CSection Support Thread 7 (Feb/March 2004)

[OnTheFence]

Hi! Here is the new thread. What shall we talk about.

I want to know what kind of problems each of you experienced in the hospital reguarding policy, having babies rooming in, etc. What would you do to change what happened? Did you discuss it with your doctor?

Kim

[Cajunmomma]

I've had four C-sections, and I've never had a problem with rooming in. I did have rather long and detailed conservations with my doctors (both my OB and my pediatrician) before about what I wanted to have happen, and for the most part, I got what I wanted. My OB wouldn't agree to letting me nurse on the operating table. But he did get the nursing staff to bring me the baby in the recovery room.

My ped. was wonderful. I had no problems with immunizations, supplemental bottles, etc. The thing that I think is important is to make sure that What you want is in your hospital orders. The nursing staff will give you all kinds of heck about things that you want, but once the DOCTOR has spoken, they tend to be a lot quieter.

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by Cajunmomma
I've had four C-sections, and I've never had a problem with rooming in. I did have rather long and detailed conservations with my doctors (both my OB and my pediatrician) before about what I wanted to have happen, and for the most part, I got what I wanted. My OB wouldn't agree to letting me nurse on the operating table. But he did get the nursing staff to bring me the baby in the recovery room.

My ped. was wonderful. I had no problems with immunizations, supplemental bottles, etc. The thing that I think is important is to make sure that What you want is in your hospital orders. The nursing staff will give you all kinds of heck about things that you want, but once the DOCTOR has spoken, they tend to be a lot quieter.

This is very sound advice. I think communication is key.

Can you share your experience as to why you had surgical births and if there were any additional concerns when you had no.4 ?

[Cajunmomma]

No, I don't mind. My first pregnancy was very uneventful, but at birth we had some problems. There was a fairly severe cephelo-pelvic discrepancy. My oldest was wedged so firmly in my pelvis that my doctor had trouble dislodging her. There is an audible "pop" on our videotape of the birth when he pulls her out of my pelvis. For about a week, her head sported a little ring from where she had been stuck.

During my second pregnancy, we planned for a VBAC. But my #2 was big (10 pounds, 2 ounces), and I didn't realize that we probably should have tried a VBAC anyway, even though the ACOG guidelines at the time recommended that if the baby was suspected of being over 8 pounds that another section was recommended. My water broke early, and we went ahead with the section.

#3 was a scheduled section. There weren't any problems.

#4 was also a scheduled section. I'm not usre what you mean by added concerns. If you're asking if my doctor gave me any grief over having another baby, the answer is no. If you're asking if he wanted to run all sorts of invasive and expensive tests, the answer is again no (except for the ones that I have always turned down). But the birth was different. My water broke in a different way, and by the time the section got underway, my cord had prolapsed. My uterus had "ruptured"--at least it had windowed. It wasn't anything traumatic, or anything that caused any hemorrhaging or anything. I also had a huge hernia in my abdomen about where the rupture was.

I don't know if I've answered any of your questions, but I'd be happy to. Just let me know.

[OnTheFence]

Was your last baby breech or not engaged? Do they have an idea as to why the cord prolapsed? Thanks for sharing about your window of your uterus. Were you aware in the OR was going on? Did you have any prior pain to your water breaking?

I really think its important to share these experiences.

[Megs Mom]

Checking in while I nurse in the middle of the night...thanks for the link, Patty!

[MadyCakes]

Hi Ladies... I am brand new here as you can tell. I had a c/b with my dd on 11/15/99 after 33+ hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. The dr told me that my pelvic bone structure was just too small for my 8.5 lb baby. I am now pg again and due 07/11/04. Because my dr told me that a vaginal birth would not be possible unless I have a 5-6 lb baby, I am looking at a repeat c /b. To tell you the truth I would rather have a repeat c/b because I am scared of rupture if I tried to go VBAC. But I have to admit, I am SCARED TO DEATH to have to undergo another c section!! The last time I didnt have a chance to think about what was going on because I was tired and exhausted and just ready to have my baby out of me!! This time around however, I am having PLENTY of time to read up on c/b and of course I am one of those people who worry about the bad things, and just have this horrible feeling, that I am going to bleed/hemmorage or worse... I have read somewhere that repeat c/b are riskier because the dr's have to deal with scar tissue that is likely to bleed more.. is this true?? Also last time, I was given an epidural, but everything is just so foggy to me. I had my dd @ 12:47 pm, but I didnt get to see her until almost 6:00 pm, and I dont remember anything between those times, and I don't want to be like that again. I am assuming it was becasue I was so worn out between being in active labor and pushing for so long, and then the surgery just caused me to wipe out for that long? I am just really scared and since I am reading all of your c/b stories, I was hoping for some positive reinforcement!!! Thank you all so much

Angela
MadyCakes

[Dawnalex]

I am getting more nervous for my upcoming c-section...
I have never had a scheduled c-sec. Is the recovery time any easier, do you feel better?
I hope things go better LOL...
With luke i was on labour for 8 hrs then a c-sec and wth Irelend i was in labour for 24hrs then a rupture then a c-sec...

