Ok here it is...top 10 things someone should have told me before my c-section:
1)Do not cough no matter how bad you have to cough
2)You will not be able to laugh until about 3 weeks out without it hurting
3)Do not sneeze (hold your finger under your nose as hard as you can and your sneeze will go away)
4)Just get someone to help you out of bed for the first 2 weeks. Use your cell phone and call someone if you are in your bed alone and need help
5)During the c-section, your husband will not be in the room until the baby is about 4 seconds shy of coming out
6)You will have these leg pump contraptions on your calves that squeeze your calves so you don't get a blood clot for the first 24 hours
7)The first time you get up the pain is extremely bad...I would describe it as an intense burning/ripping feeling =) Each time you get out of bed the burning/ripping feeling gets less and less (but it still hurts)
8)Don't wait for the pain to come, just take the pain medicine
9)The scar will likely get poofy all around it, this is normal
10)You will not really get to see your baby until 4 hours after a c-section, only briefly in the OR
Overall c-sections suck...I am about 4 weeks out (4 weeks on Monday) and things are about 75% normal, I still walk slow, bending down is by far the hardest thing to do still, and I can't pick anything heavier than the baby up. I would not say that a c-section is as bad as I thought it would be (I had built it up to be pretty bad in my mind)...I mean it is bad, but having a baby the other way, especially if you have an episiotomy, can be equally as bad (I would know), with alot of other problems down there. With a c-section you really only have one problem, the incision.
So if someone you know might have to get a c-section I would say to them that the first 2 weeks are pretty hard, but that after 2 weeks it starts to feel manageable, and then at week 3 better, week 4 even better, etc (I hope).
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
I think I am too old for a newborn...I don't remember these midnight feedings being so hard with the other kids. Julie is ALWAYS hungry. She has gained 2 pounds in a little over 2 weeks and it is exhausting me. She is over 8 pounds now, I pray to God that she hits the 10 pound marker here in a couple more weeks and sleeps through the night (at least longer than 2 1/2 - 3 hours)...
Stomach update: Still super sore, moving at about 60% speed, can't pick things up off the floor, can walk about 1/2 a mile, but really sore/tired after I am done...I think in 2 more weeks I will be at 100% or pretty close. The scar is really swollen, which is not cool, but the Dr. says that it should go down as time goes by...I guess I don't care what it looks like, I am just ready for it to stop aching all the time...
Stephen is asleep right now, I am hoping I get a sleep turn here in a while...
Stomach update: Still super sore, moving at about 60% speed, can't pick things up off the floor, can walk about 1/2 a mile, but really sore/tired after I am done...I think in 2 more weeks I will be at 100% or pretty close. The scar is really swollen, which is not cool, but the Dr. says that it should go down as time goes by...I guess I don't care what it looks like, I am just ready for it to stop aching all the time...
Stephen is asleep right now, I am hoping I get a sleep turn here in a while...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I am not sure what lunatic would elect to have a c-section...this is not cool...
So anyways, for those who don't know, Monday was by far the most dramatic day of my life. On the way to the hospital at 4:30 am, I was still not sure what I was going to do...we got to the hospital, still didn't know...nurse tried to start an IV on me, blew a vein, I told her to please call anesthesia (they know how to start an IV, I learned this from previous stays at the hospital). My theory is that I give a nurse one try and if they don't get the IV I tell them I want anesthesia to come start it. Pretty sure that the nurse didn't like that, but she blew out the biggest vein in my hand and I am like if you can't start an IV on that you are not getting another try. So after I got my IV I still didn't know what I was going to do. Finally around 7:30 or so Dr Adam walked in...and was like what are we doing? And I still didn't know, but I was like I guess we are trying to flip her. Dr Adam said, "did she sign for a version so that we are legal?" That made me start to cry...I didn't really have time to stop crying when the nurse brought over the shot of terbutaline (to relax the uterus/speeds up the heart)...from that point on it is kind of a blur...Dr. Adam had her hand on my wrist, waiting for my pulse to get elevated, and had the sonogram machine on my stomach to monitor what mini was doing...then all the sudden she was like "it is up" (my heart rate, meaning the medicine was in effect), she grabbed a towel and then with all her force pushed on my stomach from the top and the bottom. I don't know if I can describe the pain. It felt like someone pushing on a rock as hard as they could in my stomach. She did two separate pushes, and was attempting a third push, but I told her I couldn't take it. And mini was not moving at all. In fact, I think she moved a tiny bit to one side, but as the Dr was doing the sonogram, she moved right back. So Dr Adam was like,"well lets go to the ER".
