Qu for the c/s mummies!!

A fellow belly buddy lady made a good point in regards to researching now 'JIC' it does happen. But i dont know where to start looking. It scares me so much, the whole idea of being cut open, the thought i didnt 'deliver' the baby myself...my body failed me when its done it before, recovery time, not being able to hold my 2 DD's......all of it freaks me....i not sure how to deal with it. Ive read a few things on c/s and the more i read the worse i get. The idea of a epidural or spinal OMG i would hate to feel out of control

VB are my dream and not a thing about them scare me. The process is amazing, what your body can do, how it handles it. Even the thought of tears or episiotomies (sp?) doesnt phase me...both times ive tore, both times local injections for stitches.....whilst i wont say i LOVED it...but i will so i loved every single second of both deliveries

Any suggestions from past c/s mummies how to go about this??

I have had 3 c/s and if you have any Qn's just ask away..

I was so scared going in for my 1st one.. in fact I cried with all of them cus it is a very scary enviroment. But I get nervous with things like this and I cry when I am nervous lol

Recovery is not as bad as some may think.. A lot depends on your frame of mind and how you deal with it all. (IMO) I am not going to sugar coat it and say it doesn't hurt cus it reall does hurt..

That first time you get out of bed is just so damn painful.. but the 2nd and 3rd time I knew what to expect an I just breathed thru the pain.. I got out of bed at 5 hours post ceasar the 3rd time..

Anyways any other Qn's shoot :)

A couple of things that might help - you won't be able to lift your DD's. That doesn't mean you can't hold them - they'll just have to snuggle up beside you on the bed or sofa. And you do get mobility back pretty quickly - the first day after the surgery was pretty yuk, with a catheter and a drip and some vaginal bleeding still. The second day was so much better - able to move around independently and do most of the baby-looking-after.

The spinal that I had was a very strange feeling - but inserting it wasn't the ordeal I expected it to be. The local stings, but it does its job well, and you really only feel pressure. And again, it wears off in a few hours. They use cold to check that you really are numb (if you can't feel cold then the pain-fibres are also knocked out) and also to monitor the return of feeling.

The "it shouldn't happen this way" is a difficult feeling to deal with. You're not going to be having a Caesar for fun - it's going to be because it is in the best interests of you or your bub. So in the end if that's what's needed you have to accept it as something that just has to be got through.

There are C-section preparation workshops at some hospitals too - it might be worth attending one of these later on.

I have had a VB, a C/S and a VBAC and to me they are all just "different" ways of giving birth. When I found out I was going to have a Caesar it didn't disapoint me, it was just different. She was born at 12.04am and I was walking around mid morning. As aussienic said, getting up the first time is scary more than painful, you THINK you're going to tear (you won't).

This may sound blunt and I don't mean it to but I think some people over think things. It's one thing to be prepared but another to fill your head with all the scary things about Csecs that can happen when you probably won't even need one.

We're not having anymore children but if I was pregnant I would obviously prefer a VB but if I were told I would have to have a Caesar it would not phase me. I would gather support around me for the first few weeks after I got home then bang - life as normal.

I hope for your sake you don't need one, but please don't worry too much about it :hug:

:

---

This may sound blunt and I don't mean it to but I think some people over think things. It's one thing to be prepared but another to fill your head with all the scary things about Csecs that can happen when you probably won't even need one.

---

I agree,, Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow.. yes be informed of what is going to happen and what to possibly expect afterwards.

wow I think you all said it so well. Be informed but dont over worry. I have had 2 C/S and as scary as they are. It is ok, you will cope better than you probable think you would if you HAD to have one. And i think that is important, like FMN said its not for fun, its to help your baby.
I hope everything goes the way your want :)

Thanks heaps ladies....

Another silly question:

Now im sure its not the case...but is an emergency c/s and elective both done the same way?

By that i mean the emergency one is a 'rough job' is it...like they take the same amount of care? I automatically think 'emergency' and it being a rushed 'hurry and get the baby out, miss all the importnant stuff' just to get bub out asap.

Does that make sense?

The main thing to remember with emergency c-sections is that everyone will be on auto pilot and just do what they normally do. So if you want something a bit different they may forget, so don't be afraid to speak up and say something.

