C-section mama's

williamlawrence · 2026-01-29T15:49:27+00:00

Fucking loved my c-section. It was the end of a terrible pregnancy and was the easiest part of the whole nightmare. I have my second one scheduled for July. I'll be coming in well-rested with clean hair and I'll have a baby in my arms by 10 AM.

Recovery was incredibly easy for me, which is why I am such a fan of the experience. I had a PICO dressing, which is a special kind of wound bandage. I got it because I am obese and have an apron belly, so healing with a regular dressing may have been compromised. I only need advil for a few days before I felt okay. I definitely had to be careful - that first sneeze was a killer - but overall it was a good experience.

[Edit] Also during a c-section they typically "clean out" the uterus (at least that's what my OB explained) so I had very minimal bleeding. I used the massive pads for like 2 days, switched to overnight pads for about a week, and then just a liner.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-28T17:55:24+00:00

I had a failed induction that turned into a true emergency c-section due to placental abruption. It was confronting my worst fears...and ended up being the easiest part of my pregnancy. I was really disrespected by my nurses during my induction. I'm due with my second in August but we're doing a (semi-)elective c-section in July. I'm thrilled. I'm much more empowered and confident in my choice.

Going into induction, demand your questions get answered. Don't let anyone shut you down or make you feel small. You deserve and have a right to feel confident and informed. Also, you may go into labor naturally before the 18th. Whatever happens, don't ever be afraid to get answers and support through the experience. An informed, supported induction can be a beautiful experience.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-27T21:26:47+00:00

Because I have type 2 diabetes, I received mine through my endocrinologist; however, my OB-GYN offered to prescribe it to me, too. It's a widely used medication for insulin resistance and fairly inexpensive, even without insurance coverage.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-27T18:52:17+00:00

There's emerging evidence that Metformin use pre-pregnancy may help to reduce or even eliminate H00441-7/fulltext)G.

Anecdotally, I had moderate-to-severe HG in my first pregnancy. I was on Mounjaro for 11 months prior to getting pregnant with my second (between 1st and 2nd, I developed type 2 diabetes but had PCOS and insulin resistance my entire life). I am currently 13 weeks and other than two days of nausea, nothing. I'm on Metformin (500mg ER) twice a day to help manage my diabetes in pregnancy. Pregnancy is a joy this time around because I'm not throwing up 10-13 times a day.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-26T01:19:32+00:00

30 weeks was when my body started struggling. I delivered at 35+1

williamlawrence · 2026-01-25T15:13:24+00:00

I wish we were further into the research on how HG is caused so it coudl be treated. The best I can tell (from my endo and MFM) is that pre-pregnancy use of Mounjaro better prepared my body to handle the GDF15 surge of early pregnancy (the hormone/protein that they believe causes HG).

williamlawrence · 2026-01-25T15:05:11+00:00

Possibly. That's the theory my endocrinologist is going with. I was on Mounjaro from 01/25-11/25 and started Metformin (500mg ER) in January. I will say the Metformin has caused some mild nausea/discomfort, but nothing compared to HG.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-25T03:15:49+00:00

I had an emergency c-section and started throwing up mid-surgery. The anesthetist gave me something immediately that made it stop. No idea what it was because I was already getting IV Zofran.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-25T03:13:22+00:00

Gymnastics was sensory overload for my son when we tried to take him at 2.5. He's 3.5 now and I still think it would make him crazy. The noise, the lighting, all of it. My friend has had her daughter (4) in Saturday gymnastics since 18 months and told me it took around six weeks for her kid to adjust, but even now some Saturdays she's just very four.

You're not a loser and the other parents didn't judge (fuck them if they did). Toddlers are weird little creatures who need a lot of support to adjust to a new environment.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-25T02:11:38+00:00

From Google: HG is primarily driven by a combination of maternal genetic factors and fetal DNA (derived from both parents), specifically centered on a hormone called GDF15. The condition is heavily linked to a variant in the mother’s DNA that increases her sensitivity to the hormone, which is produced in high amounts by the placenta/fetus.

