Csection questions

Mwu1123 · July 2013

Ladies, this is for all you momma's that have had a csection. I have already been told that I will definitely have to have a csection. I have a little idea of what to expect, but would like to know all the details! I don't know if the standards vary from dr to dr, but could y'all give me like a step by step of what y'all experienced? Thanks!

MiaMyPuggle · July 2013

I tried a version bc DS was breech, which was worse than the CS. I got prepped with the IV and got vitals. Walked to the OR terrified as I left the pre OP room. When I walked into the OR, I had a feeling come over me that this was it and felt calm. So weird. They did a spinal, which I didn't feel at all.

I layed down, felt warmth in my legs, I guess they inserted the catheter at that time, which I didn't feel and loved for the next 24 hrs bc I could stay in bed! They started all of this at 9:00am and he was born at 9:12am. I listened to spa music on my iPod until he cried and then when he left to get cleaned up, I listened to the music as they sutchured me up, which took 30 mins and went to recovery. Saw Ds about an hour after he was born. H was with him the whole time, which was the only downside.

Getting another one the first week of January bc my hospital doesn't allow VBACs, which I'm fine with.

blacktammie2013 · July 2013

For me, mine was an emergency. The put me in a gown, wheeled me down to the OR room :I was able to have my adoptive mom there during the process: they stripped me naked, I sat on the edge of the bed while they gave me an epidural and I forgot the other stuff.. Spinal something.. Laid me down super flat on the bed, put the blue shield over me while they finished preparing... One of the nurses started pinching my upper legs with the scissors to see if I felt anything.. From there I'm not sure what happened. It was about a 30min process. They cut me open.. Didn't feel a thing! Except when baby came out, it was like a small tugging feeling. When they stapled me shut it was a tug and pull feeling. I went back to my room with LOTS of drugs and couldn't see baby for 11hrs. ::he was in a lot of trouble.. Emergency NICU::. 14hrs later the nurse came in and demanded I start walking around. I didn't make it to the bathroom before I fainted. I went home 4 days later. Healed about 2 weeks later.

It sounds scary but it seemed a lot easier than a vag birth lol my first was a natural birth.. So I have experience fr both ends.

aessary03 · July 2013

I'm not sure how helpful I'll be to you, but I can share what I remember. I had an emergency c-section, so I was completely knocked out. I don't remember anything about the surgery itself.

But be prepared for a catheter. I remember begging the nurse to remove it so I could just go to the bathroom like a regular person. lol! Big mistake ... holy fluck I remember it hurting so bad when I got up to actually go to the bathroom. But made it through.

Just wear comfortable clothing for a while. You'll be tender for a while. I don't really remember much besides that. I healed up well. That was that.

Mommasay0 · July 2013

Both my c sections were completely different the first one was an emergency bc the cord was wrapped around my sons neck twice and his heart rate was dropping. So they rushed me into the OR gave me a spinal and baby was born in about 7 minutes or less. Like my husband was barely in the OR before baby was out

The second was probably a lot more similar to what you will experience. I walked to the OR got my spinal waited for the dr for about 15 minutes dr will make incision before DH is allowed in the OR you will get your spinal alone. Then he removed scar tissue before the baby was born. He also spent more te stitching and stapling after surgery was done. It was a lot slower when planned.

rowanthefrog · July 2013

I had a C-section with my first because my water broke at 36w and I never dilated after 24 hours.

As far as what to expect....I hope this isn't scary for you. The entire experience was very scary for me, but I also wasn't anticipating it, so maybe if you know all this going in it will be helpful? I hope so. I'm just being honest about my experience.

For the actual C-section, when I told them I agreed to it, they came in and gave me my epi. It made me very cold and shiver uncontrollably. They wheeled me into the OR. They wouldn't let DH in while they prepped me. That was probably the scariest part for both of us. Finally he came in. I remember feeling some pulling and tugging, but nothing painful, then out came DS1, screaming away. They showed him to me then wheeled him away for tests since he was a little early and they had to sew me back up.

IN the recovery room, they wouldn't let me hold DS right away because he had to warm up. That was really hard. I got to hold him after about 45 minutes. I've heard that is good, my older sister didn't get to see or hold her DD for about 4 hours after her C-section! I would ask their policy about that. He was like 4 feet from me but they wouldn't let me hold him.

