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C-sections
I know nothing!
I am probably going to be induced next week. I'm scared I'm going to have to end up having a c section. I have NO idea what to expect? Do they put you to sleep? Does it hurt? Can you feel it? Do they numb you? I seriously know nothing about them and I'm kind of frealing out so please someone ease my mind!
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Re: I know nothing!
First, questions for you.
Why are you being induced at only 37 weeks? That is really early. I am assuming there is a good medical reason (you have high BP, baby is not doing well in utero). Otherwise, you need to strongly question your OB and reconsider.
If you do need a c section, you most likely won't need general anesthesia. That is rare. They will place an epidural or spinal catheter, which will numb you. I had my existing epidural used. I could still move my legs but could not feel pain, just pressure and pulling.
Since it is surgery, yes, you will feel pain when your epidural wears off. You will be offered pain medication, like any other surgery.
My advice? Get up out of bed ASAP and move. Eat healthy. And if you have plans to BF, don't send baby to the nursery or try to get a good nights sleep. Keep baby with you and BF often.
Best of luck.
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d
Yes blood pressure is very high. IM on bedrest and have been. My dr actually would like to go ahead and induce me but he is trying to wait another week.
I only know of a few people that were totally knocked out and that was only due to extreme emergencies. Most of the time they just up your epidural so you more numb. With ds1, it was unplanned and they gave me a high dose of epi meds so I was numb from the chest down. I didn't feel anything with either of my c/s. For mine, I was taken to the OR and they made sure several times that I was completely numb. There was a lot of pressure when they got the baby out but it didn't hurt, just felt weird.
Here's the part you need to ask your OB about. For me once the baby is out, dh gets the baby and I get to see him. Then dh takes the baby over to recovery. My hospital tries to keep momma, daddy, and baby together as much as possible so they do all the newborn stuff in recovery so mom and dad are there for it. I had to spend 2 hours in recovery with just the 3 of us. You should ask your OB how your hospital handles this so you know ahead of time.
I would also ask your doctor all these questions so you can set your mind at ease. I'd also ask him about pain meds - what will be given to you, how he would close the incision (glue, staples or stitches), what restrictions will you have afterwards. Its better to be prepared now so you know what to expect if it comes down to a c/s.
I had an epi for contractions and they just used that when I went in. I just felt tugging and pulling. I know they gave me something else while I was in there cuz it made me nauseous (I think I asked the anesthesiologist to roll me on my side so I could barf... I didn't btw) so then they gave me something for that.
By the time lo was born I have been in labor for 30 hours and awake for 41 hours ( I worked right up until I went into labor), so I was very loopy. I know I woke up with the space booties on to help with circulation and that they woke me up to give me oral meds once during the night too.
As pps have said, get out of bed as soon as possible; that first time will be the hardest. I was up 10 hours after mine and had an amazing recovery.
very good points. my c/s was unplanned, and I made sure to tell the OB that if my son needed NICU time (he didn't) then my husband would be going with my son.
If you are BF, it's a good idea to also let everyone know, so they don't give glucose water, bottles, or paci's if your baby needs to go to the NICU. And ask to get baby on your chest ASAP in recovery.
Best of luck!
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d