mixed emotions

Jerzeygrl732

So I went to my Dr last week and was told that my baby is to big for me to deliver naturally and that I needed to schedule a c section. So my c section is scheduled for Nov 12th which is just in a week. I feel very unprepared for this because even though I kinda always knew it was a possibility I didn't think I was going to have a problem w giving a natural birth. I feel like since I found out I'm going to have a c section all I have been doing is researching c sections and everything that goes along with it rather then enjoying my last week of pregnancy. There is so much information online about the procedure and the recovery I feel like my head is going to explode if I read one more article of what could happen and what could take place. So I was wondering if I could get some actual feedback from women who have been through it and how the procedure went for them. Also any information on recovery and what that will be like would be appreciated :-)

Jerzeygrl732

Idani said:

What are they determining his size from?  I guess I don't understand a c-section because the baby seems big, unless there are other issues.  That being said.....

te>

The dr did an ultra sound and determined his current weight to 8.8lbs and I was 36 weeks then so he used that information and used a computer program that used the babies current weight and my size and weight and determined the baby would be at high risk of the shoulders getting stuck during a natural birth.

Thank you for all ur suggestions I will definitely so my best to get up as soon as possible bc that is the one consistent thing I have read that a lot of people say helps.

michellersayer

I wouldn't worry about it! It's really not as bad as you think. I had an emergency c section almost 2 years ago so I wasn't prepared at all for it.. Just listen to the doctors and you will be fine!

michellersayer

Also, my mom gave natural birth to me and I was almost an 11 pound baby.. She said it wasn't as bad as it sounds. If you have a say you should try to do it natural like you wanted.

noraraeuc

I'm a midwifery student, I hear this too much and it is just not true. There is NO WAY they can tell if your baby will fit or not until you are pushing. No way whatsoever. Ultrasound estimates can be off by POUNDS. Your body won't grow a baby too big for you to birth, at least not unmedicated and off of your back. Induction, augmentation, laying in labor, medication in labor, pushing on your back all make it less likely your pelvis will allow your baby through. Staying off of your back will open your pelvis 30 percent more. Tell your doctor "I refuse to consent to a medically unwarrented cesarean."

noraraeuc

Obstetricians are known to have time and $$$$ as their priority, not your best interest. Never trust a doctor without seeking at least a second opinion. ALWAYS trust your gut.

noraraeuc

I just assisted in a homebirth where mama was 4'9 and 115 at 40 weeks pregnant, and she had a 9lb8oz baby without even a tear. Our bodies and babies are wiser than we give them credit for.

cinderin

I had a planned c/s due to breech baby.

DS came a few days before my planned c/s so we did the c/s earlier than planned.

It wasn't that bad. 

I did "mourn" having to have a c/s (wasn't what I wanted) vs the vaginal birth I had wanted. Honestly, I think it was better to know ahead of time I wasn't going to have a vaginal birth. I cried for a couple weeks. I was afraid of the complications for myself and DS. But it went well. 

The whole thing was probably about 45 minutes start to finish. I had a spinal. I stayed calm and focused during the surgery (I didn't want to get sick). 

When DS arrived, the first thing I heard was his cry/scream (best sound!) and DH went with him over to the scale. They wiped him and weighed him. They wrapped him up and DH held him next to my head. I had wanted to do skin to skin in the OR, but there wasn't room on my chest so we sang him "happy birthday". 

They brought me back to my room and I got to do skin to skin there. I think it was about 15 minutes total delay in the skin to skin but it went by so fast! 

We did BF and skin to skin right away when I was back in my room. 

I did get up and move as much as I could as soon as I could. It hurt, but pain is only pain. 

Unlike the PP, I refused to opiate pain meds. I have had them in the past and they made me nauseous. Instead I did 2 tylenol and 2 advil every 4 hours. It hurt the first couple days, but it was OK. I couldn't walk long distances. DH had to drop me off at the front of the hospital for my post op visit. 

