C-sections - Tell me the truth!

[scbelleatheart]

Seriously? Are you seriously so traumatized about a "birth plan" that didn't go exactly as you had dreamed it in your head 7 years ago (that, by the way, resulted in a healthy child) that this has to be brought up over and over again?

You would prefer someone "sat in the corner knitting" while your baby was in distress? You would have been the 1st one on here railing against the medical community (and suing) if your child had been born with anoxic brain damage or cerebral palsy as a result of deceleration. This type of attitude is why caring, professional, well educated OBGYNs have given up the obstetrics portion of their practice, altogether. The malpractice insurance and the assault on their reputations are more than many can bear. It is sad, because there are now states where there aren't even enough OBGYNs to take care of all of the expectant mothers.

Now OP, my kids are adopted, but....

My sister had her son via scheduled section. She had an epidural and was wide awake through the delivery and immediately after in the recovery room. She held her baby immediately.

Her recovery was fine. As a matter of fact, 4 weeks post partum we were in WDW. She rode all the rides, including all the slides at Blizzard Beach. She had maybe 3 days of being uncomfortable after.

Badblackpug,
Pay no attention. Not all of us had children ripped from our wombs by bad Western medicine. Some of us are thankful for the care we receive so our children are born safely!

 

[ilovefh]

I've had one c-section and it wasn't too bad. I was in labor for more than 24 hours. I had an epidural for 24 hours by the time I had my c-section. I never made it past 9 cm and DS just did not want to drop into position. By the time they decided on a c-section I was exhausted! I had spent two nights in labor and didn't sleep. DS kept moving around and they couldn't keep him on the monitor. They would find him, leave the room and he would move. They were waking me up so often to try and find him again. Ultimately they put an internal monitor in.

Let me tell you, I was TERRIFIED of having a c-section. I hate surgery in general and I was so scared to be awake during a surgery.

It wasn't what I expected. I didn't feel any different than normal. I didn't feel the pulling or tugging. I did think I was going to pass out at one point but I'm sure that was my anxiety kicking in!

You wanted honesty....so here goes. The thing that was terrible was in the recovery room and I don't know if they do this everywhere...they pushed on my incision every half hour (I was in recovery for 2 hours). I think she said it was something to do with getting some of the fluids out. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. But, after that it wasn't too bad.

I had my c-section in the evening on Wednesday and I was up out of bed the next morning. I didn't take anything except tylenol after Saturday night (when I came home). I did do too much two days after being home, 5 days after having him and I was wiped!

Ten days after having him I was at a job fair for the school district closest to us. (When they asked me to tell them something about myself non school related I told them I had just had a baby 10 days ago. I got the job I wanted and they said they remembered me because of my story.) I took things slow and had DH drive me. Less than a month after having him we went to DHS to see the new Star Tours ride and I rode that no problem!

If we have a second child I will have a scheduled c-section because my OB does not do VBACS. I'm okay with that because I absolutely love our doctor and trust him 100%. I'm hoping the time in the hospital will be easier since I won't have been up all night for the previous two nights in labor.

 

[fairestoneofall]

I had a c-section with my third (and final) baby last summer. Mine was different because I labored all day long. I went in for induction at 5:30 am and it was pretty much one thing after another all day long (I won't go into the details, but it was a long, drama-filled day). He was born via c-section at 10:10 PM. I was awake during his birth, but was pretty groggy afterwards. I think it had more to do with the day I'd had than anything else.

I also don't do well with anesthesia, so I was physically ill afterwards. They did bring my baby to me around 5:30 the next morning, but i was still pretty groggy.

Recovery was tough. If you have someone willing to help you, please accept their help. My mom came over almost every day once DH went back to work. she was a HUGE help to me. I still probably tried to do too much because I'm stubborn like that. It was the hardest recovery of my three kids, but I'm also older now too.

I think everyone has a different experience. However, I have found that most who have a tougher time had emergency situations. Most of those whose c-sections are scheduled have an easier time. I have no scientific evidence. I'm just basing that on the stories I've been told.

All said, I have a healthy, happy baby. He wasn't injured, like he would've been if he'd come naturally. I told the doctors and nurses from the get-go (because there was a lot going on with my labor) that i was fine with a c-section. I didn't want it to be a "last-minute, super emergency," if we could avoid it. But it was more important to me that he be born in the best way to keep him safe. I'm so grateful that I had doctors who were attentive to the situation. I have a friend who was in a similar situation to mine and the midwife made her keep pushing (the doctor had not arrived). Her baby did not make it.

 

[Erin1700]

My 2nd child was a csection. So I have had both kinds of birthS.

My DS5 was born by csection because I did not progress with labor. The actual OR part was ok. I do remember feeling dizzy on the table. But I remember everything. No problem with bonding, my DH held him up close to me while I was still tied down. I chose to have my tubes tied right after so DH went with the baby to be washed and weighed and they met me in recovery then. It wasn't long.

