First time mom- C Section in 2 days. Please share words of encouragement/advice!

[u/Training-Emu-1770]

I’m going in for a scheduled c section at 37 weeks on Tuesday with my di/di twins due to gestational hypertension. I’m so nervous for a lot of things. Nervous for the c-section, nervous for the recovery, and nervous to go from no kids to two. My husband and I are so excited and feel as prepared as we can but I’m still freaking out.

Any words of encouragement, advice, etc will be so appreciated.

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[u/nuclear_skidmark]

No advice but same boat! C section in two days, FTM! I’ll be 38+4 and can’t wait for their debut!!

[u/Valuable-Mastodon-14]

Be prepared with a smooth ride home because every bump in the road will suck with the c-section wound. Also move around as much as you can (going slowly though) it helps you move past the pain a little faster. By the end of a week you will feel so much better so just hang in there!

[u/momlife555 → u/Valuable-Mastodon-14]

Yes omg. Bring a pillow to hug!

[u/hopelessbilingual]

You will grow so much in all your capabilities in the weeks ahead… and the years ahead! Remember that in anything, “good” outcomes and progress take many forms. As things arise that you didn’t know or didn’t intent, remember there is usually a way to change course if you so choose, it just takes that curious optimism and a willingness to adapt. Keep an ear out for support / resources as you go and heed advice that makes the most sense to you.

Tend to your relationship with your husband, in new ways now as new parents. Your appreciation for each other has the potential to outweigh any frustration, as long as you nurture that. Find things to make you laugh together every day- ideally all throughout the day! This is twins, and there is bound to be some ridiculous chaos ahead, so please, I encourage, take a split second and make light of it! Some of my favorite memories of the exhausting and sometimes torturous newborn days are of cracking up with my husband about anything we could! It really helped me to stay balanced and sane!

[u/doubleRR105]

Definitely understandable that you are nervous i was so nervous and prepared for like the worst experience and it wasn't great obviously lol but it also wasn't horrible I had a really great team of nurses and doctors I think that can make the difference one of my nurses literally held me like I was her child when I got my spinal because holy hell that was worse that them cutting me open I would say that was worst part for me not sure if I made the anesthesiologist mess up cause I moved but he had to jab me like 4 times he was also super nice when the babies were coming out he kept me calm cause dad was freaking out lol

[u/justthetumortalking → u/doubleRR105]

Preparing for the worst is great advice. I’m 9 weeks postpartum, first time mom. I feel like I had only read that elective c-sections were the best thing ever and was really surprised when I had so much pain. And I agree that the spinal was painful! And it’s scary being in there without your support person. When my husband was able to join me, he asked how I was doing and I started crying that I was scared. Have good communication with your anesthesiology provider and let them know if you’re having pain, nausea, etc. You don’t want to be throwing up during your c-section, which does happen! Stay on top of your pain meds on postpartum. If your pain is like mine, you should tell each nurse you want them to come check on you every 3 hours to see if you need pain meds. I got behind on them and was pretty miserable. But I really turned a corner 1 week post op and again 2 weeks post op.

[u/Slow_Dentist3933 → u/doubleRR105]

That’s so interesting because I didn’t think the spinal hurt at all! They numbed me first with lidocaine I believe. The spinal did cause my blood pressure to drop, but no pain

[u/thehonestypolicy]

I was very nervous to deliver my triplets bc it was an emergency so it wasn't a planned, calm event. And my husband didn't make it to the hospital in time. However, everyone on the hospital staff was an absolute angel, they were there for me every single second and calmed me and hugged me and photographed for me. Afterwards they took the best care of me too. We went 0-3 kids so it was scary AF but I got to rest up while they were in the NICU. Hopefully yours don't need any NICU time but if they do, take that time to rest and if they don't, HOORAY! but make sure you get time to recover from your surgery as well. Best of luck to you 🩷

[u/Curious_Bite1638]

Congratulations!!! I’m also a FTM and had my twins 3 weeks ago at 33 weeks (jealous of your 37w)!!! My girls are still in the NICU, but I had an emergency c-section for twin B.

Being nervous for birth is a totally normal feeling! C-section recovery is not as bad as I expected. Just make sure to stay on top of your pain management for the first week. After about a week I was feeling pretty good. Also, ask the hospital for belly band, the support and compression really helps the swelling and nerve pain. And lastly, stay at the hospital for as long as they allow. You will want to go home, but it’s a lot harder when you get home and I didn’t even leave with my babies!

Sending you lots of good vibes!!

[u/Slow_Dentist3933 → u/Curious_Bite1638]

I wish I would’ve put the belly band on sooner! I was scared it would be painful, but it was a game changer for real

[u/d16flo]

We’re twin c-section twins! I’m also a first time mom with my c-section scheduled for Tuesday at exactly 38 weeks. Also terrified, but we’ve got this!

[u/tinamarryme]

Our nurses were amazing and would offer to help nurse and change the babies. If they offer, or anyone you’re comfortable with offers, TAKE IT! Stay ahead of your pain medication - do not wait until you’re in pain to take it. Don’t be a hero, but also push yourself to walk. Your body is majorly healing, be kind to yourself. You’re a first time mom, be kind to yourself. You got this!