I had it listed in my birth intentions what I would like to have happen if I needed another c-section. My midwife knew what we wanted as I had discussed it all with her and she was their to help follow my wishes where possible. My main thing was getting breastfeeding established quickly and to make sure if bubs and I were separated that someone was to hold bubs till I was ready, no going to the nursery. So glad I thought about it as I had a emergency c-section under a general.

So best to be positive about the possibility and have plans in place in case it does happen, it seems to be easier to handle if you do so.

There are a couple of differences - putting in a spinal and having it work takes time (10 mins or so), which in a real emergency you may not have. So some emergency CS are under general anaesthetic. If you already have an epidural in from the labour then they will try to use that for the CS as well.
The other difference is that you don't get to choose who performs your emergency CS - you get the obstetric registrar or whatever obstetrician is closest!
If your bub is in distress then the paediatrician gets priority access, regardless of whether it is emergency or planned.
The get-the-baby-out part of an elective CS is over very quickly anyway (my forms list "labor" as 3 mins from cut to placenta out...). Stitching you back together and cleaning up takes some time - which if bub is OK and you are awake you will be able to spend getting to know bub.

Kim :hug:

I had an emergency c/s but it wasn't a CODE BLUE CODE BLUE type emergency which I think would be completely different and i don't think happens all that often. From when they told me I had to have a c/s to actually having it was roughly 20-30 mins with lots of prep in between. I had an epidural in but they took that out and gave me a spinal instead.

I was terrified of having one hun, I dearly wanted a natural, drug free surgery free birth but it didn't happen... the end result was a gorgeous girl who is healthy and yes that is important but would I change things along the way if I could? in a flash.
Be prepared for what might happen. Read up and include preferences in your birth plan (although as Astrid mentioned they may not get followed through) and then put it to the back of your mind and focus on having the birth you want. I was lucky and had a midwife with me the entire time so while they stitched me up I didn't even care or notice because Izzy was there with her face next to mine and in recovery the midwife got us having skin to skin and breastfeeding right away.... THIS to me is the most important thing. I can't imagine being in a room with no DH and bub for an hour or so, so I would include what options you have to make sure bubs is with you (providing you are both healthy of course) :) I'm sure you will be great hun and don't focus on the negatives too much or let fear get in the way. Que sera sera (with alot of research, education and preparation of course ;) )

Hi, i thought i would share my experience with you.

Dont get me wrong, i harbour some serious ILL feelings about my c/s so while i am trying to take a bit of fear away from you, i really really am saddened by the fact that i had one.

THE GOOD Fistly, maybe i was lucky, but i was able to hold my DS straight away and as soon as the epidural wore off i was able to shower (slowly) and pick up my ds. By day 3 i was able to walk around the maternity ward and able to even stroll down to the canteen for a snack..

THE BAD I bled for 3.5 months straight, clotting etc. I wasnt able to poop for about 2 weeks, i had issues with bonding, breastfeeding, and suffered extreme PND, PTSD and have alot of fears and anxiety over the birth of this child.

THE UGLY While i cant say the "procedure" its self was a nightmare, i can say that the fact that it was done has hurt my sense of self immensely. Its not a very nice start to parenthood for me.

I would suggest that you write a detailed birth plan, taking into account the trouble that i had and the disasters that i faced to help remedy possible situations that you may face.
I dont want to scare you hun, but also , i dont want to sugar coat and say how wonderful they are, because for me personally they are **** lol.

A wonderful doula recently said to me, they CANNOT take away your rights as a mother, so stand strong in your birth plan, and dont give in to "policy"

hope that helps a little bit

Mummatotwo im so sorry you had a bad experiance...wow at 3.5 months of bleeding...thats incredible.

I have a great Doula this time and im sure with her help and advice i will make a good birth plan...i had one for my last 2....but they never once came out of my bag for others to see :( i was lucky that most things were done as i wanted...well 2nd time round anyhow!

i hasd a c/s with my son but had no choice or say in it it had to be done. i was sooooooooooooo nervous and scared but the nurses made me feel so much better they talked to me and explained all that was happening and it wasnt comfy at first but the worse bit is after when it starts to wear off....the pain for me lasted a night but it was worth it for a healthy son

Kim hun, make sure you give them that birth plan at your last antenatal appointment!! so at least if they try and give you any greif then you have time to fight for your rights.

eg: immediate skin to skin
Sheet being lowered etc upong babes arrival.

