C-Section Preparation: What to Pack, Must-Haves, and Life with a Toddler?

Everyone has mentioned everything lol. The only thing I would add is to see how they plan to close your incision. I saw someone mention stitches. My doctor used incision glue for me. I recommend it. It heals really fast. Best wishes

The first and second day were absolutely hell for me when I had mine. After your surgery, make sure you get up and walk around even though you don’t feel like you can. It’ll strengthen you and wear extra loose fitting pants so they don’t rub against your incision, take your meds that they give you, don’t be afraid to ask for help and REST UP! C sections can be scary! Good luck with the healing process❤️

High rise underwear and sweatpants you can pull above the incision so it doesnt rub, when they let you get the catheter out, I was told it really helps to walk. It hurts but it was helpful for me. Stay on top of your meds, I was able to stop taking the higher pain meds and only took the ibuprofen 800 after about 4-5 days. Pillow or something soft to hold on your incision when you cough sneeze laugh anything. The belly binder they gave me in the hospital was a god send. It kept everything in place and made me feel more comfortable. Good luck hun.

I had an unplanned c-section (not an emergency) our daughter inherited my husband's humongous head and she got stuck in my pelvis.
After 36 hours of labor I finally told my doctor to get her out..

My c-section went well, but I will admit that I was too exhausted at that point to really have any anxiety over having one.

I will tell you that since my daughter was stuck, when they pulled her out it created a vacuum and I got an air bubble stuck in my diaphragm. Which hurt like hell!!!

I couldn't understand why I couldn't feel them cutting me open but I suddenly had pain in my chest. I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. But once again I was too exhausted to comprehend what was happening or to get nervous. I remember thinking, "well dammit, after all the years of trying to get pregnant, I'm going to die before I get to hold my baby, the fucking irony"..

What I actually said out loud, while tapping on my chest was "hey guys.. I have pain in my chest I don't know what's happening, am I dying?."

That's when the anesthesiologist whispered in my ear and explained to me what was actually going on. After a few minutes the pain subsided and everything else went off without a hitch.

I'm not telling you this to scare you, it definitely doesn't happen to every woman who gets a c-section, but I had no idea that something like that could actually happen, so that's why I'm mentioning it. I wish I would have known that an air bubble was a possibility, even though I didn't panic, I think I might have if I hadn't already been in labor for a day and a half.

If you're doctor is willing, I would HIGHLY recommend that you talk to them about actually using stitches to close the wound, instead of using staples. My doctor sewed me up and it was wonderful!! I've talked to my friends who have had c-sections and they all hated the staples.

The other recommendation I have is to use a large menstrual pad to cover your wound. (Pad side facing wound, sticky side facing away from the wound) I did this and I was able to keep my wound clean and dry and it avoided any possibility of my skin or clothing rubbing on my wound.
4 years later, you can't even tell I have a scar unless you are really looking for it.

Other than that, I recommend to take your meds and get up and walk.

For me personally I stopped taking my pain meds the day after I left the hospital and I started feeling pretty good a week after my c-section and I was mostly back to my old self a month after... I did however wait 3 or so months until I lifted anything heavier than a laundry basket (I'm a bartender and I didn't change a keg until I was 5 months postpartum just to be on the safe side)

I wore night gowns for abour 8 weeks lol

When I went out I wore the same outfit lol

I wore the underwear they give you in the hospital

I agree loose clothing is a must. I also wore high rise underwear so it covered my incision and didn’t rub on it.

After 12 hours they may let you get the catheter out so you can walk around. If you’re up for it I recommend it. Walking and moving in general sucks but I think it helped me with recovery.

Good luck to you