The truth about c-sections...

[Ladyem]

Hi!

I am 31 weeks and may have to have a c-section as my DD suffered a shoulder dystocia during birth.

The decision is being left up to me, and while I know that having a section practically rules out the possibility of this baby suffering shoulder dystocia I am, well to be honest, terrified of the section and wondered if those of you who've had one could tell me the honest truth about if what I've heard about them is true!

*The drugs will make you shake and throw up - not what I want when lying flat on my back and a man with a big knife is cutting into me!!

*Administering the spinal is really painful.

*You can't have skin to skin and feed straight away, you have to wait until you are in recovery.

Many thanks in advance!

have skimmed other posts but like MrsMatie i was a terrified thing before my first (emergency) section. 32 weeks uncontrollable pre eclampsia.

no throwing up or feeling sick

no pain with spinal - just pressing down when it went in

unfortunately no skin to skin but that was due to baby not procedure IYSWIM.

2nd (elective) section at 34 weeks again with pre eclampsia

all the same as the first, but healing so much better afterwards and th eactual op much more controlled - ie no emergency O'h my god we have to get this baby out RIGHT NOW!

I had a completley natural birth plan for my first birth and in the end for the safety of the baby had to go with a section. It wasn't my first choice but it was definitely the right one.

Good luck whatever you decide, and remember they will follow as much as they can in your plan - ie want the screen down at time of birth, low lights, music you would like etc.

I had an em c-sec with DS1 and will be having an elective c-sec with DS2 in October.

I didn't feel the spinal go in.
I did have the shakes.
I didn't feel sick.
The most bizarre thing was having an itchy nose the whole time, which was caused by the spinal apparently.

My nose itched too ....they said it was the morphine.

I had an em-section with DS 6 months ago.

I didn't feel any pain when they gave me the epidural. It was very quick going in too, not the 20 mins, I had been told about.
I had the shakes quite badly after but I think that was more to do with exhaustion after a very long induced labour.
I had skin to skin in recovery. They will want to put your LO to the breast as soon as poss.
I didn't throw up or even feel sick - if anything I was starving.

I was up and out of bed the next day which they say is the best thing to do - the quicker you're up, the quicker the recovery. It's true too.

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but make sure you pack some extra big knickers so your normal ones can't dig into your scar. baggy jogging bottoms or pyjamas are handy too for wearing on the ward.

in my experience there is no truth in anything you have heard.

i was all set for a full on homebirth. then found out baby was breach, moving to transverse and felt we had no choice but to have a c section - it was fine, painless, it is afterwards that is tricky but doesnt last forever and if you have good support at home you will be just fine.

I had a planned cs (breech presentation), the only downside was that I had to stay in hospital for 48 hours which I hated. I would have another cs tomorrow if given the choice.

Thank you so much again, ladies, for all your advice.

It seems that c-sections are just like normal births in that they are still unpredictable, but the main thing is that the baby is born safely and unharmed.

I must say that those of you who've had lovely experiences gives me a lot of hope that I can have a happy, calm birth and even those of you who didn't have such a pleasant time seem happy enough to have another one, so that has put my mind at rest.

Thanks again!

Lady Em

I've had 1 emergency and 1 elective. I found the first one stressful but I think that was mainly to do with being worried about DS1 condition as he was in distress.

With my second elective one I made sure the anaesthetist knew I had a predisposition to post op nausea and vomiting so it was anticipated and dealt with.

The spinal doesn't hurt but does feel very weird.

Straight after DS2 was born he was put straight on to my chest while the surgeons were finishing off. It was lovely and a big distraction while they put me back together! I would recommend finding out about biological nurturing. I had help with this in recovery and after a little bobbing of his head he latched on straight away. We had skin to skin for 12 hours and it was really lovely. Still feeding now 16 weeks later.

Have you thought about a doula even though you are thinking of having a CS? They can act as your advocate as I always felt v vulnerable while pregnant and struggled to stick up for myself. They can really help with positioning etc afterwards in recovery.

Good luck with it all. If it helps I was planning a home birth then ended up with a planned c section. Once I'd made the decision it was easier and I could then get my head round it.

