Are C sections scary, painful afterwards and dangerous?

[dinny]

probably yes, just wondered

induction (which led to cs) was far scarier and much more painful.

i was really worried about cs as a worst case scenario when pg, but it wasn't. i was off paracetamol 24 hours later and more or less entirely mobile within a week. getting bf established was difficult but half of that was down to useless support in hospital, get bfc lined up to visit if you do have cs dinny.

I was scared but that was largely because I was worried about the wellbeing of my DS (which is why I had the cs). The op itself wasn't that bad, the waiting to find out if he was okay was horrendous.

Painful- had loads of painkillers so was uncomfortable rather than painful

Dangerous - well yes, it is more dangerous statisically. But it was a safer choice for my DS and his health was my primary concern

fishie, get bf counsellor lined up even if have bf before?

My cs was fantastic, best day of my life.

Pain afterwards was much easier than "normal" birth, and up and around much sooner. I did have a bad time with first birth, but cs was just amazing

Planned was a breeze. I healed quicker and easier than from the stitches from my first VD.

Not yet......am 36 weeks . And strangely enough after two CSs I'm opting for a natural delivery. I had a really rough recovery after DD with wound infection and headaches and not being able to stand, so want to avoid one at all costs this time around.

Fed up with it all now though and want to meet my new little man

Hi, Bubble, I'm so glad everything went well for your delivery. How long ago was that?

LackaDAISYcal - ooh, I had dd just before 36 weeks!! Maybe this one will just be early like she was and it'll be taken out of my hands!

headaches - why? God, I've has awful headaches this pg

ah, a boy...you found out, am going to resist (TRY and resist) asking!

The elective op itself was lovely though; a really good calming experience, although the screen was tiny and I had a rather unsavoury view of the proceedings reflected in the shiny bit around the theatre lights

Also fell in love with my anaesthetist who did his best to help with the nausea I was suffering.

nausea?

do they give you drugs do zonk you out a bit? like a pre-med?

headaches can be a side effect of the epidural anaesthetic. the pain meds kept it at bay, but when I was in the hospital I reacted to the voltarol due to my asthma so I was only getting paracetomol and codeine.

I had an elective the first time and an emergency the second (failed VBAC)

Scary: the elective not really scary at all. I felt apprehensive and excited, but the atmosphere was very calm and friendly, it was overall a happy experience. Was a bit odd climbing onto the operating trolley myself. The emergency, not surprisingly, was quite scary because by that point the baby's heart was decelerating and I was exhausted and there was definitely an air of urgency and maybe even danger in the room.

Painful: Yes, I'm afraid so, both times. The EMCS took a lot longer to recover from, partly because I had been in labour for so long, partyl because they really had to bash me about to get DD2 out, and partly because of complications. I did find the pain quite shocking actually, although I suspect I have a lower pain threshold than some. However, both times I recovered surprisingly quickly and was back to 5k runs at 6 months post-op.

Dangerous: Apparently so, but in my (admittedly unscientific) view there is something of a spectrum whereby the safest mode of delivery is unassisted VB, the most dangerous is EMCS, with elective probably ranking above some complicated VBs. My own experience of EMCS was not great, I had an organ cut through and had to have GA following DD's birth while they sorted that out. If they hadn't noticed before they sewed me up I'd have been in the same position as jellybeans.

I won't be having any more babies but if I did I would have an elective section. It was a calm, positive experience.

I hope you don't find this too frightening, I have tried to reply to your questions honestly.

Good luck with your decision.

Was scared of the surgery both times.

Pain was totally dealable with - some discomfort when they rummaged around, and a certain amount post-op pain the first time. I can truthfully say I had none after the second cs as I actually took the pain-killers for more than 2 days that time.

Good luck either way.

no, it's really good to hear all the nitty gritty, thanks you all

had an elective as DD was breach - but was in hysterical laughter through nerves leading up to it. Never had labour pains. Feels like someone doing washing up inside you. 3 hours after aneasthetic wore off - most horrific terrifying pain in the world. Had her on Friday was still on morphine injections (fucking hell do they hurt - needed my mum to stroke my face and give me a cuddle afterwards!) bled for weeks and had liver like lumps coming out of me - had urinary tract infection from catheter - womb infection from op - thrush from operation. Bladder still not right as DD sat on it all pg and catheter infected

element of balance needed here.Both VB and CS have risks. CS is surgery so always riskier

one could list all the complications of VB (and they can be awful)

Nearly two years ago now, dinny.

If you've done/don't want to do the natural birth thing, I would recommend an elective CS.

Childcare for the other boys was sorted out in advance and I was first on the list. I had fantastic treatment, though I suspect the 'we f*d up and killed one of her twins' comments scrawled across my notes helped.

Failing that, go for the Joan Rivers method of childbirth...

"Knocked out before it starts and woken up when the hairdresser arrives"

sorry - bled for 6 weeks

The drugs are good! I would have preferred to have been awake I must admit, but recovered quite quickly afterwards.

oh and they tried to get me out of bed 12 hours after op. I was too scared to poo or wee - even though I needed to. I could not even lean up in bed to pick her up to BF. I rang DH (useless fecker!!) and told him to get to hosp and put her on my boob oz she was hungry. Fucking hate hospitals and hospital midwives. You would not believe the insults they gave me and my baby - absolte horrific experience. If you live in South East and have to go to MEdway Hospital elect for home birth or another hosp.

I didn;t expect a c-section. I found recovery hard work and sometimes painful but with help I cam through it fine and dandy.

I;m so sorry you are waking up and worrying. I found listening to an audio bok help (Roald Dahl.....), chatting wth my husband and watching as many births as possible. What ever happened it always turned out well and thats good to watch!

Your baby will be sooooo mega worth it and you get to keep them forever! C-section or however you give birth will not last long at all.

Best of luck

Oh and I'm still breastfeeding and she's 14 months. I would recomend finding a good support group wwhile you're still pregnant.

Scary yes. First one i had no choice, second one I asked for after a labour that was not going anywhere and worrying that they weren't monitoring her properly "oh yes baby's fine, no she isn't, oh hang on she is, no she's not, lets get you to theatre, nah, leave it ten more minutes".

Both operations I felt very sick and the rummaging (sp?) was strange. Had no idea of when they started cutting as they didn't tell me until a minute or so afterwards. From my view it just looked like they were messing about preparing things.

With the first I dont remember being in any pain at all, the second was painful afterwards but that was probably because I tried to go about things as I normally would and didn't rest.

Not unbearable though, ive had worse period pains tbh. It felt a bit like sunburn, couldn't stand anything touching my scar or surrounding area at all.

God, sounds awful, MLM

that's another reason I don't want a VB - I had my first two at St George's and really liked it there but am now booked into East Surrey and have heard Not Very Good Things....

God, what have I done? Am so scared of all the options.