Possible Cesarean

Nadia02

Hi I'm 36 weeks and baby already weighing at 7lbs and I have 4 more weeks to go. There is a possibility I may have to get cut if I don't go in labor before then so now I'm scared. My 1st labor, which was almost 9 years ago, was vaginal and was an easy pregnancy but this one has put me through a lot. In case I have a cesarean, how long is recovery and will I'll be able to breastfeed right after delivery. Breastfeeding will be 1st for me also by the way. Any advice? 

camillaandcarson

With my hospital's policies baby is placed on my chest immediately after c-section.  Skin to skin while they finish in the OR.  I can breastfeed the baby anytime there or in recovery, whenever baby wants. 

Last time I wasn't able to do skin to skin or breastfeed in the OR and had to wait until people in my extended family stopped playing pass the brand new baby all around in the recovery room.  Baby was fine and breastfed (no formula) until toddlerhood. 

So either way breastfeeding shouldn't be an issue just because of a C-section alone.  But do find out your hospital's policies just so you can know what to expect. 
And if you have questions about breastfeeding see if they have LC's (Lactation Consultant) available.  Read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, and attend a LLL (La Leche League) meeting or two before baby to make connections that you may need later while getting the hang of breastfeeding your baby.

clw617

After my CS, I was able to hold my son briefly. However, due to the shaking I had after the surgery, it wasn't for long.  If you shake afterward, don't be alarmed. It's normal, but ugh it kinda freaked me and DH out. Once I got back to my room, I was fine and holding the baby again. And the nurses were very encouraging with breastfeeding. DS and I had no problems.  

My OB had 2 c-sections with her own children -- the first unexpected, and the second was scheduled. She said she had no problems BFing both, so that has made me feel a little better going into this second delivery. Either way, you will do great! 

emilyj77

Recovery times differ for every woman. Some bounce back quickly, and some take the whole 6 weeks. I remember doing stairs (which they recommend not doing) the day I got home from the hospital. Just take it slow and pay attention to your body. Brace yourself for sneezing or coughing.
As for breastfeeding, I didn't produce enough to sustain DD. My Dr. says it has nothing to do with my scheduled CS. I saw a lactation consultant regularly, ate the cookies, drank the tea, did everything I could. As a result it stressed me out, which probably didn't help matters. And everyone has advice and tips. In retrospect I wish I had just calmed down, drank a lot of water, and let it happen, instead of switching things up every time someone said to try something new. Less stress this time is my plan.
Lots of women have cs, so don't worry too much about it. I know, easier said than done. 

Knottie42051437

It took me about 10 days to start feeling like myself again,  I'm still sore but not like I was, day 3 was by far the hardest.  We are still in the NICU but I've been pumping since the day after he was born and started breastfeeding after a week but it was because he had an oxygen tube,  not because I couldn't breastfeed right away.  Good luck! It's rough but you forget the pain when they are in your arms

doozer1345

I had a CS with DD1 and will have another one with DD2. I told my doctor ahead of time BFing was very important to me (plus my hospital does the mother/baby program) so it was a priority to all of my caretakers in the hospital to make sure I BF within the first hour. I had no problems. My recovery was 4 weeks I believe. My one piece of advice is to get up and walk ASAP. Even if it means going from the bed to the chair in the room you're in. Just get up and walk. Once you get home your body will tell you if you're overdoing it by bleeding more so if that happens...sit down and resume later. Just listen to your body to know what your capabilities are. Ask your doctor and/or nurses what you can expect. It's not as bad as you may think it is. I was terrified but quickly found out afterwards it's not as big of a deal that people sometimes make it out to be. GL!

ETA: Skin to skin is invaluable PP!!! Especially for BFing

proudparent2b

FTM, but had the C section talk w/ OB when she was sure LO was breech (later discovered he was head down via confirmation sonogram). She said that recovery time can be better than a vaginal w/ significant tearing.

At my hospital, skin to skin isn't allowed for up to several hours after LO is born, as they require mom to recover before. However, DH can do skin to skin, so that had been our plan.

BF is more difficult after, due to delay on skin to skin, and I guess vaginal labor sends signals to the body to prepare for BF, which doesn't happen the same w/ CS.

Of course, L&D is different for every person and is different each time, so these are just general trends that my OB noticed.

I'm not clear on why you're looking at a possible CS - is LO measuring big? If so, please be aware that sonograms can be off significantly when it comes to weight & measurements. Per my birthing class, there was a study in which each method for determining weight & height were tested against mom's best guess. Consistently, mom's guess beat all scientific measurements.

Nadia02

My doctor looking at a possible CS because he don't want baby to get too big to the point I won't be able to push him out. But I read also that the measurements could be kinda off. I hope so cause I don't want to be cut. Thanks ladies for the advice!