2nd C Section? advice please!

[ancestry]

My question is: why are you having a c-section? I too have twins and just wanted to make sure that you know you don't have to have a c-section just because you are having twins. Make sure that your doctor is requesting a c-section because you really need one (i.e. the baby or babies are head up) and not because the doctor wants one just because of twins. If the primary baby (baby #1) is head down you can do a normal non-c-section birth.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I had a repeat C-section with DD after an emergency C/S with DS. My doctor told me all along that she didn't do VBACs as most of her patients were high risk, she didn't like pushing the envelope, it wasn't worth it to her.

We got everything scheduled - delivery was set 5 days before my due date. Got up in the morning, went to the hospital, was in the OR within 10 minutes of getting my IV line and DD was welcomed to the world about 10 minutes after that. It was so quick that we got there and had her delivered before my students went to their first period class (I'm a student aide).

I had a little trouble relaxing enough for the spinal block, but that is because I psyched myself out. All you have to remember is that you just show up and lie down and you will be holding your new baby soon after that.

Don't stress about it, it's not too bad.

 

[kimbo0569]

SO the dr told us that we are going to have to have another c section with our twins in less than a month! With DD we had to have an emergency one. I am freaking out. I didnt plan on having one with DD and it kinda freaked me out. Anyone out there have repeat ones that can tell me about it. Our dr said it wouldnt be that bad...

It really depends on the person. I've had two sections and really had a very easy recovery with both. I had other concerns with my first pregnancy (high blood pressure but after I was out of recovery, other than being very sore, I was okay) Once they took the morphine drip from me, I didn't even need the percocet....didn't really have alot of pain, just sore from the incision, both times. With the second one, I had the section in the morning and by that evening, they had me out of the bed. How was your recovery from the first one? I know each delivery is different as well so it's such an individual thing. I hope this delivery is an easier one for you than the last one (you said the last one was emergency section, that had to be scary).

 

[arizonacolbys]

I just had my 2nd c-section about 4 months ago & it was SO much better than the first one. With the first one I had been up for about 48 hours and laboring over 18 hours when they decided my first DD was stuck & not progressing. My section was at 3:30 on a Friday & I went home Monday afternoon.

The 2nd time around my section was scheduled for around 39 weeks. I got to the hospital around 7 am, got checked in, got an IV (the worst part of the whole experience for me! LOL) and then the spinal. Had my baby girl by 8:40 am. The surgery after she was out took a bit longer like others have mentioned, but that wasn't a big deal. I have had a horrible time both births with nauseau & vomiting due to the meds, but once that passed this time I was up & moving around the same day as the surgery. I had her Tuesday morning & went home Thursday at lunchtime, so just over 48 hours. I was very anxious to get home to my first DD, especially since my hubby wasn't with her (he was deployed at the time.) I didn't take anything stronger than Advil/Tylenol after going home & after the first day home I really don't remember taking anything.

I was a bit nervous the morning of the surgery, but try not to worry too much - it really is a much easier recovery the 2nd time around.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I've had 4 c-sections.

The first was after a really long labor, with blood-pressure out of sight, pre-eclampsia & lots & lots of problems. There is no way the baby would of arrived w/o one...and all I cared about at that time was getting her here. Recovery was long with her....as it was an emergency one...cut up & down.

After that I was tagged high risk & had to have c-sections. Each were scheduled & I was awake during them. I was nervous as could be each time...but I promise you they sure weren't the nightmare the first one was. Recovery was easier, the whole thing was easier...I think knowing what you are getting into helps alot! Not saying it is easy but at least it isn't anything like the first one at all!

Wishing you a good delivery!

 

[Oceana]

SO the dr told us that we are going to have to have another c section with our twins in less than a month! With DD we had to have an emergency one. I am freaking out. I didnt plan on having one with DD and it kinda freaked me out. Anyone out there have repeat ones that can tell me about it. Our dr said it wouldnt be that bad...

I dont want to start an argument but No C-section is as easy to recover from as a ******l birth

You do not have to do anything you do not want to do. This is informed consent! Based on your comments it sounds as if you had a reason to believe you would be given a trial of labor with this delivery

I suggest you contact ICAN in your local area you can find ways to increase your chances of a ******l birth but know it may mean switching doctors. You are allowed to switch doctors any time you choose so dont let that hold you up if you really want to avoid another cut.

http://ican-online.org/

Even if you choose to have a planned repeat c-section you can find a great source for coming to terms with your feelings and fears.

