…Let’s try it again!
Thank you ALL for your reader participation yesterday. I think the consensus is that small spaces can be awesome, but organization is key. And downsizing sucks. I guess humans are like goldfish, you and your stuff grow to fit your bowl.
We have also determined that these people are either like spidey skill level stealth in their heffage, or they are celibate.
Finally, most seemed to agree that as long as you add your own spin on design it is perfectly fine to “borrow” inspiration as this homes owner/designer clearly did from his boss, Mr. Miles Redd.
One of my besties posted this illustration by Jessica Hische demonstrating the fine art of inspiration borrowing.
I like. And I agree, the more diverse the influences you are pulling from the more likely you are to combine them in an original way. But if you only look at Domino or Miles (hmm…guilty…at times…) you are likely to cross into more plagiaristic territory.
Good discussion guys!
So today’s topic we are going more personal, so feel free to post annonymously…BUT I met with my Doctors yesterday and we scheduled GMcB’s birthday. Which is so trippy. They had originally thought I might be able to deliver on my own, but at this point the tumors have gotten big enough that they would worry about the chance that they could rupture trying to pass through the birth canal, which would be really bad for GMcB and myself.
So I am having a c-section. And I am more than a little sad about that, if you wanna get real here. I know it’s the right decision under the circumstances, but for many reasons I was really hoping to be able to have her naturally.
C’est La Vie.
What I need from you is the real talk. What do I need to know about having a c-section. I know all the medical perspective stuff, but I need your real deal lady advice.
How long am I going to feel like shit?
What is going to make me feel better?
What do I need in the hospital? What should I pack in my bag?
What am I going to want to wear?
How can I heal faster?
Have any of you successfully tried vbac? Anything you would tell me to do now to increase my chances that I might be able to?
Don’t hold out on me people. On a BIG day 1.2% of you comment. Which is fine, but today I need even you shy ladies to speak up.
Please and Thank You.
How exciting to have baby’s birthday! I have not had kids yet, but in my planning stumbled across a wonderful message board and there are women currently pregnant, planning to get pregnant (me), and with kids from newborn to ten years old. Any question you have, you will get plenty of answers and perspectives. I highly recommend it as you approach the big day and even after as you take her home. (This board was originally on msn but they shut down their boards so we started our own and it’s still a super thriving community. Also a lot of money topics in there too which I need haha).
http://notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=85
Ok, I had one regular delivery and the second an unexpected c/s after 2 hours of pushing—not the way to go folks— sucked big time!!!
Advice– take pain meds, but be on top of your bowel situation. I did not realize that pain meds can make some constipated. I was stricken with constipation and went a week before basically giving birth again after suppositories,etc. Also, ask for lots of those fishnet panties (sexy) they give you to wear at hosp; you bleed so much that it is bound to get on your real underwear. Good Luck!
k. – I just read your post/comment and am weeping at work. What touching words of wisdom and advice. I’m newly engaged and have yet to start a family of my own, but will certainly carry your words with me.
Bailey – wishing all the best to you, Pete and GMcB.
Hi Bailey! I had two babies via C-section and really, IT’S NOT THAT BAD! The scheduled C is the best, because you’ll go in rested and strong, unlike those women who are rushed in after 24 hours of labor and pushing. It will be an incredible, magical, fascinating experience—even though it’s surgery. The energy in the room is just electric. I’d relive both of mine if I could!!
You’re in the hospital a few days longer with a C, so pack a few more comfy outfits—fresh clothes feel great. Makes sure your jammies or sweats are high waisted so they don’t rub your incision, which will be in an area they will actually have to shave if (like me) you just flat out gave up grooming at seven months—sorry, hubby. Also, pack those purple Crocs! While walking is a little uncomfortable at first, the nurses will encourage you to walk around the ward during your recovery to help get rid of the air that gets trapped after abdominal surgery. You’ll fart your way up and down the halls of the hospital for a few days. The glamor of motherhood never ceases.
And I completely agree with the ladies who say to request the girdle/binder thing—it gives you lots of support and helps make everything more comfortable.
I was climing the stairs on day four and actually attended a friend’s wedding 10 days after delivery! (Probably a bad idea in hindsight, but still a point of pride to this day.) The only rule I adhered to was the 2 week no-driving rule; too risky for all involved.
