First Time C-Section...Help???

SilentSymphony · September 2011

Ok I am having a scheduled c-section on october 15th and I am super nervous. First baby...forst c-section...Any advice?

ryansmamaxo · September 2011

Stay calm. I was so nervous and anxious for mine I ended up in tears, although my situation was a little different. Not to alarm you but they could not get my spinal block in and I had to be put under general anesthesia...they didn't allow my husband in, which made it so much worse. I didn't get to see my baby for 4 hours , and at that point I was in excruciating pain. Normally that won't be the case, an epidural or spinal will prevent that pain from happening. Just try to treat it like a normal birth... Enjoy it as much as you can, even though it is a bit scary, just think.. You don't have to go thru the pushing, don't have to worry about tearing or the cord causing probs. Be prepared to not be able to move around very wall for a while. It was atleast 2 weeks before I could sit up and climb out of bed without the help of DH. Accept help from anyone willing to give it, relax and let yourself heal. I tried to do too much and went up the stairs one too Many times (also very difficult at fist) and I started seperating my incision. Take it easy, enjoy your baby and good luck

other than the pain and discomfort, it was the happiest time of my life.

violetdiva · September 2011

I had my second csection 3 months ago and both went quite well. The first one was not planned, after two hours of pushing the docs told me my pelvis was too narrow. So I was then rushed to the OR for the surgery. Was I nervous....of course who wouldn't be.....but the doctors are wonderfully supportive and understanding. Your anesthesia nurse will be right by your side asking how you are feeling......she will most likely hold your hand along with your husband through it if need be......if you feel panicky at all just let them know and they will give you a small dose of a relaxation drug to make you feel more at ease.....

Just close your eyes and breathe.....when they pull your little one over the curtain to say HI for the first time.....its breathtaking.......and is just as special as would be a vaginal birth

As for the recovery, all people's pain thresholds are different but I was up walking around both times the next day. Did it hurt, well yes but not excruciating.....just keep up with your pain meds (and I only took the narcotics for the first 3 days then I just stuck to Motrin). Take it slow, don't over do it, trust me I did and felt more pain.....just let people do things for you. When getting out of bed bend your legs don't keep them straight and hold on to a night stand or a headboard.....you will feel much better by the second week and remarkably better each day after.....the tummy band is your BEST friend! They will give you one to wear and it helps a lot.

Most importantly.....YOU WILL DO GREAT! Have faith in yourself and keep your eyes on that beautiful prize!

704bride · September 2011

Why are you having a c-section?

I wasn't able to hold DS after my c-section until I was being wheeled back to my room after being in recovery for a while. I'm having a VBAC this time and am taking a Hypnobirthing class. It makes me so upset that I didn't get to hold him, so if I have to go through a c-section again, I'm going to demand that they let him/her be in the recovery room with me.

ryansmamaxo · September 2011

704bride:
Why are you having a c-section?
I wasn't able to hold DS after my c-section until I was being wheeled back to my room after being in recovery for a while. I'm having a VBAC this time and am taking a Hypnobirthing class. It makes me so upset that I didn't get to hold him, so if I have to go through a c-section again, I'm going to demand that they let him/her be in the recovery room with me.

I feel exactly the same! I didn't even get to see my son being born because I was completely knocked out, and neither did DH bc they refused to let him in the room. I was completely heartbroken, my entire family got to see and hold the baby for 4 hours before I even came around to see him. It still bothers me to this day. I feel like I was stripped and robbed of something I waited and worked so hard for 9 months to see and do, Ill never get that moment back. Exactly why I am considering VBAC for number 2, although I am not too positive my OB will allow it. Quick question though, what is hypnobabies? Ive heard that phrase a few times since I've been lurking around on this board. I guess I could google but figure I'd get a more personal answer here....

Disneygeek77 · September 2011

I have had three and they all went pretty smoothly. The first one was the scariest but it was an emergency one at 32 weeks. The other two were a breeze. No problems and I was awake the whole time and got to hold and feed both of them while in the recovery room.

My advice would be to tell your anesthesiologist as soon as you feel nauceous. There is medicine they can give you to help you. Also tell them that you would like to hold your baby as soon as possilbe. If you would like to attempt BFing, tell them you would like to do that ASAP too.

SilentSymphony · September 2011

Lol Thanks everyone this is all very helpful. All my family has been telling me is that I'm going to be in aganizing pain and ill hav a flap forever...supportive right? NOT!!!

So I'm like traumatized of surgery and being awake for it. I don't want to be knocked out for it but i dont really want to be completely there lol. Something about being cut open and awake reguardless that im not gonna feel it still freaks me out.... Im getting the surgery done by the doctor that has done my sisters and my mom c-sections so thats kinda comforting even though ive never met the man.

Please explain more about the postpartum pain?

sillypit · September 2011

Take your meds for the pain on schedule, if you let the pain get ahead of the meds you'll be playing catch up for awhile. It's not as bad as a lot of people may lead you to believe. I had a scheduled c-section for a breech baby and my recovery was extremely smooth.

katmiller0 · September 2011

I was also super nervous, it was also my 1st baby. The procedure was nothing, i almost felt silly afterwards because it was SO much better than I thought. The recovery took longer than I thought it would and was not fun, definetly 6 weeks for me, which even though my doctor told me to expect it, I thought I would be an exception. My advise is just not to have expectations for yourself and go with the flow. Also, get as much done prior to the birth as you can, baby room ready, cleaning, ect... because you will not feel like doing it.

justrachet · September 2011

SilentSymphony:
Lol Thanks everyone this is all very helpful. All my family has been telling me is that I'm going to be in aganizing pain and ill hav a flap forever...supportive right? NOT!!!
So I'm like traumatized of surgery and being awake for it. I don't want to be knocked out for it but i dont really want to be completely there lol. Something about being cut open and awake reguardless that im not gonna feel it still freaks me out.... Im getting the surgery done by the doctor that has done my sisters and my mom c-sections so thats kinda comforting even though ive never met the man.
Please explain more about the postpartum pain?

It's weird being awake during surgery. I was anxious about it while I was waiting. but it turned out to really not be too bad.

The pain isn't that bad either, as long as you stay on top of your meds. After my vag delivery, I took narcotic pain relief for 2 weeks, and kept taking ibuprofen even longer. I stopped taking Vicodin about 4 days pp after my c/s. I'm 11 days pp now, and don't really even need the ibuprofen anymore.

ETA: DS was 48 hours old when we were released.

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