I haven't posted in here in a while simply because my lack of having the internet is staggering lately. I can rarely get on for more than 20 minutes much anymore. But, aside of that... I've recently found out that I'm quite likely going to have a C-Section due to the fact that my upcoming son is not able to get himself in the proper position. Aka: Breech. They offered me the external version (where they can manually turn the baby) nearer to my due date, but they also gave me the option of having a cesarean scheduled if he didn't turn by a certain date. I opted for a cesarean since I'm already having my tubes tied anyway. Sort of a "two birds, one stone" scenario as far as I see it.
Has anyone else in here had to undergo a cesarean? If so, what does it REALLY feel like during and after? I've read book after book, but I've discovered there is little to no information from a first hand account on what it's like. I've had a vaginal birth before, so it's not the whole mothering thing that gets to me... it's that I have no clue as what to expect in real terms. If someone could give me advice or point me in the right direction. I'd greatly appreciate it. ↓
|
|
| Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Oct 22nd, 2006 2:28 PM |
HI Lady! I had a C-section with my first baby and will have another with the one on the way!
During the C-section I did not feel a thing because of Anesthesia but just felt pulling and moving! It only took a few minutes and I saw the baby.. my husband took him to the nursery while they sewed me up and I went to recovery.
Afterwards was not pleasant.. I have heard (of course I have never had vaginal birth) It takes a few weeks to completely recover.. and it does hurt, the biggest thing is moving around the more you move afterwards the better you feel especially to get tht gas out from being cut open.. the gas in your body hurt me almost as much as the incision. Ask any questions.. I know that several of us have had previous ceseareans! You know its not easy but you will do fine. At least you will get to relax during delivery! ↑ |
| Name: ladyblueblood | Date: Oct 22nd, 2006 9:25 PM |
So in other words, during the procedure you're quite numb but your nerves are still awake enough to know that "something" is going on with you? That settles me some. I'm not too worried about the actual surgery, (I've had MANY surgeries, including an exploratory abdominal surgery where they "inflated" my tummy), it's really the recovery timeframe I'm concerned about... that and pain, of course.
It's comforting to know that I'll have the hospital staff to help me out for 3-4 days following the birth. Our hospital here is rather small and the birthing unit MIGHT have 10 rooms total, so you get a lot of individual attention.
Do you happen to have any tips for me on how to get out of bed, to the bathroom, and to care for the baby from your experience? Either at the hospital or at home? These books I read can tell me this or that, but I want to know straight up how it is, not sugar coated or in medical jargon just how bad... or hopefully not bad it's going to be. ↑ |
| Name: momo | Date: Oct 23rd, 2006 1:32 AM |
| I had one due to my breech boy...and i am scheduling another one too this time around...Knowing what I know now...I don't mind having another one...Yeah the recovery time does kinda suck...try to make sure you have people to help you for a while afterwards...the pain is just annoying unless you have to cough or sneeze..but it is bearable..I don't understand what the fuss is about and some woman try to refuse one..but really i am glad i had one...it was convienent...and was over like that...plus the nurses did spend extra time with me... ↑ |
| Name: tylersmom06 | Date: Oct 23rd, 2006 2:23 AM |
| I would suggest making sure for one you always have a pillow handy because holding the pillow to your stomach will help the pain from when you laugh or cough! Oh yeah I was wide awake and I felt no pain after I recieved the spinal just some tugging and pulling! Also I would stock up on gauze to cover the incision.. mine leaked and the gauze made it and me feel better! Yeah the only major downfall is the recovery time but everything else is fine. It was also easier for me when I first got up to have something to lean on because you do walk a little slumped over. As long as you have a little help you will be fine! Picking up the baby was never a problem, I kept him in a crib in the room with me so I wouldn't have to waddle so far in the beggining! But you will do fine and you will have pain medication to help you through the really rough spots. ↑ |
| Name: vane20 | Date: Oct 23rd, 2006 5:45 PM |
I had my son in 2004 via emergency c-section because of breech, but also cause i was running out of amniotic fluid, and trust me, it sucks. I hated the pain, you cant even get out of bed, cough, or even laugh. i remember on my way home from the hospital my brother said something funny, i was in the front seat and him in the back. I started to laugh and then it turned into sobbing, cause it hurt so much. It was like that all the time for the first week or so. Once they remove the staples, you feel a little better. But having a newborn means you'll have to be getting up dutring the night. Thank God my mom was there to actually get up and prepare the formula. She would help me to sit up so that i could feed my son.
This is my experience, i know some girls will say that it wasnt that bad, but you have to take extra care of yourself. I know that you can get up, but mostly u use abdominal muscles, and i was scared because my cousin's cut actually opened again, because she thought she could do it.
Also i strongly recommend using a belly wrap? Is that what it's called? Just something tight to minimize the risk of the wound actually opening again. I cant imagine how painful it would be, i was TERRIFIED of that happening.
I was about 2 days at the hospital and the nurses take good care of you. The first thing they tell you is to get out of bed asap the day after the surgery, the latest. I didnt listen cause i was in so much pain, but maybe it you do that you wont hurt as much as i did. But like MOMO said, the pain is bearable, and even if i hadnt needed one, i think i was still gonna ask for one cause i was to afraid of having a normal birth.
Hope this helps, but just make sure you have someone there to help you, just so you can take better care of yourself. When are you due? ↑ |
| Name: mommyagain | Date: Oct 23rd, 2006 8:43 PM |
| Vane... mine broke open 43 or 4 times. The last time I was 7 months after Kenzie was born. I was working out I thought no big deal, damn was I wronf next thing I know I look down and my scar was oozing.... So yes you are right take it easy! ↑ |
| Name: rachel23 | Date: Oct 25th, 2006 1:04 AM |
This women showed me her stomach and it was a big pouch of belly fat. This was done 20 years ago but did it do that to any1???
