BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

So long story "short", 2 years ago I gave birth to my darling DD. I went into labor naturally at 36.5 weeks, pushed for over 2 hours, and ended up with an episiotomy and needed forceps to get her out. She was 5.5 lbs. My OB told me after that if my next baby goes full term or is bigger than 5.5 lbs I will most likely need a section.

Fast forward to now. I am 31 weeks with baby #2 and with a different practice (which I'm not thrilled about but we moved and what can ya do?). They are great though. I told them about my past experience many times and they keep telling me we'll see what happens, and they think I should try for a natural delivery again. Now that it's coming down to the wire I'm getting very nervous. I don't want to push for another 2 hours and end up with a section. Healing from both pushing and the section AND having a toddler at home just seems overhwhelming to me. Last night the OB suggested if I'm really concerned I could schedule a section, but I'm going for a growth sono next week to see where we are.

I am PETRIFIED of a c-section. The thought of it, the healing from it...all scares the bejesus out of me. But I want to be realistic. If I have a section, the date is set, someone will be with DD and the fear of "will my water break on the F train?" will be gone. But I don't want to do it if there's a possiblity I could have this baby naturally....which I may never know unless I try.

Sorry for the babbling. Anyone have any advice or been through something smiliar?

Thanks.

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

I had a C-Section in December after being induced and pushing for 2 hours. I too was petrified of a CSection and did not want it, when my OB made the call for a section I cried but knew it was the only way to get DS out and knew I had a great doctor and it would all be ok. I have to tell you, for me, it was not that bad at all. I was so surprised that I bounced back quickly from it, had very minor pain during the recovery and the scar is only about 6-7 inches. my advice to you would be to stay on top of the pain meds they give you, don't try to be a hero and don't wait until you feel the pain, make sure you take every dose at the times you are allowed to, and when they tell you to get up and walk, do it, that will help with any gas pains (I had absolutely no gas pain at all) but I have heard of people having it. everyone said the moving around helps to alleviate it.

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

I can only speak from my experience, but I had 2 c sections. First was scary. Wind up having a crash c.
I hate pain... needles, recovery from surgery, etc.
Recovery from the crash c was very tough. The anestesia and the gas pain was awful!

Now, sched c was sooo easy. Dropped off DS at my parent's in the morning. WEnt to the hospital 2 hours b4 the sched time (per OB's request).
Nurses were amazing with prepping me and explaining everything.
The spinal was really nothing and I tell ya I HATE needles. My anestesiologist was great. I asked for meds and he made me as comfy as possible. Baby came out a half hour into surgery then didn't even know they were stitching me up since I was concentrating on the baby
Recovery was much easier too! Since I didn't have any recovery from labor, pushing, etc I was able to get up by the night and walk around. Catheter came out first thing in the morning and I was doing laps with the baby at the hospital next day. More you get up the faster you recover. Didn't even need any strong meds either and by the time I got home I was fine. Didn't even take advil.
DO what YOU'RE comfortable with.

ETA - the scar is nothing. About 4 - 5 inches across and low. I wore a bikini and you don't even see it.

Message edited 3/22/2012 10:41:35 AM.

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

I had a c section in December after pushign for over 2 hrs. I was 37 weeks when my water broke and then needed pitocin to move things along.

I had an amazingly easy recovery. I was up walking as soon as my drugs wore off. I had almost zero pain unless I laughed or coughed. I did not take any pain meds after the fact other than one motrin at soem point.

I was put on a liquids only diet for 24 hrs after my section and Dr said it helps with the gas and to get things moving along after.

My scar is tiny and so low the only people who will see it are my Drs, DH and me!

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

Hi! I just had a scheduled C in January. It was my first baby and I was SO SCARED as well. In all honesty...I think it was SO MUCH EASIER than I imagined!!! The only pain I felt was the IV going in bc I have small veins and even that pain was like a pinch. The surgery was 1 hour from beginning to end. I was up and walking the next day. My scar is so small. I was at Good Sam.

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

I had Emmy vaginally and it was a wonderful recovery. I couldn't wait to deliver #2 UNTIL I realized at 26wks he was still breech. I knew he wouldn't turn so I started preparing myself for the section just incase because I knew if I didn't I would FREAK the f out Well at 36w6d we did an unplanned c-section. I was so glad I knew it could happen because I was ready with my hospital bag and I prepared for the recovery the best I could. Here is my advice

Try to relax. The 1st day was aweful for me and I swore no more kids. The 2nd day was rough, but I was doing EVERYTHING on my own and had little pain med, the 3rd day or 2 days after I was released and being home was wonderful. I could control my meds, I had my own bed, my own everything. It hurt...a lot though. I had him on Wed and the following Thursday was Thanksgiving and we hosted. I cooked ALL OF IT so it wasn't as bad as it was. For me the 1st 5 days were horrible, but after that eachday got much easier.

Try to walk as soon as you can and walk as much as you can
Stay on top of your meds and ask for them as much as you need them. I found taking something every 3 hrs that 1st week to work great for me. SO I did Motrin at 12,6,12,6 and Vicodin 3,9,3,9.
Don't under estimate a nice long hot shower. It does wonders for pain control. I showered 24hrs later in the hospital and a total of 4 were taken in 48hrs. It did not hurt or sting, but I was very careful as well. I also took my shower about a 1/2 hour to an hour after my vicodin so I had good pain control
Eat, and really really eat. Drink and really really drink. I suggest at least 20oz of caffine. This is supposed to help with the spinal and it really did help me a lot. This was told to me in both deliveries by my the CRNA
Whne you get home sleep where you can. I slept reclined on my couch and he slept on me snuggled in with the boppy and pillows. I was nursing so this was easier for me.
Ask for help. My husband helped a ton as did my mom. You will need help getting in and out of bed the 1st few days.

By week 2 DH went back to work and I was fine to have DD who was 23 month, and in a crib still, and my nb ds. I lifted her fine, I was driving and felt mostly 85%. 10 days after ds was born we decorated for Christmas, and I did all my Christmas shopping. It's really not as bad AFTER the 1st few days.

Re: BTDT C-section moms...need advice (kinda long...sorry)

i was sent in to the hospital while getting a regular check up due to low fluids. they induced me there for over 20 hours before finally giving me pitocin. i ended up having an emerceny c because DS's heart rate started dopping.
first off, i hardly remember the actual process. granted i went into the hospital on a monday at 3:30pm and DS was born on a wednesday at 2:30 am and i was awake the whole time. i was pretty exhausted so i think thats why that part is a blur.
anyway after the c section i was sore! sore to the point where it did take me a while and a lot of effor to get out of bed. however i took motrin once and that was it, so it was def not super super awful.
i wasnt so much in pain but more just sore and tender. i honestly didnt think the healing process was that bad. walking helped a lot and felt good. the worst is getting up from a laying down position. i came home on a saturday and was shopping at waldbaums and taregt on sunday. vacuuming on monday.
i know everyone is different but i feel like i lucked out and had an easytime healing. i had dissolvable stitches