Christina Hammond is a freelancer, with a busy schedule, on Essence she shares her experience with c-section and tips on how to prepare and recover quickly from it, especially those who didn’t plan to have one. She believes there isn’t enough information about this
“I have what doctors call a bicornuate uterus. This means that my uterus is split and somewhat heart-shaped. A woman with my condition has a high chance of miscarriage and going into preterm labor. By the grace of God, I was able to go full term. A woman with a bicornuate uterus is also more likely to deliver via C-section, which turned out to be my only option. OKy little one remained breached the entire pregnancy, so I mentally prepared to have major surgery. Three years prior to that, I had to have my left ovary removed. Because my recovery was a speedy one, I believed the C-section recovery would be similar.
On Accepting All The Help You Need
Because I am so used to doing everything myself, it was hard for me to accept that I needed help the first few weeks post-surgery. I had a very vulnerable moment in the hospital when my mom and beloved had to help me use the bathroom and shower. While I was determined to do it myself, I couldn’t. If you have the help, take advantage. This could be from family, loved ones or even the nurses in the Labor and Delivery department.
On not Forgetting to Eat And Hydrate
As a new mom, your new priority becomes the blessing you just gave birth to. Because newborns tend to keep you up, it’s very easy to forget to eat and hydrate. Remember you can only give your best if you take care of yourself. For moms who are breastfeeding, your newborn depends on you to eat properly and drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day (this also depends on your body weight, but 50-64 ounces per day is a good place to start). Trust me, you’ll feel a lot better and so will your newborn.
Take the Prescribed Medication
Before I left the hospital, I was moving great. I thought it was because mentally I pushed myself to be fine. Little did I know, it was the pain medication. Upon returning home, I couldn’t get the medication due to a late evening release from the hospital. The next morning when I woke up, my body was in a pain I couldn’t explain. That’s why I highly recommend taking the prescribed medicine, but not the oxycodone if you don’t have to.
You Don’t Know Everything (And That’s Ok)
This tip is for first time moms. I can honestly say I had no idea what to expect. You get advice and hear stories from other moms, but nothing can fully prepare you for YOUR journey as a mom. Every child is different, therefore your experience as a mom will be, too. Even though experiences can vary, there are books and blogs that can help you navigate through this. When all else fails, your hospital’s Labor and Delivery department is open 24 hours a day. Feel to call them or your pediatrician.
It’s OK To Cry
Postpartum is real. There are different levels, but we all go through it. Most hospitals will provide information on people you can speak to about what you’re going through. Depending on your level of postpartum, talking to loved ones or journaling can be just as helpful. Most importantly, it’s ok to cry (see tip #4).
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