Cesarean Birth Support Thread 6 (February 2004) - Page 2

[KKmama]

Oh Gossamer, I'm really sorry you feel this way. I have to honestly say that I was worried about all those things, too (and about headaches and possible allergic reactions to the drugs). But these are pretty rare side effects. And it really, really, really wasn't that bad (this is coming from someone who also faints at the sight of blood and who couldn't look at the incision itself for 2+ weeks). Maybe it would help to talk to a an anaesthesiologist? The good (or maybe bad) thing about the anaesthesiologists who work in obstetrics is that they have the opportunity to do so many of these procedures that they get awfully good at them. And they check to make sure it has "taken" before they make the incision (I think I remember them poking me various places and asking if I could feel it, and I couldn't). Dh and I *sang* through my c to distract me from any of the sensations I might have felt (and it worked really well), and when ds came out, that was a good distraction, too.

Don't be alone in your fear. Talk to us about, talk to whomever you think can make you feel better/shine light on the situation. By all means, have another baby!

[Monkey]

henery's mamma! and congratulations on the birth of your son!!!

OTF- 4 babies is alot and I dont think u are bieng wimpy!
I have had two and honestly Im so scared about the next, as much as I want more im shakin in my boots:LOL

im with gossamer on this one..
it is scart getting the epidural but when it comes down to it, seeing the baby for that first time and days to follow its amazing how all of the pain and scarryness goes away. as much as im a puss about it i love me babies..

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by gossamer
I am scared about the epidural, what if it goes up instead of down, what if only one side of me goes numb? What if the doctor does it wrong and I wind up paralyzed? I am terrified about feeling the incision, the pulling and tugging, the pressure. What if I don't go numb, what if I feel it all.
I had general anesthesia because I contracted HELLP syndrome and they had to do an emergency C-section. One of the symptoms of HELLP is that I had no platelets to clot my blood, and they were afraid if they did a spinal, I would bleed into my spinal column and wind up paralyzed. So they did a general and also gave me a classical incision, so I have to have sections from now on.
Gossamer

edited to add: I'm not even pregnant yet, but just thinking about an epidural has me crying at the computer. I am such a wimp.

I am going to type quick, forgive typos, I have a stomach virus and have four children at my house.

I had all the concerns you did with the epidural. Unlike in child birth when they give you the epidural they have you lay flat afterwards and they test to see if it works. Laying evenly helps it do right. I want you to know that I did not experience any of the horrors that you read on these boards about epidurals. If I get pregnant again and have a csection I will get another one. I did have a drop in blood pressure and was given enphedrine -- this does not drug you out, it will make you wide awake and feel high! I chose an epidural because if it does begin to wear off they can redose you in the OR, a spinal is a one time shot. I had one, it didnt do right, wore off and I felt an entire csection the first time around. I also was given better pain relief through my epidurla cath after my csection.
Yes with an epidural you can feel tugging and pushing, but I did not feel any pain. I could still move my legs! This does nauseate some people, the pushing and tugging, but it did not do me that way. Of course I had done a lot of meditation and birth affirmations to ready my mind for what was going to take place.

GA during a csection is risky, and should only be done when absolutely necessary. From my observations of the few moms that have had them, had worse recoveries and post partum problems. My friend who had to have an emergency csection this summer with GA woke up and felt weird that her "baby was gone". They also really dosed her up on drugs. If you get GA you will not get to see or be with your baby right away. With my epidural I was able to hodl my baby on the table with help and I had him in my arms nursing fifteen minutes after I was out of the OR. I also was talking on the phone!

Feel free to ask a lot of questions. I am partial to epidurals for csections and chose that route for many reasons. I have had no side effects, long term from it (I still do from the spinal) My baby was not drugged, etc etc etc.

Do some research and reading on your own, ask questions here, and prepare for the next time!

Kim

[Monkey]

oh OTF i hope u all feel better soon!

I had a spinal and felt tugging pulling and RELIFE when they pulled out my 10 14 oz babe!

what types of effects have you felt since the spinal?????

when i had my spinal in i had this terrible twinge in my left leg. then it was gone like a shot bam left leg ouch!
and they quickly had me lay down and babe was out in 7 mins!
i also had a drop in bp i started to feel icky, my throat felt weird my neck, i didnt feel good and my heart felt like it was BEATING REALLY HARD ANMD FAST i said to my dh i dont feel good and they did something and i felt beeter. did they give me enphedrineel???

my sturnim, that litt;le thing at the bottome of my ribs was pointing out it was gross, they said bc the babe was so high and they had to push my insides up to get him... ugh it is fine now also good news my incision is closed up and looks great is 5 inch long how long is yours?
get well soooon!

[its_our_family]

gossamer---To me the epi is the WORST thing about a c/b!

