Planned c-section: how to make it a better experience than last time?

Under.the.Rose · September 2011

My first baby was born via c-section unexpectedly after planning for a natural birth. A previous pelvic injury prevented him from being born naturally, but I tried and was pretty heartbroken that it ended in a c-section.

Now for baby number two, I know that it will be a c-section so I'm trying to think of ways to make it a better experience than last time... I'm wondering if maybe not finding out the baby's sex until he/she is born would make it more exciting or if it would just add to my anxiety? Any other ideas?

magdalina.h · September 2011

My first was an emergency c/s. With my 2nd I was excited because I had a set date. Normally my OB doesn't set the date until 35w, but because of my history I had the date set at 19w. I've never had a "normal" pregnancy, but I think my excitement was just as high as if I was waiting for a vaginal delivery. I also knew what was going to be done unlike last time so I was able to be more relaxed.

l_elizabeth · September 2011

I've only had a planned c-section, but I have to say it was a wonderful experience. I slept the night before, woke up and took a shower and put a bit of makeup on. I drove to the hospital with my husband that morning, nervous but for the most part relaxed-- not in pain as I would have been if I was in labor! The entire morning was fun and relaxed-- we just hung out in our room being monitored until they prepped me. I had awesome nurses and anesthesiologist, and everyone was beyond great. I made all of my thoughts known (I was nervous about pain, feeling anything in the surgery, I didn't want to know when they started, etc.) and I felt good about it all. Nothing hurt, and I actually felt great going into it! The baby was out in 21 minutes, and from there it was just a love-fest. My husband and baby never left my sight, we went to recovery together within 45 minutes and he nursed immediately. I did take a short nap after recovery and afternoon-- but for the most part I was rested, happy, and had a ton of energy. Caring for LO was a lot easier (although I was recovering from a c-section) because I had the energy to do so. I had gone into the whole thing thinking I didn't want visitors in the hospital, and just 3-4 hours later I wanted everyone to come! It really was a great experience, and while recovering from a c-section has its negatives, I think I'm really lucky in a lot of ways. My best friend always jokes that I called her right after saying "c-sections are the best, you should totally have one!"

From what I know, planned sections are much different (better) than emergency. Most everything is controlled and predictable, vs. vaginally where any combination of scenarios can occur.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · September 2011

I had an unplanned c the first time too. This time, I am just looking forward to knowing what to expect, and not experiencing the 32 hours of labor that led to nothing again. We didn't find out the sex this time, but it didn't have to do with making the c-section part more exciting.

Mrs_MBed · September 2011

l_elizabeth:
From what I know, planned sections are much different (better) than emergency. Most everything is controlled and predictable, vs. vaginally where any combination of scenarios can occur.

My thoughts exactly. DD1 was an unplanned c/s after attempting a vaginal delivery. DD2 was a somewhat planned c/s (I scheduled the date, but went into preterm labor before then) and was a much better experience. I knew what to expect for both the surgery and the recovery. In my situation, the nurses and doctors were moving a little bit faster than they would have normally, but DD2 was delivered at 33 wks 5 d, so that was to be expected. There wasn't any panic/emergency. There was enough time to get everyone together and prepare.

I am looking forward to my planned c/s this time. I imagine with twins it will be somewhat similar to DD2's delivery - everyone moving quickly, but not panicked. A lot of the planned c/s stories on this board are a lot better than the unplanned experiences. GL with your RCS - it can be a positive experience!

mrsmikeyray · September 2011

I had DD through c/s, she is my first. It was planned because of my pelvic bone. I could imagine an emergency c/s would be rushed and chaotic, but obviously haven't experienced it. Having it planned helped me to prepare myself, and I had an awesome nursing staff from the time I checked in to when I was discharged. Of course recovery was painful but I had a wonderful experience in the hospital. Even though our room wasn't too pretty, it looked like they'd started renovations and didn't finish, and my bed clicked really loud when I sat it up and down

shouldbworkin · September 2011

We didn't find out the sex either time, but definitely didn't want to the 2nd time b/c we knew everything else. I think it did help keep things exciting. All in all, it was a much better experience. Recovery was pretty similar but a little easier. I was so giddy going in that not much bothered me. I had a little trouble with my spinal block, but had heard that it could happen so I didn't hesitate to speak up. My BP dropped and it made me feel out of breath. They put something in my IV to help and all was good. i think it helps to be able to prepare to be there for a few days too. I brought comfy clothes with me, stocked up on some nursing supplies, brought my own pillow and nursing pillow ... much more than I did when I thought I'd only be there for 48 hours.

