Doing post-delivery care yourself

Great questions !! I am waiting to see advice from other ILites, as i am in a similar situation, not a planned C-Section though.

Please pour in your thoughts.

 

You WILL need assistance after a c-section, whether from your DH or parents/inlaws. Trust me, you will NOT feel up to doing much for yourself/your baby after you get released from hospital for several days. Your incision will be painful, the stitches/staples will ITCH, and any touch on the area will likely be painful (even the baby). Make sure you have a pillow nearby, for when you cough or sneeze, and to protect the incision form the baby when feeding.
While in the hospital, when the catheter is removed (attached to the collection bag) make sure you get up and move-you should be up and about no more than 12 hours after delivery (dependent on when the bag is removed), or you may have problems later. Walking will be painful, but lean on IV stand or DH/parent/inlaw and shuffle around as much as possible.
When home, you can change the napkins yourself, and make sure to wear loose cotton/natural fiber clothing (even panties) to allow air to get to the incision to help it to heal. Make sure to wash the incision well with a cleanser for sensitive skin with no fragrance, and pat dry with a lint-free towel or wash cloth (and keep these clean). No lotion on the incision for weeks (makes the itching hard to take, but rather itchy than infection). You will be unsteady for a few days on your feet.
Bedrest means your doctor does not want any stressful activity-you don't generally have to spend all day in bed, but resting not heavy housework is in order.

After the birth, as I stated above, you WILL need someone with you. You likely will not be able to stand and cook for long periods of time, you will need to sit down (pain, weak feeling in legs, lightheadedness). It is not necessarily bad for your recovery to do for yourself, but you have to obey your body and its signals. Don't do too much (could cause bleeding at the incision if you split it), take it easy, and accept ANY help that your family and friends are willing to give you.
Good luck, and congratulations on the baby!

**I have had both children with c-section, and just two weeks back had a hysterectomy (which has a very similar recovery/healing profile <without all the bleeding>), and these are the suggestions my doctor and nurses gave me, plus my own very current experience with an abdominal surgery incision.

 

You certainly need someone to help you after c-section. Doctors prescribe bed rest of about 8 weeks following the operation when you are advised to walk around, however, not over do it. It's important to see that incision heals completely, otherwise, it may lead to infection, rupture, re-stiching...etc.

However, I think, if your husband takes leave from work and stays with you, it's manageable. Incision pains a lot during first week and walking around will be hard. It gets better later on. I know so many ladies in the western world who manage their delivery, even c-section, along with older children, themselves.

 

i managed by myself after c-section.initially my dh took care of cooking and other household activities while i completely took care of my LO.Later on when i started cooking,i cooked only in the night and had the same for next day afternoon when dh is at work.
1.yes c-sec will take time to heal.so you need to be real slow and careful till that 6 weeks period till ur stitches are cured
2.taking care of baby around the clock could be tiresome.so learn to take rest and sleep along with your LO
3.take care of your diet as you need to establish your milk supply
4.bed rest is needed only during pregnancy and not after your delivery.

 

Placenta Previa itself is a complication, which can be harmful to you and your baby [ I don't mean to scare you].
I don't know what kind of PP you are diagnosed with, whether it is marginal/partial / complete PP, you have to take bed rest so much so that you have to minimize all your activities. It's better to take complete bed rest or whatever your obstetrician has prescribed you.

You ought to have your parents/in-laws to help you out for sure whether it's while carrying or postpartum.
Now that you are diagnosed with PP you cannot even travel to India as you have to limit travelling,intercourse,
pelvic examinations co'z of the above said problem. So, you have to have your parents with you.

Why don't you try asking your husband about your mom's stay with you. Tell him that his mother wouldn't be able to take care and help you as much as your OWN mother can. Tell him you don't want to trouble his parents by making them help you for every small thing eg., bringing a glass of water, If you want you can ask/yell/request your mom but cannot do the same with his mother, as it would be upsetting /hurting them.
Believe me you have much comfort with your parents.After the baby is 3 months old you can go stay at your in-laws place for few months, else see to it you have both your's and his parents by your side.

Once you undergo Cesarean, you won't be able to do anything at least for 6 weeks.

WIll I be able to take a bath by myself?
Ans- Yeah you will be.
-- WIll be able to stand for long periods and cook?
Ans-No you won't be able to. All you ever want to do will be sitting/sleeping.
-- Will I be able to change my own sanitary napkins?
Ans- Yeah you will be able to.
-- Should I hire a nurse in case my mom cant make it?
Ans- Well, I have no idea about hiring nurse, but make sure your mother's with you.
-- What if Im bed-rested? What does bed-rest mean? Will I need some one with me 24/7?
Ans- Yeah you need, to some extent, co'z of complications arising due to PP [bleeding, preterm labour, premature rupture of membranes]
-- Will it be too much strain on my husband?
Ans- As your husband is caring, you won't be bothersome to your husband, as you are carrying after 3 yrs.
-- Will it be bad for my recovery if I do things by myself?
Ans- Yeah, usually after CS it will be 5-6 months for full recovery [ back ache though continues even after that].

To be frank it's not that easy taking care of yourself and your baby, you have lot to do, feeding[breast/bottle],changing diapers,giving bath,cleaning after your baby's vomit,utmost care is essential for babies.If you are to breast feed there should less problem,if bottle feeding too much problem[ warming milk, cleaning feeding bottles,sterilizing them even at midnight etc...]

Bottom line- have help from parents


All the best to you. Try to be happy. watch comedy,dance shows,singing shows etc...Don't stress out.

 

-avoid lifting heavy weight,avoid going up and downstairs often,pat dry your stitches,avoid exhaustion.