Tell me your c-section success stories

[leshoequeen]

My second c-section is scheduled for a few weeks from now. I'm really nervous. My first was an induction turned csection with some complications. I've heard that the second, planned section isn't as bad. I'd love to hear your success stories - especially those who were super anxious.

[momabear]

I have had 4 c-sections and I will say I really don't think they are that bad. My first was an induction that didn't move so they had to section. I think having been through one already, you know what to expect. You will be sore as it is surgery, but keep on top of the pain meds at first and make sure you get up and moving as soon as you can. For 2 of mine, I had the nurses comment to me as I walked the halls (rather slowly) that I was the only new mom they had seen in the halls that day. I also used an abdominal binder (think velcro corset) to support the belly and apply light pressure to the incision line when I was up. It helped with pain a lot. Make sure you take advantage of your time in the hospital for rest and recovery. Good luck to you!

[EloiseWeenie]

My second section was awesome. My first one was an emergency after days of labor (3 days/2 nights of sleepless hell). It was awesome to have my date planned, the care for my son planned, out of state family visits planned. . . It was nice to have something concrete. I went in after getting a pretty decent night of sleep. I had some nerves, but knowing what to expect eased them some.

It was odd checking in and then waiting in pre-op. I had some jitters, but a lot of that is being excited (and cold because it's freezing). All the nurses and anesthesiologists were so calm and chatty while prepping me. Then I went back to have my section. While the nurses were finishing prepping, my OB went over everything that would happen. Then he started, and explained everything as he went. It was nice being aware of what was going on behind the curtain. Once they dropped the curtain, everything besides my baby and husband seem fuzzy. The nurse held her on my chest so I could see and kiss her while my OB was closing me up.

I loved my 2nd section. The recovery was much easier. The whole process seemed so calm and peaceful. Good luck to you!

[rootbeerfloat]

My first c/s came after a failed induction. I got stuck at 7cm, so they went for the section. DS was just over 9lbs, so no wonder. Anyway, I didn't think the recovery was so bad and didn't have any complications.

But my second c/s was even easier! Like pp said, it was strange just walking myself into the OR. With my first, I'd already had the epi, and I was pretty out of it after a long labor. But with my second, I was fully cognizant while they prepped me, and since I knew what the procedure was all about, it was much less stressful. My recovery was quick and easy, too.

[pescalita]

I had a section after my induction stalled at 7cm. I already had the epi, so it didn't take long to get me in the OR.

I was listening to the nurses count the instruments and I could feel the pressure - I thought they were still just prepping the area when all of a sudden there was a lot of serious tugging and I realized they were pulling a baby out of me.

MrP went with him to get cleaned up and then they came back in while I was getting closed up. That took a long while it felt at the time, just cause the exciting part was over.

I was nervous that the anesthesiologist was chatting with MrP and not paying attention to me, but later he said every time I made a peep he saw him push the button.

I found recovery pretty easy considering I labored for nearly 24 hours. I was off percoset in a couple/ few days. I was walking better than pregnant in two weeks. And I completely avoided vaginal trauma

I'm not even sure I want to try for VBAC if we go for #2.

[GailGoldie]

i freakin' loved my c/s!

I had a 4th degree tear with DS1 and was in horrible pain for 8+ weeks and require surgery to fix issues, still now 5yrs later.

with the twins-i was a scheduled c/s - i loved going into it totally awake and happy... seeing them both come out - remembering it all unlike the birth of my older son when i was passing out between contrax, so out of it i don't remember much from that night at all, and in such horrible pain for such a long time.

with the c/s i was up and out of bed later that night (i was a little dizzy so didn't get up sooner, but could have otherwise)... getting out of bed hurt- but once i was out i could stand/walk without a problem. With my vag birth i was in SO much pain standing- i couldn't stand for more than a minute... taking a shower was HELL b/c i had to stand for it... my c/s recover was 100x's easier.

i was able to care for TWO babies without issues... with my first I could barely walk him across the room without wanting to pass out from the pain.

you'll do fine. Scheduled c/s are much easier on the body than emergency ones, esp after laboring.