gbtc01 · September 2011

My first c-section was unplanned and this one was due to a failed VBAC (DD#2 had no intention of dropping even with me being fully dialated). But what was different was that I knew a c-section was more likely. It went a million times better than my first. I healed faster and had way more energy so much sooner. I knew what to expect in the OR too and whatnot. I was able to fight the drowsiness much better and was able to BF within an hour of her being born.So much different than my first birth.

ashley0616 · September 2011

DD1 was born via c/s unexpectedly after a failed induction. I was devastated. It was compounded by the fact that it was 10pm by the time we got out of recovery and there were 20 people waiting for us to see DD, I didn't know what to expect or what to ask for/do, and I was stressed the entire hospital stay.

I was determined to make DD2s c/s the best experience possible. I had a c/s birth plan. I didn't have ANYONE there this time except DH. We had no visitors until the next day and I think that's honestly the best thing we did. I made a deal with my doc that she would close me as fast as possible and not have the nurses kick DH and DD out of the room right away so I got to spend about 10 minutes with her before they went to recovery; I had an extended period in recovery and was able to get skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, etc, accomplished there; I knew what to expect so asked to have things done the way I wanted them. I asked to go home a day early, I was more relaxed, I asked for extra supplies, I got up and out of bed sooner, and I was able to be more involved and enjoy the first few days of DD's life.

2-Step · September 2011

Personally I was even more set on finding out the sex early because I was having a c-section. When I had my first c-section it was unplanned. I was exahusted from labor and then had a bad reaction to the drugs. I know this time should go more smoothly, but if I have the same reaction to the drugs I will likely be shaking violently and possibly puking when they pull the baby out. I'd rather have a special moment in a nice cozy ultrasound room with DH to take in the moment than try to comprehend it in the middle of surgery while I might be convulsing and puking! Sorry, not to be a downer, this was just my experience.

I think seeing my baby for the first time will be very exicting no matter how he enters the world!

SirSleepsALot · September 2011

I loved my planned c/s. It was amazing. After the hell of 34 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing ending in an unplanned c/s after hoping for a natural birth on baby #1, baby #2 was like vacation. Go in, have a baby and relax in the hospital for 4 days healing and hanging out w/ your little angel. Stop freaking out and enjoy your baby's birth. It's not about YOU.

cracky! · September 2011

SirSleepsALot:
I loved my planned c/s. It was amazing. After the hell of 34 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing ending in an unplanned c/s after hoping for a natural birth on baby #1, baby #2 was like vacation. Go in, have a baby and relax in the hospital for 4 days healing and hanging out w/ your little angel. Stop freaking out and enjoy your baby's birth. It's not about YOU.

LOL!

You're a tool.

biblionerd · September 2011

SirSleepsALot:
I loved my planned c/s. It was amazing. After the hell of 34 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing ending in an unplanned c/s after hoping for a natural birth on baby #1, baby #2 was like vacation. Go in, have a baby and relax in the hospital for 4 days healing and hanging out w/ your little angel. Stop freaking out and enjoy your baby's birth. It's not about YOU.

Yeah... since you're being cut open with major abdominal surgery it is somewhat about you.

biblionerd · September 2011

I think just the fact that it's planned will be much better for you. I've only had a planned one, but I've read/heard that they are MUCH different. We aren't finding out the sex this time (as of right now, but we're probably 95% sure). Honestly, part of the reason is because everything feels so planned to me. We went into pg last time expecting the "ZOMG, my water broke. HURRY and get to the hospital!" etc. I did really enjoy that the day of was so relaxed. I was able to get a good night's sleep, we had everything ready and set up with the pets, and it was nice and calm. We were up in the air about finding out the first time. So I guess being team green isn't to make it a BETTER experience than last time, but maybe just to have something different to look forward to and have something a little unexpected. Everything else seems so planned so we'll have one surprise (hopefully just one!) on delivery day.

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