Recovery -

I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I could have left at 3 but I wanted/needed the nurses help. They make you get up and walk within 24 hours of your surgery. That HURT a lot.

It will take you about 1-2 weeks (it was closer to 2 for me) to be able to move around again, and it took me about 6 weeks before the pain was totally gone.

I would line up help especially for those first two weeks because you are going to be very sore. It will be tough to get out of bed and move around. I didn't do much the first week other than breastfeed. DH handled all diaper changing, burping, etc because I was just too sore to do much.

Pain meds made me CRY like a baby. Take them, you will need them, but within about 20 minutes of me taking them I was sobbing about something. It took me a little while to realize that that was causing the crying, but it was like clockwork.

Pain meds will also make you constipated. Make sure you have a stool softener and take that too.

I had some numbness around my scar area for 6 months or more afterwards

My scar is down in my bikini line, you can barely see it now (its been 5 years.) I did a VBAC with my second child so they didn't open me back up.

On the whole, it was painful but I'm glad DS got here safely. I've never had any sort of surgery before so it was kind of a big deal for me to go through that.

A

rowanthefrog · July 2013

Oh yeah I forgot about the catheter. I don't react well to catheters. With both births I begged them to take it out before they were supposed to because, I swear, the catheter hurt worse than labor pains or anything else I experienced. I had them check it over and over. I made them take it out ASAP because it was so uncomfortable.

A

ccip82 · July 2013

I had a C/S at 39 weeks with DD because of breech position. It was a relatively easy C/S and recovery. Like you mentioned, not every C/S will be exactly the same and people will have different experiences.

My C/S was scheduled, I went in at 10am in the morning and by 12:55pm DD was here. Here is what I experienced.

Came into the hospital, got settled in my room. Nurses came in and started an iv of fluids and got baby and I hooked up on monitors. Next, blood was taken followed by these stupid leg compression things that help keep the blood in your legs circulating. (you wear these things until you can get up and walk about 10-16 hours later) OB and anesthesiologist came in talked briefly about what to expect.

Around 12:15 I am wheeled into an operating room. DH gets his scrubs on in another room and they will only bring him in once I have had an epidural and the doctors are ready for the procedure. Epidural went in without a problem. For me, it was painless. I immediately go numb. The nurses prep me for surgery which includes putting a drape that comes right to my neck...weird I want to see what is going on...but of course that is not allowed. I wait for DH to come in.

DH comes in, my doctor is chatting away I feel a lot of tugging and think the doctor is pushing on my stomach to feel baby's position. Nope, she has already cut me open and is pulling DD out. DH is peaking around the curtain.

After a lot of tugging and pressure DD comes out. She does not cry right away and I can't see her, but DH gets to go over and take pictures. After they clean her up, she is brought over to me. The doctors are still stitching me up, so all I can do is kiss DD's check and look at her for a minute.

DH and DD get whisked off the nursery and I go off into the recovery room. I am a little sad because I just want to hold her, but DH gets to do this. After what seems like the longest hour of my life, DH and DD come back into my room. I get to hold her and BF.

That night: Bleeding and cramping is pretty bad, but I am stuck in bed because of my epidural. Nurse comes in and cleans me up a couple times. I managed to convince her to let me have some jello because I was starving...best.thing.ever.

Pain management: The nurses and I have a game plan, I would like to stay on top of the pain, so every 4 hours or so I am given more pain meds in my iv. Other than cramping, I do not hurt.

Day 2: Pain is still manageable. I try walking the next morning and it feels good. I can now walk to bathroom and get the damn catheter out. I also now can have real food! Later in the day, they switch my pain meds to pills and the iv comes out.

Day 2 night: I have the worst constipation of my life. I am in and out of the bathroom all night trying to go. Nurses gave me suppositories and gallons of prune juice....so gross!

Day 3: I am given the all clear to go home. Nurse takes my staples out. (did not hurt at all) She puts Steri Strips along my incision. I am given a prescription for pain meds.

Incision: About 4- 5 inches long right above my pubic bone. Scar is hardly noticeable now and is completely covered in underwear and bikini. However, I do still have some numbness around the scar area. It has gotten better over time.