Those words just put me over the edge...I was so scared, and still shaking from the stupid shot. I couldn't believe what was about to happen to me. Stephen started to put on his scrubs, and I was wheeled out of the room...Stephen and my mom were left behind. In the ER I was put on this little table, and told to sit up. As I was sitting there getting the spinal/epidural I felt like I was about 12 years old. I was just crying and crying. I am sure that the ER people were like what is this lady's deal....but even though I am 30 years old I was scared so I let it all out. So once that spinal was in I was laid down and a stupid sheet was put up...they started asking if I could feel this or feel that, at one point I got really sick to my stomach...I don't know how much time went by, and I don't remember when Dr. Adam came in, but all the sudden I heard her say, "I am in"...great...at this point Stephen still wasn't in the room, and I thought maybe they forgot he was supposed to come in, but when I asked they said they would tell him when it was time. So all the sudden Stephen showed up and his words were "are you ok?" I think I told him to be quiet, that no I was not ok...there was some pushing and Dr Adam said some things, and then they said...get ready, she is about to be out and she needs to go quickly to the NICU team to make sure she was ok since we tried the turn....Stephen was fumbling for the camera, and then I felt this big pull and she was out...and I was glad it was over...I laid there for a while being sewed up, and they brought Julie to us while I was being mended, but I don't really remember much after that.
I don't remember being in recover with the exception of some dumb nurse started to push on my stomach and it hurt like hell...I grabbed her hand to take it off and supposedly she was asking me to stop. I am glad I grabbed her had, serves her right, leave me alone.
So I stayed in bed all that day, and sometime during the night, not sure exactly what time, they told me I needed to get up. HOLY HELL. I have never felt such a burning ripping sensation in all my life. The toilet was literally about 10-15 steps away, and I didn't think I could make it...but I did. The second and third trip to the bathroom were equally as unpleasant, but I think by the fourth trip the burning sensation was less (or my pain medicine was working that I had ordered). They left a pain epidural (walking epidural) until mid-day Wednesday. When it came out I didn't notice a great increase in pain, but I was talking the oral pain meds around the clock so that might be why.
So on Thursday we came home, and all was well...until I choked on some stupid water and coughed. Yes, I have drank water before, but you know how sometimes it goes down the wrong tube? Well I coughed (instinctively) and caused myself some internal bleeding (according to the Dr, b/c I had to go in on Friday to have her look at the damage). Great. So now I have this swollen part along my scar. I think had I not coughed that I would feel alot better, because on the way home from the hospital I was actually thinking that I was going to make it (but I was pretty drugged up)...but I think that those 5-6 coughs caused me to regress somewhat.
So I can see it is going to be a long road ahead...but Julie is so sweet...I am glad she is ok...
