Elective C-Section Question...

[Rouge]

I think the picking up thing is different for everyone... as I physically couldn't pick up Paris without getting out of bed and it really hurt for the first 12 hours to get out of bed. I needed help and unfortunately I wasn't getting it. I had a REALLY bad experience with one midwife and it ended in me doing hospital in the in home. But I don't think that experience is the norm. So don't let my experience worry you, if you do need help to pick up bubs just make sure you make that clear and I'm sure they'll give you the help you need. And it can be a question you ask in case it depends on hospital policy.

*hugs*
Cailin

[aussienic]

I was only in bed for 11 hours after my 2nd c/s and even though I was wheeled off to see my son I got to hold him and feed him

[Adnil]

Oh - I should have said - I didn't get out of bed in the first 24 hours. I picked up Em, but from lying down just because her crib was right next to me. I would sit the bed up (one of those electric ones) and then reach accross. It wasn't easy!!

[sonya1]

i had elective c-sect as i have kyphoscoliosis and long labours, so to me it was a less stressful choice (less stressful on my back that is) i didnt want to risk damaging my spine anymore. i just asked at my gp appointments at the hospital and they happily put me down. i was public from beginning to end and cant fault it.
dont worry about neg comments. some people call epidural cheating as well! its your body and baby. choose what you believe to be best. always trust that 'mothers instinct' and if people are rude, brush it off as being naive and uneducated about the subject.
i am 163 cm tall and weigh 43 kilos (related to my spine damage) but everyday people stare and whisper loudly "DID YOU SEE HOW SKINNY SHE IS!" i also have strangers ask if i have an eating disorder or drug problem. people are judgemental honey! in all occassions of life...dont stress and enjoy your pregnancy!!!!

[aussienic]

Well said Sonya!!

I had some of DH's cousins talking me down when I said if we had a 3rd baby I would choose another cs. At first I was really down about it but then I realised they don't have to make that choice I do. I honestly prefer c.s over natural anyways and thats just me

[aussienic]

have to say glad I am not the only one, I hate the spinal though.. it doesn't hurt but I hate feeling numb. Thats the only negative thing about it.

[bailey99]

Hi Keira,
Like the other ladies have said, do your research and make your decision based on you feel is best for you and your baby. I have had 2 cesareans. The first was on my midwife's recomendation as my son was particularly large and even my very pro-natural birth midwife didn't think I would get him out on my own. The second was because my daughter had passed away and I didn't think that I could go through a natural birth under the circumstances.
Cesareans do hurt, however the major pain is pretty much the first 3 days and after that you will feel better and better every day. You CAN pick up your baby, you will have to keep them close on the first day though as you have to stay in bed that day. I found that I was only using panadols from the second day and maybe a Forte to sleep for about a week, after that I felt fine. There are people that take longer to heal and like with any operation there is always a risk of complications.
Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have had a natural birth with my son, and do sometimes feel dissapointed that I will never experience it, but I was not willing to take the risk with his size. The main thing is that he is here healthy. Whatever choice you make, be confident and happy about it because it is your body and your baby.
Good Luck!

[Rouge]

I hope no one thinks I came across as scare mongering or anti c/s in my post. I was simply trying to offer advice that I thought might be helpful to prevent the same scenario I had. I do think its different for everyone, so my advice is still make sure you have the physical support of midwives etc JIC.

Lets try not to make this thread into another anti vs pro c/s thread.

*hugs*
Cailin

[Adnil]

Not at all Cai! I think it's really interesting to hear how different people recover from C/Ss. I know I was really surprised when it was me, as I'd always considered myself to have a high pain threshold. But in that situation I was terrible LOL!

[aussienic]

I didn't think so.. It is offering your experience and opinion of c.s. Like we all have.

