We’re starting to get to the point of some of us knowing whether or not we will need a c-section. I believe knowledge is power, especially with this subject. If you have any questions or worries, just need support, or want to know “just in case,” here is a place to discuss!
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Re: C-Section Thread
I do worry about long term healing. My daughter is 5 and my scar is still super sensitive. I can't even have an underwear band sit on the area and last year a small part of it opened up. It was very superficial so there were no real concerns with it but why in the world did it even happen?!
For anyone headed for a second cs who labored before the first one, I think it’s a completely different experience, both the procedure and the recovery. Mine was calm and honestly pretty wonderful. My husband and I were joking around playing games on my phone five minutes before he was born and we got to spend as much time as we wanted with him when he came out. And don’t discount the value of everyone being fully rested when a newborn comes into your lives!
I hope those who had a bad experience the first time have a better one this around. I know there is a lot of fear about c sections but a scheduled section (versus an emergency one) can be a pretty peaceful way to have a baby.
@GoyaBean913 I also cannot stand bands on my scar. I had to break out the maternity undies early this time! I’m sorry your scar opened back up. Did your OB indicate why that would happen?
Sorry this is so long. Once I started typing, the details kept coming!
Last pregnancy, I was diagnosed with polyhydramnios (extra amniotic fluid) at 25 weeks. My fluid continued to increase and by 40 +1, I had triple the normal amount of fluid, which increased the risk of the umbilical cord prolapsing, so I was induced at 40+2. I had been contracting for weeks, but was still only a fingertip dilated. 12 hours of cytotec got me to a 1 and a folly bulb was inserted. That got me to a 3, so my water was broken and pitocin was started. I dilated to a 4 pretty quickly, but I stayed 4 cm for the next 20 hours, despite the pitocin being increased to 16 (the highest dose baby’s hear rate could handle). During this time, both the heart rate and contraction monitors were glitching because of my movement, so they were inserted internally (twice each) which was AWFUL! Finally, I consented to the epidural, which also had to be placed twice and I blew a vein in the process. Thankfully, the epidural allowed me to relax enough to get some rest and dilate to a 7. However, my cervix began to swell, so I was actually progressing backward, my temperature started to go up, and a small amount of protein was noted in my urine. I had been adamantly again a c-cection, because I was scared of the recovery, but my doctor was wonderful and made me feel like it was my call, even though it was medically necessary at that point. The surgery wasn’t bad, except my IV blew again and I was shaking so badly that I couldn’t hold DS until he was about 45 minutes old. This was tough for me because I had so looked forward to doing immediate skin to skin, but in the end we had a healthy baby, which is all that matters! As it turned out, he was caught on my pelvic bone, so his head couldn’t engage and there was no way that he would have come out vaginally.
This time, if I go into labor on my own, I will attempt a VBAC. However, I do not want to labor for an extended period of time and I will refuse all internal monitors. If they become necessary again, I will opt for a c-section. If, I don’t go into labor on my own, I will have a RCS at 39+4. My doctor would typically do it at 39 weeks, but that is Christmas Eve, so I want to wait a few days.
Married: 5/09 ~ TTC Since: 10/10 ~ PCOS ~ Progesterone from 10/10 - 2/11 ~ HSG on 3/18 - Clear ~ Started Metformin 1000mg & Clomid 50mg 2/11 ~ Metformin upped to 1500mg 4/6 ~ 6/7 Now going to SG and put on Clomid, Ovidrel, Gonal F, Prometrium, Estrace ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP!!!!!! March 6th our little man was born.
6/17/13 - Ovidrel, Follistim, Prometrium ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP! March 17th our St. Pattys day baby arrived
10/29/17 - Started process for IVF, got pregnant & miscarried a 2nd time since summer. 2/22 started stims - Menopur, Gonal F, Cetrotide - retrieval 3/6 - , PIO, estrace 3xday - FET 4/18 = Beta 1: 616; Beta 2: 1342 = BFP
@maebyemby I totally agree about scheduled c-section being a calm experience. That was my primary feeling the whole time even though I was terrified to have surgery.
With my first I had a planned c-section at about 39 weeks because baby was frank breech. It was very peaceful and calm. We got there and went to triage (I think? Or wherever they prep you) and we stayed there for a couple of hours. We were scheduled for about 2:00 but didn’t go until around 4:00 because they had a couple of emergencies to take care of. So I hung out with dh and just rested. The worst part was that for the first time ever dh saw me pee because I couldn’t do it by myself hooked up to an IV. Lol I suppose if I’d been in labor he would’ve seen a lot more. I had to get the spinal by myself which was scary but the nurses were really nice to me. Then dh came in for the surgery and talked to me the whole time. They got baby out and weighed and cleaned her. After a few minutes I think they brought her to recovery where dh held her until I was done being sewn up. I think I was holding her within 20 minutes of her being born. No shaking or adverse effects from any of the drugs and I got to hold my baby so much faster than I anticipated. I’ll probably have another scheduled c because baby is breech again and doesn’t seem to want to move so far!
