FB users (A, hopefully, postive page for all types of c-section moms)

[seili]

Hi, I posted this in Birth and Beyond, too and I hope it is also okay to post this here. It's a link to a Facebook page that I started last week for c-section moms, in particular. I couldn't think of any other place on here that is geared towards c-sections mom. Am I missed a place or a special thread?

It is also for VBAC's and any other type of birth that you want to discuss, too.

I began it because I noticed that many places online, people tend to think that if you choose to have a c-section, for whatever reason, that you must have been misinformed.

I just wanted a safe place for c-section moms who aren't necessarily sad about their c-sections and don't necessarily feel that they made an uneducated decision. And they may want c-sections in the future or they may want VBAC's. Calling it a positive page doesn't mean that you have to have total peace about your c-section; it means that I hope it will be a place where there can be discussion but c-sections moms won't feel torn down.

Let's help educate women in all options of birth! Please take a look if you are interested. Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/CesareanSmiles

Edited by seili - 10/26/11 at 11:24am

[dlm194]

I don't know why but the whole idea of a cesarean scar looking like a smile creeps me out. My doctor's partner saw me at my post partum visit.  She looked at my scar and said, "You have a big happy face on your belly!"  I looked at her and said, "Really?  From my view it looks like a frown."  She proceeded to argue with me that it looks like a smile. Again, I don't know why that wigs me out.  That c-section actually was a very good experience otherwise.  I would never just choose a c-section but I know my last one was for a good reason.

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by dlm194 

I don't know why but the whole idea of a cesarean scar looking like a smile creeps me out.

Me, too. I'm glad a cesarean section was available and I have a healthy son despite a massive placental abruption. The scar doesn't bug me. But having to recover from major surgery is nothing to smile about, frankly.

[seili]

dlm, ha! Yeah, I could see that. Kind of like a creepy clown smile or something.

Megan, thankfully, my recoveries have gone really well. Of course, that first day or two is painful, though. I'm sorry you had the placental abruption- that must have made it even worse in many ways.

[TrumpetMom]

I have had 2 c/s and am going for an HBA2c in December. I very much encourage moms who have had a c/s to consider a VBAC, but I always ultimately respect whatever decision they make. Moms MUST feel comfortable with their birth, whether ERCS or VBAC.

My schtick: make an educated decision.

:-)

[seili]

I concur!

[irishmamacat]

I had a planned c/s with my daughter in July 2009.

No drama, easy recovery (driving within 2 weeks, no painkillers after day 3), very happy about it.

Absolutely plan ERCS next time (if I can bring myself to have another baby, hyperemesis is no laughing matter).

The factors that made the first CS necessary are going to be there in any subesequent pregnancy (  Ihave a spinal condition), and while my OB would absolutely support whatever I choose to do, I just don't think, for me, that the benefit of VBAC would outweigh the risks (in my particular case).

[seili]

Yes, me too....I think I will have a repeat c-section next time, too.

For one, it will be harder to find a provider that will VBAC a woman who has had two c-sections and no vaginal births. By ACOG standards I probably am still a candidate, but I think it will take awhile for the hospital policies to catch up with that.

But regardless, I do think that I want a repeat anyway because I still have the same concerns that I had after my first c-section only now I have a scar that has been potentially made weaker.

So far, my pregnancies have been very good, though, so I am thankful for that. I can understand how it would be harder if you were sick most of the time. It seems, so far, all of my problems come in labor and breastfeeding!

And this:

"No drama, easy recovery (driving within 2 weeks, no painkillers after day 3), very happy about it."

is exactly like me!

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by irishmamacat 

I had a planned c/s with my daughter in July 2009.

No drama, easy recovery (driving within 2 weeks, no painkillers after day 3), very happy about it.

May I just ask what "no drama" means?

I'm always so boggled when I see posts like this, because I just honestly don't understand how people get through being cut open without being in really major pain. It's hurt like hell for a lot longer than three days, every time. I wish I had recoveries like that, but I just can't wrap my brain around it...

[seili]

Storm Bride, I guess everyone just heals differently. And every c-section can be different. For both of mine, I've been the same way, so far. I feel better by day 4. By day 5, it doesn't even hurt unless I touch it. I don't know. Now breastfeeding hurts me like mad. I've know of people who feel better even before I do, but I would think most people do take longer. Just like anything....some people take a long time to heal from a vaginal birth and some people feel better the same day.

