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March 2018 Moms
vflux33
member
C-Section Check in and Questions
vflux33
member
Hello! This thread is for people who are either definitely getting a c-section, considering one, or who are more likely than average to need a c-section. We will have a check-in and then feel free to revive it later as new questions and concerns arise.
1. Are you definitely having a c-section, considering one, or more likely than average to need one? If already scheduled, when are you having it?
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
1. Are you definitely having a c-section, considering one, or more likely than average to need one? If already scheduled, when are you having it?
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
Re: C-Section Check in and Questions
More likely than average
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I have hydramnios and a "less than ample pelvis". Apparently having a "less than ample pelvis" (surely there is a better phrase for this) can potentially break my tailbone (wtf) and/or cause shoulder dystocia in the baby and god knows what else.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
I'm a FTM so no. I had an appendectomy and that really sucked so I am expecting a C-section to be at that suck level x 10,000.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
OK. I see pros and cons to c-section and vag delivery. I'm fortunate to have my husband to be off work for about a month to help me so I don't have too many concerns in managing the baby while recovering. The part where they strap your arms down while performing the section sounds terrifying.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
Are an epidural and a spinal block the same thing? I keep hearing ppl refer to the anesthesia as a spinal block, and I'm wondering if that's better, worse, or the same as an epidural.
Married: 5.27.16
Baby Boy Due: 3.18.18
*99% sure that I’m opting for a repeat cs
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
*I had a cs with my first. It took me forever to come to terms with being under for my son’s birth, we almost lost him during delivery and the though of a TOLAC makes me so uncomfortable.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
Eta birth story (might be long sorry!)
we found out at 36 weeks that our son was measuring 32. Somewhere along the way he stopped/slowed growing. I also developed pre e insidiously, and at my 37 week appointment my blood pressure and swelling was insane because it finally came to a head. I never had a 24 hour urine, but based on my baseline blood pressures and third tri bp’s I should have had one. Hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, I was induced right after my 37 week appointment after blood pressure was somewhat under control. Induction with Cervidol progressed me on its own and when my water broke my son’s cord prolapsed. Thankfully, my OB and nurse were present and they had anesthesia and respiratory on the way because I was going to be getting an epidural. Everyone was in the right place at the right time. My OB was able to push him up and maneuver him off the cord and the nurse held him there on the way to the OR. He was still not doing well and the nurses were massaging him through my belly, giving me meds to relax my uterus and I think I was given epinephrine because something made my heart race like crazy, but right after that his heart rate came back on the monitor as we got to the OR. This was a million times more painful than cs recovery. They were elbow deep, ya’ll and I never got the epidural because there wasn’t time. I get to the OR, just me because with general your support person won’t be there. It was cold AF and I knew everyone who was seeing me butt naked (I worked there lol). I was given a mask and asked to count backwards from 10. Next thing I am in recovery and in a ton of pain. I was given morphine during and after the cs, but morphine doesn’t touch me apparently. It just made me so incredibly sick with each dose given and they maxed out my dosage. I was finally given dilauded, aka angel juice, and immediately felt relief. They brought in DH and our son and we attempted nursing because his glucose was low. He was groggy and I was afraid I would drop him because I could barely stay awake, so he was taken back to the NICU and got amazing care. I don’t know how much longer I was in recovery, but I got to my room and started bleeding really bad. They were doing fundals Q15 minutes. No epidural and bruised belly from the massages to my son earlier, so those were pretty awful. Bleeding finally was under control and they brought my son back in for another nursing attempt, but no luck, his temp kept dropping and I felt pretty awful so they took him back to the nicu. I got some sleep and then they wheeled me in my bed to the nicu for skin to skin when he was 8 hours old. The nicu nurse sat in a chair beside my bed and let me sleep with him on my chest.
