hospital policies on c-sections?

So I know that every hospital is different and has different rules and policies in place for what they allow...but I'm curious what everyone else's experience were to see if there are any major similarities. I had a c-sec with DS but it was in another state (FL....I live in OK now) and I really don't remember much of it.

*How long after your c-section were you allowed out of bed to try to walk?

*How long did they make you keep your catheter in? I think I had to have mine for 12 hours.

*If your twins were taken to the NICU - how long was it before you were able to see them?

*How long after your surgery did you have to wait to eat? I want to say they told me 12 hours, but I was induced before the c-section for about 28 hours and had no food and was CRANKY. So the nurse took pity on me and told me if I "passed gas" she'd bring me dinner.

*Did your doctor speak with you about your feelings about being sent home or did they just discharge you when they felt you were ready? I know that with a c-sec you stay in longer than a vaginal birth, but I do not want to spend forever in the hospital. With DS I was able to go home after 3 days, but I really had to talk my doctor into it.

*Did any of you have INSANE itching with the spinal block? They told me it was a result of the morphine they put into the block, but wouldn't give me any benadryl or anything to help with it. I scratched so bad my arms bled.

*Another question about the spinal block...immediately after I got it, I got all flushed and super hot. The anesthesiologist's nurse told me that it was because my BP dropped which was normal with getting a spinal block. Anybody else experience this? They had a fan in the OR that they turned on and blew into my face to help until it passed...did anybody else get that? I'm worried it's going to happen again and they won't have a fan and I'll just pass out or something. lol

I know that's like a million questions but I am so nervous about going through this again. And it's even more nerve wracking knowing that we're only a few weeks away!

 

*How long after your c-section were you allowed out of bed to try to walk?

They kind of forgot about me because of shift change (and a couple of lazy nurses if you ask me) so I didn't get out of bed for about 8 1/2 hours.

*How long did they make you keep your catheter in? I think I had to have mine for 12 hours.

My catheter came out as soon as the epi wore off. I don't remember exactly how long it took but I do remember it was out before I was transfered out of the recovery room. 2 hours, maybe?

*If your twins were taken to the NICU - how long was it before you were able to see them?

Again, due to lazy nurses, it was 10 hours. 10 excruciatingly LONG hours.

*How long after your surgery did you have to wait to eat? I want to say they told me 12 hours, but I was induced before the c-section for about 28 hours and had no food and was CRANKY. So the nurse took pity on me and told me if I "passed gas" she'd bring me dinner.

I ordered food while still in the recovery room and ate there. Actually, now that I think about it, due to me eating my food I was actually delayed in being transferred to the post partum room

*Did your doctor speak with you about your feelings about being sent home or did they just discharge you when they felt you were ready? I know that with a c-sec you stay in longer than a vaginal birth, but I do not want to spend forever in the hospital. With DS I was able to go home after 3 days, but I really had to talk my doctor into it.

I delivered on Friday morning and was due to be discharged on Monday. The doctor, however, took pity on me and found a reason to keep me an extra day (my incision broke apart and although it was fine, he was able to keep me an extra day for "monitoring" so I could stay with my babies one more day).

*Did any of you have INSANE itching with the spinal block? They told me it was a result of the morphine they put into the block, but wouldn't give me any benadryl or anything to help with it. I scratched so bad my arms bled.

I remember the morphine, kind of , but I don't remember any itching.

*Another question about the spinal block...immediately after I got it, I got all flushed and super hot. The anesthesiologist's nurse told me that it was because my BP dropped which was normal with getting a spinal block. Anybody else experience this? They had a fan in the OR that they turned on and blew into my face to help until it passed...did anybody else get that? I'm worried it's going to happen again and they won't have a fan and I'll just pass out or something. lol

I did get the hot and flushed feeling, and quite a bit of nausea, but I was able to breathe through it and it eventually passed. It is definitely not one of the things that I remember well about the procedure...until you reminded me.

 

I was allowed to get up as soon as I felt okay to do so. I was up within a few hours after my c-section. The cath was taken out as soon as I got to my room. They wanted me to be able to pee on my own as soon as possible, however I ended up having to be recath. because I just could not pee (sorry if too much info). I had an epideral and had no problems. They gave me something ibn my IV for nausea and I never did itch or anything, so I really had no problems with anesthesia other than inability to use the bathroom afterwards, but even that didn't last too long. Because I had a C, I was able to stay a little longer. I believe I actually left the hospital on the 4th day. My OB just asked me if I wanted to stay the maximum time my insurance would allow, and I said yes. 1) because I had a c-section and 2) because the girls were born at 35 weeks and I just wanted to make sure that everything was for sure good before we went home (they did not go to NICU).

It's normal to be nervous, but try to relax and enjoy these last few weeks :hug:

 

My c section with DS was at 9 pm and I had to walk the next morning. They took the catheter out and then I had to get up and walk so it was porbably 12-15 hours after my C.

