Repeat C-Section Advice

[Christian_mom]

I'm scheduled for a repeat c-section in about three weeks and I'm getting REALLY, really nervous.

My first (emergency) c-section was four years ago and went by in a blur mostly. This one is scheduled so I have more time to think about it and am able to make more informed choices about what goes on (to a point).

The thing I remember the most about my first c-section was being so sick, heaving on the operating table and vomiting most of the day afterwards. I should also note that they removed my appendix at the same time and I've been told that this may have been why I was so sick.

Can anyone give me some pointers and suggestions on things that may prevent the nausea, vomiting and general sick feeling. Is there something that can be done differently?

Any other advice that can be offered would be GREATLY appreciated in regards to the operation, healing, etc.

I do plan on breastfeeding (as I did with my first) and NOT circumcising. I will be sure to inform them repeatedly of this before, during and after the procedure. I have this fear that they are going to circumcise my son w/o my consent.

TIA.

[PabloHoneySF]

I had a repeat c-section last year and it was honestly a lot easier than the first. The appendix removal could have been a major cause of your nausea and vomiting. With my first birth, I was also very sick and nauseous, but it was a long and complicated labor. With the second, I wasn't feeling sick at all and I think it was due to knowing what to expect this time around. Even though I had a c-section with my first, I found by reading about csections (I think the book was called "Essential Guide to C-Sections") I felt a little more in control the second time around and that made all the difference. The recovery was also a lot easier.

Good Luck to you, I hope this birth experience is a lot better for you :).

[Selesai]

Is this something you want or need? I ask not to be rude, of course, but because it IS possible to have a vaginal birth after you have had a cesarean. You can also consider waiting for your body to go into labor on its own, instead of scheduling a date for the surgery.

[Spark]

If you search over in Birth & Beyond there's usually a thread going for Cesarean support. Wonderful insightful women post there.

Best wishes in your babe's birth. :hug

[Christian_mom]

Is this something you want or need? I ask not to be rude, of course, but because it IS possible to have a vaginal birth after you have had a cesarean. You can also consider waiting for your body to go into labor on its own, instead of scheduling a date for the surgery.

I suppose it would be possible to wait until labor (or even attempt to deliver naturally) but I don't think it would be very safe since the nearest hospital is over a half hour away (we live in a small, rural town- there's not even a hospital in the county we live in!). Most of the doctors there aren't the greatest from what I've seen and heard. And there usually isn't an anesthesiologist on call from my understanding. It's been described as a 'band aid station' where they send simple things such as broken arms to a hospital that's over an hour and a half away.

My doctor and I both decided it would be best (and safest) to schedule the c-section and proceed that way. And with the weather being what it is (we currently have a foot of snow in six degree weather), I'd prefer it that way to.

While it isn't ideal, it is what it is.

[rmzbm]

No advice but wanted to offer a :hug and support from a 4x section veteran. Hope it's wonderful & that you feel well during & after!! :hug

[Grace24]

Good luck to you... contrary to what I used to think, a C-section is NOT the easy way out of childbirth! I had an unplanned section after 18 hours of home labor. I was sick during labor but not from the section so I'd say maybe the nausea was the appendix, and could've been related to stress as well. (Someone already mentioned this.)

I just wanted to offer support mainly... I'm sure in a few years when we try to have another I'll have to decide whether to do a repeat section or try for a VBAC. Not an easy choice.

It should be better this time now that it's planned and you know more of what to expect!

Oh, regarding the circ... I swear to god that everyone who walked into my hospital room asked me AGAIN if I wanted him circ'd. I was sure they'd do it anyway! They asked like this: "And you did.... NOT want him circumcised, right?" As though they were saying "And you're going to go ahead and KEEP that cancerous tumor, yes?" Finally I asked, "Isn't it written on his chart?" and the doc said "Yes but we all have our own charts for him." Great. Just make sure to keep telling everyone not to circ him... for the record, he made it out of there intact. And without the Hep B shot. Amazing.

Hang in there! You'll be fine and it'll all be over soon and you'll be holding your baby in your arms in no time. :Hug

[Learning_Mum]

I'd say the vomiting was due to the appendix. I had a c-section with DS and although I wretched when I got in there, it was more because I was scared sh*tless than anything else!

Mention it to the doctors as they may be able to give you something if you do happen to get nauseous again.