I was able to get up and walk around about 16 hours after my cs and the pain almost immediately subsided once I started moving. I can’t even explain how much better I felt! I took a shower and walked back and forth to the nicu until he was released to our room and only took Motrin from that point on. Recovery after that point was super smooth and complicated free. We did have trouble nursing, he didn’t latch until 5 days old and he was incredibly hard to feed.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
*perfectly comfortable
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
Trust your body! If you feel like you need pain medication stronger than Motrin, then take it. Keep ahead of the pain and don’t try to be superwoman by not taking it. You can still breastfeed while taking super strong pain meds. Your milk may take longer to come in, supplementing is perfectly fine and no big deal. Pump during each supplemented feed and you’ll be perfect.
Ask if they will provide a binder in recovery. If not, get on Amazon and buy a basic post op binder. That thing is a work of God.
Get up and move ASAP. Ambulating helps speed recovery and reduces your risk of blood clots and pneumonia. The first time is hard, don’t get up alone. Utilize your nurse and techs (if they have them), for whatever help you need whether it’s to the toilet or to shower. No one is the same and it’s normal if you need more help than you think. This is what they do everyday, take advantage of their help!
I'm definitely having one, it's scheduled for Monday Feb 26th.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I had one with my first, and I'd prefer just a repeat this time instead of attempting a VBAC.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great.
I had one 2.5 years ago with my son. He consistently was measuring in the 99th percentile and I apparently have a small pelvis. So my doc gave me the choice to either attempt labor and possibly/probably need an emergency csection or just schedule the csection. I opted to schedule it. I honestly had a great experience. I'm very much a planner, so I liked having a scheduled date and a controlled birth (surgery) vs the unknowns of labor.
Birth story (sorry if this gets long, I'm a believer in the more details, the less scary it is):
I had to be at the hospital at 6am for 8am surgery. They got me changed into a gown, hooked up my IV, pumped me full of a ton of fluids and I had a quick consult with my anesthesiologist. At about 7:45 they walked me down to the OR. Heads up if you've never had surgery: it is COLD in there. Ice cold. They had me sit on the edge of the table and hug onto a nurse so the anesthesiologist could do my spinal. It honestly didn't feel that horrible, just a big pinch. They had me immediately lay down because that shit kicks in fast. By the time I got laid down, I had no use of my legs. It feels super cold and you can kind of feel it as thr numbing goes from your waist down to your legs. Anyway, at that point, they brought DH into the OR with me. They did strap my arms, so DH just sat next to me and held my hand. The anesthesiologist was super sweet and sat on my other side to tell me what was happening step by step.There were a lot more people than I expected - my OB, the anesthesiologist, a NICU nurse just in case, a regular pediatric nurse, a nurse just for me, plus one or two people to assist my doc with tools and stuff. They took my gown off (butt naked in front of like 7 or 8 people which great), put up the barrier so I couldn't see and then put a catheter in and got to work pinching and pulling my belly to make sure I was numbed up. Once they were sure I was numb they did the actual surgery, which mostly just felt like some tugging and pressure. Not painful. DH was able to get some pictures. The actual surgery took less than 10 minutes. It started a little after 8 and DS was born at 8:19. Once he was out, the nurses took him a few steps away to weigh him and measure him and clean him up a little while I was stitched up. DH went and got more pictures. They brought him back to me to see him, and unwrapped one of my hands so I could touch him. DH then took him to the recovery room and I met him there within 5 minutes and was able to start trying to nurse. We stayed in recovery I think for 20 or 30 minutes maybe? And then we were wheeled back to my room. Pro tip: if you're prone to motion sickness, tell your anesthesiologist and they can give you nausea meds. I felt fine until they started wheeling me to my room, and then I started puking, which is awful after abdominal surgery.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
I'm totally good with it. I had a good experience last time and a good recovery, so I'm not worried about this time.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
My biggest piece of advice is for recovery... get up and move! I was up and walking that same evening, and tried to walk as much as I could... down the hall to fill up my own cup with ice and water or if I just had a quick question for the nurse vs pushing my call button, etc. And honestly I think that made a huge difference. That first week I was sore and a little uncomfortable, but I felt pretty normal a lot quicker than I thought I would. Also, don't be a hero - take your pain meds, and take them as soon as you're due for them. There's no reason to be in pain. And once you start hurting, it's a lot harder to get it back under control than it is to just stay ahead of it. They do make you constipated though, so stool softeners will be your friend.
