There will still be hands on your vagina
Surprised? New mom Bump Lori gave it to us straight: "After my second c-section, a nurse came into my room in the middle of the night and gave me what I now refer to as a vaginal car wash. I was NOT expecting that!” It's true: even though it isn't baby's exit route, your vagina will still be involved in your c-section and recovery. Basically, the “vaginal car wash” will come sometime after delivery (and more than once, if needed), and just involves a little rinse-down with a peri bottle and a pat down with a dry cloth—the point is to clean up any blood that will be leaking out after the surgery. (More on that later.) Also, be prepared for a nurse to insert a catheter before surgery (but usually after you've received anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing).
You’ll probably get the shakes
If you have a spinal, you'll probably spend some time involuntarily vibrating all over (though some find it’s just their legs that spasm). "It's a strange sensation for some patients as it is involuntary shaking, but it's nothing excessive—just a light shiver—and perfectly normal!" says Carolyn Eskridge, an OB with Eastover Ob/Gyn in Charlotte, NC. But don't worry: "It subsides quickly, as the spinal usually wears off after a few hours," assures Eskridge.
You might feel a little tugging
The good news is you’ll be totally numbed from your belly down during surgery (and for a couple of hours afterward), so your cesarean won't hurt a bit. But some moms do claim to feel a little pushing and tugging sensation as baby is eased out of their abdomen (especially if he or she is crammed up near their rib cage).
You will probably be freezing during delivery
We’ve heard from tons of mamas who complain about being ice cold during their c-sections—and many tend to blame it on the cool temps in the OR. But while ORs are definitely kept cooler for other surgeries (to maintain sterility, prevent humidity formation and combat bacterial colonization), Eskridge says doctors actually raise the temperature in the room for c-sections in order to accommodate the new arrival. Still, between being numbed from the waist down and lying still for 30 minutes half-naked, it’s no wonder moms tend to catch a chill. But at least there’s some good news: you can often request warm blankets to be placed on you to combat some of the chilliness.
You’ll get a bonus "leg massage"
After surgery your doctors will bring in contraptions called sequential compression devices (SCDs), which work to improve your circulation and prevent blood clots. They may even slip them on when you’re asleep and numb after surgery—so if you wake up to find them on you, don’t be alarmed. They kind of look like space boots and they may seem a little weird at first (since they inflate and deflate repeatedly), but the sooner your blood gets pumping all around, the sooner your doctors will take them away.
Stool softeners = your new best friend
Pooping can be a major problem post c-section, since it's tough to push when your abdomen is tender and sore. Taking stool softeners after delivery will ease you back into pooping again—and make you a pretty happy camper in the process. Just remember to drink lots of water, and walk around as soon as you can, to keep your bowels awake. And to ease your mind: No, you won’t bust your stitches pooping—it just doesn't happen.
Coughing and sneezing will hurt
“I came home and had a coughing fit one afternoon, and OMG it hurt like the dickens!” says Bumpie BOGOhokie06. Eskridge, who had two c-sections of her own, had the same experience and has some advice: “Splinting (holding a pillow against the abdomen over the incision) is very helpful in preventing pain with cough/sneeze/laughing.” Keep a pillow handy in all rooms of the house, and when you’re riding in a car. Belly bands or other compression garments can also help support your abs, since applying pressure to your muscles after they’ve been cut will help combat the pain that comes from muscle contractions. How long can you expect this to last? Eskridge says most mamas find the pain will be the worst the week after delivery but will gradually get better over the course of a few weeks after that.
Exercise is everything
We’re not suggesting you get up and do a round of jumping jacks, but just getting up and hobbling around as soon as humanly possible is a good idea. (Well, after your doctor says it’s okay.) “Once the spinal wears off and movement is back in the lower extremities, then it is safe to walk around,” says Eskridge. “Plus, it gets the bowels working again and can prevent a lot of gas pain!” It also helps prevent blood clots. So get off your butt.
There will be blood
"I was surprised about the postpartum bleeding," says Bumpie BChenier. "I guess I figured since the baby didn't come out vaginally, I wouldn't bleed (boy, was I wrong)." You won’t have as much postpartum bleeding as with a vaginal delivery (since the vaginal cavity is wiped clean at the time of your surgery), but bleeding will still happen. After all, your uterine wall has to heal itself after the placenta has been detached, and your blood vessels are responding to the dip in hormone levels. Plus, that thick lining that grew to support baby throughout your pregnancy will need to shed itself in the weeks after your delivery. Don’t worry though—any bleeding should be light and only last about six weeks, max.