Sleeping was a bit uncomfortable, but honestly it was about on par with sleeping at 39 weeks PG. 

I felt *much* better within a week. I felt 80% better at two weeks (the only think still bothering me was long walks of about a mile or more). 

If we decide to have a second child I am seriously considering a repeat c/s. 

rp-chicago-mom

Hey Nora, eff you. Go regale the NB board with your expertise.

OP, I wish someone had told me DS wouldn't fit. It would have saved me the exhausting and heartbreaking 38 hours of labor/failed foreceps delivery and I'd maybe have gotten more than three hours of sleep in three days before he was born. I was so tired that I couldn't hold my boob to nurse. It is scary but I really had a much harder time with my tear than my incision. It does mean a longer hospital stay but that can be very helpful if you plan to nurse. Every time I wanted to feed, I had nurses there to offer tips.

I agree though that you should take it easy and allow any opportunity for help. I don't think I cooked a single meal the first month of his life. Ask about natural c sections too. I'm torn between trying for a vbac or going that route. GL! Just think, LO will be here in less than a week!

spinsoffresonance

I had a planned csection so this is what happened. I went in the OR by myself. The anesthesiologist came in and got the anesthesia started. Then I was strapped onto the table and draped. Once everything was ready DH came in and sat next to my head. The drapes were blocking the view so we couldn't see anything (we chose not to have the drapes lowered when baby was delivered). The Ob started the incision, told us they could see a full head of hair. Then she said they were going to push on my belly, I felt some pressure and we heard baby screams, yay. It was less then 10min once DH came in before DD was born. The Ob carried DD around the drapes, showed her to us and told DH to follow her. They went in the corner where the neonatal pedi checked DD out (3-4min). As soon as they determined she was healthy they brought her to me and set her skin to skin on my chest with DH holding her securely ( I had requested doing skin to skin as soon as possible and cleared it with my Ob ahead of time). We stayed there about 30min while they finished up the surgery. Then DD went into the bassinet and the 3 of us went to recovery. As soon as we were in recovery the nurse came by to have us try to breastfeed. Then DD got skin to skin time with DH. I can't remember how long we stayed in recovery, a couple hours maybe, they were waiting for me to be able to lift my butt up so I could transfer onto the stretcher. Once I was in my room, the nurses checked on me regularly and as soon as I was able to wiggle my toes they took me for a walk.

spinsoffresonance

Also if you have a birth plan already prepared I would show it to your Ob and ask what parts of it can you still have despite the csection. We were able to do skin to skin with DD right in the OR and nurse as soon as we were in recovery. DD also stayed with us the entire time and never went to the nursery, until the 2nd night that is when we decided we just HAD to get a few hours of sleep, hahaha. So even though most of your birth plan won't apply you might still be able to get a few things .
And in terms of recovery, the constipation was the worse part for me. I actually got stuck on the toilet for 4 hours (sorry TMI). So eat soup the day before, nothing on the BRAT diet, and drink prune juice, same thing after the delivery until your first bowel movement, and make sure to walk the hallway several times a day.

ave1012

I had to have emergency C/S under general anesthesia because of severe acute preeclampsia. I took it very easy the first week home (per MD orders). The only thing that I was allowed to pick up was DD. I think that helped a lot. I also started taking Colace (stool softener) the week before I thought I was due. Hormones can mess up your bowels and the Colace makes it soft. You will have to stay a few days in the hospital but for me it was best because I was having issues with breastfeeding initially and was able to see the LC on multiple occasions because of being in the hospital longer. Use the mesh panties, they are the most comfortable and disposable if they get too messy. I did not have too much pain after the first day but it varies person to person. If you need to take medication take it, you just had surgery. A few weeks after I did have some nerve pain at my incision site but only if I exerted myself too much but that eventually went away. Let people help you, if they are asking to it is because they want to. Hope this helps.