Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

My date is set.. 9/2

Very very very surreal to come home and have it on my voicemail.. my hubby and I just stared at eachother..

wow

...

So .. what can I expect?
Is it really as bad as I keep hearing?
Is it really painful since I mean I know you're awake and all
Is it scary?


Id love your input from your experience.

Lemme know if yours was Scheduled or Not... and how long your recovery was.

THANK YOU THANK YOU

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I didnt think it was bad at all.

During-I was very comfy on the table with the heating air blanket on me...ORs are freezing! So if they dont give you one ask for it. And I felt a lot of pulling and tugging but I was over 8 weeks early so the baby was very high. I dont know if you will feel this as well.

After- You will find it difficult to sit up but get moving as quickly as possible. Oh and I ask for colase to help with the bathroom

Good luck!

eta: no it was not scheduled....I felt significantly better after a few weeks and then 100% at 4 weeks.

Message edited 8/12/2008 8:58:25 PM.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I bumped a post I created last year when I had DS and the ladies were very kind and gave lots of C-section advice. As for mine it was scheduled but I went into labor before the sceduled c/s date. My arms were tied down. I asked to have DH in the OR with me while the anesthesiologist administered the spinal. His being there was a huge help. Ask your obgyn if you can bring a camera. We have great photos in the OR. I also had dh go with DS as soon as he was outside of me. Walk as soon as you are able to. Oh TMI - but before you go to the hospital to have the c/s take a shower and try to make number 2. It will help you after the c/s. Good luck.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Mine was emergency and unexpected.

BUT i have to say it was fine. The procedure was a breeze.

Recovery on the other had was not fun at all. Very sore for a week or two

going to the bathroom was the worst part of all.

But overall i would do it again without hesitation

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

So .. what can I expect?
Is it really as bad as I keep hearing?
Is it really painful since I mean I know you're awake and all
Is it scary?


It's not as bad as you think it is. Mine went well, no complications.

I was very not in the moment b/c my DD was 7 weeks early and I had an emergency c/s.

I do remember that I threw up twice during the actual c/s. I told DH I felt nausous (sp) and he told the antestesiologst (sp) and he gave me a shot of something, but I still threw up before it kicked it. It felt sooo weird to be throwing up while your body is open.

Not scary - but I felt people working on me but didn't feel what they were doing. Which is surreal.

You'll be fine, jsut try not to get yourself worked up about it.

ETA - I agree with the PP, recovery was worse. The bleeding and getting checked every morning was the worst part. And getting up to pee was a nightmare. And at the hospital I delivered in, the nurses had to measure my pee to make sure I wasn't dehydrated.

Message edited 8/12/2008 9:09:15 PM.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I didn't think it was bad at all. I really didn't feel much except for afterwards the pulling and tugging when they were sewing me back together! I had a pretty good recovery and felt really good after 2 weeks and almost back to normal after 3 weeks. The scariest part of it for me is when I was first brought into the OR and they put the heavy heating things on you and strap down your arms. I wasn't expecting that, but the fear only lasted a few minutes until they explained everything. Good luck - you'll be fine!!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I was pretty out of it when I got sectioned, but to be completely honest, I don't think it was that bad at all. The next day is a little painful bc you have to get out of bed, but as long as you go for little walks and don't stay in bed you should be fine. I think I took pain meds for maybe a day and a half and then just motrin.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

It was not that bad. The worst part of the actual procedure for me was getting an IV, I hate them and have bad veins so that was yucky, but otherwise I didn't feel much of anything. It wasn't planned, but she was in distress as my labor progressed so they recommended a C. I thought the worse part of recovery was the shoulder and back pain from trapped air. But that only lasted a few days.

Message edited 8/12/2008 9:32:26 PM.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Thanks everyone..



So take your meds
walk as soon as you can
shower and poo before you leave
Farting is a good thing..
youre gonna be nausous (sp?) in recovery

got it :)

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

So .. what can I expect?
For me, the "worst" part of it all was the epidural and that wasn't even bad.
Recovering was a bit difficult. Just can't move as fast as you are used to, but, it's really not too bad.
Don't turn down any help offered.
It's all worth it!