So anyways, for those who don't know, Monday was by far the most dramatic day of my life. On the way to the hospital at 4:30 am, I was still not sure what I was going to do...we got to the hospital, still didn't know...nurse tried to start an IV on me, blew a vein, I told her to please call anesthesia (they know how to start an IV, I learned this from previous stays at the hospital). My theory is that I give a nurse one try and if they don't get the IV I tell them I want anesthesia to come start it. Pretty sure that the nurse didn't like that, but she blew out the biggest vein in my hand and I am like if you can't start an IV on that you are not getting another try. So after I got my IV I still didn't know what I was going to do. Finally around 7:30 or so Dr Adam walked in...and was like what are we doing? And I still didn't know, but I was like I guess we are trying to flip her. Dr Adam said, "did she sign for a version so that we are legal?" That made me start to cry...I didn't really have time to stop crying when the nurse brought over the shot of terbutaline (to relax the uterus/speeds up the heart)...from that point on it is kind of a blur...Dr. Adam had her hand on my wrist, waiting for my pulse to get elevated, and had the sonogram machine on my stomach to monitor what mini was doing...then all the sudden she was like "it is up" (my heart rate, meaning the medicine was in effect), she grabbed a towel and then with all her force pushed on my stomach from the top and the bottom. I don't know if I can describe the pain. It felt like someone pushing on a rock as hard as they could in my stomach. She did two separate pushes, and was attempting a third push, but I told her I couldn't take it. And mini was not moving at all. In fact, I think she moved a tiny bit to one side, but as the Dr was doing the sonogram, she moved right back. So Dr Adam was like,"well lets go to the ER".
Those words just put me over the edge...I was so scared, and still shaking from the stupid shot. I couldn't believe what was about to happen to me. Stephen started to put on his scrubs, and I was wheeled out of the room...Stephen and my mom were left behind. In the ER I was put on this little table, and told to sit up. As I was sitting there getting the spinal/epidural I felt like I was about 12 years old. I was just crying and crying. I am sure that the ER people were like what is this lady's deal....but even though I am 30 years old I was scared so I let it all out. So once that spinal was in I was laid down and a stupid sheet was put up...they started asking if I could feel this or feel that, at one point I got really sick to my stomach...I don't know how much time went by, and I don't remember when Dr. Adam came in, but all the sudden I heard her say, "I am in"...great...at this point Stephen still wasn't in the room, and I thought maybe they forgot he was supposed to come in, but when I asked they said they would tell him when it was time. So all the sudden Stephen showed up and his words were "are you ok?" I think I told him to be quiet, that no I was not ok...there was some pushing and Dr Adam said some things, and then they said...get ready, she is about to be out and she needs to go quickly to the NICU team to make sure she was ok since we tried the turn....Stephen was fumbling for the camera, and then I felt this big pull and she was out...and I was glad it was over...I laid there for a while being sewed up, and they brought Julie to us while I was being mended, but I don't really remember much after that.
I don't remember being in recover with the exception of some dumb nurse started to push on my stomach and it hurt like hell...I grabbed her hand to take it off and supposedly she was asking me to stop. I am glad I grabbed her had, serves her right, leave me alone.
So I stayed in bed all that day, and sometime during the night, not sure exactly what time, they told me I needed to get up. HOLY HELL. I have never felt such a burning ripping sensation in all my life. The toilet was literally about 10-15 steps away, and I didn't think I could make it...but I did. The second and third trip to the bathroom were equally as unpleasant, but I think by the fourth trip the burning sensation was less (or my pain medicine was working that I had ordered). They left a pain epidural (walking epidural) until mid-day Wednesday. When it came out I didn't notice a great increase in pain, but I was talking the oral pain meds around the clock so that might be why.
So on Thursday we came home, and all was well...until I choked on some stupid water and coughed. Yes, I have drank water before, but you know how sometimes it goes down the wrong tube? Well I coughed (instinctively) and caused myself some internal bleeding (according to the Dr, b/c I had to go in on Friday to have her look at the damage). Great. So now I have this swollen part along my scar. I think had I not coughed that I would feel alot better, because on the way home from the hospital I was actually thinking that I was going to make it (but I was pretty drugged up)...but I think that those 5-6 coughs caused me to regress somewhat.