This is my first baby he's breech and they were going to do the version at 37 weeks but they did the amnio for lung maturity and he wasn't ready to come out so now my c-section is 10-27-06. what does your stomach look like after for anyone who has had a recent c-section??? ↑ |
| Name: ladyblueblood | Date: Oct 28th, 2006 4:57 PM |
Technically I'm due December 4th, and sorry it's taken so long to post anything back on here, but like I said, net access is repulsively limited lately when I need advice and information the most.
My husband is planning to take off work for a few days after we come home from the hospital, so I've got help covered for a few days. My grandparents (who are currently caring for my 5 year old) live next door and I'm certain would help out should I need it.
Thanks for the information about the whole pillow thing, I'll make sure I keep one around and luckily I have one that is waterproof. I had someone recommend I use my walker from when I had surgery last year ( knee reconstruction) if I needed a little help getting to and from the bathroom for a little extra support and something to lean on. Think it would help??
My last doctor's appointment was on this previous Tuesday and they didn't bother checking ANYTHING out about whether he had turned yet or was turning or anything... anyone else get ticked off about it? I'm making another post because I need to rant sometime about that.... when you go to the doctor at these last several visits and feel like you should've just stayed home. A check of the blood pressure... urine... having the fetal heartbeat checked for all of 2 seconds and then "farewell, see you next week (or 2 weeks in my case). This is my last week that I get to skip before I start going every week. I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow and it doesn't look like junior is planning on turning, nor do I think he has room left to do so.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers so that I might have patience to deal with my doctors while they make me wait to know just when I can go in and set up this cesarean. If I had a date to go by, I think I would be more at ease.
Oh, one more question too... and this one may seem trivial and kinda silly, but... It's sort of on what would be best for the ride home? My vehicle (an older Neon) sits WAY low to the ground while my grandparents drive a minivan that requires a slight climb to get into. Which one might be easier for the ride home? ↑ |
| Name: oopsybaby | Date: Oct 29th, 2006 1:54 AM |
| Hi lady... I had an emergency c-section with my 3rd child.. I was put under so I have no idea about during... although I hear you full some pulling but no pain.. I can't vouch for that... after, it did hurt a bit, the hospital gave me morphine and demerol for pain, it did help a bit. Also you should be able to get pain meds for home.. I mean it's going to be uncomfortable and it will hurt, especially when someone makes you laugh.. so make sure they all know in advance not to make you laugh... that made me so angry, my dad would come to the hospital and purposelly do something to make me laugh... he loves me to death but you know ... MEN... anyhow, it heals up quickly, specially if you're young and you should be able to walk and feel more normal after a few weeks... have you tried kneelingon the floor with your head low and your bum up in the air? I hear that works sometimes to get the baby to turn, I heard that in my last childbirth class. ↑ |
| Name: tonysmomma | Date: Oct 29th, 2006 6:23 AM |
I had a c-section 5 days ago and am feeling great. My first however was a whole nother story. This time they gave me a binder which i think has helped greatly. It is kinda like a girdle but it really pulls the excess skin and weight up from the incesion so it gets air. Air is the key to making sure that it heals fast and without incident. Make sure to lay flat on your stomach alot after and allow air to the incesion. Also move about as much as possible. It actually helps with the pain other wise you get stiff and uncomfortable laying in the same position.
As for the car ride home go for the mini van cause it is going to hurt like hell to lift yourself out of the lower car when you get home. Good luck and I'll keep you in my thoughts. ↑ |
| Name: ladyblueblood | Date: Oct 30th, 2006 4:00 PM |
Well, the whole being on the floor with my bum in the air thing wouldn't exactly work for me. I had knee surgery done less than a year before I got pregnant (yeah oops) and can't put any pressure on either knee or tibia. Thanks for the advice there, but I don't know which I dread most, having my tibial osteotomy redone or having a cesarean.
I was thinking the same thing about which car to take. LOL, I can't pull myself out of that little Neon because of the big belly on me. My husband practically has to lift me out and help me steady myself. Anywho, I go back to the doctor next week (tuesday) so I'll let y'all know what he says... whether little bit has turned or if we've got a surgery scheduled. ↑ |
| Name: mommyx2 | Date: Oct 30th, 2006 4:02 PM |
| I had a c-section with my son in 2005 and now I am having another c-section with my daughter who is coming on Dec 14. The first one was kinda bad because I was in labor for 45 hours then they decided to do it. With this one, the Dr said my recovery time is going to be shorter because it is scheduled and I won't be as tired and worn out. I used LARGE overnight maxi pads on top of my incision and it worked out well! One of the nurses actually suggested it. Also, the Boppy pillow was a LIFE SAVER! I used it all the time! It helps when you are feeding or just holding your baby. I am kinda nervous also about having a c-section again. I just hope it goes well! GOOD LUCK!! ~Kristy ↑ |
| Name: EthansMom0213 | Date: Oct 31st, 2006 3:48 AM |
| I also had a c-section with my first and going in for a planned c-section with my second. I felt absolutely nothing during the procedure. The doctor told me that I might feel a little pressure when they were removing the baby but even then I didn't feel anything. I wasn't in a whole lot of pain once I wasn't given pain medication through an IV but I did have pain. I was up and walking the second day. I wasn't moving fast but I was able to move. For me I think the staples made everything worse because when you move they pull. As soon as my staples where moved I felt great. A c-section is consider major surgery so it will take some time to recovery. Should you have to have the c-section and need to be on pain medication by all means use the pain medication. They can still give you pain medication should you decide to breastfeed. ↑ |
|
|