Definitely having one
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I've already had 2
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
Both my kids were single footling breech babies. I only found out with my first about 5 days prior to going into labor and she was a large baby w/ a low lying anterior placenta so we didn't feel comfortable attempting to turn her (which was a moot point because I went into labor before that would have happened). I wanted a VBAC the second time and OB was on board, but alas LO#2 was also a single footling breech. That one I did make it to my scheduled c/s date. This being my third we are forgoing any attempt to VBAC, and he has been sitting breech this whole time so I wouldn't be surprised if he stays that way anyway.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
I am bummed overall that I've had to have all c/s, but I am very grateful that I was aware before my first she was going to be c/s. I was devastated when I first heard, but after researching and reading a number of birth stories of women who had great birth experiences with their c/s I was determined not to let the best day of my life be overshadowed by the way she was born. Sometimes c/s are just necessary and I'm not any less of a woman or mother because I had one.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
I would ask about being able to do skin to skin and/or breastfeed on the table. I delivered at 2 different hospitals and one I wasn't able to hold my baby until I was in recovery and the other I had a stork nurse with me who helped me do skin to skin and breastfeed while still being stitched up. I'll tell you the experiences were vastly different and I am going to the hospital with the stork nurses again.
Get and use a belly wrap. Keep a pillow near by it'll hurt for a while every time you laugh, cough, sneeze or any sudden movements but the pressure of a pillow really helps.
My second it was only 2 days, but I was not really that far off from breastfeeding the first time so my body knew what was up.
Will have one if baby is predicted to be 10+ pounds after a 38 week growth U/S. I’m currently measuring big.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
Possibly a 10+ pound baby. DH was over 10 pounds.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
No, both kids were vaginal deliveries and went smoothly.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
Very nervous about the recovery more then the actual c-section. I have two other kids at home and a husband who works 90+ hours a week 6-7 days a week. Like usual, it will be me here right from the get go. I’m worried about pain, recovery, and how that could will I be able to run my normal routines that my family needs and depends on me for.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
@Gingermom15 I was hoping you would post here actually because I saw you mention recently that in a prior pregnancy you were diagnosed with IUGR. I was just diagnosed with IUGR for both my twins last week, and have read that cord prolapse and general distress are much more likely if you have IUGR. Was this also what you were told? Do you have any advice for me or others dealing with an IUGR dx? How's your baby's size looking this time around?
1. Are you definitely having a c-section, considering one, or more likely than average to need one? If already scheduled, when are you having it?
I'm more likely than average to need one-- I might get told very soon that I don't have a choice in the matter, but if given the choice and told an ECS was a strong possibility I will definitely go for the SCS rather than attempt a vaginal birth.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I'm having twins, and although so far they have both presented head down, they also both have IUGR as of last week. Also although a lot of twin moms attempt vaginal births these days, there are a lot of extra things that can go wrong causing you to need an ECS for the second baby even if there are not warning signs or prior complications (baby B going into distress, or getting tangled in a cord, or turning while baby A is being born, etc.) and since day one my biggest delivery fear (other than the babies being in bad shape of course) has been the potential of having one vaginal delivery and one c-section on the same day and thus dealing with the pain/recovery/stress of both. I was recently referred to a MFM for the IUGR, however we have not actually met yet. I think there is a fair chance given the circumstances that she may say I definitely need a c-section and not give me a choice, but not 100% sure yet.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
Nope, I'm a FTM.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
Because of having twins, I've mentally prepared for this for months. Although I used to be interested in a med-free birth, that was more about a fear of drugs and medical interventions and not at all about wanting birth to look or feel a certain way (nothing wrong with that, just not my personality I guess). I also come from a very pro c-section family: my sister is a hypochondriac and drama queen, and had a great experience with both her SCS's and had smooth recovery both times.
