Help me feel better about my impending csection!

alwank · May 2013

Please!

I had a 4th degree tear with my first and have had some fecal incontinence issues since. Nothing has helped and I've been through the wringer. A pelvic floor specialist has advised a csection to keep my symptoms from worsening and protect my pelvic floor. So that is the route I'm going down. My doctors keep calling the section "elective," which bothers me because I feel it is anything but. I don't really have a choice.

I'm intimidated by the surgery and especially the recovery. I've had other surgeries in the past appendectomy and gall bladder removal. Both were laparoscopic, so not big cuts. Recovery wasn't horrific, apart from the first few days, but it wasn't a ball, either. I just wanted to lie around and relax for the first couple weeks afterward. This time, I will have a very active two year old and a newborn to tend to. My husband and family will help, but I'm still finding myself worrying more and more about the surgery and recovery. So, any words of encouragement or advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Cristine · May 2013

I've had 2 and I really didn't think it was that bad. The first 3 days really hurt if you don't stay on top of the pain meds. I really didn't get out of bed much while I was in the hospital, though I will say when you have to having the bed sit up for you helped tremendously.

Last time I had a 3 year old to take care of as well as a newborn and I did fine. The big thing is when you start to feel better don't over do it. Try to avoid picking up your older child as much as you can. That was hard for me, and I still ended up pick him up a few times.

I have a really small scar only 4 or 5 inches across. The surgery itself is really quick if its not an emergency. I had family visiting a few hours after he was born and I wasn't exhausted since I never went into labor.

emberlee3 · May 2013

My c/s recovery was WAY easier than recovering from my 3rd degree tear with DS.

"Elective" is a technical term used to distinguish routine cases from urgent or emergent, so don't worry about that. My scheduled c/s for breech DD was "elective" but obviously the recommended route given the risk of brain injury in breech vaginal deliveries.

I was super nervous about having a c/s, but it turned out to be great! I hope all goes well for you.

hugmonkey · May 2013

I was surprised at how easy the c-section recovery was. I had never had any kind of surgery before. I didn't need much pain-meds wise. The night of, they had to help me walk to the bathroom. The next day, I was up and doing things in my room by myself. Two days later, I was walking around the hospital. When I went home, I was back to doing housework (I had been on bedrest, and had an emergency c-section and hadn't gotten to finish preparing for baby). I was sore the first few days when I first got up, but I found the more I was up and moving, the less it hurt. I only really felt pain when getting in and out of bed.

mommas6 · May 2013

I've had two csections. The first was a bit of an emergency, so definitely not planned. Thankfully, my mom had experience and gave me great advice ... do your best to get up out of bed after the surgery. Even if it is just to stand for a few minutes or walk to the bathroom. Keep yourself upright ... not hunched over. Trust me!! The bit of pain you will feel then is nothing compared to what it will be like if you wait. I was so out of it after my 1st csection I didn't really do it and it was pretty painful once I got home. With the 2nd I got up as soon as they would let me, and the recovery was so much smoother!! Don't over do it though! Just stand, stretch yourself out, then sit back down if you need to. Hopefully that will help!

Mom38673 · May 2013

My first was breech, so I had a planned section with her. It was very easy. Four days after the section, I was at home doing laundry and things. I wasn't 100%, but over all just fine. The incision healed quickly. I was back working out in no time. Have a belly band to wear afterwards for support. It's not bad at all.

wombat 3 · May 2013

I am in the same boat as you. I had a fourth degree tear with my son and it didn't heal fully and correctly and so I have some mild issues. After consulting a pelvic floor surgeon and going through physical therapy, my issues are very manageable. But it wouldn't take much for them to be a struggle. I have also been advised to have a c-section. Since my son was 10lbs7oz, I am guessing that this little girl could tax my system. I am taking the chances with a rougher recovery over the chance of permenant damage. I also have a 3 yr old son to chase around. I appreciate all of the advice I have gotten on this board.

tig594 · May 2013

It was really a breeze. The best advice is to get up out of that bed as soon as you can. I was up within 6 hours after surgery. The day after I was showering and out of bed a good part of the day. Because I was up moving around easily I was discharged after 48 hours. I also didn't need anything stronger than the prescribed motrin for pain.

harmonicbabe26 · May 2013

My kid was Frank breech and yet my cs was still called elective who cares what they call it. You need it and that's that. Don't worry about recovery. I feel like a lot of the time people (especially those who haven't had it) blow it our of proportion and paint it as the end of the world, which it is NOT. You will be fine. First couple of days are not pleasant and you will not be prancing around, but within a week you will be toally fine and on your feet. Just take your time and go into it with a positive attitude. It is the best for you and your baby. It will be ok!

alwank · May 2013

Thank you! You ladies are wonderful. Your posts have made me feel much better. I will have to be sure to read them again in early September, before the surgery. I'm sure my nerves will be going haywire around then. :

I see a few of you had sections due to a breech baby. Be glad. My baby was frank breech, and his position was discovered when I was 8cm. He was a vaginal delivery at a doctor's lastminute encouragement, which may have been the cause of my issues...

rm2013 · May 2013

Good luck! I'd echo most of the comments above. The only thing I have to add is make sure you take a mild laxative like Senokot every day when you go home for about this first week or two. They forgot to tell me that when I left the hospital and it was terrible... I got constipated and the pressure from trying to go felt like it was going to rip my stitches.

Gabbabridge · May 2013

Thank you for asking this question. I'm scheduled tomorrow due to a breech baby and not sure I'll get much sleep tonight but this thread definitely was comforting to me, too!

kreeper611 · May 2013

I'm a week from my second c/s and feel pretty good. I get tired easily and still have a hard time sleeping flat/getting up from sleeping but that's it. I'm sleeping on the sofa mostly propped up and will probably be ready to sleep flat in the bed this weekend. I've also started to wean off of the pain pills so that's a plus.

During the day I move around, but try not to do too much, or lift anything too heavy and when I'm feeling physically tired, I sit down.

Good luck! Both times for me were not as bad as I thought they would be.

goodlife2009 · May 2013

I also really appreciate all of these comments. I am having my 2nd child but my first c-section in a week or 2 because LO is frank breech and the unknown is really scaring me. Knowing that you all found recovery to be ok is very comforting.

mammaburtner · May 2013

Hang in there. I had an emergency c-section with my first which was not a walk in the park. My second was a planned c ,everything went wonderfully and I was walking around that same night. You will be fine.

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