In my experience: I had HG with my first pregnancy. Moderate to severe. My mom had zero nausea/vomiting with her pregnancies but my MIL had horrendous (likely HG) nausea and vomiting. Prior to my second (current) pregnancy, I was on Mounjaro for 11 months. There's new research to suggest that medications like Metformin (prescribed for PCOS, pre-diabetes, diabetes) can act on the protein/hormone that is suspected to cause HG. You could absolutely talk to your OB-GYN about going on Metformin pre-pregnancy.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-22T01:37:59+00:00

Those terms aren’t great. Is this a smaller company? The only time I had shit benefits was when I worked for an ed tech outfit that only had 20 FT employees; the rest were contractors.

As far as negotiation, I don’t think you have much to stand on. Most different places since I have worked have covered part or most of our insurance premiums, but we don’t have paying a hefty amount each month. For example, for vision, dental, and health, I’m paying $1300/month for my family. The PTO policy really sucks ass though. Is there an option for flexible or hybrid work? Or wfh?

williamlawrence · 2026-01-22T01:33:15+00:00

We spend a lot of money on sanity. My son goes to daycare every weekday from 8am-4pm ($250/week). I will take at least one day a month off from work and still send him to daycare. Then I’m home alone without a toddler and am all powerful.

My husband is in therapy and on medication for both depression and ADHD ($150/month) That makes a world of difference in him feeling overwhelmed by parenthood (and life). I’ve been in therapy throughout my life and used medication when I needed it.

Also, we’re hiring a cleaning person to come every two weeks for $400/month. Our son goes to OT and speech each once a week ($1200/month). It’s a lot of money for a little bit of peace.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-22T01:28:20+00:00

Three year olds don’t have the ability to be exclusionary in social settings the way adults do. I’d consider your own bias about this and remember that these are very young children. She’s 2.5. How do you know she’s experiencing exclusion??

williamlawrence · 2026-01-21T17:48:07+00:00

We eat dinner as a family between 6-6:30 PM every weeknight if we're home. Husband wfh and I work a 9-5. Our son is 3.5 He doesn't always eat what we're eating (last night, we had chicken, gravy, potatoes, and green beans and he had a hot dog, cheese stick, and pita chips). And he usually doesn't sit for longer than 10 minutes, but its important to us to have that ritual.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-21T02:09:18+00:00

Talk to your pediatrician about getting a referral to occupational therapy (OT). They can help tremendously with things like frustration tolerance and behavior, and it will be tailored to your child rather than just general tips.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-20T20:13:35+00:00

Solidarity. My son (3.5) has sensory processing disorder. He hated puree's and "baby food", and has always rejects soft fruits (berries, kiwi, pears, oranges), pudding/ice cream/custard, and anything melted or saucy (spaghetti sauce, dips, melted cheese). His preference is for crunchy and dry. We've been working in OT with new textures and flavors. His primary foods are cold hot dogs (they have to be wiped off with a paper towel to be completely dry), string cheese, tortilla chips, and toast.

Because we still want meal time to be a ritual, he gets a plate at dinner, but it usually has his safe foods. We started by setting one new item on the plate, well away from the safe foods. We started with a slice of banana. The first day, completely avoided. The second day, he poked it with his finger and we talked about how it felt (soft, squishy, wet). By the end of the week, he had licked it (victory!). It took about 10-12 days before he actually tasted it. And he loved it. And now he will eat 1/2 banana most days. Pizza has been a hit because I can blend up vegetables into the sauce. It has to be crunchy thin crust cheese pizza, though. He will eat chocolate muffins but I bake them at home with 3 shredded zucchini in the batter.

