What I Wish I Knew Before My First C-Section

Just a few weeks ago, I had my second C-section and it made me think of the things I wish I would have known before my first C-section.

Pregnant Moms here are things I wish I knew before my first c-section! #birth #pregnancy #csection

First Baby {Birth Story}

When I was pregnant with my first baby, like most pregnant women I didn’t want to consider even the possibility of having a C-section.

My Birth plan included a water birth at a birth center with no pain medications or medical intervention.

Instead, I was 9 days overdue when I was induced. 30 hours after being induced, I was fully dilated and effaced but each time I would push the baby’s heart rate would drop and he didn’t move.

It was time to have a C-section.

Having a C-section was not in my plan but after trying to have a vaginal birth the C-section was necessary for his safe delivery.

Since having this unexpected twist to my little man’s birth I really wish I would have done some research about C-sections.

I would have felt more confident with a little more knowledge about what to expect during a C-section. (Read the full birth story and my disappointment after giving birth here.)

What I wish I knew before my C-Section

#1 Ask What Options the Hospital Has

Even with a C-section, many hospitals have options to make the birth more personal, if neither the baby or mother are in danger.

The hospital I delivered at will let you watch the birth, do skin-on-skin in the operating room, and have the baby with you in the recovery room.

I was lucky that even though I didn’t know any of these options were available my midwife did. With my son, I was able to do skin-to-skin while in the recovery room. (My daughter’s birth I was a lot more involved.)

#2 Ask for a Belly Binder

After the little man’s birth, I would hug a pillow anytime I had to get out of bed. With my daughter (second C-section) the nurse offered me a belly binder. The Belly Binder is AMAZING!

#3 Bleeding

After both of my C-sections, I had a lot less bleeding than I was expecting. But anytime I overdid it (carried my 9lb. baby down the stairs) I started spotting again.

#4 Don’t Overdo it

Apparently during the first 6 weeks or so carrying a large baby for very long was overdoing it for me.

#5 Don’t try to be brave – take the pain medication

After my first C-section, I tried to be brave and skipped taking meds for a few hours (about 3 days after the surgery) and it was not a good idea. It takes a lot more work to manage the pain if you don’t stay up on the pain medications.

With both of my Cesareans, I did try to get off the pain medications as quickly as possible. Once I came home from the hospital I found that I was able to just take Tylenol to manage the pain.

#6 It’s OKAY

Sometimes it can be hard to deal with the fact that a c-section was necessary. I was planning to have a totally natural birth but that didn’t end up happening and it’s okay. Both the baby and I were healthy and that is all that really matters.

I am not a medical professional just a mom that has had a couple of C-sections be sure to talk to your medical provider and listen to their advice over anything you find on the internet.