Tell me about c-sections

srkm · March 2012

As each appointment passes, it looks more and more like I will be having a c-section. Baby A has been breech the whole time. I know there is still time for baby to turn around but the thought of a c-section really freaks me out. What was your experience? Is it really that bad? Don't worry about calming my fears...I would rather hear the truth and be prepared

McGibbon51311 · March 2012

I ended up having an emergency csection just after 33 weeks when I went into preterm labor. I didn't have much time to think about the entire process, and I had been preparing/hoping for a vaginal birth, but it was definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. The whole process only took an hour and fifteen minutes, I was in recovery for an hour where I started to gain feeling in my toes, and then was transfered to a private room. I had a catheter for about 18 hours and leg cuffs that compressed my thighs to promote blood flow for just as long, they weren't painful, just tickled. I was on pain medication, stool softener and an anti-gas medication (you'll want to take the last two). I was able to eat ice chips in recovery and food once I got back into my room. I was up and walking around just about 12 hours after the surgery. The spinal was not nearly as bad as I thought it was, it was a pinch and a burn and not the evil procedure that I thought ( I have a semi-fear of needles). I was put on IVs, antibiotics and they gave me an anti-nausea med to help with my nausea during the surgery, and they also placed me on oxygen. My husband was able to be with me nearly the entire time and hold my hand and got to go with each of the baby's to the evaluation room in the back of the OR to see them and find out their APGAR scores. The swelling was one of the worst parts of my recovery, it was so uncomfortable but I believe that that happens no matter the route of delivery. The key is to get up as much as possible and walk around and it will go away faster. My bleeding was not as bad as I thought either. It was bad for the first 4-5 days, then tapered off for another week in a half into a bleed that resembled my period, then after that it was such light spotting it was barely noticeable but I still needed to wear a liner.

My recovery was worse than what I assume most people go through... I was diagnosed with post-delivery hypertension and vertigo and wound up in the hospital for eight days. I had a really hard go of it, I needed to be escorted to the bathroom because I couldn't walk without falling; I was dizzy almost constantly. Eventually everything worked out, I was put on meds when I left the hospital and was able to come off of them when my hormones leveled out on their own. I was on the pain meds for 5 days after I came home. I had no problem going up the stairs to my apartment when I came home - it was a piece of cake compared to going up them when I was pregnant. I was sore, but I continued to take the pain meds until I gained some strength back from being in the hospital for so long, and then began to wean off of them. I was sore bending over but I took my time and never pushed myself and I think that definitely helped.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask

OrangeSmoke · March 2012

FWIW - You are still very early at 29 weeks. My baby B was breech up until 35 weeks or so... so there is LOTS of time left.

I had an emergency c/s and had a really tough recovery because I hemorraged during the surgery. From what I understand, a scheduled c/s is much much easier on your body. But I don't regret giving vaginal delivery a go.

Snickers2005 · March 2012

I had a planned c-section due to Baby A being breech.

I was nervous having never really had surgery. I had my tonsils out when I was 5 - it was so long ago, I don't remember much. I was nervous about the spinal as well but as PP, it was just a pinch and a burn. My husband was with me the whole time and went with the babies to the nursery to see them bathed and then he came to the recovery room with me. I had the IV, the leg cuffs and the catheter as well.

I want to say that within a week, maybe a week and a half, I was feeling really good. My incision healed nicely and I didn't have any issues once I was home. I think the anticipation of having the c-section was worse than the actual procedure.

PianoPlayingSarah · March 2012

I've had both a v delivery and a c/s. Honestly, the c-section wasn't that bad. My recovery was much more painful than I expected it to be but I found out after that my MFM had repaired some separated muscles when he stitched me back up.

