C-Section?

JlWhite14 · February 2014

Have any of you ladies had a c-section? How was recovery? How was it to take care of baby days after? I'm just researching as I'm a FTM and just want to know what to expect in case of an emergency.

chickpea912 · February 2014

Same as @emilyh107 - I was induced at 39w due to being high risk, ended up getting stuck at 6.5cm and had a c-section. Not quite an emergency, not quite planned.

I was obviously sore the first couple of days (it helped? that I was confined to bed for 24 hours because of meds that they gave me during labor) - maybe it would have been different had I been able to get up and move sooner - some say that it helps. But aside from the soreness, I actually found my recovery to not be a big deal at all. I've heard the horror stories, but I honestly felt it wasn't that bad, and will be having a repeat c-section this time as well.

I remember they suggested I not go up and down stairs more than once a day for the first couple of weeks, and I wasn't to drive for the first two weeks. Aside from that, not too crazy. Oh, and I don't remember taking the pain meds more than once or twice.

Savvy122 · February 2014

Good for you for doing your research. As a FTM, I was convinced I'd have an uncomplicated vaginal birth and didn't bother doing any research on c-sections; go figure, I ended up with one after 5 hours of pushing with no progress.

I think recovery is different for everyone. I know a lot of people bounce right back after surgery but for me, it was a rough 2-3 weeks. I couldn't do stairs, wasn't allowed to drive or lift anything heavier than the baby for 2 weeks. My advice for any mom who had a c-section is to a.) not try to do too much too quickly and b.) stay on top of the pain meds (and ask for something stronger if necessary... I didn't realize that I actually had to request something stronger than ibuprofen). And let your H help out as much as possible!

AandJ28 · February 2014

This is very helpful as I'm a FTM and will be having a c-section. I've been talking to friends who have had them and they've all said it wasn't a huge recovery. Obviously like PP's have said you need to take the time needed for recovery and not push yourself to do too much. I think this is going to be my biggest struggle as I don't like sitting still / not being able to do anything.

Any other advice you ladies or anyone else thinks of would be super helpful!!

MSUMands · February 2014

I had an emergency C after a failed induction and a placenta abruption. Due to this, all my future babies will be born via C section. The recovery was tough, I'm a wuss so I used all my pain meds prescribed. By far the most uncomfortable part was the constipation afterwards - take your stool softeners if you have one.

On a side note (and I might get crap for this) my section really helped my DH bond with our baby. He had never even held a baby, let alone changed a diaper. I was able to breast feed the baby but that was about it. DH changed the first two weeks of diapers, gave baths, burped, cuddled, swaddled, etc. and loved it. It was a great bonding experience for them!

pcourtade · February 2014

I had an emergency c section. A little tmi coming up. I was up and walking around the morning/day after. I had a failed induction before and was so tired of laying down. It wasn't that bad. The only hard things for me was finding a comfortable way to sit up and the first poop after. It was hard for me to push after having the surgery. Looking back, I might have been too cautious. I did walk around as much as I could.
They sent me home with a pain medication prescription but I didn't even fill it. I just took either Asprin or Tylenol, I can't remember which, to help with the inflammation. I don't even think they had me on prescripton pain medication after the epidural wore off. I stayed in the hospital for about four days. They really wanted me to stay an extra day but I just wanted to go home. I was only supposed to go use stairs once a day and I couldn't drive for 6 weeks, until my checkup. I think doctors differ on this. My sister could drive 2 weeks after hers.
I truly think that there are women out there who have really bad experiences with their c sections, but I also think some women tend to elaborate and make it seem a lot harder and difficult than it was for them (I personally know a girl who did, just for attention).
I encourage you to talk to your doctor about it. What happens after a c section, how long the stay is after etc.

zipscheer07 · February 2014

I had an unexpected c section and it wasnt all that bad. The BEST advice I can give you is once you get the ok the next day to get up and moving, GET UP AND MOVE at the hospital. I found it was a lot easier recovery. After wards at home, it wasnt all that bad either since the baby hardly weighs much and they sleep alot so I found that I could do instant contact because she slept. Its not as bad as I thought ( for me)

pcourtade · February 2014

MSUMands said:
I had an emergency C after a failed induction and a placenta abruption. Due to this, all my future babies will be born via C section. The recovery was tough, I'm a wuss so I used all my pain meds prescribed. By far the most uncomfortable part was the constipation afterwards - take your stool softeners if you have one.

