What to expect with C-section???

[NaturalMama311]

Hi ladies! Due to some compliations my MW is saying that I will most likely be having a c-section. This is my first so I have no idea what to expect. My entire pregnancy I've been preparing for a natural birth but with the change in plans I'm now totally unprepared! What can I expect as far as the procedure itself, recovery time, etc. I really want to breastfeed, will that be possible soon after the procedure? I'm sure the hospital stay will be about 2-3 days, but how long is the actual healing time? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[felix23]

I think a lot of the procedures depend on the hospital. My hospital is very family and breastfeeding friendly so c-section babies are never removed from the parent's sight unless they need to go to the NICU. I had a preemie so I haven't actually experienced a full-term c-section, but I have a close friend who just did. Her ds was not bathed or washed until she was ready to do it and she was given her ds in recovery to start breastfeeding. Her baby never left her or her dh's sight. I would check with your hospital and see what their policies are. I would really, really push for the baby to stay with you at all times and for breastfeeding as soon as possible. As for healing time, it really varies with each person. I had an easy recovery and up and about in no time, but then I've known people who could barely move for weeks. My stomach did feel numb around the scar for about six months, but after that I felt perfectly normal. Good luck!

[mrswilson]

Originally Posted by felix23

Her ds was not bathed or washed until she was ready to do it and she was given her ds in recovery to start breastfeeding. Her baby never left her or her dh's sight.

I have had 2 c/s, the most recent 3 weeks ago. My second experience was similar to this, it was in a very baby-friendly hospital. I was able to BF about 20 mins after the birth and my DS never left my sight. They waited to bathe him until the afternoon, my DH did it. It's important that they wait because a lot of times with c/s babies they will bathe them right away and then their temp goes down and off they go to the warmer. I was able to have him in my room at all times as long as someone stayed with me at night. As for BFing, my milk was in within 24 hours this time (I would like to think due to the fact that I was able to BF so soon). I went home in 48 hours.

My first c/s was at a different hospital. As soon as DD was born, she was whisked away (even though she was perfectly fine). I didn't see her again for about 2 hours. It took a very long five days for my milk to come in. I stayed for three days for this one...although it was after a failed induction. Most insurances will cover 72 hours, so I have always been "encouraged" to stay that long.

If you are having a planned c/s, your recovery will probably be easier because you won't have to recover from labor as well. It helps greatly to cook a lot of dinners ahead of time and have them in the freezer. You will be sore and very tired, esp. by the end of the day. It also helps to plan it out with your DH/partner to have them get the baby at night and bring him/her to you to nurse. Getting comfy in bed is the most difficult part of a c/s recovery for me.

Also, take the pain meds if you need them. I have only ever taken Ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain relief after the c/s. I had a prescription for Tylenol w/codeine, which is great but is very constipating, which is the last thing you need after a c/s.

Good luck!

[paquerette]

Would you like to share with us why she's thinking you will need a surgical birth? Do you think she's correct in this?

[NaturalMama311]

The reason for the C/S is that the amniotic fluid is very low, 4.8 last week and just at 5 this week. We're currently going for sonograms twice a week to monitor the levels but if it dips too low they will have to get the baby out. Also she is frank breech so they won't be able to induce labor I'm pretty bummed about the situation but you know, I have to do what is best for baby. We go for another U/S Monday morning, I've been doing everything I can to get the fluid level up but nothing seems to be making much of a difference. I'm 34 weeks now so I'm hoping we can hold out as long as possible!

[LaLaLaLa]

I had a c-section with my second baby. The procedure itself was super-easy--it took about half an hour from the first cut to the end of sewing-up, and that included having my tubes tied (while the doctor's hands were all in my guts anyway.....). While I was being stitched up, they brought ds to the attached weighing and washing room, where he visited with dh, who had been banned from the operating room, due to his passing out on his face in the hallway earlier that day.

Immediately after I was stitched, I had ds in my arms and he nursed and nursed while my dh and parents traded off popping in to visit.

I had a catheter that stayed in that night, but by the next morning I was up in the bathroom and taking a shower. I was able to get around by moving slowly and rolling myself out of bed, rather than pulling with my stomach muscles. Everything I'd read said nursing would be a problem, but I had no trouble holding ds across my middle to nurse; I just wasn't in that much pain.

I was in the hospital for two days, and dh took two weeks off after that to help around the house, cooking and cleaning and lifting our dd, who was 19 months old at the time. Within a week, I was feeling back to normal again, and my total recovery was as non-traumatic as you could possibly imagine.