Is it really as bad as I keep hearing?
It's not bad.

Is it really painful since I mean I know you're awake and all
Is it scary?
The actual surgery is not painful at all. Yes, you do feel some pressure, you may feel some pulling, but, nothing so bad.


My C/S was not planned. Maybe because I really didn't have time to prepare for it, I couldn't get too nervous.

You will be fine.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

It's definitely not as bad as you expect.

I couldn't feel anything during the actual procedure, it was actually surreal seeing them lift my leg and I couldn't feel it. The worst part for me of the procedure was the anesthesia. I had a really bad reaction and started dry heaving and passing in and out. I didn't get to hold DD till 5 hours after she was born.

The next few days I was really itchy, again a side effect of the anesthesia. Of course you are also very soar in the lower belly area. The toughest thing was having to lean up in bed to BF DD and trying to take a shower was really difficult at first.

I would say within a week I was starting to feel back to normal. I was probably completely feeling like myself again after 5-6 weeks. The best advice I have is to remember you are having major surgery so make sure you allow yourself plenty of downtime to heal. Don't try and do too much. Your main focus should be DC and taking care of yourself. Everything else can wait until you are feeling better.

Good luck and Congratulations!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Mine was not scheduled and, to be honest, I was almost relieved when the doctor said he thought it was best after I had stalled at 5 cm for 3+ hours. I had friends who had prepared me somewhat, but some things were worse than I expected: the tugging and pulling was much worse, but my DD was very high - they still had to use a vacuum to get her out, there was a smell when they were doing the incision that I didn't expect (like a burning smell), I had been warned about my arms shaking (I guess from the anesthesia) but for me it was really bad. I did not like that part at all. I had some complications at the end that the dr. thought was caused by my long labor, but since you're scheduled you won't have to worry about that. The recovery was so much better than I expected. I really felt great pretty quickly. I hardly used my pain medication after the first few days. The nurses got me up and moving pretty quickly and I think that may have helped.

Good luck!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Had c-section due to failed induction.

My c-section experience was wonderful.
I'm chicken shite when it comes to internals etc so when it came time to put the cathether in the nurse said they would give me the spinal first so I didn't feel the cathether (my sister did and she said it hurt...was the worst part of her c-section)

I felt a burning sensation for like a second with the spinal then you go numb. I didn't feel any pain during the actual c-section...just pressure tugging....at one point I felt like I couldn't breathe but that was for a minute then I was better.

After the procedure, sticthing etc they put me in recovery. I was just shaking due to the anesthesia. That night I was really itchy...apparently a side affect from the anesthesia.

The next morning they made me sit up....I was scared but it really was not that bad. I felt sore and a little pain but nothing unbearable at all. For me the internals were much much worse. I tried to be up after and walk slowly as much as possible. Within a week I was feeling about 80% better in two weeks I was pretty much back to normal.

I heard horror stories about c-section recoverys before I had DD but my recovery was wonderful. As a matter of fact my GF had a baby a few months after DD was born..the good old fashioned way with an epi and she was in soooooooo much pain down there after for like a month.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I went in for an induction and it didn't work so I wound up with a c/s.

The hardest part was that it was unexpected. I never really thought that it would even become an option.

The worst part...the gave me an enema prior to the surgery. Holy disgusting!!!!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

My date is set.. 9/2 -- CONGRATS

So .. what can I expect? It will be even more surreal that morning! DH and I drove there like...this is totally not what I pictured...
You will go in probably the day before for your pre surgical testing. On 9/2 you will go in a few hours in advance, and they will do your IV, ask you questions etc. I sat and watched tv for a bit while waiting. Then they will take you into the "delivery room" this was scary for me, it an OR and I have never been in the hospital before! I said to my nurse, now I am intimidated! Then you will get your spinal or epi which didnt really hurt, it was a significant pinch, not too bad. Then they lay you down and do a bunch of other stuff as they prep you. Then DH will come back in and they will start to operate. DS was born about 15+ minutes after they started. then it was another 15+ minutes while they closed me up. I could see DS as they cleaned him and weighed him. Then they handed him to DH to hold. Once I was all done they let me hold him and I held him until I got to recovery, then they took him to the nursery and DH went too.