I had my second c/b 2wks ago. It is much better planned! If you can feel what is going on they just turn up the epi. Yes, you can feel tugging and pulling and sometimes it hurts...but so does labor

I have more to say but my new one is wanting to eat

[Susu]

i'd like to ditto what onthefence said about GA recovery. i've heard it sucks--takes 1-2 extra days just to recover from the GA.

gossamer, i also am scared of pain. i took me 3 days after my c/b to get out of bed. and one of the reasons i'm okay with not having a vaginal birth is because i'm scared senseless about hemoroids.

i had a super nice anesthesiologist. he even held my hand and was the only one in the room who's attention was on me for the entire surgery. that helped alot. i had a spinal not an epidural, so i'm not sure what the difference would be.

one question for you all: when did you get up and walk after your c/b? (i keep reading that it should be within 24 hours ) Also, The Books say that the first c/b is the hardest to recover from and it just gets easier after that. any truth to this?

susu (14 months )

[robugmum]

Henry's Mamma, I am here to tell you all that VBAC is very possible, I had a CB after 30 hours of grueling labour with my ds. When dd came along 2 years later I had another grueling labour but I achieved a VBAC and I can tell you, the recovery was SO much easier. The biggest difference was the high I felt right after delivering her. I was ecstatic for weeks afterward. It was such a big difference from how I felt after my ds was born. I really urge all you mamas to consider VBACs if at all possible. I know the medical establishment keeps changing its opinion on VBAC safety but please at least consider it. Your uterus was designed to push out a baby and it can do it. BTW, I didn't even think about my scar during my labour, it felt like a non issue.

[its_our_family]

Originally posted by Susu

one question for you all: when did you get up and walk after your c/b? (i keep reading that it should be within 24 hours ) Also, The Books say that the first c/b is the hardest to recover from and it just gets easier after that. any truth to this?

susu (14 months )

With my first it was about 16 hours. It was12 with my second...it took that long for the epi to wear off....

[UD_CHICK]

Hi ladies!

I've been watching this thread for a while and I thought I would introduce myself. I'm due on March 6th, but have a 2nd CB planned for the 26th of Feb.

I've been waffling between trying to VBAC and going ahead with the CB -

My history:
DD was born at 35.5 wks via unplanned CB. Water broke prematurely, labored for about 13 hours (7 w/ pitocin & epi) on my back (b/c/o cord prolapse risk) and didn't get past 4cm. Decided to go ahead with it. DD was 5lb 7oz and in NICU for a week (suck/swallow/breathe reflex problems). She's a super, energetic 19mo now. A real joy!

Today I've officially made it to week 37 - and the baby is 'measuring' around 6lbs 7oz - which is really exciting for us! YAY!

I have a new OB this time around and he's happy to try a VBAC, but has some concerns since I didn't progress past 4 despite the pitocin with a small baby. I've also had real problems with urinary incontinence since week 24 of pregnancy with DD - May '02 (and yes, I do lots of kegels).

I've been reading the VBAC companion, Dr. Sear's Brith Book and Birthing the Bradley Way.

I would like to go into labor naturally - doc won't use any interventions to get labor started or to get it to progress. Right now I'm happy with the idea of seeing what happens. If I show up to the hospital and am dialated - show good progress in a reasonable amount of time - then we'll try a VBAC. (I can't tell you what I think a reasonable amount of time is). Otherwise, we'll go wtih the CB.

I must admit, my greatest concern at this point (and the highest motivating factor for me to repeat the CB) is the incontinence issue. I really don't want it to get worse and am concerned that a vaginal birth will make it worse - particularly if there is an episiotomy or tearing. I think a 4th degree tear would be much worse to recover from than a CB.

I have two close friends that are nurse anesthetists at the hospital where I (have and) will deliver and they really want me to do the CB again. They admit, however, they they often see more complicated than uncomplicated births (or VBACs). They've been a great support to me and provided me with interesting insights into the birth process from the medical perspective.

I agree with some previous posters (sorry I can't remember your monikers), that because I don't know how it's going to play out, in some respects, I'm going to play it by ear and try and be as prepared as possible for both alternatives. I must say, though, that I'm leaning 70-30 towards CB right now.

I would also like to say that I don't think I'm 'broken' because I've had a CB and am likey to have another. I am trying to balance risks and make the best decisions for my family and myself given the alternatives available to me.

I had a wonderful CB with my daughter - it was really an interesting experience and I had a lot of fun in the operating room. I was joking with the doctor for most of the surgery. I felt like I had a natural birth experience. I know that probably makes many think that I'm crazy, but I felt like I was a key player in the process.

I have thought about the experience over and over and had many what ifs... but ultmately, the past is the past. I can't change the scar. This time I would like my baby to signal me that he's ready to come - and then we'll decide how to progress.

I would like to thank all of you for sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences - you have given me lots of things to contemplate and helped me feel more confident in my decisions.