 

PS. I meant to add in here for anybody reading, one thing that I think helped me to heal was sleeping in a recliner! I left the hospital after two days, )sometimes I'm afraid that is unwise but I tried to be careful and the Dr did clear me)  because I wanted to get home and use the recliner! Helped me so much with sleeping and not having to use my muscles to get up (took away that horrible splitting in half feeling.)

Edited by seili - 10/25/11 at 9:12pm

[34me]

Unless you have a vertical scar.......

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride 

May I just ask what "no drama" means?

I'm always so boggled when I see posts like this, because I just honestly don't understand how people get through being cut open without being in really major pain. It's hurt like hell for a lot longer than three days, every time. I wish I had recoveries like that, but I just can't wrap my brain around it...

I think she meant that her planned c-section was not an emergency. I had an "emergency" c-section with my son (I was in labor and he was a footling breech) and it was very fast, confusing, dramatic, and overwhelming. I've heard that most planned c-sections are not like this.

I also agree with a previous poster that breastfeeding, for the first three months, was ten times more excruciating than anything I went through with my c-section. Actually, once I got my catheter and IV out, I was a happy camper and only a little sore. The emotional impact was much harder for me: a failed homebirth, and the fact that I could never again have a homebirth or prenatal care with my beloved midwives. The fact that in my state having a c-section has left me with limited choices. The stigma of c-section, etc.

[katelove]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride 

May I just ask what "no drama" means?

I'm always so boggled when I see posts like this, because I just honestly don't understand how people get through being cut open without being in really major pain. It's hurt like hell for a lot longer than three days, every time. I wish I had recoveries like that, but I just can't wrap my brain around it...

I didn't have major pain after my c/s. I had patient controlled epidural analgesia for about 15 hours afterwards and I started taking *regular* paracetamol and diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) straight away. For the first 36 hours I also had endone. I also used a towel, folded and taped into a firm pad to brace my incision whenever I got up or moved in bed.

I had to be careful how I moved but I could get around unaided, carry my baby, feed her comfortably, basically all the things I wanted to do.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by katelove 

I didn't have major pain after my c/s. I had patient controlled epidural analgesia for about 15 hours afterwards and I started taking *regular* paracetamol and diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) straight away. For the first 36 hours I also had endone. I also used a towel, folded and taped into a firm pad to brace my incision whenever I got up or moved in bed.

I had to be careful how I moved but I could get around unaided, carry my baby, feed her comfortably, basically all the things I wanted to do.

*sigh*
I'll admit to being insanely jealous. I hated having c-sections, but they would have been slightly more tolerable if they'd been like this. My fifth (and last) was the best, by far, and it still wasn't that good. Mind you, I also cut way back on the pain meds (and still had less pain...not sure how that worked) with that one, because the "effective" (ie. it still hurt like hell, but not as much as it should have) pain control with my third turned an otherwise pretty decent recovery into a healing process that took over a month. (Basically, I overdid it slightly getting back into bed, because I couldn't feel the pain fully, and tore out a staple, which prevented my incision from healing fully, so it got infected, and stayed open for about six weeks.)

Anyway, I'm going to bow out. I'm not sure why I clicked on this one, because even the thread title made me feel a bit...off, and I know this isn't a healthy thread for me. (I'll try to unsubscribe from notifications, but I haven't had great luck with that.)

[dlm194]

Originally Posted by katelove 

I didn't have major pain after my c/s. I had patient controlled epidural analgesia for about 15 hours afterwards and I started taking *regular* paracetamol and diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) straight away. For the first 36 hours I also had endone. I also used a towel, folded and taped into a firm pad to brace my incision whenever I got up or moved in bed.

I had to be careful how I moved but I could get around unaided, carry my baby, feed her comfortably, basically all the things I wanted to do.

