Flip Ultra Advice?

Desperately needing C-section advice?

• We confirmed Tuesday I have to have a C-section this coming Wednesday (the first day of my 39th week). My little one just refuses to flip back around plus my blood pressure has been super high. My doctor believes this is for the best and despite my requests to flip her and let me try naturally (as I have had all 4 of my other living children vaginally) he has said that trying to turn her at this point just wont work and will be a lot more pain and cause my blood pressure to rise that much more. I have an ultra sound on Tuesday just to make sure she did not flip, (and have read they do one at the hospital as well) but I can feel her right under my ribs so I am not counting on it. My questions are for those who have been through it as I can only find info on here, and my doctor didn't really feel the need to answer my questions until the day before the surgery. With having to make plans for 4 other children, as well as finishing all my classes in the next 4 days (3 weeks worth of work), this just does not work for me. So I need to know how long I should expect to be in the hospital? I read 2-4 days, but I am having a tubal as well and was not sure if that changes things. Do I need to pack anything extra as far as taking it with me to the hospital? I assume extra clothes as I hate the gowns, but aside from that is there anything different from a vaginal delivery? With having my other children (and an abundance of grandparents willing to help) how long should I ask my in-laws and parents to help with the children? It's only the 2 time my 3 and 2 year olds will have been away from home and my oldest 8 and 7 are of course not a problem as they can pretty much manage on their own. When can I expect to be able to do all my regular house hold chores? I love my husband and he's a great help...but we are planning to hire someone to do the cleaning as I have terrible OCD and never took the time to slow down after my vaginal deliveries as it just can't be done the right way if I don't do it. And lastly (though I am sure this one varies from person to person) I have heard it hurts when you are intimate with your spouse again even months later. While this is not the soul basis for our marriage (and really for the last few months has been something we have learned to live without period) it is something that is part of our marriage. I can accept that it will never be the same, but wondered if the pain will ever go away after having the C-section and if so how long? Any other tips or advice for this would be great. I am not used to having things unplanned and dealing with being outta control of my life and suffer sever panic attacks (which have gotten much worse the last couple of weeks) when I don't know what is going on. So any help and information would be greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  Hey I'm having a c-section next Wed too!! And I'm also having a girl :) Unlike you, I've had c-sections before. This is my 4th and last as I am also having a tubal! So let me give you a rundown of EXACTLY what you can expect and some tips! First they tell you don't eat after midnight. So set an alarm for 11:45 and eat something. Even if they say your c-section will be at 7am it may be longer if there are emergency situations that happen. (Happened to me with my second son we got pushed back twice) The night before if you don't normal shave down there...you should do it. Otherwise the nurse will shave it for you and that's a little uncomfortable! You should expect to be in the hospital for 4 days. Once I was only there for 3 but just plan on 4. As far as help after the surgery that's really up to you. I personally don't like people invading my space and hovering over when I've just gotten out of surgery. If possible I would see if a family member could watch your kids at their house for a day or two after you come home. When you first get to the hospital they will get your IV started, I recommend asking them to put it in your forearm that way you have some mobility! Because it will stay there for at least a day or two. The anesthesiologist will come and talk to you and you'll have to sign some forms. They will give your husband scrubs to change in to. He will be the only one allowed back there. When it's about time to go back they will put some kind of tight stockings on your legs to prevent blood clots. You typically walk back to the room. Your husband can't be there for the spinal. I don't know if you have ever had an epidural but it is very similar. You get a small shot to numb the area and then they use the bigger needle to inject the spinal block. It feels like electricity shooting down your back and legs. Just hold very still it goes away quickly. I personally think the spinal is the worst part of the whole thing. Then they lay you on the table, put the curtain up and your husband comes in to sit by your head. You may get nauseous this is pretty common, tell someone right away because they will give you meds to make that stop instantly. You really won't feel anything but some tugging and pulling. The baby will be out within 10 minutes of starting the surgery. It takes about another 30-45 mins to finish up. Then they will move you to the other bed and hand you the baby if you're up to it. When you get back to the room you'll start feeling pretty terrible. I always throw up. Then your baby will go through all of the normal things like the APGAR test, they'll get her cleaned up and everything. You will start getting some feeling back within about an hour. When the feeling comes back you're going to want some pain meds. It hurts very badly. It hurts to laugh, to sneeze, absolutely anything hurts to the point of tears. But they make good meds which helps a lot. After a few hours your nurse will have you sit up. That is excruciating but you have to make yourself do it. The more your force yourself to move the faster you will feel better. If they will let you stand then you should stand. It's pretty bad for about the first 24 hours. Then you'll kind of adjust to the pain and be able to work around it although you may walk hunched over. You will still have bad vaginal bleeding so bring your own pads because I hate the hospital ones. After about a day they will take out your catheter (if they try to put that in prior to surgery tell them to F off. And make them put it in after your spinal :) Once the catheter is out you can move around a little more and take a shower. When it's time to go home just know you will still be in a lot of pain. Just make sure you take your pain meds and you will make it through. Recovery is different for everyone. With my second son I was with a real loser and I had no choice but to lie about when I had my baby and go back to work literally 1 week after surgery. It was hell but I did it. So you CAN do things quickly after a c-section but housework should really be avoided for at least a few weeks. They say you shouldn't lift anything heavier than your baby for the first 2 weeks or so. I think I pretty much included everything...as far as what to pack I would bring several pairs of underwear you don't mind ruining, def have non slip socks or slippers you don't want to fall after that surgery! sports bras or nursing bras depending...that's about it! If you're husband is staying with you he should probably bring at least a change of clothes. Good luck to you and congrats!!!