Good Luck to us all!

[Peppermint]

Gossamer I really hope you can discuss your concerns with your OB and really get to feeling like you can make the best choice for you and any future babe, I agree with the PPs that general anesthesia should be a last resort, and really is more dangerous than epidural or spinal, but I know I thought about possibly being paralyzed or feeling the surgery, etc. One thing- if it's a planned c/b- you are not likely to have any problems with "feeling" it, as they will take their time to make sure all is numb before they start. Maybe if you can really research the complication rates between general and epidurals or spinals- you will feel better about being awake for the surgery. For my first 2 sections they had the baby out of me within 10 minutes of the start of surgery- then my mind was totally on the babe, and that felt better.

Baby crying to nurse, I'll be back later

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by Monkey

when i had my spinal in i had this terrible twinge in my left leg. then it was gone like a shot bam left leg ouch!
and they quickly had me lay down and babe was out in 7 mins!
i also had a drop in bp i started to feel icky, my throat felt weird my neck, i didnt feel good and my heart felt like it was BEATING REALLY HARD ANMD FAST i said to my dh i dont feel good and they did something and i felt beeter. did they give me enphedrineel???

That sounds like you had a drop in BP from my personal experience. It is pretty standard to give ephedrine for that.

Kim, who is feeling much better this am

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by Susu

one question for you all: when did you get up and walk after your c/b? (i keep reading that it should be within 24 hours ) Also, The Books say that the first c/b is the hardest to recover from and it just gets easier after that. any truth to this?

susu (14 months )

The first one over 48 hours and I would never recommend that to anyone. As soon as you can get your butt in gear I say do it, preferrably within the first 12-18 hours. I was up within a few hours in the bed, etc and walking in 18 hours.

My second one was easier to recover from, considering after the first one I wanted to die. My second one was planned and I had a good team working with me.

Kim

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by robugmum
Henry's Mamma, I am here to tell you all that VBAC is very possible, I had a CB after 30 hours of grueling labour with my ds. When dd came along 2 years later I had another grueling labour but I achieved a VBAC and I can tell you, the recovery was SO much easier. The biggest difference was the high I felt right after delivering her. I was ecstatic for weeks afterward. It was such a big difference from how I felt after my ds was born. I really urge all you mamas to consider VBACs if at all possible. I know the medical establishment keeps changing its opinion on VBAC safety but please at least consider it. Your uterus was designed to push out a baby and it can do it. BTW, I didn't even think about my scar during my labour, it felt like a non issue.

As I am sure you are aware this is a support thread for Cbirth mamas. While I am really glad you got your VBAC some us choose not to go that route or CANT. My uterus isnt designed to push a baby out.
After my last csection people thought I had a vaginal birth. I was ecstatic, felt great, and my recovery was very easy.

[GoodWillHunter]

Hi, ladies...

I haven't looked here, but I found it today, so here I am. I am having a 3rd c-section on April 21st. My OB explained the reasons for it, I have gotten other information and to be honest, I am scared to go the other route. I am completely cool with the c-section route, since I am also having a tubal ligation. No more kiddos for me. Thank goodness! :LOL

Hoping all is well with you ladies...

[KKmama]

Following a few questions/comments:

Susu, I had my C ~10:30 pm, and I was up I think at ~8 am the next morning.

Robugmum, I myself am planning a VBAC. Not everyone here can have a VBAC, due to their incision type, uterus shape, medical history, access to VBAC providers, etc. I'd say we're all pro-VBAC here, and we're also pro-V birth, but we're also trying to create a safe space to discuss our past C births, (in some cases) our future C births, and our feelings about all of this. While some women can just jump into a VBAC without a second glance, I'm sure you understand that it's a big mental and emotional hurdle to get there. This has actually been a great place for me to air my feelings about planning a VBAC, because I've got fears, misgivings, etc. on both sides, and I know the women here will listen with open minds.

UD_CHICK, I hear you on the incontinence issue. It's my current worry (and I'm kegeling away). I'm trying to do what I can to educate myself about getting the baby in the right position, getting me in the right position--and of course, kegels! If it makes you feel any better, I've been reading a bunch of research abstracts about VBACs, and I found some that debunked the failure to progress thing... ie, if you got labelled FTP in your previous birth, it doesn't necessarily mean anything for your next one. I really identify with a lot of how you described your dd's birth...

And howdy to Henry's mamma and to Lisa... Lisa, I'm due about 2 wks after you.

