C-Section Journey & Postpartum

I will share with you some of the things that really helped me while recovering from a major abdominal surgery.

Cesarean delivery also known as C-Section is consider one of the most major surgeries to perform but is less talked about. This procedure is used to deliver one or more babies through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. It may be a planned one or one that falls into an emergency procedure, either way it is a tough road ahead for some mamas out there. Some reason a mother may go into C-Section is the baby may be too big to pass through the birth canal, baby is breeched or baby's heart rate is slowing down. There are many other reasons out there, what some mama's may be worried about taking this route is mainly the recovery part, as the anesthesia slowly fades it starts to get real (as some would say). In the end, YOUR BABY is rewarding.

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What to expect before procedure?

Now before I begin I want to clarify, that what I'm about to go over with you I am speaking on behalf of my own experience... which means that you may not experience the same but just to keep your mind open about. I'm not here to suck away your confidence with your birth or rub it in your face about my recovery if you had it hard.. I'm here to share MY OWN STORY, and obviously you're here to LISTEN or I should say read about it.

Anyway, what to expect is not to expect anything. I went in there expecting so much things to happen... and I'm talking about every bad situation possible that could happen, which I wish I didn't do because all my energy was gone by the time baby came out. I guess you could say I was on a really bad adrenaline rush and I could feel my eyes wandering around the room, waiting to hear my baby cry, even feeling out every little thing thinking that the anesthesia worn off and worried that I would feel myself cut open. I remember telling myself over and over again " just take steady breaths. you have an amazing team in here with you and you are in great hands."

Preparing to start

I remember being wheeled into the OR with my back facing everyone, I didn't even get the chance to look around the room and who was in there. I was being assisted by one of the nurses in there to get me up onto the table to get the spinal blocker that's when my water broke. I honestly didn't feel the needles poking me except for one spot, this spot had been bothering me since I was pregnant but it was some what a painful relief. Then I was asked to lay down and again they helped me because in an instant I was numbed.

Next thing I remember was the anesthesiologist asking if I was ready to meet baby and that he was going to give me drugs to make me feel a little loopy. I also remember asking him to hold my hand until they would let my boyfriend into the room because I was so nervous yet scared and excited all at the same time. Seconds later my boyfriend was let in and all I heard was "lets begin!" at that moment I said OMG it's HAPPENING! About 20-25 mins into the procedure what felt like hours they said he was right there about to come out.

Instead of feeling tugging my doctor was literally pressing what felt like my ribs and I was screaming because my rib area wasn't numb, it felt like someone stepping on me to get baby out. But within seconds they said he's out and I freaked out because I heard that babies come out screaming and crying but he was so quiet. My doctor reassured me and said " he's out but giving me a dirty look" and I could hear everyone laughing and saying that he's so aware of his surroundings. He was brought to me immediately for skin to skin then put onto the warmer where he then started crying.

Baby came out to be 8lbs 12oz 22 inches long

Road to recovery

The first week was probably the hardest part of the recovery. I felt so discombobulated and for my first surgery ever I didn't know what to expect at all. I struggled with getting in and out of bed, going to the bathroom, showering alone and enduring car rides... those little bumps in the road were crucial, especially those turns. I went back to my OB about a week later to remove my bandage, this appointment had me worried knowing it was so close to my incision.

As weeks went by I reflected on what I had to figure out what best for me to help with my recovery and here are some things I suggest as well as some tips:

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1. GET A COUPLE OF EXTRA HANDS TO HELP WITH BABY

2. High rise undies and pants, nothing TIGHT because it could get really uncomfortable.

3. A postpartum Belly wrap C-Section panty belly band. I personally love this product!

4. Keep a small table or chair by your bedside, that helps prevent from getting in and out of bed... especially when it comes time to change baby diapers or taking your pain meds

5. Pregnancy tank tops ( for my it felt like support on my belly especially when my tummy was still swollen )

6. GET UP AND GET MOVING. But if you're in COMPLETE pain and it's totally undoable than please by all means DON'T! You know you're body, but I suggest trying to get yourself up and moving around at least once a day. Just do a little walk to the kitchen or living room and back don't over do it. Once you get comfortable, take a step outside... the sun and outdoors really help and it can help prevent depression too.

So far, those were my main suggestions that I kept in mind while recovering. I'm now 4 months postpartum and my scar does hurt a little here and there, but I'm back to work and slowly starting to work out again with caution.

It's a long journey still to be back doing what I use, but for now I'll just be thankful that I am out of bed. Before I even gave birth I thought I would be suffering for months, I gave my full trust in god in my recovery and just took it day-by-day. It was hard being so impatient, but it was well worth it.

YOU GOT THIS MAMA!