I would hope you didn't have any major pain!  That's plenty of pain medication there.  I am completely in favor of managing your pain but many women hesitate to do that for breastfeeding reasons (they don't want too much pain medication in their milk)

The recovery from my 2nd c-section was really good and I imagine if that's all I knew, I'd be bragging about how "easy" a recovery it was.  However, I have a vaginal birth to compare it to which was a piece of cake in comparison.  The funny thing is that my vaginal birth was a long, tough birth (41 hours and no pain meds).  I couldn't even get out of bed for 2 hours and I needed 2 nurses to physically help me out of bed and half walk/half carry me to the bathroom.  If that was all I knew, I'd probably talk about how tough my vaginal birth was (coupled with a 2nd degree tear).  But my "easy" c-section recovery was still a lot tougher than my "difficult" vaginal birth recovery.  I remember the nurse offering me motrin after my vaginal birth. I looked at her funny and asked "Why? The worst is over."   

It is kind of a sad day when the mothering VBAC board has a thread about how easy and drama-free planned c-sections can be.  *sigh* 

[MadelinesMama]

I had my 2nd c-section on Oct 17th.  My experience this time was much different from the first.  With the 1st I remember feeling lots of pain with every movement.  I took my pain medication faithfully until the prescription ran out.  This time I had an emergency c-section due to severe pre-eclampsia.  I had one dose of toradol after surgery and then I took ibuprofen for the next 2 days.  But honestly my pain never got above maybe a 3 on a scale of 1-10.  I have had zero pain or discomfort since the 3rd day.  I've had my daughter jump on me and hug me and I don't feel a thing.  I really can't tell I've had surgery.  I don't know what the reason is that I've had such an easy recovery this time, but I sure didn't expect it. 

[seili]

Sorry that you've had a hard time, Storm Bride- I don't think that's unusual- it is major surgery. Not something to take likely if you don't need it. Did you start having your c-sections a while ago? I wonder if that could make a difference? I have no idea. But I do wonder if some of the techniques get better as time goes on, besides just the common low transverse instead of vertical now. But, every birth and every body is different.

dlm, yeah, that's the thing. who knows, maybe I would have a better vaginal birth and think the c-section was worse? I'm not sure! But I guess it's just one of those things that I'm content with because I've never had emotional sadness from my c-sections and I think the gamble of VBAC, for me, could end up much worse and a much worse recovery. It really is something that everyone has to weigh for themselves because it can vary.

[seili]

But, dlm, why is sad that there could be a thread about c-sections being okay? Everyone here has had a c-section, so they know whether or not it applied to them. C-sections can be just fine, though, I do think that many women are capable of having a VBAC. I just don't think it's a huge deal either way- especially if you make an informed decision.

[seili]

Madelinesmama, yeah, I've always been surprised, too. I'm grateful for it because then the breastfeeding is a bear of pain!

I don't think some people always understand that having a repeat c-section can be an okay choice for some people. Both a VBAC and RCS can have good and bad points. Statistically, a VBAC is still considered safer for mom and a RCS is considered safer for baby, so everybody has to decide for themselves how that applies to them. Though, a good, successful VBAC is better for both if it can be obtained and RCS can be worse for future pregnancies. All things to consider.

You hear a lot how elective c-sections are 3x more dangerous than vaginal births, but that is actually for a completely elective c-section. It excludes medical reasons- like a scar from a previous c-section. Basically, it seems that completely elective c-sections and a planned home birth with a midwife are equal in 'danger', statistically.

[alittlesandy]

Thank you, Seili. Also, it's very difficult for someone like me who has terrible choices regarding VBAC. I was forced to have a c-section because my son was breech, and my midwife would not allow a home birth, nor would my doctor allow a vaginal delivery. It's easy to say I could have done UC or refused a c-section in the hospital, but I was a first time mom, in labor, and was too scared not to allow them to do a c-section.

Now, with no midwife in my state who will do an HBAC, my choices are UC or driving 3 hours for a VBAC. We have no money, no family or friends in the city that does VBACS, I will be working right up to delivery, and we have a toddler. All of these things conspire against me and I will probably end up with a RCS because it can be done locally and is the most practical choice for me. This breaks my heart, but it's reality.

Being told I shouldn't talk about the benefits of RCS is NOT helpful. Being told there shouldn't be a thread like this sucks, when there are a million home birth threads that I am left out of. And don't tell me to go to a mainstream forum. I am a long-term breastfeeding, co-sleeping, selective vaxing, babywearing, AP mama who just happens, through unfortunate circumstances, to be considering an RCS.