C- SEC births please come and tell me all about your experiences (elective or known in advance etc)

[madmissy]

i would really appreciate it

long story but completely all over place in my head with regards to my labour of dc3 in dec can anyone please just tell me of your experiences with a c sec?

i will be bk to explain properly after feeding time at the zoo

((just want to say have not started this as any type of debate just desperate for honest views!))

Thankyou in advance

[pingviner]

ive not found any evidence that CS impairs milk production - your hormones will kick as long as you get stimulation from the baby but i am very prepared to be corrected on this if theres anyone who has some studies?

The CS might make positioning for BF a little different - I found lying down or rugby ball feeding much easier than cross body holds but there are of course other factors in that

Muscles will be cut, but muscle is one of the most plastic and repairable tissues in our bodies. if you have the standard approach (low transverse cut above pubic hair) there are only 2 layers of muscle cut through (internal and external obliques). the rectus abdomini (big straplike muscles down the front of your belly)are joined by a some fibrous tissue and they cut through this and pull them to the sides of the cut(its all stretched by pregnancy anyway). CS is less damaging than many other abdominal surgeries. The best thing you can do to help the muscle recover is do your exercises and physio afterwards.

I have to say I didnt feel hungover at all, more completely drunk and happy - but I think that was the óxytocin release turning me into a mushy bundle of 'I love you' (not just to the baby but the whole world ) But anasthetics and analgesics are very individual experiences

[claraquack]

Strange, I was told by all and sundry that my milk would be in a day or two late because of having section and this is what seemed to happen with me. However, for all I know that is when it would have come in had I had a natural birth.

[madmissy]

thanks for all of the replys!
much more open on what it will be like now.. and now it looks like my placenta made the decision for me

[EllaBel]

have a friend who has just had an emergency c-section with her 4th (3 previous natural births) and I imagine she is in shock, just wondered whether anyone can give me any tips as to what I can get her to help heal? soothe? make her more comfortable?

Any tips for that essential piece of kit post-operative? Would appreciate all your help. Thanks

[ImSoNotTelling]

Hi ellabel!

You're not supposed to lift anything or drive so practical help at home - washing, cleaning, doing a big shop, distrating the other children/taking them out so she can have some time with the baby would al lbe very well received I'm sure.

I don't remember any special kit TBH, big pants with high waists which don't rub on the scar, that's all I can think of at the mo

[EllaBel]

Thanks for that - shall I pitch up at the hospital with some BIG pants?! I hear you though!
Thought I might take her some arnica pilules and a breastfeeding pillow. x

[madmissy]

ooh yes i heard about arnica....

what a lovely friend ellebell

[Beanie4]

I had a crash section four years ago under GA for a cord prolaspe - horrific, still cant talk about it properly, thankfully DS was/is fine. I had an elective section eight months ago - completely the right decision, loved it, home after 48 hours, breastfeeding no problem - the best decision ever. Given the choice second time there was no way I wanted to risk a natural labour if I could avoid complications by choosing a section, not without risks either I know but it felt the 'safer' way for me ( personal opinion )Caesars are fab!

[claraquack]

Ellabel - put some peppermint tea in your kit for her, good for wind! I took some chocolate biscuits in with me, they were the only thing I felt like eating for a while and as you are likely to be in hospital for two or three nights after a c-section, it's nice to have some comfort food.

[selebi]

I originally wanted a home water birth but ended up having to have an elective CS at 39 weeks. I have to admit the CS was a wonderful experience, the consultant left down the screen and he got my partner to lift up my head and shoulders when he was about to deliver the head out of my wound so i watched my baby being born then she was placed straight onto me, it was lovely. I would be happy to have another CS.

[MrsJiggle86]

Hi what is better, spinal or epidural? And which hurts more when administered?
Thanks

[MrsJiggle86]

soz to jump on this thread but thought better than starti ng a fresh similar thread

[PacificWerewolfwoohood]

madmissy, you've had lots of good advice here already, just adding my tuppence worth as I had CS for Grade 4 placenta praevia with DS2. I knew from about 25 weeks onwards that the only way this baby was going to be born safely was going to be by CS, so had had time to make my peace with that by the time he was born at 31+ weeks (after a big vaginal bleed that did not stop for hours). It was an ok experience, scar v low (bikini an option as soon as I have had DS4 and have lost 4 stone ), I did not like PDA (patient delivered analgesia, morphine really made me itch), pain afterwards was only an issue for a day or 2, but discomfort lasted a few weeks and scar felt "odd" for about 18 months. I've had a VBAC since which was great and I am hoping to have another normal delivery at the end of this pregnancy, here's hoping.

MrsJiggle86, IMO there is no "better" between epidural/spinal: they are 2 different things used in different situations.
Info about epidurals. Epidurals usually used to ease/stop pain in labout, in theory you can have a "mobile" epidural, ie walk about, however my experience was that although I could move my legs on the bed I would not have been able to weight bear. I had total pain relief, but kind of still had sensation in the bits that mattered and felt the baby's head which ment when the time came I knew in which direction to push.
Couldn't find a good leaflet on Spinal anaesthetic, but basically it is a deeper form of anaesthtic, the medicine goes into a different space, and from my boobs down my body felt like it did not belong to me; it was like a piece of wood. V odd and somewhat unpleasant sensation. My dad also had one and seems to have had a similar experience, so not just me...
Neither of them particularly hurt, obviously pinprick when needle goes through skin, some pressure, but really not at all tough to take, IME.
HTH.