I dont remember when I first ate but I suppose it was breakfast the next morning. I would be cranky without food for 28 hours too!

I ended up with a spinal leak from the spinal and had to have a blood patch done and had to stay an extra day so I stayed 4 days. I could have left after 3 days if I didnt have to get that stupid blood patch. My doctor pretty much let me decide - she said I could stay an extra day if I wanted to but I was ready to go home!

I had INSANE itching the following day just ridiculous and to the point of it driving me crazy! I remember DH rubbing a wet scratchy hospital washcloth all over my feet and hands. It was awful. They gave me IV benadryl and I had a bad bad experience with it. IV benadryl is alot more potent then taking pills. It knocked me out for 6 hours - it was the worst experience ever. I was so numb and out of it I had to concentrate on breathing. It was an awful awful 6 hours. I literally did not know who I was or why I was in the hospital. Not sure why I reacted like that - I had them verify (called the head nurse in etc) that they did indeed give me benadryl and that they gave me the right amount. They did. This time I will deal with the itching!

I never got flushed or super hot after my spinal. I remember having bad shakes in recovery though.

yes, My C is 4 weeks away (unless they come early) - Im getting scared too!

 

They wanted me to walk within 12 hours. The cath stayed in like 24 hours - basically until I was up and walking - so I could go to the bathroom.

All my babies went to the NICU - so it was 24 hours appox until I got to see them - or if I got up early to see them.

I had the itching. They gave me something to make it stop and luckily I didn't have any type of reaction.

Surgery for C/S - usually 96 hours. Most doctors will keep you that long just to make sure everything is still working alright. As far as eating - as soon as I said I passed gas I got food.

One c/s I had an epi - that one frightened me because I ended up almost going into shock.. the numbing went up into my lung area. The other c/s I had a spinal - initially a little more painful, but definitely more preferred than what I had with the epi. I didn't have a flushing reaction though. I would say if you're having issues, to let them know - that's what they're there for.

 

1 &2 I was allowed to walk after I had the catheter out, so 12 hours. I had the compression boots on my legs during that time to help prevent blood clots
3. Mine were not taken to the NICU but I could not see them until I was out of recovery...it was a couple of hours.
4. My c-section was early in the morning (kiddos born at 9:59 & 10:01 am) so I was able to have a light dinner. Broth, jello...I still wasn't hungry though so I did not eat much of it.
5. My doctors gave me a choice, I could go home after day 3 and have a nurse come the following day or stay an extra day, I stayed an extra day.
6. Yes, I did. The itching was terrible. It lasted for the first 24 hours and they were very good about giving me something for it.
7. I did not get flushed or super hot after the spinal block...I did get panicky even though I knew it was coming, that I could feel anything below my neck and I felt like I was going to pass out because it unnerved me. I would talk about this concern with your doctor so that they could have a fan ready or make sure to be attentive so that you don't pass out. The OR was really cold when I had mine and that's probably why I did not feel hot or flushed.
Good luck!

 

*How long after your c-section were you allowed out of bed to try to walk?
As soon as the cath was removed. That was about 8 hours after

*How long did they make you keep your catheter in? I think I had to have mine for 12 hours.
8 hours

*If your twins were taken to the NICU - how long was it before you were able to see them?
No NICU

*How long after your surgery did you have to wait to eat? I want to say they told me 12 hours, but I was induced before the c-section for about 28 hours and had no food and was CRANKY. So the nurse took pity on me and told me if I "passed gas" she'd bring me dinner.
Mine was until I passed gas. That was the rule. It didn't take long

*Did your doctor speak with you about your feelings about being sent home or did they just discharge you when they felt you were ready? I know that with a c-sec you stay in longer than a vaginal birth, but I do not want to spend forever in the hospital. With DS I was able to go home after 3 days, but I really had to talk my doctor into it.
I was required to stay 3 days, but after that it was up to me. I was ready to get the heck out of there

*Did any of you have INSANE itching with the spinal block? They told me it was a result of the morphine they put into the block, but wouldn't give me any benadryl or anything to help with it. I scratched so bad my arms bled.
My itching was nuts!!!! I didn't use my nails, I just rubbed and my face was bright red and almost scabbed. ATTRACTIVE!

*Another question about the spinal block...immediately after I got it, I got all flushed and super hot. The anesthesiologist's nurse told me that it was because my BP dropped which was normal with getting a spinal block. Anybody else experience this? They had a fan in the OR that they turned on and blew into my face to help until it passed...did anybody else get that? I'm worried it's going to happen again and they won't have a fan and I'll just pass out or something. lol
I did get warm. I kept trying to just lay there naked!

 

Ladies, you all are WONDERFUL!

Thank you so much for sharing all your experiences.