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C-sections
Second C-Section Anxiety
in C-sections
So my first CS was an emergency situation where I had been induced and then after the epidural, LO's heart beat dropped so I had to go in the OR.
That was 7 years ago...well almost 8. I'm due now March 6 and have a CS scheduled. What I'm wondering if...well, what should I expect? Is the second one harder? Easier? Does that time between CS matter? I'm really nervous. Any advice would be great!!
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Re: Second C-Section Anxiety
I was in your shoes last week feeling anxious about my RCS...I had DS on Tues. the 11th via RCS (I had hoped to VBAC but my dr. only let me go to 40w2d).
It has been so much easier than the 1st c/s! I had been induced with my twins and labored for almost 9 hours but due to Baby B repositioning and A then not being able to descend any further, I had to convert to a c/s. My recovery was a true nightmare--I had serious clotting issues and it took a looong time for me to finally heal.
This time around (I'm almost 1 wk pp), has been so much better! I have barely bled, the incision looks like it's healing properly and I don't feel nearly as weak/out of comission as I did with the 1st c/s! I liked that the RCS was very straight forward (got prepped, they walked me through the procedure the entire time in the OR, and let me BF DS as soon as I was wheeled into recovery). I went in on a Tues. and was home by Thurs. afternoon!! And fyi-my time between c/s was 23 months apart.
GL with your upcoming delivery!!
I also had an emergency situation with my first CS and I will be scheduled in May.
Let me give you a bit of my perception of the next C-section, and maybe it will bring a new light to a few things for you, too:
I'm actually looking forward to this one. I'm glad that most of the unpredictability of delivery will be taken away and that I'm *almost* guaranteed to have a smooth delivery this time. (It's still not ideal, as I would definitely prefer a vaginal delivery, but I've come to accept that this is just not an option for me)
I think recovery this time will be easier because I'll know what to expect, about how long I should bleed for afterward, what types of pain I had last time and this time I'll know that even though I have to go real slow at first, eventually I will be back to "normal," I just have to be patient and wait it out.
I'm hoping that this time I'll enjoy a little more of "newbornhood," because last time I was so messed up from the emergency nature of the delivery that it made dealing with my newborn so much more difficult.
Best of luck to you, try to focus on the predictability of the delivery and the knowledge that you will most likely be able to walk yourself into surgery this time rather than wheeled in in a state of panic.
BFP 12/19/08- DS born 8/25/09 9lbs2oz via Zavanelli Maneuver
BFP 8/26/11- Missed miscarriage discovered 10/19/11 at 11w2d, measured at 9 weeks gestation w/ no HB. D&C 10/21/11
BFP 3/17/12 at 12dpo CP 3/21/12
BFP 4/23/12 at 10dpo Stick my little one! Beta #1: 83.3 @ 13dpo Beta #2: 197.7 @ 15dpo
Our little man is getting bigger every day!
My BFP Chart
I have yet to have my RCS but have done a ton of reading up/asking lots of questions of my doctors and basically everyone has said a scheduled repeat is WAY easier because you won't have the exhaustion of labor (plus any emotional disappointment/stress of an emergency situation) followed by the C-section. Basically have always heard they are easier physically and mentally. Good luck!!
(PS Just noticed that you are also in Raleigh)
With my first one, the surgery was difficult, I felt a TON of pressure. I thought my ribs were going to break when they were pushing on me to get the baby out. It was awful. The recovery was ok, it was kinda what I expected. Not too uncomfortable, and I felt like I got back to my normal self pretty quickly.
With my RCS, the surgery was a breeze. DH and I had great conversation, spent a lot of time with the baby in the OR. Barely felt any pressure. The recovery SUCKED. I hurt so bad...I had more bleeding and was just so uncomfortable for a good month after I had DD.
So, for me, my experiences were totally different. I was more at ease mentally the second time because I knew what to expect, which made me feel better about the whole process.
i just had my 2nd and it was SO much easier than my first!!!! i don't know if it is because i knew what to expect or that my Dr. made a point to try and make sure it was easier on me (zofran to stop the nausea, catheter removed in less than 12 hours, on my feet in less than 12 hours). i only took the motrin and i am down to taking 1 every 12 hours--i am a little sore but not in constant pain.
also--i didn't labor prior, i have been told that laboring first makes the recovery harder. so if your 2nd is planned, you are already ahead of the game!
My second c-section was better because I knew what to expect... like needles freak me out and I knew that the spinal REALLY wasn't "that bad" (well, not as bad as I had it built up in my mind - I'm still not a fan of needles). I knew that I get nauseated with the anesthesia so I could get extra meds to help with that during the surgery. The actual surgery seemed to take a little longer although I was complemented on my scarring (yes, on my uterus - LOL! I wasn't expecting that).
The recovery was much easier. I don't know if it was because a lot of the nerves were already dead (is that possible?) or what but I wasn't in nearly as much pain as I was with my first... Translated: I wasn't as sore for as long. It was still painful, don't get me wrong - I always stayed up on my pain meds.
What WASN'T easier was the fact that I only had DH home with me for a week and then I was home with a newborn and a 23 month old post-c-section. I couldn't sleep when the baby slept unless my older DD was also asleep...