Lessons from my third and final c-section

From the moment we found out we were pregnant, I knew I was scheduling a c-section. After 2 previous c-sections, they highly recommend it or maybe even require it. And I knew it was the right decision for me. But this one also got me thinking about the differences between all of my births. And let me tell you, having a planned c-section with no labor before hand made a huge difference. 

Lessons Learned

1) the night before you get a full nights sleep - or well as much sleep as you can before knowing you’ll be having an operation and welcoming a baby. 

2) the environment and feeling when you arrive at the hospital is very calm - which is what my doctor had been telling me all along. There was no urgency and no rushing. We laughed a lot. Visited with the nurses. 

3) a spinal sucks. No other way to describe it. My doctor held me in place, then the needle happened and I went numb from just below the boobs down. It was the weirdest feeling of being nauseous, out of control, and completely helpless. All feelings that I’m not good at. 

4) I got to see my baby being pulled from me. It was the most surreal thing I’ve ever witnessed. Definitely love at first sight. 

5) after the c-section, take the Benadryl! I declined and regret it. My face itched so bad that I think I almost rubbed my nose right off and made my face bright red. By Friday morning, I couldn’t figure out why my nose hurt and my fam and Ryan said I was rubbing so hard. Not a pretty site. 

6) Tylenol and Motrin are enough. With both my last c-sections I had stronger meds but with this one they changed the protocol and it worked. 

7) techs are amazing. They are kind. They are helpful. And they get right up in your business to help. 

8) get up and start moving as soon as they let you. I had been in a bed for more than 12 hours and felt nasty. So the tech helped me up and to the bathroom. And then the next day I got to take a shower. Once the cathedor was out, I had to keep getting up to use the bathroom. I also could walk around the room. I then was able to walk out of the hospital by myself - no wheel chair. It wasn’t fast but I did it.

9) wear a belly band. I also never knew about this last time. But since I was coughing so much after they nurse worried about my stitches. So I started wearing it the day after and what a difference it made. It gave me support and helped so much. Within days my belly started to shrink. And a few more days I fit back into my pre-pregnancy leggings.

10) it’s still going to hurt. There are questions about it. Take your time recovering and don’t overdo it. 

All in all, a planned c-section made for a great 3rd baby.