DD was a planned c-section because she was breech and stubborn - that child just would not turn! I have to say, after hearing other stories and watching many episodes of
A Baby Story
, I don't think a c-section, especially a planned one is all that bad. It was great being able to plan everything out and not having contractions was another bonus! The funny thing was saying, "oh she is coming on April 24" and people not believing me! We had the surgery on Mon morning and we went home on Fri. DH stayed with us most of the time but I sent him home to sleep, poor man. I had a spinal, rather than an epidural and it is weird to not be able to move your legs, but that feeling goes away pretty fast, about half an hour. Even with the spinal, you can still fell tugging and pulling, but don't let it freak you out, you won't feel pain. The other thing you might experience is "referred" pain. My chest started to hurt and I felt like it was hard to breathe, but it was normal and the docs were able to help me right away. You stay in recovery until you can move, but DD was with us most of the time. I am intolerant to morphine so I had shots of Darvon I think, until they let me have food and then a prescription, percocet maybe? the rest of the week. By the time I went home, I didn't even take a scrip with me, just some ibuprofen when I started to hurt.
There are two hard things about a c-section: 1) you can't drive for at least two weeks - I was told this is in fear of you getting in an accident and the incision splitting open; and 2) stairs HURT! We lived in a second floor condo and I was fine until the dog had to go out.
For me, that was the hardest part because I felt trapped until DH came home but that didn't last too long either.
Some advice (and excuse me if I repeat others):
1. Get up and move even if it hurts. The nurses will make you move and cough so you don't develop blood clots and walking around hurts a lot less than forced coughing!
2. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you get home. You won't be allowed to lift anything heavier than the baby for a few weeks so groceries and laundry can be difficult.
3. Let other stuff go and concentrate on the baby. Everything else can wait. You are healing from major surgery, dealing with massive hormonal changes and trying to take care of a helpless little creature, the dishes can wait!
Really, I think c-sections are a pretty good way to have a baby, especially if the outcome is a happy and healthy mom and baby! Good luck and please ask more questions if you need to!
