C-Section and scared!!!!

Czaffer · May 2010

Hello ladies. I guess I have to schedule a s-section due to my baby being transverse. Ive had plenty of issues with my GD so Im just happy to get him out healthy. BUT...I am so terrified of this procedure. All I read is negatives about it. Does anyone have any advice or positive thoughts??? Im so scared =(

sunny26 · May 2010

I have not had one myself but my sister says it is the way to go! Her first was a terrible labour that went very long only to turn into a emergency c-section. Her second was a scheduled section and she went to the hospital for her appt and had a baby half hour later. That would be a plus side!

SMCbride2b · May 2010

I'm just popping in from 0-3 months and thought I'd offer my 2 cents. After laboring for almost 30 hours, I ended up having a c-section. It's no picnic, but my experience wasn't terrible.

Here are some positives:

No swelling 'down there' or hemmroids from pushing (I never dilated enough to get to the pushing)
Much less bleeding afterwards (I was wearing my own pads less than 24 hours later)
You know when you'll meet your little one!

Good luck and don't stress!

susan1017 · May 2010

I think the women who have horrible c-section stories labored and had to push for hours before the c-section (my unscientific observation). I had a c-section that wasn't planned but due to failed induction. I had one contraction (aka...cramp) and my DDs hb dropped and they stopped the process. I did not labor or push and I have to say it wasn't too bad.

My biggest problem was worrying about pulling stitches and getting around the first day or two post but I think that would be true for anyone. It was not a bad recovery and by the time I was released from the hospital I was pretty much back to normal.

My biggest suggestion is to send the baby to the nursery at night and take the heaviest meds they offer at night so you can sleep. Save the lighter ones like Motrin during the day when you want to handle the baby and receive visitors.

Ask lots of questions of your OB and try not to worry. All will be well.

Good luck to you and the little one

MrsMills23 · May 2010

I had a great experience with my c-section. The hardest part for me was getting out of the bed for the first time. DH had to help me alot and I had to take it nice and slow. Other then that, my recovery was great. I had less bleeding afterwards then I thought I would have and over all wasn't that sore after a few days. I would advise you to bring a sundress or something that won't irritate the incision for going home. I had brought some pj pants to wear home and they didn't bother me that much but I wished I would've had a dress. I will be sure to bring one this time around. Don't worry about it to much and go ahead and ask you Dr. anything. It helps to have knowledge of what is going to happen. Good luck!

shirls · May 2010

I haven't had a c-section, but I just wanted to say that I feel the same way too...terrified of c-sections! My baby is breech and doesn't look like he's going to flip. My doctor talked about scheduling a c-section at my appointment today too if I decide to not try a version.

Czaffer · May 2010

Ladies thank you SOOOOOOO much for the advice and thoughts. I dont really know anyone who has had one and it really scares me. The thought of being cut open just sends chills down my spine. Its so nice to hear your stories and talk about it. Means so much. Its hard when all Ive ever heard are the bad things.

Nov5Mrs. · May 2010

I didn't labor and had a full nights rest. It wasn't horrible.

Luv2teach719 · May 2010

My c was a BREEZE. Seriously! I didn't labor, it was scheduled the day before, and it was the easiest thing ever. Yes, I was sore afterwards. But, I'm being honest when I tell you that I was feeling pretty good by day 2. I don't know how labor is but I do know that you have NOTHING to be scared about. Stay on your pain meds as much as possible (although, I only took 2 percocets and the rest of the time I was taking motrin) and make sure to get up and walk AS SOON AS YOU CAN. That'll help you heal. I took the advice of the ladies on here and they were so right. Please, if you have ANY questions, ask. I had a very positive experience and will be doing it again with this one.

stacymartz · May 2010

I had one with my first due to him being breech and just scheduled my second today. I was given the option of a VBAC this time, but the whole process with my first went so smooth, that I opted for a second c/s. The recovery was not hard at all. Every one of my friends who have experienced both, have all said that if they were to do it again, they would have a c/s.

Good Luck!

julessixer · May 2010

I second the PP....my unplanned, emergency C section was no problem at all. I had to have one with the birth of my son after a failed induction, so I too, did not labor and had a full nights sleep. the whole thing happened so fast, that I didn't have time to process what was happening, and just like that, it was over and i was holding my sweet baby boy!

