What to expect before, during and after a C-section

The period between the last few weeks of pregnancy and first few months post partum can be stressful for a first time mom. Its very important to be aware of what can possibly happen and what you can do to make things better. 

You will find alot of articles on the Internet about what you should and shouldn't do before and after a C-section. You will even get alot of advices from the people around. 

But, here is a list of things that I feel would be absolutely useful to expecting moms and a couple of things that I wish someone had told me...

Some of the points mentioned below may also be applicable to a vaginal delivery. 

BEFORE

• Pack your maternity bag atleast two months before your due date. Make sure you have all the essentials for yourself and baby. You can also pack for the dad as well! 😉 Read my post on what to pack for the hospital stay.
  
  
• Don't be worried about shaving or waxing the pubic area. It is advised not to shave, 24 hours before a C-section. Also, with the huge baby bump it's impossible to visualise what's going on down there...Besides putting in a lot of effort, you may end up getting a few nicks while shaving! While you are being prepared for the C -section, a nurse or a female ward attendant will clip all the hair over the pelvic and abdominal area...so leave that to the expert! 
  
  
• Maintain a file with copies of your ID card (Aadhar card, in India), hospital card, health insurance (i.e if your insurance has maternity benefits) ultrasound scans, latest serology and blood group reports. Make sure your husband or any other family member knows where you have placed the file at home. Ideally, it's best to keep your file in the maternity bag itself. 
  
  
• Be flexible. Don't try not to be too rigid about how you want your labour to be. It's ok to draft a birth plan... But you have to realise that sometimes things don't turn out the way you want. Disappointments can be avoided if you don't have expectations. Speak to your obstetrician if you have any doubts regarding the procedure.
  
  
• Talk to your obstetrician about the kind of sutures you want. Absorbable subcuticular sutures for closing the skin heals beautifully, with minimal scar. You also don't have to go through the pain of getting the sutures removed, as the absorbable sutures dissolve by itself. 

DURING

Pray. Be calm. Go with the flow. 

AFTER

• Once the anaesthesia wears off, you will be in pain. You may find it difficult to sit up and walk around .. but you must try to mobilize! Ask your husband or a family member for help, if needed. 
  
  

• Spinal headache sometimes occur following spinal anaesthesia. This happens as a result of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lumbar puncture site, resulting in changes in pressure around the brain and spinal cord. It usually resolves after a couple of days. This was a major issue I had following my C-Section. The head and neck pain was more severe than the pain around the suture site. I continued breastfeeding even though I had a tough time doing so. Remember, the best way to recover from it at the earliest, is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Caffeine can also help relieve symptoms.
  
  

• Try to breastfeed your baby as early as possible after the C-section. Breastfeeding was new to me as well as to the baby. Neither of us knew how to go about it. Even though the nursing staff were helpful enough to teach and monitor me… it took my baby three days to get a proper latch! Again, don't be disappointed if you don't get it right a couple of times initially.
  
  
  
• Your breasts can leak like an overfilled dam anytime after delivery, as a result of milk letdown reflex. This may cause you some embarassment in front of visitors at the hospital. Wear breast pads and breastfeed often. You can also choose to wear loose, dark coloured outfits to make the leak less obvious.
  
  
  
• The first time you pass urine or stools can be painful. Make sure you don't bolt the door to the toilet from inside. You can call out for help if needed. 
  
  
  
• Swelling of the legs following C-section is not unusual. Mine subsided after 1-2 weeks. You will pee alot after delivery and lose the fluid accumulated. Do keep yourself well hydrated. 

This picture was clicked the next day after my C-section

• Post partum blues is something that you need to be aware of... It's totally normal if you yell, burst out into tears or panic for stupid reasons! "Baby blues" can last for few days or even a week or two after your baby is born. But if your symptoms are severe and continue to persist for months, it could be a sign of postpartum depression which needs treatment. 
  
  
  
• Take care of your C-section wound. Keep the incision site clean and dry. Use a separate towel (not the same towel to wipe your body) to wipe the area dry, after bath. Do not rub or scratch the scar. 
  
  
  
• Wear loose cotton underwear. Special underwears are also available in pharmacies which are meant to be worn following caesarean.
  
  I strongly recommend purchasing NewMom Disposable Fixators and NewMom Disposable Maternity Pads to deal with lochia. These are super comfortable.

• Keep the baby's cot and nappy changing essentials close to your bed. So that it's easy to get things done on your own if you don't have much help at home. 
  
  
  
•  Continue to take your multivitamins, iron and calcium tablets regularly after delivery to meet the increasing nutritional demands during breastfeeding. 
  
  
  
• Try to not listen to unsolicited advices from people around you when it comes to looking after your baby. Don't do things simply to impress others.
  
  
  
• Trust your maternal instincts. Remember not all babies are the same. You know your baby much more than others do.
  
  
  
• Hiring a full time postpartum doula or caretaker is purely optional. I had a tough time convincing my husband that I didn't want a full timer. I felt having a full time post natal doula would interfere with my husband, baby and I bonding together. People often told me that I was doing a big mistake by not hiring one. My husband who finally gave in to my wish, hired a lady who came over to our house just for 2 hours daily for 40 days, to massage, give bath to the newborn and wash her clothes. I didn't opt to get special post natal food cooked and body massages for myself. I felt that was totally unnecessary. I got my post natal nutrition from all the good food I cooked along with with the supplements I took. 
  
  
• Extras😝
• Do not lift heavy weights or perform vigorous exercises/household chores for 6 weeks atleast or until your doctor says so.
  
  
• Avoid sexual intercourse till your doctor gives the green signal. Do not rush into having sex. Keep a lube handy.
  
  
• Inform your doctor if - 
• You develop high fever and intense abdominal pain around the suture site.
• You notice heavy bleeding or passage of large clots. 
• You feel a burning sensation while peeing or notice blood in the urine.

Hope these tips come in handy and help you glide through this whole beautiful process of motherhood smoothly.