Cesarean Section Support Only Thread June 2005 - Page 2

[OnTheFence]

Links About Anest.

http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php...ol4n2/nvpo.xml

this one above was interesting to read about spinals

http://www.humed.com/anesthesiology/obstetric.shtml

Above is just some general information

http://www.euroanesthesia.org/educat...enna/11rc3.HTM

another good link

I'm looking for some more stuff...

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by OnTheFence

Storm,

I am so glad that it looks like if you do have a repeat csection that you will have some of the things you want to make it a better experience. I am glad policy has changed and that you can also keep your baby with you this time.

My OB is out of town all next week, making me a nervous wreck because I have so many contractions regularly but so far my cervix is closed. Its not as high as it was last time but its closed. I wish it would open just a bit since I am getting that IUD.

The fact that he's away those two weeks is a little freaky. He's working with my original due date of July 14th, not the revised due date (per ultrasound) of the 9th. DD was deliver 5 days before my due date, with no visible signs of labour. But, ds was born 9 days early. So...my OB's first day back is July 4th (my next appointment with him) - that's not a lot of leeway if labour starts early. I really hope I don't end up with the on-call OB. That's the only factor that's leading me in the direction of scheduling the surgery.

I never even discussed suturing - slipped my mind completely. I think I'll just go with whatever he's most comfortable with, as I want him to do his best job!

[chantald]

Ack.. the reason why it was so quiet.. was there was a new thread.. duhh..

I posted last on the last one.. here it is again in case it got lost..

thanks!

Chantal

Originally Posted by chantald

Re BIG babies..... I will ask my MW again.... I don't eat much dairy.. none at all when pregnant.. so that isn't it.. maybe sugar...?? tho I do not get GDBs.
When I asked after DD was born, the MW said I just have a great placenta...


Sometimes I think I make no evolutionary sense.... : I was born quite premature.. only 4 lbs 6 oz..and survived due to modern medicine.. which at the time was no where like it is now for premies.. I was a sickly child.. and survived due to the wonders of antibiotics.... and I can't push out my babies.. but survive because of the wonders of modern medicine... Is this trying to tell me something

Sometimes that is depressing..


although.. as of right now.. DD is the last child... hahah.. she isn't sleeping this week/month :yawning:
I tell DH.. nature's birth control in action

Chantal

[mightymoo]

Originally Posted by chantald

Sometimes I think I make no evolutionary sense....

I've been thinking on similar lines the past few days. I seem to have a propensity for building big babies, coupled with a propensity to carry them very long...I haven't had the opportunity to find out how far I would go if given the chance. (DD born via c/s at 42 week 3 days after induction - this one is 41w 3d so far) While I'm not a small person and I don't have anything like prematurity in my past, I still think that maybe I just ended up with a bad combination of genes so to speak. I wish I could know for sure, it would just make it so much easier to live with i the end I think.

[Storm Bride]

What size was your dh when he was born? DD was much bigger than ds - and they had different fathers. DD's father was much larger as a newborn than ds's father was. I think it might be a major factor.

[mightymoo]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

What size was your dh when he was born? DD was much bigger than ds - and they had different fathers. DD's father was much larger as a newborn than ds's father was. I think it might be a major factor.

Not sure if you were asking me or Chantal, but yeah, I could see that being a factor - DH was I think a bit over 9lbs, but not seriously overdue the way my babies are. If my babies were born at term they may have been similarly sized to DH.

[Storm Bride]

I was actually asking both of you.

I know about the feeling like an evolutionary mistake - my brother, sister and I were all born by c-section, too. My brother was an emergency (a real one, for a change!), and in those days it was "once a c-section, always a c-section" - plus mom had the vertical cut. I've had well-meaning people tell me that without the surgery, mom wouldn't be here and neither would the rest of us (me, my siblings & my babies). The fact is, she probably would have lost my brother, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't have made it. So, there's no reason to assume that the rest of us wouldn't be. My sections have both been for breech, and I've talked to people here who have vaginally delivered breech babies...so it's not as though my son and I were destined to die. People like to second-guess.

I don't think it ever occurs to anybody to wonder how it feels to be told something like that. "You should be thankful to the doctors, because the women in your family are so defective that none of you would be here without them." Gee...thanks. I'm glad the surgery is available - as I said, I'm 99% sure it saved my brother's life. But, out culture is full of birth stories (a lot of them scary) and TV and movies full of "normal" births - although heavily medicated - and the whole c-section issues makes me (and I know I'm not alone) feel like I'm just cut off from a whole huge part of being a woman...and that there's something defective about me.


The big babies...some of them are just large. DD was 10lb., 2oz. - and she wasn't due for another five days when I had the section. This one I'm building right now seems to be shaping up to be another large one.

