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C-sections
J&JSuiter070205
member
Brayden (5 1/2) born 12.28.06
Hailey (4 1/2) born 2.25.08
Taylor (8 Months) born 12.26.11
Please share your C-section experience
J&JSuiter070205
member
in C-sections
What was the reason for the C-Section?
How far along were you?
How long was your hospital stay?
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long?
When did you start feeling better?
Anything else you'd like to share 
Brayden (5 1/2) born 12.28.06
Hailey (4 1/2) born 2.25.08
Taylor (8 Months) born 12.26.11
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Please share your C-section experience
Emergency c. 32 hours labor, barely dilated to a 2, I was beginning an infection because my water had broken on it's own, but my body wasn't ready to labor so I had a fever and it was all causing ds's heart rate to drop.
40 weeks.
I was in for 3 nights after he was born. Could have been a fourth but after a total of 5 nights, I was ready to go home.
No driving for 2 weeks, no lifting anything heavier than baby for 2 weeks, cleared for exercise at 6 weeks.
For as bad of shape as I was in during and after the surgery due to complications, I felt better relatively fast. I know that within a week and a half we were out for a walk in a park so it couldn't have been that long.
My experience was nothing like what I expect, or should expect, this time due to the fact that I labored so long and was infected which resulted in many complications during surgery. I'm looking forward to an uncomplicated c this time that I can actually remember more than bits and pieces of.
What was the reason for the C-Section? I was induced due to low fluid on a Monday. By Tuesday late afternoon I was only dialated to 3cm. they broke my water and I had an epi. After the epi DS's heartrate kept dropping and I was rushed in for a c-section.
How far along were you? 40 weeks 4 days
How long was your hospital stay? 2 nights.
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? Basically just no lifting, cleaning, exercise..
When did you start feeling better? I would say probably 2 weeks I felt better but still at night was the worst having to get out of bed. I would get sharp pains that felt like something was ripping inside. That lasted until probably 5 weeks or so.
What was the reason for the C-Section? - I was induced with prostaglandin gel (scheduled for pitocin but the gel sent me into labor) because I was past due. Early labor was intense and DD's heartbeat was erratic from the moment they admitted me into L&D and hooked me up to the monitor. Since she wasn't handling labor well and they thought the cord might be prolapsed (it wasn't), I had an emergency or at least very urgent c/s. Her head was awkwardly positioned, so that probably had something to do with it.
How far along were you? - 41w 3d
How long was your hospital stay? Four nights after the surgery (plus basically one night of labor and surgery), although I could have gone home a day earlier.
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? Other than not picking up anything heavier than the baby I don't remember any specific restrictions. I did stairs as soon as I went home, drove about two weeks later, and starting taking walks with DD after a couple of weeks.
When did you start feeling better? I was off pain meds within a week (partly because it turns I'm allergic to Percocet) and went to the mall with my sister a week after surgery, so I was feeling well enough for mild exercise a week later. I had to be careful about certain activities but I felt about 90% better by that point.
Anything else you'd like to share
Recovery was easy enough that I will probably do it again this time.
What was the reason for the C-Section? I was told my LO was very large and that he probably wouldn't fit if I gave birth naturally. He ended up being 9lbs 4oz with very big shoulders
How far along were you? 40 weeks 3 days
How long was your hospital stay? 3 nights 4 days.
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? Actually the only restriction I was given was not to pick up anything heavier than 10 lbs.
When did you start feeling better? Around 2 weeks. I feel ok now, but if I push it too hard, my incision starts to get sore.
Unexplained IF
IUI#1 + Clomid + Trigger= BFP!! EDD: 8/8/11
DS#1 Born 8/11/11
TTC#2
BFP #2 3/1/12 Ended in M/C on 3/17/12 @ 7w
11/12 IUI#1 + Clomid + Trigger= BFP, EDD: 8/18/13, Beta#1 (45), Beta #2 (265) Beta #3 (2545)
S/PAIF/PAL ALWAYS WELCOME!!
