Post-Delivery Needs? Need input...

I've procrastinated long enough with the overnight bag, so my DH and I said we would do it this weekend.

Last year I delivered my singleton naturally. I needed Feminine Pads, Medicated Tucks Pads, Ducolax, and Motrin.

Are there different needs after a c-section? I am asking because my doctor is saying that I'm likely to deliver by c-section. I'd rather do natural, but I love my OBGYN and trust her completely. Not to mention, my friend down the road had c-section by her last year and was up and about only 5 days later. Plus, I'm for whatever is best and safest for the babies.

So let me know what you needed most or really appreciated having post c-section!

 

If your baby A is head down I don't see a reason not to have a vaginal birth. Especially since you already had a vaginal birth. I delivered my first vaginally, and my twins as well, even though baby B was breech.

No advice on the meds, but I guess pain medication is always good!

Good luck!

 

I have had both natural and c section. I didn't need anything except pads after both. My c-section I was up and walking within 4hrs. Since I didn't get to see my babies after they were born. They were 34 wkrs and had some complications. So if you want to see them walk to see them it is better in the long run. My first c section hurt bad to walk. They will give you pain meds in the hospital for comfort. I couldn't do demeral or morphine(severe allergic reactions) instead they had me on a pill that had no narcotics in them. It worked wonders and I did awesome. Good luck

 

The only thing I can think of is maybe a couple extra pillows, the hospital never seems to give you more than one or two. When you need to cough or sneeze just put one on your tummy with a little bit of pressure to keep it from hurting too bad.

 

I have had both, my singleton was natural. With my twins I had a C-section and I had a lot of pain and burning around the staples until they took them out. I also had to be recathed because I could not urinate at all (very painful). At least with natural you can move and are up and around pretty much the day of delivery. It was very painful to get up and moving with a C-section. It also took me almost six months before I could do crunches or stomach exercises. Everytime I tried, my lower abdomin would swell and there was some discomfort (from the stomach muscles healing). However, if I had to do it again, I will still elect the C. I know that with a vaginal if anything was to happen, it usually happens with baby B. I would still make the same decision again today, just seemed to be the safest decision for my girls.

If you have a C--I strongly suggest some sort of soft, squishy pillow to press against your incision while you get up. It helps to keep everything from moving around so much while you sit up.

The pain medication that I used was given to me by my doc in the hospital. Can not remember what it was but it was a stronger dose of ALEVE. It was great!! Did not live me drowsy and really controlled the pain.

 

Motrin (or tylenol if BFing), stool softener, some kind of gas inducer... Trust me it helps. And pads. Thats all I could think of.

 

FYI....if you do have a c/s just remember everyone has a different experience. You may hear some great stories about how fast recovery was and some others may not be so good. I had two c/s. The first was horrible. It was a 'crash' c/s. They just needed to get the baby out as fast as possible so they cut everything to get to him. They don't have to cut the stomach muscles but they will if needed. So my recovery was okay but extremely painful. With the twins, I had a sked c/s and a wonderful doc. He also put in an ON Q pump. It is two very tiny tubes threaded through my tummy above the c/s down to the incision continually releasing litocain to numb the incision. This was something they were using on their hysterectomy patients. He actually let me keep it in for the long bumpy ride home from the hospital. Atlanta freeways are horrible. I just pulled out the tubes the next morning. I know it sounds terrible but it wasn't bad. It also kept me from taking any major meds for pain.
Anyway, best of luck. :icon_biggrin:

 

Thanks, girls! I appreciate the input - I'm almost done packing my bag. My MIL already had her bag packed two weeks ago for her trip to come here when the twins arrive, so I figured I better get myself going!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that there is a chance for natural delivery!!!

 

All I can add is comfy pants for the trip home! Probably maternity would be best but make sure they are comfy, stretchy etc. I found that to be essential!

 

the one thing few people ever mention, but that I found to be tremedously helpful, is heat packs. I got them in the hospital and held them up to my incision when getting up and getting back into bed. I can't tell you how much it helped. at home, I still needed them for a day or two so DH just bought some at Walgreens. ok, so it's not really something for hospital bag, but it is something I would recommend you have in the house!

 

QUOTE(SilvrHeart @ Aug 6 2007, 03:04 PM) [snapback]359543[/snapback]
the one thing few people ever mention, but that I found to be tremedously helpful, is heat packs. I got them in the hospital and held them up to my incision when getting up and getting back into bed. I can't tell you how much it helped. at home, I still needed them for a day or two so DH just bought some at Walgreens. ok, so it's not really something for hospital bag, but it is something I would recommend you have in the house!


Thanks for the additional tip! I've never had any surgery before in my life. I'll be sure we have this on hand for the hospital bag - anything to help!!!

 

HI! I have four children - 3 vaginal and one c/s. Twin A was vaginal and Twin B c/s, since she would not flip - she was literally in a ball.

I strongly encourage you to try a vaginal birth -recovery is much easier. However, if you end up in my boat - I would recommend stool softener, pain meds - don't be a hero take them - take your gas pills - this was the hardest part of a c-section - and a heating pad. It worked wonders on my back - I literally left it on all day and night.

Good Luck!!!

ps - they told me not to drink from a straw on day 2 - i wish i would have known that from the beg. - it increases gas i guess