Elected C-section? TMI perhaps!

[dogluva]

I might have. My mom said I came out bouncing and that i've never stopped. LOL!

My youngest is a ball of energy. I wouldn't have her any other way!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I just had this conversation with a friend, though for different reasons. She is afraid of the pain and thinks a c-section is the way to go. This is her first and she has no reasons for a c-section but a friend of hers told her it was the way to go.

I have had 3 c-sections. I labored with my first and got the crown of her head out but they had to push her back in. They were going to have to break her shoulder. She was 10pounds 4ounces. During this they lost her heartbeat and though she was in trouble, she was not, the censor had been bumped but in the rush they did a horizontal cut on the outside and a vertical cut on the inside. I had to go under fully and don't remember even seeing my daughter for like a day. It also made for a horrible recovery and after that no doctor would let me deliver naturally. They said the double cut was too much or a risk.

My second was a breeze, I felt really good after having her though I wish it had been natural. It would have been nice to not have to worry about lifting, driving, etc for weeks after.

My last was not pretty (baby was, the delivery wasn't.) I got Group B Strep and a Staph infection in my incision. I ballooned up so bad they couldn't take my staples out for a while (can't rember no it was 8 years ago) and when they finally could it was very painful because they had gone so long. My DH even took photos because he was so nervous that something bad was going to happen. I know this is rare but it is major surgery and a possibility that if unnecessary is not worth the risk IMO.

On top of all that I have endometrosis and after each delivery it attacked my scar tissue and I have needed surgeries to clean it up and will need more in the future.

Now, I would do all of this again IF I had to to have my kids, but if I didn't, I wouldn't risk any of these extra things that come from having surgery. I can understand why you thought it would be more convenient but really, several weeks of having to take it easy is enough to not want to have one.

 

[lillykat]

Well as someone who has had 2 csections (was in labor for more than 24 hours the 1st time - never dilated past 7 and she didn't descend AND turned sunny side up last minute -and was not a VBAC candidate - I have 9lb + babies and they don't descend etc). I can honestly say that I couldn't understand why anyone would choose to have a csection unless it was medically necessary. It is major abdominal surgery. My second section was better than the 1st b.c I didn't labor 1st (but I had pre-eclampsia so she came 12 days before my scheduled section date). You will have severe pain for several days, you cannot lift for a few weeks or risk tearing your incision (or internal stitches), you aren't supposed to drive for a while either. I had a VERY hard time taking care of my almost 2 year old after and needed family help for about a month (although I was only in real pain for about 1-2 weeks).

I couldn't imagine choosing to have surgery. I promise you from speaking with moms who went naturally and had sections that they felt the ******l delivery was considerably easier than the section even with tearing. The only advantage of a section is that you know when the baby will arrive.

 

[luckyfin]

OMG How have I never been warned about the pooch? This thing isn't going to go away? This is seriously the first I have heard about it. I mean, I have it but thought it would go away!!!
I also wouldn't recommended the c-section. I also had a tough recovery.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

OMG How have I never been warned about the pooch? This thing isn't going to go away? This is seriously the first I have heard about it. I mea, I have it but thought it would go away!!!
I also wouldn't recommended the c-section. I also had a tough recovery.

See what you learn on DIS? My kids are 15, 10 and 8 and it's still there. My doc said learn to love it because the muscles were all cut, they will heal but will never be the same.

 

[luckyfin]

See what you learn on DIS? My kids are 15, 10 and 8 and it's still there. My doc said learn to love it because the muscles were all cut, they will heal but will never be the same.

Jeez. Ignorance was bliss. And hello to my fellow Rochesterian

 

[monorailsilver]

What would I think? I'd think you are crazy!

I had two c-sections. Let's see, first it's major abdominal surgery.

As far as inconvenience, for about two weeks you can't sit up from a laying position. You have to roll to your side and use your arm to push yourself up. Yes, this includes every time the baby wakes up for a feeding.

