C-section mamas - Page 2

[amberg007]

I too have been on an emotional roller coaster. I endured 43 hrs home labor, 14 hrs true labor in hospital, and 3 hrs of pushing before going to the OR. My body and spirit has definitely been traumatized! On the up side, I do not regret any of my decisions. Things went the way they were meant and I tried my hardest for 3 long & hard hours to get my 8lb 15oz Dd out! The thing discouraging me the most right now is the physical aspect of the rcovery. The pain hasnt been bad at all but I have to be on meds, which I do not like to do, and everything is just more difficult. My dh has been absolutely wonderful in taking care of us. Yesterday he got me out of the house for soem shopping and dinner. It did me good and I definitelt reccomend this to all of you recovering mamas (when you feel up to it). Being cooped up seems to make the sitiation worse.

Good luck to all :

[trayls]

Originally Posted by amberg007

The thing discouraging me the most right now is the physical aspect of the rcovery. The pain hasnt been bad at all but I have to be on meds, which I do not like to do, and everything is just more difficult.

Oh my goodness, the physical aspect is terrible. I can't for the life of me understand how women just opt for a c-section with no reason other than convenience. That seems insane to me.

It was SO frustrating and discouraging being in the hospital and trying to take care of my baby - getting in and out of bed (not at ALL conducive to c-section patients, btw), breastfeeding, everything hurt so much and was so difficult to accomplish.

The damn doctor decided to be "hands-on" and remove my bandage, tearing my skin all over and creating blisters which added a painful and completely unnecessary layer of pain. (From now on, doctors no touchy, only nurses!) Plus the pain meds make you tired and loopy. Its hard to be present and engaged. Honestly, when the nurse offered to take him to the nursery in the middle of the night for a few hours so I could rest, I was so tempted, I really was.

I don't know why, but early on in my mind I kept contrasting my big, beautiful, empowered pregnant belly to my carved up c-section belly. Just thinking about that makes me cry, I don't why.

Uggh, for all of my complaining I really am feeling better

[Alcyone]

That blankity-blank bandage! I had a reaction to the adhesive, so when they removed it, it left chemical burns that hurt way worse than the wound itself. When I was finally able to take a shower, the water hitting those burns was excrutiating! I had seriously been looking forward to that shower since it had been about five days since I'd had one (eeeew) and it was grossly unsatisfying. I couldn't see the burns since my belly hadn't shrunk enough yet, and I kept trying to guess how to hold the shower head to avoid them. Plus the hospital had no soap or shampoo in there, and I hadn't brought any as I never expected to stay very long. Gah!

I also have to say that although in many ways I was impressed with the facilities at my hospital… they couldn't have electric adjustable beds in the cesarean recovery? I dreaded those times the nurse wanted me to sit up more or lay down more, because someone had to come behind me and jerk things around until the bed went THUNK into the proper notch. Ow! And I needed a stool to get out of the bed. Yes, steps are exactly what I wanted.

I agree. The physical recovery sucks!

BTW if anyone is interested, I blogged my birth story. I didn't post it here at the time because I wouldn't have wanted to read a story like that when I was still pregnant and it was still pretty early in the month.

[joshs_girl]

Add me to the list of people who got blisters from the bandages ... like Lorry mine hurt worse than anything else!

Stupid thing

I will say I've never been so happy in my life as when they took the epi out - especially that adhesive holding it in - it made me itch so much!

[Emily's Mama]

Originally Posted by trayls

He is fine now and I am grateful, but I don't feel okay about things. I don't understand what happened. Doctor tried to tell me something like "this baby just didn't fit, maybe the next one will" WHAT??!

My DD1 was malpositioned and I had bad back labor too, ending up with epidural, broken waters and c section too. I went through it all in my mind over and over again, doubting what happened and whether I should have had the epidural etc.

It can take a long time to process all the thoughts and feelings. That's completely normal.

It helped me process the birth by getting a copy of the birth/labor notes. My doctor never explained it to me verbally, but I read in the notes her head was deflexed and she was persistantly posterior and I vaguely remember the doctor at the time saying she was "forehead first" (and a few other details). Her head was big but not enormous. I've since learned that even though many malpostioned babies come out just fine, it CAN be MUCH harder, MUCH more painful and sometimes just plain very very difficult.

It sounds like you tried so hard, but in the face of such unrelenting pain (and having been there myself) I can understand why you needed to have the epidural.

For what it's worth, I just had my VBAC and baby came out quickly and easily (aside from a tear) with no epidural and much less back labor...and she was also posterior! So it definitely can be different the second time around.

[trayls]

Originally Posted by Emily's Mama

My DD1 was malpositioned and I had bad back labor too, ending up with epidural, broken waters and c section too. I went through it all in my mind over and over again, doubting what happened and whether I should have had the epidural etc.

Thank you so much for what you wrote. It means so much to be understood. I'm so happy your VBAC went so well and you got the opportunity to have that experience. With my experience so fresh, I think its quite brave to try for a VBAC. Another posterior baby, you are a strong mama!

I will follow up with the medical records. The information I got at the time was not useful and I do need to know what happened. Until then, I will occupy myself with... breastfeeding, diaper changes, more feedings, nipple care, more poopy diapers - what a blessing