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March 2012 Moms
C-Section Best and Worst (LOOONG)
Hi Everybody! I am still recovering from my c-section last Sunday and little Parker is still in the NICU (5 days left, at least), but as everyone's due dates are upon us, I wanted to share some info that might be helpful to those looking at having c-sections. OVERALL: it was a good experience! here's my experience and the best and worst things about it.
The spinal shots: not bad. The first one is a numbing agent so you don't feel the second one. The first one stings pretty badly and for about 10 seconds. The second one was a "pressure" feeling, just like they always tell you, but for me that one was scary because I was already drugged up and I was terrified I would move involuntarily or something (you cannot move during this one because it goes directly to your spinal cord and could paralyze you) But a nurse held on to me and nothing happened 
The actual birth: it was so much faster than I thought! They said the surgery would last about 30 min, so I expected it to be that long before baby was out, but he was here in the first 5 min! There was a ton of pressure when they were getting him out (he was still really high, like in my ribs) and they had to push him down through the outside. I could feel it, but again, no pain, just weird, uncomfortable pressure.
Afterward: I thought I would feel nothing because of the drugs, but that's not true. Everything is still really uncomfortable and my tummy (now missing all its contents) was sort of jelly-like. Also, the nurses have to do "checks" on the uterus to make sure its contracting back down to normal size. They push deep into it with their fingers and hands and OUCH!!! That hurts. They gave me pitocin/oxytocin to induce contractions for the uterus to go back to normal size (which takes days).
The 2 days after were the worst: hurts to sit, but hurts to stand. Laying down feels fine, but getting there and getting up hurts. Even going to the bathroom hurts because when you're bladder is emptying, it changes the pressure on the wound and sort of moves it, which was some of the more uncomfortable pain for me. I dreaded going potty the first 2 days 
sleeping was difficult because the drugs gave me apnea issues where I would have a hard time breathing once I was dozing off. Sleeping on my side fixed this, but rolling over to get there was so painful and I usually couldn't do it on my own, so I had to wake up mom or H to help.
The swelling in my legs, feet and ankles afterward has been really bad. Its painful and for the first 2 nights I was asking the nurse "I know this sounds stupid, but will you please check and make sure my feet aren't going to explode?? It feels like they are!" Walking was difficult because I couldn't bend my feet in a natural motion and getting them propped up high enough to drain was difficult because of the incision (better now).
If you are able to, request a painkiller that is also an anti-inflammatory. It has helped over the past few days since I switched them
BEST:
Actual delivery: it was so much less stress and time than labor and vaginal birth! I could hear the women in the rooms around me groaning in pain and one of them screaming - I was glad all I had to focus on was sitting still for the spinal and then baby was out before I knew it!
I had 3 days to rest in the hospital: it may sound terrible to some to be in the hospital that long, but being in pain and almost completely immobile, it was so good to know that there was a whole team of nurses there to help with the most basic tasks. H wouldn't have been able to do it alone!
Bearable pain: after the first 2 days, the pain is completely manageable and I'm able to get around just like before (with the help of my meds). I was prepared for 6 weeks of horrible pain, but its really just fine...
Baby's first moments: after baby was delivered, H was the one to get to hold and nurture him and take him to the nursery, etc... while I was in bed for the next day, he took care of baby every moment that he could. They now share an amazing bond that I don't think we would have gotten otherwise.
The "after birth stuff": the bleeding only lasts about 2 wks, instead of the usual 6 wks for a vaginal delivery. (They strip a lot of the blood out before they sew you up). Also, no "tearing" here! Yes, there's an incision, but its not in my most sensitive of areas
I'm sure there are other things I'm missing, but these are a few of the things that have been on my mind... I'm always willing to answer any questions, too!
Married: 10.28.2004
BFP 1: 2006, m/c 5 weeks
BFP 2: 2008, m/c 10 weeks
BFP 3: 2009, m/c 6 weeks
BFP 4: July 15, 2011
Welcome Parker! Feb. 19, 2012
This discussion has been closed.
Re: C-Section Best and Worst (LOOONG)
I'm glad your experience wasn't too bad.
I had a super easy csection with my DD. I was up walking around the next day and didn't even take pain meds. I did swell up and I itched like crazy - took meds for the itching. I don't recall how long I bled but certainly not 6 weeks, probably more like 2.
For me the csection itself was horrible and I'm off for my 2nd csection here in about 30 min. I am super duper hopeful that the section goes better and that recovery goes just as well.
THANK YOU!! I needed this post. I am having a c-section Friday morning (breech baby) and am trying to soak up as much knowledge and tips as I can beforehand. My last labor/delivery was a breeze, so this one has me pretty nervous. Thanks so much!!
Thank you for posting this! My c section is in 10 days and I really like reading about people's experiences. It helps me feel more prepared.
I hope you continue to recover quickly!
I *really* love Pinterest!
Thanks for posting and I hope that you and baby continue to recover!!
I'm likely going to have to have a section as well...breech baby. We are trying an ECV tomorrow but they don't have a lot of hope it will work.
I'm glad this was able to help some of you. i had a wonderful nurse who went over
every detail with me multiple times, so i thought i better "pay it forward"
good luck to all of you! i cant wait for us to all have beautiful babies (and share all the pics!!)