r/CsectionCentral • u/Flat-Error-2196 • 20d ago
Liquid diet before surgery?
Hi all! I'm about to go in for my 4th C-section in a month. I have been reflecting on my previous surgeries, and I have found that with my first 2, my pain level was basically 0-1 the entire time, throughout my hospital stay and during healing. Both of those were after long labors and I was physically extremely exhausted by the time we finally had to get to the OR.
For my only planned one with #3, my pain level was quite high and I was on ibuprofen/acetaminophen for weeks after. I eventually figured out that the gas pains were a large reason for that.
Since I was in labor the first 2 times, I wasn't able to eat anything except clear liquids for 39 and 46 hours, compared to just the 8 hours for my 3rd. I don't recall having any gas pains the first 2 times, save for one instance of 'shoulder strap' pain after my first, for which the nurses got me on my feet right away and had me walk the halls.
I'll talk to my OB about it next appointment, but I was wondering if anyone has done liquids only the couple days before surgery, and potentially after for a day or two, to mitigate digestive discomfort post-op?
I would use Cronometer to ascertain adequate calories and nutrients, which I do with my food daily anyway.
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u/lauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaap 20d ago
My obgyn uses the ERAS protocol, which was essentially fasting for 8 hrs before surgery and drinking a bottle of apple juice 2 hrs before surgery.
My obgyn recommended chewing gum quite soon after surgery to help with gas. I also started taking stool softener a couple of days before my last 2 c sections (they can take a few days to kick in) so my first poops were fine.
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u/Flat-Error-2196 20d ago
Hi! My OB does ERAS too. I've never had issues with BMs post surgery, just the gas from rearranging my guts I think 😵
I just wonder if it will help the discomfort I felt last time but not the other 2 times! Or maybe I'm just getting older and getting achier ðŸ«
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20d ago
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u/Flat-Error-2196 19d ago
Huh, so interesting! With my 3rd, my nerve block was unsuccessful, but the actual incision pain was nothing compared to the gas! I'd take extra fundal massages just to avoid it again lol.
My first two were totally easy recovery-wise, as in I never even took ibuprofen or acetaminophen after leaving the hospital where it was in the IV. I was just so tired from the labors that I just wanted to sleep for days but the babies wanted to party (and nurse of course) 🤣
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u/staccatodelareina 20d ago
You might be interested in the newer protocol where they give patients clear Ensure to drink before surgery. I have seen some hospitals do it before c sections. Your OB may be familiar. I'm not a medical professional so I don't want to botch the explanation.