mom-to-be ...what to expect with a c-section?

So I am thinking I am heading for a c-section and freaking out about it. I really didn't want one, so I may be making a bigger deal of it than necessary.

How long is the procedure? How long are you in recovery? Are the days after a hard recovery? If you bf, what kind of meds did they give you and did they help.

Thanks!

Re: mom-to-be ...what to expect with a c-section?

I had a c-section and it wasn't planned. I just never progressed past 5cm. To be honest, it wasn't that bad at all!

You're wheeled in and put on the operating table, given meds, and just kind of hang out until they're ready to begin. I would say 10-15 min. DH came in just before they got started. Within a few min, you feel tugging and pressure but no pain and then the best sound ever - your LO crying!

Recovery was not soooo bad, but it was rough. I was in bed for the rest of the day and night and the next morning some nurses helped me up to go to the bathroom. (I had a catheter in until then which you don't even feel) Sitting up and walking was painful, I'm not going to lie, but I'm guessing it's painful giving birth vaginally in a whole diff. way. I feared going to the bathroom after giving birth, but this way, there was no fear. No tearing or stitches to worry about.

The doc and nurses encouraged me to get up as much as possible and walk as much as I could. I would do laps around the maternity ward and people couldn't believe how mobile I was! It wasn't easy, but I knew it would make recovery easier. I went home after 3 days, not 4 because of it.

I would say I was sore for about a week, felt great by 2 weeks, and back to normal by 3 or 4 weeks. Just take it easy and don't over do it even if you do feel good. Those internal stitches take longer to heal.

I also BF'd my LO but took all the pain meds that they prescribed. I knew some may enter the BM, but I knew I needed to be comfortable and heal. I was on Vicodin for about a week following the c/s. I probably only needed them for 5-6 days though. I was also taking Motrin every 3 hrs with the pain meds as per my doc recommendation. Your doc will tell you what to do and what to take. It didn't seem to affect my LO at all. HTH!

Message edited 4/10/2010 10:18:29 AM.

Re: mom-to-be ...what to expect with a c-section?

I had a c-section 2 yrs ago with my first. It was not that bad because it was a planned c-section. I got wheeled into the surgery room around 8:45 and had the baby by 9:12. The hardest part was when the baby was "pushed" out. I felt a hard pressure in my chest. It wasn't long - maybe 2-3 minutes but it felt like forever. I was wheeled into recover maybe 15 minutes later and nursing a few minutes after that.

The hardest day pain wise was the day and the day after I delivered. The pain killers helped. I was able to shower by myself by day 3 - felt like a brand new woman!! I was walking a bit when I got home but my mom was here to help.

I walked a little everyday and I think it helped me with recovery. I took pain killer maybe 2-3 days after I got home. My doctor said there was no effect to breast milk but I was paranoid. I only took it if I really needed it and cut myself off of it pretty well. I was walking around fine a week later. Twinges here and there but not too bad.

Re: mom-to-be ...what to expect with a c-section?

I have learned re: c-section, there is no way to know what to expect.

both scheduled

#1, pain free. never took a med. once cathedar was out, walked down to cafeteria with dh that night. lived on 3rd floor, no problems.

this one...completely different. a week to stand upright. tugging pain for 4 weeks. gave me percocet while i nursed.