Where I live we have a mom who had a VBAC with triplets just last year (one was a footling breech!) VBAC with twins happen all the time you just have to find a doctor who is skilled enough to do them.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I was supposed to have a repeat c-section (my choice) with baby #2. I got to the hospital at 8cm and went to 10 within 20 minutes. No time really and it would have posed more harm on the baby to do it since he was already in the birth canal (my c-section was scheduled at 39 weeks and he came at 38, quick labor, 3 hours after water broke he was here).

Just keep in mind there can ALWAYS be complications. I got a post op infection after my first c-section with my daughter and ended up in the hospital after I got out for a week and on IV antibiotics. I have heard this happen to others too. All surgery has risks and I hate when people make a c-section seem as no big deal, becuase that's not true (although regular deliveries can also come with risks, just less often).

My second baby (who is now three months old) tore me internally. I still hurt and can't be with DH. I had an internal tear that I ended up in the OR to stitch up (70+ stitches), I didn't tear at all outside though like normally would happen. So while I was up and about quicker, the recovery itself has been longer.

So really for me I hated both ways... which is why we're done (along with other medical reasons).

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

I dont want to start an argument but No C-section is as easy to recover from as a ******l birth

You do not have to do anything you do not want to do. This is informed consent! Based on your comments it sounds as if you had a reason to believe you would be given a trial of labor with this delivery

I suggest you contact ICAN in your local area you can find ways to increase your chances of a ******l birth but know it may mean switching doctors. You are allowed to switch doctors any time you choose so dont let that hold you up if you really want to avoid another cut.

http://ican-online.org/

Even if you choose to have a planned repeat c-section you can find a great source for coming to terms with your feelings and fears.

Where I live we have a mom who had a VBAC with triplets just last year (one was a footling breech!) VBAC with twins happen all the time you just have to find a doctor who is skilled enough to do them.

when we 1st found out we were pregnant the dr told us she would try for a vbac but now that they found out it was gonna be twins and one is breech they said it was out. Plus ontop of everything else we moved to a VERY rural place in VT. They said I would need a c section. I just want 2 healthy babies. I am a nervous nelly! I worry about everything!

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

Thanks everyone for all their helpful stories and encouragement! Just a little nervous but everyone seems to have good things to say! I will keep everyone posted. I am going like 2 weeks early because there is really no more for them! I am onloy 5 feet tall and am measuring 43 inches yesterday.

 

[twogirlsandthatsit]

when we 1st found out we were pregnant the dr told us she would try for a vbac but now that they found out it was gonna be twins and one is breech they said it was out. Plus ontop of everything else we moved to a VERY rural place in VT. They said I would need a c section. I just want 2 healthy babies. I am a nervous nelly! I worry about everything!

Don't be nervous. It will be alright. I agree with all the PP that my 2nd (planned) c/s was so much easier than my first emergency c/s. I have a similiar story to the others here (really hard long labor, 40+ hours, 4 hours of pushing, then c/s due to diress and problems) and my 2nd was in & out of OR in 2 hours. For me, recovery from a long, hard, natural labor that ended in c/s was HORRIBLE. My recovery from a relaxing, easy c/s (2nd time around) was easy. I was up walking around later that afternoon, showered that night, nursing right away. The first time none of that happened.

If you trust in your doctors, know that they will not steer you in a way that is going to be harmful to your babies. They want them to be healthy & happy -- just like you do. Good luck!!

 

[Oceana]

when we 1st found out we were pregnant the dr told us she would try for a vbac but now that they found out it was gonna be twins and one is breech they said it was out. Plus ontop of everything else we moved to a VERY rural place in VT. They said I would need a c section. I just want 2 healthy babies. I am a nervous nelly! I worry about everything!

check out ICAN they will have loads of healing techniques and suggestions and ideas for both physical and emotional

 

[~Kristina~]

SO the dr told us that we are going to have to have another c section with our twins in less than a month! With DD we had to have an emergency one. I am freaking out. I didnt plan on having one with DD and it kinda freaked me out. Anyone out there have repeat ones that can tell me about it. Our dr said it wouldnt be that bad...

You do not have to have another c-section if you don't want to. Go to ICAN.org and see if you can find a VBAC provider in your area. There is no medical reason for a repeat section unless the previous incision was verticle. Please research!!! Uterine repture can and does happen, but it's not a common as ob/gyns make it out to be.

 

[melafive]

Three c-sections here and one more planned for November. The first one was tough because I already went through labor 24 hours to be exact. Pushed for four of those. Ended up with a c-section. Recovery was terrible and I felt like a failure. Second pregnancy decided to try for a vbac fourteen hours of labor and decided a c-section was necessary. Recovery was easier but still difficult. Third time I did go into labor but had a c-section planned. Lucky for me my doctor was the one on call. I had everything planned out. I knew I didn't want staples, and I wanted the anti nausea meds in my iv. I didn't go through hard labor so overall I was not as tired. Recovery was still not the easiest but it was much much better.