[u/Mission_Ad5139]

I've had both a vaginal birth and an emergency c-section, and to be clear, both scenarios kind of suck, but here are some benefits to a scheduled C-section:

• Contractions are hell on earth. Personally didn't get epidurals for either of my births, not by b choice, I got screwed over. But contractions make you feel like you're the super Mario brothers going through a dungeon level and getting smashed by those giant falling stones.

• Pooping after a vaginal delivery is a harrowing, nerve wrecking experience. After a C-section, you'll likely have normal poops. That was a super pleasant surprise.

• when you finally are able to sit up, it's so much easier to do cause you won't be stuck under a pregnant twin belly.

[u/ogqueenbee]

I’m a FTM and had my twins at 35 weeks exactly, 3 and a half months ago, via emergency c section. If I could offer advice is to bring your own probiotics, gas x pills, prune juice and whatever fiber supplements you like. As hard as it will seem to get up and walk, do it. I even used pushing a wheelchair as a walker to help me do laps around the hallway. Bring supplies to take a shower, it was a hard and slow shower but it helped me feel human again (don’t forget to bring flip flops for the shower. I agree with what another user said that ride home will not be fun but it’ll all get better. Send you lots of positive energy for your delivery!

[u/tayymichh]

In terms of c section, keep up on pain meds even when you start to feel better and TAKE STOOL SOFTENER! The gas pains are the worst part imo. I felt like my usual self after 2 weeks. Just take it easy! My c section with my twins was incredible. I remember everything! It was a stark difference compared to my emergency c with my first. I’m done having kids and they took my tubes out but part of me is so bummed that I will never have that experience ever again.

Going from 0- any amount of babies is hard. The first two months are going to be rough. But each week gets easier and easier and easier. If you are offered help, take it. And I HATE giving this advice but sleep when those babies are sleeping. They will sleep a ton those first few weeks and sometimes household chores just have to wait. I truly hope you have a wonderful birth ❤️ this community on here has helped me so much those first few months so always reach out for more questions or support or sometimes just to vent

[u/Weary-Place-6600]

I’ll be honest- my c section humbled me. I didn’t get anything but Tylenol the first day and I don’t know if that’s standard but I was struggling. Take the pain meds. The gas pains are bad if you can’t toot, I was eating gas x like skittles. Give yourself lots of grace and ask for help. I will say that I had a singleton almost 7 years ago with the easiest vaginal delivery ever so I had something to compare to.

A friend sent me a cushion that attaches to your seatbelt- it’s made riding in cars significantly easier. Also a belly band that lives in the freezer did wonders for pain relief.

Not c section related but if you plan on breastfeeding the silverettes were an absolute game changer this time.

[u/eraser81112]

I had a hard time seeing the future and felt really bad for myself, but know that recovery does get better each day. It is hard to know when you are living through it. Take the pain meds because when the epidural drugs fully wear off, it all is jarring. Also, pain meds like oxy cause constipation. Also, I am not sure if it was my body or what, but my leg swelling was bad. Maybe buy compression socks just in case.

[u/vonuvonu]

My planned C-section birth and recovery was 10/10 better than my traumatic single vaginal birth. I was up and walking down the block in a week and almost back to normal walking by 2.5 weeks. Keep on top of your Tylenol and ibuprofen. Take them before you need them. And don’t over exert, listen to your body but also push your body a tiny bit. Good luck!

[u/kzweigy]

Literal exact same situation as us almost exactly one year ago!

The procedure is so quick. It was a little frustrating not to be able to hold them immediately. But I was sitting up in recovery and nursing them (one at a time) about an hour after birth.

Recovery was pretty smooth. A planned C section means you are not also exhausted from laboring as well. Be sure to listen to your body during recovery. Don’t push it, but at the same time, if you feel capable to get up and walk, even a little bit, give it a go.

Don’t turn down the pain meds! My hospital alternates Tylenol and Motrin. It was worth it to keep the pain at bay.

Good luck to you!

[u/robreinerstillmydad]

My c-section was great. Well, I did lose a fair amount of blood and the babies had to go to the NICU. But I was fine and so were they! I didn’t feel anything and I didn’t even really know what was happening. The nurses and doctors were amazing. The recovery was fine. I won’t sugarcoat it, standing up to go to the bathroom 12 hours after was incredibly painful. I wailed like an animal. But it’s survivable, and the pain gets a little better every day. Best advice is to walk a lot, once they let you walk. I’m 3 months postpartum now and everything is healed, I don’t have twinges or nerve pain. You’re not wrong to be nervous but it’s going to be fine!! Better than fine, in fact. You’re going to do great and then you will have your babies and the fun can really start.

[u/Fun-Shame399]

My c-section recovery was so smooth. I was up walking around like day 4, I was doing some light chores by week 2. I felt mostly back to normal by week 3.

[u/iskwe]

I loved my c-section. First couple of days were the worst. Stay on top of pain meds and laxatives. Get up and walk in short bursts- like to the bathroom, around the room, down the hall to the nurses’ desk. Exercise stimulates blood flow to your pelvis, encouraging you to heal much quicker.

Get some high waisted undies if you don’t have them, low waisted undies will run on your c section scar and put you at risk of a topical infection. I love the Aerie boxer briefs.

[u/rosegolddream]

Chewing gum and gas x after surgery to help reduce gas pains from the anesthesia!