Imposed C-section, what should I expect?

[RandomByName]

I was lucky enough that my first experience of childbirth was comparatively ok. So I am disappointed to have to have a C-section 2nd time round. I have never had surgery before and am quite scared. Also I have a 2 year old to look after. Does breast feeding still work ok afterwards? can I carry my baby? (my first spent a lot of time in the babybjorn and I would like to repeat the experience). What is the actual surgery like? How does it compare to a 2nd degree tear?
I would welcome knowing about other women's experiences.

I had an elective c-section for DS1. I can't remember much about the surgery now, but it was pretty surreal. Breastfeeding was hard to establish, but that was due to DS1's small size rather than the cs. We cracked it eventually though and he was exclusively bf for 6 months so yes, can be done. He also went in the babybjorn, although I can't remember how soon afterwards. I could carry him myself within a few days.

Everyone will have different experiences but I can share mine with you.
I had an elective c-section for my 2nd pregnancy following an emergency c-section for the 1st.

I knew exactly what day DS was going to be born so was able to arrange childcare for DD.
I arrived at the hospital bright and early at 7am and was put on the labour ward while they waited for a slot for me in theatre.

I walked to theatre and they gave me a spinal block. DS was born within 10 minutes and I just felt some tugging in my stomach but no pain what so ever.
DH was there with me the whole time and as soon as DS was cleaned up and weighed, they handed him to DH who sat by my head so we could both look at DS and smoother him in kisses (poor child)

At some point I was given a small aniseed liquid to drink to prevent me from being sick. It was probably given before surgery started.
After 40 minutes, I was all sewn up and moved to recovery ward with DS. I was back on ward an hour later and offered food straight away.

The following day, I was up and walking around, less than 24 hours after surgery. I did feel like my belly would pop open if I stood upright but I was assured it wouldn't.

DS was born on Weds, I went home on Fri. I couldn't lift DD who was 3 but I was fine holding DS. It was really hard getting up from bed so I basically slept sitting up with about 5 pillows behind me.

Breastfeeding is fine, just place your baby on a pillow to protect the scar.

I was unfortunate enough to get an infection so it took me longer than usual to recover. I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy for 12 weeks.
To avoid infection, I was told afterwards that I should have been adding salt to my bath water.

If you have any specific questions, just ask. It was almost 10 years ago and things change a lot, so others might have more up to date experiences.

Good luck, but I'm sure you'll be so delighted to meet your new baby, you'll soon forget all about the c-section.

I had planed caesarian for DC1 (breach) and normal birth for DC2.

The caesarian was easier in many ways, and 1000 times less painful. The epidural's a faff getting it set up, but very little pain.

The put a kind of screen across your chest so you can't see where they're cutting you (that's not why they do it - it's to stop you breathing germs over it, but it's quite nice not to see). Your DP can look if he wants.

You can feel them tugging (which feels weird) but can't feel any pain. You can't feel them cutting you at all. The birth happens pretty quickly, and after that I have no memories of them sewing me back up at all - was busy looking at DS I guess. They don't give the baby straight to you to put on your chest though as not really enough room whilst they're sewing you up, but weigh it, wrap it up and hand it to the father usually I think.

You can certainly breastfeed (I did) though because you've not been through labour it can take a little longer for the milk to come though. Your baby may not be too hungry at first either as it won't have had the stress of birth. It can be hard to lie the baby across your lap as it may hurt the scar. You can use a breastfeeding cushion, or else tuck them under the arm (so their feet are towards your back) - rubgy ball style I was told it's called. That worked well for me.

You will just about be able to pick the baby up after a day or two, but I found I couldn't carry him very far for the first few weeks. Recovery takes longer than with normal birth, even with tears. But they give you more painkillers .

On the plus side, my DS had a beautiful round head from the day he was born, whereas my DD (born normally) had a funny squashed head for several weeks. Today my scar is almost invisible :)

Thanks, this kind of info from those who have been through it really helps.

Horrified to read that some of you weren't given your babies to hold straight away! That was my biggest fear with having my ELCS for DS1 (breech). DS was put straight onto my chest - they simply moved the screen bit a little so that he could fit, and DH held him there for me.

