preparing for c-section

Kelsey - posted on 06/18/2012

Hi Sarah,

I too had an emergency c and was put to sleep with my first and and a regular one with my second. I didn't mind it at all. It's weird being awake, and the I giggled at some of the things the drs. chatted about while closing me up. I was nervous about the spinal, but it really didn't hurt (I must say, I have a HIGH pain tolerance). Also, they say "Here's a little pressure" A little Pressure? It felt like an elephant just sat on me! I was not expecting that, but again, it doesn't hurt. I really didn't like not being able to feel my legs for hours, but I got to hold my daughter at least :) The pain afterwards, it hurts, but if you are taking pain meds, it is also manageable. I hope you learned from your first one that you have to get up and walk right away, it helps recovery speed up in my opinion. These days they give you the spinal with a pain med already so that you don't have to get hooked up to morphine right aways after.
I hope this hasn't come to late and you have already had the baby. Either way, good luck and you'll be great.

Heather - posted on 06/17/2012

I had a c section last may because my doctor refused to deliver my baby because she was bigger(delivered at 9lbs and 7.5 oz) and I have my second one on the way and I'll be doing a vbac. I was nervous going in and my blood pressure was a little higher than normal because of it. Pack clothes, extra comfy and not too tight so it wont bother your belly. Plan for someone to stay at the hospital to help a little. (Lifting the baby and so on.) the procedure went like this for me. they transfered me to a new bed and rolled me down the hallway. I prayed in my heart the entire time and just tried to keep in mind the end result was going to be a healthy baby girl. the room was really white with what looked like a lab table. they transfered me to the table and had me sit up for the epidural and the spinal tap. this was scarier to me than the actual procedure. I was tense and I couldn't relax but it went find. I laid down immediatly and my body was all numb. You can still move somewhat but its a weird feeling. some hospitals strap your arms down and others dont. mine did. I also got a little sick because of nerves. I had the nurse hold my hand because I was scared, my husband held the second. I struggled to stay awake because the medication made me tired and I chose not to talk because I ramble alot when I'm nervous. I focused on a spot directly above my head. I kept remembering 'God is with me'. I didn't have a mirror or anythign to see what was going on but I heard my daughters cry, my husband left my side, I was shaking a little from the medication, they showed her to me, I kissed her and then I was by myself in the room as they finished up to procedure. I wish I had more description than that because I'm sure it would be more helpful but it was all kind of run together. They took me back to the room and I asked for my daughter, my husband brought her to me and I began with one had trying to rip my top off to do skin to skin and breast feed her. I was really out of it and I probably would have done it differently otherwise but there was alot of drugs. I struggled to sit up by myself or lift my daughter for the first day or so by myself but everything else is the same as your emergency I would imagine. the walking, the feeling of a bowling ball at the bottom of your gut. Overall, I understand the nerves, I've been there. but the end result is such a wonderful beautiful blessing. Its scary going in but try to relax and pray and bring someone with you in the room thats supportive and calming. Everything will be alright in the end. God Bless and take care!

Heather
(if you need anything else just message me :) )

Tamara - posted on 06/13/2012

I had a c-section with my 3rd, and while I wouldn't choose this route again, it was not horrible. The worse and most unexpected for me was the stomach upset I felt (and subsequent vomiting) after it was over. If you have had a similar reaction to anesthesia like this, you can get lots of help for it! I was finally given a med after I was in recovery (in addition to what was in my IV during the procedure) that helped settle me down. One thing I learned a couple years later after a D&C is that there is a patch you can wear behind your ear that will really help. I had told the staff that I got really, really sick with my c-section and needed LOTS of help, and they gave it by way of this patch. So...if you're prone to getting sick after surgeries, ask for help ahead of time to prevent being sick.

Also, there is this thing called a belly band for use after surgery. Not sure if you've had one before, but it's just this wide, stretchy band that attaches with velcro. You wrap your midsection with it tightly and velcro it together. It just holds your stomach/abdomen tightly and really helps with coughing/sneezing/laughing pain and even with the pain from moving around as you care for your baby. I was told to get one, and boy, did it help!

Praying for a safe procedure for you and baby and a healthy baby!

Sarah - posted on 06/09/2012

thanks ladies!

Pat - posted on 05/28/2012

first of all, congratulations! the surgery stuff will be ok.. they will give u a catheter(no dignity,i tell ya!), shave, will block u from seeing whats going on, which u probably dont want to see anyway, they will open you and remove baby.. they let me say hi to her for a second while doc closed me up... me? i freak over anesthesia, so i cried a lot when i woke back up. i didnt react so hot to the meds. but i was ok once it wore off. If its possible talk to the doc before hand, one of the best things i arranged ahead of time was making sure they gave me whatever drug it is(i think it starts with an R).. that helps fight nausea. THAT was the worst part, feeling like u have to throw up when you cant move. not fun! when they have you start ambulating/walking, keep your head up and pointed towards the direction you wanna go. instinct will tell u to duck chin to chest, but keep head, up, it really does help. i found with me 2nd c section that since i knew how recovery went, i moved more, and sooner so i would get out of there. if you have a lot of pudge in your lower abdomen(i do), i used a sanitary napkin in between the skin and incision, it helps it air out and not get infected, i also dabbed alcohol(talk to your doc first on that) and put the blow dryer on low/cool to it a few times a day so it would stay dry. DONT be nervous, this is such a normal routine these days.. you will be fine, the recovery is the same...the hardest part for me was the twilight time between surgery and waking, i had a hard time moving and the meds didnt wear off so fast... the other hard part was the prep time, cuz they wouldnt let my husband in at the time, so that was a little nerve wracking. that might be different for you. Hope it goes well, hope i was able to help!

Sarah - posted on 05/23/2012

I've had 2 planned c-sections as my first son was discovered to be breach presentation only a week before his due date and it was too late to turn him. The nurses will tell you exactly what to do so don't worry about being lost. You'll go through all the normal monitering of mom and baby for about n hour or so. Then you'll get a local anesthesia and probably aneck down epidural. It's definitely not a comfortable feeling, but you can't see anything or feel anything and there will probably be a nurse there who's sole responsibility is monitering you and keeping you calm. Getting the baby out ispretty quick, then they'll give you a peak before taking baby away to be weighed and what not. The sewing up part takes a long time and you'll probably feel tired and possibly naseaus. Then you go to recovery and they'll bring the baby to you to snuggle and nurse. If you feel panicky, cause your brain knows somethings wrong, just take deep breaths and pray. Hope this helps you feel calmer and more prepared! Good luck!

Carla - posted on 05/23/2012

My daughter also had an emergency C-section with her first. It seemed so clear cut that, except for the scar you have, I would think ALL women would want to go this route ;)

With you having planned this before-hand, it should be all very 'normal'. All will be prepared by the time you get there. I think you are pretty fit (as reading your facebook), you're working still and running after Noah, so I am imaginging your body is not loaded with fat. Cutting through layers of abdominal fat makes it harder for the doctor and for you healing afterwards.

Pray, honey. Just remember that you're gonna go in, get your gown on, lie on the table and wake up with a baby ;)

God bless

Cyndel - posted on 05/22/2012

Sorry I have non, just wanted to say (((hugs)))!
I know it is always scary going into birth, and it is always scary going into surgery, both together is doubly so!
Try to find someone in your neighborhood who has had to have a C-section, it is always more comforting (at least for me) to be able to speak face to face with someone.
Good luck! and congratulations on your little one!