[karenwalter]

Had an appointment with the cardiologist today. My resting heart rate was up again and in the 130's. The cardiologist spoke with my OB and they decided a C-section was the safest route to go. I am very disappointed but decided at this point it is out of my hands and I just want whatever brings a healthy baby. I will continue to go weekly to both the cardiologist and my OB to check in and make sure everything is okay.

So, my question is all you c-section mommies, do you think I still need to go to the childbirth classes? I am an RN so I was mainly going for DH. Now, I'm not sure I need to and thought I could use the money for something else....

Also, anything particularly helpful for you in recovery?

[Celry]

I'm glad I had my childbirth classes and read a lot of stuff about labor and natural child birth even though I knew I was probably going to have a csection. I ended up being in labor for about 19 hours before getting my csection just because they tried to stop it nad then my doctor finished her patients for the day before coming to the hospital. My class covered more than child birth though. It also included breastfeeding and care for multiples, so it was a bit different.

As far as recovery, get up and move around as soon as you can, but don't over do it. Be really careful what you do after. I didn't take my kids anywhere in their car seats for 6 weeks. I went places, but I made sure someone was with me or was at my destination. I would load them into the seats in the car so I could leave home without help. You can feel like you're doing great, but your body is still healing and you don't want to give yourself a hernia if you don't have to. Take the pain meds if you need them. I only needed them for a few days, but I can't imagine not having them those first few days. If you need to cough or laugh, use a pillow and hold it against your abdomen. Take a stool softener if they offer it and ask for it if they don't. I had no issues having a bm after my csection, but many women do and hte stool softener makes it a lot easier. Take a boppy to the hospital if you are breastfeeding because it may allow you to feed without having the baby on your incision. Take comfortable clothes that won't press on your incision. I bought some "granny" underwear that was higher cut than normal and was thankful for it. I wore those for a few weeks after my surgery as well.

[karenwalter]

Thank you so much for the great advice. I will definently have to buy new underwear!

[stlgirl]

I don't really have any advice but just want to offer and say that it's awesome you have such a good attitude about this. Having my OB tell me c-section was my only option would break my heart. But you are right - healthy baby really is the only goal.

[*Mommy2Camden*]

Sorry about the c-section news, but whatever gets your little guy out healthy is all that matters! Atleast now you can be prepared for it and will know what to expect! Did they give you a date on when they will do it?

[ChristinaR]

I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say you have a great attitude about it. As long as you and baby will be safe, that's all that matters.

[Etph007]

I can totally relate to your disappointment, but having JUST went through this, I PROMISE PROMISE you it's not half as bad as you would imagine. I still feel like I had a great birth experience, albeit different than I'd imagined.. but still wonderful!

I think you've already gotten good advice but I'll still share what I found helpful...

-I felt nauseated during the c-section itself and right after in recovery. They gave me alcohol swabs to rub under my nose and this helped TONS. It's hard to try and throw up when you can't feel anything, so this was definitely helpful. I'd ask for that if you feel the same way.

-Shower and get up as soon as you can. It will really make you feel better. Walking around (slowly) really helps get rid of the gas and air in your tummy and you'll be thankful for that!

-I never found the pillow against my tummy to be helpful. I kind of just made sure to use my legs as much as possible to move myself in and out of the bed and to scoot as close to the edge as I could before getting up. You will figure out what feels the best to you.

-I totally agree that you need to stay up on your pain meds and take them for as long as you need. (you'll have other aches and pains with your uterus contracting- esp. if you're BF and your milk coming in.. so you'll want the meds).
Also- wear the mesh panties they give you... they don't irritate your incision. I also bought some higher cut ones for when I got home. You won't really want anything over your incision. For breastfeeding, I found the football hold helpful.

-My first day home (3days PP) was by far the WORST and I think mainly because I thought I didn't need my meds as much (BIG MISTAKE) and I had too many visitors. I'd definitely definitely limit the visitors both in the hospital and for the first few weeks at home. Even though you may be feeling better, you might regret the extra activity. I know I definitely did.

-Take as much help as offered, don't sweat the small stuff and take care of YOU!!

Good luck!! You're going to do GREAT!

[Oreobaby]

I'm glad you are taking the news well, and getting all the info you can to have baby here healthy and happy.

[KCMomma]

So sorry to hear about the C sections news, but it sounds like you are taking it very well. You have gotten some great advice but here is my 2 cents:

-I wore the mesh undies in the hospital, they are too bad, but I bought some higher cut ones once I got home and felt sooo much better.

-definitely stay up on the pain meds. I suggest when you start feeling like you don't really need them...space them out more before stopping cold turkey. Like if you were taking them every 4 hours, try every 6 hours then every 8 and so forth. That way if you still need them you will know.

-definitely get up ASAP...they didn't let me for like 24 hours and that completely sucked. I think getting up and walking around the hospital (very slowly) helped me with my first BM which was not bad at all!

-I second the football hold for BF...I couldn't use the boppy while at the hospital...hurt too much so the football definitelyh worked for us.

And most of all remember that this is a MAJOR surgery for YOU and YOU will need to rest too. As hard as it is, try to get rest and DON"T push yourself!!!