snoangel79 · March 2012

The way mine went down I didn't have time to think and worry about it. I went in for a 24 hour urine and later that night Ethan was having dcels. I was "rushed" to the OR within the hour I was having them...It was very surreal for me and my husband didn't make it in time. My c-section, although emergency was very quick and uneventful after they got the babies out. I had minimal bleeding, they did a very clean cut, washed me out (seriously kinda weird) and sewed me up! The spinal was uncomfortable but not nearly as bad as I thought. I didn't feel the catheter going in which was good. I didn't feel hardly anything but tugging and pressure when they were doing it. The worst part was knowing I had the cath and had to keep it till the next day, movement with it to the bathroom was weird. Also, peeing after it really sucked horribly!! I forgot how to pee!! I had to lean forward and push my bladder!! Awful!! Luckily it resolved within a day!! Also, stay on top of the pain meds! If you are pumping be aware you will have contractions that are decently painful the first few days when you pump or hold the babies. Be on top of the Colace and gas meds, gas with your c-section scar is painful! Also, the loss of feeling in your legs is so flippin weird! Highly suggest they put on these leg balloon things that really help you get the feeling back quickly!! I've lost 25lbs in less than 3 weeks so that is good <: only 15 more to go <: Also lucked out in the stretch mark department! Have no idea how but I did!! Also, I had issues with high blood pressure after! Was being dx with pre-eclampsia the day I gave birth and unfortunately it stuck around, they just took me off the meds...

UsedToBeGoldie · March 2012

i LOVED my c/s.

i had a vag birth with DS1 - with a 4th degree tear that left me in horrible pain for 8+ weeks, miserable, not able to truly bond with him the way i wanted... it was hell - i need surgery to fix it still....

my c/s was awesome. I was feeling fine after the first day - sure it hurt to get up- but once i was up it was fine (i couldn't stand for more than a minute for many weeks after my vag birth bc of the pain).

I had no problems taking care of the babies after the c/s ... took my pain meds - and all was good. I freakin' loved my cs

ougrad1 · March 2012

The anticipation leading up to it is the worst part-really it is. I had an emergency section w/ Emerson and planned with the babies. The planned section was a better experience for sure. Maybe part of it was because I knew what to expect and going through labor and then, having surgery is very, very, very tough to deal with emotionally and physically. I can't imagine the women who attempt vag, have A, and then have to go through a section for Baby B.

With the babies I was wheeled back to the OR at 7:16 and the were were born at 7:34 and 7:35. I was being taken out to recovery before 8:00. It is so stinking quick.

You don't feel any pain at all. All you will feel is some pushing and tugging from the doctor pulling them out.

Both of my SIL's had vag and then, a section. I asked both of them before having babies, myself, which they preferred. Without hesitation they both said section.

It was awesome...it sounds weird but, I loved my sections.

Nerwak · March 2012

My labor was a little different than most - I was induced at 38w and labored for 12hours or so, and then ended up with a section. Without going into detail, I ended up getting knocked out after the babies were born, before the placentas were delivered because of the way I was metabolizing the medicine - when I woke up I still had the pitocin drip, and that night was hard, pain wise (the morphine drip was nice though) but after that the recovery was great. Even though I didn't have a great experience (which I think had more to do with the induction and epidural combo complications), I would be totally fine with having another c-section (although there aren't plans for that, lol).

Jen0204 · March 2012

I found the whole c-section experience odd (it's just weird to feel pressure and movement - but never pain - and then have these babies pulled out), but it wasn't bad at all. The worst parts hands down was getting the spinal, and the worst part of that was the anticipation, not the actual spinal itself. I had the c-section around 10am and was up late that afternoon. By the middle of the night I was walking (very slowly) down to the NICU, and spent the next few days walking back and forth from there to my room. Each day it got easier, and by the time I left the hospital on the 4th day I was walking at normal speed and feeling fine. By the end of the first week I felt great, to the point that I was ignoring the weight limitations the doctor gave me and spent a day playing with my 20 pound nephew and picking him up and tossing him in the air. I paid for that the next day! My c-section was scheduled (a few days prior) so I'm sure that made it easier.

JosiePosy · March 2012

I had an emergency c/s, but overall it went pretty well from a physical standpoint. It went so fast I didn't really have much time to process it. The worst part was going into the room and feeling like I was barely a person, but my team did an excellent job and thankfully they talked to me and told me what was going on. DH barely made it on time, but until he did get there I had a wonderful nurse that helped keep me calm.

One thing I should say is you might want to check the light over the table if you are awake for it. I had this huge steel light over the table and I could actually see my surgery reflecting off of it. I've heard some women have watched their surgery by mirror as well. I watched them cut me open and sew me up through that reflection, but I didn't watch them actually pull the babies out (I was early and so that was hard for me and I couldn't watch). I'm kind of a science nerd so I was actually fascinated by it and it kept me from freaking out a bit, but I'm sure it would make some people squeamish.

