Morning C-section

I had 3 c-sections and then 2 vaginals (VBAC). My first c-section was unplanned and I was put out for that one; I slept for most of the day due to the anesthesia but that night my family came to see us. The next 1 was planned, I had him at the old Meriden-Wallingford Hospital in Meriden, CT so I got to hold him as soon as I went into recovery. My family came up that afternoon after I was able to get out of bed and take a shower. My in-laws brought my daughter up to see her new brother and she spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with us. My 3rd one was planned only I went into labor the day before so I had him that night and didn't see my daughter, older son, or family until the next day. Then I switched doctors and 9 years later I had my 4th child vaginally. Which hospital are you delivering at?
Hugs,
T.

my 3 kids were also by c-section and day or night it didn't make any difference. since I already had two, i already knew what to expect. so don't worry and enjoy the birth

If you're having it at 7am they'll want you there a few hours earlier for prep - so schedule it for later so you can sleep more that night.

I had a morning c-section for the last one (5 years ago). You are up that day going to the bathroom. They don't let you eat good food for that first day which is annoying. A friend snuck in a chocolate milkshake. I forget about the shower - but it's all very soon. I had the kids visit that afternoon. Congrats.

You'll likely be groggy, drugged and in pain. You'll feel like you just came out of major surgery, because that's what a cesarean section is. I would suggest not inviting visitors to come the first day. Although a cesarean section ends in a baby, you are still recovering from a major operation. If you would normally have people visiting you within a few hours of other major surgery, then you might be fine with them visiting in those early hours after the cesarean, but I have had major surgery and would never have wanted visitors other than my husband that first day. I would suggest having the older children come later in the day, if they can come at all. Have you checked with your hospital about this? Since the fall, many hospitals have banned all children under 14 visiting due to fears of H1N1.
Good luck

Hi! I would say it will be a little different for everyone depending on your hospital, but I can tell you about my experience. My second daughter was a planned C-sec. in the morning. I was a little "spacey" from the drugs which if I had to do it all over I would change. They gave me pain med in my spinal.( I am very sensitive to pain meds and this made me sick.) I was awake most of the day. I ate and drank normally. Visited w/everyone who came to see us. I was supposed to try to walk that night, but still couldn't feel my legs enough to do it. I was sick from the pain med. that night so they took the baby, and I slept. In the morning I was good. They took the catheter out (usually as soon as you can feel your legs again.) I was able to shower and got up to sit in a chair and move a bit. I'm sure if you are tired during the day the nurses will take the baby for you so you can sleep for a while. It was all very similar to my night time c-sec w/my first, except the time! Don't sweat it and enjoy!

My daughter was born at 10:13 am via c-section. I was very groggy the whole first day. Visitors came and I saw them but I felt drunk the whole day because of the pain meds. I got to hold my daughter and feed her but I didn't get out of bed until the next morning when the nurse helped me get up and shower.

Hi there, congrats on your new baby! I've had 2 c-sections, first one unplanned at night and the second scheduled in the morning. You can expect the same as you did with a night time delivery (it's just during the day!), only you will be much more relaxed! Checking into the hospital to have a c-section was like checking into a hotel LOL It was very calm and relaxing to know I didn't have to be in labor for 24 hrs and then say they had to do a c-section (my experience!) My recovery time was much faster the 2nd time. I was able to hold my baby right after they got her out and within 30 minutes after they finished me up I fed her in the recovery room after they bathed her and did all that. They then wheeled me into my room and I was with baby from then on. We had visitors that day. Instead of making me walk around the next morning (like with a night time delivery), I walked that evening and they took the cath out. I am not quite sure on the exact time but about the same as if it would have been a night time delivery and getting up in the morning. I also took a shower that next evening. I was so much less tired this time around and even my 3yo daughter was able to visit with me and her baby sister right away in the recovery room. I felt really good that day, the itching was worn off by the time I wanted to sleep that night and I was relaxed. Goodluck :)

Hi Crystal:

Every woman's body is unique and responds differently. Have you prepared your body for a c-section; is this the best option for you? Do you have a Birth Doula to assist you during and after? Have you set up post-surgery care in the hospital and when you get home? This will assist you to have an empowered birthing experience. There is still time.

If you would like support with all of the above, please feel free to consult with me. I can assist you to become prepared. Visit my site at www.wholecreations.com/wombfull.html to learn more about the services my clinic offers.

