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It doesn’t matter how many people tell you what to expect after a C-Section. You will only know what to expect after a C-Section after you have had one. Everyone experiences things differently, but these are some more general points you may want to consider if you are ‘on the fence’ about your decision. There are some points I mention below that I had completely forgotten about with my first C-Section and only remembered them as they happened with my second. So I decided to note them down as they happened so that I could share them with you and hope that it makes your decision a little easier, or let you know what you could expect after your C-Section.
This list is not meant to scare you, as long as you take your pain meds as you are meant to, then your pain will be manageable, otherwise, it will hurt. That I can promise you. View this list as preparation, if you know what is coming, then you should be more prepared for it and you’ll be able to manage it better. You can do it, mama!
Remember there are always risks when having any kind of surgery and this is something you must talk to your midwife about when deciding on a natural birth or a C-Section. I am, in no way, a trained medical professional. The following points are based on my own experiences of an unplanned and planned C-Section. What to expect after a C-Section is personal to each individual and may vary to my experience.
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What to Expect After a C-section.
- Numbness.
- A catheter.
- Some sexy compression stockings.
- A drunk feeling.
- Iv fluids and antibiotics.
- Orange staining on your belly.
- Itchiness.
- Pins and needles.
- Discomfort and pain.
- A ‘sad’ belly.
- Constipation.
- A stay in the hospital.
- You’ll have to announce to the nurses or midwives when you’ve managed to wee?!
- Injections every day, even when you get home.
- A hard time doing anything for a while.
- A very slow and uncomfortable journey home in the car.
- Loose pyjamas will be your new best friend for a while.
These ones are super comfy and look cute.
- Puffy ankles.
- Not being able to laugh for a while.
- The midwives wanting to check your bleeding, quite often.
Related:
First Trimester in Pregnancy | How you can survive using my Top 9 Tips.
Second Trimester Joy and 10 Things you should do.
Third Trimester | 23 Things you should do.
Hospital Bag Essentials | All you really need.
The Ultimate List | What to Pack in Baby’s Hospital bag.
There are of Course Some Pros to Having a C-Section.
- Sometimes, a C-section is planned, which means you’ll know exactly when your little one will come into the world (theoretically).
- You can be more organised and prepared at home.
- You have at least a week with not being able to do ANYTHING!…apart from love your new little one.
- You get broken in gently with everything not being about you anymore because for a while it still will be.
- you don’t have stitches in, on or around your noo noo (just in your stomach…)
- weeing is considerably more comfortable than natural birth.
- Even though it may not seem it at the time, you get to spend a minimum of 1 night in the hospital. Surrounded by baby experts!
- Reading things such as this post will help you to know what to expect after a C-Section.
The number 1 PRO is that you get to just sit, rest and heal while paying some undivided attention to your new baby. I know now from experience of having a toddler as well, is that you don’t get to give as much attention to your baby as you want to after you are healed. Understandably you have to divide your attention, and your toddler (if you have one) will feel a little jealous and left out for a while, so your attention has to be split.
If you are planning on a C-Section, talk to your midwife about it and see what they feel is best for your situation. If you have any questions about my experience, then I am more than happy to answer them for you!! Good luck mamas!!
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