Is it really as bad as I keep hearing? No, not for me at least! I thought the cs was easy, and a nice pleasant experience.

Is it really painful since I mean I know you're awake and all -- You will feel pressure, so you will be able to tell they are doing stuff, but it wont hurt. I will say not to scare you but my spinal started to wear off while they were closing me up. So I felt pain on my right side but I dont think they beleived me!

Is it scary? Any surgery is scary, but once you are underway, you just can't wait to meet your little one.


Other:
Dont be surprised if you get sick on the operating table. I threw up all over myself and DH.
You can't eat after a certain time the night before.
I felt great after my c-section. you are confined to bed for about 24 hours. I was out of it day one from the morphine! I was sooo tired by about 8pm (DS was born around 10am) Then the next am they came and got me out of bed! This was hte most painful. but it only lasts a few minutes. Then you can shower and they encourage you to sit in a chair, walk around etc. I found the pain very bearable. I left the hospital on 12/23, ds was born on 12/20. And I went home having no issues and needing minimal help taking care of him.
My c-section was scheduled and I do think that makes a difference in your recovery. As my dr put it, I didnt have to labor, so my body was 100% focused on the surgery recovery instead of having 2 recoveries. Also I think what helped was getting sleep. I had the nursery do the feedings each night so I could sleep. (and DS had no problem going btw bottle feeding & breast feeding)

Feel free to ask me any other questions.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

my c-section was not scheduled but I was induced.

I knew that a c-section was a possibility from the beginning so I was not scared, more anxious

When I was in the operating room, I started to shake (from the anesthesia), that was kinda scary but the doctors assured me it was fine

During the delivery, I felt alot of tugging and pressure, not pain though

It turns out that my dd was still high up and they ended up having to use a vacuum to help get her out

I wound up with a gorgeous, perfect 9lb, 8oz baby

My recovery was pretty good, I was up and walking the next day, home after 3 nights in the hospital. I had some moderate pain for about 2 weeks but I kept well medicated and I was fine

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Not bad at all. I had no tearing, no problems having sex after I healed.... it hurt, but its going to hurt anywhere - I posted a thread a while back asking c/s moms if they regretted their c/s, and most sad no - they were happy with it!!!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

Mine was scheduled also...

I thought it was pretty scary walking into the operating room... the lights were so bright and the room so stark... so once I saw that I got a bit nervous... the dr. messed up on my spinal and couldnt get the needle in the correct place- for me, that was one of the worst parts- it took them about 30 minutes to get me numb after having to call another doctor in- once they got me numb they finally let DH in- i felt SO much better once he was there- if I could do it again, i would have asked if DH could be there while they were giving me the spinal- i think it would have made me stay a bit more calm... everything else was fine- i defintiely got itchy afterwards as well- at first i turned down the offer for benadryl & pain meds- if i were to do it again, i would have taken them right away... everything else in the hospital went fine-

Once we got home I had a really hard time recovering from the c-section and nursing- it found it really hard to be able to just get up and down to nurse DD whenever she started to cry- you dont have the same support as those hospital beds that go up and down.... DH was an AMAZING help and did all the diaper changes the first few nights and would hand me the baby when she needed me- I was able to get up to get her, but it was pretty painful and took a lot of energy... but as each day passes it does get better- i was able to drive to my 2-week post check up- it has been almost 4 weeks and I still dont feel 100%, but i think that is in part to me nursing- my boobs make me very uncomfortable...

also, bring some hard candies with you to the hospital- my throat was killing me for some reason and i wasnt allowed to eat until the next morning- but the nurse said i could have the jolly ranchers- those made me happy- and pack some ear plugs also- just in case your roomie snores- you need all the sleep you can get! I also bought some giant granny panties- those were SOO helpful to have in the hospital once they took the catheter out- it was also helpful to have some other undies to wear once i got home- the grannie ones got a bit too loose once some of the weight fell off- and they were too high- make sure whatever you buy wont fall near where the incision will be... nursing pjs also made things a lot easier...