I was utterly terrified of having a c-section and therefore skipped that part of any info I was given, but after a ridiculously long labour and failure to progress past 6cm, I accepted it remarkably quickly! It wasn't elective so everything was a bit rushed, but as me and dd were ok they did have a bit of time to explain things, which I'm sure is even better with an elective.

Didn't have any shaking or vomiting but then I'd not eaten in a long time and had been sick while I was in labour.

Don't remember feeling the spinal go in, just remember screaming at the anesthetist as he was trying to make me lean over to put it in during a contraction. I do remember the pure bliss of it taking effect as I wasn't in pain for the first time in days! I even asked for some toast much to the mw "lets just get the baby out shall we"

Afterwards dh held her rather than me while I was on the table, but I didn't have a lot of room to take her. TBH I couldn't really have cared less at that time and DH is immensely proud that he was the first thing she saw. I got her when they moved me back onto a trolley to be wheeled into recovery, and she had her first feed there. Everything seemed quite quick so it didn't feel like a long time to wait.

I wouldn't be scared about having another CS but I am scared about a natural delivery - I think its better the devil you know! The recovery is a bit tricky but I had lots of help from the mw's and found ways of doing things. I second whoever said take all the drugs you can, you'll be up and about in no time!

Hi LadyEm,

I've had 2 emergency c-sections and can say that:

the drugs didn't make me shake or throw up (although the gas and air that I had at the start of one of my labours did).

I don't remember the spinal being painful (this was after having been in labour for hours).

Was able to breastfeed within a short period of time (seemed like about 15mins).
HTH

I've had 2 CS 1 emergency and one (reluctant) elective and both times were fine even though I really wanted natural births. I was up after the first within a few hours cos I didn't know you weren't supposed to and so after the second I made an effort to get up as soon as I could as I think getting moving as soon as possible helps.

I did shake a bit after but not too terrible. I itched like mad tho and I've since heard you can ask for an antihistamine before to stop this happening. I had big red scratches down my back - somehow because of the spinal I could feel the itching but not how hard I was scratching!

I found the hardest thing with the planned one was staying still for the spinal - in the EMCS i'd already had an epidural and was in a bit of a daze by that point after a long labour so don't remember much.

It's also worth telling DP that it's ok to stay with the baby as with DS2 they took him out of the room to weigh him and DH didn't know whether to stay with me or go with him and I had to shoo him out!

I found having a planned section more anxious as I had time to worry about it whereas the emergency was more of a part of the process. But the CS and recovery both times were fine

Re. the recovery - I did nothing but sit on the bed for a few days, bfing and reading and MNing, while DH brought me food and drink. Was lovely. Then, as soon as I could, I started going for walks around the village, stopping for coffees and lunches - made me feel good to be out and about. DD2 slept through most of it all. Don't get stuck in the house!

Oh and I gather you have an older child - hugging them / having them on your lap will be a bit difficult to start with. DD1 kept kicking my scar when she came for cuddles on the bed...

Hi Ladyem
As I had a emergency c-s under general anaesthatic, I'm not the best person to talk to you abou an elective! However, a few other things you might want to remember:

1. The trapped wind can give you shoulder/collarbone pain after surgery. Get some peppermint tea to help with it.

1. Granny knickers are the business - my lovely DSis got me some soft cotton ones which didn't irritate my scar - much better than paper.

1. I didn't have skin to skin with DD1 (as I was still asleep) but DH still gets a misty look in his eye 5.5 years on when he remembers sitting with her waiting for me to wake up.......

Hope it all goes well

I was absolutely desperate to have a natural birth because of the reason you stated. However, I needed a c and it was the best decision. My experience was as follows:-

I don't remember the spinal block because I was in so much pain from a traumatic 8 hours of labour. I ended up needing a general anaesthetic. It was fine.

After I had my c-section the midwife could not wait to give me my baby. As soon as I came round she practically threw him on me and within 5 minutes he was sucking away on my boob.