 

[beebeeryan]

Like most have said, second one is so much better usually to recover from. My first was an emergency and it was scary and horrible. Second one was scheduled although labor started a week early so still not quite totally scheduled. But with the second I knew what to expect, I was more alert and not in a panic or excruciating pain. I was up and walking within 10 hours and felt so much better. It was more than double that with the first. I asked to go home 1 day early and was fine. I didn't even take the heavy duty pain meds they gave me, a few Motrin for 2 days and that was it. They cut the same place so no extra scars, but it does take a bit longer. But not being an emergency, I got to see the baby for a bit and got to nurse him in recovery right away. I didn't see the first for hours because I was so out of it.

Good luck, hope it goes smoothly for you!

 

[mommyaof2]

I have to chime in here. I have had 2 c-sections. Both were planned so I have never had labor. I can't say that my second one was any easier. My second one was worse as far as recovery and pain. I know everyone is different and I had heard that the second one was easier from everyone and expected it to be much easier, but it wasn't at all. My advice would be, know that you will have some pain, but also know that your little baby is worth all of it!

 

[taymaesmom]

I've had two, my first was an emergency and very scary. I had a long hard recovery and hated it. With my 2nd dd I opted to have c-section soley due to the severe complications with the first. I went in very apprehensive but had such an easy surgery due to the no-stress environment. My recovery was very quick and easy, probably due to not having 19 hours of labor that time. I was very glad I'd opted to have the 2nd c-section.

And my dr for the second one was able to remove all the old scar tissue and sew me up very nicely. The nurse joked that if my dr ever had to find a new profession he would make a great seamstress.

 

[luharvey77]

I have had 6 c-sections, and 1 VBAC - yikes! I have never had an emergency; but I can tell you that a planned c-section is a lot easier than laboring, then going into surgery. My best advice to you is to let dad take good care of you for a good week after if you can. My husband took off 2 weeks when my daughter was born in March, and I spent the first week playing princess in my bedroom, getting food on a tray, watching movies, and oh, yes, bonding with my baby, lol. Chin up...I've found that my c's have gotten easier. The bad side is that I would sit around thinking of the impending surgery; but since I didn't have a choice about my manner of delivery, I decided to look at the upsides of it. I am a planner, so I was able to schedule dr. appointments, baptism, pack ahead of time, have the house ready, etc.

*I would also add that a scheduled c-section seems so routine to the docs - they are all in high spirits, chatty, friendly, confident, which confirms my belief that while having major abdominal surgery may not be normal to me, it is quite routine for the docs. It is a very orderly and controlled environment.

 

[stazmatic]

I didn't read the whole thread yet but wanted to let you know I understand how you are feeling.
My first C section was an emergency, I had no idea what it would entail, and I was under general anesthesia.
I have had 5 C sections total and the second one was scarier, mostly because I had nine months to think about having surgery. The next three were also scary because I am just not a dr person. I don't like blood, needles, etc. They were also all a different experience in some way so don't expect it to be like the first one or the next one.
Recovery time for each C section was better than the last. The scar tissue is not great. They did their best but there is still a lump with scar tissue that will always be there.
The most important thing to help your recovery is to start walking around as soon as you can after the surgery. It will hurt like hell but it will help your intestines start working again.

 

[judypriv]

Me too. I had one C section emergency. 20 hours labor with no baby and then loss of heartbeat and my heartbeat dropping. Turns out little guy was stuck and choking on the mecronium (sp?). It was tough, very painful and after all that labor I was a wreck. It was also hard because I planned to be "earth mother" and do everything naturally. My mother had 6 kids that popped right out so I figured that would be me. Not so. Breast feeding issues and I baby with acid reflux and 2 weeks of post pardum depression.

THEN I got pregnant right away with my girl and was told my insurance would not cover a natural birth since the C section wouldn't even be healed inside by the time I was due. I had a planned C section and it was SO much better. I knew what to expect and I healed really fast even with a 11 month old and newborn to deal with. I had no depression and felt great and was up and going in the three days.

 

[Ceila]

I had an unplanned C with my first and my recovery was awful. My planned C with my second was WONDERFUL!! I was up and walking around the hospital hallways, pushing her in her bassinet, by day 3.

I chalk it up to the fact that I went into the second C basically rested and relaxed, whereas with my first it was after a full day of labor, 3 hours of pushing, and 2 unsuccessful vacuum attempts (after they cut back my epidural since I wasn't progressing -).