Remember your camera. I believe that you can ask for some music to be put on (I'm sure I've heard other US Mama's saying this). Maybe even take in something that will help you relax. For instance a smooth stone you can rub that will calm your nerves. Remember also that it really doesn't take that long - it will be over before you know it!

ETA: Almost every Mama that I have heard about, who has had a repeat section always say that the second is nowhere near as bad as the first, and that the seem to recover quicker too.

[crazydiamond]

While the vomiting might have been from the appendix, but it might not have been.

I had a scheduled C-section with my DD and was given a spinal. It made my blood pressure very low and I started vomiting in the OR. It was awful. And then the 24-hr morphine that i was given also made me very nauseated. . so much so that I was vomiting all day.

[goldfinch]

I was vomiting a LOT before my c-section, but I think it was from the medication they were giving me to prevent the preterm labor. Afterwards, I wasn't nauseous or anything, as far as I remember.

[misskerri]

I didn't experience any nausea during my csection (4 years ago), and when I had abdominal surgery last October (at 24 weeks pregnant...they basically did an old-style csection incision: vertical), I also had a standard epidural to numb my lower half. That time, I asked for a nausea med, because I thought I was going to be under general anesthesia. Needless to say, I didn't have any nausea that time either. All that is to say that maybe the nausea you experienced with your first section was due to the appendix, but if you're worried about it, you should be able to ask for an anti-nausea med in your IV during the surgery to help prevent it.

My repeat section (and tubal ligation and ovary removal or cystectomy) is scheduled for 13 days from now, so I'm right there with you, mama.

[MaryLang]

Well I've never been heaving on the O R table but I have really bad anxiety to begin with, so scheduling a c/s and going in just as "planned", I was really panicking. I know it sounds silly, but my OB could tell how freaked out I was, and asked if I liked rollercoasters. And I LOVE rollercoasters! He said you know that feeling you get just as the cars are clicking their way up and you are at the top? Well your at the top and you can't get off now, but the end result will be great. And it calmed me right down.

[maxmama]

While the vomiting might have been from the appendix, but it might not have been.

I had a scheduled C-section with my DD and was given a spinal. It made my blood pressure very low and I started vomiting in the OR. It was awful. And then the 24-hr morphine that i was given also made me very nauseated. . so much so that I was vomiting all day.

Oh, and just for info, the most common time to begin vomiting is either a) when the uterus is exteriorized and b) when it's replaced. Not all surgeons exteriorize, but it's faster and easier, so a lot do.

My thoughts as a twice-sectioned mama and a labor nurse:

Get Zofran or Anzemet prophylactically. They will not make you sleepy and are excellent at preventing nausea.

Have music in the OR. It gives you something to focus on.

If you want, you can wait on the weight, NB meds, etc., but I did it in the OR both times so that when we left the OR I could BF right away and not be distracted.

Ask for an abdominal binder. They do not make your belly magically disappear, but they can relieve a LOT of the strain on your incision and make it more comfortable to move around.

Walk walk walk. I was out of bed six hours post-op last time and my recovery was a breeze -- I went grocery shopping on the way home from the hospital 36 hours post-op.

Pain needs to be controlled. It will not be eliminated post-op, but you need to be comfortable enough that you can walk, turn, BF, etc. If you're not, tell your nurse. Toradol works very well for however long you have your IV access (you don't need a line once you're eating and drinking) and isn't a narcotic.

Eat and drink as soon as you can. Early resumption of eating will speed your recovery; there's a ton of nursing research on it.

Your baby can stay with you. Really. It's a cesarean birth, emphasis on the birth. This is still the first time you'll have with your baby. Enjoy it!

[rmzbm]

I second the advice to WALK! Walk early, walk often! It helps with so much! The longer you wait the harder it is - REALLY!

[snazzy_mom]

My second c-section couldn't have gone smoother so there is hope. My first delivery was after a 21 hour labor and 3 hours of pushing. I was sick as a dog afterwards.

My second section was an emergency one but I did great. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous and jittery but I did it and I got to nurse him within 20 minutes of him being born and from the time he was born and the time I got out of recovery, my husband was with him the entire time.

I did get asked if I was circumcizing him about a million times but all of the nurses seemed relieved everytime I said no.

My little one never left my room and I was out of bed in less than 12 hours, home in 3.

I am sure you're going to do fine, you know what to expect now :)