What can I expect?

sk8erdevil19

Hey all. So I had an Ultrasound yesterday and the Ultrasound Doc said she is going to recommend to my OB that I be scheduled for a C-Section at 39 Weeks. She said my baby is breech and that if she hasn't moved by this point she won't. I'm incredibly scared to have a C-Section as this was never the plan going in, but I know plans change. I just want to feel comfortable with this and have been doing as much research as possible. But I am wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect during a C-Section? How Long it can take? What the recovery will be like? My OB appointment isn't until next tuesday and I want to be prepared to talk about it. 

mben1119

My c-section wasn't scheduled, but here are some things that I remember that I would have liked to know before: -You make shake. Like tremble.  It is very normal, and is just kind of freaky. I also threw up a few times, but I think that was from my epidural being effed up. You may even feel some of it-not like pain, but a weird tugging sensation. Also weird, but apparently common. I don't remember how long the surgery itself took , but it couldn't have been more than a half hour, maybe? Afterward, try to get up and move when they will first allow you, but DON'T overdo it. Take it easy, and take your time. Housework can wait. Keep a pillow handy for when you need to cough or sneeze to hold over your incision-it makes it hurt worse. Take your pain meds, also. It is okay to use and need them. I'm sorry this is a lot, I'm just typing as I recall things. It is intimidating, but the ultimate goal is a healthy and happy mommy and baby, and if a c-section is the way to that, then so be it.

ImThisBabysMom

Adding to the PPs...stool softener. I couldn't get up out of the hospital bed very well, but could manage. It took all my strength to get up and down. So I couldn't pick up the baby and get back in bed with her to nurse. My H would bring her to me or take her back for me. Also, I would put a folded blanket across my incision to help with the weight of the baby while she was nursing. Good luck!!

MichelleL1118

I had a scheduled c/s with DS, for several reasons including that he was breech.  For me, it was a very easy delivery & recovery.  The schedule was something like this:

Tuesday
6am - check in to hospital, get monitored (I was having regular, fairly strong contractions that I couldn't feel), hang out

8:30am - taken to OR for the c/s.  Anesthesiologist came in & administered the spinal, then nurse inserted a catheter.  DH was brought in as the doc was making the first incision.  I felt some pulling/tugging, but no pain.

9:03am - DS was born.  They cleaned him up, weighed him, and examined him in the OR, with DH over next to him taking pictures & stuff.  Then DH was allowed to bring DS over to me to see while they finished stitching me up.

9:45ish am - I was wheeled to recovery.  DS should have come with me, but was wheezing quite a bit, so the nurses took him for observation.

11am - DS finally deemed stable & brought to me; did skin-to-skin and nursed for the first time.  He *never* left my side for the rest of the hospital stay, except for his circumcision.

5pm - catheter removed, and I was allowed to get out of bed.   

Thursday
We were discharged from the hospital around noon. I felt well enough to make a quick stop at Target on the way home from the hospital, although I wouldn't advise doing so.  But DS was very large, and we didn't expect him to fit into NB size clothes, and he actually did, so we needed to pick up a few sleepers for him.

 

I had a very easy recovery.  I was told not to lift anything heavier than the baby, and not to drive while still taking the narcotic pain meds (hydrocodone), which I only took at night.  I was able to control the pain during the day really well with just advil.  I was off the pain meds within a week, and driving by 1.5 weeks out.  I'm hoping my recovery is just as easy this time around. 

sk8erdevil19

Thank you everyone for your posts! It comforts me knowing a little more as to what to expect! 

treble_clef

I had 2 breech baby c-sections.  It's really not that bad!  The surgery itself is very quick.  Once my spinal kicked in, my doctors worked very fast while they were chatting with me, and ta-daaa! the baby was out.  

I would say the challenging part will be the first day or two while you have the catheter and IV lines in.  You might experience nausea or shaking after the surgery, but I'm sure your nurses will help you every step of the way. All the nurses that took care of me were excellent!  If you are trying to breastfeed, that tends to be quite challenging to a FTM too. 

Good luck!  It's so exciting you'll be having a baby soon!!   

Heather2256

One thing to add is that the doc & nurses during the c/s will push on you to get the baby out. It'll feel like they're pushing on your chest. Oh and it's cold in there! But it's no where near as bad as you may think. 

Mayfaerie88

Would also like to add the other great advice given that with a spinal your lower half is completely paralyzed.  Like your mind is telling you to move your legs, but they don't move.  That was probably the most bothersome thing about the c/s for me.  But the feeling comes back slowly and I could feel my legs completely about 3 hours after.  I had a great anesthesiologist and she kept me informed of everything that was happening.  I didn't even realize it was time for baby to come out until she said you will feel them pushing on your stomach now.  I felt no tugging or pulling. 

I knew I was having a c/s from the beginning due to medical reasons.  It is scary because it's surgery, but once you get there and things start going, it all happens so fast you don't have time to think about that!

Good luck!!

jno712

Heather2256:

One thing to add is that the doc & nurses during the c/s will push on you to get the baby out. It'll feel like they're pushing on your chest. Oh and it's cold in there! But it's no where near as bad as you may think. 

 

YES to this!!  They push really hard - it doesn't hurt, you just feel lots and lots of pressure.  And you're right - I would have sworn it was up by my arms.  lol

My advice is to buy yourself the biggest grannie undies you can.  I wear low-cut undies all the time but when you get out of the hospital and don't have the mesh underwear anymore you will not want anything near that incision line for a while.  I bought a cheap pack of big ol' Hanes at Target.   

red240chic

The next day get up every few hours and try to pee. One of my nurses told me to do that every few hours because of all the fluids they give you gotta come out sometime and sometimes the next couple of days you dont feel the urge to go. (plus sitting on the potty helps you relieve the gas! You'll feel the need to pass gas while youre laying in bed, but I found it a little uncomfortable trying to 'rip one' after the c-section.)  And the stool softener, no one told me that the combo of surgery plus narcotics would stop you up really bad, so def take it.

adussell7

Honestly just don't worry. The thirty hours of back labor and massive doses of pit I had before my c/s was far worse than the surgery or recovery. Don't get me wrong, getting up the first time (maybe 4 hours after my c/s?) wasn't fun, but after the first day or so I was moving around fine. The hardest part for me is taking  it easy since for the most part I feel pretty great. My OB was amazing though, it took exactly 17 minutes and all the nurses agreed I probably wont even have a scar. I really don't think I'll try a VBAC if we have any more children because I had such a great experience with my c/s.