All the best to you and baby,
N.
____@____.com

you can ask for catheter out soon as you want and the more you have the easier it becomes cuz you begin to learn how you can move the easiest . ive had 4 all in morning and the last on i was walking within an hour of coming out of sugery . im no fan of cath. so i insisted it be removed and went to bathroom the sooner you move the less th nurses bother you and that is a pluse you should be able to visit as long as you dont let them give youmore pain meds than you absolutly need .i only wanted 2 tylenol 3s and had to cut back while breast feeding cuz i feel asleep and nearly dropped my baby its all a learning experiance and i think scheduled c-secs are easier i wish u luck sweetie

probably some moms can remember better than me - it was three and a half years ago and i was pretty drugged up! but my water broke at 7:30 am and when i got to the hospital my son was breech so they did an emergency c-section. i had prepared to be induced the next day so i was completely overwhelmed. but my c-section was done by 10:30, so i had most of the day to be "awake". honestly i don't really remember it! i remember holding my son for the first time right after they pulled him out, and i remember being wheeled into my room post op and seeing family members lining the hall and thinking "dang" they're here already! and i vaguely remember everyone visiting etc...but i had a bad spinal the first time so kind of had a double dose since they had to redo it, plus whatever else they gave me...i don't remember a lot. i know they gave me a few minutes before letting my family in. and they asked me, i mean it's not like they just opened the flood gates. but i was feeling good enough to see everyone. we had visitors all day. i think my catheter came out the next day, which was when i started getting up and moving around. since you've done this twice you probably know, but i would advise you to eat a big breakfast! it was my first - i was so excited i didn't stop to eat breakfast, my dr. was not on call so they couldn't "release" me to eat until she saw me the next day, and my little brother worked at pizza hut at the time so he brought in pizza for everyone that night and i was STARVING! jello and broth just didn't cut it :( lol.

had my c-section at 3 in the afternoon and was lucky enough that they had a bed in the room for my husband to sleep on so he could help me. They just wheeled me into my room after and my husband had the lil one cuz i was in and out of it. The catheder they didnt take out until the next day i believe. they got me up to walk around like 5 hours later!!! it was soo horrible that was to sort of sponge me and my...urmph...over the toilet. they said i couldnt take a shower until i think 36 hours later b/c of the staples n stitches. It will be the same as your others pretty much just at different hours of the day. I wouldnt stress it if you are. Just pass out after for a bit if some1 comes to watch the lil one but i am sure your baby will be asleep for a while after it is born. I can only wish you the best of health for you and yours. i bet your kids are excited to be the 'big' ones in the house.

i don't know i am going into my 37th week and having arepeat c-section. i know the hospital i am having my baby in does not allow visitors under 12 years of age. because of swine flu. my suggestion is check with the hospital. good luck sincerely C.

I have had 2 C-sections, one unscheduled, one planned. In my experience the scheduled c was much easier. I delivered the baby at 8 am. I was able to see her immediately for a few minutes, but then she had to be cleaned and "warmed up". While the nurses were doing that I was transported to recovery and then my room. From what I can recall, they brought the baby to me as soon as I wanted to see her--thankfully she was healthy so they could do that. I felt physicallly better after the scheduled c since I hadn't spent the whole day in labor.... I did have a catheter the entire first day, so I could not get out of bed. However I was able to hold the baby and my family came to visit right away. The nurses cleaned me up a little bit that morning, later in the evening I was given a sponge bath. You definitely won't be as exhausted. Well you probably know this already but.....don't be shy about asking for your pain medication if you are uncomfortable. Sometimes if the staff is busy (and you don't complain) they'll put off bringing the meds . The next day I was bathed, able to walk, visit the baby etc. I think once the catheter is out and you feel up to it you can shower. Good luck!

I recently had my 2nd son (9/24/09) via planned c-section, 1st was unplanned! And I must say, i would have another planned c-section any day! The whole experience & atmosphere of everyone in the OR was exceptional. everyone was relaxed, had music on and the best part, my husband was there for the whole process, we talked about everything to make the time pass. With my 1st son, I had to be put under so neither my myself or my husband were able to welcome our son into the world. However with 2nd my husband was right there with him while he was getting cleaned up. All 3 of us went into recovery together and this is where I was able to meet my son for the first time. I felt great, once in my room the extended family was able to come and meet him. And by that evening I was up and going to the bathroom with no cathedar.

