Scared about upcoming C-section

Christina - posted on 05/12/2013

I'm having my third c section on 6/3/13 and I'm terrified. But I can say that after the first week I was back to normal both times. Good luck

Lerin - posted on 06/28/2010

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/bree... Women's bodies have amazing capabilities- he could still turn. Also ask your dr. about doing an 'external version' where they try to turn the baby manually.
If you do end up having to have it after all, someone women recover easily, and others not so much.
I went home from the hospital 2 days later and never took any of my RX pain meds. Moving was different at first, and I basically had to re-learn how to go #2. I was really looking forward to sleeping on my stomach, but that didn't happen for awhile. Another important thing is to keep moving, b/c you don't want your scar tissue to get 'tight'.
Take any and all help you can get. Sleep when you can. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 06/27/2010

As for the move...you will be fine...a month is more than enough time to get you feeling much better!!

Sarah - posted on 06/27/2010

I had both my boys via c-section and it was rough the first time because I had labored all day. But the second was easy! It is scary as hell, I won't like. I was so nervous, but it is so easy after the fact! They'll take you back and put a spinal block in, lay you back and start prepping you, which is when you will really freak out, but if you just stay calm and breath and remember you're about to meet your beautiful baby...you'll do just fine. The recovery was much easier the second time because it was a planned csect. I was up and going in about 15hrs. Yes you are sore....and yes you will love pain medication, but it only last about a week and a half maybe two depending on your pain tolerance, and then you'll feel yourself start to get more and more engery and be more and more mobile. My baby is 5mo old and I still have shrinking pains...lol better than growing pains I think!! It sucks because you won't get to experience the first holding or cutting of the cord, but once that baby is in your arms it won't even matter. Just relax...you're getting the easy way out. You know, lots of my friends and mom's I know kept telling me how jealous they were because I didn't have to go through labor and delivery....I got to be numb!! LOL you will find that you are normal to be so nervous and that it was not as bad as you phsyched it up to be!! Keep ice on your incision as much as possible to keep swelling down....the nurses should keep you in the ice. And the sooner you get up and get moving the better you will feel...obviously don't push it but I had to push myself the first time (course baby went to the NICU) the second time, he roomed in and I was up and going to care for him. I had Jude when Andy was 14mo and yeah...it's a balancing act, but you'll find that the baby sleeps most of the day when you first come home anyway and it's not quite as difficult as you'd think. My 14m old just took it all in stride and was happy to sit beside me instead of on my lap and was okay with hugs that didn't happen after I lifted him and threw him in the air....cuz that's a no no!! Don't worry, you'll find it's not as terrifying as it seems right now. You're overwhelmed with hormones anyway. It will be fine!!! Good luck with everything, I hope you have a safe delivery and a speedy recovery! Take care!

Shanna - posted on 06/25/2010

i had two girls both were c section with my first it took me like a month to recover but with kaylin my second i was up within a week it didnt take no time at all for me to recover. you will have to take it easy a few days cuz u will be kinda sore and it depends on what your dr uses ot as if how sore ur going to be. but its really not that bad just try not to let ur oldest daughter jump around or be to rough with you during this time dont pick the baby up unless u really have too and then have her somewheres where it is easy to get her like the couch and have her laying beside of you that will make it alot easier then if she was actually laying down somewheres. its really not as bad as alot of people think i really didnt mind my c sections at all its over and done with before you know it. it will take time so just be easy on urself and just take it easy for a lil bit once u get home.

Alicia - posted on 06/23/2010

Place headphones down there with some relaxing music. They say he might "swim" towards the music.

Take all the meds they want to give you in the hospital. Everyone wants to bond with baby, but it is OK to use the nurses the first day.

There is something to be said for being able to schedule the birth. It is a little scary but it all disapears when you hold your son. As for your daughter, start explaining now about how mommy will have a boo boo and won't be able to pick her up. "Here's how we can cuddle with you sitting next to me."

I had the staples out within three days and feeling pretty good within a week. Take it slow, but stay moderately active. Cook and freeze food now. And ignore the laundry. And most of all, enjoy the amazing new addition to your family. Best of luck.

