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C-sections
gleasona
member
Worst part of a CS?
gleasona
member
in C-sections
I did not have a CS with DS, so I'm preparing myself in case I will need one this time. Baby was breech at last appt so it's a possibilty. What do you think is the worst part of a CS? Is there anything good about it? I see that most women want to avoid it.
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Re: Worst part of a CS?
Worst part of mine:
1st - the shakes afterward and the recovery was brutal
2nd - felt super nauseous and just weird (for lack of a better word) during surgery, but this one was my best by far - good recovery
3rd - I had a "hot spot" where the epidural wore off while they were still doing the surgery. It was extremely painful. Recovery has been much faster than the previous two.
The good parts - mine were all scheduled and everything was really calm and controlled and I was able to make a plan ahead of time so that was helpful and obviously not having to labor and then push 9-10lb babies out my vag was a positive
The worst part for me was recovery. I didn't know what to expect really since this was my first Csection and I'm fiercely independant so having to have so much help for the first week or so was really tough for me.
As far as the actual procedure, I got nauseous from whatever and I wasn't thrilled with all the tugging and pulling and wierd sensations I felt but there was no pain.
The worst part for me was definitely the "tugging and pulling and weird sensations" as PP described. No pain at all, though.
The best part was for sure the planning aspect and the controlled environment. My baby was breech, and although there are other options (aversion, etc.), I wanted the safest possible delivery for him, and that's what we had.
Mine ws emergency, so I went in now knowing anything or what to expect.
Worst for me was the uncontrollable shaking during the surgery, not sure if that was meds or me just being scared and cold, I'm pretty sure it started before any new meds were given. Post surgery, the worst for me was when I got an internal infection and large abcsess. This is extremely uncommon, but lucky me, at 1 wk PP I got to spend 5 days in the hospital on IV antibiotics.
BFP #2 March 2011, Baby Girl born November 2011!!!
Worst: shaking afterwards (I had GD and it took us several hours to figure out that my shaking was not just from the anesthesia but also due to my blood sugar dropping so they finally gave me some juice and I stopped shaking almost immediately).
Good: being pampered for a few weeks by DH because the doc told him to.
DH did all the cooking, laundry, cleaning, helped me get out of bed, up from the couch, went to the store, handed me the baby, went shopping to buy me comfy clothes that didn't hit my incision, etc. Now we're back to normal, sigh.
Good: an extra day in the hospital, and if you are working most (or maybe all?) employers give you an extra 2 weeks paid off of work.
Good: if you don't labor before hand, you avoid contraction pain and avoid any tearing.
The worst part of mine was the actual c/s. Took them forever to get the spinal in. My BP dropped so they started tinkering with the IV meds which made my head feel like it was going to explode. Then the spinal wore off right after the baby was out. Can't say that was much fun. I was trying so hard not to pass out I didn't really grasp what all was going on with the baby. It all happens so fast it's very overwhelming.
2nd worse part is definitely the recovery pain. Like someone ran over your uterus with a dump truck pain. But at least you can take this part in stride, unlike #1. And 3rd worse is being stuck in bed/not fully caring for the baby/needing help.
Pros? Maybe being able to schedule it if you're that into planning things. I didn't and I like nature taking her own sweet time. And I guess avoiding the whole vaginal stretching/tearing/stitches part is a plus, though you're sewn up elsewhere.
Worst: the 'light pulling and tugging sensations' after LO was out. Although I didn't feel pain like pp, it was the worst part, very uncomfortable. I thought I was going to pass out / throw up during it. Thankfully, it was over fast.
Throwing up after surgery - I was sick and throwing up for about 4 hours after the procedure. They finally gave me anti-nausea meds and I felt better.
Good: Mine was scheduled, so no tearing or other vaginal damage. Watching DH jump into daddy duty by taking care of E when I couldn't get out of bed. Recovery was very easy. I was expecting the worst but was back to normal within two weeks. i didn't take or need anything stronger than Motrin from the third day on.
I try not to scare the crap outta new Mommies but you are asking so I will answer.
This was a RCS and the worse part was it took over an hour to place the epidural and it still never took. I was completely against being put "under" as I was for my first C-section, I didn't meet my first LO until 2 days after he was born because I could not stay awake long enough. My second C-section was performed under local anesthetic which apparently is completely unheard of but my doc was on my side. They would inject lidocaine then cut little by little. Once they are inside your nerves do not respond the same way so it is not as painful.It truly was not that bad, I did feel tugging and some burning but it was not as bad as the contractions I went through with my first baby. Anyway I am obviously fine now and LO #2 is too! And because I wasn't put under I was able to meet him immediately and nurse him too which was what I wanted.
The whole process seemed so routine that once I got into the OR I was much less nervous. I would advise you to get up and walk as soon as you can but to take it very easy and don't push yourself afterwards to help with recovery. And take your pain meds! Best of luck to you!