[mightymoo]

My mom had me by c-section as well, though more for 'failure to progress' so whether it was really necessary is kinda lost to the ages now. Of course my younger brothers were both repeat c/s.

It's interesting that at the moment I'm rather lamenting the opposite of you - that I can't just put a 'defective' stamp on myself and stop wondering if it was my actions and choices that were responsible.. I felt like I tried so hard to do everything 'right' last time (choosing a midwife, birth center, waiting patiently to 42+ weeks, etc) and yet I got a c/s. What kills me is the 'what ifs' - I bet if I had just stuck my head in the sand and hired an sOB, I would have been induced at 40 weeks successfully and this would not be an issue. Not that I think its the better route, I just feel like that's just my luck. I've watched friends make 'bad' (read non-evidence based) choices and sail through without a hitch while I struggle and agonize over every decision and get screwed in the end, y'know?

[OnTheFence]

Mightymoo,

I can relate to that. Doing everything right, but still ending up with an outcome outside what you anticipated or wanted. One of my neighbors has really large babies, went to 41 weeks with her first, all natural labor - 10.5lbs. She asked to be induced last time, said she wasn't doing it again. So they induced at 39 weeks without problem with cervidil and pitocin. She did get an epidural (walking) and was very happy with her birthing experience. Baby weighed nearly 9lbs.
I live among people who easily have babies vaginally and those of us who did have csections had them for pretty valid reasons, imo.
My MIL had 4 children between 9.5 and 11.5 lbs. All post dates. The biggest one died from birth complications (it was a natural birth) at 43 weeks. She has told me several times that in this day and age he would have made it. And she is probably right.
I am one to believe (and this is a spiritual belief) that its NOT "us" who ultimately make the choice. There is a divine reason for why our children are born the way they are. It's possible that your choices that led to your cesarean were in fact, meant to be that way.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by OnTheFence

I am one to believe (and this is a spiritual belief) that its "us" who ultimately make the choice.

Oh - I find that so depressing. I had no "ideal birth" in mind at all with ds. I just knew that I didn't want any pain meds unless I was going completely insane, and that I absolutely didn't want a c-section.

My SIL was over yesterday. I was telling her how I was trying for a VBA2C. She had her daughter 6 months after ds was born, and had been terrified of labour. She was sooo relieved when induction didn't work and she had to have a section. She said to me "you're crazy. I can't understand why anybody would want to go through excruciating pain." I see/hear comments like this so often that sometimes I feel as though I'm the only one who actually thinks a c-section hurts! I haven't pushed a baby out, but the labour I have experienced - to 10cm dilation (admittedly without complications...until the end) was a picnic compared to being post-op. Do other women really find c-section pain so easy to shrug off?

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

I've watched friends make 'bad' (read non-evidence based) choices and sail through without a hitch while I struggle and agonize over every decision and get screwed in the end, y'know?

The women I've known who've had the "best" labours have all been smokers and couch potatoes (I mean no exercise - the type who whine about having to get themselves a snack from the fridge) who ate badly and never even read the free publication on prenatal care that BC moms get. The three of them were all cases of "accidental" pregnancy with no partner in the picture, and one of them once told me she'd thought about an abortion, but it was "too much hassle" to make the appointment. They all sailed through the whole thing...easiest pregnancies and labours I think I've ever seen. The whole thing is very frustrating sometimes.

[its_our_family]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

I feel as though I'm the only one who actually thinks a c-section hurts! I haven't pushed a baby out, but the labour I have experienced - to 10cm dilation (admittedly without complications...until the end) was a picnic compared to being post-op. Do other women really find c-section pain so easy to shrug off?

No, I would go through labor gladly. I didn't dilate to 10 but I was up to the maximum dosage of pitocin they could give (even with an internal fetal monitor) for hours with no pain meds. I agree that at the time I just wanted it over. The induction was hell. So was the recovery from my first section. It was 8 or more months before I felt even partly good.

It hurts. It hurts like hell. C-sections suck.

[Storm Bride]

I had natural labour...actually, I was at home until about half an hour before the surgery, with no idea I was so far along. I'm sure from everything I've read that induced labour is worse.

I guess my thing is that I'd much rather have the excruciating pain before I have newborn!!

[OnTheFence]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

Oh - I find that so depressing. I had no "ideal birth" in mind at all with ds. I just knew that I didn't want any pain meds unless I was going completely insane, and that I absolutely didn't want a c-section.

My SIL was over yesterday. I was telling her how I was trying for a VBA2C. She had her daughter 6 months after ds was born, and had been terrified of labour. She was sooo relieved when induction didn't work and she had to have a section. She said to me "you're crazy. I can't understand why anybody would want to go through excruciating pain." I see/hear comments like this so often that sometimes I feel as though I'm the only one who actually thinks a c-section hurts! I haven't pushed a baby out, but the labour I have experienced - to 10cm dilation (admittedly without complications...until the end) was a picnic compared to being post-op. Do other women really find c-section pain so easy to shrug off?

