To have a c-section or not!?

Mizsoccer83

I posted a similiar question in the high risk board and got absolutely no responses. Which leads me to think that not many people are in the same situation as I am. This is what I posted:

"

Hello,

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy after a real bad car accident that lead to my having severe head trauma. My question is: does anyone here have Epilepsy and/or take anti-convulsants and what is your plan for delivery?

I have been told different things from different people and doctors...I dont know if I should opt for a c-section over having prolonged labor that would ultimately lead to an emergency c-section (which is not uncommon with women with Epilepsy), increases chance of having seizures during labor, and also the chance that I will naturally be at a higher risk of preeclampsia....what are some of your experiences and/or plans?

Any input will help ease my mind some. I have some time to think about everything, as we are only 9.5 weeks now, but I want to be informed and have a plan of action. Thank you! "

Overall, I am looking to hear about people's honest experiences with planned versus emergancy c-sections. I am real torn about what to do and all the input I know I can gather from your prior experiences will help me. Thanks in advance!

magdalina.h

I can't really answer your question, but I'll give you my experience.

I had an emergency c/s and a planned one. The recovery was the same. I was in shock with the first one since I was only 28w4d and I think the spinal went in easier because I was too in shock. The second time I knew what to expect and it took them a little longer to get the spinal in.

A unplanned c/s after trying to deliver vaginally is not an area that I'm familiar with.

Kissimi21

I think you should discuss this with both your regular doctor and your OB.  Talk about your fears, risks and options, and see what they think is the safest route for you and your baby.  If the risks are high, it may be better to schedule a c/s.  If you risks are low, then you and your OB can come up with a birth plan and keep the option of having a c/s as a back up plan.  Either way, good luck and I wish you all the best.

ksuggitt

I have Epilepsy, mine is a little different than yours, I was diagnosed when I was 9. I take Topamax 100 mg, 2x a day. I took it the whole time I was pregnant with my son. ( He is now 10 weeks old) When I planned to get pregnant, I went to see a High Risk OB to talk to her about what it would be like, if I should switch meds all that stuff etc. She said that I had a very good chance to carry a baby full term and delivery naturally like any normal person, that they would just do extra blood work, and ultrasounds to make sure he was developing right b/c of the meds. 

At 29 weeks I went into preterm labor, and had to have trabutaline (sp?) to stop the contractions, and then again at 32 weeks. We scheduled a C section date for 39 Weeks b/c my little guy was breech, and would not flip, we could not do a flip b/c she was worried about me going into labor b/c of previous preterm labor and wanted him to stay in as long as possible, but my little guy was born at 36 weeks via emergency c-section anyhow, and was/is perfectly fine, he was 6 lbs 10 oz, it wasn't that big of a deal, no stress, on me or him.

If I could have had the chance, I would have loved to have him naturally. If you want to talk more about it feel free to shoot me an email staberk@gmail.com or a PM

manbearpig31610

I have had an emergency c/s and a planned rcs and (for me) the experiences were night and day. My emergency c/s was after an induction due to DD's size and pih. I labored for 21 hours, dilated completely and pushed but ultimately DD would not descend. She was stuck. So, off we went to the OR. I was crushed, terrified and totally uninformed on what to expect. It was an awful experience, my epi (which I got durring labor) wore of durring the surgery and I felt a whole lot (mostly on one side). I totally lost it in the OR and don't really remember a whole lot of what went on except for the pain. My recovery was really rough. I was in a lot of pain for about 3 weeks. The second time around I wanted to vbac just because the surgery and recovery were so terrible the first time around. My OB thought I was a great cantidate (especially since DD#2 was signifigantly smaller) but would not let me go past 42 weeks and would not induce because of the previous c/s. At my 41 week appt I still had no changes in my cervix and DD was still up high. She suggested I schedule a c/s for 1 week and if I went in to labor prior I could still try to vbac. She was always encouraging but did let me know a rcs was likely. To be honest, at that point I was done. I wasn't even upset about the rcs. I just wanted it to be over. So, I scheduled my rcs for that Friday (2 days later). My rcs was amazing! I had to be at the hospital at 4:30am for my 7am c/s. I was checked in, given fluids and monitored for 2 hours then walked back to the OR. My spinal was placed (and I can't even express how much better it was than the epi) and once I was numb my cathater was put in and DH came in. We chatted with the nurse and anisteasiologist(sp?) until I was told I would feel some pressure and then DD would be here. I felt a couple seconds of a lot of pressure then relief and out she came (screaming!) They asked DH if he wanted to cut the cord and he declined (he was afraid he'd see more than he wanted to). Theygave her a quick wipe down and brought her around to us for a couple minutes of bonding. Then, they took her and DH off so she could get cleaned up and have her newborn testing. I chatted with my nurse and ob while she stitched me up and then I was wheeled back to my room for recovery. After a couple minutes DH came in with DD and I was able to BF. After the mandatory hour in recovery I was moved to a postpartum suite, where I spent the next 48 hours. I was discharged on Sunday and felt about 90% at that time. My recovery was great and I was 100% at one week pp. To be honest, I loved my rcs and I am so glad everything turned out the way way it did! Had my first csection been anything like my res was I doubt I would'very had any desire to vbac. Definitely talk to your regular doctor and your ob about this to see what they think will be safest for your specific situation but if you do end up with a csection know that it can be a great experience. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your delivery! I hope it goes exactly how you want!!

