February 2014 Moms

STMs who had a c/s- tell me everything

now that i know i'm having a c/s, i'm getting nervous. i've never had any sort of surgery, and it's REALLY starting to freak me out.

can y'all walk me through what the process was? even(especially, actually) if you had a sort of "emergency" c/s- mine's not fully planned, best case scenario is i'll have the information for a few hours before we need to take him out... but we could need to move much faster.
i'm the FTM who never thought she would need a c/s, so i never read any other posts about them- so if this has been discussed at length please link me!
thanks ladies!


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Re: STMs who had a c/s- tell me everything

  • Mine was emergency-ish in that it wasn't planned ahead of time, but baby wasn't in distress per se. I already had an epidural so they just used that port and they prepped me (shaved area if needed, etc). DH was given scrubs and I was wheeled into the ER. I was alone for a little bit while they hooked me up to monitors and set me up and then DH came in. The rest was pretty fast. Nothing hurt, just some pressure, and before you know it LO was being held up over the drape! The anesthesiologist was by my head the whole time and talked me through things.

    Once I got back to my room I was able to do skin to skin and nurse right away. I was sore, but nothing horrid. I highly recommend getting up as soon as they'll let you to walk around.... Seems to make recovery a but easier.

    Bottom line is try not too worry. Roll with it and ask questions if you need to. Hugs!

    Ps-did I miss why you need a c-section?
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  • I've had two c-sections and both of them were emergency situations.

    With my first, I was induced at 41 weeks and was planning to have a natural delivery.  I did get the epidural and things just weren't progressing.  We waited and watched each hour go by.  I got to 8CM and they said I could try pushing to see if he would move.  As soon as I did, his heart rate had a huge drop and things went pretty fast from there.  Everything stopped and they said, "we're going to need to do a c-section now".  I was wheeled into the OR and within (what seemed like) a few minutes he was out.  I was in shock and SO tired so I don't really remember a lot of the small details.  I did get sick to my stomach but it wasn't too much of an issue because they turned me a little and gave me a bucket. 

    With my second I had a c-section scheduled for 39 weeks but I didn't make it there.  During a routine appointment my doctor found a large amount of protein in my urine.  I was sent to L&D for further testing and the blood results were really bad.  I had some rare severe case of HELLP.  The nurses flooded the room and started taking things off and putting things on.  Since I got so sick the last time, my doctor noted to give me Zofran in the IV before the surgery.  I think that helped because I didn't throw up this time.  Again, I really don't remember much because it all happened so fast.  Before I knew it, I was laying on the bed and could hear my doctors talking to me.  The anesthesiologist was next to me the entire time talking and asking questions about how I was feeling.  I lost quite a bit of blood during the surgery so they were having to shift the table and give me some type of medication during the procedure.  This was a really odd feeling but it isn't standard with the c-section.  I could feel a lot of tugging, pushing and pulling because they were trying to rush to get her out... but it wasn't too bad.  She didn't cry immediately so I had the urge to pull the curtain down.  It's possible your arms will be strapped but if they aren't, try to remember NOT to pull on the curtain.

    The worst part is right after the c-section it gets really lonely.  They take away the baby and you don't really know what's going on.  They will probably let your SO go to the nursery with the baby.  You get a quick visit before everyone is whisked away.  I've always had to sit in the recovery room for 1-2 hours before being transferred to a room where I can FINALLY hold LO.

    Just a few suggestions with a c-section recovery.  Get up and try to walk as soon as they allow it.  Walk as much as your body will allow but don't over do it.  Walking around gets your digestive system moving a bit better.  You DO NOT want to be constipated during your c-section recovery.  That's painful!  Don't be scared to ask for an enema if you need it. 
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  • keags5496 said:

    Mine was emergency-ish in that it wasn't planned ahead of time, but baby wasn't in distress per se. I already had an epidural so they just used that port and they prepped me (shaved area if needed, etc). DH was given scrubs and I was wheeled into the ER. I was alone for a little bit while they hooked me up to monitors and set me up and then DH came in. The rest was pretty fast. Nothing hurt, just some pressure, and before you know it LO was being held up over the drape! The anesthesiologist was by my head the whole time and talked me through things.

    Once I got back to my room I was able to do skin to skin and nurse right away. I was sore, but nothing horrid. I highly recommend getting up as soon as they'll let you to walk around.... Seems to make recovery a but easier.

    Bottom line is try not too worry. Roll with it and ask questions if you need to. Hugs!

    Ps-did I miss why you need a c-section?

    I had a very similar experience. The emergency C-section wasn't that big of a deal but the two weeks afterward were brutal. I hope you don't need one. I am hoping to vbac this time around because last time the recovery was horrible.
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  • of course i've discussed this with my doctor- but they tell me the technical, "this is what's going to happen" not "this is how you will feel" and "this is my first hand experience being the one cut open". i wanted to hear about it from a different viewpoint than my doctor can really give me. thanks ladies for your experiences!