**Major TW in spoiler**
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
I have a couple questions for you ladies who have already had c-sections:
@livingthedream-3 Thank you for reminding me to ask others-- Any of you had a "gentle" c-section? Were you offered delayed cord clamping, delayed bathing etc.? How long did it take for you to get skin to skin contact and attempt BF, if you wanted to?
Were all of you stripped naked like @ashleyf911 was? I know this is the least of my problems, but I'm the type of person who reacts much better to everything in the moment if I know what to expect, so if that's something that is always the case I'd like to know that so it doesn't throw me off guard.
What kind of pain meds were you put on after, and how long did you take them for?
I was warned that distress is more common and I was closely monitored during my induction. There was never mention of increased risk of cord prolapse, but with a small size baby, extra fluid and an anterior placenta I guess that’s a good recipe for prolapse. Advice-wise, plan for small, extra sleepy, babies. My son was 4.14 and born at 37 weeks, but he had the characteristics of a post term baby. He developed jaundice so I really pushed supplemented feeds and pumped like crazy to get as much in as possible. We managed to avoid the bili-lights, but barely. Be prepared that jaundice will be likely. I had to wake him every 2-3 hours for feeds because he would nibble and fall back asleep, then wake up starving. It was rough.
One iugr pregnancy doesn’t doom you to another, though. It really depends on the cause. My son’s never had an official reason, but we think that the undetected pre e was a big factor. My baby this time is measuring large, like 2-3 weeks ahead. I take an aspirin daily due to history or iugr and pre e. I haven’t had to see my MFM doc for this pregnancy because it has been progressing so well.
I was stripped naked naked for my cs because my gown was drenched from my water breaking. A sterile field is needed and the gown is all I had on. I had a clean one on when I woke up and the nurse even removed my ponytail so I wasn’t lying with it under my head.
I was given morphine during and after and it was an awful experience. Then I got a dilauded pain pump (amazing). After about 16 hours I was offered PO Percocets, but only took a couple. I got by really well on Motrin, but if you need it then take it!
I wasn't stripped naked for my emergency c-section. I had a gown on already from being in labor and pushing, but I definitely don't remember them taking that off and leaving me exposed. Although I'm sure I was completely exposed below the curtain.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section? I had an emergency c-section the first time and likely not a good candidate for a VBAC based on my first experience (baby was sunny side up and just wouldn't fit through as I pushed for 2-3 hours, plus turned out she was 9 lbs).
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason? With my first/only so far, I had an emergency c-section. I went to the hospital the evening before to begin 'ripening' because apparently I was still locked up tight down there. Next morning my doctor broke my water to induce (I didn't realize she did that until it was already done because shortly before I had an epidural from already starting contractions a few hours after ripening started). Spent pretty much the whole day sleeping from what I recall as we waited for dilation to progress enough. Late afternoon / early evening I was able to start pushing, but after 2-3 hours the doctor suggested we do a c-section because the baby wasn't fitting out. For some reason I was so sleepy while pushing I could have napped between contractions. I don't know if that was something from the epidural or just all the time in the hospital or what. Thankfully no one was in duress though, so it wasn't a mad rush to the OR. And although my whole pregnancy I wanted to avoid a c-section because you couldn't hold your baby right away, at that point I was just so tired and who was I to say no to a doctors advice so I went with it. The OR was definitely cold and I kind of liked it however I also had the shakes. I still had the hospital gown on (at least on top) and my arms were not strapped down, however did need to lay them out like on a cross. Baby was taken out, doctor held her up for me to see her, then she was brought over so I could touch her cheek basically. Then husband went with the nurse and baby to recovery room and I stayed to get stitched up (this next c-section we're planning to let me do skin to skin right away so I don't need to be separated). While getting stitched up I got a terrrrrrible pain in my shoulder and the anesthesiologist explained it was from gas in the body from the surgery (apparently not uncommon) and he rubbed it a bit which helped. That shoulder pain hurt pretty bad but I remember it went away when I was able to hold my daughter in the recovery room. I had been in labor and hooked up to IVs about 24 hours by the time she was delivered, and at that point it was late at night and I could barely keep my eyes open so I went to 'bed'/sleep pretty quickly after getting settled in my room. It wasn't until the next morning that I got up to stand up and walk (with help). I remember laying there in bed and the whole reality of just having major abdominal surgery would sweep over me and the overwhelming feeling of it all, especially the recovery ahead. But just one of those things you couldn't let dwell in your mind and just had to take it step by step.