Mizsoccer83

Thanks for all the info so far! I do plan to discuss everything in more detail with my DH, OB and high-risk OB, as well as my Neurologist as well-but I thought hearing stories and experiences from women who have experienced it would be more meaningful than what any doctor could tell me to expect, if I choose to move forward with a c-section,planned.

If anyone else has experiences they can share, I greatly appreciate it!

kavc016

I don't have any advice but wanted to share my experience. I was in the hospital for 8 days total. I  went in to be induced since I was already at 41 weeks. I went in on a sunday morning to start the induction process. Well my LO still wouldn't budge and I  was in labor until wednesday. They then told me that I  will have to have a csection. And that's after contracting every 2 minutes for days. I had my section about 6 hours later. I had to wait bc they let me eat breakfast that day between the pitocin and cervidal. (spelling?) from prep time to recovery room was about 45 minutes and I had a precious baby boy. If I knew it would have been that quick and painless I would have had a csection that sunday instead of trying to go natural and through so much suffering. I will definitely have a repeat section in the future.

Mizsoccer83

kavc016:

I don't have any advice but wanted to share my experience. I was in the hospital for 8 days total. I  went in to be induced since I was already at 41 weeks. I went in on a sunday morning to start the induction process. Well my LO still wouldn't budge and I  was in labor until wednesday. They then told me that I  will have to have a csection. And that's after contracting every 2 minutes for days. I had my section about 6 hours later. I had to wait bc they let me eat breakfast that day between the pitocin and cervidal. (spelling?) from prep time to recovery room was about 45 minutes and I had a precious baby boy. If I knew it would have been that quick and painless I would have had a csection that sunday instead of trying to go natural and through so much suffering. I will definitely have a repeat section in the future.

Thanks for sharing! How was your recovery after the c-section?

Mizsoccer83

kavc016:

I don't have any advice but wanted to share my experience. I was in the hospital for 8 days total. I  went in to be induced since I was already at 41 weeks. I went in on a sunday morning to start the induction process. Well my LO still wouldn't budge and I  was in labor until wednesday. They then told me that I  will have to have a csection. And that's after contracting every 2 minutes for days. I had my section about 6 hours later. I had to wait bc they let me eat breakfast that day between the pitocin and cervidal. (spelling?) from prep time to recovery room was about 45 minutes and I had a precious baby boy. If I knew it would have been that quick and painless I would have had a csection that sunday instead of trying to go natural and through so much suffering. I will definitely have a repeat section in the future.

Thanks for sharing! How was your recovery after the c-section?

kavc016

it honestly wasn't bad. And I am a ftm just so you know. I was only taking my pain meds for about 5 or 6 days. And felt pretty good about a week or two afterwards. Oh and I took the spinal and not the epidural. The spinal numbs you within 30 seconds. It was pretty crazy how fast it worked. Good luck with your decision!

pghjen

I had an emergency c-section due to a placental abruption and loss of fetal heart rate.  I was put under general anesthesia and the baby was out in under 4 minutes; DH wasn't in the delivery room with us.  Going into surgery was the most frightening minute of my life because I knew they couldn't find the babies heart rate.

I would talk to your doctor and keep your options open throughout your pregnancy as your conditions (pre-e, breech baby, etc) will change and may determine for you your delivery.  I would have preferred to not have c-section...but having an emergency c-section is scary stuff.  My next baby will be a RCS.

mrskimm09

I cant really answer your question but I had a scheduled c section and my experience was fantastic! I would probably try to go that route so they can keep a good eye on you.

I was terrified of the spinal and the whole c section in general. Now, its the only way Id do it. The spinal felt like a beesting then my toes went numb(as it is supposed to and yes that fast). They put me up on the table and got me all set then DH was in the room with me by my head. It was about 25 minutes and the baby was out. DH went to the nursery with the baby and I got stitched up.  

I walked into the surgery room at about 9:10am and by 11 I was in recovery and 12n I was in my room.

The worst part was showering by myself in the hospital and the first week home. You are so sore and hormones are crazy- you just cry over everything.. And I mean everything.