C/S support?

[MrsReady2bMama]

Is anyone else having a c/s?

Perhaps mothering.com isn't the best place for this thread, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm scheduled for a c/s on Friday 10/19 because baby is breech and so far immovable. We tried the version 3 times and no luck. I've been doing nightly exercises, but the baby seems comfortable where he/she is, and I have decided to accept whatever fate throws my way. It's possible baby knows something I don't, and a c/s is the best thing for him/her.

So please no judgment or flames or suggestions to avoide the c/s. Of course I still hope baby turns, but if not, I have made peace with a c/s. (Making this peace has taken a few days, so please don't make me regress!)

What I was hoping to find from this thread was any other mamas who are going through the same thing, and maybe we could share thoughts on why a c-section isn't the worst thing in the world. I know all the bad stuff about it, so I'm trying to list some "good" things:

- Can be scheduled in advance, so will know with some certainty when baby will be here. This is especially nice for DH to give advance notice at work.
- Extra days in the hospital, which for me as a first time mom I think I might appreciate, getting a little extra help with baby before going on my own.
- No labor pains!
- A perfectly round head for baby (yes, I am grasping at straws!)

If this turns into a preachy-avoid-c/s-at-all-cost thread, I will probably just ignore it. If anyone out there is in a similar boat and wants to post, I'd love it!

~ Gina

[Pumpkin_Blythe]

I will most likely get another c-section and I made this "what to expect" from a c-section for another mommy board I chat on so I will post it here for you :0)

Everyone is different but this was my experience with my daughter Allison.

#1 They will shave you down there. I shaved the night before becuase I did not want a nurse coming at me with a BIC razor.

#2 They will make you sign a waiver for the WORST possible scenarios. Do not freak out! C-Sections are not even considered MAJOR surgery anymore you will be fine!

#3 Your husband doesn't come with you in the room at FIRST. They wheel you in alone and then start the spinal.

#4 There is a lot of people! They are all rushing around and it is very bright in there so everything seems so weird as your laying there.

#5 Try not to look at the instruments. There are lots of scissors and knives and clamps that just look scary.

#6 The anesthesiologist is the ONLY one who will listen to you so use him to get your point across. The Dr. and nurses are busy and you wont be able to get there attention. Tell the anesthesiologist if you feel weird in anyway.

With me only half my body went to sleep so they had to kind of tilt the table to the right so the medicine would get to the other side. Do not be afraid to tell them when it doesn't feel right.

#7 Be prepared to HURL! You wont have much in you to vomit but I was sick the second they started tugging.

#8 You wont feel any pain. You will feel them tug and pull your body but no pain.

#9 You may get some shortness of breath when they push on your stomach to get the baby out. Expect it and do not fear it. The last thing you need to do is feel panic.

#10 When the baby is out you may not know it. They didn't bother telling me. I heard her cry from across the room.

#11 Your baby will be the prettiest in the nursery. They will have a perfectly round head and no swelling of the face from the trip down the birth canal.

#12 Tell your husband LEAVE ME! Seriously mine wanted to stay with me when they took the baby and I said NO!!! Let him help the nurses give your son the first bath, watch him get weighed and measured and take PICTURES!!

#13 Policy's vary from hospital so ask about what happens next. I was not able to see Allison (except when her dad showed her to me on the table) until I could move my legs. It took about an hour.

#14 GET UP!! It is more fear that keeps you laying there rather than pain. The sooner you are up and walking the less painful it will be for you later on.

The rest is just simple stuff to know.

You will be able to hold your baby but for the first few days you wont be able to touch your toes.

Bring a boopy or other breast feeding type pillow with you so the baby rests on something beside your tummy when they feed.

Remember that your uterus will contract for the first 3 or 4 days you breast feed and it kinda hurts. Do not confuse that with the C-Section!! All moms have that!

Fart... no really. You can not eat real food till you pass gas to let em rip!

Keep the area DRY! If you have an utter (hanging tummy) like I did then use a wash cloth under the area. Seriously just tuck it in there becuase if you keep it nice and dry it will heal beautifully!