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I had a scheduled c section (I was past my due date and was not dilated or anything).

The surgery itself was a piece of cake. I had absolutely no pain although I could feel them tilting me.

I didn't think the recovery was that bad. I didn't take any pain medicine once I was home. The only thing was that I couldn't get out of bed. I ended up sleeping on the couch for about 5 days because I couldn't lift myself from laying down to sitting up while in bed.

I couldn't wait until 2 weeks had passed until I could drive and get out of the house.

The only bad part for me was my incision got infected. Make sure you keep it clean and dry. My stomach was bloated and I couldn't get to my incision very well and wasn't able to keep it dry and it got infected. That hurt.

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

I went vag with 2 of my children and my last was a c-sec and I had such a good experience with the c-sec I wished they were all c's. During the procedure my dr had me talking and laughing the entire time. My anesthesiologist was great, gave me a little extra so I dosed off while they stiched me up. For me was the worse part was waking up in the recovery room I was in a lot of pain however the nurse is right there starting the pain meds. After that I was great. Took a shower in the am since it was too late by the time I delivered. Just make sure you get up and walk around they say the gas pain is the worse but to be honest I didn't have that problem I guess since I was up all the time and passed it when had to be passed During the stay at the hospital I only took pain med at night when the baby was back in the nursery otherwise I would just take ibprophin (sp?) and tylenol even when I came home.

I hope this helped.

GL

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

My first C was an emergency with DD, I was nervous but I knew my Dr's would take good care of me!

The recovery was great, I had some pain but was able to get up and walk around without a problem, going to the bathroom was a pain in the butt though for a couple of days. I had hardly any bleeding after also, but made up for it when I got my first period 6 months later....

Now my C with DS was planned and was great also had no problems, but my recovery was more painful, couldn't get out of bed right away and when I did it hurt bad, and I had a lot of bleeding this time, but when I came home on the 4th day I felt better.

Good luck! Its not so bad!

Re: Ok.. calling on C/S mommies.....

i just had my scheduled c last week wednesday 8/6.. honestly i was scared out of my mind prior (you may remember me posting on the preggo board crying about how scared i was) it was seriously not that bad..

it did seem surreal to be walking into the hospital to go have a baby but not be in labor.. we took pictures on our way in of the hospital sign, and chatted with folks who rolled their windows down to shout congratulations to us.. lol.


the oddest part of it all was walking into the OR.. for someone like me who had never been in an OR before, never been admitted to a hospital actually, it was quite odd.. they had me go in first by myself for the anesthesia ad then after they gave me the spinal block and laid me down i started to get a little nervous and asked for my husband.. they weren't quite ready for him to come in but they assured me they never forgot a husband and he would be called when the time was right.

they put a sheet up so i couldn't see my lower half and neither could he, he had on scrubs (which for some sentimental reason he's keeping) and he sat next to me and held my hand.. the nurses were really really nice and kept talkin to me. i didnt feel anything maybe a little push or tug but no pain. at first my toes felt tingly, liek they do when they fall asleep, and then i felt noting at all.. NOTHING at all..

then i felt this huge release and i heard my baby girl start to cry.. dh got up and started to go take pictures.. i don't remember too much at that point other than me telling him to count her fingers and toes.. he came back to check on me and i kept saying.. her fingers and toes.. count her fingers and toes babe. apparently i questioned this a lot cause even my doc asked me later if i had some concern about her not having all of her fingers and toes.. lol

i went back to recovery after that, and they brought her into recovery for me to see, then took her out to go to the nursery.. they made me get up that night to move into a chair (i had an early time for my c-section) and the next day i was walking.. my c was on a wednesday and by frid night i was home..

tomorrow i go in for my one week follow up appt and i feel pretty good. sore.. but good.