That scar might freak you out (for a little while, anyway)
Some moms admit they didn’t realize just how prominent their scar would be at first. “I felt totally disfigured,” says Bump Lori of her c-section scar. “But over time, it faded and flattened a lot, and now I actually love it. It's my mommy battle scar!” Don’t fret over it too much—just expect that while you may be weirded out at the beginning, the newness of it will fade in time. Want to help it fade faster? Eskridge suggests trying scar-fading ointments—but only after you’ve let it heal for six weeks (applying anything sooner may cause an infection).
You may have gas pains—in your shoulders
Yep, you read that right. You may get some wicked gas pain in your shoulders after delivery. When your bowels become sluggish after surgery, the resulting gas pain can press on the diaphragm, and that pain can extend to the shoulders. To combat this, your nurse will offer you anti-gas meds and encourage you to walk around as soon as possible. But that’s not the only cause of postsurgical shoulder pain. Eskridge says that sometimes moms feel this way as a result of "referred pain"—pain that’s actually being caused in another part of the body (in this case, your uterus), but felt somewhere else, because of the way your nerves react. Yes, it can be rough, but the pain should subside in a day or so.
SOURCE: Thebump
TAKE A CHILDBIRTH CLASS
You can brush up on labor basics in advance, but it’s worth it to practice breathing and relaxation techniques with someone who knows what they’re talking about. Plus, you probably have some personal questions you’ve been dying to have answered. Sure, humankind existed for hundreds of thousands of years before Lamaze and Bradley, but pushing out the head (and shoulders!) was probably a whole lot more traumatic back then. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
KNOW THE BREASTFEEDING BASICS
Don’t expect baby to just latch on and start feeding. For both of you, it will be a learning process—and some new moms have trouble. Head off problems as much as you can by learning the basics before you give birth. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
GET A CRIB AND SET UP THE NURSERY
Every baby needs to have a comforting place to sleep. Purchase and set up the crib or bassinet completely and follow this checklist for creating a safe and practical nursery before baby moves in. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR DELIVERY OPTIONS
You’re going to see a lot of your OB over the course of your pregnancy. Those appointments can be overwhelming, but try to take advantage of that time to have ongoing conversations about your delivery plans. Since most doctors have admitting privileges at more than one hospital, you’ll want to decide which is the best fit for you—whether it’s the one closest to home or one with a special birthing center. You’ll also want to go over your birth plan and make sure you’re on the same page about your preferences, including medication, induction options and interventions so there are fewer surprises come delivery day. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
PACK YOUR HOSPITAL BAG
Make sure you have all the essentials before you head to the hospital. Check out our packing list and these extras moms couldn’t live without. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
SELECT BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
While you’re waiting for labor signs to kick in, take time to decide how you will announce baby’s arrival to the world. Design a photo card in advance and save it as a draft and enter the contact info of who you plan to send them to, then you can quickly plug in the delivery details and a photo after baby arrives—the cards can be mailed out before you even leave the hospital! (PHOTO: LILLIE FORTINO PHOTOGRAPHY)
FREEZE SOME MEALS, OR ROUND UP TAKEOUT MENUS
Before your due date, it’s a good idea to stock your fridge—similar to the way people do before a very big storm—with delicious, nutritious stuff. Some high-achieving moms-to-be bake and freeze casseroles and lasagnas, so they have easy-to-warm meals for those hectic first weeks with baby. But if you’re busy enough already, we think it’s okay to just update your collection of menus from restaurants that deliver.(PHOTO: THINKSTOCK)
INSTALL THE CAR SEAT
Once you go into labor, both you and your partner will be too nervous to read step-by-step instructions carefully or to think clearly enough to know the car seat is installed correctly. So do it early and it will be all set to go when delivery day arrives. (PHOTO: THINKSTOCK)
WASH CRIB SHEETS AND BABY CLOTHES
It’s definitely a good idea to wash swaddles, crib sheets, blankets and any other items that will come in contact with baby's skin before he or she wears them. While you don’t need to pre-wash everything in the dresser just yet, it’s good to prepare at least a week’s worth of clothing so it’s one less thing to worry about while recovering from childbirth. Wash items separately using a gentle, baby-friendly detergent that’s free of dyes or perfumes. (PHOTO: THINKSTOCK)
CHOOSE A PEDIATRICIAN
You can’t go wrong by asking people you know for advice—you’ll be sure to get an honest answer and a recommendation from someone you trust. Before you start making calls and setting up consultations (don’t worry, they’re usually free), check that they are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and prepare a list of questions to ask each doctor. And try not to stress too much about it—if it turns out that the pediatrician you picked isn’t quite working out, you can simply find a new one and move on. (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK)
SOURCE: Thebump
New research shows that confidence is key when it comes to childbirth. Here are the most common labor and delivery fears from moms-to-be—and how you can face them down.