So I can see it is going to be a long road ahead...but Julie is so sweet...I am glad she is ok...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
oh me oh my...I cannot make up my mind what to do come Monday morning. Yesterday at the Dr. we talked more about turning mini and how exactly it would go down and where. If I decide to turn her I have to get a shot that relaxes the uterus, but a side effect is that it makes your heart race...b/c the shot relaxes all smooth muscles in your body, the main ones being your uterus and your heart...great...Also, as we were talking, Dr. A kinda grabbed mini's head and butt and was wiggling her around, and she was like there is some room to move her...and man let me tell you, it was quite uncomfortable when she was grabbing. So I asked her what % pressure that was compared to when she actually turns mini, and she said, "that was nothing"...great again.
So the only way I don't have to make a decision on this is if I go into labor on my own before Monday, then I don't have this turning option, and I will have the surgery. As of today I am leaning more towards having the surgery. I feel that doing this turning business is only going to put me through unnecessary discomfort/anxiety and could possibly hurt mini. The odds of everything working out perfectly are not in my favor, so I might just need to shut up and have the stupid section.
My mom is coming in on Sunday night, and I leave for the hospital at 4:30am...As of now I am attempting the turn (we had to tell the Dr to be there earlier than my scheduled surgery)...but I am not afraid to inconvenience people and tell them no thank you, if that is how I feel come Monday morning.
Stephen and I are going out tonight for our one last hurrah...although at the past 3 or 4 Dr appointments we have gone to lunch/breakfast...Also Stephen gave me some major bling last night for being a good pregnant lady. He told me to think about my ring whenever I start worrying about this delivery thing...it has taken off the edge a little...it is super nice...I love diamonds...love you stephen...you are a good pregnant hubby too...
So the only way I don't have to make a decision on this is if I go into labor on my own before Monday, then I don't have this turning option, and I will have the surgery. As of today I am leaning more towards having the surgery. I feel that doing this turning business is only going to put me through unnecessary discomfort/anxiety and could possibly hurt mini. The odds of everything working out perfectly are not in my favor, so I might just need to shut up and have the stupid section.
My mom is coming in on Sunday night, and I leave for the hospital at 4:30am...As of now I am attempting the turn (we had to tell the Dr to be there earlier than my scheduled surgery)...but I am not afraid to inconvenience people and tell them no thank you, if that is how I feel come Monday morning.
Stephen and I are going out tonight for our one last hurrah...although at the past 3 or 4 Dr appointments we have gone to lunch/breakfast...Also Stephen gave me some major bling last night for being a good pregnant lady. He told me to think about my ring whenever I start worrying about this delivery thing...it has taken off the edge a little...it is super nice...I love diamonds...love you stephen...you are a good pregnant hubby too...
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
6 days and counting...man, am I really going to have another baby? I don't believe it...
So I don't think that I updated from my last dr appt on Friday, but I have a small dilemma. Stephen asked the Dr if on the day of my scheduled surgery if she would first try and turn the baby. Originally the Dr had said that if I wanted to try and turn her that it would be at 37 weeks and she would induce that same day regardless of if she successfully turned or not. Stephen thought that was too early, so we decided not to do that...but now with this option of turning her the morning of the surgery it is like I am having a c-section, unless she can turn the baby, if it works, and she can be turned and it doesn't cause her any stress...then I will be induced that same morning...otherwise if she can't be turned, or the turning causes her stress I will have the c-section. The main problem is that turning the baby is not free of risks...I believe that the major risk is that the cord could be compressed somehow and effect the blood flow to mini...but if I am preped for a c-section if anything happens, I think they can have her out of there in a matter of minutes? I go back to the Dr for my final appointment on Thursday, so I will have to confirm a few things before we make a final decision on what we are going to do. Let me just say I am SO SICK of thinking about what is the right thing to do for mini and for me...SO SICK of it...so I will be glad when Monday rolls around and whatever happens happens...
