Cesarean Birth/Recovery Support Thread 9 (april 04) - Page 3

[its_our_family]

Hey...I pm'ed Cynthia and she said that they are still on the fence (:LOL) about the issues. But hope to have it open by the end of the month. I'm not sure if MamOui is still going to moderate though (since I haven't heard anything about that and didn't ask).

I've started thinking about my sons birth and how "bad" of a baby he was. He wasn't a bad baby but he never slept and cried a ton! I'm starting to wonderif it was birth trauma; prodomal labor for 2 weeks, 14 hour pit induction with a 90 minute constant contraction, almost an emergency c/b (borderline), and then birth where they twisted his head almost 360 degrees pulling him out.

Bryce's birth was planned, they didn't pull and twist his head they pushed him out , and no pit or labor before hand. He is completely different baby.

I'm not sure if the difference is personality or birth.

[Peppermint]

IOF- Not to try to kill your theory. But.... my c-births were all scheduled and the only one that was really tough was this last one (they had a very hard time getting him out, and had to use the vacuum- still not bad compared to what your Tracey went through prior to birth). Anywho- this last baby is by far the easiest baby ever. My first was the most challenging as a newborn/infant- but that was more due to trouble BFing IMO. I think it's mainly personality, but maybe someone else has proof that birth experience is indicitive of hard/easy baby. I'll be interested to hear what others think on that.

[its_our_family]

Yeah, I figure it personality too. They were actually totally different inutero. I guess I was trying to give Tracy benefit of the doubt....

[AnaNicole]

It has been so illuminating to read everyone's posts over the past few days. Thank you!

I was pondering one question this morning--what sort of scar does this leave? I have horrible visions of a poochy keloid stripe across my lower belly....

Also, I read something that made me think they might not cut such a low incision on me, since I have a vasa previa (and I think a "bikini cut" runs the risk of slicing through the placenta and/or the umbilical vessels). I am not sure about this, though, and wondered if anyone here might know...? I don't see my OB till next Tuesday and it's so hard to wait around for answers to these questions that are burning me up....

Thanks!!

[its_our_family]

My scar is jsut a line about 4 inches across. It really isn't that noticeable..partly because of stretchmarks but partly because I heal well. I don't have 2 scars from 2c/b either. They just use the same scar.

The annoying thing is the skin that hangs over the scar. I'm not sure why it does that. Anyone know why??

[bwylde]

My scar is from my belly button to where my belly ends, very noticable as it is indented more than the rest of my stomach but I'm not one to bare my stomach so I don't care. They dont' usually do that kind of cut, but in my case it was emergency. I also realized it's sensitive when I had my ultrasound recently. I was cringing every time she ran that thing over it!

[ladylee]

And let's also remember that birth is a beginning, not the end all be all.-LisaG

So very true. I really don't think my memory of their birthdays would be that different had it not been via cesarean-they joined us, we were joyous, it was one day and that went on to many, many more wonderful days-with more days ahead! :LOL

I've thought about the connection between birth trauma and disposition. #1 went through quite a bit, and has an outlook to match. #2 was scheduled-her disposition is completely different.
May also be something to do w/astrology, I believe.

[LisaG]

AnaNicole,

It's really hard to say what your scar will look like. My ob and I were talking about this the other day and he says it really varies woman to woman and what their individual healing is like. My scar from my uterine surgery has really changed over the past few months. It's gotten a little keloidy over the past couple months and isn't quite as narrow, but it's certainly nothing that I cringe over.

I'd guess that they'll do an ultrasound first to determine the placenta location, and remember it can move between now and your c/s date. So I'd say, don't fret quite yet about it.

Take care,
LisaG

[OnTheFence]

Originally posted by ladylee
And let's also remember that birth is a beginning, not the end all be all.-LisaG

So very true. I really don't think my memory of their birthdays would be that different had it not been via cesarean-they joined us, we were joyous, it was one day and that went on to many, many more wonderful days-with more days ahead! :LOL

I've thought about the connection between birth trauma and disposition. #1 went through quite a bit, and has an outlook to match. #2 was scheduled-her disposition is completely different.
May also be something to do w/astrology, I believe.

Another astrology watcher here.
My daughter is a true Aries Red Head.

My son, I actually had picked the day he was born based on numerology the night before I discussed it with my OB. Isn't that just awful?

My daughter also had "birth trauma" and a personality to match. My last baby I planned the csection, well he is so laid back and has been so easy to mother.

[LisaG]

OTF wrote

My son, I actually had picked the day he was born based on numerology the night before I discussed it with my OB. Isn't that just awful?

I think that's such a cool idea! I just might borrow that in the future .

On the subject of birth trauma and disposition - it sure makes a lot of sense to me for those long drawn out births that are so hard and stressful on a mom, let alone on baby, that baby would have problems settling in.

I do bodywork, specialize in craniosacral therapy, and it's really interesting how birth can affect the tension present in tissues that can then have an impact on the overall tone of the nervous system. If a nervous system is already set on "high" it doesn't take much stimuli to cause the system to go into overload/high alert. Especially for a baby, when their coping strategies aren't really established. I've worked with babies that have had really tough births and it's amazing what a difference bodywork can make on their personalities.