[MrsJiggle86]

That did help thanks PWW, i will opt for spinal when i can i hate being numb tho cos of my migraines but got enough time to $prepare for it, thanks for answering

[MrsHappy]

Madmissy - I had an emcs in 2006. AFAIK they do not cut the muscles - they move them to one side or the other and then at the end try to put them back (although one dr told me they never go back exactly as they were...).
There was also no hangover from the spinal/pain meds. I felt (and looked) like a train wreck but I think that had more to do with the 30-odd hours of labour that went before the section!

One thing you can do is plan how you want your section to go. For example, they put pads for monitoring on your chest but if you might want skin to skin in the operating theatre you can get them to put the pads under your arms. Also because I don't want my baby taken where I can't see her I have asked that (if I need a cs) they do the checks on the baby while she is on my chest. It's not my cup of tea but I have even heard of one woman who had a lotus birth (i.e. cord wasn't cut) following a c-section, so you have lots of options.

[Sawyer64]

I have had 3 deliveries.My first was a very prolonged labour and eventual Forceps,my first,and quite traumatic for me,stitches and infection etc.

My 2nd was a frightening emergency situation,ended up with Ventouse,as they couldn't get a vein to give me a GA for a C-sect.

My 3rd was a planned C-section,and was fabulous from start to finish. I was relaxed,joking and chatting with the Anaesthetist and Surgeon,the anaesthetist was very caring and vigilant,the slightest "discomfort" that showed on my face was acted upon immediately.

It was surreal,I had to keep reminding myself that I'd had my baby.I had my DD2 at 10.40am,and at 4.30pm I was walking out to a bath,getting in and out by myself,and had no pain.

I was given good advice by fellow C-sectioners,to have pain relief when needed,wait 30 mins for it to kick in and then get moving,as the more you lay in bed,the more awkward it is to get going.It worked for me.

Best delivery out of all 3 for me,and my DH.

[madmissy]

Thankyou so much for all sharing! I find out tomorrow if i'm still grade 4 previa so guess I will have more clue what to think tomorrow pm. But have to say i'm scared.

[pucca]

I had 3rd degree tear with dd (with ongoing issues) so they said best option was a section with ds.

My waters went at 38 weeks (section was booked for 39) and i had a section that day. All was ok to begin with, but once they got ds out my BP dropped through the floor and i could feel myself "going", they sorted this by putting meds through my drip.

They got ds out with forceps and brusied his cheek, also scarred him behind the ear. He was grunting and also had low oxygen levels but thankfully this sorted itself out so he wasn't taken to special baby.

My healing over all was not so great, was very painful (negligence on hospital part didnt help though) took me a good 6-8 weeks to feel ok. I also ended up with infection inside and out and my stitches didnt disslove like they should.

Ime and looking back even though first time i had the awful tear etc, i still preferred that birth. I do not get why people choose to have a section for no medical reason.

I haven't read all of the thread but thought i would give my story.

[madmissy]

Pucca i'm sorry you've had two bad Deliverys must make wont terrified of another. I originally started thread as terrified of a repeat of dd2 labour but have had previa complete picked up I find out tomorrow if its moved at all. If not c sec has become my only safe choice.

[smallone]

1st section for failure to progress, all calm, recovery ok, DD very sleepy, milk never came in so took alot of work to up my production. She only got back to birth weight at 8wks.

2nd section emergency following failed VBAC due to foetal distress and scar pain. Horrible time in theatre trying to get spinal in while having full on contractions. Healing going ok (only 2wks in) DS also very sleepy but milk came in this time and he's passed his birth weight in under 2wks.

If I have another I will have an elective mostly on advice of consultant but also so I can have a calm birth experience.

[SpookyAlice]

I had an emcs because of being in labour for 24hrs, only dilating to 5cms and DD getting distressed.

The nurses, mw and Dr's were amazing and although i didn't get to hold her in theatre, they gave her straight to DH and i met her in recovery where i was encouraged to feed her (my milk was pouring out while i was in theatre) I recovered very quickly and left hospital after 2nights in.

We are about to start ttc dc2 soon, and i am already thinking about another cs, just because it was a very calm, stress free experience despite it having to be an emcs

[BikeRunSki]

I really did n't want a CS and ended up with an emergency CS at DS was undiagnosed footling breech and half way down the birth canal feet first.

It was all fine. Didn't hurt, all very quick and easy (from my side) and I was out of bed 22 hrs later, didn't even notice the catheter and healed quickly. I was driving, pushing pram etc after 4 weeks, swimming after 6, and running after 10.

I seem to have had much quicker and easier recovery than many of my friends who had VBs. When I was pg with DS I really, really did not want a CS, but now - well, I would have one again if I needed too, might well choose to if given the choice.

[Doodleydoo]

OP good luck today - be assured that if you need to have a cs that its the right course of action for you.

I had an emcs and frankly the recovery because of it was not as good as other planned cs. but this could all have been frame of mind (mine!). I had no problems bf at all, baby latched straight on so I guess I was lucky that way. Be aware though that anything you used to have a bowel motion with the other dc is useful for a cs too as I felt that if I pushed to hard my stitches would pop - sorry tmi - but it wasn't strictly true! (found myself leaping between a hot bath and the loo alot! - don't ask me why!!!!!!)

Really good luck today with the consultant, if you do go down the cs route, groom yourself as I had to be shaved on the spot and one of the ingrown hairs got a little infected and developed into a small absess but all ok now. Remember to rub the scar as this helps with scarring (gently of course). There are csec belts you can get and looking back I think I might have done this if I had known, if I have another one it may well be invested in!

Remember you will feel a little woozy afterwards but then that could have been because I had all the drugs prior to the section so probably not the best to give advice on that one!

I was also under the misconception that I would have an apron of skin flapping over, however this didn't happen at all and I think that that does/can happen if you have 2/3 sections v close together.

Also invest in big pants and high waisted trousers as low rise jeans can really cut in, so for a couple of months it can be a bit sore.

Good luck.