Even with how fast it went, my recovery went pretty smoothly. No long term problems. The first few days sucked, but after a week or two I was feeling better. The sooner you get moving, the better.

Mrs. Alice · March 2012

My c-section recovery was better than I expected. I was a mother-baby nurse for a couple years so I knew what to expect. I was up and walking back and forth to the NICU as soon as my spinal wore off. It was painful in recovery right after surgery because the nurse has to push on and massage your uterus frequently. However after that part, the pain was pretty manageable. Just some soreness getting up and down. The actual surgery wasn't too bad and would have been much better if I had not been delivering so early since I was very much focused and scared about my babies instead. I barfed a couple times in the beginning and was a little freaked out that my spinal wasn't going to work (it did very well though). I did make me feel a little panicky afterwards when I couldn't feel my lower body. It's just a very strange sensation and I didn't like it one bit. The anticipation and lack of control made me nervous, but once it started everything was okay.

ougrad1 · March 2012

JosiePosy:
I had an emergency c/s, but overall it went pretty well from a physical standpoint. It went so fast I didn't really have much time to process it. The worst part was going into the room and feeling like I was barely a person, but my team did an excellent job and thankfully they talked to me and told me what was going on. DH barely made it on time, but until he did get there I had a wonderful nurse that helped keep me calm.
One thing I should say is you might want to check the light over the table if you are awake for it. I had this huge steel light over the table and I could actually see my surgery reflecting off of it. I've heard some women have watched their surgery by mirror as well. I watched them cut me open and sew me up through that reflection, but I didn't watch them actually pull the babies out (I was early and so that was hard for me and I couldn't watch). I'm kind of a science nerd so I was actually fascinated by it and it kept me from freaking out a bit, but I'm sure it would make some people squeamish.
Even with how fast it went, my recovery went pretty smoothly. No long term problems. The first few days sucked, but after a week or two I was feeling better. The sooner you get moving, the better.

Yeah, I debated whether or not to say something about the light. Make sure that you tell the doctor to move the light where you can't see your reflection. I watched part of my section like that with Emerson and found it to be interesting and then, had to look away. Later I told the doctor on a follow up visit and she apologized so, they do know that you can see what's going on if it's tilted just right.

Kristen61607 · March 2012

Mine wasn't bad at all. The procedure itself goes by fast and for me was sort of a blur. Like I knew what was going on and all, but now it's "foggy". I also thought recovery was a breeze. Just keep up on your pain meds and walk around as much as you can. What I did was take a walk about 20 minutes after I got my pain meds since that was when i was the most comfortable. Also I was BFing so was REALLY thirsty a lot which forced me to walk to the bathroom quite a bit. After we got home my H and I took the girls for a walk around our neighborhood in the stroller at 1.5 weeks PP! Good luck - you will be totally fine!

jxd215 · March 2012

I had a planned c-section because both babies were breech, and it was not bad at all. It's definitely a little weird because it's so fast. I had the catheter and the leg compressions going for about 18 hrs and once I was done with them and could shower I felt pretty good. I was off the serious pain meds and down to Motrin in 48 hours and within a week I had no more bleeding at all. The scar is not bad but even now it still itches on occasion. But I had a PUPPS rash starting the week before the delivery and honestly the itching from the rash was worse than anything associated with the section.

everam01 · March 2012

I had an unplanned csection a week earlier than my planned csection due to my blood pressure rising.

The procedure itself was really easy. I didn't even feel the spinal and I was nice and numb. My only complication during surgery was that my blood pressure got really low a few times and they had to give me meds to get it back up. I also got really nauseated when they were delivering Baby B and had to get a barf tray next to me but I never threw up.

Recovery was going well until I had a big blood pressure spike 2 days later, which made me end up staying in the hospital for a week total. That wasn't related to the csection, though.

It really hurt to use the bathroom. Take stool softeners.

sara1014 · March 2012

My c/s was awesome. It was schedule for 38w2d. We woke up, went in and it was over before I knew it and I had my babies. My OB has always had a great bedside manner and both DH and I felt super comfortable the whole time while he was delivering the babies, giving us updates on what he was doing, what I could expect to feel, etc. The assisting doctor was really funny and after each was delivered he carried them over where I could get a good look before they were all cleaned off and would ask, "What do you think?" During the prep process we discussed shooting ranges and infomercials.