You’ll do great. My hospital offered me a V-bac with #2, but even a slight increased risk to my baby’s safety wasn’t worth the experience of natural childbirth for me. I have such incredibly beautiful memories of my first baby’s birth that I knew I could enjoy the experience of another C, too. To each, his own–whatever feels best to you!
Good luck!
If your doctor is good at them (at the sewing/stapling humpty back together part) then C Sections can be great! My first 8lb 2oz breach semi-toddler baby had to be carved out and I only remember one real pain. It was when I tries to use my stomach muscles to hoist my still large bod out of the bed on day 3 after having him. OUCH! Other than that, I think I actually had it made. My scar never looked bad, but talented “re-sewer” that my doc is, she cut the entire scar off during section #2 and folded and inverted the staples and now I have NO scar. Relax, at least you’ll still be vagtastically in tact right? And that will be more enjoyable and for longer!
I had 2 c-sections and a vbac. My second cs was scheduled, and one of the things that helped the most emotionally was that the doctors allowed me to nurse my daughter as they were sewing me up. My husband sat at my shoulder and held our daughter over my shoulder while she nursed (since you couldn’t hold her yourself; she’d be in the surgical field). I know Girly McBaby has medical issues that might make that difficult, but if they would let you, it was such a good bonding time and took my mind off the surgery.
I had unbelievable constipation with that cs because of the pain narcotics; in retrospect I would have taken the laxative wayyyy earlier.
High waisted pjs. Walk as much as you can. I found both times that the pain of the surgery was actually not terrible–what really hurt was the gas pain (one of the medicines given is to paralyze your bowels during surgery, and gas can get trapped in your bowels. The more you walk, the more your bowels work. FYI, if you have shoulder pain during the cs, its because trapped gas is pressing on a nerve that runs from your pelvis to your shoulder. I had that and no one would tell me what what it was, just “oh that’s normal.”)
forgot to say good luck
How exciting. I agree…choosing your daughters day to come into the world is weird. I had to do the same and just went with her due date. I scheduled my c-section but wound up going into labor the night before (water broke). I labored for 13 hours due to a horrible doctor on call who thought I could try but as expected, it wound up in a c-section.
The actual procedure was a breeze. I agree w/ the others about the constipation issue afterwards. Drink lots of water (maybe prune juice), take your stool softner. A few days after surgery, I was in the ladies room at midnigt, in tears b/c I couldn’t go. That pain was way worse! I wish I had been told that it would be that bad so that I would have been more serious about taking the stool softners.
Another thing that happened to me is that when I stopped taking my pain meds, I did it cold turkey not really thinking twice. Well, I had a reaction to that, shivering to death like I was in detox. So once it comes time, I suggest weening yourself off.
But really, I could not imagine having my little one any other way b/c I am a wimp. Recovery time…you feel more like yourself every passing week. I went back to work 6 weeks later and felt totally fine. A few weeks after that I did have random shooting pain, which I believe has something to do w/ your nerves that had been cut. I believe this is common – just wanted to mention it so you don’t worry.
9 months later I did have a 9 month bout of post-partum anxiety, which I won’t go into detail about, but it all got sorted out once I got back on birth control and got my hormones into alignment. Crazy you can experience those things so far after birth (up to a year after).
After it’s all over, you are going to wonder why you worried so much – I will tell you that much! Good luck!!!
Ok so I have a beautiful little boy who also had a planned delivery (induced but not a c-section) and just because its planned doesn’t make it any less exciting or any less special. When they are out all you care about is that they are finally here!
Bring only black cloths, a black nightgown, black comfy clothes, etc. I was a moron and brought all white thinking it would look beautiful and crisp and calming, yeah, none of the above when it has blood and spit-up and what ever other goop tends to get on you in hospitals (doesn’t hurt its slimming). Also bring your own pillow and put an amazingly beautiful pillow case on it, its going to be in all your photos and framing your face. And bring some makeup—i normally am not a big makeup person but I looked like hell all pale and puffy faced, even tinted moisturizer would have been beneficial. People will be snapping pictures left and right. I thought after having the baby i would have that natural glow…its bullshit those moms lied.