Worst: I didn't get to eat for two days.
Besides that I loved everything else. I had a very easy recovery I'm struggling if I want to VBAC this time because my csection was wonderful.
Worst: the pulling/tugging feeling during surgery. It really weirded me out and I couldn't wait for that to be over! Also, the day after your c-section really sucks. But each day after that gets a little better. I hate that I can't lift DD#1 for a month.
Good: the spinal was a breeze and really helped with the first few times of nurses pushing on my uterus after delivery. I felt quite good that whole evening (DD born at 3 pm).
I've had a vaginal delivery and a c/s and they are interesting to compare. I had complicated pregnancies and preemies both times. The day of delivery, the c/s was less stressful. However, in the long term my recovery has been more difficult. HTH!
I'm 11 days out.
Overall, I did not think the whole c-section/recovery process is that bad. The worst part for me is that I unfortunately bruise and swell more than normal, so I had a ton of fluid and blood hanging out in my abdomen and pelvis for about a week post c/s. If I stood or sat for too long a lot of it would drain to my vaginal/labia area
leading to some very unattractive and uncomfortable lady bits. I had to spend a lot of time alternating heat and ice on the area and laying down with my hips elevated, which is hard to do as a new mom! It was emotionally very discouraging to react that way to the surgery.
I knew ahead of time that I would have a c/s, so I was prepared to come home with a newborn and a surgical recovery period. I've had surgeries before, so that was not traumatic for me.
Good parts: my vagina is just fine now that my swelling is resolved, no hemorrhoids or tears, I knew ahead of time when I would deliver so I had everything in place, no long labor
Geez, after reading these answers even I am having anxiety and my c/s is already over! It doesn't have to be a bad experience, just make sure you are aware of your options.
I was so nervous I would get nauseous during the procedure I insisted they give me IV Zofran when we got into the OR to prevent nausea. I didn't want to miss any part of his birth or first few hours because I was sick. I never got nauseous.
The worst part for me was getting out of bed when I got home. I was so used to the back of the bed going up automatically when I was in the hospital that when I got out of bed the first time I almost died (not really, but I thought I might lol)
This!! The first night home was terrible trying to get up to feed DD. I ended up sleeping 3 nights after that on the couch propping pillows and cushions up to make it like the bed at the hospital. It was so much easier to get up when I was already propped.
BFP #2 March 2011, Baby Girl born November 2011!!!
The worst part for me was being separated from DD for three hours post op because of stupid hospital policies and then once we were together the stupid "too busy" nurse who took DD from me and took her to the nursery. She was too busy to watch her and said I could come see her whenever I wanted which was BS since I was still numb and still had a catheter in. It was awful.
The surgery itself was pretty painless as far as surgery goes and my recovery was a breeze. It was the emotional stuff that made it awful.
The worst part for me was the surgery itself... LO was really wedged in an awkward position, so the surgery took longer than expected. (It was an unplanned C/S, done after LO wouldn't drop, dysfunctional labor and her heartrate dipping into the 40s and 50s during pitocin-induced contractions). Because of her presentation and position, there was a ton of pressure - much more than they anticipated. And I'm not 100% convinced the epidural was 100% correct, I could feel a lot of pain and the tension of the knife and things. Combine the huge amount of pressure, emotional/physical exhaustion and being terrified about what I was feeling, it was the worst 25 minutes of my life. I was trying not to scream and trying not to writhe around with the pain. Then they had me so medicated everything was spinning... It sucked. Besides that, the recovery wasn't bad besides the first hour or so.
Worst parts-I was extremely nauseous afterwards and the meds they gave me to help didn't. I didn't eat at all from Sunday morning til Tuesday morning. I passed out when they stood me up on Monday night.
Recovery was MUCH harder than after my vaginal delivery.
Good parts-Safely delivering my daughter. I had complete placenta previa and a vaginal birth could have been very dangerous.
Worst part is that it was difficult to laugh/cough/sneeze/blow my nose/even push the bassinet around in the hospital. Anything that uses ab muscles was difficult for me.
The best part was that I had no fear when using the bathroom. After my vaginal delivery with DS1 I was so careful because I was so scared that pee would burn and that when pooping I would pop stitches out.
GET UP AND MOVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I was up about 12-14 hours after my c/s walking the halls. The longer I laid around the harder it was to get moving. I did have to have the nurse escort me (DH went home with DS1) because I couldn't push the bassinet but it wasn't too bad and she didn't seem to mind.
Bad parts: it felt like a really dehumanizing experience. The staff at the hosptial was terrible and I just had more of an expectation that it would be special since I was having my first baby. No one seemed to care. I absolutely hated laying on the OR table like a naked beached whale getting prepped and felt an utter lack of concern for my privacy or dignity.
The catheter was awful. I had a terrible UTI afterwards and it was almost as painful as the incision.
