Guide to having a great C-section experience in Ottawa
Whether you planned a C-section from the beginning of your pregnancy or this is an unexpected twist, there are many ways you can rock your C-section in Ottawa! Here are some tips to help make the C-section process as smooth as possible!
With a C-section, you absolutely can (and should!) make a birth plan & ask your doctor how to best prepare
I have not only supported multiple cesareans, but I’m also a cesarean mom myself! The photo in this post is from a Cesarean I attended in March 2020 of twin boys!
You don’t have to scrap a birth plan if you have a C-section. Here are a few things to consider in your birth plan (whether you type it up or just keep a rough draft in the notes app on your phone):
Decide who you would like to be present in the operating room (OR) with you. This may include your partner, a close friend, or a Doula. You may also want to ask your doctor or nurse about their policies on the number of support people allowed into the OR.
Think about what kind of pain management you want during the surgery. You may be given the option of receiving an epidural or spinal block. If no one mentions this to you, you can absolutely ask about it. Use BRAIN to help you make a list of questions to ask.
This is a big one! Consider your preferences for after birth. Would you like to immediately bond with your baby skin-to-skin? Would you prefer that your partner cut the cord? Does your hospital offer a clear drape so you can see your baby from the moment when they are born?
Making these decisions ahead of time can help to make the experience more positive for everyone involved!
There are some unique things you should consider bringing to the hospital for your C-section.
In addition to the typical things you’ll want to bring to the hospital (like your own snacks, overnight bag, etc.) There are a few things that will be helpful during your recovery from surgery and during the extra few days you are in the hospital.
High-waisted pajamas/pants (to keep your waistband off your incision) or nightgowns without bottoms.
Extra pillows to stay propped up and as comfortable as possible post-op.
Lose fitting clothes and sandals (even in the winter) because chances are your feet will be swollen for a few days.
As a C-section mom myself, I’ve learned a couple of tips that will help your recovery process!
Don’t try to do too much too soon! Plan on a solid 6-8 weeks for recovery. Ask friends and family to help as much as possible during that time - I know that can be tough to ask for help, but it’s so important for your recovery. Things like household tasks, grocery shopping, and cooking dinner are all things someone else should be doing for you while you recover.
Prepare your home! I would recommend getting everything you need for recovery before the baby arrives. This includes big items like a comfy couch or recliner to spend time in and lots of pillows for support, as well as smaller items like padsicles (frozen pads that offer soothing relief) and a peri bottle for post-birth care.
Make sure everything you’ll need for yourself and your baby is within your arm’s reach. Many baby stores sell little caddies that are helpful to keep your bedside table organized with things like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, etc.
Stock your freezer with easy-to-prep meals or pre-cooked meals that you can put in the oven, so you don’t have to cook for a while :)
Listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right, or you're in pain, don't hesitate to call your care provider!
Can I have a birth photographer if I’m having a C-section?
Sometimes moms think that if they’re having a C-section, they can’t have a birth photographer. That’s not true! There are a lot of reasons birth photography is great for C-section moms. One of those reasons is that because of the extra medications, it might be harder for you to remember those first few hours postpartum. Photos will help bring those moments that are tough to remember back to light! Talk to your doctor about if they can help you make that happen!
You can have an empowering birth experience with a C-section! And I hope this blog post showed you that there are plenty of things you can do to make your C-section feel more like "you."
By planning ahead and packing the right items for your hospital stay, you'll be ready to take on recovery like a boss.
And if you have any questions or concerns along the way, never hesitate to reach out to other moms who've been through it before. A great way to do that is to join ICAN of Ottawa on Facebook! We're all in this together, mamas!