I ended up being in hospital for 3 days and I think it was 3 days worth of support that you would not get otherwise. The staff are so pro breastfeeding and they were prepared to help with any problems I had. Everyone I know who was discharged after natural delivery seems to have struggled more than me and I think it was because of the extra support I had.

I also have had an emergency - meant to be elective but went into labour early and an elective

The first went a bit wrong, ended up as a ga - I did shake violently afterwards and did feel pretty awful for a couple of weeks after but that was mainly due to the after effects of the ga, the shock of it all (they thought I was going to die at one point) and then the horrible time on the chaotic noisy ward afterwards with no sleep for days

Second was better although I still felt v rough afterwards, I think it was the spinal coming out of my system.

Neither needle going in hurt.

Recovery a bit painful but if you take all the drugs they give you generally fine.

I don't advise cses, think natural is preferable, but if it's the only way you will be absolutely fine. It's getting the baby out safely that matters. Good luck

I had an emergency cs on day 4 of being in hospital. (Induced Thurs - delivered Sun)

My only problem was with only being 5' tall the curtain separating me from the action was just below my chin which if you are claustrophobic wouldn't be great. I just found it annoying and it made holding DD for the first time pretty tricky.

Good luck with it.

I had an em CS after 4 days of failed induction.

I was sick for 24 hours after the op. This started in the recovery room after I had been given a cup of tea. The spinal didn't hurt at all. The staff were all great, very friendly and kept me advised of everything that was going on.

The worst part (in my experience) of CS was all post-birth. The sheer length of time you have to spend in hospital. In total I was in hospital for 9 days taking up what was probably a much needed bed for no reason.

I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to pick up the baby so I just did what I wanted from the moment he was born - bf, changing him, carrying him around.

Not being able to drive for 6 weeks afterwards was very limiting and frustrating.

20 months on and my scar is still itchy, red and swollen and about 8 inches long. I have no feeling (except tingling sensation) for 2cm either side of the scar and suspect that I never will have again.

I'm glad I had the cs as otherwise my son wouldn't have been born (as it turned out he couldn't have been born naturally and this is what had prevented me going into labour despite the days of induction) but I personally wouldn't recommend it unless you have no other option.

I would not try to focus on cs too much(i know thats impossible) but the fact that you will not have to have a vag birth with possible complications again.A relative in Ireland had a vag del with 2ds and shoulder dystocia.She was left with a 3rd degree tear and basically no pelvic floor and anal fistulars.She HAD to have a cs with her 3rd because she no pelvic floor to push down with. Sorry for the horror story, i know everyone was trying to avoid them,but i am trying to illustrate the other potential option. I have had 3 CS myself and each time i took comfort in the fact i was the safest way. I think the fear of something is worse than the thing itself.
My experience of the 2 electives i had was wholly positive,recovery really good and breast feeding well established by the time you leave hospital.
Good luck,it really will be fine.

The fact you know you are going to have a CS means you cut out all the labour and the worry about that. That is a big plus.
I know this is a generalisation, but the people I know who had planned Cs had a much easier time during childbirth than those who had to have a Cs once labour was advanced and encountered problems.
I've had all my DC by Cs. I definitely had the itching thing (on body generally - not where the scar is) caused by the morphine. That soon wears off though and the ordinary painkillers don't seem to cause itching the same way. I was up walking around (slowly!) within hours of the CS. Everyday I felt hugely better than the day before, so recovery and comfort - the bulk of the bump and the stomach acid of the pregnancy now gone hurray! - certainly progressed.

I had shaking and sickness afterwards.
It did hurt afterwards but the painkillers helped.
It was a relief though.
The bitter disappointment was what got to me in the end.
I managed to breastfeed well after the c-section so please don't worry you will be fine.

I had an emergency C section with DS1 and a planned C section three weeks ago with DS2. I thoroughly recommend the planned C section. It was great! No pain, although I did feel a little queasy while the spinal was taking effect, but the doc administered an anti-nausea drug and I felt better in about 30 seconds.

After a fairly traumatic birth first time around, the second one was so relaxed and I don't regret a thing.

I drove before 6 wks were over... insurance said the didn't mind and I felt fine..