    @keags5496 i need a c/s because babies with cord issues like i have don't do well with the stresses of labor- and when they decide that he'll be better out than in, the cord will be to the point where they need to have him out ASAP.


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  • There's a whole board dedicated to this topic:

    https://forums.thebump.com/categories/c-sections

    I had posted something on this board a while back as I'm having a c-sec as well but the response rate is very bad. Maybe my question was a little complicated. Nothing like you ladies here!
  • My c-section was not planned. I was induced due to pre-e and after pushing and making no progress (baby was too high and was not coming down even with pushing) they needed to do a c-section. I already had the epidural, so they just added something to that for the surgery, prepped me and took me into the OR first by myself. Once they were ready for surgery, they let DH in. Like others have said, the anesthesiologist was right up by my head the whole time, talking me through things and making sure I was doing okay. 

    It was very surreal, having surgery while being able to hear the doctors talking about what they were doing. DH tried to keep talking to me to distract me. It didn't take long at all before they said I would feel some tugging because they were taking the baby out. It felt a little strange but not painful. At that point, DS needed to go to the NICU, so DH went with him and I was alone while they finished the surgery, and for awhile in recovery. I didn't get to do skin-to-skin or anything like that because of DS being in the NICU. I didn't see him for 13 hours because they wouldn't take me to the NICU until I could get up and walk to the bathroom, meaning I could get up and get into a wheelchair.

    During the surgery and for quite awhile afterward, I remember that I was shaking horribly. It was like I was shivering from being cold, only I wasn't cold. My teeth were chattering and I couldn't make it stop. It started to bother me after awhile but it finally went away on it's own as some of the meds wore off. 

    Like others have said, make sure you get up and get moving as soon as they let you. Also, I ended up having to take miralax because I was so constipated afterward. I didn't have a BM for a week. Otherwise, the recovery really wasn't that bad at all. I needed some help getting around for a few days, but it didn't take long before I was doing things on my own again. 

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  • I had a sort of emergency c section with my first . I attempted labour for 10 hours but my DS head was to big !!! So I was whisked away and pumped with more epidural ! I was pretty exhausted but just wanted my DS to be ok . I felt a little bit of tugging and pulling , honestly it was all so quick . My DH was holding my hand and telling me it was all ok . Then he was out with a a big cry ! That was a huge relief for me . I got to give him a quick cuddle and kiss before he was taken away and I was taken to recovery room . My DH was able to do skin to skin with him for an hour . I was in recovery for just over an hour and the nurses were so lovely . I kept telling them I didn't want my feet covered so when the feeling came back I could feel the breeze !!

    I slept really well that night from the pain relief . The next day the nurse got me out of bed to have a shower . Oh gee oh my the pain . It felt like my body was being torn in two !! The pain !!! After a few days it calmed down . It definately took at least 6 weeks to feel better . My scar did get infected and I had to take antibiotics . I am schedule for a second one but who knows now as I'm in hospital being monitored and having steroid shots .

    The best thing is to start moving after the c section and get as much help as possible !!! Good luck :-)
  • DS1 was breech, so I knew I was having a C-section.  My water broke 2 days before my scheduled date though.
    My water broke around 4am. When we got to the hospital they admitted me and put a catheter in and checked the baby's position.  The surgery didn't take long.  I was numb from my shoulders down, but fully aware the whole time.  DS was born around 10am.
    The worst part (I thought) was the 1st day or 2 of recovery.  You need to get up and walk around and it's painful.  But the more you move around, the easier it gets. 
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  • edited December 2013
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  • This may sound weird, but I had a feeling that I should be prepared for one, so I watched a med school training video on youtube that showed the entire surgery and explained it. 

    After 23 hours of labor, I ended up having to get one. Then I had a rcs w DD2-- I will tell you the recovery is much easier without having gone through labor. The most important thing, IMO is to make sure you take your pain pills on the dot afterwards, don't try to push it and wait and see, then the pain can get out of hand. Also, the more active you are afterwards (within reason of course), the faster the recovery. Try to walk around when they encourage you to, to get the blood flowing, and muscles healing properly.

    I'm sure you are in great hands, and everything will go smoothly! ((HUGS))

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  • T&P that all goes well! Glad you have time to mentally prepare. I'm realizing after reading these great responses that I know nothing about c sections! I think it's good for everyone to be somewhat informed- realizing that each experience is a little different. <3
  • Thank you everyone for your responses!
    @megash113 i feel like I make a list every day... But once they answer a question, it opens up a thousand others in my head!


