Advice: Recovering from a C-Section

Here I'll attempt to offer my wonderful advice about recovering from c-sections. I had 2 in my time, 1 not so enjoyable and the other alot more tolerable.

1) Take your pain medication on time!
If the bottle says every 4 hours, take it at exactly every 4 hours. This was a tough lesson that I learned with Bubbs birth. I was so excited to go home that I didn't think about getting my prescription right after I left the hospital, instead I waited past the 4 hours and then when I started to feel pain asked a friend to go get it filled for me, DO NOT ATTEMPT THAT! I had problems with the insurance and had to wait about 10+ hours since my last pill to have my medicine and let me tell you, it DID NOT work! It took about 10 more hours for my body to relax and calm down from the intense pain before it started to work, so meanwhile I was grouchy, crying and couldn't take care of my baby.

Now for Audrey's birth, I was on top of it, I had my alarm set for every 4 hours and took it right when my alarm would go off and never had severe pain like I experienced with Bubbs.

2) Use the HELP!
Just being cut open isn't pleasant so make sure you get your army of family and friends there to help you. I luckily have my MIL and mom to help with this so I will be using them as much as I can and as much as their willing cause doing too much too fast can cause pain and slow down the healing process. I had a hard time with this one cause I'm very independant but again, I learned a tough lesson here. I was cleaning, washing, cooking, etc.. a day after I got out of the hospital (again with Bubbs) and that was NOT a good idea. I remember being so exhausted that by the time I'd sit down to relax, that is when the baby would wake and I'd have to suffer getting up all over again and taking care of him. So if people offer, use them for a day or two and spread them out so that they don't feel overwhelmed and so that you don't feel as bad for having them help you. You shouldn't feel bad though! I know people that feel honored that you have accepted their help. Or if you don't want them in your direct presence, ask them to help with a meal.

3) Get Outside!
This one might be hard for me since I'll be having him in the summer but I'll make sure to sit out in the early morning to get my sunshine and natural chemicals going that will help with depression and my overall mood. I've suffered from depression after both delieveries so I'm pretty sure I'm prone to getting it again but since I'll be breastfeeding (BF), I've gotta keep up with the natural remedies of keeping it away till I stop BF.

4) Have everything within reach!
So that you're not getting up and overusing your muscles, make sure you have everything close by. I'd have a little table filled with water, apple juice, crackers, medication, phone, diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes for baby, crossword, book and now I'll make sure to have my laptop right by my side! This time I'll use one of my closet boxes or you can use a hamper or a little plastic container from the dollar tree to house non-food items. My box will carry diapers, wipes, extra clothes for baby, tissue, book, bibs, socks, etc.. and keep it close. I'll most likely be on my bed or on the couch so it will move with me. The most important is your water and medication!

5) Eat 6 small frequent meals!
to keep your constipation at bay. Make sure to eat fruit/veggies with each meal. Constipation and Gas are a major problem for C-sectioned mothers, mostly cause of the pain medication but also because of the procedure itself, because things are shifted and moved around in there, the bowels need time to adjust and can results in weird things. If I were you, I'd also take stool softeners, no matter what twice a day. Just to keep the constipation away and esp. if you're taking Vicodin (ouch).

6) Keep Hydrated!
Make water your main source of hydration and add the juices in here and there for the energy, taste and help with constipation. I would usually pour half juice and half water so that I wasn't getting pure sugar. I know drinking too much can make you go to the bathroom alot and make you get up more than usual BUT I think that is good exercise and should be your only exercise for now (the first week). Because you have your stuff close by it can keep you from numerous trips of getting up and straining yourself. Another thing that might work is drinking your water before you eat so that after you eat you can make a trip to the bathroom before going back to your spot.

7) Stretch and Change positions often!
If you're laying down, switch sides, if you're sitting down maybe sit on a donut or pillow from time to time to take pressure off your tailbone cause believe me, ur butt will start to hurt! Also, do light stretching while sitting there to keep the blood flowing.

8) Keep your incision clean and dry!
Make sure to take a daily shower and gently wash your incision when the doctors say you can. Make sure to wash off all soap, do not leave anything behind and once you're done, dry it good. I would gently wipe it with a towel then blow dry it with cool air, then I'd use a pantyliner in between my belly flap so that theres no skin to skin contact there (I know, sick!) After about a week I use a slab of toilet paper and it works really good. This whole procedure will keep your incision from haboring nasty bacteria and causing infection. I've known many that have gotten c-section infections and it is not good, they've all told me different stories and none of them were good.

9) Nap when baby naps!
This one is very popular and you'd be surprised on how many don't do this and this is such a must. It will help you be refreshed and help you with your late night feedings. You don't have to sleep all day or everytime but at least twice cause those late night feedings and changes are going to be HARD!

So far, thats all I've got BUT I know I'll remember things later on so I'll update as I remember. The main thing to remember is, Do Not Be Afraid, if it was that horrible I wouldn't be having my third c-section. Once that baby is in ur arms you totally forget about everything! so good luck and congrats!