My experience is a bit skewed by the fact that my experience with dd was a vaginal birth, which caused significant damage to my body and required emergency surgery immediately after her birth. I wasn't pain-free for months after she was born, so my c-section was such a breeze in comparison.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Well, there is at least one OB where I live who says low fluid is usually not a problem. His c-section rate is very low and as far as I can tell, his outcomes are at least as good as anybody else around here. You could also try drinking a ton of water and getting a second opinion, all while looking for a birth attendant who'll attend a breech birth.

Breastfeeding is absolutely possible after a c-section. You'll have to be vigilant and possibly insistent with staff and you NEED to have your own LC lined up to help you, IMO.

[IamCoupongirl]

My story is very much like LaLaLaLa's....but the only thing I'd add is that the first 24 hours kinda sucked from the standpoint of having the catheter in and a bit of pain and mostly the nurses checking my blood pressure all the dang time! But with both my dd's, after the 24 hour mark (and cath being removed) things were easy-peasy.

If you do end up with a c-section, I wish you a speedy recovery, mama.

[springwmyn]

Here's a link from a recent thread:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...expect+what+to

Best of luck to you!!!
Sasha

[meganmarie]

Also, if you are interested, a thread about low fluid - somewhat technical in places but a really educational read. My takeaway from it was, while there are cases where this issue is severe and cause for intervention, it is not that cut-and-dried. All other signs being positive, low fluid BY ITSELF doesn't sound like great reason for automatic c/s. You obviously have more access to facts on your own situation to know what makes sense to you.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ight=low+fluid

[feminist~mama]

It really does depend on your hospital. I work in L&D in a small hospital. C-sections go to recovery afterward and it seems like it's about 50/50 with baby staying with mom while she's in recovery vs baby going to the nursery. At a larger hospital they might be set up to have you recover on the L&D unit- but it doesn't happen like that where I work. I'd absolutely recommend that you let your preferences be known about the nurses washing/dressing baby and the Vitamin K/Hep B/eye goop.

I'd recommend asking about what happens after the section at the hospital you'll be at if it comes to that and then making plans from there. Remember that the hospital has their "standard operating procedures" but that you are free to decline or refuse or ask for something different.

Good luck to you!

[shelbean91]

Depending on what they put in the spinal- when it wears off, you could get sick. I had duramorph or some sort of morphine in the spinal. Ds2 (my only csection) was born around 7, by 10ish, I was puking my guts out and I was itchy all over for the next day. B/c of the vomiting and incision, I had to take phenergan, which made me practically comatose.

It was uncomfortable to wear a seatbelt home and for the next month or so. My maternity pants rubbed the incision, so I had to wear lots of sweats. Bending over was rough for a while.

[fresh_water]

I had a c-section. It wasn't a real awful experience, although mine was traumatic. Another post for another time.

I remember feeling tugging, and not feeling pain, hearing the play by play from DH and then hearing my son cry after he was yanked out. I sort of remember the after as I was stitched up and wheeled out. DH went with baby to the nursery to be cared for, since he was in distress during labor and his oxygen was quite low.

Afterwards the cath came out the next day, about 14 hours later. I was so glad, I missed walking around lol. They wanted to make sure I could pass gas or poop (one or the other) before I left, and since poo does not happen when I am out of the house, I had to fart. They kept threatening me with enemas and I told them no one was doing THAT, NO way NO how. It all worked out thankfully.

I was on a steady dose of pain killers and when I missed a dose I felt it. I stayed on it steady for about a week, and then weaned myself off to just night doses. It was really worth it. My incision was quite itchy and sore, and I had to have my staples out 3 days after leaving the hospital. It was so much easier to walk after they were out. I was driving less than a week after having DS.

I think that recovery for everyone is different, but mine wasn't TOO bad, except stairs, getting up and off my bed, and carrying certain things.

Good luck!

[sparkysgirl]

Well my hospital was not so friendly. I asked to hold my baby in the OR, or have her in recovery, they said no. So when I finally did hold her and BF, I was so doped up I don't remember, so push for early holding. I had them wait to put in the cath until I was numb, and asked that they didn't tie down my arms. So as far as preferences go, try to get things that will make it more like a birth. Things like letting dad cut the cord (well, cutting it a little shorter) and at least letting him hold the baby in th OR so that you can see that happen for the first time. Ask that you see baby all naked and wet, instead of being introduced to this clean bundled baby. I still wonder if mine is the same baby that came out of me, LOL. These are little things, but they really make a difference in how you rememeber that day. For me, it was the worst day of my life, partly because of how I was treated, and partly because I had surgery, not a birth. Recovery is a little rough. I hated having visitors, I was so sleepy and they were there till 11 at night. Walking for the first time was terrible. But after a few weeks it got better, actually it got a lot better once I got home, still pretty sore though. Avoid it if you can, try and turn the baby, chiro care maybe or acupunture are very successful and drink lots of water. Good luck

[wombatclay]

Since I don't see the link... http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=401645 is the Natural Family Living Cesarean Resource sticky from the top of this page.