I know everyone is different, and i feel very fortunate, but my recovery was also a piece of cake. I was up moving around the next day, and wound up leaving the hospital a day early. My biggest advise woudld be to follow the pain managment meds your doctor reccommends...it really helps to take the edge of things, and to listen to your body...don't overdo it! my only sore day was the day we brought DS home from the hospital, and I ran around getting everyone drinks and cutting cheese and appetizers like it was some kind of happy hour! that night i was a little sore, but I clearly overdid it! I have a scheduled C for my second son coming up june 17th and I feel good about it. Good luck and try not to psych yourself out...you will be fine and holding your baby before you know it!

femmegem · May 2010

I had a fabulous c-section experience with DS1. I mean, it's surgery, but I was forgetting to ask for my pain pills by the time I left the hospital. I healed quickly and am opting to have another c-section this time around.

I did bleed a lot, though. I certainly wasn't wearing regular pads by the time I left the hospital - maybe I could have, but I didn't. I don't really remember.

rorygirl218 · May 2010

i had a c-section with dd and it was great (not the birth i wanted but still turned out just fine). i was able to hold her very shortly afterwards and felt great. make sure that you get up and walk around as soon as you possibly can even if it is painful, you will feel much better afterwards.GL!!!

LuLu78 · May 2010

I did labor and pushed for 3 hours on very little sleep, THEN had my c-section. It was still great! Wasn't my top choice going in, but it worked out just fine. I think I did better b/c I didn't think about it ahead of time. Its scarier to think about, then to actually go through. I had a good time time during the surgery!

InLovewSB · May 2010

I labored for 19+ hours with G and ended up with a (non-emergency) c-section. It went very well. The procedure itself was not frightening in the least. My doctor had done 1,000s of c-sections, so I knew I was in good hands. The baby was born healthy and I was able to see him in the warmer from my vantage point. H brought him over to me just a few minutes later.

My recovery went very well. I never needed pain medicine more than Motrin. I was sure to take it easy at home as they instructed - no lifting, minimal stairs. H helped me in and out of bed for the first week home, and after that, I was fine. My wound healed wonderfully, and the scar is minimal. I never have any residual pain.

I had a great experience, and I hope that I do for C #2 here in a few weeks. Don't be afraid! Everything will be fine.

Czaffer · May 2010

All of these stories are really calming me down a lot!!!!!!! Thank you all for the support. Your right thinking about it does make it worse. I need to relax. You all are the best

Does anyone know how long it actually takes??? meaning the actual procedure.

Czaffer · May 2010

Do you know how long it actually takes??? Once you get in the operating room.

ReneeDerek04 · May 2010

My c-section experience with DS was wonderful, even though we both had some complications from his delivery. DS was transverse breech,also, and our c-section was planned several weeks in advance. The best things I asked were for a mirror to watch him be delivered (some women like this, others don't, but it made the experience more "real" for me) and for DH to go with him to the nursery for his testing. I felt like I could handle going into recovery on my own, and I wanted DH there with DS.

Yes, your recovery will be much different than that of a vaginal birth, but I was up and walking with minimal pain sooner than the woman in the room next to me who had given birth vaginally. Your child MAY need some intervention after birth, but the doctors are on hand immediately and they will make sure you are aware of what is going on. DS was in the special care / NICU for a couple days because he had fluid in his lungs, but that was the only complication he suffered. Don't let the horror stories scare you, even with some serious complications (I hemhorrhaged because they had to do two uterine incisions in order to get to DS) I recovered VERY fast and had little pain. Just like vaginal birth, every c-section experience is different.

Don't allow yourself to get discouraged, either. I went through some initial grief and sadness for not being able to give birth vaginally, but in all reality the end result is the same and you are no less of a woman for requiring a cesarian. There are no badges of honor, no awards for birth of a child, the reward is a healthy baby and a healthy Mommy. Best of luck to you!!!

Sarah3186 · May 2010

Well I havent had one, but I will be having a c-section june 25...and Im really excited about it. I have been told horrific stories about vaginal birth more often than c-section. The ONLY bad thing I've heard about c-section is the pain and well I have had close to 8 surgeries in my life and surgery pain doesnt scare me one bit. Dont worry, talk to your dr about what exactly is going to happen. That will ease you a lot!!! I hope you can ease up about it....Im actually looking forward to not doing anything and see my baby come out healthy and soon. Hope this helps. Dont worry!!!

ReneeDerek04 · May 2010

Czaffer:
Do you know how long it actually takes??? Once you get in the operating room.

The procedure itself takes roughly an hour or more, including prepping you and getting the spinal in place. Getting the baby out takes under 30 minutes. Honestly, you won't notice the time at ALL, because there is so much going on around you. BTW, you can chat it up with your DH and the anesthesiology staff are usually pretty chatty too. My anesthesiologist and his nurse were cracking jokes with me. The anesthesiology nurse also held up a mirror for me to watch DS being delivered with one hand while holding my right hand with the other, and it was nice to have a second hand to hold Smile

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