As for the incision, the first one was annoying, but not horrible. The second one, well, the incision just wouldn't heal right. My muscles down there are shot...can you say major pooch?

I have adhesions like crazy...as in, if I have a full bladder I can tell you the location of all the various bits that are located in that area because they are now all stuck together. I was warned that when I'm in my 70's and older I need to watch for strangulation of the intestines due to this.

Add to that the fact that, for 6 weeks after surgery, you are supposed to not drive, avoid stairs, not lift anything heavier than the baby. (Meaning the carrier/stroller/vacuum/laundry basket/etc.)

That's the reality...it doesn't even take into account the risks that come from surgery itself, including infection.

Would I ever opt for a c-section? No way!

My OB told me once I could push my foot down like I was slamming on the break I could drive. With my 2nd child/1st c/s I was able to do that on day 5 post op, aka the drive home. I waited until my ds was a week old to drive with out issues.

OP, everyone recovers differently. I loved my c/s & thought I recovered the same way. I walked just as soon as I could & as much as I could with both kinds of deliveries. I had minimal pain post c/s's. Actually I wouldn't call it pain it was when I went from sitting to standing & had to stretch but once I was there I was fine.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Jeez. Ignorance was bliss. And hello to my fellow Rochesterian

Sorry.
And Hello!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I was also told no driving or vaccuming for 6 weeks. ONE of these I didn't hate.

Actually, I had 3 different doctors deliver my 3 girls. All of them said no driving only the first said no vaccuming but I stuck with it just to be sure with all 3 kids. Doctor's Orders!

 

[mommyofboys]

I have had 2 c-sections - and would do it again in a heartbeat! With my first ds I was induced because I was late. After hours in labor and pushing he was not budging. I was screaming in pain (with epidural) so they tried the vaccum - still nothing. Finally they did the section and he was face up which was causing the tremendous amount of pain and caused my broken tailbone. I went home less than 48 hours later and went shopping - the tailbone pain was worse than the c-section. With my 2nd ds I told my dr I was not going through that again and to sign me up for the section. The only problem with that one was that the insicion was not healing properly and they were talking about having to reopen it and pack it. It was my fault because less than 3 weeks after he was born, I had to rush my dh to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Unfortunately it ruptured so I was spending alot of time driving back and forth to be with him and I had to learn how to take care of his drains when he came home and I became his "driver" since he now wasn't allowed to drive.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Actually, it is pretty common here for women to have elective sections and everyone I know who's had one has had it covered without an issue by their insurance company.

I had a c-section with DD (not elective) and I will tell you that I'd do it again in a second. I had a wonderful experience with mine. No pain meds after the first night (section was 4:30pm) and no issues with recovery. I was slow walking and doing stairs but I did it slow. I do have a pooch but I'm not a skinny woman...I wasn't wearing a 2 piece before I got pregnant

Just because it's common doesn't mean it's correct. I'm sorry but I would not trust a dr. who would let me the patient elect to have MAJOR abdominal surgery. I was induced 3 weeks early because of GD and Pre eclampsia. I was never offered a section and I'm glad! It meant that my dr wasn't trying to fit me into his schedule. Pitocin sucks (and didn't work) but I like the fact that I was able to hold Ella immediately. I didn't take anything stronger than Motrin after my ******l birth. Having her ******lly was very empowering and I take pride knowing what my body can do.

 

[JUJU814]

I had one natural birth and then 2 c sections. I'll take a c section any day. I recovered WAY faster after my c sections than my natural birth. After the natural birth, I couldn't walk right for weeks and I was flat out miserable.

My second and third children, I was gestational diabetic and my son was 11 1/2 lbs 2 weeks early and daughter 10 lbs 2 weeks early.

I had 2 healthy, successful c sections.

However, doctor did determine based on my first experience that c section would probably be necessary.

On baby 2, it wasn't determined till mid pregnancy at least.