The duramorph in my spinal made me itch like crazy for 24 hours and it made me feel like I was going insane.
At my hospital, they don't remove your catheter or iv for 12 hours, which feels like an absolute eternity. I also wasn't able to get out of bed for about 8 hours, and when I did I had to drag a pee bag which was completely disgusting to me.
Recovery sucks -- I hate pain meds so I didn't really take any, and for about 10 days I was in so much pain. I could barely walk a mile without being in complete and utter pain.
Disgusting c-section scar and weird divot despite the fact that I'm tiny and lost all of my weight really quickly -- it just looked like I was put back together incorrectly.
But the absolute worst part was not being able to hold my baby for several hours the surgery.
Worst part- I really can't think of one, honestly. It was an unplanned CS because LOs heart rate would drop to the 50s with every contractions and I was only dilated to 3 at the time. When they took her out she was blue and unresponsive. They didn't even hold her up for me to see her, so that might be a bad part. But it was because they had my LOs best interest in mind, so I have no hard feeling about it at all. When I was out of recovery they wheeled my bed into the NICU where LO was. She was breathing on her own by that time.
I agree with everyone else who said get up and walk as soon as possible, the nurse took my catheter out 6 hour after surgery and had me walk to the bathroom. My recovery was great, I really thought it would be much much worse. I would get a little sore if I tried to do too much, so take it easy for a few weeks.
For our next baby I will have the choice between a vbac or rcs, I am leaning toward rsc.
I had an unplanned c/s after about 29 hours of labor and am now about 3 1/2 weeks pp. I did not want a c/s my entire pregnancy and even during labor until baby's heart rate started dropping dangerously low and the doc (who was amazing and tried every thing else first) said we need to go in. I was told I will have to have a c/s next time as well.
Pros:No tearing/ripping/cutting of vaginal tissue (a HUGE fear for me), No fear or pooping/peeing pp, Pelvic Floor still intact, Can plan it (if you're into that), Extra day in the hospital, Extra 2 weeks maternity leave, family/friends are more likely to help out ("you shouldn't be lifting that!")
Cons: Didn't get to watch lo be born (making them drop the screen next time), Couldn't hold him right away, Slept like the dead for about 6 hours after so I didn't get to see lo (besides the one bedside glance) until then, I did get nauseous during it
Personally, recovery wasn't bad; I was up and moving around the next day (even talked the nurses into letting me in the staffroom to steal some coffee). The pain was bearable even after I went off the meds early (not being able to drive was killing me).
I'm actually looking forward to next time (starting ttc this fall) since I'll know what to expect
Worst? Not being able to hold DS right away and throwing up all over my DH during the surgery.
Best/Pro? Ending the misery of back labor and finally seeing my healthy little boy who wasn't going to come out any other way. My recovery was also vey easy.
1st (unscheduled after a long labor) - the fear for baby and then the shakes in OR. The recovering was brutal on that bc I was so worn out before the surgery and had pushed for so long.
2. (scheduled) The fear re: the spinal block. But I told the ENTIRE team of my fear (really bad spinal tap as a kid) and they were all wonderfully supportive. Recovery was much easier this time but I would overdue and then pay for it.
Mine was unplanned, nothing horrible that I remember. I'd say the worst part for me was the nurses wouldn't remove my catheter until the Dr okay'd it. It didn't come out until almost 24 hrs after the c/s. It was so annoying.
Mine was the recovery. I had an emergency c-section and My uterus tore in two places and I hemmoharged for three hours and had to have two blood transfusion's. More than likely this will not be your case. Ecspecially if it is planned I was dialated to ten(all natural) and pushing when the shiit hit the fan.
I hated rolling over and getting out of bed. I also swelled to about 2 times my normal size. I could barely shower or walk.
But in the end I got my beautiful babe. Good luck!
MDC- 10-2-96 CEC- 4-12-98 EEC- 3-10-01
Worst for me was that the IV Dilaudid they gave me made me nauseous. I tried to throw up and couldnt, but I remember being afraid that my incision was going to come open (it didnt). The shakes in recovery werent fun either, but since I knew about them going in, they didnt freak me out too much.
Best for me was that I didnt feel anything at all during the surgery, and was able to hold DS in recovery. I had a planned c section, and it was a mellow, low key experience for me. I remember feeling very excited but very calm the whole day. I had a really easy recovery, and will have rcs for any future kids if they'll let me.
Worst for me: The recovery pain and not being able to do things for myself without help the first 3 days.
Anoying things: The shaking while on the table, my BP dropping while they closed me up (I thought I was dying because the monitors were beeping and flashing lol), the uncontrollable itching from morphine that didn't stop with benedryl, and having so many fluids pumped into me my legs and feet looked like they belonged on an elephant. I don't remember exactly how many days it took for the swelling to go down but it got to the point I thought I was going to have to call the doc and ask if something was wrong.