Yoga Poses to Prepare For Labor & Delivery
You successfully made a baby (that was the fun part!) and by now you have this whole pregnancy thing down. Labor, though, is fast approaching—a fact you may simultaneously dread and cheer. But even if this is Baby #1, you can approach L&D with the cool of a pro who's delivered a whole passel of kids. Turns out confidence is key to sailing through your birth: Self-assured women felt more in control, believed more strongly in their capacity to cope and were better able to use the childbirth techniques they'd learned than their more fearful peers, according to research from Ohio State University. To get you there, we're delivering everything you need to set your mind at ease.
Face Down Your Fears
"Giving birth is a highly emotional and largely uncontrollable event, so it's important to discuss what you're afraid of beforehand," advises Jenny Keller, M.D., director of the residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Chatting frankly with your doctor can make you more at ease and upbeat—and approaching labor with a positive attitude can help you feel less pain, avoid C-sections and feel satisfied with your experience, a study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth suggests. Read on to put your L&D anxieties in perspective.
THE FEAR: "I'll need a C-section."
How likely it is: You've likely heard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stat that almost 33 percent of births are done by Caesarean, but that doesn't mean you're facing a one-in-three chance. First-time moms who aren't carrying multiples, hit full term and go into labor spontaneously have a C-section rate of less than 15 percent, according to a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Score better odds: You may want to hire a doula—a nonmedical labor coach—who'll be in the room along with your OB/GYN: Women attended by a doula were 40 percent less likely to deliver by C-section, research published in the American Journal of Public Health showed. Doulas, including those in the study, help you into positions, massage your back and advocate for you from check-in through delivery (whereas your doctor or midwife will pop in and out; your partner will be there, but as a rookie he'll have fewer tools to help). A separate review of studies found that the difference stems partly from a doula's undivided attention and ability to help your partner help you. Some hospitals provide a free doula service (ask at the one where you'll deliver); otherwise you can get a recommendation from your physician or hire one through dona.org. Some insurers will reimburse the fee; if cost is still an issue, doulas-to-be often offer their services for free or reasonable rates. (Google "doula training" in your area to find one who is in the process of being certified.)
What to do: If your doctor wants to schedule a Caesarean, ask about trying labor first. If the recommendation is a mid-labor surprise, discuss with your provider the benefits (e.g., baby's quick exit if his heart rate is falling), risks (a longer postpartum recovery) and alternatives (trying another position or simply giving yourself more time), suggests Shelley Scotka, a doula in Austin, Texas. If a C-section is your best bet, you'll probably sign a consent form and be in the O.R. within a half-hour, notes Laura Riley, M.D., medical director of labor and delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The surgery will take about 45 minutes, and your partner can almost always stay with you.
THE FEAR: "I won't handle the pain."
How likely it is: Labor will hurt, but you have options—and even if you decline drugs, the worst is over fast. "The pain has a purpose: It drives us into movements and positions that help labor progress," Scotka says. Most women feel able to manage the early and active stages of delivery, which are by far the longest portion; the relatively shorter period of transition (typically one to three hours) is toughest. "The good news is that pushing is usually right around the corner, and then, of course, the euphoria of the birth," Scotka says. If med-free isn't your thing, or your pain management plan isn't working, just say the word and relief—like an epidural— will be on its way.
Score better odds: Sign up for yoga. Prenatal yoga practitioners reported less pain during labor, a small study in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found, and it's no surprise: The pairing of movement and breath builds endurance, teaches you to breathe deeply and helps you relax into discomfort, whether that's Warrior pose or labor pains. Try visualization, too, recommends Scotka: Write down a scene that places you in a relaxing setting, like the beach where you spent your honeymoon. Fill it with sensory details (the sound of the surf, the smell of plumeria) and have your partner read it to you when a doozy of a contraction hits. Hearing it will trigger the relaxation response, making it easier for you to mentally escape mid-contraction.