Recovery at home: It was definitely hard to get up and down the first couple days. Getting out of bed was a very slow process, but I had DH home the first week to help me. Pain was tolerable. I would recommend wearing a binding of some sort for added support. Also, hold her stomach when you laugh the first couple days after your C/S...seriously.

Sorry for the novel...

Mwu1123 · July 2013

Thanks for all the details! I like to know what to expect. Even the bad stories prepare you so you're not shocked! So far the catheter is my least favorite thing. And my DH not being able to be in the room until I'm fully prepped. He's my rock so I hope I can do it without him for a little bit!

rowanthefrog · July 2013

Also, you can't drive for 4 weeks after a C-section? Or was it 2? Or 6? I can't remember.

A

wiechs22 · July 2013

runrun26.2:
rowanthefrog:
Also, you can't drive for 4 weeks after a C-section? Or was it 2? Or 6? I can't remember.

A
I couldn't drive for a week.

For me it was two weeks and no pain medication.

My C/S was an emergency, but I'll still share what I remember.

I had two failed epidurals during my induction. When they took my back for my c/s it wasn't an emergency yet. I was running a temp and hadn't made any cervical change in hours. My cervix had started to swell so I actually was going backwards in progress. They took me in and did the spinal and when they laid me down I was still able to move my legs. They did the test (with pick ups BTW, not scissors) which of course I felt so DH was never allowed to come in. They put oxygen on my face and the pediatrician who was already in the room helped calmed me down and I was asleep before I knew it. I never got to hear the first cry which is my biggest regret. I woke up in recovery about 40 min later and they brought DS in to me. My MIL was able to videotape it which I'm so thankful for since I was still pretty foggy. (she also videotaped the first bath for me and only DH held him until I got to)

I stayed in the hospital 4 days (an extra day because DS was jaundice). I slept on the couch the first month so I didn't have to do stairs. I never had the numb area around my incision like some people complain of. Mine is just super sensitive. Its in my hairline and only a few inches wide. I had sutures as well. I would request sutures with a keith needle over staples. It took about 3 weeks for my pain to get better to where I didn't need narcotics. I remembered calling my SIL crying asking when it got better. I still get weird twinges from my scar. I'm trying for a VBAC this time if my OB will allow it.

cnwilbur1030 · July 2013

I had a c with DD. her head got stuck basically, so after hours of pushing we called it. I already had the epidural. I signed a consent, DH went to tell the families. He came back to te room and changed into scrubs and they wheeled me back with him by my side to the OR.

I was a nurse at the teaching hospital at the time, so I actually knew the anesthesiologist who was with me. That was nice. They put up the curtain, DH sat by my head, and the anesthesia dr hooked me up to the heart monitor and tied my arms out to the side. When he gave me the medicine in my epidural, I started to shake which is normal. But the medicine and the oxygen smell in the nasal cannula made me nauseous.

DH was by the entire time. I felt them pulling on my body and could smell them carterizing my blood vessels, but I don't think I would have know. That smell unless I was a nurse. They told me when DD came out and I heard her cry! DH went to her side then brought her to me. The nurse took our first family photo! Pretty quickly try took her to the nursery while the doctors stitched me up.

Now it may be different at different places, but in the desperate recovery room I only saw DD for 10 min out of the hour I had to wait there. Sad face. But when I got to the room, she was all mine!

Few tips. They didnt let me shower for 24 hours, so be sure to bathe before. Also your bowels take a bit longer to work again and that first poop was almost worse than birth. Sorry if tmi. But I would stick to fruit, fiber, and water until that first BM.

cnwilbur1030 · July 2013

I also forgot to say that the recovery was made easier by a support belt. It was Velcro and went from right above my pubic bone to above my belly button. I got it from motherhood maternity an it was, for me, a lifesaver. It was hard to twist from side to side and to sit straight up. I used a bunch of pillows to sleep partially upright to make night times easier as well as the support belt.

Also I bled and had clots for a while then te discharge turned pink but very watery for a few weeks. Gross.