My only horror part that I must tell you, is this... I took the pain meds during that first day and my next dose was for 2AM. Well they won't wake you up. So I woke up at 3:30AM in the worst unimaginable pain. I literally felt like my body was cut in 2. I called the nurse and they brought me something and the nice nurse even sat with me until I fell back to sleep. The next night I got my dr to order them to wake me for the meds. I only took pain meds in the hospital, once I went home an occasional advil was all I needed.

Oh and I saw pp mention bleeding. I did not bleed much at all.

 

[brookmey]

A point that I want to make in regard to a PP's comment about being on heavy medication after your surgery, making you not remember much of the first few days or week of your baby's life.....SO NOT TRUE!!!!

I was prescribed Tylenol with codeine. I remember everything clearly, my mind was never foggy and the medication actually helped me enjoy my new baby more, because it relieved some of the pain from the surgery. If I was ever foggy or in a daze it was because I was sleep-deprived!

 

[IDoDis]

I felt completely normal during the c-section except for being numb from the chest down. There was no fuzziness of any kind. During the birth we were not allowed to video tape. DH could watch, but there was a tarp in front of my face so I couldn't see anything which really bummed me out. I just felt a lot of pulling and tugging.

The recovery was pretty awful for me. I was not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds, so I couldn't carry DD in her car seat and had to have someone take me to DD's early doctor appointments. The worst thing was getting up in the middle of the night for the feedings. I could not sit up on my own because of the stitches and I was not experienced enough with nursing to nurse lying down. I couldn't lay on my side anyway because it hurt too much. So DH had to sit up and lift me up or push me from behind in bed to help me sit up.

The incision area stung on and off for 2 years afterwards! Not a bad pain, just a quick sting or slight twinge/itch now and then. Also, because my DD was breech, she ended up having bi-lateral hip dysplasia and had to wear a pavlick harness 24/7 for 4 months. I was not able to put her in any of the cute baby clothes I received. Just a onsie and tall socks that went up past her knees.

 

[TheSchragFamily]

A point that I want to make in regard to a PP's comment about being on heavy medication after your surgery, making you not remember much of the first few days or week of your baby's life.....SO NOT TRUE!!!!

I was prescribed Tylenol with codeine. I remember everything clearly, my mind was never foggy and the medication actually helped me enjoy my new baby more, because it relieved some of the pain from the surgery. If I was ever foggy or in a daze it was because I was sleep-deprived!

I agree. Once the actual surgical drugs wear off, they don't give you anything heavy-duty unless you have complications, is my understanding. Once I had enough catch-up sleep, I wasn't the least bit groggy.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

2 C sections...2nd one was easier, but it was because I knew what to expect.

#1 most important thing I can offer...get out of bed and start walking ASAP... After a C, you will get horrible bloating and gas and the best way to work it out is from walking. Put the baby in the crib with wheels and take him/her for a walk up and down the halls, as much as you can possibly stand it.

Sorry for the TMI, but I remember that being the worst thing during C#1. I knew better for C#2 and it was a heck of a lot easier.

Good luck and you'll do great!

 

[sparklynails23]

I had an emergency c-section after a 28 hour labour and a broken water 5 days earlier (hey, thats a whole other story).
I would take a c-section over labour any day and twice on Sundays

A-a-a-a-men!!
And this from someone who had a signed edition of "Husband Coached Childbirth."

 

[deegack]

Badblackpug,
Pay no attention. Not all of us had children ripped from our wombs by bad Western medicine. Some of us are thankful for the care we receive so our children are born safely!

Exactly. Without my c-section I and my daughter would have died. As it is she may have a mild case of CP due to oxygen deprivation due to a knot in her cord (very rare complication less than 1% of all births so don't worry about it OP). If I had continued down the induction road she would probably have a much more severe case of CP.

 

[Shmily1]

I can't tell you about this first hand because both of mine were VBs but I can tell you about it from someone taking care of a Csection mom. DD20 went all through labor with DGS2, then when she was pushing, the cord was around his neck and she had an emergency Csection. It was just like you see on tv with them running down the hall with the gurney and the anesthesiologist running up to her and covering her face to put her to sleep. They wouldn't have had to do it like that, but she had no medicine while in labor so they had to do something fast to numb her. About 5 minutes later, while I'm still in shock, scared, and crying, they come out and tell me he is born and they are both fine.

FF to a little later. She missed seeing him get cleaned up, but we got to see it. They wouldn't allow us to pick him up or hold him until after she could hold him but I stood right there and touched his little hand.

DD did relatively good, but is so adverse to drugs, that she didn't want the pain medicine after they took the pain pump out. She quickly learned that pain medicine is a good thing. Once home, I watched her carefully at first to make sure she wasn't overdoing it. About five days after the Csection, she became a super hero and she could clean up, cook, give him a bath (wash him off), take a shower, fix her hair, put on make up, etc... all the while I'm standing there telling her to calm down, she was doing to much. Later that day, she realized I was right as she was in sooo much pain! We didn't have to go over that twice.

Moral of all this: rest, take the medicines, don't try to do too much, and most of all, enjoy your precious baby!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I had a c-section with my 1st (and only) child. It was technically scheduled except that my DS decided to come early so we had to do it earlier than planned.