My next app is on thu (next) and i am going to be talking to the dr about the c-sec and stuff, as i get closer im getting anxious LOL

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by Dawnalex
I am getting more nervous for my upcoming c-section...
I have never had a scheduled c-sec. Is the recovery time any easier, do you feel better?
I hope things go better LOL...
With luke i was on labour for 8 hrs then a c-sec and wth Irelend i was in labour for 24hrs then a rupture then a c-sec...

My next app is on thu (next) and i am going to be talking to the dr about the c-sec and stuff, as i get closer im getting anxious LOL

Please go check out out last thread. My csection birth plan is located in that thread on the fifth page I believe. Check it out!

Yes, for me, the recovery was easier. I took measures to ensure that as well. This is spelled out in my birth plan.

I think the key is to have a good frame of mind, move asap, have great support, and eat!

Kim

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by MadyCakes
Hi Ladies... I am brand new here as you can tell. I had a c/b with my dd on 11/15/99 after 33+ hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. The dr told me that my pelvic bone structure was just too small for my 8.5 lb baby. I am now pg again and due 07/11/04. Because my dr told me that a vaginal birth would not be possible unless I have a 5-6 lb baby, I am looking at a repeat c /b. To tell you the truth I would rather have a repeat c/b because I am scared of rupture if I tried to go VBAC. But I have to admit, I am SCARED TO DEATH to have to undergo another c section!! The last time I didnt have a chance to think about what was going on because I was tired and exhausted and just ready to have my baby out of me!! This time around however, I am having PLENTY of time to read up on c/b and of course I am one of those people who worry about the bad things, and just have this horrible feeling, that I am going to bleed/hemmorage or worse... I have read somewhere that repeat c/b are riskier because the dr's have to deal with scar tissue that is likely to bleed more.. is this true?? Also last time, I was given an epidural, but everything is just so foggy to me. I had my dd @ 12:47 pm, but I didnt get to see her until almost 6:00 pm, and I dont remember anything between those times, and I don't want to be like that again. I am assuming it was becasue I was so worn out between being in active labor and pushing for so long, and then the surgery just caused me to wipe out for that long? I am just really scared and since I am reading all of your c/b stories, I was hoping for some positive reinforcement!!! Thank you all so much

Angela
MadyCakes

I can honestly say that my second csection carried less risk than the first emergency one I had. My scar was repaired and adhesions removed as well.

My second csection was great. I had a wonderful recovery and had very little to no pain. I had my baby with me in recovery the entire time. He even got to ride in the bed with me to my room. My first csection took an hour and fifteen minutes. My second csection was 30 minutes from start to finish. I went in at 12:45 to the OR. I looked at the clock as they were wheeling me into recovery at 1:15. I had my scar and adhesions fixed. I also was sewn with sutures instead of being stapled. I strongly recommend this.


Welcome to our little group!

[its_our_family]

YES!! A planned c/b is soo much easier than an unexpected one! With Tracy I labored for 16 hours on pitocin before I had my c/b. With Bryce I planned it. We didn't decide on the c/b until week 39 and I was 1 day shy of being 40 weeks when we had it.

My recovery with Tracy took a minimum of 6 months. This time around its been 4 weeks and I barely ahve any soreness!

We aren't planning anymore childrne but if we were to have a 3rd it would definetely be by c/b.

You are more in control os what happens and when it happens. You can choose your ob. You can prepare yourself physically and mentally. It is just a much better experience!

As for OTF question.... I had no problems in the hospital with my wishes. The only thing I would change is that they take the baby from the or and to the nursery to weigh and measure. I would have preferred he stay with us but it did make the sewing up much more relaxing...not sure why but it did. We didn't really room in. Mostly because he was in special care and partly because the hospital was awesome! When I had T they just let the babes cry. When we had Bryce the nurses held them, did infant massage, and little stretches. They were awesome!