I strongly feel a planned c-section was the best choice for my family. The recovery time was much shorter than the 1st. By the time we went home I was able to take care of myself and both boys with some help from hubby! My time was scheduled for 10 but did not get into OR until 12pm so get worried if its taking forever in the beginning!! Good luck!

Dear Crystal,

I had a morning c-section and I had a wonderful medical staff with me every step of the way. You can definitely expect to be a little groggy after the procedure. They will most likely bring the baby for you to see while you're still in the operating room before they take him or her away to get cleaned up. In the recovery room they will bring the baby to you for nursing and to get acquainted. You might get the shakes and feel cold because of the anesthesia. This is normal so don't panic. It didn't wear off for me for at least 3 hours but you'll be able to visit with your children. Not to worry. You will not get to eat that day nor will you really want to. I didn't take a shower for a couple of days. As for walking around, you'll be doing a little bit of that when you need to go to the bathroom. Just take it one step at a time. Walking a little more each day will help you to heal. But don't push yourself. Do what feels right.

I see you have a lot of comments already, but I wanted to add my story. I had an unplanned c-section after 26 hours of labor. Ended up with pitocin and epidural. Baby born at 8 am. I was never knocked out (awake the whole time), but got really shaky after meds started wearing off. I held baby 3 hours after delivery (when my hands & arms stopped shaking). Hubby held on to the girl from the moment she was wiped down until I was ready. We were in a private room and did rooming-in, so baby was with me the whole time (hubby went with her to nursery for 1st check up). By that night, I was standing (with help) and shuffling to the bathroom. I didn't really feel the need to "sleep it off" (in fact, I felt absolutely ALIVE after the whole thing)! I even had visitors the first day around 2pm! C-section is mandatory 3 days in hospital, so we went home 3 days later.
Every body is different!

I had a morning c-section with my son. Planned.

It was fine really. After I came out of recovery, which was about an hour, I was real tired, but I was awake.. and as soon as my son was all checked out in the nursery, they'd bring him to me to nurse.. I made sure to tell them I am nursing, so they nurses then know.
In fact, they brought him to me, while my Doc was closing me up in surgery... and I could see him and stroke his cheek, before they whisked him off to the nursery.

They will let you rest and recover as you need to... and when you are cleared from "recovery"... and per your wishes, your Husband/family can come see you. For me, I ONLY wanted my Husband there at first... then he brought my daughter. THEN... when I was ready, then my immediate family. BUT, for me, I did not want lots of other people there, the first day.

the catheter was taken out just as soon as my recovery and what not was fine. I forget how long after, exactly. But it was that same day.
For me, I was on my feet pretty fast... it shocked my Doctor, but he is one who makes the woman walk around as soon as they can, because it is better for recovery. And the Nurse at first, would aide me. I did not take a shower shower, until after I came home, but at the hospital my Hubby helped sorta wash me in the shower. I was at the hospital 3 days. Nice and relaxing and I enjoyed it, just with my son at the hospital. They brought him to me as often as possible, or when I asked. He was a heavy nurser right away & latched on like a bull dog. And my milk was in.

My family/friends would come and visit me everyday, after the 1st day, while I was at the hospital. But I designated "when"... since I wanted private time and wanted to nap when I wanted to, and just nurse.

The hospital staff/nurse go by your cues too... if you tell them you are tired and just want to sleep, then do so. Recovery time after surgery will vary. Just get a good rest and sleep the night before.

All the best,
Susan

I was up 2 hours after my second planned C-section. No cathater at all in fact, just that annoying IV thing incase they needed to give any meds. I remember feeling like I got hit by a truck though. Shower the next day.

I had a scheduled c-section with my son (breech presentation) and we scheduled it for 8 or 9 AM. I was standing up by that afternoon and was able to get up and walk to the bathroom the following morning. (so catheter was out about 24 hours after the surgery). I took a shower either on day 2 or 3, can't remember which now. I thought morning was a good time to do it - everyone was fresh, I'd had a good night's sleep beforehand, and I had the whole day to enjoy my baby. A c-section recovery is much much tougher than a vaginal birth even when it's planned (I've done both ways) but there are some good resources out there for writing up a "c-birth plan".

FWIW, my husband held my baby while they sewed me up and I was able to hold him immediately after that was done. I nursed him in the recovery room and we were never separated. If you are planning to breastfeed, you can absolutely ask to not have your baby taken away. Unless there's a medical problem with the baby they should respect that request.

Best of luck with a peaceful birth.