I did have one bad moment with my 2 c.s. I had alot of back and shoulder pain as the MW on duty wouldn't let me have one o those triangle things above my bed. you know the things you hold on to for support when getting up. Anyways she told me " you don't have one at home you don't need on here" I was less then 24hours after having my son and I was in pain.. but anyways I worked thru the pain and found an easier way to get out of bed,,

oh and just a tip.. I had a minor cold and throat tickle when I had my c/s so I had to cough now and then.. and yes it hurt like hell.. pne of the MW showed me how to hold the pilow against my tummy when I needed to cough. I also used that when I had to stand and it made a huge difference..

[Adnil]

That would have been awful without the triangle thing!

And OMG - the coughing! That was SCARY! I had my FIL trying to make me laugh, I told him to get out in no uncertain terms!!!

[aussienic]

oh laughing and coughing is one scary thought.. oh and crying hurts heaps too LOl.. I cried when my big boys went home that first night I always miss them heaps and I am only away from them when I have babies LOL.. Anyways I sobbed and man that hurt too

I would have told my FIL off too..

[seventh_heaven]

Labour choice is only the beginning of the ear bashing that mothers get when they announce that they are pregnant. Unfortunately, every woman and her cat will have an opinion on 'what is best'. This will happen on every aspect of child raising ... the secret is to inform yourself of the facts.

Theres are many great articles on birth choices on this website - my recommendation would be to make the most informed decision you can. (The library is another great asset you might find helpful too)

Wishing you all the best.

[Keira]

Thanks everyone for all your advice, i think i will collect as much information as i can on all birth options and make my choice from that!

When it comes down to it, i think everyone of us has that tough decision to make and we're all pretty brave to go through either, natural or c-section... as long as we get that healthy screaming bubba entering the world at the end, i'd be happy no matter how he/she got here! If that makes sense

Thanks again lovely ladies!

[aussienic]

Makes perfect sense ! Good luck with your decision

[Keira]

Thanks Nic!

[Freya]

Keira, you may not have a choice in the matter if the Government definitely passed the legislature to ban elective cesareans unless medically necessary. I can remember hearing a month or two back that the Government is horrified by the amount of elective Caesars that are happening for no good medical reason. So unless you have a good medical reason ie medical problem preventing vaginal birth, big babies, previous caesar and to dangerous to birth vaginally 2nd time round and so forth.

I am so glad I avoided a ceasar (and I came close to having an emergency one due to pre eclampsia), I wouldnt trade my vaginal birth for anything. I felt fabulous immediately afterwards and walked myself to my room. No catheter, no stitches, no pain meds. Seeing as you havent given birth at all, I really urge you to reconsider and try a vaginal birth. You just dont know whats going to happen and you may end up with a ceasar anyway but alteast you gave it a shot. You dont want to regret it in the future.

[Tobily]

With a c-sect, you are recovering from major abdominal surgery, along with all the pain of surgery for days if not weeks afterward. You are unable to pick your baby up on your own without the aid of a nurse for a while afterward, can't get up and have a shower, or go to the toilet by yourself. You are on heavy pain medication which is passed through breastmilk. Breastfeeding can be problematical because your body is recovering from surgery.

Firstly let me say I am not a fan of c/sections - I hated mine - and I too believe a vaginal birth is the best way to go all things being equal. My first was a vaginal birth and a very positive experience.

But I do want to say Shannon that what you've said above isn't necessarily true. It probably was true years ago when caesars really were truly horrible experiences involving a much larger incision etc than they do now.

I could pick up my baby by myself from when I returned to the ward, showering and going to the loo alone from the first time I got out of bed. I had zero problems breastfeeding my son even though we had an emergency caesar and I had alot of pain relief after it. In fact I had more problems breastfeeding my first baby that was a vaginal birth.

I think we need to be careful generalising about the above because a mum reading this who is pregnant and needs to have a c/section for a valid medical reason can get very upset reading that they won't be able to pick up their baby, or will have trouble breastfeeding. This isn't true for everyone and just like vaginal birth, everyone responds to the aftermath of a c/section differently.