I meant to say NOT "us". LOL

Some do find it easier. Of course I will never know why!

[Storm Bride]

Okay - I feel better now.

It's obviously - like everything about pregnancy/labour/birth (well, bodies in general, really) - very complicated. Not only do some women find the c-section easier than the labour, there's also the "emergency vs. scheduled" thing where I seem to be on the other end of scale from most. I really do think I had pain from my scheduled one for longer than my emergency one. It didn't affect me getting out and doing things any longer than the first one did, but the pain definitely lasted longer.

My OB asked me about a tubal ligation yesterday. Is 37 so old? Everyone, except dh, seems to think I'm insane or stupid for seriously considering another baby after this one.

[OnTheFence]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

My OB asked me about a tubal ligation yesterday. Is 37 so old? Everyone, except dh, seems to think I'm insane or stupid for seriously considering another baby after this one.

My doctor was big on talking about tubal when I first went in. Then when I told her I had doubts about doing it she said not too. I then asked if she would be willing to do another csection on me if I decided I wanted another baby. She said yes, that she had done up to five on one patient. So I am getting an IUD. My husband is sure he wants no more children but he also isn't willing to commit to sterilization either (and I dont want him too)

[Storm Bride]

My dh isn't sure about another one. He'd kind of like to stop at this one, but as he puts it "I'm not as hellbent on only having three as you are on having four". The thing is...I know I'm not rational about this. I've wanted four kids since I was 18. After all those years of problems conceiving and then losing my babies, the fact that I'm having these two as close together as they are almost feels as though my four were meant to be, after all. It's not something I can give up on easily...kind of my last chance for things to happen the way I want, you know?

Plus, both my SIL and my sister have four and didn't want that many. I know that shouldn't make a difference, but it does. They complain about having to deal with so many kids, and I just sit there thinking how badly I'd like to be in their shoes. And, I can't even say it because I just get "yeah - that's because you have no idea what it's like" - which is, unfortunately, true.


I was surprised my OB brought up a tubal, because we'd already discussed it at my last visit. He said he's quite willing to do up to four c-sections, if that's what's required and didn't seem to see any problem with me having another. Then, yesterday, he asked again? I wonder if he jotted something down incorrectly in his notes last time. I'd better make sure this is cleared up before I go in to have this baby!!

[chantald]

Hi
Lisa: My DH was less than 8lbs at birth. My sister was 6 lbs at birth and I was 4 1/2 lbs.. My grandmother says my mom was 8lbs something and my uncle was 9 lbs something....

Some days I think.. I want to try an hba2c.. My husband, doula and a MW are on board.. and some days I think that I want this too.. then other days I think that I don't.. that I am crazy to even consider it.. I couldnt' get these two out.. what makes me think I could do it again.

It is awful to have a c/s when all you want is a regular birth.. It is worse, imho, to have a c/s after laboring at home, getting to 10, pushing for 4 hours and then ending up with one..... And I don't think i could bare that again...


I think I am just feeling sensitive today...

My friend, who had a lovely homebirth, has found a local OB.. who is quite vocal in his support of home birth. She has an appointment with him next week. She is going with a HUGE list of questions on things ranging from shadow care to my situation. I think it is really nice of her to ask about me... If he says that he would be willing to do shadowcare and be an unofficial backup for an hba2c.. I might put more thought into trying..sigh.. I just don't know

Re Tubal: You had better make DARN sure they know your wishes BEFORE your c/s!!! I have heard of some Drs making the choice for the mother and then saying.. well.. I thought that is what you wanted.. :

Chantal

[Henry's_Mamma]

Hi everyone ... just saying a quicky hello ... I haven't had a chance to catch up on everything, so if there's anything I have any comments on, I'll check back in later. Otherwise, I hope everyone is doing well! I'm almost 19 months post c/s (for FTP, basically) and only occasionally am aware of my scar. I get some soreness if I have ds in the backpack too much, but otherwise, it is no bother. I guess I'm lucky, although I have always healed/scarred rather well, so maybe that has something to do with it??? We're talking about thinking about (how's that for indecision??) ttc#2, and I'm planning a VBAC. I'd really like an HBAC but they're illegal here (NJ) and I can't find a lay midwife. So if I HBAC it'll be UC, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that (and I KNOW dh wouldn't be). We'll see what the future holds.

[OnTheFence]

Hey Henry'sMama!

So thinking about thinking about #2 huh? Hell girl just jump right in!

I could have sworn I saw a NJ couple on a Baby Story having a homebirth. I could definitely be mistaken though. How close are you to the PA border and could you go to a birth center?

Keep us updated!

Kim