My LO was breech the whole pregnancy and we did schedule my C-section at 36 weeks. We figured that if she did flip we could always cancel the section. I tried all of the exercises and they did not work. I opted not to have an external version done. So I was scheduled for a C-section 1 week before my due date. Here is my story and I hope it answers some of your questions you may have. I ended up going into labor the night before my scheduled C-section. We got to the hospital at 4am and when they checked me they told me I was 6cm dilated. They did not give me anything to stop the contractions. All they did was prep me and get me ready for surgery. They did do a quick u/s just to make sure that my LO had not turned but she did not so it was off to the OR I went.
Once they hooked me up and got me prepped I walked down to the OR with the doc. When I got in they sat me on the table and gave me my spinal. It did not hurt at all. I think the key is to relax and breathe deep. Keep your chin down against your chest and don't tighten up. It kicks in right away in that they had to lift my legs up onto the table. They then put in my catheter and cleaned off my tummy. Keep in mind I saw none of this and felt none of this. My husband then came in and joined me sitting up next to my head. They began the surgery and within minutes my baby girl came out screaming and crying which then both my husband and I were crying as well. The doctor had to dry my eyes for me. They cleaned her off and then brought her around for my husband to hold and I got to kiss her and touch her hands and face. They then took her to my recovery room and they sewed me back up. I did not get staples. All in all that all took about 40 minutes. As soon as they wheeled me into recovery my LO was right there next to my bed. Since nothing was wrong with my arms or hands I was able to hold her right away and nurse her. I was in recovery for about 5 hours and during that time we took pictures, videos, I was texting and talking on the phone. They took her to give her the first bath. Once all of the feeling was back in my legs they moved me into my room. When I got there I nursed her again and we did skin to skin contact. They we started to have visitors. The first day I really felt nothing. They left the catheter in the entire day and over night because I was having issues with my BP so they did not want me out of bed at all that first day. Also I was on a liquid diet the entire first day which was fine because when I did try to drink something I felt really sick to my stomach. This was all on a Thursday.
Now the 2nd day kind of sucked. I was really tired because I did not get much sleep the past two nights. I was also bleeding pretty badly which is totally normal. At one point I had to have one of the nurses clean me up. This sucked because I had to lift myself up and turn side to side. Also they check your uterus by pressing on your belly button. That was seriously painful. Like this was probably the worst part about having a C-section. I decided against wearing my own pjs and underwear because of how much I was bleeding. Around 2:00pm that day they finally went to take out my catheter out since my BP was back to normal. Also they wanted to move me to my permanent room. Here I thought they were going to just wheel me into my new room. Oh no I had to get out of bed and into a wheelchair. That was horrible. The best advice I can give to you is to get one of those stomach binders. This was a lifesaver for me. It sort of keeps everything in place and makes it much easier to move around. Also when getting up do it in one quick motion cause doing it slow just prolongs the pain. For me it felt like a burning and like as if my incision was going to tear open. As much as getting up and moving around sucked you have to do it because it makes your recovery faster and easier. Not only did I get in and out of bed I ate dinner that night in a chair and took a lap around the floor of the hospital. I also was able to eat my first real meal. They suggested not to eat anything really heavy so I had a turkey sandwich and chicken noodle soup and ginger ale.
Saturday was much better. Of course it still hurt to get up and around but not as much. In fact I was able to take a shower that morning which felt fantastic. However, it took so much of my energy out of me. The bleeding was not as bad and I could finally get out of bed to tend to my baby if she was crying.
Sunday morning my doc came in and checked me and asked if we wanted to go home. We said yes so she said that we could check out. We could have stayed 1 more night but, we really wanted to be home. So I showered up, filled out papers, got our things together and checked out at about 2pm that day. Also if you have a SUV bring a step stool with you so that it is easier and less painful getting in and out of your car.