[Susu]

Originally posted by OnTheFence
The first one over 48 hours and I would never recommend that to anyone.

i really admire all of you that could stand up hours after the surgery. i tried the second day and just about passed out when i sat up. (the nurses said it was the demoral ) how did you all do it? also, what do you think the advantage is of getting out of bed so soon?

susu
(who is 14 weeks not 14 months )

[Peppermint]

I agree that we are all pretty darn pro-VBAC here, and pro- V-birth as well, however for some of us, it isn't an option, but we gladly support those for whom it is

I wanted to say for those who are VBACing or really for everyone, since my experience was unrelated to VBAC- and I mentioned this in our last thread, but for those who didn't see it, I wanted to mention it here- this is not intended to scare anyone, simply to educate ------

Uterine rupture is something we hear about, but at least IME it is so downplayed, that we don't discuss it and we don't really know what to look for- beyond the fact that it could happen during labor.

I had some pain during my last pregnancy- it was along my incision line on my right side. The first time I had it I thought it might be a kidney stone (since I have a history with those), and when the pain stopped, I wrote it off as the baby positioned against my scar, and no big deal, I even mentioned it to the OB (Not mine but the other in the practice) at my next appointment, and she also wrote it off. I had the pain again, just before my surgery- it was very sharp pain, in that same area- I laid in a way to get the baby to move, and he did, and the pain went away- no big deal in my mind. When my OB opened me, however, she saw that I had started to rupture, that the right side of my incision was opening right up , it even scared her she later told me, she just really hadn't expected it, she had seen "windows" before when opening people up- she had also seen full uterine rupture during labor, but this was different in that it was literally opening at the incision and in that she did not expect to find it. My point is that I was very lucky, when my OB and I talked about it later- she said that had we realized what was happening during my pain (which I guess I had downplayed when I did mention it, and was remiss in mentioning the second time), she would've operated immediately. I was very lucky not to have ruptured completely at home, which would've been disasterous.

IME incisional pain on the outside is normal- like the outer scar stretching, but internal incisional area pain should cause you to call your OB immediately, and get thee self to the hospital for an U/S, just in case. So, there is my public service announcement- not to scare anyone. Surely, rupture rates are very low (and I was a 2 previous sections patient with a single layer suture the second time)- but I thought of the rate as so low, and thought of it as just a possibility during labor, and I ignored what I should've taken seriously, I don't want that to happen to someone else.

On other people's questions- I agree with the PPs that you should get up as soon as you can after the surgery- I was up within 12 hours of surgery each time. Also- the recoveries were easier each time, the first time I was on pain meds for 2 weeks (script pain meds) the second time it was one week, and this time it was 5 days, then I was all done (no need even for OTC stuff)

[Monkey]

i wanted to get up and walk around bc i wanted the cathiduer OUT and i thought t also the nurses encouraged me to move around but were in aww that iwas uop moving around. + if you move around you will heal better thats whta they said , moving around is good. i also stopped takin med tylonal with codine and ibpro 800 mil abouty 1 week after surgery i hjave nevr been big on pills expecailly bc i was bf.

well if the fisrt is the hardest then that really will encourage me to have more bc honestly looking back, it sucked but i can definitly do it agin!! ahahahhhhaahhh monkey beats on her chest:LOL

how long is your inscion? mine is 5 inch's is yours that long???

[KKmama]

Susu, I think the advantage of getting up more quickly is that you recover more quickly (one thing it helps is to get your digestion moving, too, and we all remember that all-important BM that you have to produce before leaving the hospital).

Patty, I'm really appreciative of what you've posted about your rupture. One of the biggest questions I've had going toward the VBAC is "what does a rupture feel like?" and you're about the only source of info I can find. I know the risk is small, but of course, I want to be careful. It's definitely something I want to discuss with my dr. I feel like if I'm better prepared of what to watch out for, I'll be less apprehensive when my time comes... FWIW, I've had absolutely no pain anywhere near my incision during this pg (plenty of pain around that stupid multi-cystic ovary, though).

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by Susu
i really admire all of you that could stand up hours after the surgery. i tried the second day and just about passed out when i sat up. (the nurses said it was the demoral ) how did you all do it? also, what do you think the advantage is of getting out of bed so soon?

susu
(who is 14 weeks not 14 months )

Susu,

After my first csection I couldnt even wipe my ass, I barely crawled out after 48 hours of being flat on my back. The reason I was able to do it the second time around is because I planned. I had an epidural block and had the catheter remain in with a PCAPump that delivered medication directly into the spinal column. This way no drugs went to my head. I had no pain and was able to move my legs. I then took demerol and extra strength tylenol for pain relief after it was removed. Before they pulled the epidural cath out, they gave me the remaining dose in my pump, so I had essentially a walking epidural. I took a bath, used the bathroom, and walked around my room.
The advantage of getting out of the bed so soon is a quicker recovery and the risk of getting blood clots goes down tremendously. I bet no one told you that did they? So I was up and moving. Eating and walking are number one for a good recovery with proper pain medication. Also the longer you lay in bed the stiffer you get, there is so many disadvantages to not moving so I cant stress it enough.

Kim