What to do: Go to a birthing class— or take one online at hopkinsmedicine.org. In addition to the breathing techniques and positions you learn, there are other medication-free tactics to lower the pain—or at least make you better able to tolerate it. But if all the birthing-ball bouncing in the world can't help you get a grip on your contractions, opt for an epidural, anesthesia inserted into your lower back that numbs you from the waist down, or intravenous narcotics, which dull the pain for two to six hours. Contrary to popular belief, an epidural doesn't up your chances of needing a C-section, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. But do be aware that an epi can extend your active labor, says a new study in Obstetrics and Gynecology, so talk to your doctor. Still nervous? Ask for a consultation with an anesthesiologist, Keller recommends.
THE FEAR: "The baby will get stuck."
How likely it is: Your dearheart won't get "stuck" per se, but almost half of all unplanned Caesareans are performed because labor isn't progressing or Junior isn't fitting. The width of your hips doesn't predict the ease of your delivery, nor does Baby's size; it's just as likely his head is at an awkward angle, and there's no way to tell ahead of time.
Score better odds: Staying mobile helps the baby descend down the birth canal, so practice side-to-side motions. "Swiveling on the birthing ball, rocking while holding on to your partner, cat/cow pose, and belly-dancing-type hip circles all help open the pelvis, creating more room for the baby to make her entrance," Scotka explains.
What to do: Sometimes labor will "fail to progress" despite everyone's efforts. Your uterus might tire, or the baby could be in a difficult position or, in rare instances, too big to fit through the birth canal. If that's the case and he is close to crowning, your OB might suggest forceps or a vacuum extractor to ease him out. (Which one she uses depends mostly on her training, but this kind of assistance is used in less than 3 percent of births.) If the baby is stuck farther up, your doctor will recommend a C-section. "Discuss your options— laboring longer, using forceps or vacuum extractor or opting for surgery—with your provider in advance, so you'll know your preferences going in," Riley says.
THE FEAR: "I'll tear or need an episiotomy."
How likely it is: Once routine, episiotomies—cutting the perineum, or tissue between the vagina and rectum to make more room for the baby or prevent a more severe tear—are now done in roughly 12 percent of births, usually to speed things along if Baby's not handling labor well. Tearing happens when your skin won't stretch enough to accommodate your cutie and is quite common: Doctors repair a laceration in almost half of hospital births. Your OB may give you a shorter snip, requiring just a couple of stitches, to prevent rupture.
Score better odds: "Side-lying and upright positions are great for protecting the perineum," says Angi Gunther, L.C.C.E., a childbirth educator in Portland, Ore. Even women who get an epidural may be able to use a squat bar when it's time to push, which could keep the bottom bits intact. In addition, ask a nurse to hold a warm compress over your perineum, which increases blood flow and elasticity. Your nurse can also give you a perineal massage as you push, helping you stretch as Baby's head comes out, says Sarah McMoyler, R.N., CEO of thebestbirth.com.
What to do: If you do have a snip, you'll be so distracted by the birth that you won't register the sting of anesthesia your doctor injects before stitching you up with sutures that dissolve in a few weeks. The tissue may itch or feel tight as it heals; sitting in a bath daily can ease soreness (and normal swelling from delivery) and a topical estrogen cream may be prescribed if the incision isn't healing, Keller says. The tear will likely mend by your six-week checkup.
THE FEAR: "I'll poop on the table."
How likely it is: Very. "If there is anything inside you ahead of the baby, it's going to get pushed out," McMoyler says. As your baby's head moves through the birth canal, it flattens your rectum like a tube of toothpaste. Most women wind up pushing out a little poo along with their baby, so don't be embarrassed!
Score better odds: There's no way to make sure your colon is empty before labor because you don't know when it will start. But you may naturally have looser and more frequent bowel movements before contractions begin.
What to do: As you push, a nurse is at your feet ready to clean up. Your partner probably won't see any of this from the head of the bed. And if he does? "You're so far into it, social graces are long gone," says McMoyler, who has assisted with more than 5,000 deliveries and found this to be a total non-issue.
THE FEAR: "I won't get to the hospital."
It's unlikely your baby will be born in your Honda. "Most first labors are fairly long, with lots of time to get to the maternity ward," Keller explains. In fact, it's much more common for a first-time mom to arrive during early labor (when the cervix is dilated less than 4 centimeters), which can last hours to a few days, and be sent home. To avoid a U-turn, call your provider when your water breaks or when contractions fit the 5-1-1 rule: every five minutes and lasting one minute, continuing for an hour. The stress of the hospital can stall labor if you arrive prematurely, McMoyler says; it's best to spend early labor on a walk or at home tidying up.
SOURCE: Fitpregnancy