On a side note (and I might get crap for this) my section really helped my DH bond with our baby. He had never even held a baby, let alone changed a diaper. I was able to breast feed the baby but that was about it. DH changed the first two weeks of diapers, gave baths, burped, cuddled, swaddled, etc. and loved it. It was a great bonding experience for them!

I agree with you. My DH was probably more involved in the beginning then he would have been if I delivered vaginally. He did a lot until I could easily get up and move around.

gmc222 · February 2014

I had a planned c/s at 39w and it wasn't that bad. I had the surgery at 8am and was up and walking by 5pm the same day. You just have to remember to take it easy and let the nurses help you around. When I got home 5 days later I had no trouble going up and down stairs or getting into bed by myself.

ElTrain5 · February 2014

If you've got time to search, there was a "things nobody told me about birth" thread a while back, and I rememwbr a lot of c section mamas had a lot of really helpful things about what to expect on there, a little scary, but a lot of valuable suff

. I'm mobile so I can't find it but it's worth taking a look

Savvy122 · February 2014

emilyh107 said:

Ah, yes, the dreaded poop after the c-section. I would say that is the worth part. They didn't let me leave till I had a BM. It wasn't fun.

Whoa, really? I would've been in the hospital for almost two weeks!

wimb01 · February 2014

I was induced at 41 weeks, and honestly...if i had known it would end in a csection, i would have said no to the induction. Most practices don't let you go past 42 weeks. With that said, it wasnt a failed induction, but the medication they used was too effective and it put my baby in distress. She was moving so much, she got the cord wrapped around her neck twice and her heart rate was dropping. I made it to 8cm, but they had to do a csection. I wouldn't say I am bitter (at that point they had to get the baby out safely), but if i had done my research, i wouldnt have gone through with the induction, as it wasnt medically necessary. As it stands, this baby is my last chance to "birth" a baby. I won't know until 37 weeks wether or not they will let me vbac. And trust me, after a csection, the risks of a vbac are right up there with a csection. If they tell me that my scar tissue isnt thick enough (it hasnt been 2 years since my last delivery), then they wont even let me try because the risk of uterine rupture is too high. then, all of my future babies will have to be csection babies, and all csections are scheduled for 39 weeks. That means my babies will be born earlier than I would want them to be, and that scares me. Everyone knows that even a week can make a difference. The only plus side is that my vagina stays intact! Recovery wise, it was fine. It hurt to sneeze or cough or laugh, and get out of bed. I couldn't lift anything other than the baby for 6 weeks, couldnt drive etc. this time though I'll have my toddler, and I won't be able to pick her up, put her to bed, give her a bath or get down on the floor to playw ith her for 6 weeks if i have to have another one.

hjl050308 · February 2014

@Rachel5130, you still bleed after a c-section; I definitely bled more after my VBAC, for sure.

My experience with my csection wasn't bad. Mine was scheduled, so I don't know if that made the difference. My csection was at 9 a.m. and at 9 p.m. that night, they had me off the morphine pump and the cath was out and they had me get up and go to the bathroom and shower. I felt like a new woman! I definitely recommend learning how to sit up comfortably, walking walking walking, taking the meds, etc. The worst was that I couldn't hold my son right away and didn't get to see him until over an hour of giving birth. Then, I'd say the gas and the first poop were pretty bad.

I agree about my DH bonding, the first day I couldn't get out of bed. So DH had to change his first diapers and pass him to me to breastfeed. Mind you, he never changed a diaper and his first go around was changing the mecommium (spelling) poop. He was awesome.

momof5sept18 · February 2014

I've had two csections and number three will be scheduled in June.

I didn't abide by all of the post csection rules because I didn't have the help I needed.

Recovery wasn't bad at all for me. I didn't use any pain meds, also, get up an walk around as soon as possible. Have someone close though, just in case. I slipped and barely caught myself and tore my incision a little so make sure someone is close to you.

Don't be afraid to take the pain meds if you feel you need them, thats what they're there for. Also, if you feel you don't need them, don't be scared to refuse them.

Avoid lots of stairs if possible, use a pillow when transitioning from laying to sitting to standing, and vice versa. Move carefully, if you move wrong you'll have a minor stinging pain.