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section? I'd rather have a VBAC (to avoid a c-section recovery), however I don't want to risk going through what happened before and just having an emergency c-section in the end and not being able to hold my baby right away (the gentle c-section is typically more when it's planned and everyone is prepared with the adjustments they need to make to the experience). And I'm of course still paranoid something will get in the way of my plan for a gentle c-section even though the doctors are on board with it. But keeping my mind on the positive - having it scheduled makes it a lot easier when you already have a little one at home, and I should be able to have the gentle c-section experience.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like! @livingthedream-3, love that you said/acknowledged sometimes c-sections are just necessary and it doesn't make you (any of us) any less of a woman or mother. Very true as so many of us can feel defeated for having a c-section. @Gingermom15, that's a lot you went through! Definitely shows a c-section isn't the easy way out. Really...no 'easy way out' of getting a baby out of your body.
*edited b/c I forgot to make some text bold
If there was an easy way to getting a baby out I would do that option. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t. Birth kind of sucks, either vaginal or surgical lol there’s another human(s) exiting your body. I’m no hero, give me drugs
Definitely having a c-section
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I've had three c-sections prior and a VBA3C isn't in the cards for me (I don't think I would want one at this point).
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
I was induced with my first son a week early due to high blood pressure. 18 hours into an unmedicated labor, I was not progressing (despite all of the induction interventions). I never dilated past 3cm and the baby never descended into the birth canal. My pelvic bones did not widen to allow space for the baby to come through. I opted for a non-emergency c-section at that point. My doctor said that was a good idea because it turns out that she and her assistant had to both pull and tug to get the baby out. He would not have come out otherwise and it would have been detrimental to both of us to continue to try to have a vaginal birth.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
I feel fine (in general). I know what to expect since I've gone it three times before, but it is still major surgery and it's pretty scary. I just hope that all goes smoothly again this time and I don't have too much residual scarring.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
It's really important to stay on top of your pain meds after delivery. PLEASE don't want until you need them to take them... it's too late by then. I was prescribed Vicodin and Percocet and alternated those while in the hospital. When I was discharged, I was only on Vicodin and Ibuprofen. I was able to wean myself off of everything after about a week. With my first, I didn't want to take drugs, so I suffered so much more than I needed to because I was stubborn about it. I quickly learned my lesson and the other two recoveries were much easier and more pleasant as a result.
Definitely having one, scheduled for February 16th (I’ll be 38+4)
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I had one with my daughter 2.5 years ago, so it’s a repeat c/s.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
Yes, I had one with my daughter. I had one with her for multiple reasons. She was measuring pretty big towards the end and I myself weighed 11 pounds when I was born. My mom ended up having an emergency c-section with me and when I came out they discovered that I had Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. I stayed in the NICU for 10 days because of it. Long story short, I was terrified of the same thing happening with my baby, and with her measuring big anyway, the doctor left the decision up to me. I decided to have a scheduled c-section on my due date, and everything went very smoothly.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
I am nervous because since I’ve had one before, I know what to expect. It’s surgery and I am nervous about the recovery with a 2.5 year old this time. I don’t regret having one with my daughter at all because she was delivered safely and that’s what mattered most to me.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
If you have motion sickness or nausea from anesthesia, tell them! I get motion sickness pretty easily and they were able to give me meds when I needed them during surgery. I think I asked for them twice during the whole thing and within about one minute each time, I felt much better. Get up and move around as soon as they tell you you can. They had me out of bed and sitting in a chair the same day, and I was able to get up to walk around and take a shower the next day. It definitely helps with recovery. You will feel like you got hit by a truck for the first 3 days or so, but it does get better and it’s really not as bad as many people make it seem.
