Questions to ask OB about repeat c/s?

pinkmoonlight

Hi, I am currently 12 weeks pregnant with my second LO. I am strongly considering going the repeat c/s route for this one for various reasons, even though I do have a choice of VBAC, however I am one of those people that had an emergency failure to descend with a strong drop in heart rate. I pushed for 2 hours before I was put under g/a and missed the birth and first 4 hours of my daughters life. I had a real rough time with the whole situation and honestly I do not know if I could handle going through Labor again only to end up with another failure to descend c/s. Which I was told was likely could happen since I gained minimal weight and still had a "Big" (9pound 6 ounce baby girl).

I plan on still asking VBAC questions which I got from the ladies on the VBAC board a few months ago when I was looking for a new provider, but what I do not know is what kinds of questions should I ask regarding a repeat c/s?

 

lewis514

I would ask about any risks or benefits they see based on your history, when you can schedule it, how often they do VBACs v. RCS at the practice.

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com

lewis514:

I would ask about any risks or benefits they see based on your history, when you can schedule it, how often they do VBACs v. RCS at the practice.

Daisy22

Ask about how you will be numbed for the surgery - most likely it'll be a spinal or epi so you will not be knocked out

Ask about recovery and if the baby stays with you

Ask about how they close up the incision - staples etc

Just to let you know DS1 was 9lbs 12oz and I gained barely any weight with him. I measured a few days ahead with him and went into labor on my own at 40w5d. I ended up with a c/s b/c he wouldn't descend and I have dialated past 1cm. I never wanted to do a vbac and knew all along I'd do a rcs. DS2 came at 39w3d by rcs and was only 7lbs 4oz. So just b/c you had a big first baby it doesn't mean #2 will be as big. You could also way both options until it gets closer then decide what you want to do. I had one friend that scheduled her c/s for 40w6d but told the OB if she went into labor she'd try for the vbac.

pinkmoonlight

Daisy22:

Ask about how you will be numbed for the surgery - most likely it'll be a spinal or epi so you will not be knocked out

Ask about recovery and if the baby stays with you

Ask about how they close up the incision - staples etc

Just to let you know DS1 was 9lbs 12oz and I gained barely any weight with him. I measured a few days ahead with him and went into labor on my own at 40w5d. I ended up with a c/s b/c he wouldn't descend and I have dialated past 1cm. I never wanted to do a vbac and knew all along I'd do a rcs. DS2 came at 39w3d by rcs and was only 7lbs 4oz. So just b/c you had a big first baby it doesn't mean #2 will be as big. You could also way both options until it gets closer then decide what you want to do. I had one friend that scheduled her c/s for 40w6d but told the OB if she went into labor she'd try for the vbac.

I most definitely know that it could be completely different and I could have a "normal" sized baby this time, however at my early ultrasound I was already measuring a week ahead of what I am suppose to be. I know for 100% certain the day LO was conceived. I also know that it could change again come my 20 week or subsequent ultrasounds. I am just trying to ask all the questions I can right now regarding both options, even though I am set on the RCS right now, I have time to change my mind.

Thank you for the good questions.

dbertagni

My repeat C/S was amazingly simple and pain free, I had a 9lb 5oz boy and the doc had him out 3 minutes after the incision was made.

Some questions I asked were:

Is recovery easier this time? (easier)

How soon can I leave the hospital? (2 days)

How soon can I see/hold the baby this time? (They said ASAP, but DS had breathing issues so it was 5 hours)

Will you cut out my scar or create a new one? (they cut over it)

Will I bleed more or less vaginally this time? (less)

Will I feel anything? Will my sedation be stronger? What if I panic, can you put me under? 

I had a wonderful repeat C/S experience, it was literally pain free, I felt nothing! I never even took more than Motrin after the initial medication for the surgery.

 

mel101

dbertagni:

My repeat C/S was amazingly simple and pain free, I had a 9lb 5oz boy and the doc had him out 3 minutes after the incision was made.

Some questions I asked were:

Is recovery easier this time? (easier)

How soon can I leave the hospital? (2 days)

How soon can I see/hold the baby this time? (They said ASAP, but DS had breathing issues so it was 5 hours)

Will you cut out my scar or create a new one? (they cut over it)

Will I bleed more or less vaginally this time? (less)

Will I feel anything? Will my sedation be stronger? What if I panic, can you put me under? 

I had a wonderful repeat C/S experience, it was literally pain free, I felt nothing! I never even took more than Motrin after the initial medication for the surgery.

 

 

Great questions! 

pinkmoonlight

dbertagni:

My repeat C/S was amazingly simple and pain free, I had a 9lb 5oz boy and the doc had him out 3 minutes after the incision was made.

Some questions I asked were:

Is recovery easier this time? (easier)

How soon can I leave the hospital? (2 days)

How soon can I see/hold the baby this time? (They said ASAP, but DS had breathing issues so it was 5 hours)

Will you cut out my scar or create a new one? (they cut over it)

Will I bleed more or less vaginally this time? (less)

Will I feel anything? Will my sedation be stronger? What if I panic, can you put me under? 

I had a wonderful repeat C/S experience, it was literally pain free, I felt nothing! I never even took more than Motrin after the initial medication for the surgery.

 

These are great question. I am going to ask some of/all of these.