How to have the best c-section

namara5532

I'm a FTM, and the plan is to have a vaginal delivery.  However, I'm being induced on Tuesday, and I haven't had any dilation.  My doctor told me that if I still haven't progressed before the induction that I have a 50% chance of needing a c-section at some point.  I am going to be doing everything I can to get my vaginal delivery, but I have to be reasonable and plan for the option of a c-section.

If that is the route that must be taken to have a healthy delivery, what can I do/ask be done to have an ideal c-section?  I want to have more children someday and would want to attempt VBAC.  Is there a certain way I can ask them to close me back up that would make that option viable?  Are there certain activities afterwards I should avoid to increase my chances of healing normally?

Any advice and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.  I admit I'm scared to death of the idea of a c-section although I am willing to go through with it if it's what needs to be done.

jb2rn

Hi! May I ask why you are being induced? If its because you are "overdue", remember you really aren't until 42 weeks...

MrsSarahL

I would say, take it one step at a time.  Having a c/s is scary, but it really isn't that bad when you are in the moment. 

If you end up with a c/s, take things slow and just try to walk as much as you can - even if it's just hobbling to the bathroom like you're 80.  Good luck and I hope everything goes smoothly.

magdalina.h

Ask that they do a horizontal internal incision. If they do a classic vertical incision, you won't be able to try for a VBAC. It's not how they close you up, but how they open you.

crystaleyes39

If you have to have a c section just make sure you get as much help as possible w/ the little one and around the house for the first 2 weeks. You really aren't supposed to do any lifting and no stairs if possible during that time. My girls were in the NICU so i had the time to heal and just do nothing aside from my hubby and family driving me back and forth from the hospital.

namara5532

magdalina.h:

Ask that they do a horizontal internal incision. If they do a classic vertical incision, you won't be able to try for a VBAC. It's not how they close you up, but how they open you.

That's really good to know.  If I need a c-section, I'll make sure to request a horizontal incision if they can.

Thanks for the advice.

namara5532

jb2rn:

Hi! May I ask why you are being induced? If its because you are "overdue", remember you really aren't until 42 weeks...

I will admit it's mostly because my OBGYN has a policy of not letting their patients go past 41 weeks.  I planned to be more insistant, but the past month has been hell for me throwing up blood every night for weeks and losing weight in the last month.  I'm too mentally exhausted to fight their recommendation to induce at 41 weeks.  Trust me, I'm disappointed in myself about this because I planned to at least insist on going to 42 weeks before even discussing induction.

RoxBride

Your doctor would not do a vertical incision without a medical reason.

Talk to your OB about taking a stool softener start now. It can really help for c/s.

Strawberrywine

You are so smart to be prepared.

I did not enjoy my c/s's but what made the last one the best was having a c/s birth plan. Think about what would make the c/s special for you and have it done.

Here are some things from my plan. 

1. Get to see baby upon delivery ( my 1st and 2nd were not shown to me until 20 min, 1 1/2 hours later b/c g/a- scheduled c/s couldn't get spinal to work)

2. If baby is healthy, allow me to have skin to skin near face before cleaning baby up and taking off to nursery.

3. No medical talk ideally.

4. Headphones for surgery w/relaxing/favorite songs - best thing ever

5. No drugs to reduce anxiety post c/s - helped me to stay alert.

 Talk to your dr about what she can do to keep your c/s special if it's not an emergency. Lots of girls who go from induction to c/s are going b/c induction failed. There's no imminent emergency - see what you can do to slow down dr if baby is healthy to help make it special.

cottonlily84

Take the pain meds right on schedule in the hospital, even if you don't feel like you need them.  It can get out of hand quickly.  Let everyone help do anything they offer.  This goes for nurses, moms, friends, etc.  Most drs do the bikini and not traditional incision now but you can ask to be sure.  Don't lift anything heavier than baby, do stairs or bending at home until the dr says it's ok.  When it comes time to VBAC you'll have to get the dr and hospital on board for that regardless how this c/s goes.  Some refuse to do it no matter what the situation.  Hopefully you won't need one anyway!  My dr induced a friend's sister last week for bad pre-e and I was so worried she would need a c/s like we did.  But she did just fine.  GL :-)

Christine&Mario

namara5532:

magdalina.h:

Ask that they do a horizontal internal incision. If they do a classic vertical incision, you won't be able to try for a VBAC. It's not how they close you up, but how they open you.

That's really good to know.  If I need a c-section, I'll make sure to request a horizontal incision if they can.

Thanks for the advice.

They should give you a horizontal incision unless there is a true emergency; these days the vertical incisions usually only happen when they need to get the baby out in a very serious hurry.

There are a lot of factors that will be out of your control as to whether a VBAC is possible, and most of those factors will have a lot more to do with your next pregnancy than your current one. For now I would focus on following your doctor's instructions to the letter regarding activity and recovery, and just kick back and enjoy the sweet little miracle you will get to meet very soon!

CopsGirl11103

I had my C/S at 41.5 wks along after 24 hrs of labor and 2 hrs of pushing. I was begging for a c/s at that point! Lol! There nothing the surgeon can do to change your VBAC options for the future.

One thing u can do is wait at least a year b4 getting pg again. They want u to wait that long so u can heal to decrease ur chances for uterine rupture with dc #2.

salsa_wifey

I had not progressed and was induced.  I think I would have had a better chance of natural delivery if I was not induced.  They say the epidural can slow down labor too and they let me have one when I was only dilated to 2.

I'm sorry you are feeling so miserable.  I would opt for induction too if I felt as uncomfortable as you do.

As far as I know, all c-sections are done horizontally unless there is some extreme situation.  It's very low under your bikini line.  I would talk to your doctor because I know that some doctors are still refusing to do VBACs but overall I think your incision and scar tissue may play a role.  It may be helpful to include your concerns in your birth plan.

As for healing, just follow your doctors instructions.  Allow yourself to heal.  Don't push yourself, listen to your body.

Don't be scared of the c-section.  It's not that bad.  You'll be so distracted by your little one that before you know it - you're healed.  Make sure you have help those first couple weeks though.  It's okay to ask to be waited on.