Expect numbness there for some time. They had to cut nerves so you will have no feeling for a while. Mine lasted at least 4 months.

Don't be sad you didn't get the birth you wanted! The end result was the same, you have your baby now it is time for the REAL challenge...

Being someones mommy :0)

Kat

[MrsReady2bMama]

THANK YOU KAT!!!!!!!! That was extraordinarily helpful. I really appreciate it!!

~ Gina

[mama_daba]

i'm not planning one and don't think i will be having one but i read something last night that made them seem more i dunno less scary. i was reading birthing from within and in it the author talks about changing the language to cesarean birth. or birthing by cesarean. it is a more empowering way to talk about it and i like it. i was born via an emergency cesarean and had doctors at that time done more tests it probably would have been a planned cesarean birth. there are times when they are needed and when it is the only way for a baby to be born so i am really glad that it is possible for babies to be born this way now. i wish they happened less than they do and all of that but yeah. i like the way birthing from within talked about cesarean birth.

[Usually Curious]

If you've tried a version three times and baby stays breech and refuses to turn then maybe baby DOES know something you don't.

I generally am an 'avoid a cs at all costs' person but there ARE reasons that babies are born breech, and there are not very many docs or midwives who will deliver breech babies anymore so what are you to do? The best you can with what you've got to work with!

I hope you have a wonderful cs delivery.

[Pumpkin_Blythe]

No problem. I had a really easy time with my first c-section. I do have some concerns about this one though since they have to cut into the scar tissue and stuff but I am sure it will be just as good as my last one. Keep us posted on yours!

Kat

[blueridgewoman]

Good luck, Gina. I noticed from your sig that you conceived after IVF-- you've really been through a lot to bring this little person into the world, and you'll be in my thoughts.

[Stayseeliz]

I'm in the same boat. Breech baby and she won't turn. I'm also having complications (blood pressure, kindneys spilling protein, etc) so it's unlikely I'll be able to have a normal birth at this point.

I think the points above are great! Very encouraging! YOU know what is best for you and your babe and don't let the fact that you don't get the birth you want take away from the fact that you'll be holding your beautiful, much longed-for child soon!!

[kleines]

I had a csection with my first and I agree with pretty much everything Kat said in her list!

I also agree with the line from Birthing From Within, cesearean birth! It is still YOUR birth and you are still a mother! That seems very empowering to me.

It seems as though you have done everything you can to turn your baby and I applaud you for that. He/She must be that way for a reason. Judging by your siggy, you have been through a lot to get this far! I am very happy for you!
I wish you a beautiful birth, speedy recovery, and wonderful times with your newborn!

[DoomaYula]

Originally Posted by MrsReady2bMama

I'm trying to list some "good" things:

- Can be scheduled in advance, so will know with some certainty when baby will be here. This is especially nice for DH to give advance notice at work.
- Extra days in the hospital, which for me as a first time mom I think I might appreciate, getting a little extra help with baby before going on my own.
- No labor pains!
- A perfectly round head for baby (yes, I am grasping at straws!)

This thread will likely get pulled. It's in violation of the UA rule:

We are not interested in hosting discussions on the merits of... elective cesarean section

[kleines]

Is it considered elective when your baby is breech though? I get the rule, and I totally support that. She is just trying to make this experience (that she would prefer not to have to do) positive. Every birth SHOULD be positive. It didn't come across like praise for csection to me, just trying to make sense out of something.

I do understand if the thread gets pulled though. I just wanted to put my 2 cents in!

[DoomaYula]

IMO, breech presentation is a variation of normal, and not a medical reason for a c-section.

I have given birth vaginally to a feet-first breech.

There is currently a thread in "Birth and Beyond" for vaginal breech birthers.

[mama_daba]

Originally Posted by kleines

Is it considered elective when your baby is breech though? I get the rule, and I totally support that. She is just trying to make this experience (that she would prefer not to have to do) positive. Every birth SHOULD be positive. It didn't come across like praise for csection to me, just trying to make sense out of something.