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  • ziggy903 said:

    of course i've discussed this with my doctor- but they tell me the technical, "this is what's going to happen" not "this is how you will feel" and "this is my first hand experience being the one cut open". i wanted to hear about it from a different viewpoint than my doctor can really give me. thanks ladies for your experiences!

    @keags5496 i need a c/s because babies with cord issues like i have don't do well with the stresses of labor- and when they decide that he'll be better out than in, the cord will be to the point where they need to have him out ASAP.

    Try to relax my c section was not bad I had to have one because of some issues. My doc was great and you have a step up by knowing before hand that you need one I did buy something's that helped.
    1 grandma panties.
    2 ice packs
    3. A binder
    4. And big pj pants.
    I hope this helps
  • I am also really glad you asked this question, and thank all of pp for the information and sharing your experiences. I've never had a C/S and I am afraid of them as well (it's the whole being awake during part that gets me). I'm still not planning on one, but I don't want to be totally unprepared in the event one becomes necessary.

    As someone who's had an epidural with 3 vag deliveries prior, I would add that the vomiting and/or shaking can also come with any epidural, C/S or not. Both have happened to me.
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  • OK so my first one was kind of like what you can expect. Except I didn't know this early on that I would definitely be having a CS. Had been monitored all day for reduced heartrate/fetal movement. Doc decided he needed to come out that night. I had about 2 hrs prep time. They moved me from triage to a regular L&D room where they did all the prep- bloodwork, IV, etc. If you are doing cord blood collection, they will take your blood then and check the kit to make sure everything is in order.

    Then they had us walk down the hall to the OR. That was surreal. DH had to wait right outside the OR while they did the spinal. The OR is freakin FREEZING. I just wanted the spinal over with so DH could come back in... my OB had me hug her and I swear, all I felt was a bee sting and then my legs started going numb. The nerves leading up to the spinal are the worst part of the whole thing for me. After that, they laid me back and covered me in WARM blankets which felt awesome.

    They will check to make sure you are totally numb and then place the catheter and shave you if needed. You are already behind the blue curtain and don't know any of its happening. DH came in right before they started cutting. The anesthesiologist stayed right by my head and chatted the whole time... about Wisconsin and Cheese ;-)

    It was about 15 min and then he was out! They wiped him down a little and swaddled him up and handed him to DH with instructions to keep him as close to my face as possible for skin to skin. After a few minutes, they weighed him and did the eye ointment and checked his vitals. Then right back to Daddy. It was about 20-30 more minutes before they were finished with me. Then they moved me to a gurney and handed baby to me and rolled us back to my L&D room.

    They had me try nursing him in there
    and that's when the nurse realized he wasn't breathing well- was grunting.
    She listened to his chest and then
    basically ran with him to the NICU.

    NICU is an amazing place. Scary as hell but freakin amazing. The doctors and nurses are miracle workers. You have to scrub in each time before you go in so your hands will get really dry- make sure you have some THICK lotion to use all day to combat this.

    There are a few benefits to having a baby in the NICU- its not all doom and gloom! The nurses in there spent way more time teaching us how to care for a newborn. They didn't know anything about BF but they would call me a LC at the drop of a hat. And I was getting a solid hour with the LC each day in the NICU vs. 15 min in a regular room. Not sure if that's the same at Northside but it is a definite perk of having a NICU baby. Also, my recovery went much faster b/c I had no choice but to rest while I was in the hospital. I had to get up to go down there every few hours which was also good for healing. And lastly, DH had to be super involved. He loved this and it made us stronger. The first few days, you can't really pump colostrum- its too thick. I had to hand express it and DH had to "catch" each drop in a syringe and run it down to the NICU to feed it to DS. That was a crazy bonding experience for sure ;-)

    I tend to think that Kennestone is more family friendly/BF friendly than NS, and I was very pleased with our NICU experience at Kennestone. but I definitely think that NS is the place to be for a preemie so trust that you are in the best place and in the best hands. Push for a LC before the c/s and keep asking for one everyday that you are in the hospital. Soak up every word that they say!

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  • Ziggy-

    I had an emergency c section after 36 hours of labor. I had already had 2 epidurals so the 3rd one that they gave me failed. (This is pretty rare).

    I went into surgery by myself and my mom came in a minute later. The anesthesiologist was at my head the entire time and my mom was too. The anesthesioligist was asking about pain but I told her I could feel everything. I was already past the point where I could get more drugs so I felt the whole thing. I ended up throwing up because of the pain (or HG) not sure.

    When DD was out the cleaned her up and showed her to me when I was being stitched up. My mom was the first to hold her. When I was stitched up they put her on my chest and I held her for a few minutes. They wheeled us out together and got back to our room. DF was able to cut the cord and i did skin to skin.