I hope nobody believes this, but that whole narrative going around that c-section moms aren’t “real” moms and didn’t really give birth is such silly nonsense. If you have to have a c-section please don’t pay those douchebags any mind.
Married: 5/09 ~ TTC Since: 10/10 ~ PCOS ~ Progesterone from 10/10 - 2/11 ~ HSG on 3/18 - Clear ~ Started Metformin 1000mg & Clomid 50mg 2/11 ~ Metformin upped to 1500mg 4/6 ~ 6/7 Now going to SG and put on Clomid, Ovidrel, Gonal F, Prometrium, Estrace ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP!!!!!! March 6th our little man was born.
6/17/13 - Ovidrel, Follistim, Prometrium ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP! March 17th our St. Pattys day baby arrived
10/29/17 - Started process for IVF, got pregnant & miscarried a 2nd time since summer. 2/22 started stims - Menopur, Gonal F, Cetrotide - retrieval 3/6 - , PIO, estrace 3xday - FET 4/18 = Beta 1: 616; Beta 2: 1342 = BFP
This one is scheduled for December 26th at 12:00. I really wanted a morning appt, but with it being the week of Christmas, this is all they had.
I found out at 40+6 my son was breech and schedualed a cesarian for two days later. I was terrified and inconsolable, even though my mother had cesarians with all three children, as well as my older sister having them with both her children. I unfortunatly had not mentally prepared myself for that possibility so i was crushed. We went the morning of the delivery and everything went smooth with surgery, although feeling my stomach getting snatched a around still makes me cringe. The bad part started in recovery. The first hour was smooth, but then my pain started to get really bad. I had to call the nurse several times before she came to me, clearly agitated. She took my baby from me and refused to tell me where he was going or when id get him back. So i was freaking out asking her those same questions over and over until she finally answered me. Saying hes going to the nursery, ill get him back when my pain is under control. So i felt punished for being in pain. Then she walks over lowers my bed so im lying flat, then proceeds to put her hands when over the other, and pushed on my incision like she was giving me cpr. I screamed and tried to push her off. She stopped and then injected something in my iv and i immediatly felt relief. Also side note, she was not a small woman, looking to be about 5'7 300 or so pounds, and she just put all her weight on me. After two hours they put me in my room, and i had to weight another 2 hours to see ds because they were trying to regulate his temp. At my 6 week checkup i recounted this story to my doctor and she was absolutly appalled. She assured me that, that was not suppose to happen and to check for clots, which apparently that what the woman was suppose to do, you gently massage the area to feel for them. Cpr motions are absolutly not protocol. She handled it and i found out the woman was later fired for similar incidents.
Recovery at home was not ideal either. My mother had promised to stay woth me two weeks if i had a cesarian because having three herself, she knew id need help. I was sent home with orders to only lift my baby to feed him, and do nothing else, because i was anemic and they worried i would pass out with strenuous activity. My father was ready to leave so the day i came home, they went back to sc. Mh could not get fmla at the time so i was home alone doing everything. I busted 2 stitches in the process of recovery. Not to mention all the drama my parents caused at the hospital. I could honestly go on a whole other rant about them, but we will leave that for another day. It was all together really hard and traumatic. Like i said not the surgery itself but the recovery. Im dreading another cesarian so im praying for a succesful vbac. But ive put in place measures that will make recovery smooth for me this time. Mh has fmla and can take 6 weeks with me should i have a cesarian. My parents will not be there when i deliver, or be around until im fully recovered. And ds will be watched by my sister until we come home.
Sorry this got so long, and jeez i hate i have so many bad memories around ds birth. I will do everything in my power to make this birth a joyous occasion.
My surgery was done through a traditional c-section cut, so I imagine it will be a similar recovery but not sure. And this time, I cant sleep as much as I want!
@lexidawg definitely glad your doc is erring on the side of caution and doing an early scheduled c. Better than uterine rupture and an emergency c later on!
It was really relaxed.
I was scheduled for 8am. Checked in at 6 and headed to the case room. I waited there with H until it was time and they did some blood work. I went in a little before H to get my spinal.
H came in shortly after and he sat right by my head. My OB played music and talked to us the whole time.
8:35 baby was out and immediately wrapped in a blanket and placed in my arms.
Once they were ready to sew me up they took baby to weigh and measure him and H went with him. About 10 mins later I was in recovery and as soon as baby was done being weighed he was back in my chest.
I stayed in recovery with baby and H for about an hour. Then I was brought back into a birthing room. My mom and dad came in then. I was there for a couple hours then was brought to my hospital room.
My recovery was amazing. I don’t have a scar and I was up moving as soon as my spinal wore off and I could move my legs again.