I had my ELCS at 39 weeks, due to footling breech presentation. It was fab - I went in the night before, and DS was delivered at 8am the next morning. I stayed in hospital for 6 days afterwards, and although I had a few problems getting breastfeeding established, I was fine after a few days, and breastfed exclusively for 5 months. My recovery was really easy - no infections, no problems sitting or standing (they made me stand up the next day and walk around as much as possible). My scar is still a little itchy sometimes, but has healed well.

I should probably add that I'm in Belgium - hence the longer hospital stay - they don't throw you out so quickly here....

I have never heard of an "imposed" c-section, what does that mean?
(Or is it just to distinguish from all the women who choose one, being too posh to push etc?)

I had an emergency section and was quite ill at the time; even so I was given the chance for skin to skin and had no difficulty establishing breastfeeding. I was in much better shape afterwards than after my vaginal tears and episiotomy after my first labour. Nowhere near as painful, much easier to carry baby.

iggy - I would assume the OP is using the term because the term "elective" suggests that you have elected to do it, which isn't how you feel when the decision is taken out of your hands and you're told that you require one for you baby to born safely.

I would tend to call it "planned" to distinguish from emergency ceasarians.

I would stop thinking about it as in "imposed" C section.
A positive attitude will help.
You will be able to carry baby in a sling.
I had a lovely experience with both my sections.

I have had two emcs, bf both times and used a sling almost exclusively. In fact, dd started school 4 days after ds was born and I did a fairly long school run daily with ds in his coorie or wrap. I was discharged after 12hrs first time round and after 36hrs second time round (ds a wee bit early and had a PROM so just needed slight monitoring for a bit longer). Needed no painkillers either time and was up and about within a few hours. Did all care myself and bf was straightforward. My top tips...

Listen to your body, if you need pain relief take it and take it regularly so as to be on top of the pain. There is no right or wrong in terms of amount of discomfort only right or wrong pain relief.

Get up asap, move carefully and slowly if you need to but moving around soon will help recovery.

Our hospital gives you a 10 day course of blood thinners to take home so be prepared for self injecting if it's the same where you are.

Peppermint tea is good for the trapped wind afterwards. If your shoulder hurts post cs it's trapped wind oddly enough.

It's just a means to an end. It took me years and a lot of trauma and unhappiness to get over 'not giving birth'. I know now it doesn't matter a jot. Without those emcs I wouldn't be here, never mind my dc.

You have choices with a cs. You can have the screen lowered, you can ask for quiet, you can ask for immediate skin to skin (though theatre is a bit chilly and you may be shaky so be prepared for needing for somebody to help).

I was very shaky and unsteady in the hour post cs. It was a bp crash and reaction to spinal and morphine. It does pass.

They will give you a suppository during the op. Just ask them not to tell you about it beforehand. I really didn't want to know that was going on down there.

It'll be fine. Promise.

Purpleroses sorry it just made me a bit - as if the rest of us jump up and down demanding a section and the OP is the exception to this. The term elective covers all planned-in-advance sections I think, many of which save the lives of women and babies.

Hi, you don't mention why you must have one this time round, but one thing I have found in my research on birth options is that there are a number of medical indicators which 'suggest' a caesarean as a possible route but it is just that-a suggestion. Breech is a good example of this. So if you would prefer to try for another vaginal birth it might b worth checking whether your indicator indeed requires a caesarean or really needs it.

There is a really useful book 'Caesarean Birth: A positive approach to preparation and recover' by Leigh East. (Available on Amazon) It answers all your questions in terms of details of the procedure, breast feeding issues etc. but it also has lots of information about medical indicators, the risks and benefits of vaginal and caesarean birth and loads of ideas on how to prepare for and recover from a caesarean. Check out the website www.csections.org

Hi there.

You sound very disappointed with the fact that you are having a CS. If you are being forced into one without good reason seek a second opinion.

I don't know why you were advised to have one, but doing research on that condition and the relative benefits of CS in your case might be of great help and comfort to you.

FWIW,I had an ELCS and it was lovely. I was a bit scared as well, who wouldn't be?!
The spinal block doesn't hurt much at all and they fit the catheter in after the block so that you don't feel it. The procedure is like someone rummaging around in a handbag. There is no pain just a strange sensation like someone has unzipped a bag and is looking for something in it.

I declined skin to skin, but had I agreed it would have definitely been possible.
I did feel shaky and cold but it passes and you can always ask for extra blankets.

I also declined the suppository and asked for oral pain relief instead.

Try to look up the benefits of a CS in order to stay positive!

I recovered within two weeks and was driving around week 5.