I never had issues with driving afterwards, neither did my sister. So I don't know about the no driving thing.

You have to have a BM before leaving the hospital because a csection is major abdominal surgery, have someone bring you mcdonalds or something, and you'll be good to go! Plus they give you laxatives as well.

Oh! And make sure you have gas-x on hand when you get home because of all the air from surgery you're gonna need the gas relief for the gas pains.

@Rachel5130 yes you still bleed, but breastfeeding makes the bleeding lighter. I never bled more than 2-2.5 weeks with or without bbreastfeeding, some ladies bleed every bit of 6wks or more.

sjn00 · February 2014

Is it weird that I prefer a c-section over a vaginal birth?! Good news, is thats probably what I will end up happening haha so at least I want it!

Thanks for this post!!!

Read247 · February 2014

I had a c-section after a failed induction. Not sure if that made a difference in my recovery.... Mine was an extremely difficult recovery. It hurt to sit up, laugh, cough, you name it! If it wasn't for my mother helping out I don't know how I would've survived the first two weeks. I took all of my medication and usually had to take a dose before the 6-8 hours was up. I'm hoping since this time it's scheduled it will be easier. My uterus won't have to go through 48 hours of pitocin induced contractions this time...

chickpea912 · February 2014

Rachel5130 said:
I have a silly question... Do you still bleed after a c-section?

Not that that's a deciding factor or anything. I have placenta previa as well and am researching c-sections for the just-in-case. It makes me nervous as I don't really know anyone who has had one, elective or not.

I bled for six weeks.

iris427 · February 2014

I had a c/s with my first and a vaginal birth with my second. The c/s recovery was much easier than I expected. It really was not bad and it did not interfere with my ability to care for my newborn. In some ways, my vaginal birth recovery was harder. Neither way is a walk in the park. The worst part about the c/s for me was the postpartum constipation from having abdominal surgery. That was rough.

Jennylou0604 · February 2014

I had a section as well and will have to have a repeat this time. I was induced at 37 weeks with my son due to sever high blood pressure. He ended up having to be in the NICU for a week as well. The recovery wasn't bad. I got up and walked A LOT due to my son being in the NICU. I would go see him every chance I could. Walking around really helps. I found the recovery really wasn't that bad. The worst part about it was that I developed this horrible rash known as PUPPS that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy (okay, maybe on my worst enemy). The rash didn't go away for at least a month. Having a section increases the chance of getting PUPPS. Having a boy also increases your chances. Good luck!

gmc222 · February 2014

emilyh107 said:

Ah, yes, the dreaded poop after the c-section. I would say that is the worth part. They didn't let me leave till I had a BM. It wasn't fun.

Ahh, I remember this was one of my biggest fears, and the reason I pretty much only ate bran muffins after the surgery. Luckily I went pretty quickly :P The worst part for me was having the catheter taken out...it was just such a weird feeling!!!

sumochik · February 2014

I have had two c sections. My first was emergency after a failed induction for onset preeclampsia BC DD was in distress. Procedure went well and I was up and about easily and didn't take any pain meds. Within a week I was carrying the stroller up and down the stairs on the subway to my breastfeeding group.
My second was BC of gestational diabetes and was not so hot. I realized while still in the hospital that my incision was open. I was sent home and the visiting nurse service came every day for a few weeks to clean and rebandage me. It took over four months for it to close on its own and my husband had to learn how to clean and rebandage me while maintaining a sterile environment. No showers for months, no sex, no lifting, no housework. I still didn't take pain meds even though the pain was a lot more the second time around. They go into your breastmilk and that was all I needed to know.
I'll have a c section with this baby and honestly I'm worried. My SIL has had 1 natural and 5 c sections and had the same issue with DD4 with her incision not closing but was ok with DD5 and 6, so I'm hoping this will be the case with me.

MegRN2008 · February 2014

I had a C/S after "failure to progress" during my induction at 42 weeks. My recovery wasn't bad. I'd say the first day was rough getting up and moving around, but by the second day it was improving and it seems after about a week I felt mostly back to normal. My belly was still sore to the touch and I couldn't over-exert myself by any means, but I was moving around like I normally would at home and was out and about fine. No issues pooping for me after... I would be much more afraid of my first poop after a vaginal delivery than a C/S!