Overall I had a good experience with my C-section. It was not something I had planned or wanted at first but know that it was the best thing to do. I would say that about a week after she was born I stopped wearing the binder and could move around a lot easier. I would take about 1 percocet a day and that was for about a week only. Then I just took motrin. And 2 weeks after she was born we were out getting our Christmas tree. Just try to take it easy because you will have just had major surgery. Even though there is pain involved more so with recovery than anything else just keep telling yourself that then end result is all worth it. I wish you the best of luck and I hope I was able to answer some of the questions you may have had about all of this. Please feel free to ask me anything else about this. Good luck:)C/S #2 I was plannng for a VBAC but again had low fluid the whole pregnancy. At 36 weeks they decided it was time for him to come. Since I wasn't dilated we decided to forgo the VBAC and do a c/s. This time around it was much easier. I remember everything, from them saying clear fluid to hearing his apgar scores. He was 4lbs 10oz. After the 2nd day I was walking around and people thought I had a vaginal delivery. 3 day hospital stay but the doc was ready to release me the next day. And again same restrictions other then the driving, the doc told me I could drive a few days later. And again about the same time frame from when I started feeling myself again.
How far along were you? I was 41 weeks 3 days
How long was your hospital stay? I was in for three nights. I could have stayed a fourth, but I wanted out of there.
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? No driving, exercise or sex until f/u appointment. No lifting anything heavier than my baby. Minimal stair climbing.
When did you start feeling better? My recovery was pretty easy. I felt okay pretty much right away. We were back to our normal routine at just about 2 weeks pp. I know we took DD to breakfast when she was 9 days old. We missed the first one with her home because I wasn't up to it, but by the following Saturday I was ready to get out of the house for a bit.
Anything else you'd like to share
I agree with PP about talking to your anesthesiologist or in my case my nurse anesthetist. He was my very best friend. He took care of my nausea the second I said I felt sick. He reminded DH to take pictures and he took a few of all three of us.
I was so overwhelmed since the birth was not at all what we had planned on. I had done plenty of research, but it never really occurred to me that I'd actually need a c/s. I'd suggest really preparing yourself for all possibilities. Also find out your hospital policy on where your LO will go after birth. I wish I had done a little more research. I hated being separated from her for three hours for no reason. It was awful for me and there was no reason she couldn't have stayed with me in recovery except that is just not how that hospital did things.
reason: he just didn't want to come out. I went into labour naturally, laboured without meds, pushed for three hours. No progress whatsoever. He was in a poor position (OP with brow presentation) and they attempted to turn him (which, btw, was easily the most horrible and painful experience of my whole life, with the doc with his hand up my crotch what felt like up to his elbow as he attempted unsuccessfully to tilt the baby's head).
I was 41 weeks, 3 days.
c-section was at midnight on Friday morning, I was out on Sunday mid-day. I begged and harrassed the nurses to let me go home; I was supposed to wait until Monday.
restrictions: I couldn't eat solid food for two days, which my friend who is an l+d nurse says is ridiculous and isn't what her hospital does. It was awful. Had a catheter inserted for over 24 hours, which sucked. No lifting anything heavier than the baby for a few weeks, I forget how long. They didn't mention anything about not driving- I didn't find out until weeks later (by which point I had been driving on an almost daily basis) that it is usually recommended you don't drive for a few weeks. Oh well.
The first week or so was pretty rough- it was hard getting out of bed, standing up, sitting down. My husband had to come and help me every time I had to go to bed, get up to nurse, sit down on the couch, stand up from the couch, walk up stairs, etc. After that I felt good enough to those sorts of things, but was still forcibly reminded on a near daily basis that my abs had been sliced open. Unloading the dishwasher, for instance- holding a stack of plates out and up high to slide on the shelf was painful. I remember at six weeks I began to feel pretty much normal, but if I pushed myself too much, I paid for it the next day.