I do understand if the thread gets pulled though. I just wanted to put my 2 cents in!

:
i didn't see anything in this thread that made it sound elective. i know if my baby was breach here it would be pretty hard for me to have a hospital birth other than a cesarean. there are very few hospitals around here that will do them and not everyone has options outside a hospital.

[kleines]

My mom did give birth to me naturally, I was frank breech. I did rip her pelvic bone apart so she couldn't move for a few days! -and she still loves me! ha ha.

I guess I didn't realize all breech positions were considered normal. I knew that some were, but not all. On that note, I am sure this thread will get the boot then.

BTW-No hospital or Dr around here will do a breech birth vaginally. Since home birth and home birth MW's are "illegal" here in good ole' IL, I don't guess anyone besides a UC'er would be able to deliver breech naturally. There are some MW's that still do home birth, but I doubt they would do it just on the terms that they are already breaking a law! (a very stupid law of course, that is in the process of changing) You never know though!

I saw that video on TV of a woman deliver twins in her bathroom on the floor and one was breech. It was a UC as the MW couldn't get there in time. Very inspiring!

[Pumpkin_Blythe]

If it gets pulled it will only be becuase someone went and ratted us out. Give the lady a break here, she is not sounding like she WANTS this but is rather dealing quite well with the situation. Sometimes I do not understand this place. If you want her to have a breech baby then you start calling doctors in her area and find one who will do it for her.

This is not directed at ONE poster, it is for everyone who thinks a baby born via c-section makes the person having them a lesser mother becuase it MAY be possible to do it YOUR way.

Ugh

[rik8144]

I think it's sad that a woman cannot talk about her babys birth unless it falls under certain guidelines. I understand this is a natural site and all but I still feel bad for people who have little control over situations and they have to open their post with "I know this is not an MDC type of birth but..." We need to support each other as women, not based on the way our children are born. I agree that elective c/s for vain and stupid reasons are annoying and okay, should not be supported here......BUT if someone feels more comfortable having a c/s due to breech baby then support is needed. FWIW there are other complications to a breech vag delivery other than the mothers pelvic bones. PM for more info....

Anyway, I have a feeling a lot of women simply leave out their birht stories when they feel like MDC will not support thier choices.....and I for one think that is sad. Every birth should be a celebration.

[Pumpkin_Blythe]

Every birth should be a celebration.

BRAVO! She is not like Britney Spears scheduling between a hair appointment and a movie. lol She is a mommy doing what she and the doctors think are the best choice for her.

[ashleyhaugh]

i had a c-section last week, and here is my tip- dont look at the clock- it was right in my line of sight, and i spent the whole time they were closing me up watching the time... i couldnt help it, lol.... im nak'ing right now, but i'll be back later

[green_momma2007]

Godd luck with your c-section. I'm probably going to ghave a second one when I birth my baby in april/may. I think someone mentioned about not having your husband there. I completely agree. If you cn gt your mom to stay with you overnight that will be much better. With my first C-section I had my husband stay with me the first night and he was completely useless. The baby cried all night and I remember tried to get up and walk around with him and it was soooooo hard b/c of the incision. Meanwhile my husband is conked out on the sofa sleeper. This time around I'll have him be there or the first are for a few hours afterwards, but at night I want my mommy!!!!!

[mittendrin]

I understand both sides here, even tho I haven't had a c-section before. I am very aware that some areas don't have doctors that will deliver a breech baby and we might not have the full story anyway. I am glad the OP is ok with the way she's going to give birth and that some really valuable information can be shared here. What I didn't like so much is how she worded it in her original post. It's great to share information but I don't think it's so great to talk about advantages of a c-section like having a baby with a round head and having no labor pains....THAT might be the reason why the thread could get pulled. Not because some mamas are exchanging info on what is happening before, during and after surgery...

I hope all of us are going to have a great birthing experience and can come to terms with it if it's not like we dreamed it up before.