Recovery wise wasn't too bad. The first time they had me get up to walk to the bathroom it took me a good, long while to get out of bed. But once I had some practice it wasn't all that bad. I didn't take the pain meds much after arriving home because I didn't like the feeling so I stuck to OTC pain relievers when I'd start feeling sore. My appetite was messed up for about 2 weeks and I tried to eat some frozen lemonade for lunch the afternoon after my c/s and it made me puke, but I'm not sure if that had more to do with the surgery or the stress of having 2 newborns at home! I pretty much lived on cold sandwiches like Subway for the time - which maybe helped me lose weight!

politelypink · March 2012

I'm a ftm and had a csection. I was pretty nervous about everything before, but the girls on here made me feel a LOT better about the situation. Both A and B were breech, so a vaginal delivery just wasn't going to happen. My experience was pretty good overall. I was wheeled into the OR, and had a great anesthesiologist to give me my spinal. He was so happy and friendly and really made me feel calm as I was pretty nervous. Once that was finished, he checked different spots to see what kind of sensation I had, and told me the spinal was working great. My DH came in after the spinal was done and I was all set up on the table. My surgeon came in with his team and talked to me through things a bit and started working on me. I didn't realize he had started surgery already till he told me baby A was almost here. A few minutes later baby B was pulled out and taken to the warmer as well. The only problem I had was a bit of bleeding. I needed a fair bit of medication to get it to stop, but was thankful I didn't need a transfusion. Overall, it was a very positive experience. If I wanted more children, I would gladly have another csection.

amanda31H · March 2012

Wink I was super nervous for mine - but it really wasn't bad at all!

Mine was scheduled.

The catheter hurt the most, but I learned to ask them to put it in after the spinal. Getting the spinal felt weird (they hit something too with me so it made me jump) and that was honestly the worst of it.

The surgery was really easy...I was advised by a friend to speak up right away if I felt nauseau, so I did the minute it came on, and the anesthesiologist gave me a shot of something. After that? I told the OR I felt like I'd had really good +tequila....it was amazing! My doctors didn't give me a play by play because I asked them not to. When the girls were about to arrive they did say there'd be some tugging/pulling, but I didn't feel anything. I also didn't want to see the babies gooey (the surgery was freaky enough to me- I didn't want to see blood on them- you know?), so DH went with them to the next room to get wrapped up and then they brought them over to me.

It was hard sitting there while they went in to get them, so I asked DH to talk to me about something to get my mind off of it- hahah. He was in shock and nervous too so he was like umm...ummm...ummm.

In recovery I shook a lot and I was so buzzed/wired that I couldn't just close my eyes and rest. In hindsight, I'll try to do that this time, if I can. Wink

I knew from others that I needed to stay on top of the gas pills, so I did - make sure your DH knows when you're supposed to get your meds so he can stay on top of it in case your nurses don't, and always get it for you- don't delay it.

I knew that walking ASAP speeds up your recovery. I had my c/s at 4:30 pm, and asked to have my catheter rmoved at 10 am the next morning when I knew I had to go pee, thus forcing myself out of bed. The walk to the bathroom from my bed felt like walking from NJ to Texas. But once it was over, it was over. Just try to keep getting up as much as you can after the first 12 hours or so because it makes a big difference.

Hope that helps!

RClaffee · March 2012

I was terrified going into mine. I am a giant baby about all medical procedures.

Anyway, the worst part by far (and it wasn't even really that bad) was when they injected the numbing agent into my back before doing the spinal. It stung, but after that, I didn't feel much. They did the spinal and I couldn't feel the needle or anything, but I could feel pressure and once I felt a jolt like you get when you hit your elbow. Weird for sure, but not painful.

The c/s itself was weird as well. I could feel pressure, but it didn't hurt or anything. The one thing I did have a problem with was that I started to feel really nauseated all of the sudden. For some reason, I didn't mention it when it started, and by the time I was going to say something, I was afraid to open my mouth lest I vomit all over the place. My husband must have noticed because he told the doctors that he thought I was going to throw up. The anesthesiologist just turned a little dial and I felt so much better in almost an instant. Anyway, moral of the story, speak up if you feel weird.

The recovery wasn't too bad either. Just make sure that you keep up with your pain meds at the beginning. I went way too long between doses once (I was up in the NICU with the girls the day after and didn't notice how much time went by) and it was not pleasant.

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