C-Section ? from 3rd tri

Kjeorange · May 2010

I am scheduled for a c-section on Saturday and am completely freaked out/upset about this. I had planned on a natural birth, but baby is breech and plans have changed now. Any advice on how to deal with the devastation with the change of plans? I just do not feel good about this. I am worried about how things are going to go afterward, such as not being able to care for her the way that I would like, etc. For anyone who had a c-section, how did everything go for you?

Luv-a-Bug · May 2010

I think the best advice I can offer you is to be flexible about these "plans" you're making. Even when you go into the hospital expecting a vaginal birth, it can still end in c-section after many hours labor (like mine). When my doctor finally called for the c-section after 27 hours of labor and stalling at 6.5, I was so relieved. I wasn't scared, I just wanted my baby out and for the pain to be over. My recovery has been great, and DS is super healthy.

Your goal... your plan... should be to give birth to a healthy baby regardless of what area of your body it comes from... and then to love and nourish it, whether it be from breast or bottle, and to be at peace with yourself no matter what happens because you're giving your baby what he/she needs either way.

Good luck.

BabyH2010 · May 2010

Mine was perfect. I was walking and everything the next day. Just stay on top of your pain by taking the meds and everything will be fine. My recovery has been a breeze!

mrs.Awoods · May 2010

I had an emergency c-section after 13 hours of labor and was devastated. Going in... a c-section was my absolute biggest fear in the world. It took some time to get over it and accept the fact that I didn't have her vaginally, but honestly the procedure wasn't bad at all! I didn't feel anything, and besides not being able to hold her right away I think it was a wonderful experience. (It took me a while to get to the point of acceptance, but looking back, I am actual almost thankful that I had a c-section)

Good luck! I promise, once you see your LO you won't think a thing about what's going on with you.

missyjg · May 2010

Same thing happened to me. But I have to say I the recovery wasn't bad. First few days were the worst. I saw other moms walking who appeared in much more pain than I was who delivered vaginally. Once you see your baby, it really won't matter. It didn't for me. I feel almost 100% now and was only on meds for the first 5-6 days. Everyone is different but in the end you will have your baby! I needed help the first day but after that my DH went home to sleep and I took care of LO most of the time. She went to the nursery for a few hours the second night but stayed with me the entire time the third night. Word to the wise...Stay on top of your meds! Good luck.

l_elizabeth · May 2010

I was in the same situation, I had a scheduled c-section at 38 weeks because of a breech baby. I was terrified at first, but I had the BEST experience ever. There are so many great things about a c-section. You can have things (semi) planned, the situation is controlled, it's quick, and honestly, my recovery was not hard at all. I know some people have a hard time, but there's also the other side-- I loved my experience. Just know that all that matters is meeting your baby, regardless of how it arrives. Once that baby is out, nothing matters. My husband stepped up a lot the first few weeks, but we didnt have much other help and it was just fine. GL- you'll do great!

scubaspot · May 2010

Although I had hoped for a pain-med free vaginal birth I too ended up with a c-section. It was not what I had hoped for but it was what was best for my baby and I have no regrets. I had no problems with my spinal, no issues with pain and my recovery has been fantastic.

My DH was handed Maddie shortly after she was born and he was able to go with her to be washed while the doc closed me up. As soon as I was wheeled back into the room I was given Maddie to BF. She latched on right away, with no problems and has remained there since. LOL

My recovery was easy. I took 800ml of Motrin every 8 hours for about 5 days. My c-section was at 5pm so the next morning the nurses had me up and walking. I couldn't stand up straight and there was some pain but nothing agonizing.

I had my c-section Tuesday night and went home at noon on Thursday. I was able to take care of LO just fine. Moving around was uncomfortable but nothing terrible. BF was more painful then my c-section. GL

kate930 · May 2010

I had a lot of blues as a result of having an emergency c-section after 46 hours of natural labor. But, honestly, the recovery has been exceptionally easy. I don't know if I am normal, but I was walking around the next day and have had no difficulty since coming home. I had no need for the pain meds after a couple of days. My mom said my recovery was faster than her vaginal births. A c-section is truly not as bad as you think it will be! Good luck!

JenniferL923 · May 2010

mrs.Awoods:
I had an emergency c-section after 13 hours of labor and was devastated. Going in... a c-section was my absolute biggest fear in the world. It took some time to get over it and accept the fact that I didn't have her vaginally, but honestly the procedure wasn't bad at all! I didn't feel anything, and besides not being able to hold her right away I think it was a wonderful experience. (It took me a while to get to the point of acceptance, but looking back, I am actual almost thankful that I had a c-section)

Good luck! I promise, once you see your LO you won't think a thing about what's going on with you.

pretty much this. i was sad about it for a couple weeks and i've accepted the fact that my body didn't cooperate, but thank God that a c/s was even an option. i have a beautiful healthy little girl and the recovery wasn't as bad as i expected. my full birth story is in my blog.

AmberLeigh77 · May 2010

I totally understand where you are coming from...after 3 days of a failed induction, my swelling was starting to become dangerous so the doc called for a c-section. I was devastated and did shed some tears...but in reality, it wasn't bad at all! I had my surgery at 5 pm and was up and walking before midnight. Getting out walking the halls during my recovery really helped and I don't think I had much more pain than vaginal births. A word of advice- just make sure to stay on top of your pain meds. If you fall behind, it's hard to catch up. It really was the best thing that could have happened...all you want is a happy, healthy baby.

BBachmann · May 2010

I was freaked out and devastated too. I had my change of plans about 5 minutes before they wheeled me into the OR and after 40 hours of labor. And I was so intent on having a natural labor that I didn't even look into C-Sections. I knew what goes on, but I didn't know everything so I wasn't prepared for it at all.

That being said, everything turned out fine. Get help wherever you can get it. Walk walk walk. It is going to hurt a lot to get up and walk, but the more you do it the faster you are going to feel better.

And don't be afraid to ask for your pain meds. Sometimes the nurses need to be reminded that it is time for more pain medication.

lesalia217 · May 2010

I had an au natural labor at a birth center ending in emergency transport to hospital for c/s. I missed out on all the things I had planned. Since I was emergency, I was fully knocked out. I didnt see LO for an hour or more. But, he is thriving. We had no ill effects from surgery, no delays for BFing. Just treasure your LO and know that everything will end up great. What is important is that your LO will be given the gift of life no matter what path they take to get here.

My recovery has been easy and I feel very lucky. LO is here and we are all happy and healthy.

my birth story

akl0506 · May 2010

Oh, I am so sorry that you are feeling disappointment about your birth. I was a little disappointed, as well. I had a c/s 2 weeks ago, today. My baby was breech. I had always been terrified of natural birth and when I finally got over that and realized that I could do it...I found out my baby was breech & I needed a c/s.

I was able to care for my baby and breast-feed right away after recovery (I got up to the room to be with my baby aprpoximately 75 minutes after he was born). My DH stayed at the hospital with me the entire time. It was really nice to spend so much time together with our DS. I would strongly recommend this for anyone having a c/s.

For the first 2-3 days, DH would change DS's diapers, b/c it was difficult for me to get up quickly. The recovery went much better than I thought it would go. I was not in very much pain at all throughout the process.

I hope that once your LO is here, you will be able to forget how he or she got here, just that they are here.

Good luck on Saturday. Just relax and know that millions of women get c/s's each day and the chance of anything going wrong is highly unlikely.

Kjeorange · May 2010

Thank you all so much for your responses, it has helped me to feel much better about this. Still nervous, but trying to focus on the positive...seeing LO in a couple of days!

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