    The recovery process was easier when I got the courage to stand up. I was so scared! When I took a shower for the first time DF helped me. We also did laps around the hospital. Everyone scared me about the ride home and recovery but everything went fine.

    I have a numb spot right under where my csection scar is. My doctor used staples to close the incision and double stitched? My doctor said it's safer to try for a vbac when that procedure is done? Anyways sorry for the long post!!!
  • @CarynJeanG You felt EVERYTHING?!

    This!! OMG god bless your heart and courage. I cannot imagine even bearing multiple injections, cutting your abdomin I would have passed out!!
  • Hg45 said:

    @CarynJeanG You felt EVERYTHING?!

    This!! OMG god bless your heart and courage. I cannot imagine even bearing multiple injections, cutting your abdomin I would have passed out!!
    Yep. Unfortunately. It was by far the most painful experience of my life. The anesthesiologist kept apoligizing and they kept throwing water on my face to make sure I didn't go in shock. Please don't let that scare you though!!!!!!!
  • Hg45 said:

    @CarynJeanG You felt EVERYTHING?!

    This!! OMG god bless your heart and courage. I cannot imagine even bearing multiple injections, cutting your abdomin I would have passed out!!
    Yep. Unfortunately. It was by far the most painful experience of my life. The anesthesiologist kept apoligizing and they kept throwing water on my face to make sure I didn't go in shock. Please don't let that scare you though!!!!!!!
    damn.

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  • Hey, I'm back. DH reminded me of a few other important things of note...
    first off, take your pain pills on time! If you wait too long it will be much harder to get it under control and can actually set back your recovery and even delay your milk coming in. I was so paranoid about taking the meds b/c of BF and finally the LC had to talk some sense into me!

    Take your ipad/laptop/dvds to watch in the room. DH and I watched almost every season of Gilmore Girls with DS. And Friends with DD. This time, we've got a few new shows on Netflix waiting in our queue.

    Also, since you have time to prepare, ask them what they do with preemies at NS? I mean, obviously, they will probably start working on baby immediately and rush to the NICU. But who goes with baby and who stays with you? Ask if your mom can stay with you while DH goes. A couple reasons... you don't want to be alone in recovery. Like a PP mentioned, that would be super emotional. Also, this way DH can text you/your mom with pictures and updates in real time so you aren't left wondering what the hell is happening.

    The first shower is hard as hell but you will feel like a new person.

    Ask for a "gentle prep"- they will use less adhesives which can really mess up your skin. I had a reaction to one of the large pieces of tape they used above the incision... took longer for that to heal than the cut itself! And it itched horribly!

    As for closing up... this seems to vary greatly from doc to doc. Some do staples or stitches that are removed before you leave the hospital or soon after. Mine does all internal stitches that dissolve and glue on the outside.

    And yes, there is a c/s board which I try to check in on but its slow. Be patient there but go back several pages and you may find some other helpful tips that we've missed here. Good luck sweetie! It's really not that bad. A positive attitude will take you a long way!

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  • OutOfStep81OutOfStep81 member
    edited December 2013
    DS was a CS. It was decided to go that route after a failed induction due to fetal intolerance. It wasn't an emergency CS, we had a few hours notice.

    DH was given scrubs and was taken to a waiting area while I was taken to the OR. It's gonna be cold in there but usually they have heated blankets that they lay over you :)

    I didn't have an epidural, so was given a spinal in the OR. I honestly only remember a few 'pricks' of the numbing shots they gave me before doing the actual spinal. A nurse stands in front of you (so you keep the proper position) as you sit curled around your belly. As soon as the spinal is done you're laid back and the drape goes up between your head and belly. DH is brought into the room at this point.

    The cath- they put the cath in as soon as you're laid back on the table- I barely felt it as the spinal takes effect very quickly.

    Everything moves pretty quick from here on.

    My CS was at kennestone and while not sure about the order of things they cauterized where they made the incision, but you will smell it as they do it. Just try to ignore it.

    Once they have all the incisions done they should tell you before they get LO out. You will feel a lot of pressure- like someone is sitting on your torso. I remember trying to not let all the air in my lungs out lol. The pressure isn't for long and once it's gone LO is out and they're cutting the cord!

    I had never been inside an OR before. The only 'surgery' I had before was my wisdom teeth out at 14 or 15. I was terrified, but got through it just fine. Just focus on each step as it happens and it's not too overwhelming.

    Oh and they did internal dissolving stitches and 'glue' for my external incision.

    ETA: correction and stitches/glue

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  • If I knew that were even a remote possibility, I'd probably (selfishly) request to be put under. No joke! 

    Yeah. This also happened to my BFF and had made me want to be completely out as well if I ever need a C/S.
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