C - section. What to expect (xpost from general parenting)

[IWantToBeAMommy]

Hi,

I am going to have a c-section at 37 weeks (per my doctor).

What should I expect?
How long is the recovery?
What did you do for pain relief?
Is recovering from a c-section with twins different than with singleton or other multiples?
When did you start to go back to normal activity (driving, etc).

And other info is appreciated, too!

What should I have on hand? Can you tell I am a planner? LOL. All the diapers mentioned in the other thread are piled up in the closet.

Thanks!

[JenNeedsABaby]

I had a c-section with my DD and I was TERRIFIED. Only because I was absolutely sure I would not end up having one, so I didn't really listen to that part of my birthing class. But after an induction that didn't really do the trick, I had to have one.
It was not that big of a deal. They do strap you flat on your back with your arms spread wide open. They have a low curtain, so you cannot see what they are doing to you. The weirdest thing was that they test to see how much you feel. I could tell they were doing things to me, but it didn't hurt. I had had a few surgeries before this, so it was a very strange feeling to be awake and feel them messing around...but there was NO pain.
I was so excited to see the baby, I forgot all about being terribly nervous once they started cutting. I didn't really like how DH was not in the room until they made the cut (their protocol). But once he was there, he was able to calm me down and we were fine!
The recovery was not bad at all! But, I had had 2 abdominal surgeries before it, so they say each one is easier. I was up walking within 1 day and home within 2. I was so consumed with raising my baby, I don't remember the recovery. It was hard to get out of bed because your abdominal muscles are so sore! I did need some help at the beginning. I drove maybe 2 weeks after.
I will have another c/s with the twins and I am not at all worried. I know what to expect, when they will be born, and will not be stuck at a hospital all day.

[Suzan33]

My triplets were delivered via c-section 4 years ago so I will try to remember.

What should I expect?
You should not feel any pain during the procedure. I didn't even feel the epidural. That was my worst fear. I didn't even know they had started. Over quicker than I thought. I recoverd from the epidural quickly. The drs were even surprised. By the time they were done I was able to move my legs. The procedure took about 30 minutes.

How long is the recovery?
Depends on the person. You will want to try getting up and walking as soon as possible. The nurses had me up the next morning. My kids were born at midnight so I was up by 9:00am. Not walking well, but was forced to move. This is a TMI answer, but the first time you get up, DO NOT LOOK DOWN!! A lot of "gunk" gushes out and is not pleasant. Also the nurses will have to push on your uterus a few times a day to make sure it is getting smaller. That is not pleasant either. IT HURTS!!! The staples were out after 3 days.

What did you do for pain relief?
The nurses had pain meds for me to take. Stay on top of the pain. If you feel it, take something. The longer you wait, the more you have to take to make it go away. Once home I took tylenol and used a heating pad.

Is recovering from a c-section with twins different than with singleton or other multiples? That is my only c-section but I would assume they are all the same.

When did you start to go back to normal activity (driving, etc). Well, this is a personal choice to make on your part. You will be told not to drive for 6 weeks since technically you may be on medication still. I was a good girl and did not drive at that time at all. The pain from the c-section lasted about 2 weeks ( I took tylenol once home). My kids were in the NICU so I can't really remember when I started to feel normal enough to do anything.

Good luck
Suzan