I know these were all very frivolous tips but you got a lot of good technical tips already.
Bailey,
It sounds like you are having a planned c-section whcih is totally different from an emergency c-section where you may be already tired of pushing for hours.
I had a planned c-section with both my kids, one in Miami and one here in Chicago.
It’s not as bad as people make it out to be.
You get there, they put in the IV. THat for me was the worst part since I have squirmy veins. Then you wait…
Then they wheel you in, have you bowl your back, the spinal feels like a quick pinch. Also fairly easy.
Very quickly after that you lose all sensation from the waist down.
They lift your gown, and they put in the catheter at that point. You feel like you know someone is touching you but you don’t actually feel it. You know that’s your body down there and you here them moving your legs, but again you don’t feel it.
Soon after they begin the surgery. It takes about 15 minutes.
Your baby will be born and once you hear the crying you will cry too.
Congrats. All your fears dissipate and you just want to hold the little bean forever.
Then you get wheeled to recovery, and you stay there for a while till you can wiggle your toes. Depending on the hospital, they may take your baby to another place for tests etc. or they may perform the tests in the room with you there.
PS you may feel slightly nauseous from the anesthesia although I hope it doesn’t happen to you. It didn’t happen to me.
Then within like 12 hours, they have you stand up. That first time you stand up, hurts. BUt you NEED to walk around. You need to get up and do as the nurses say. The more you walk, the easier it gets.
The next day, I recommend you taking a shower as soon as you get the ok. You will have your catheter removed probably the next day. It’s a quick kind of uncomfortable process, but the least of your worries.
Anyway, take ashower, and make sure you walk around thehospital floor. Walk, slowly, but walk.
You will probably not be able to poop for a couple of days, but when they tell you you gotta, you gotta try!!!
your incision will NOT open by you trying. i know it feels that way, but it won’t. I promise.
When you get home, avoid steps at all cost. Do NOT lift anything but your baby.
It will tug at your incision, which can delay healing, whcih you don’t want. You want it to heal quickly and pretty.
You can’t drive for a couple of weeks, but I am sure people will be around to take you where you need to go.
Ok so other things….
Bring large granny comfy underwear. You will be bleeding from your v, and will be forced to wear an enormous pad.
Bring comfy pjs and comfy clothes.
Wear makeup and have your nails done. Take your hairdryer. I know primping made me feel tons better.
Oh and one more thing, ask for an abdominal binder at the hospital and wear it as much as you can for those 6 weeks post partum. It will give you back support and also force you to engage your abdominal muscles, which will make your tummy start flattening faster a la belly bandit. Google it.
Good luck!! you are gonna be a fab mommy
Hey, it’s me again. Just wanted to drop you a note after my c-section on the 23rd (pictures of my new babe on my blog, btw). I opted to have the surgery without the morphine this time because last time I itched for 48 hours, and the shot they give you to stop the itching is Nubane, which is what they give heroin users who have OD’d. So creepy. Not having the morphine reduced my itching by 90%, so if you think you might be allergic (a lot of people are), that’s an option. Then you have to handle the pain as it comes, opting for narcotics or not. I took narcotics off and on for the first 48 hours but really, they just made me itch and the Motrin was helping me with the pain more than anything. If you do this, just make sure your doctor does not order extra Pitocin beyond what they give you in the OR or it’s torture. I left the hospital without any prescriptions and have been taking Advil for 10 days now, and I’m weaning off. Not gonna lie, it was a rough 7 days, but after that I was back to snuggling with my toddler, no longer afraid he would accidentally hurt me. Good luck to you!
I too had a planned c-section for totally different reasons. It is honestly no big deal. I took the pain meds in the hospital whenever it was time. I was out of bed the next day with some help, but by day three I was walking and anxious to go home. Do drink tons of water to kee p the bowels going
. I had given up caffeine while pregnant and felt great, but man how I love dr. Pepper. I had a dr pepper the next afternoon and the plumbing was fine. I was vacuuming and driving all within a week. I loved being pregnant, I had an awesome delivery and have a easy going toddler now. Congratulations! Enjoy every single wonderful moment. Babies are just the greatest