I spent 4 days in the hospital following my c/s. I felt mostly normal at about 8 weeks postpartum and "good enough" that returning to work at 12 weeks wasn't horrible (in physical terms anyway). I found that I really loved the "mesh undies" they gave me at the hospital (I grabbed a box for home)... some mamas hate them, some mamas adore them so try them out and see for yourself. In my case it seemed like all of "my" undies hit exactly on the incision so YOUCH!

The sticky I linked has information about scar massage... it's not something your OB surgeon is likely to tell you about but it's a really important part of healing and self care. If you can, ask for steri strips on the incision after the staples/sutures are removed. The strips "do" some of the scar massage for you and can speed healing/reduce adhesions without any real effort on your part.

My c/s was totally unplanned but if I ever needed o plan a c/s I'd pull a lot of ideas from this site http://www.eheart.com/cesarean/oliver.html It talks about the impact of c/s on both the mother and child and ways to minimize the "otherness" of a surgical birth for both people involved. I know that different hospitals will have different policies, but ask and (where it's not an actual matter of safety) let them know what YOU need in terms of the surgical and post-surgical experience. Let them know you'll sign waivers (if necessary) in order to have an arm free or in order to keep your babe with you.

Since my c/s wasn't planned we were scrambling a bit... DH went with dd1 and held her during my suturing. DD1 arrived in my room at about the same time I did (my hospital recovered mamas in their "long term stay" room). She had a bath next to my bed and was breastfeeding within about 45 minutes of the birth. Our only breastfeeding problem was her very first latch was bad (cracked my nipple) but because of the pain meds from the c/s I didn't "feel" it until after the damage was done. I had to work really hard to prevent infection as it healed, and nursing her on that side was horrific for weeks, but other than that there were no problems... but stay on top of it! My hospital doesn't do routine bottles or paci, but many do and you've got to make sure they honor your wishes and get you the support you need!

Hmmmm... random thoughts... my boppy was too "firm" for my incision. I found that a different brand (don't remember which, but it was very soft/squishy) combined with a pillow was much more comfortable. And you'll probably find that the football hold is easier at first, but experiement! Some c/s mamas really like side lying but I always felt like my insides would fall out sooooooo.... no sidelying for me for a few months that birth!

See how you feel... if you have pain, take the meds. Seriously. You didn't just have a baby, you had MAJOR surgery and it's not something your body is naturally equiped to deal with. It is much better to take the meds (and risk a sleepy breastfeeding babe) than to be in pain (which can hamper milk production, not to mention plain old life), and it's easier to stay on top of pain than it is to play "catch up". So don't decide one way or the other till you see how you feel, and don't feel bad if you decide you want/need the meds in order to function!

Hang in there and fingers crossed for a wonderful birth and postpartum recovery!

[jennifer_lc1]

typing one handed here so ignore any typos lol

i had my csec on july 25th, my first baby, i was also preparing for a natural birth so it was a bit of a shock to change allllll my plans!!! i had to have one because my fluid was too high, and my bp went nuts. i made it to 39 weeks.


from what i had read i was prepared for horrible hell and pain like no other. to be honest.. it was not bad at all.

pain on a level of 1-10 was at worst a 7 when i got up the first time. it got easier each time though. my recovery has been very easy. the first week its hard to pull yourself up just bc you feel like your stiches will pop (dont mean to scare you). i'm 4 weeks 2 days out. i've been doing normal things since week two. started walking at two weeks, a mile a day. had sex at 3 weeks which was just fine.

things i wish i would've known to look out for

- the wiping the nurse comes to do to your bits every hour. that was embarassing.
- they shave you before
- they want to see your first pee after ( first pee did not hurt btw)
- they ask about you farting lol farting and pooping is very difficult. you will be extremely gassy afterwards and you just cannot push them out! my ass was numb from the epidural for a while and then i just didnt have the power to push

the spinal hurts. your legs tingle it goes up your back you get real hot then just numb. its hard to breathe for a minute but gets better

cath. stays in for 36 hrs i believe it was for me. hurts when they take it out and for me i bled from my urethra for 2 weeks after/ not a lot just spotting but it stretched it and it hurt a bit so watch for that.