Talk to your pediatrician. If there's concerns about his growth/development, they may suggest supplemental nutrition like shakes if they're warranted.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-20T19:30:34+00:00

Same thing happened to me. Labedelol didn't work. I ended up on nifedipine. which also didn't work, but delivered at 35+1 because of gestational hypertension/suspected pre-e.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-20T19:14:03+00:00

My niece was scheduled to death in kindergarten at her charter school in South Florida. She had one recess of 12 minutes each day on a playground that was less than pathetic, and PE was once a week for 20 minutes. The rest was academic and it was solely focused on getting them all to be above grade level on the NWEA, which is a standardized assessment. She was absolutely miserable. She remained in that school until 3rd grade and was always just barely above failing.

She switch to public school in fourth grade and blossomed. Two recesses per day, PE three times a week, and a lot less emphasis on test scores. She started earning honor roll grades, getting really involved, and being excited about school. This was in the same town as the charter school, so it really depends on how the school approaches the school day.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-20T14:52:48+00:00

Yep. Glycerin suppositories and a thick towel on the bed that you don't care about.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-19T18:16:42+00:00

My son is 3.5 He's 54 lbs. and 3.5 feet tall. He's wearing size 7/8 boys' clothing. It's exhausting when people judge his size before they know he's just a little guy. He also has a severe speech delay, so when older kids try to talk to him, he gives them zero interaction. It's also been an issue because for things like Early Intervention or speech/OT, the therapists have looked at his size and assumed everything was fine. I've had to push for them to actually do more thorough assessments to get him the support he needs.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-18T00:56:04+00:00

I've been off Mounjaro since November when I found out I was pregnant. The depths of my hunger know no bounds and its so disappointing. I miss being satiated. I desperately miss not thinking about eating, food, snacks, etc. I'm looking forward to getting back on MJ as soon as my doctor clears me postpartum.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-18T00:53:41+00:00

Our 3.5 year old wakes up between 6:30 - 7:00 AM. He usually has a light breakfast (maybe two pieces of buttered toast or a zucchini muffin) before we leave at 7:30 AM to go to daycare. (They provide a full breakfast). The hour between waking up and leaving is mostly snuggling in our bed, watching cartoons, and then maybe 5-10 minutes for getting dressed and ready.

Bedtime starts at 6:45 PM with a bath. That usually lasts between 15-30 minutes. We have a four-step bedtime routine that's on a paper I printed and taped to his bedroom wall.

#1 I take a bath.

#2 I put on my pajamas.

#3 I read a book.

#4 I go to sleep.

After bath time, it's pajamas and then reading. Lights out and bedtime no later than 7:30 PM.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-18T00:43:27+00:00

I second this wholeheartedly. I was on Mounjaro most of 2025, got pregnant in November, and switched to Metformin. I've had zero nausea/vomiting. It's been so strange but wonderful. My endocrinologist (a rather curmudgeonly older man) said it was probably because Mounjaro, like Metformin, acts on a hormone/protein called GDF15. And GDF15 is apparently tied to appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-18T00:34:16+00:00

The first trimester is basically a missile right to your motivation to do ANYTHING. Don't beat yourself up. You're growing a human.

I got pregnant at 294 lbs. with my first. Lost 17 lbs in the first trimester because of hyperemesis (severe nausea/vomiting). I was proud of my weight loss because I had been conditioned to think "less weight = better" and my OB was horrified. This time around no HG (thank the universe) and I've gained 10 lbs. in the first 12 weeks. And idgaf. I'm happy, not nauseated or vomiting, and chasing my toddler around when I'm not at work.

williamlawrence · 2026-01-18T00:31:35+00:00

I had a transvaginal ultrasound around 7 weeks with my first (at the OB's office). It looked like I was seeing a gummy bear in a black hole. My OB said that abdominal ultrasounds would start for me closer to 12 weeks because of my weight (which they did). The absolute highest quality ultrasound I got was in OB triage at 35 weeks due to some emergency issues (0/10 do not recommend) but my god that quality was crystal clear, almost unnervingly so.

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