cesarean sections

[angie r]

Have you had one? Why? What was it like? Big tips?

[Amy2]

I've had two. Nightmares! First was because ds was not tolerating labor, and we were losing him. Our firstborn dd was a VBAC, but dd #2 was breech and ended up a section. Normally a section takes about a minute to get the baby out. Dd took almost five! They couldn't get her out. She was fine in the end, but it was traumatic for both of us.

I think if you really DON'T want a c-section it is terribly sad and disappointing. I know four other women who for various reasons had scheduled sections and thought they were anywhere from fine to fantastic depending on the reason for them. If you are prepared for it, you can plan it and be ready emotionally and such, but emergency sections are scarey.

You can't hold your baby right away, which was heartbreaking for me, and it takes much longer to heal than a vaginal birth.

Amy

[KarlaB]

Have you had one?
I have had 2. First was was unplanned and second one was scheduled.

Why?
With first ds I stopped dilating at 9 and was stuck at that point for hours - ds's head was down, but he was facing the wrong way. (Dr was trying to turn him during contractions! Owwww!) Ds's heartbeat started rising, so dr decided we need to go forth with a cesarean and at that point I was relieved!

What was it like?
The recovery is longer, but I never had a vaginal birth so I have nothing to compare it, too. I really didn't think it was that bad. I was awake, dh got to be in there with me and dr did show dks to me right after they were born - I just didn't get to hold them right away. Dh did get to cut the cords and go off to the nursery, etc with them. They did bring dks to me in recovery within 1/2 hour(?) and the nurses were very good about helping me get started with breastfeeding right away.
With ds #2 I could actually feel some tugging/pulling as they got ds out - didn't bother me or hurt.

I didn't feel sad or disappointed after either of dks births - like Amy mentioned some women do feel that way after having an unplanned cesarean. I was just so darn excited to have my dks and it didn't matter to me how they were born.

Big tips?
As bad as it hurts, get out of bed as soon as they let you and then as much as you can from the get go...however, do take it slow and trust your instincts.
I did get sick from the meds, so second time around I asked for anti-nausea meds beforehand!
Due to longer recovery be sure to accept any extra help as long as people offer it to you. Take it easy and don't overdo it!


angier - What has your experience been with your cesareans?

[TXmom]

I had a C-section with my 3rd ds because Dr. thought ds was too big and we had tried to induce for convenience but it failed.

I'd had 2 vaginally and I do NOT enjoy being pregnant, so I was perfectly thrilled to get my baby as quickly as possible. I also had a tubal immediately after ds was born. I recovered very quickly - was exercising again within 10 days.

[kathleen]

I only have one child, so I have nothing to compare it too. My water broke at home about 3:00 in the am. Hearing that first births are usually pretty long, I told my husband to go ahead and go to work. After a bit (around 5:30) I drove to the hospital, checked in and so on. Labor would not start, so I was given Pitocen (spelling?)...I never dialated past 6, so about 8:00 that night, my dr. suggested a c-section. At 8:40 pm my son was delivered -- it was the Happiest Halloween ever for me!!!! Anyway, the only problems I had were getting sick from the medication -- pretty bad nauseau, and I think I was given a little too much epidural, because I had no feelings in my arms -- couldn't lift my arms to hold my son, but my husband laid him in the bed beside me.

Neither of these are complications from a c-section -- just inconveniences, I feel. As far as recovery -- I had no problems with the incision. For quite a few days after though I had pain in my shoulder and chest -- hard to get up in a sitting position in bed -- had to roll over to the side, stand up, then sit back down. Kind of comical looking!

[angie r]

c-section #1 - I knew ds had turned breech one month before due date. We had hoped he would turn himself because the dr. couldn't mess with it with the placenta on the front. My water broke 15 days early...in a swimming pool during my final pre-natal water aerobics class. I never could get dry "down there" after getting out of the water but I didn't know my water had broken. It was Valentines day so I grabbed a pizza hurried home. After Brichard finished his workout he came home. I told him I felt weird and wet, gross...sorry. He went on to bed and I laid on the couch and whoosh, another pocket of water. Off to the hospital my ob let me lay there until 6am when she came in to do the c-section. I did not have one labor pain. They left me way too long with the catheter and with the germs I got from the pool I got a horrible infection and stayed in the hospital 5 days. When the nurses walked in I just started crying. (They called me "the crier.) Maybe they should have told me I could have pain medication?? Arg!! The surgery itself was not bad, just scary not knowing what would happen. Brichard was awesome!

c-section #2 - Tried to vbac this time. I was nine days late when labor finally happened. I labored for 24 hours before going to the hospital because it was so inconsistent. They gave me pitocin but wouldn't let me have an epideral. I thought I was going to die the pain was soooo incredible. Finally, after my mother blew up at the staff they got the anethsiologist(?) in to give me the meds. Anyway, labored until 10 pm and never got past 3 or 4 cm and dd was not dropping at all. We kept losing her heartbeat and in we went to surgery again. This surgery was much better. I knew to get up right away and get that catheter OUT!! I also knew to ask for pain meds and took them

I loved the dr. who did the 2nd surgery and I just dread finding a new dr. since we have moved. I also got sick both times and that was with the anti-nausea medicine. Both times they held the baby next to me and rubbed our faces together, then Brichard got to hold them. He loves saying he got to hold them first!