Yep 3.5 months of horrid bleeding, i had an ultra sound and they left a whole heaps of membranes in me. My OBGYN wanted me to D&C it, but i refused.... i had enough invasive procedures carried out.

You can make it very beautiful for yourself, but i understand your dissapointment.

I had no choice but to have a cs. I am very litte 4ft 8. My ob gyn basically put it like this. You will need cs. If waters break it is bye bye baby. Yes scared the cr@p out of me. I had scheduled cs and had spinal. Was awake the whole time. Got to hold DD while they stitched and cleaned me up. Got to breastfeed her in recovery. Loved every moment of her birth.
Was at first disappointed that I had to have cs. I also then was not able to breastfeed. Look at my DD now and have no sense of disappointment.
It was painful at first but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I was somewhat amazed. I remember it being painful when I first got out of bed but was surpirsed at how quick I recovered.
Yep I would do it all again if I was to be so lucky!!!!!

Kim, I had one of those code red type emerg c/sec. They said at 7.21 we need a ceasar NOW and at 7.29 she was in the world. No joke, you can't see my scar. it was a rush job sure, but they are as professional as if it were planned. Even more so. These people have trained for years to do that. I was up and about hour after and rarley felt any pain associated.
I didn't plan it that way but it had to be done.
Use some positive affirmations.
Ask if you can see the inside of a theatre so it isn't so foreign.
Your body doesn't 'fail' you. I'm greatful there was a medical intervention tha allowed my daughter to be born alive.

:

---

I had no choice but to have a cs. I am very litte 4ft 8. My ob gyn basically put it like this. You will need cs. If waters break it is bye bye baby. Yes scared the cr@p out of me. I had scheduled cs and had spinal.

---

My mother in law is about your height and birthed vaginally three times. I think your ob might have been a bit irresponsible.

I had an unexpected c-section in the evening. I was up and walking the next morning. I can barely see my scar now, there is no residual numbness in the site.
It wasn't my birth of choice but nor was it a terrible or scary ordeal.

My sister is well under 5 ft and had a VB for 2 of her 3 children. She had a c/s for her last because her surgeon convinced her that she was too small to birth a GD baby, but in the end her baby wasn't a whole lot bigger than her other two, and she is now certain she could have birthed her vaginally as well.

So I think size doesn't really play as big a part as your ob would have you believe. Small Asian women have been giving birth vaginally for years.

:

---

I had no choice but to have a cs. I am very litte 4ft 8. My ob gyn basically put it like this. You will need cs. If waters break it is bye bye baby. Yes scared the cr@p out of me. I had scheduled cs and had spinal. Was awake the whole time. Got to hold DD while they stitched and cleaned me up. Got to breastfeed her in recovery. Loved every moment of her birth.
Was at first disappointed that I had to have cs. I also then was not able to breastfeed. Look at my DD now and have no sense of disappointment.
It was painful at first but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I was somewhat amazed. I remember it being painful when I first got out of bed but was surpirsed at how quick I recovered.
Yep I would do it all again if I was to be so lucky!!!!!

---

I hate to say it but you were lied to bigtime and he has basically coerced you into having a surgical birth for no medical reason at all. How do you think pigmy women give birth? That is so wrong it has made me really mad to read this.

Women of ANY height can give birth - mother nature knew what she was doing when she made vagina's so damn stretchy. My mother, who is 5ft 1 gave birth to my sister who was 10lb14oz, 60cm long with massive shoulders with not a single tear or stitch, flat on her back with no drugs.

Sorry for the big rant, its just that crap like this makes me really mad.

Trillian,
In this case you are so very wrong. When I fisrt went to Ob Gyn I was very clear with him that I thought that because of my height that I would HAVE to have a CS. The midwife had told me that because I was under 5ft I had no option? This I believe is cr@p as did my ob. What is not Cr@p is that my pelvis was to small and my DD could not move down low enough for me to birth her naturally. The size of my pelvis has also to do with my height. My Ob Gyn did all the xrays, ultrasounds etc to be certain that this was they only option. Along with my hieght I have the bone structure of about a ten year old. So perhaps I should have explained it better. My Ob absolutely did not lie to me!!!!!!!!

