Questions about a c-section?

Ok i am going to have a c-section on June 19th and have a few questions....





Will i have stiches that dissolve or staples that are taken out before i leave or will they stay in?





can you take a bath or get into a personal swimming pool after you have a c-section?





How long before you can drive after a c-section?





Bleeding after a c-section? Do you bleed for days or weeks?





Do they put the cathader in before or after you a numb and when do they remove it? (Will they wait til after you are numbed b/c i had one before and it was soooo painful and was burning for 2 days straight ann on the 3rd day i was losing my mind...I was in ICU for a week because of a health issue)


If anyone would like to share what it was like for them to have a c-section i would love it! I am so nervous and scared...

Questions about a c-section?
Catheter before the anesthesia





6 weeks before you can drive





Stitches and staples depends on the doctor. I had staples twice and glue the last time





swimming pool no





bleeding depends. I only bled for about 2 weeks with all 3 c-sections.
Reply:Depends on what your OB prefers..could be staples that dissolve, staples that need to be removed, or glue.





No baths or swimming pools for at least 6 weeks..til the incision heals. Showers only.





6 weeks to drive as this is considered MAJOR surgery.





I bled for around 3 weeks...then nothing due to breastfeeding.





Catheter goes in AFTER the spinal block usually, again up to the staff, comes out after you regain your feeling.
Reply:You will have both stiched and staples. I don't know about baths, but I took showers in the hospital. I drove right after I got out of the hospital. You will bleed for 4-6 weeks afterward. I had a cathader but I was put to sleep so I not sure about an epidural and my cath came out the next day once I was alloed out of bed.





I was scarred out of my mind, but my was an emegnancy and daddy wasn't even there yet. But afterwords it wasn't too bad except for the coughing, that hurts like he!!, they will give you a pillow to hold to make it easier but it don't work!





if you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me!
Reply:1) I had stitches that Dissolved. I think that really depends on your doc, an what he uses.





2) Showers are best.





3) 4-6 weeks , your reaction time does slow a bit, so thats for safety.





4) I bleed for about 2 weeks with my c-section, But each woman is different !





5)my cathader was put in while I was numb , an Being removed that depends on you an how well you heal. I had mine in for just 24 hours. But again each woman is different.





Please feel free to e-mail me if you want to I'll try my best to help ya , I was freaked out when I heard I had to have c-section too. Over all it was not a bad experience.
Reply:Your doctor will determine whether you get staples or stitches. This is usually decided on how your skin is. I have had both. I had dissolving stitches with my first c-section because there were no scar tissue. But, with my second c-section I got the staples because of the scar tissue that developed from my 1st c-section. The dissolving stitches will, of course, dissolve and your doctor will look at them at your check up appt. The staples hurt a little getting them taken out about 6 weeks after my c-section. Your doctor will give you instructions at the hospital regarding caring and cleaning your new "badge of honor" ( your c-section scar). You need to ask your doctor about the bathing and swimming.....every doctor is has a different opinion regarding this. I did not take a bath ( I did shower) or swim until my 6 week check up with my obgyn and he okayed it. You can usually drive within a few days to 2 weeks after surgery depending on how much pain you are in. I drove around 2 weeks after my c-section. I did have a period 2 weeks after my c-section and it was heavy. And, it did last for 2 weeks. However, if you are breastfeeding you may not get period until you stop breastfeeding. And, they numb you first before placing the cathader in you.....you do not feel a thing. They remove it usually within 24-48 hours of having the c-section and you must pee at least twice before coming home to make sure that everything is okay. Please make sure that you have help for at least 2 weeks to help you with the baby. You will be sooo sore and will need help getting around....and, get lots of sleep....sleep when the baby sleeps!
Reply:I had staples both times. They were taken out in the hospital and replaced with butterfly tabs for two weeks.





Showers until your doc. says otherwise.





I drove to my two wk check-up. I didn't feel like running around, so I didn't drive much.





First c-sec. bled for five weeks, then had the heaviest period a week later. (I also had twins) Second, bled for 4 weeks. Didn't have a period for 5 months. (breastfeeding)





The nurses wanted to give me the cath first. I said no, so they waited.





I am a big chicken, so I understand. I had them give me a local shot before they put the IV in. My doctor made fun of me, but I'm glad I did it. My sister had to have hers done more than once. I didn't want a c-section, but it wasn't bad. All I wanted to do was sleep the first time, and the second I was wide awake. I have had both and epideral and spinal. I liked the spinal block better. And you can ask for a sedative. They didn't give it to me until I was in the OR, but then I got a warm sensation and could finally calm down. I didn't need pain medicine once I got home. Just moved a little slow for a couple of weeks.





Good Luck! You'll be fine!!!
Reply:Im sorry to inform you they put the cathader in before they numb you, I begged my doctor to put it in after... but he said he couldnt do it... but ofcourse i was put all the way asleep if your not being put to sleep they can probably do it after they numb you... and as for bleeding... I bleed for weeks, I was told that I wouldnt bleed as much by having a c-section but I did, I bled bad. You cant drive for 6 weeks after you have a c-section or sooner if your doctor releases you. I had the dissolving stitches but my friend had the staples so i think it just depends on your doctor. As for the bath or swimming pool, I really dont know but I would say no b/c I would think of infections but it would probably be best to ask your doctor on that one... I hope this helped...


oh and not to scare you, just to warn you... do not lift anything heavy or try to move furniture around for at least 6 weeks... when my mom had my brother she was being crazy and moved some furniture around 4 weeks post partum and she actually busted her stitches and there was nothing the doctors could do... it was nasty...