Originally, I freaked out, didn't know what to expect etc but I was really calm about it when the time finally came. I think for me being freaked out about him being early was more of a concern than being cut open

Anyway....I remember all of it. I was numb from the waist down but I did feel when the doctor was tugging at my skin and when they pulled my DS out. At that point I was just fascinated by the whole experience. My DH was curious so he looked over the "curtain" a few times. The nurse that was with me was awesome and he just took the camera and got some awesome shots of DS being born he also told me what was happening, etc.

Since my DS was 5 weeks early I got to see him for about 2 seconds before he was taken into NICU. I didn't get to hold him until 48 hours later (but that's a different story). Anyway, I had told my husband prior to the surgery starting that I wanted him to stay with DS and not to worry about me so he left with our Son while they finished me up.

I swear the whole procedure lasted 45 minutes to an hour (I could be way wrong though). Then they take you to recovery and then move you to your room. The first night (since DS was in NICU) I just got to lay in bed, watch TV, work on my laptop, etc...I was really alert, etc. The next morning the nurses will make you walk but I didn't think it was too bad. My second night was probably my hardest because I woke up in horrible pain but nothing some pills couldn't fix That was the only night I actually took "drugs" - never used them again after that.

I was allowed to stay in the hospital four nights because DS was NICU but he stayed in the hospital two weeks. I had no option but to get up and get moving so I could go see him at the hospital so I don't consider my recovery rough. I got in a car every day (which at first is painful - carry a pillow with you) and I went up and down the stairs every day, etc. I eventually even drove myself to the hospital a few times (towards the end of his stay).

So in a nutshell, I'm Team C-Section! I would do it all over again without hesitation.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I had both of my DS's c-section. The first due to unproductive labor and the second scheduled. Both were VERY easy, I ate full meals four hours after surgery, walked around the hospital all afternoon and went home the next morning.

I think a large part of it has to do with your frame of mind. Focus on that baby and you will be fine!

 

[TheSchragFamily]

I had both of my DS's c-section. The first due to unproductive labor and the second scheduled. Both were VERY easy, I ate full meals four hours after surgery, walked around the hospital all afternoon and went home the next morning.

I think a large part of it has to do with your frame of mind. Focus on that baby and you will be fine!

Yes, yes, yes! Honestly, a c-section wasn't my first choice, but my son was and is healthy and that should be the MOST important thing. Not only, but by far MOST IMPORTANT. I can't believe the poster who can't look at her son without crying, and he's 7!! And healthy!! Yes, I'm sure it was a disappointment to her, as it was to a lot of us, but YOU GET OVER IT when you see your beautiful little baby and know that you did what you could for your child, whether it was fairytale perfect or not.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

I haven't read the other responses but you'll be fine on all counts. My first was breech, you are fortunate to find this out before you've gone through the labor process. I found out the day before I had my daughter that she was breech, planned the surgery (cried most of the day out of total sheer fear since I've never had surgery before). Honestly, the worst part for me was the catheter! And I wouldn't worry about that because it wasn't that bad, and the next c-section I had the nurse placed the catheter in perfectly without me noticing!

Take your medications, not doing so is setting yourself up for issues. Don't be a hero and you'll be fine. I will say you will need someone to help with the baby the first week with nightly feedings. It was very difficult for me to rise out of bed alone the first week, but was fine thereafter.

And no, you won't feel anything during the surgery but amazement that you aren't feeling anything!! I did feel an odd pressure feeling as they were pulling her out but it did not hurt. You'll remember every moment and will enjoy the birth of your newborn, trust me.

Good luck and congratulations!

 

[justhat]

I had an epidural, forceps assisted birth, a totally unmedicated birth, and a c-section. While I will honestly say that the unmedicated was hands down the easiest, the c-section wasn't any worse than my first child. The worst part was getting stitched up (just cause it took so long, I was freezing, and it was uncomfortable, though not painful as I was numb. Oh, and tied for worst part was the first time I got out of bed. That pain was surreal. But really, no different than sitting in a chair after my forceps birth, when I was sore from all the internal stitching that had to take place.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I can't speak to the experience of a c-section since I was lucky enough to have an all natural birth, but this same scenario just happened to my friend. She crossed her fingers and hoped that he would flip in time- he did! He flipped right as they were prepping her for the c-section! She called it off and went home and 3 weeks later she had an all natural birth.

If you can, see if they will hold off as long as possible, if not, good luck- I am sure you and baby will be fine and you'll be enjoying that newborn bliss in no time!

 

[disynut]

I had a scheduled csection w/ds, who was also breech. Surgery went great, no grogginess, never felt like that. Recovery would have been great except they did an epidural and I wound up with a spinal headache. That was miserable, but once they got me back in, it was fixed and I was fine. With dd, who was also a scheduled csection they did a spinal and I had no problems at all. Listen to your drs, don't try to do more than they tell you, and I bet you'll be fine. Now, if you have an epidural, and get a headache, tell them! I didn't, just thought it was stress, and boy was I wrong! Good luck!