Hey Kim, Um just to get back on track....
Just thought I`d share abit more with you about my c.section.

It was 'elective', due to babies odd posistion. We knew weeks in advance thats how he was going to come into the world. I was crushed initially that I was not able to persue my idea of having a natural waterbirth, but accepted that my situation was a bit different and a C.section would be the best option. It was clear enough to me that it didnt matter, when DH said "100 yrs ago and I would probably loose at least one of you if not both...", that was all the perspective I needed. I was fortunate I guess that I then had time to ask some questions about c.sections and I got to have a look at the operating theatre in advance. I think if your having a looksie around the hospital, then you should ask if the theatre is available for a peek, JIC that scenorio arrives. It will only take a minute or less and they shouldnt object unless its being used. Its a fair enough request.
Anyway, the surgery does not take very long (it was all done in about 20mins), and I was given DS once they got him breathing etc. I couldnt sit up and hold him properly, but they placed him in my arms and he latched on for his first feed with no trouble. That was all within the half hr of being born.
I felt sad during the first night that I couldnt get up and pick him up when I wanted - that sucked actually. I would have to call the midwife, and wait for them to come in and give him to me. But by the next day I could get him.
I also had a shower the next morning and although had been expecting serious pain (cause everyone had said " ohh its painful!", it was not that bad at all. I went home after only 2 days and the over the counter pain killers werent even needed by then.
I did have to take it easy though, and I think for people with other kids already it must be tough.

One of the worse things about it really was other peoples atitudes (but wont go into that here).
Overall the whole experience for me was positive.
...but yes, I am still wanting to see about a vbac this time ;)

its no wonder people are so scared etc of a c-section
emergencies rough jobs pain etc and some comments in forums like this

Why is it that the pain and all the horror stories of a so called natural birth are always answered with you will forget it after the baby is born and comments like it is worth it etc and nothing bad is ever said again

I had an emergency first time and next time I am having an elective no guilt no horror stories and no feeling like second best

When we c-sections be accepted as "normal" please

:

---

its no wonder people are so scared etc of a c-section
emergencies rough jobs pain etc and some comments in forums like this
When we c-sections be accepted as "normal" please

---

Wow...i dont see how anything bad has been said in this thread, and everyone has opinions on c/s. To me they are as normal as a VB....if you cant deliver that way, then your natural delvery option is a c/s. I am scared and hence why i posed the questions, ive had nothing but great responces and im greatful everyone has shared their stories, whether good or bad...nothing has been sugar coated.

Ok, i am sorry, but i have to reply to this!

CS are absolutly NOT normal!!! They are an emergency procedure to help save the mother or the child.

For what ever reason, it may be to do with maternal mental health, i am not saying that ALL c sections are "wrong" if they are elective. But to class them as "normal" or wanting them to be normal is just crazy in my books. The normal way to give birth is vaginally, cs is a second OPTION.

after 12 hours of labour i ended up with an emergency c/s due to fetal distress.

Almost 8 months later, I still find myself thinking about it all and wondering what would be if i didn't have to have the c/s. Would my son be born alive? would i have a better chance of being able to breastfeed? would i have bonded sooner with my son? all these things and many more enter my head almost every day.

the physical pain was nothing to me, but the emotional part is huge! I thought at the time of the c/s that i was handling it well, but now as i look back, i'm pretty sure i think of it every day, so i can't tell you how to get over the emotional side of it as i'm still going thru it, but the physical side, the pain didn't last that long for me at all, i was showering 7 hours after my c/s and the only reason i stayed in hospital for 5 days was because i was trying to establish breastfeeding.

I'm not really sure i want to go through all of that again, and I am seriously not considering another child at this stage because i would not want another c/s unless i was put asleep, and i don't want that at all.

one thing i can definately say is make sure you have a birth plan that includes what you want in the case of a c/s. I didn't include any of these details on my birthplan, and I didn't get to hold my son properly until the next day when i eventually stopped vomiting (the drugs made me sooo sick).