LisaG

[OnTheFence]

Lisa,

I am glad you think it is cool. I am actually going to try and plan a pregnancy. And I don't just mean for a certain time of year, but other factors. LOL I am also going to try and do natural sex selection. My neighbor has done natural sex selection three times and been successful three times. I just have to avoid getting pregnant Nov, Dec, and Jan. I have never been able to concieve and hold onto a baby in those months.

How are you feeling btw?

[witchbaby]

birth trauma lends to the child's disposition? huh... that sounds like a very viable theory.
i went into preterm labor at 33 weeks and went through all sorts of courses of tributilene and procardia, landed in the hospital at 35 and a half weeks and was put on alternating courses of the drugs (1 every 2 hours) until i developed chest pains and heart palpatations the third morning; i had prodromal labor from then until the day i was induced (i was taken off the drugs immediatly after the chest pains started)-- i went to the hospital several times then with very painful contractions that often caused her heartrate to flatten and drop-- then had contractions so intense and unyeilding, her heartrate kept dropping until i needed an emergency c-section.
and now she is definitly not an easy kid. she's high needs-- doesn't nap, wants to be held ALL THE TIME, has high sucking needs, very intense, the works. i was really expecting an easier kid-- both dh and i were easy-going babes (not that i am easy-going anymore! :LOL ). who knows?

[Susu]

i know that infants that have had intense hospitalization after birth can suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). and since everyone reacts to stress differently it makes sense that some might have problems coping with a traumatic birth--particularly if the mom found it traumatic as well. we all know how our children absorb our moods (as much as we try to hide them sometimes.)

[ladylee]

I do bodywork, specialize in craniosacral therapy, and it's really interesting how birth can affect the tension present in tissues that can then have an impact on the overall tone of the nervous system. If a nervous system is already set on "high" it doesn't take much stimuli to cause the system to go into overload/high alert. Especially for a baby, when their coping strategies aren't really established. I've worked with babies that have had really tough births and it's amazing what a difference bodywork can make on their personalities.-LisaG

Yes! It's amazing how quickly the cellular memory is programmed.
I do energy work (Reiki) and it's similar on that level. DD#1 always does well when I help her center and ground herself in various circumstances. I get the sense with dd#2 this won't be necessary. It's all so fascinating to me. I found it very helpful to do a symbolic rebirthing with dd#1-I think it cleared away a lot of emotional debris for both of us. I'm not a professional rebirther, but I think anyone can do this for themselves with benefit. And doing body work to release anything trapped in body memory is so therapeutic.

[sarahmae1]

Hi all. I know I haven't been on much lately but...

I just wanted to post and let everyone know that I had my baby and it's a boy! Ryan Thomas was born by repeat c-section on Friday, April 2nd at 7:36am. He is a little jaundice but otherwise doing very well.
The c-section went well... the only thing I didn't like was getting sick during and afterwards. I have only been taking tylenol and ibuprofen since my IV came out and am feeling great! You can come see his pic. and stats at:

http://www.prairielakes.com/babygal...d=1134&itsa=boy

[LisaG]

Sarah - congrats on your beautiful boy!!


Glad to hear things went well and that you're feeling better post-IV. Happy babymoon!!

OTF - your plans sound interesting , I wish you much luck and looking forward to hearing how it all works out. My big ttc constraints are no Virgo babies please (no offense to Virgo's out there, but both our famlies are fairly inundated with them). I get to start ttc again in 3 months, so maybe a spring time baby. That would be nice. I imagine a newborn during winter could be difficult - our winter's our so gray and dreary. As for how I'm doing - physically tired but otherwise no discomfort/pain, emotionally a bit flat today - I'm guessing it probably hasn't all hit. But it is feeling a bit empty today. I've got a couple clients this afternoon - it'll be nice to work a bit and be in a healing space.

Ladylee - how neat about the Reiki and rebirthing with dd 1. I'm sure that will continue to be helpful and healing for her. I was reading someplace else that some women with c/s babies find them crawling/playing through tight places - almost as if they were finding their way through the birth canal. I think that's really cool how babies/kids find ways to take care of themselves.

LisaG

[Peppermint]

sarah

Congratulations! He is beautiful, so much hair!

[LisaG]

antibiotics?

Hey ladies,

Looking for distraction and I was wondering - are antibiotics standard for post c/s? On one hand I can see why it'd be a good idea, on the other it would sure be nice to avoid them for baby's sake when b/f.

Thanks,
LisaG

[Peppermint]

No there is no need for antiobiotics as routine after c-section.

[OnTheFence]

Re: antibiotics?

Originally posted by LisaG
Hey ladies,

Looking for distraction and I was wondering - are antibiotics standard for post c/s? On one hand I can see why it'd be a good idea, on the other it would sure be nice to avoid them for baby's sake when b/f.

Thanks,
LisaG

I had my IV out within 17 hours after my last csection. To be honest, I am more concerned about post op infection (which isnt uncommon) than the very small effect it has on breastfeeding.
Now, let me say I have no idea if I got them with Jack, but I did with Elizabeth.

What are your concerns with the antibiotics and breastfeeding?

Kim