my c-section words of wisdom

Guys, I hate being a wimp, but my c-section recovery has sucked. It has sucked a lot worse than a lot of my friends' which makes me feel more like a wimp, haha. The first week or so I definitely didn't take it as easy as I should have. I have a hard time feeling helpless or useless. So I tried to do too much, and now I am paying for it. I've had weird pains and heavy bleeding and had to go into the doctor only to be told I need another week of not doing anything. Me and c-section don't mix.

I knew going in there was a chance I'd have to have a c-section. So I did some research. I still feel like there was a lot I wasn't warned about. Some things I was told, and really didn't understand until it was happening to me. I am no a c-section expert, but since I am stuck in bed while my mom cleans my house and I feel useless, I am going to blog my c-section thoughts for anyone wondering or about to go through one. Or anyone who is really just that bored.

+ It feels freaking weird. You don't feel a thing, but you do. Which is confusing. The tugging and pulling doesn't hurt, but the knowledge that they are cutting you open and moving your organs around is so strange.

+ You will be butt naked on the operating table. I was so numb I couldn't feel anything, and I just stared at the ceiling and talked to Nathan while they prepped me. Then I glanced down and realized I was completely naked besides my hiked up gown partially covering my chest. Luckily, at that point, I could not have cared less.

+ You will be more numb than you ever thought possible. They take the normal epidural and up it like crraaazzzyy. I couldn't feel anything below my boobs. It was insane.

+ It's really bright. That was kind of annoying. A lot of what I read said it was really cold, but I don't remember feeling cold. I just remember the bright freaking lights. I'm sure the lighting was very flattering on my gigantic, naked body.

+ The drugs make you feel weird. I got soooo tired. I remember thinking I would fall asleep before they even started and I would miss the birth of my baby. I felt a little loopy too. It all kind of calmed down during the procedure, but when they were prepping me the drugs and the bright lights were a little too much.

+ Apparently, the drugs can cause collar bone pain. I guess air and medicine can pool up there. And I felt it. My collar bone seriously hurt so bad during surgery. It went away right after though.

+ It's a lot faster than I thought it would be. I know I had a very quick c-section because everyone commented on how quickly it went, so thanks for that doctors. But it was really less than 10 minutes before she came out, and only about 10-15 to close me up. I couldn't believe it! But I am thankful for it. I didn't like the OR.

+ Have someone talk to you while it's happening. Like I said before, the tugging and thought that it's my insides being pushed around was a little too much for me. I told Nathan to just talk to me about our baby so I wouldn't focus on it too much. When he was over with Sadie, my epidural man talked with me. It was very helpful.

+ Take it easy when eating again. Maybe this one is more of a personal problem, but I took a bite of a saltine, first thing I had eaten in 24 hours, and immediately threw up over the side of my hospital bed. I can't explain how much heaving hurts a fresh incision. I ate immediately after my vaginal birth so I thought it was gonna be no big deal. It was a big deal, haha.

+ Getting out of bed for the first time will be the most painful thing you've ever experienced. I really can't explain that pain. Oh my gosh it hurt so bad. I've ever had a natural childbirth, but I am gonna go ahead and compare those pain levels because that's how bad it hurt. The worst part was, once I finally stood all the way up, I realized I would have to get back into the bed too. And that hurt just as much.

+ Take your pain meds. Don't be stupid. Even taking them just a little late can triple the pain you feel. Just take them. They are awesome.

+ Move around when you can. But don't over do it. I tried to get up whenever I felt like I could. But one morning it was too much and I went so pale and felt like I was going to pass out.

+ Shower as soon as you can. It will change your life. I kept asking my nurses when I could shower. When I finally could, it was the best thing ever. It hurt, but it was worth it.

+ Let the nurses take the baby. I had them bring her when she was hungry, but I needed sleep. I was recovering from major abdominal surgery! Rest is needed. Don't try to do it all. Those few hours of sleep were amazing.

+ The belly band they give you will change your life. Never take it off. 

+ Take it easy at home. Trying to clean the house and do everything will make your incision hurt like hell. And then you will start getting random pains up and down your sides and it will hurt when you pee and your bleeding will pick up and it will be all your fault and your doctor will give you disappointed eyes but she will also give you more pain meds.

+ You will have pain in many places. Not just your incision area.

+ It's gonna be hard to poop, and your pain pills will make you constipated. Definitely take stool softeners twice a day, but be aware that even they might not work. Just know that even though it's awful, sometimes and enema can be a life saver. TMI? Don't care.

+ You can get a UTI from the catheter. Just start cranberry pills asap. It also might hurt your uterus when you pee. It's all just strange.

+ You will be stuck sleeping on your back for what feels like forever. I have tried sleeping on my side and stomach. Bad idea.

Basically, not only am I a huge wuss, I am a huge whiner. I am not someone who has really ever had health problems. I am so thankful for this, but it's make it incredibly hard for me to be bed ridden, especially when I have a small human who is dependent on me 24/7. I hope this doesn't terrify everyone forever about c-sections haha. Everyone else I talked to really loved theres! I told you, I am a wuss. I will say, there are a few things I liked about it too. Maybe I'll list those so I can make the world a happy place.

+ Without a c-section, I don't know what would have happened to my baby. Or to me! Back in the day we probably both would have died. I am so freaking thankful she got here safely. I don't even let myself think about those times her heart was dropping while I was in labor. I am thankful for modern medicine and the option to just get her the heck out.
+ She got here so quick! I was progressing pretty fast on the pitocin, but who knows how long it would have taken. I labored for 24 hours on pitocin with Madelyn. But this was like, "Okay let's do the c-section, oh hey here's your baby." That was awesome. Especially because we were so worried!
+ My nurses, doctors, and anesthesiologist were some of the kindest, most loving people. They all knew my history and were all so worried about Sadie getting here safely. I really felt like I got the most personal care and experience.

+ Even though it was kind of hard not getting my baby instantly, I am actually really, really glad Nathan got to spend that time with her and that he was the first one to hold her. That sounds kind of weird, but I think he deserved it. Even though pregnancy is hard, I am the one who got to experience all the kicks and the movement and the hiccups. I am the one who gets to stay at home with her all day every day. I am the one who gets to connect with her through breastfeeding. Nathan is such an involved dad, (I had to tell him to stop coming to my doctor appointments, haha) and all he wants to do is be apart of everything. I think he would carry our children if he had his own uterus. He was so proud when he came walking back into the OR with her all bundled up and presented her to me. I wasn't mad or jealous and I didn't feel cheated. It was a special time she got to have with her daddy.

+ You get the good drugs for recovery.

+ Even though it gets boring, you do have an excuse to lay around and do absolutely nothing all day.

+ And I got this out of it. The most perfect baby in the world!!