[MadyCakes]

Thank you for your responses!!! I think the worst part is just the initial waiting.. I think once the day finally comes, I will be mentally prepared and so anxious to meet my dd or ds that I wont even be thinking about this!! You all are a great team of ladies, and I am so glad to have found this board!! I think that the support system you all have here is awesome!!!

Thanks again )
Angela
MadyCakes

[Peppermint]

I have never had an emergency c-birth, but I do think that planned is better in a lot of ways- mainly in that you will have your own OB there.

My recovery was the very best this time, but I can't honestly say that I was calm going into this birth -I think that was *right* though, even my dh felt it- we were both very scared- in ways we weren't the first 2 times, and when we found out afterwards about the fact that I had begun to rupture, and the difficulty they had getting my ds out of me- things were not "good" and my body knew it, I think. I had originally thought I would go into labor before having this baby, and I DID feel much better after scheduling the birth,and knowing my OB would be there. I believe that scheduling the birth was right for me and my situation, but I can see how others would chose to labor first, and even to VBAC

As for the OP on this thread- the hospital was pretty good about all of my wishes, but I think that was mainly due to having discussed it all with my OB ahead of time, and complete rooming in of the baby (they had no chance to do anything I didn't want to him ), they even let me have someone stay overnight with me to help me care for the babe, which I did need, I was very sleepy that first night.

I think the recovery was best this time b/c I moved early, ate early (even prior to gas ), and switched to *my* preferred pain med as quickly as I could (morphine does nothing for me).

I wish I could have a sig line just for use in this thread , it would be:
"Talk to your OB about double layer sutures, and report any internal incisional pain to your OB- oh- and listen to your instincts "

[KKmama]

This may not be the best place for this, because it's not directly c/b related, but you mamas are the most understanding and non-judgemental on all of mdc, so I'm bringin' it here... mostly I just want to whine, because I think a lot of this is hormonal...

Dh and I moved here ~ a yr ago, so obviously, I had to find a new person for my pg this time. I like my primary ob (A), but whoever's on call will be at my birth. There are 4 drs in the practice. A is fabulous. B is pretty good, a little more reserved. C is okay, even more reserved, seems doubtful about my VBAC and about "allowing" me to go past 40 wks (which I'm sure I will). D, in my opinion, has a really crappy bedside manner, and said very unprofessional things about VBAC in general (but she's pg, due in April, and leaving the practice, too).

Here's where my discomfort comes... (1) I had an appt last week with C. She was very rushed, but it seems like the further along I get, the less supportive she is of VBAC, which is kind of scaring me. (2) I just found out they'll be bringing on a new OB in April (I'm due 5/7), and I'm a little freaked out about how I'll feel if *that* is the dr. and I don't like her (because April is awfully late to try to switch to a new practice to avoid that). (3) I'm part of a local moms' hiking group, and there was just an online discussion of my ob practice, a lot of it not so flattering... (I missed out on this kind of thing when I chose the practice; I was new to town, didn't know anyone, asked my pediatrician--whom I trust--for a suggestion). The office staff isn't always the best--know that from experience. D is yucky--know that, and she's leaving. A few people had unflattering insights into C which unfortunately seem to resonate with (1) above. And the thing that freaked me out the most was a description of a delivery at which A was very rushed and caused an inverted uterus (big emergency) and then dumped it off on another doc... Aaaaaaaahhhhh!

I feel all kinds of doubts now. I definitely don't want a homebirth. There are no longer any CNMs in my town, and the hospital itself is much better than the surrounding hospitals, so I don't want to travel outside my town for care. This practice has better stats than the other 2 ob practices in town. My only other choice is a family practice that has 2 women drs., and they both do prenatal care/births (but I'm not sure if they do VBACs). I'm concerned, though, that if I do wind up needing a cesarean for legitimate reasons that an ob/gyn would do a better job at it than a family practice dr. (And to be perfectly honest, I see my odds of VBAC at about 50/50--I think I may just run out of time.) Part of the reason I'm considering looking elsewhere is that the "care relationship" with the CNM I saw when I was pg with ds fell apart by the end (and I was actually almost relieved to have the emergency so she wasn't at ds' birth). I just don't want to make that mistake again.

I think probably the best thing I can do is to call our doula and ask her to listen to me, and ask for her frank opinion of the practices in town. She's done a ton of births, pretty sure with all the drs. in town, so I think she might have more complete insight than a bunch of women each with an individual experience.

Anyone out there switched this late? Anyone gone with a family practice dr.? Anyone want to send me some calming vibes?