Nicole - posted on 06/23/2010

thank you for all of the support. Luckily I was able to schedule the surgery for when my husband wasn't on duty. My sister in law is coming in town to stay with my daughter, for at least the two days I will be in the hospital. I am having an ultrasound the day before the csection to double check his placement, but he weighs over 7 lbs right now, and I'm such a small girl the doctor said he truly doesn't have enough room to turn even if he wanted to. After I have him its going to be really hectic because we are getting transferred to Florida (our first true PCS move) a month-ish after I have him. I just worry about having enough time to recover before we move.

CHRISTINE - posted on 06/23/2010

I had a c section before and im about to have another on sept 1st..i think the only part that is scarey actually getting the c section done is when they give u the eperdual they make u lean all the way up that was the only scarey part for me when i had my c section but i dont remeber much afterwards but the recovery in the hospital is the worse i think also and when u get home the hardest part for me was sitting up like if ur laying down and want to sit up u cant cause to sit straight up u would have to use ur stomach muscles so i always had someone help me up from bed cause it hurt but if u just use ur arms to help u up thats another thing i did also but i got up with my son in the middle of the night after he was born and i didnt have that much of a problem like they said the first couple of days are the worse and they make u stay in the hospital for them but the car ride hurts when u hit bumps cause it hurt me. the hospital will probably give u something to hold ur stomach together its like an elastic band i wore it alot it helped with the pain and also ask ur doc if they use staples or disolving stitches cause staplesi never had but i heard they hurt a lil more but i wish u the best of luck

Liz - posted on 06/22/2010

I just turned 36 weeks this past tuesday with my third child, and I am going to be having a planned c-section. I have a set of two year old b/g twins who I had to have an emergency c-section with, so I have to have one for their little brother.

As for the c-section itself it isn't that bad, the worst part is the intial recovery while you're in the hospital. Make sure you sit and walk around as much as possible, it does hurt, but I've been told it's much worse if you don't.

With my twins I was home after two days. For the first few days home, I'd recommend seeing if you can find any friends to help out, it'll make things much easier on yourself and your children.

Cassie - posted on 06/22/2010

dont rule out a natural birth just yet! read up on breach baby's - I have never had one but my sister in law was breach right up til 39 weeks then it turned. she spent hours on her hands and knees wobbling her body around to get him to turn around, washing the floor by hand everything that she could coz she didn't want a cesear.
whatever happenstry not to worry, it will be hard with your other little one (I had an 15month old girl when my little boy was born) but they will adapt to mum not being able to drop everything and do exactly what they want whenever they want it :-) I really do know how hard those 1st few weeeks are with a toddler and newborn, if by chance you live in Brisbane let me know I'd love to help, if not online support is great :-) best of luck, cassie.

Sarah - posted on 06/22/2010

I've never had a c-section, but I've known people who have and they told me how painful moving was, feeling the tug and pull on stitches when they try to get up and whatnot. Sleeping was a hard time on my one friend, she had her husband buy her one of those reading pillows, you know what I mean, that you have behind you with the arms on the sides so you can kind of sit up in bed comfortably. She got one of those to sleep because laying flat was too painful and she swore by it, really helped her alot, so I would recommend that. As far as having another daughter at home to take care, I know how it feels to have to take care of another little one when feeling really sore and in pain and tired and my tip for that, like rose said, be ready beforehand. get her favorite movies or toys or coloring books and crayons and all sorts of fun things she can explore and play with and be occupied with since you're limited in movement and energy. definitely buy a lot of microwave dinners or premade meals or anything easy you can just heat up or throw together. And most importantly, relax. I know its easier said than done, but anxiety makes pain worse. Everything will be ok, you will be ok, your daughter will be ok, imagining it is probably worse than living it. Don't dwell on the pain or discomfort, just try to smile and be strong! I mean, you're a mom! No man could go through what we do! We're women! This is what we DO. You got this girl :)

Rose - posted on 06/22/2010

Hi my name is Rose.. I had a c-section 2.5 years ago with my daughter.... First off even if your baby is breech now request a ultrasound the day before your c-section thats what I did .. and guess what she had moved into position and they called off the c-section but in the end I had to have a emergnacy c-section.. I stayed 2 days after my c-section and 3 days later I was just fine no meds and just myself. Everyone is different. But the best advice would be pre freeze dinner so you dont have to worry about cooking at night for your family. and be ready for the baby and have things prepared for your daughter.
What it feels like after a csection is. .you cant just stand up from sitting it hurts BAD... you need to walk A LOT your legs get swollen. clothing... pants just wear yoga pants with a high top or fold down because its comfy and other things rub wrong. Good luck!