This time around around baby just flipped head down. I have the option of scheduling a section for around 38 weeks. OR I can try a natural birth. They will start doing sweeps around 37 weeks. They won’t induce since it will decrease my chances of a successful VBAC so they will hope I go naturally before 40 weeks and if not I’ll have a section again. It’s already scheduled as my last resort date.
Im not sure what I’m going to do just yet. My biggest fear is an emergency section. I’ll probably get an ultrasound around 37 weeks to see how big she is and my likelihood of being successful. If I’m likely to go well given the size of me and the fact I produce HUGE headed babies I’ll try natural. If my odds are decreasing I’ll schedule a section then. Big choice!
Unfortunately, uterine infection for me meant antibiotics for both of us, so I didn't get to hold her for several hours (not quite sure how long; lack of sleep plus all the emotion of the day plus morphine had me pretty woozy, but I do remember being told that they'd be bringing her in momentarily and then having everyone around us run for the halls because someone arrived at triage with a baby essentially hanging out of her and having to wait longer).
I'd like a VBAC, but mentally I'm preparing to end up with a section after all. Have any of you who are also thinking about the VBAC route had any conditions laid by your doctor? Assuming an uncomplicated pregnancy, mine has still conditioned vaginal birth on no induction, no going beyond term, and a reasonable certainty that this one isn't going to be LGA again (me first was 9lbs 14oz, though her size had nothing to do with my outcome).
@lavenderlisa That nurse sounds awful! I’m so sorry you had such a terrible recovery experience.
We are talking about trying for TULAC/VBAC, but after years of secondary infertility, I'm all about whatever gets me a healthy baby.
@katy0990, I love that quotation and wish I had seen it when I was newly postpartum and had horrible guilt.
@GoyaBean913, my scar is seven year old and still sensitive. Not sure what's up with that.
I'm aiming for vaginal, but if my OB suggests a C section then I will gladly go for it. He's pro-vag, but mostly pro-baby so I feel like we're on the same page. We've already spoken about due date induction, and he agrees that there's no reason why I shouldn't go for it - plus, Wednesdays are good for him
FX for healthy outcomes regardless!
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
I don't think they pushed hard on me like CPR, but definitely harder than massaging. That was the worst part! I had a wonderful night nurse, but the nurse that took over in the a.m. sucked! My DH had left home to shower, eat, etc. My pain started to increase & I realized I couldn't remember the last time I'd had my pain meds. Not since the night nurse brought them. I called & they said they'd come. An hour went by & I was really hurting, no one came. Called again. She finally came 30-60min later (I forget, but remember it took almost 2hrs from my initial call). By then the baby was crying, he was out of my reach, and I was in too much pain to move at all & alone, so I was bawling. Then she chastised me, saying I should've called earlier & keep track of my med schedule. I thought 1. B!tch I called almost 2hrs ago! 2. The night nurse just brought my meds when I needed them & took care of me. I wasn't even sure exactly what I was taking, or how often at that point!
I was also mad because I didn't want to deliver at that hospital & this reaffirmed my apprehension of a bad experience. I had to deliver there because it was closer to my high risk Dr than my preferred hospital & I was taken in by ambulance as emergency.
@mommythlegend I would have been so pissed! That is part of why I really want my H to be with me at the hospital.
Is anyone else terrified about the breastfeeding contractions post birth? They were rough last time, especially with my incision and I hear they get worse with each consecutive delivery.
EXCUSE ME ALL PREGO LADIES.....
YOUR TATAS WONT BE THE ONLY THING HURTING WHEN YOU BREAST FEED YOUR BABY!!!!! YOUR UTERUS WILL CONTRACT EVERYTIME THE BABY FEEDS......AND YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOUR GIVING BIRTH AGAIN.......THAT IS ALL.....
Ok now I feel better that everyone has been warned.
They told me that my daughter was backwards (sunny-side up) and very big for my pelvis (8,8) but I still think I probably could have delivered vaginally if given the chance. So I feel like I could be a candidate for VBAC, but I am really scared and have a lot of guilt about not trying. I know a c section isn’t the easy way out by any means (as many idiots make it out to be), but I also know I’d feel better about the decision if my doctors were telling me I had to do it rather than me electing to do it. As it is, I’m scheduled for 39 weeks, the Monday after Thanksgiving.
They are huge on VBAC where i live now... im not 100% sold on it cuz i don't want to labor then get sliced and diced again... so the OB Ive seen 1x(they run a midwife practice here with 1 OB in case of emergency) has agreed to give me an ultrasound at 32 weeks to get an estimate on little ones size... i think ill schedule a c section after my due date (they will not induce for VBAC here) so if i pop before then ill attempt... if not well, i have a fail safe! But if she's gonna be ginormous i think ill schedule early... well see next month!!