my main advice to yoiu is to take home extra pairs of their ugly mesh granny pa nties! you wont weant to wear your nundies for about a week or two.

i got some weird rash from the pain meds they gave me in the hospital. it itched like heck all over my stomach and got raised up bad. that went away when i stopped taking the meds so watch for any side effecs. they gave me a rx for.. wow i don't remember actually lol, but i didnt even need them.

i will say that the birth of my son was not what i had dreamed of but i wouldn't change it, he came when he needed to and thats whats important. it was a bit strange just having the bbay taken out. i felt like iw as being lazy almost lol. when they take the baby out you feel this amazing pressure, it doesnt hurt, just like someones walking on you and pulling you around lol, and then your breath almost goes away for a second.

i had no probs breastfeeding. my milk took about 4 days to come in and while it was difficult for him to latch in theb eginning i think thats pretty typical with all babies at first.

thats about all i can think of! bring your own pillows!!! and good luck

[Storm Bride]

I can't tell you what to expect, because there's a lot of variety from one person to another.

Speak to your OB and to the hospital about their post-op procedures. Standard procedure at the hospital where I had my first three is to let the mom go back to L&D after being stitched up and monitor her there. She can breastfeed at that time. Unfortunately, with dd, the L&D room where I had been prepped received another labouring mama while I was in OR, and they're not equipped to monitor on the maternity ward. I went to post-op and dd went to the nursery. I couldn't get her back until I was ready to transfer to the maternity ward. That was just over an hour. They basically let me move once I can move my feet and toes again.

With ds1 (my first), it was an "emergency" so I was unconscious. Except for a brief moment after I woke up, I didn't get to see him for about 14 hours. With ds2, things worked the way they're supposed to, and I was able to nurse him on the L&D ward once I was stitched back up and moved. However, an angel of an L&D nurse gave up her lunch break to monitor me. Talk to the nurses. Just because policy says something, that doesn't mean it will necessarily happen.

As for recovery - it varies. Things that work for many people don't work for me. The nurses and lactation consultant (if there is one) will almost definitely push the "football hold" in a big way. It works for many, many nursing moms. It never worked for me. When I finally gave up on it, and used a cradle hold, I had much better results.

How long is the recovery? It's hard to say. My SIL was doing sit-ups in two weeks. With my first, I was mostly back to normal in six - still not back to pre-op fitness levels, but not in pain, either. With dd, I got back on my feet more quickly - but had lingering stabbing pains in the incision for 7-8 months. With ds2...the incision became infected, and didn't close completely for nearly a month. Once it closed, I had very little pain, however, I'm still numb to a degree that hampers me in day-to-day life (some exercises, including kegels, are nearly impossible, and the numbness has caused some sexual problems)...and ds2 turned 3 in July. My fourth c-section doesn't even really count, as my son was stillborn, I laboured a long time, and there was a lot going on in addition to the surgical recovery...however, I did have another infection in my incision.

The procedure itself - again, talk to the hospital. I've had one hand restrained each time, but not actually tied. I was asked if I wanted my other hand up on my chest or stretched out beside me. During the surgery, I could feel pressure and "tugging" sensations. Some people seem to be unphased by that - I'm not - it freaks me out. At my hospital (I believe this is standard), the support person (doula, partner, whatever) can't come in during the administration of the anesthetic, but is called in after the mom is numb.

Talk to them in advance about what meds you're going to get. I only found out last year that I received sedatives when they did my first section (ds1 is 15). During my section with dd, the anesthesiologist asked if I wanted the morphine, and I said "yes". I didn't like it at all (it made me itch badly) and planned to refuse it with ds2...but that guy never discussed it - he just administered it.


If I successfully conceive, I'll be having a fifth section next year. My best survival tip is to bring your own food whiel on the maternity ward. With ds2, I got dh to bring me lots of fruit - plums, peaches, bananas and grapes - and that kept me hydrated and "regular". You do [b]not[/i] want to deal with constipation after a c-section, and it's not uncommon. Walk as soon as you can. I'm still not convinced it helps physically as much as the experts say it does...but it's a huge morale booster.

um....that's all I can think of right now..

[MilkTrance]

I think you're asking from mostly a physical/medical standpoint, but from an emotional view, give yourself time to process it. Allow yourself to feel whatever you want to feel about it, whenever you feel it. Even if your feelings come to the surface six weeks or six months (or more) from the C/S. And don't let other people tell you how you should feel.

I found that many people told me I should feel this way or that way about my C/S.