Information on C Section

I don't have any personal experience with c-sections (4 vaginal deliveries), but I am an OB nurse and midwife, and have a lot of professional experience with labor and delivery. I would just caution you about scheduling a c/s based on US predictions. They are VERY inaccurate so late in pregnancy, and even if your baby is big, it does not mean it is undeliverable. Often a second delivery is easier for a woman, even if the baby is bigger. A friend of mine just delivered her second baby, he was 10 lbs 5 oz, an unmedicated vaginal delivery. It is very common in non-first pregnancies for the baby to not engage until labor has started, so do not let a lack of engagement concern you regarding the size of the baby's head. Please do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Here is an article with many research based references regarding accuracy of fetal weight predictions by US.
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/Prenatal%20Testing/pre...
I wish you the best of luck in your decision and upcoming birth.

3 moms found this helpful

I had a scheduled c section and was absolutely unprepared for the amount of pain- i couldnt clear my throat or cough for 5 days because IT HURT so bad. It was my 3rd baby, and I thought it was going to be so much easier. NOT true. I needed my partners help to sit or stand or lie down, he had to take extra time off work. my wound opened, got infected, burned. I had numbness on my belly and not to mention I have a seriously ugly bread dough gut now, and tuck the little roll above my c section cut, into my panties! if it is absolutly necessary, so be it, but otherwise, i'd do a vaginal birth.

2 moms found this helpful

I want to congratulate you on thinking about the wellbeing of your baby and yourself and not on the drama the surrounds the topic of c-sections. I think people get to stuck on their birth plans and while they are important, a certain amount of flexiblity is important when giving birth.

I have had three c-sections. Two were emergency operations. My first born would not pass through me, and after 31 hours of labor, his heart rate being in distress, and both myself and my husband exhausted, the doctors decided to perform the operation. I stayed in the hospital for five days and though I could definitely take care of the baby by myself when I got home, the healing of that c-section did not go well. (I have written several times about that experience, if you want to know more, please feel free to look through my old answers).

My second c-section was an emergency too. This time I had the HELLP syndrome which is a severe form of preelamsia. My stay in the hospital was again five days. Again, my c-section took months to heal but I was able to take care of both of my boys. I don't remember my husband staying home more than a few days.

Six years later, just 15 months ago, I had my third c-section. This time it was not an emergency. I was released from the hospital after 48 hours. I was up and not in any pain. Great experience! They even put the baby on my chest as they sewed me up.

So the answer is that the recovery process can go from one extreme to the other. There are a lot of factors that play into it. If it happens, listen to the directions that the doctors give you and follow them. Insist that they sew you up, inside and throughout the many layers. Work on making sure that the operation does not become an emergency. People on this site argue all the time about the fact that c-sections are done too often. Quite frankly, if the doctors think that you may be a candidate for a c-section that means that an emergency c-section is a possiblity. Very different experience from both types! I would definitely vote for the planned c-section.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi. I just had my second C-section with my son 4 weeks ago. My first I had one done cause she was breech. I was told that my boy was going to be a "bigger" baby and his head always measured 3 weeks over than the actual number. I recovered really quickly with both C-sections. I have heard and read stories of women who had rough recoveries but literally after I came home from the hospital after the 3 days of being there I was walking up and down stairs fine and pretty much doing everything I needed/wanted to do with the exception of having to avoid picking up anything over 10lbs. I only had to continue taking pain meds for the first week I was home and even then the pain was very minimal. My daughter is 3 and my husband is gone alot so i am pretty much a "single" mom so to speak and have no trouble at all taking care of the two by myself. I do not regret going the C-section route even though my baby only turned out to weigh 8lbs 3oz. Good luck in whatever decision you make - the important thing is that your baby is healthy right?

1 mom found this helpful

I had a C-section at 39 weeks for the same thing. They thought my son was getting too big and I wouldn't be able to push him out. I'm glad they did that because my boy has a fairly large head. I don't even want to think of the pain that would have caused.

The recovery was great for me as I thought I could do anything I wanted after a few weeks. You have to be careful though. I felt that I could do anything so I was picking up and carrying things around like "look at me". I actually tore my stitching and had to get the skin fused together in the doctor's office. It was not pretty. She told me to sit down and stop it! So just be mindful that you may feel well enough to do things, but you still need to be careful.

I have had 2 c sections. My son (my first baby) Was big and I meen BIG. Whill he wighed in at a whopping 9lb and 14 oz, it was his head that caused the most problems, 34cm. That one was my hardest. We had to do a c section when my little guy started showing signs that the was having trouble. The recovery was a bit though, yes there was a little pain but I think what took me most by suprise was that it took me a whill to sit up on my own. I would make sure you have some help the first few weeks that your home. It is a a serous sergery and I dont want to down play that, but as long as you have a good DR and suport, I think you will come through it jsut fine.

Now my Daughter was scheduled. We where living in Ittaly at the time and the Air Force dr dont do v-backs. Grace was a good sized baby as well, 8ld 9 oz. Even though I had been though it befor I was still a little worried, but I had a great team of dr and my husband was super great as well. The one thing with her that I didnt do was drink enough befor I was to stop eating and drinking. I was a bit dehigrated (SP? sorry) and they had a hard time hitting my for the IV.