[Deleted]

The second, planned csection was a complete breeze compared to the first.

With my first, I had been in labour over 24 hours, pushed for 2.5 hours so I was already exhausted. I also tried not to take the pain mess the first time around which I think resulted in me taking longer to get going.

The second was scheduled, and seriously so easy. So much better. My recovery was much faster.

[vanillacourage]

I've had two (one planned, one a failed VBAC induction) and they were both very easy recoveries. Planned ones can be especially good because you get a good nights sleep, and your body isn't exhausted from labor or pushing. After both times I was showered and in my own clothes and moving around just fine the next morning.

Usual advice for all c/s - stay ahead of the pain by taking your pills. Start taking a stool softener a few days before surgery. Take your own pillows so you can be really comfy sitting up.

[hannamarin]

I had one after a night of no progress and the cord being wrapped around babys neck. It was fine. It was fast and pain free.
I feel like I recovered so quickly. People often say it took them awhile to be able to walk too far, etc, but I felt pretty good right away. I barely had to take any pain pills. Very lucky to have my parents around to help and I didnt do too much those first few days.
I stayed in the hospital 3 nights and I was alone. My H had to work. It was hard to be the primary caregiver of the baby (in the bassinett beside me) and not be able to get out of bed (first night - catheter, second night- just too high) and I managed to get her and feed her and change her from my bed.
If I could go back, I wouldnt change a thing. Loved my csection. And if I have another, there is no way I would push for a Vbac (why mess up all the parts?)

[jenjen]

I don't have anything to compare it to as this was my first baby. He was breech so we had a planned c/s but DS decided to come a few days before that. My water broke early Sat morning and we headed into the L&D ER. I had some pretty intense contractions so my OB went ahead with the c/s.

I thought recovery wasn't as bad as I expected. I only took the ibuprofen in the hospital . I spent the first few hours after delivery throwing up everything I ate/drank and that blew open my incision so I had to have 7 staples added later that afternoon. It was a little painful but not bad. The next day I was up and moving around - slowly but I think that's the key - to move. We went home from the hospital a day early and although I'm sore (8 days post surgery)... it's not as bad as I expected. I'm doing things more slowly and not lifting much but pretty much able to cope on my own. I didn't/don't have much bleeding which was nice too. I would like to try a VBAC for #2 but I wouldn't be against a c/s if my recovery would be similar.

[satama]

My first section was an emergency and I was put under with general. Second section I was terrified because I was not awake for the first and had no clue what to expect. It was super easy though. My BP dropped a couple of times but they put something in my iv to fix it fast both times. We took a trip to the beach when I was 3 weeks post partum and I had no problem riding in the car for hours or getting around at that point. I did have to take the percocets and advil for about 8 or 9 days though. The last couple days I just had to take the percocet at night.

[Deleted]

I had a planned c/s due to iugr and DD being breech. I loved the fact that i knew when she was coming. I planned my last day of work, the maid came, and got a pedicure the day before. I didn't have weeks of wondering when it would happen haha. The spinal itself was pretty bad, but only because it took multiple attempts to get it in. Once I was numb all I could feel was pressure. Afterwards I needed the pain pills, but 2 weeks later I was good as new!

[egishere]

Mine was planned and this was my first birth so I had nothing to compare it to. I thought it was very easy. The c section itself was very well orchestrated- anesthesiologist came to my room to talk to me and he gave me the shot of that liquid stuff to hold your stomach acids down, took me to the OR to do the spinal block, then DH came in and we got started. I stayed on the pain meds for about a week. Yeah the first few times getting out of bed were hard but I was never in a lot of pain. The main thing that was annoying was I had a lot of gas pains so I had to get some Gas X.

[Deleted]

I had an unplanned emergency c section.

I have a healthy baby girl.

The end.