3rd Trimester

Frustrating Appt

I went in for my 38 week ultrasound today to check his size. He was measuring about 4 lbs 4-8 oz at my 30 week appointment and that is when I developed GD as well. So they wanted to check me again to see how he is progressing. The good news is that he is measuring about 8.5 lbs right now, give or take, so he is a bit better with his size now. The downside is that I am not really dialated at all and his head is not "engaged." My due date is July 15th, and right now the doctor is thinking that I may have to be induced and there is a possibility for a C-section :(

I've never been put under or even had an IV, so I'm nervous about possibly having a C-section. My doctor said that we would try a natural birth first, but my LO is sitting high and isn't engaged, which is where the C-section may come into play. I worry about the medical procedure. Is it true that you aren't allowed to hold the baby at first because of the possibility of tearing stitches? I'm looking for some "It's ok, hang in there, kiddo" feedback regarding the C-section. FTM really nervous.

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Re: Frustrating Appt

  • It won't be too bad. :) Just don't stress yourself out about it. For me, watching the show "A Baby Story" helps. It kind of makes you remember that a LOT of people go through a C-section they always look really happy when the baby comes out. Maybe you could watch a few of those. :) good luck and don't worry!
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  • You still have some time if you're just 38 weeks, a lot can happen and little one could very well come in to a favorable position before then but if you do need a C-section, you won't be put under for it, an IV is no worse than a blood draw and you'll do great. I would ask a lot of questions ahead of time since you have the luxury of time to prepare since its not an emergency section. If worse comes to worse and you aren't able to get comfortable with it (which is totally understandable and nothing to feel badly about, it's major surgery!) talk to your doctor about anxiety medication options so that you can have the best birth experience possible. Good luck, mama. You can do it and it will be over and you'll have that precious babe in your arms before you know it.
  • You can hold your baby. Just when you have your c-section you wont be able to hold your baby right away like you would with a natural birth. Due to the fact your stomach is still wide open. But after you have been put in your room and the baby has gone through all his test and bath. They will let you hold your baby all you want. They won't let you out of bed so you will need help. 

    The surgery itself is pretty quick. It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You will be awake the whole time. You shouldn't feel any pain but you will feel pressure when they pull the baby out. Either way natural or c-section don't worry about it to much. Your dr is going to do what he thinks is best for you and your baby.  

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  • imagetma1685:

    You can hold your baby. Just when you have your c-section you wont be able to hold your baby right away like you would with a natural birth. Due to the fact your stomach is still wide open. But after you have been put in your room and the baby has gone through all his test and bath. They will let you hold your baby all you want. They won't let you out of bed so you will need help. 

    The surgery itself is pretty quick. It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You will be awake the whole time. You shouldn't feel any pain but you will feel pressure when they pull the baby out. Either way natural or c-section don't worry about it to much. Your dr is going to do what he thinks is best for you and your baby.  

    Yep!

    Assuming it's standard (not an emergency) and your baby is just fine, you'll only have to wait until they're done closing you up before they take you to recovery and you can hold your baby. You'd be able to see the baby right away, they tend to bring the kiddo up to your face so you can give kisses and such. If it's an emergency c/s sometimes they have to put you under general anesthesia but true emergencies are very rare.

    I know at my hospital, if you have a c/s, you're usually in recovery within 20 minutes of the birth and your baby is in your arms at that point. Then after a couple hours of bonding and breastfeeding, they like to take the baby to the nursery for procedures, but mom and dad are highly encouraged to come along; if you've just had surgery though, chances are you won't feel up to in, in which case your partner can accompany the baby.

    But regardless, a LOT can happen in the next several days. Many women go in for an appointment and get checked and are told that there's hardly any dilation or effacement and the baby isn't in position at all, only to go into labor that night and have a baby within a day. It can change very, very fast.

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  • jw87jw87 member
    I had my son at 37 weeks and I had to be induced and he was 9lbs. 15oz and I did not need a c-section.  I'm really not sure why so many doctors say that... obviously at 37 weeks my body was NOWHERE near ready to give birth vaginally but I did it.  My sister delivered at 41 weeks and had a 10 lb baby and did not need a c-section either. 
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  • You will not be put under to have a csection you will either have a spinal or epi, from what I understand both just numb your lower half and once removed the numbness slowly go aways. You wont be able to walk right away and the recovery is not wonderful its do able you just have to keep up with your pain meds. With my cs I was able to hold my baby while I was wheeled out of the er to my room and nurse her after we got to our room. I was induced because I have T1 diabetes, my cervix was not favorable and I never got passed 5cm.

    There is a lot you can do help your body get ready lots of walking, sex, accupressure, accupunture, visit a chiropractor and have them check your hips and make sure they are in a good position for baby to drop. Ive also heard people on thebump talking about a raspberry tea. You could also ask your dr to sweep your membranes if they can reach them. There are lots of things you can do to help the process naturally and even if you have to be induced maybe your body will be more ready!!

    Good luck!! 

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  • Will your doctor let you go over your due date?
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  • You still have a lot of time for the baby to drop. My son didn't drop until I had been in labor for a while. At this point there isn't a way for him to tell when you will go into labor. You could go into labor tonight! How dilated you are does not correlate with when labor starts. Women have cervical checks that show that they're not dilated at all and go into labor that evening. My best friend from college walked around dilated to a 5 for weeks and eventually had to be induced.

    When it comes to the C-section, I believe the recommendation while you're healing is that you don't carry anything heavier than your baby. So yes, you can hold, carry, feed, and change your baby after your C-section. However, it is unlikely that you'll be able to hold your baby immediately following birth. If it's important to you that you have the opportunity to hold your baby immediately, talk to your doctor. It wouldn't be the same as if you had a vaginal delivery, but some women are still able to hold their l.o.'s immediately, if their doctor is okay with it. 

     

  • It will be ok. I am heading in for my third section on Tuesday and although I really don't like the surgery part, at the end of the day it is going to give me a healthy baby with the most minimal risks.

    You might not be able to hold her as they are closing you up ( this depends on the hospital) but as soon as you are in recovery you can start holding and nursing :) It is a different process from natural birth as far as the timing goes, but I have never had natural labor as an option so I don't know much different. 

    Just don't stress out and remember that if you have to have a section the end result will still be your beautiful baby in your arms :) 

    Don't be too afraid of the anesthesia since most the time, unless there is an emergency,  it is just the spinal. Numb from your boobs to your toes but awake :) Can be scary but it wears off and you get to be present for the whole thing.

    Sending positive thoughts :)

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  • I agree with others, you still have time.  At my 36 week appt, my dr thought for sure I would have to have a c section, but she gave me some stretches and a week later I had significant improvement with my pelvic bones widening and the baby's head is ready to go!

     That being said, if you do have to have a c section, try not to worry about it.  Is it ideal?  No. But in researching it myself, I came to be less afraid.  There are some people who actually have an easier time with recovery, and you don't have to go through hours and hours of painful labor.  And they've come so far with the procedure that it's safe for mom and baby.

     Just try to focus on the fact that your baby will be here soon, one way or the other!  And everything will be worth it! 

  • Oh!  And the stretch she has me doing is where I get on all fours on the floor and kind of gently sway my butt back and forth :) it helps widen the pelvic bones and get the baby into position.  I really just did it every night while I watched tv, and only for a few minutes and it made a big difference over only a week or two.  Good luck!
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