Take it easy. Have lots of help for at least six weeks.
What was the reason for the C-Section? she was not decending and was still high after 18 hours of labor and dilating to 8 cm...ends up she was all wrapped up in the cord
How far along were you? 40 weeks 5 days
How long was your hospital stay? went in on 8/31 to be induced, had her on on 9/1 (thursday) and went home on Sunday 9/4
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? no driving for 2 weeks or while on pain meds, no heavy lifting, no sex, no exercise, take it easy and heal up
When did you start feeling better? hard to say im 1 week out and feel pretty good, not taking any pain meds
Anything else you'd like to share having had both a vaginal birth and a csection I can say the recovery for csection is harder, both both experiences are the same as long as you have a healthy happy baby
How far along were you? 39w2dHow long was your hospital stay? Admitted Tuesday at 6:30 PM, DD born 8:47 PM, discharged 5 PM Friday.What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? Not to drive for a week or until I was off the pain meds, and not to lift anything over 10 pounds.When did you start feeling better? About two weeks later. I still get really tired and my incision gets sore if I overdo it.
BFP 12/10/10 - DD1 8/16/11
BFP 10/29/13 - c/p 11/2/13
BFP 11/29/13 - DD2 7/18/14
BFP 3/20/18 - DS1 due 12/2/18
Mason James
July 23, 2011
Baby Girl Due June 9, 2015
What was the reason for the C-Section? by choice
How far along were you? DS1 was 39w2d, DS2 and DS3 were 39w
How long was your hospital stay? DS1 was 4 nights, DS2 and DS3 were 3 nights
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? no driving for 2 weeks, no sex or strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
When did you start feeling better? before I left the hospital
Anything else you'd like to share
for me, they get easier each time!
What was the reason for the C-Section? I had a c section scheduled for 39w3d due to placenta previa. At 35w5d I had an ultrasound that showed some potential problems. I was at the hospital at exactly 36w for an NST when they discovered I was in labor. I was having regular contractions but wasn't feeling them. The dr thought I couldn't feel them because my placenta was covering my cervix.
How far along were you? 36 weeks
How long was your hospital stay? Sunday morning-Wednesday night
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? No driving for 2 weeks, no lifting over 15lbs, no sex, no "heavy" housework for 6 weeks
When did you start feeling better? only 1 week out, hoping to feel closer to normal soon
Anything else you'd like to share
I didn't realize how much I used my stomach muscles until someone cut them!
What was the reason for the C-Section? Large baby (over 9 pounds at the 39 week scan, she was born at 9 lbs 11 oz) and lack of progress (nothing, she hadn't dropped, no dilation, no effacement, nothing. She was happy where she was.)
How far along were you? 40 weeks, I was scheduled on my due date.
How long was your hospital stay? 4 days, admitted Monday, went home Thursday.
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? No lifting anything heavier than the baby, no driving. I think until my first follow-up visit? I don't know, I cheated and had a big baby anyway!
When did you start feeling better? Pretty quickly. I went home and only took my painkillers at night to help me sleep. I was moving well pretty quickly. I got the side-eye from my OB actually because I sat up without help at my 10-day followup. I honestly had an easy-peasy recovery.
Anything else you'd like to share. Keep ahead of the pain meds. Everyone recovers differently. Don't expect it to be terrible, don't expect it to be easy, just accept it for what it is.
What was the reason for the C-Section? Baby was breech since 28 weeks. Never budged.
How far along were you? 39w 2d
How long was your hospital stay? 3 nights
What restrictions are you put on afterwards and for how long? No heavy lifting, etc.
When did you start feeling better? Honestly, I felt back to normal about a week later. I had a very smooth recovery.
Anything else you'd like to share :-). Try to get up and walk as soon as possible. I was up and walking the next morning and I think it really helped prevent swelling and pain.
5lbs 9 oz, 18.5 inches long
6 months: 16lbs 15 oz, 27 inches long