Since having Layla via scheduled c-section in 2021, I’ve had several friends ask for my thoughts, experience, and any tips or tricks for things I might do differently if I needed another c-section! It goes without saying that your experience could be totally different from mine, your birthing center have different policies, or you may have different circumstances – I’m by no means a medical professional, but hopefully you find a few of these bullet points helpful!

Before the Hospital

• PRE-REGISTER WITH THE HOSPITAL! Since many c-sections are scheduled for first thing in the morning, and they want you there several hours early to prep, pre-registering with the hospital and completing paperwork beforehand saved us time and stress the morning of!
• The night before or the morning of, take a shower and don’t put on any lotions after so your skin is clean and prepped for surgery; they might give you a special pre-op soap to use
• You may be asked to trim/shave the area where the incision will be (honestly, I forgot so they just did it for me at the hospital)
• For my 2021 c-section, I was instructed to fast starting at midnight the night before but for my 2023 c-section, they provided a special pre-op carb drink, so just be aware of expectations and policies and know they may change over time as we gain knowledge!

At the Hospital, Pre-Op and Surgery

• You’ll be prepped – gown, fluids, monitors, etc – and your support person will put on their bunny suit in the recovery room you’ll be in for the remainder of your stay
• You and your support person will be able to walk together to the operating room – your support person will wait in a chair outside the room and you will go in and get set up and get the spinal
• Personally, I did NOT like the feeling of not being able to move my legs with the spinal, but honestly I think it’s just because I wasn’t expecting it/didn’t put much thought into it? I felt zero pain but some light “tugging” as the team operated and an immediate relief and “empty” feeling and could tell right when she came out *cue uncontrollable crying*
• Just like L&D, you can bring a small bluetooth speaker and play whatever music you want, and it was helpful to block out some of the other distracting noises
  • Jon’s Partner Tip: If you want to have a bluetooth speaker to play music, have it ready to go while you’re waiting outside the OR, once they bring dad/partner in they are literally ready to make the incision and it surprised Jon how quickly it all happened and there wasn’t any time to scroll for songs once we were in there! (if there’s a specific song you want, just put it on repeat because it’s literally a seven minute ordeal)
• We gave one of the midwives my phone with the Lock Screen turned off to take photos and videos and she did amazing!

At the Hospital, Post-Op and Recovery

• I was more worried about the catheter than the actual surgery – or more specifically, it hurting when being removed. It was easier than a pinch and I felt so silly for worrying (and you don’t feel it going in because you already have the spinal)
• You still bleed like you do with a vaginal birth! Which again maybe I was a little naive in the thought that “I didn’t have a vaginal birth, why would it bleed, right?”
  • DO make sure you have some diapers/pads ready for when you go home postpartum, but you won’t need things like the ice packs or tucks for padsicles
• In the hospital I planned not to wash my hair – raising my arms overhead to put my hair up was fine, but having them overhead for an extended period to wash would’ve been uncomfortable
• I still showered like normal and kept my back to the water so it only lightly went over my front/incision and didn’t allow any body washes or lotions near the incision
• I wore my super loose PJ bottoms that can be high waisted so I didn’t have any waistbands or seams around the incision (and of course my fabulous postpartum diapers)
• The hospital provided a belly band for compression after surgery and had basic instructions for how to wear it – it is made to help with post-op swelling, etc. for the first few days and is NOT a long term shapewear garment
• Bring a small pillow or stuffed animal that you can “hug” for core support for coughing/sneezing or anything that causes a sudden core contraction. It can be uncomfortable and feels better to brace yourself! I also placed it on my belly between the seatbelt for the car ride home
• When going from laying to sitting, turn on your side and use your arms to push yourself up or log roll off the bed to put the least amount of pressure on your core. In the hospital take advantage of the automated bed!

At Home, Postpartum

• Some things my midwife suggested:
  • Avoid driving the first 2 weeks
  • No house cleaning (specifically vacuuming because of core motion…or was she trying to save my new mom sanity? We’ll never know)
  • For a lot of people saying “don’t take the stairs” isn’t realistic, so just take stairs slowly because your balance can be off with no more pregnant belly
  • Minimal lifting beyond picking up baby
  • Overall, really taking it easy with anything that could be a jerking movement or would cause you to brace/engage your core
• Instead of the 6 week postpartum appointment, you have one at 2 weeks to check on how your incision is healing. Depending on your practice, you may still have a 6 week followup…at this 2 weeks appointment you might be cleared to resume bedroom activities if you don’t have complications. Even though you don’t need anyone else’s permission, I’ll say it anyways: it’s OKAY if you’re not ready!
• You may notice physical changes as the scar heals that would be worth speaking to your midwife about like numbness or pain around the scar, the scar being raised, etc. There are lots of options to help with scar issues or discomfort, just loop in your midwife or doctor and make sure you’re giving yourself time to heal!
  • My scar was slightly raised in some areas and there is a steroid shot that will help it “lay flat” that is common and covered by insurance if I want it
• My practice suggested avoiding direct core exercise for at least four to six weeks, but I could reconnect with my core through breath work and do some gentle walking almost immediately (did I do this right away with a newborn? Nope! But it’s never too late to start!)
• My surgery and recovery felt SO good! I think because I took it really easy the first week and didn’t try to “push through it” or be a hero and do too much too soon. This allowed me to ultimately heal faster because I wasn’t fighting those setbacks. Keep in mind this was my first baby so this may not be as realistic if you have toddlers or other babies at home, in which case I would say make sure you have help lined up for that first week home if possible!