On another note, both Kaylyn and William went to school today. Kaylyn loves school, but I was worried about William b/c he hasn't been since last summer...but the little man just marched right in, showed his teachers how high he could jump, and that was it. I am nervous about him using the potty. William hasn't worn a diaper for about a month now (except when he is sleeping)...so I sent him to school with his big boy undies on, I tried to get him to wear a pull up, but he doesn't want to wear those anymore since he is used to undies now...so I showed him where the potty was in the room, and Stephen told him that if he needed to go he should tell the teacher and go to the potty...Soooo...we will see...
So I don't think that I updated from my last dr appt on Friday, but I have a small dilemma. Stephen asked the Dr if on the day of my scheduled surgery if she would first try and turn the baby. Originally the Dr had said that if I wanted to try and turn her that it would be at 37 weeks and she would induce that same day regardless of if she successfully turned or not. Stephen thought that was too early, so we decided not to do that...but now with this option of turning her the morning of the surgery it is like I am having a c-section, unless she can turn the baby, if it works, and she can be turned and it doesn't cause her any stress...then I will be induced that same morning...otherwise if she can't be turned, or the turning causes her stress I will have the c-section. The main problem is that turning the baby is not free of risks...I believe that the major risk is that the cord could be compressed somehow and effect the blood flow to mini...but if I am preped for a c-section if anything happens, I think they can have her out of there in a matter of minutes? I go back to the Dr for my final appointment on Thursday, so I will have to confirm a few things before we make a final decision on what we are going to do. Let me just say I am SO SICK of thinking about what is the right thing to do for mini and for me...SO SICK of it...so I will be glad when Monday rolls around and whatever happens happens...
On another note, both Kaylyn and William went to school today. Kaylyn loves school, but I was worried about William b/c he hasn't been since last summer...but the little man just marched right in, showed his teachers how high he could jump, and that was it. I am nervous about him using the potty. William hasn't worn a diaper for about a month now (except when he is sleeping)...so I sent him to school with his big boy undies on, I tried to get him to wear a pull up, but he doesn't want to wear those anymore since he is used to undies now...so I showed him where the potty was in the room, and Stephen told him that if he needed to go he should tell the teacher and go to the potty...Soooo...we will see...
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Ok, I would like to state that I am officially ready to not be pregnant anymore. Today I am 36 weeks and 6 days along...which is exactly when William was born, and tomorrow, or should I say in about 8 hours I will be 37 weeks pregnant, and that is considered full-term...so let's get this show on the road.
I am so tired of worrying and being upset about having a c-section that I have decided that I just want to get it over with already so that I can stop thinking about it...it is wearing me out...
Everything is pretty much ready, the baby's room is all set up, Kaylyn is in the "study" and loves her new room (it came out pretty cute)...I just have a couple other nesting things I need to do, like finish packing my suitcase for the hospital, and I am all set...
So I am not giving up hope that mini will turn, although her big head is just plopped right between my ribs, it is about the size of a very large grapefruit according to my calculations...
My next to last doctors appointment is tomorrow, should be rather uneventful...my stitch is still in, the plan is to remove it when I have the stupid c-section...that is another thing I hate the name c-section...it bugs me for some reason, I need to come up with a better name for it...stupid section is all I can think of right now...I will work on it...
I am so tired of worrying and being upset about having a c-section that I have decided that I just want to get it over with already so that I can stop thinking about it...it is wearing me out...
Everything is pretty much ready, the baby's room is all set up, Kaylyn is in the "study" and loves her new room (it came out pretty cute)...I just have a couple other nesting things I need to do, like finish packing my suitcase for the hospital, and I am all set...
So I am not giving up hope that mini will turn, although her big head is just plopped right between my ribs, it is about the size of a very large grapefruit according to my calculations...
My next to last doctors appointment is tomorrow, should be rather uneventful...my stitch is still in, the plan is to remove it when I have the stupid c-section...that is another thing I hate the name c-section...it bugs me for some reason, I need to come up with a better name for it...stupid section is all I can think of right now...I will work on it...
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