Right now it’s kind of in the air. I had a cesarean with my first and I’m hoping for a VBAC this time, but I’ve accepted that it could still end in another cesarean.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
Stated above lol
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
I was induced at 39 weeks with my son because I had GD and after all the interventions my body stopped progressing. I ended up asking for a cesarean because I was worried my son would get sick. They were worried he was going to be so big but he came out a perfect 7 lbs 4 oz.
*Gross Warning*
one of the medications they gave me to start my induction ended up causing me to have a lot of diarrhea. I had already gotten an epidural so I couldn’t rush to the bathroom every time I felt it coming. So there were several times I ended up sitting in my own shit for like 10+ minutes waiting for the nurses to come and clean me up. I was so scared it would get up to DS somehow and make him sick so I just told my doctor to get him out before something happened to him.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section?
I’m at peace with it for now. I really hope I can have a successful VBAC but if it isn’t in the cards for me then I won’t be upset like I was with my son.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like!
mostly just don’t try to overdo it. When your body tells you to rest, rest! I had such a problem with that for some reason. I felt like I still had to get everything done. But if you’re feeling good, go with it!
1. Are you definitely having a c-section, considering one, or more likely than average to need one? If already scheduled, when are you having it?
I had an emergency c section with my son, so it is likely I will need to have one again, both options are still on the table. Nothing scheduled yet.
2. Why are you having or possibly having a c-section?
I’m open to either scenario, but given how dramatic my son’s birth was, a drama free, scheduled c section sounds like a good plan.
3. Have you had a c-section before? If so, when and what were the circumstances? Any details you are willing to share about your past experience/birth story would be great. If you've had both a c-section and a vaginal birth feel free to compare your experience with the two. If you had a vaginal birth and were later told your next should be delivered by c-section, what was the reason?
I was admitted 6 days past my due date for a scheduled induction with my son. Basically labor wouldn’t start - with cervadil, and even pitocen. I was having contractions but no dialation and really no pain. Fast forward 18 or so hours, still with little progress, and now my son’s heart rate is decelerating with every contraction, and the mood in the room starts to change. The nurses seem concerned, and we could tell something wasn’t right. My doctor arrived shortly after and told me she would need to do a c section right away. I was so upset, because it was all so sudden and unexpected. I asked if I could just have 10 minutes to process all of this, and she said no, unfortunately this needs to happen right away.
Once I was in the operating room, with spinal anesthesia, I was really fine (I just needed those 10 minutes or so and came to terms with it all) and before we knew it, he was here! The c section was a very smooth process. We had him for a few hours after, and started breastfeeding, when we realized he was shaking. Then the nurse took his blood sugar level and it was really low. The trauma from birth and being in distress (cord was wrapped around him) depleted all of his energy stores. We spent the next 10 days in NICU. He was tested for everything under the sun, but it turned out what he went through at birth caused the blood sugar issues.
After he was taken to the NICU after a few hours, I’m throwing up horribly as a reaction to the pain medicine (dilauded) they gave me post c section, and it was the worst pain ive ever experienced. You don’t want to be vomiting when you have a fresh incision in your stomach. I don’t have words for how terrible this was. It was hell on earth for me.
4. How do you feel about having or potentially having a c-section? I feel like a repeat c section is a great option, because it’s predictable and if helps avoid all the drama of the first time around, I’m all for that. My biggiest concern is making sure I have the most minimal pain medicine (like ibuprofen only) after a repeat c section, because the first experience was so horrific. However, the recovery overall was really very quick. I was walking the same day, and determined to be in the nicu every moment to breastfeed my son.
5. Questions, other concerns, tips? Please feel free to add whatever you like! I’d love to hear if you have any experience taking some more mild pain killer post c section and what that was like. I cant imagine getting so sick again from pain meds!
ETA how long did the spinal last?
@Gingermom15 I don’t remember being in any pain because of a fundal massage. I had spinal anesthesia, so maybe that’s why.