You do still bleed after a C/S and everyone's bleeding is different whether they have a C/S or vaginal delivery. Postpartum bleeding is actual bleeding coming from where your placenta was attached. I bled for 6 weeks after my C/S and I did breastfeed. When I say I bled that long, I mean I had bleeding like a heavy period for about a week and then it tapered off to spotting for the rest of the time. Nothing hugely inconvenient, although it does suck to not be able to use tampons.

I really hope to VBAC this time around, but the C/S was not bad.

chickpea912 · February 2014

Rachel5130 said:

I have a silly question... Do you still bleed after a c-section? Not that that's a deciding factor or anything. I have placenta previa as well and am researching c-sections for the just-in-case. It makes me nervous as I don't really know anyone who has had one, elective or not.
I bled for six weeks.
@chickpea912 - did you bf? Were you on bedrest longer? I wonder why it was so long.

I did breastfeed, although I had terribly supply issues and stopped at 3 months (after supplementing the entire time) because I went on anti-depressants.

I was in the hospital for 4 days, but aside from that, I was up and around. It wasn't heavy flow the entire six weeks, but it took six weeks to fully stop.

MrsCase1 · February 2014

SaraJoy00 said:

Is it weird that I prefer a c-section over a vaginal birth?! Good news, is thats probably what I will end up happening haha so at least I want it! Thanks for this post!!!

I had an elective c/s so its really not that weird.

Everyone else has had really good things to say, so I won't elaborate with the exception of telling you that a c/s is not the end of the world, so don't let fear dictate your decisions or your recovery.

iris427 · February 2014

Rachel5130 said:

I have a silly question... Do you still bleed after a c-section? Not that that's a deciding factor or anything. I have placenta previa as well and am researching c-sections for the just-in-case. It makes me nervous as I don't really know anyone who has had one, elective or not.
I bled for six weeks.
@chickpea912 - did you bf? Were you on bedrest longer? I wonder why it was so long.

6 weeks is pretty normal. I bled for 6-7 weeks after both my c/s and my vaginal delivery. It is not heavy red bleeding the whole time.

misscarter87 · February 2014

It was difficult to take care of baby after c section because of the recovery from the surgery..it just made me nervous not being able to take care of baby and walk around and do things like i wanted to. I am hoping this 2nd c section is better.

JlWhite14 · February 2014

Thank you ladies so much! This was very informative. How is sex after a c-section. I heard it hurts longer/more than it would after vaginal birth. When did you start to work out after?

pcourtade · February 2014

JlWhite14 said:
Thank you ladies so much! This was very informative. How is sex after a c-section. I heard it hurts longer/more than it would after vaginal birth. When did you start to work out after?

I'm not so sure that's true. I would think it would hurt less because you didn't push a baby out of there. Now there may be a difference between a scheduled c section and an emergency. If you labored beforehand, your lady parts went thru a lot. I had a failed induction that lasted about 12 hours. We waited 6 weeks like the Dr. said and it did burn. I would suggest lube and lots of it. And go slow. I just wasn't wet (sorry if that's crass I some people) enough.
I'm not sure how long it was before I worked out again. Maybe a couple months?

hjl050308 · February 2014

Rachel5130 said:
Ok for the moms saying they bled for 6+ weeks (like a normal period, it isn't all at full speed), but my question is... I thought usually we were told to wait 6 weeks before having sex?

Does having a c-section change this at all?

This is totally off, but I don't want to start a new thread or post in AW SS.

I'm pretty sure that you have to wait the six weeks because of the risk from infection from where your placenta detached from your uterus, which is what causes the bleeding.

Read247 · February 2014

JlWhite14 said:

Thank you ladies so much! This was very informative. How is sex after a c-section. I heard it hurts longer/more than it would after vaginal birth. When did you start to work out after?

It's been 3 years and I still don't "work out." Honestly I don't have time and my priorities have changed. I walk a lot, but that's it. You are encouraged to start walking around the hospital the day after surgery, but anything higher impact I think they tell you wait at least 8 weeks.

Sex you have to wait 6-8 weeks I think... All joking aside, BUY LOTS OF LUBE!!!! You will be dry as hell. Go buy it now so you don't forget. Pick up some condoms too. If you are EBF you won't get a period but you are still fertile.

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