Oh, nothing, no big deal, except it's a MAJOR STOMACH SURGERY! Not only is a c section painful and dangerous, it is also difficult to recover from. Even though it's worth the agony -- hey, you get to hold a baby in the end -- a c section is still a surgical procedure with the potential of causing complications.
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| Yes, it's all worth it in the end. |
Why Document a Caesarean Section Diary?
Because my first c section was horrible! Despite taking an 80-dollar class, where we watched an educational video, and reading numerous online forums about c sections, I still freaked and became hysterical in surgery. My husband, a big man, had to hold me down with two nurses. My blood pressure was so high, the medical staff had to knock me out. (Very dangerous, by the way.)
I wish I had received a real life depiction of a c section beforehand, so I could have felt more emotionally prepared.
Now that I just finished my second one, which was much calmer, I've decided to share the experience with others. Hopefully this little caesarean section diary will relax other women who are also preparing for the same experience. If it doesn't ease their anxieties, it will at least paint them a real life picture.
The Night Before
6 p.m.
Ate a good meal. Because you can't eat 8 hours before surgery. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, and I had myself a fat chop.
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| Not bad for a "last meal." |
10 p.m.
Traded in luxury wash for surgical soap in the shower.
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| Not glamorous, but necessary for avoiding infections. |
12 a.m.
Absolutely no makeup for the next few days. But no one said anything about nails.
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| Nail polish eases anxieties. |
2 a.m.
One last bite of cheesecake.
Okay, one last piece.
Hey! What if I never wake up tomorrow?
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| An indulgent treat before mandatory starvation. |
The Day Of
10 a.m.
Last minute packing. Can you say "slacker?"
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| Can't forget about makeup for homecoming pictures. |
Getting ready, and being a girlie girl ONE LAST TIME.
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| One last chance for a girlie endeavor. |
1 p.m.
After drooling over everyone else's lunch, I was ready for the hospital.
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| All set for the big event. |
2 - 4 p.m.
Nervously waited for surgery. Watching Ellen with hubby calmed nerves.
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| Laughing is a good distraction. |
4 p.m.
After one last meeting with medical staff, and getting a brief description of the hour ahead, I walked -- yes, they made me walk myself -- into the operating room.
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| Pursed lips indicate 10/10 anxiety level. Funny socks were comfy though. |
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Freaked out as I walked into the operating room.
Got stabbed five times by anesthesiologist before spiral worked. (Very painful. Not fun.)
Bottom is numb. Curtains go up.
Whimpered. Cried. But mostly stayed calm with hubby's encouragement.
Tugging. Pressure. Squeezed my eyes shut. "Get her out! Get her out!"
HOLY COW! Is that wet thing my baby?
WAH! WAH! Baby cried.
Relief. Tears. In love.
And then, nothing mattered.
Wow. That was quick. See? Not so bad after all.
The Night Of (Recovery)
8 p.m. and forward
After two hours in the post-op room, where you breastfeed the little one immediately, mom and baby then enters a very nice birthing suite. It even has a fold out bed for dad.
As the pain medication wears off, you will feel burning, irritating sensation around incision. Make friends with the "call button" to your nurse. In fact, make friends with your nurse. Make sure you receive pain medication on the dot. And speak up if you need something stronger.
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| The call button saw a lot of thumb action that night. |
You'll need to breastfeed all night. Expect zero sleep. Also expect your partner to help out, because you cannot move.
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| 4:30 a.m. and still feeding. A long night indeed. |
If your incision burns, like most c section patients, ice it. Before the nurse arrived with professional ice pack, my husband improvised with a rubber glove.
Later, I used the same glove of ice as a beauty trick to de-puff my face :O)
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| Our homemade ice pack. |
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| A good beauty trick too. |
Getting bored? Watch your favorite shows on an iPad or laptop.
By the way, how addictive is ABC's Nashville?
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| A buffet of cool shows - hospital doesn't seem so bad after all. |
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| Enjoying an episode of Nashville. |
Next Day
12 p.m.
Still no sleep :O( but you can at least eat a regular meal.
We had yummy Thai food.
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| Can't walk straight, but at least appetite's back. |
After three days in the postpartum wing, many pain pills, and much discomfort, we finally made it home.
And yes, it's still all worth it!
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