BTDT moms -- c-section

please tell me everything there is to know about c-sections.. pros? cons?

i'm 26 weeks with twins. at my last doctor's appointment, my doctor and i started discussing a birth plan. when i went for my appointment last night, i was told that my c-section was scheduled

i'm not opposed to a c-section. i honestly just want the most stress-free delivery, if that's possible for me and the twins.

Message edited 1/6/2016 4:20:55 PM.

BTDT moms -- c-section

My C/S was unplanned but I knew it was a big possibility since I was induced at 34.5 weeks due to placenta issues. I’m going to be brutally honest and give you my experience. It was really painful and I was surprised because I tolerate pain well. I think one of downfalls was that I was apprehensive about taking any sort of pain meds bc I was nursing. I was stubborn and in retrospect should have taken them. They are safe. You many have lots of gas/pressure afterwards. I could feel the gas pain even in my shoulders. Walk. A lot. The sooner the better. Take it easy – that’s easier said than done. I was fortunate to have my mom stay with me 6 weeks post baby so she was a huge help. I think it took me about 3 weeks to feel better and move around easily. I had a lot of discomfort getting up from the bed or the couch.

I will say that everyone’s experience is different. Some of my girlfriends were up and about in no time and didn’t have any complaints. Hoping you have a good experience!

BTDT moms -- c-section

My c-section was planned with both births. I found my second one easier than my first. .. maybe because I knew what was going to happened and I was prepared. With my first, she was breach... I could have tried a version, but opted out. I only took Advil after the procedure. I think the gas pain was worse than the incision pain. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to pm me. Honestly, in the end I was almost relieved not to deliver naturally. .. as crazy as that sounds :)

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an emergency c-section, although I was scheduled for a c/s the week later, and I actually thought the pain and recovery was way easier then I built it up to be in my head. What I was not prepared for was the terrible gas pains. I had them in my shoulder and I cried from them and was miserable while they lasted. They can give you something to help and my nurses actually made me a concoction of ginger ale and a tea bag which was disgusting but helped. Also, get up and walking as soon as they allow it-its scary to do it but you'll be glad you did. Lastly, once you get home be sure not to do too much. I felt great so I overdid it a few times and was sore/had pain and that would remind me to take it easy. Feel free to message with any questions! Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had a c-section with my first because he was breech. It really wasn't bad at all. I mean, it's no walk in the park, but by 2 weeks I was able to drive again. The incision pain was the worst the first few days home, but I only took Motrin.

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an emergency c-section with my first after a failed induction, and recovery wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Getting out of bed the first few times is a bit painful, but it helped leaning on DH and adjusting the hospital bed to be pretty upright. The nurses encouraged me to start walking as soon as my catheter was removed, and I do think this helped in my recovery. By 2 weeks out I was pretty much pain free, with the exception of some irritation around the incision.

I'm having my 2nd c-section 4 weeks from today, and have heard that recovery from a planned c-section tends to be a bit easier.

BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an elective a few weeks ago. Mine was scheduled, but I went into labor before. They told me I was dilated, I sat back up and said "great, I still want a c-section." DD came an hour later. It was stress free, controlled, and exactly how I wanted to have my baby. The worst part was the epidural- it didn't hurt but its an extremely weird sensation. The whole thing took maybe a half hour, including epi. DD never left my sight, they checked her/weighed her in front of me and put her on my chest. everyone was super friendly and yes, you're in the OR, but I didn't get that cold, clinical experience at all.

Honestly, I felt better right after than I had my entire pregnancy. Not sure where you're delivering, but at NSUH, they try to get you to keep the epi in for 48 hours. I made them take it out and was fine with motrin. I didn't have any gas pains, though (tmi) the first bowel movement was a killer- take ALL the colace. The incision was a little sore and would be uncomfy if I wore anything that rubbed against it, so get big pants. They closed me with glue, which I'm sure is much better than staples or stitches, so that helped.

It's different for everyone, and maybe it was because I knew going in what to expect but for me, it was an awesome experience. You'll be fine and your little munchkins will have a nice, stress free entrance into the world!

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an emergency c section. Here are some pros of a planned c section
PROS: you know exactly what day and pretty close to the exact time those babies are coming.
You can prepare everything ahead of time so you are ready.
Babies come out pretty quickly. No misshapen heads.


CONS: it is major surgery, which means longer recovery. If it's pretty standard with no complications, you can take Motrin which helps. I was only allowed Tylenol which did nothing!
You spend an extra couple of days in the hospital.

BTDT moms -- c-section

I had a c-section with my first because of a failed induction. Honestly my recovery was pretty easy. I had some discomfort and only took painkillers once per the nurse the day after. I didn't feel the need to take any more pain killers after that and recovered just fine. I was a little sore after but nothing unbearable. I did get up and walk as soon as I was able to and I heard that helps recovery a lot.

A few years later I had my gallbladder removed and IMO that recovery was much much worse.

I will be having another c-section this time around too and I heard recovery the 2nd time is easier.

One word of advice that I got from my sister was to ask them to give you the epi before they put in the catheter. She had a c-section too and they put the catheter in before and she said that was the worst part of the entire process including the recovery.

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had a c-section with my twins in May 2015. The scariest part for me was the spinal. After that, I was a little more relaxed. I had no complications with healing. It was hard for a bit once we came home but luckily I had a lot of help while I healed.
I posted my birth story if you want to read more about my whole experience.

My Birth Story

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an emergency c-section with my first after laboring for awhile. The recovery was painful the first few days, but the pain eased up by week two. I just delivered my second last week via planned c-section and the recovery is night and day. I was able to walk by the second day, and barely needed pain medication. It was considerable less stress on my body not laboring and having the c-section.

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I had an unplanned c-section after a 45 hour failed induction and preeclampsia.

I honestly thought the recovery was much easier than I expected. The first day was tough, but nothing I couldn't handle. By time I left the hospital, I was only taking basic pain killers (advil or something similar). The only this is to make sure that when you do start feeling good, to not push yourself too much.

Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms -- c-section

I think everyone has a different experience with C-sections. I've had 2, both planned, both were horrible experiences BUT I also had a bad reaction to the spinal BOTH times which left me pretty down and out for the first 12 hrs after my kids were born.

I won't lie, the recovery sucks and the pain is ungodly 24 hrs after the surgery when the spinal and meds wear off. But if you follow the doctor's directions and force yourself to start walking ASAP you'll find that every day will be a little better than the last and before you know it you'll be back to normal. But LISTEN to the doctor or you'll just make it harder on yourself...........don't take a million stairs every day, don't lift heavy things, etc. Good luck!