Baby 3, VBAC wasn't even in the cards. It was totally up to me and I booked the date at the beginning of the pregnancy.

 

[rparmfamily]

Seriously, an "elective" C-section for convenience? That is ridiculous and it is scary that medical professionals would go along with it. (No insult to OP, who is clearly just asking for input.)

Just . . . wow . . .

Yeah, I'm both shocked and saddened!! C-sections are for emergencies.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I will take a c-section over a ******l deliver any day.

My first was ******l, 2nd, 3rd and 4th were c-sections.

My second was 3 weeks early and breech so that's where the c-sections came from. 3rd and 4th nothing happened on its own so we scheduled a c-section.

 

[Hannathy]

Yeah, I'm both shocked and saddened!! C-sections are for emergencies.

Or at least true justifiable medical reasons. I would love to know what lie they are making up for the insurance, because a C costs a whole lot more than a V birth and what insurance company willingly pays for the more expensive procedure

In order for our insurance to cover mine I had to have CAT scans done and ultrasounds and meet certain measurable criteria!

Did anyone else's incision take years to not be numb and itch?

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Did anyone else's incision take years to not be numb and itch?

I've already posted on here (page 1) but have had 2 c-sections. My youngest is now 5. It doesn't itch but def is still numb- if I'm wrapped in a towel or robe (and not having underwear press firmly against the scar) and fabric brushes against it, it still has this weird "funny" feeling. Not pain, but not a good thing either.

 

[rparmfamily]

Or at least true justifiable medical reasons. I would love to know what lie they are making up for the insurance, because a C costs a whole lot more than a V birth and what insurance company willingly pays for the more expensive procedure

In order for our insurance to cover mine I had to have CAT scans done and ultrasounds and meet certain measurable criteria!

Did anyone else's incision take years to not be numb and itch?

Oh yes I forgot to add, for medically necessary reasons and emergencies.

I was reading articles about how much money hospitals make doing c-sections. It's crazy.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Or at least true justifiable medical reasons. I would love to know what lie they are making up for the insurance, because a C costs a whole lot more than a V birth and what insurance company willingly pays for the more expensive procedure

In order for our insurance to cover mine I had to have CAT scans done and ultrasounds and meet certain measurable criteria!

Did anyone else's incision take years to not be numb and itch?

I had the numbness (don't remember if it itched) and would kill for it again. My youngest is 8 and I still can't wear jeans because when I sit and they fold in I have pain. Now, that is because of the endometrosis that forms on my scar tissue, but it still stinks. I have had to spend 8 years in yoga pants because of the pain.

 

[scooterpig]

Although I do not have time to read all responses, I did read the first page.

I'm a mom of 4. The first 3 were vag. deliveries, and my 4th was a c-section.

My 3rd child was a large 9lb 9oz, and the Dr had a hard time delivering. It was bad. I will not even discuss unless someone is really curious about the details.

At any rate, after having one baby so large, I was desperately afraid of another bad delivery scenerio (we had almost lost that 3rd baby) I did let my Dr (a different more caring Doc!) that this was a concern of ours. We decided to induce labor at full term, expecting another vag delivery. Well, induction did not work for me! For 4 week-ends in a row, I was admitted to the hospital, induced, and eventually went home each Monday with no baby in my arms. On Tuesday, after the last induction, I went into labor on my own. That baby had some bit of trouble during the birth process and my Dr decided to take him through C-section. I would never never have done it another way-considering the experience I had been through with my DD # 3.

In short, I guess I would have to have a reason for opting for the C-section, but if there is a valid reason, I would not be afraid to have it done. All births are risky, and certainly travelling through the birth canal does not work out well for every baby anyway. If timing is your only problem, have you considered induction instead of C-section?

Good luck to you...I really love babies!!!! I hope this is a wonderful time in your life. ((Hugs to Momma))

 

[scooterpig]

oh dear. I just read the post before mine. I didn't have too bad of a time with that scar healing..but your experience sounds awful.