks to feel better, a lot longer then they say.
I tried to over push it and if I walked to far in the weeks leading up to that It would feel like my stomach was about to split open gain.
Around 4 weeks I could pick up my two year old and had no problems picking things up.
It was the walking and lifting my arms above my head that hurt.
A chair for the shower will also make life a lot easier.

7 Months on my scar is still pink and I can't sleep in my tummy.
I don't have pain walking or lifting anymore but my entire stomach is numb to touch and I will still get sudden sharp pains deep within the scar.
Also... know one mentioned how the scar changed the shape of your belly.
I had and have a fair bit of weight to lose after this pregnancy my tummy is almost flat but the fat sits right on the scar like a fold. It's horrid, which means I will need a completely flat stomach to get rid of that. That is totally different from a natural birth.



C-SECTION RECOVERY BELT

Binding is an ancient tool to aid c-section recovery and for general postpartum abdominal support. Compression brings fibers together, reduces swelling and tearing and at the same time offers some protection for the incision. Soft abdominal binders help support the changing body through pregnancy, vaginal delivery & c-section recovery.
The benefits of binding in c-section recovery can begin immediately. Getting out of bed for the first time after cesarean surgery can be very painful and scary. Many women report feeling as if their insides might fall out and fear of their incision tearing and opening. If the abdomen is already bound you feel secure and supported, confident that your incision is protected.
There is only one belly band that has been specifically designed for c-section recovery, the Abdomend™ Recovery Belt & Strap. Unlike most belly wraps, the Recovery Belt does not contain elastic, which allows you to control exactly how much pressure the binder creates over your c-section incision.
The unique support strap that comes with the belt, does contain elastic. It is detachable and can be fitted to either give support to the lower back, or additional protection and compression across the front.
The Abdomend™ c-section Recovery Belt comes in five sizes, petite, small, medium, large and voluptuous. All the sizes are $57.90 from petite to large while voluptuous is $60