Finally, I don't know if it was because I was also in labor for a long time before and got a lot of IV fluids, but I retained so much water. The tips of my feet would wiggle when I walked because of it! My stomach was still swollen too. I had to wear DH's shoes.

yogi1012 · July 2013

I will most likely have a c/s and am already upset I won't get to hold the baby right away!

knottie3c0525a8a3c64eaa · July 2013

Mine was an emergency csection. I pushed for 2 hours and baby was in distress. But basically they increased the epidural dose and in 15 minutes I was in the operating room. It didnt hurt but it was uncomfortable and I felt a lot of pulling and tugging. I'm very petite and I'm not sure if that contributed but I heard of people who don't feel a thing.
I was shaking and sleepy and the anesthesiologist explained that was a side effect of the epidural.Again, this is because I had been in labor for a very long time and was exhausted.
The longest time is for them to stitch tyou back up. About 45 minutes.

I will have another csection this time and have been doing a lot of research. Most moms say when you schedule it goes really smoothly and not traumatic as an emergency one . I was probably all swollen up from the pushing and labor etc.

Good luck and you will be fine

knottie3c0525a8a3c64eaa · July 2013

aessary03:
I'm not sure how helpful I'll be to you, but I can share what I remember.nbsp; I had an emergency csection, so I was completely knocked out.nbsp; I don't remember anything about the surgery itself.nbsp; But be prepared for a catheter.nbsp; I remember begging the nurse to remove it so I could just go to the bathroom like a regular person.nbsp; lol!nbsp; Big mistake ... holy fluck I remember it hurting so bad when I got up to actually go to the bathroom. But made it through.nbsp;nbsp;Just wear comfortable clothing for a while.nbsp; You'll be tender for a while.nbsp; I don't really remember much besides that.nbsp; I healed up well.nbsp; That was that.

I had a catheter too but didnt feel a thing. I remember being terrified about it and it was piece of cake. Sorry you had to go through a painful one

chelle_chelle5487@hotmail.com · July 2013

I had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks 1 day for DD. When I arrived to labor and delivery, they had a room waiting for me. I was walked right to it and told to change into a gown and get in bed. They hooked me up to the monitors (one to listen to baby's heart and other to check for contractions). I had a series of docs and nursed come in and ask questions and give me information. I know one was the anesthesiologist. He went over what to expect and asked a bunch of medical questions. My OB wasn't in town to deliver DD but the OBs that were going to do the c-section also came in to talk to me. All of this seemed very routined. After all of that, I was wheeled (or walked?) to the OR. They got me all set up and got me my spinal. That wasn't too bad. I do remember that the OR was a bit scary. I remember thinking, I don't know if I want to do this again

The spinal kicked in fast. They put in my catheter and DH came in. Once they started it wasn't too long before DD was born. I did get nauseous from them pushing DD out but they had meds for that waiting for my IV. Once DD was born, DH was with her the rest of the hospital stay. Once she was cleaned up, he brought her to me and I got to see her then he left to go to the recovery room. I got stitched up and then wheeled to my recovery room. Overall, it was a good experience. A tad scary but not too bad. Recovery was fine for the most part. I stayed 2 days in the hospital. I was up and walking at the end of the first day. I was on my pain meds for a while. I wasn't able to drive till I was 6 weeks PP. I did have some complications with recovery though. My incision started to bleed a week PP. I went in and they said it wasn't healing correctly and had to reopen the incision. They had to pac my wound for about 4 days. My poor DH had to do it and home. Let's say he does not do well with blood, hospitals, etc and he had to stutff gauze into my open wound. I was so proud of him. After about 4 days they re stitched me and took those stitches out a week later. This prolonged my recovery by about 2 weeks. Praying it doesn't happen this time! This time around I want to talk to my OB about a support belt for recovery. Hope this helps!

sugarland726 · July 2013

I had an unplanned c-section as DD was just not coming out. They tried to push more pain meds through my existing epidural, but it wasn't enough so I told them to not even "try" the spinal, and go straight to knocking me out since I was so exhausted from laboring for 24 hours. I didn't want to "try" anything. I wanted a guarantee that this would be over. Because of that, DH went with DD and I woke up in the OR completely alone. I was confused and scared. I was so tired and had no idea what was going on that the nurse who was in there broke the rules and let my H come back in and calm me down and show me a picture of DD. I am looking forward to being awake for the birth this time!

I couldn't drive for two weeks. I also remember how angonizingly painful it was to push myself up and out of bed to nurse her frequently. I began sleeping sitting upright. Buy really comfortable clothes for post partum and especially make sure your underwear goes up high enough so it won't ever slouch down and irritate your incision.

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