[OnTheFence]

I am going to send you some calming vibes.

Sometimes people just say shit. I dont think you should let their rumors and gossip deter you if you feel comfortable with the majority of the practice and since the one you really dont click with is leaving than I wouldnt worry about it.

The practice I was in also got a new OB in during my pregnancy. I had to see her twice. Things did not click well at all. She was extra conservative. She was the first OB I went over my post op report with and when I asked her what "Patient faired well in the OR" She said that was a nice way to say I didnt die.

Anyway, I didnt click with her and she thought some of my ideas for the csection were a little wacked out. Guess what? She ended up attending my csection. And she was AWESOME! And I think she learned a lot from me by being part of my care for her future patients. (she was really green)

Go with your gut though. My dear friend switched at 34 weeks and didnt regret it for a moment. She just never clicked with the OB. He never explained anything to her, ran through her appointments, and talked down to her. (she has a phd and he treated her like she was a dumb ass) He also was big on inductions. And that didnt sit well with her.

Kim

[KKmama]

Thank you, Kim. I'm going to make a couple of phone calls now.

Yeah, what I left out was that I wasn't sure if it was just a bunch of women trash talking. Also, I'm definitely crunchier than a lot of these moms (a lot of them are very, very mainstream)--nothing per se wrong with that, just that we may not be looking for the same thing. Also, don't know how much it applies to my situation... as I've said before, VBAC seems to be a "no man's (or woman's) land"...

she has a phd and he treated her like she was a dumb ass

ha ha! That unfortunately resonates with me. I'm teaching general microbiology to future nurses while I finish up my doctoral dissertation. I'm tired of being treated like a brainless SAHM (not that SAHMs are brainless or should be treated badly!)... the nicest dr. doesn't do this, but a couple of the others are kinda there...

[Peppermint]

I switched OBs part way through my last preg. and was so glad that I did That said, a new OB joined the new practice, and I really did not like her (trying to be nice here), which was a big factor in me scheduling my c-birth.

I wish I had advice for you, I say go ahead and call the doula and ask her opinion on the options you have, and I'll say a little calming prayer for you

[ladylee]

KKmama-I switched late & everything was fine. I'm confident it was the right move for me. Good for you for not settling.

"I think once the day finally comes, I will be mentally prepared and so anxious to meet my dd or ds that I wont even be thinking about this!!"-MadyCakes

I bet you'll find you're right. Angela, I also felt the things you felt about a repeat C. And my emergency C was not all that traumatic for me. But the planned birth was such a different experience-and I had a much better recovery. With the first birth I was fatigued from laboring all night and the disappointment, with the second we were able to be much more celebratory about it. We were able to create a welcoming atmosphere for our little Alena that was even more intense than what we did for her sister. I had my first daughter at a hospital in NY, the second in CA. Both hospitals were absolutely amazing in terms of meeting my wishes for rooming in, immediate bonding, nursing ,etc. I wish you all the best!

The recovery for me was much better the second time around-the first time I had staples and my incision opened-very stressful. The second time I had stitches-no problems and six months later everything appears to be fine.

[its_our_family]

KKmama...I switched from mw to ob at 35 weeks this time around I was nervous about the switch but like you said, the closer I got to vbac time the less they seemed supportive. The office I SWITCHED TO WAS MUCH LIKE THE ONE YOU ARE DESCRIBING in the way of vbac confidence. I, however, changed to repeat at 39 weeks. I was able to choose who I wanted. I jsut realized that vbacing wasn't really something I truly wanted. Yes, I wanted it but I didn't have my heart set on it and I did not want an ob who did not support my vbac decision and end up in the or anyway.

I had a doula but she broke her foot and had to bail and I couldn't find another one. I am much like you in that we moved here and I got pg the 4th m onth after our move. So, I also had to start over (I wouldn't have gone with my first obs anyway).

Do NOT be afraid to switch. It was the BEST decision I have ever made! My ob was great. I learned while on the or table that she was 62 and that she had spent a summer or 2 in africa teaching "safe" c/bs in the field for those women who needed them. She saw women die over there because of the care they had gotten in the or and it was her goal to make it so not one women would have to perish! She was also the ob that was most supportive of vbac...and they only gave me a 30% chance of vbacing :

[OnTheFence]

I was wondering how everyone here felt about about breech presentations and csections.

My sister an OB nurse thinks its ok with babies under 8lbs and a proven pelvis. This seems to be some type of guide I guess that the medical establishment uses. Who knows? I know a few of us had deliveries due to breech babies. My first was transverse.

Kim