As for reading I would start with your "what to etpect " book. Also hit up the libary and see what kind of books they might have there.

Remeber, you need to go with the choise that is best for you and your baby. I have sorty about my c sections sure, but truly the good out wighed the bad, and its all seems like nothing when you hold your little Angel for the first time. I would do mine over agin in a hart beat. CONGRATS on the new little one. He'll me wonderfull!!!
Blessings
S.

Well I have had 2 c-sections. So I can tell you they are hard to handle. Of course I have never had a vaginal birth to compare it to but most people that have had both say if they had their choice they would do another vaginal over a c-section any day. So basically for me the actual surgery isn't all that bad. Your totally numb and can't feel anything so there is no pain for that part. It's just everything afterward that is hard to deal with. First they strap your arms down so even once the baby is out you can't hold him. They will let you see him for a minute but then you have to go in recovery while the baby goes to the nursery. You won't get to see your baby again until you are out of recovery which will just be a few hours....it just depends on how fast you gain feeling in your body. After that you can be with your baby but you can't get out of bed for at least a day. And you will be in lots of pain. It hurts to laugh, walk, sit up, cough, move in bed etc. You will stay in the hospital for about 3 days or so. Then go home but you can't lift anything heavier than your baby for the first 2 weeks and no driving. And you will be on pain meds cause you will be in LOTS and LOTS of pain. But with time you will heal and you will feel better. I mean I have done two and i'm pregnant again with my 3rd so yeah c-sections are tough but worth it to have a healthy baby. If the dr. really thinks it would be best to have a c-section they you probably should. just be prepared for a painful few weeks afterward. Best of luck to you and congrats on your new little one.

I have had 3 c-sections. One emergency which was after many many hours of labor and two that were planned c-sections. The first (almost 8 lbs 6 oz and 21 inches) was the hardest recovery since I was in labor pushing for so long it made me extra sore. I think within a month I was finally back to my normal activities. With #2 was a planned c-section because the doctor thought it was going to be a big baby by the measurements on the ultra sound and measuring my belly. He was wrong, only a little over 7 lbs and 19 inches. So since i had two c-sections i ended up with #3 another one. Thank god i did because he was the biggest almost 10 lbs and 21 inches. With both planned c-sections the recovery was so much easier. Within two weeks I was back to normal activities. If you do have a c-section definetly take your time to rest and heal while your husband is on vacation. Don't push yourself or it will make your healing process take longer. good luck

I had a bad recovery for the 1st c section but it was because I was exhausted and had been trying to deliver for a couple days and it was emergency from that point on. The second one was a piece of cake because it was planned and all went well and healed faster.

Every body is different and there is not a way to tell if your recovery will be simple or complex. If you do too much after, your likely to not heal as quickly. You can have your incision pop open . So it is really important you don't do too much too early. They asked me not to drive for 3 weeks and I did'nt. It was nice to have a care taker to help you. Some family member.

I wish you luck.

I had 2 c-sections with each of my kids.
The first was an emergency, despite being induced she would not come out.
The 2nd was planned.
Both my kids were big babies, born over 8 pounds and 21 inches long.

My c-sections were fine and my recovery.

2 weeks post-op, you'd need help.
6 weeks is the typical full recovery time.
But you are still healing
And you will need to go to follow-up post surgery check-ups.... which at that time you will have 2 kids and 1 infant... to tag along with you unless you have help.... or a babysitter... or your Husband take off work to watch the kids, so you can go to the Doctor appointment.

You cannot lift anything besides your baby. No heavy lifting.

My c-section, was performed 2 weeks prior to my due date. That is the norm.

Your Husband should take off of work. You have 2 other kids. You will need to breastfeed etc.
OR, if you can, have friends or family fly in to help you... each taking 1 week and then the next person the next week etc.
When I came home, from the hospital, my Hubby took off of work for 1 week. THEN the next week, my Mom took off work for the 2nd week, to stay with me and help with my older child.
I was at the hospital for 3 days, before being released.

Your Doc will be on vacation... so he WILL have another Doctor in his place.

If I were you, in case you have a c-section... alert your friends/family... to come and help you. A c-section is major, surgery. And typically, for a c-section... you will be in the hospital for 3 days. Or 2. So... you NEED to have someone HOME... to manage your other 2 kids... at the home and their adjusting.... too. This person should ideally be your Husband.
Does your Husband know... this is major surgery???
IF he has FMLA at work... HE too, can take "maternity leave." It is the family medical leave act. By law. HE should be talking to his HR department.

The bottom line is.... PLAN ahead for all the details, ahead of time... should you need a c-section...
Can't your Husband take 2 weeks off of work????

all the best,
Susan

I had an emergency c-section with my first and will be having a planned c-section with my second (due in May). Although I did not have a planned c-section the first time, I can tell you that I've learned that recovery from a c-section after you have tried a vaginal delivery is very difficult - your body is recovering from the rigors of both rather than just one. So, if you're having to choose but your doctors are concerned that you might not be able to deliver vaginally, you may recover quicker from a planned c-section than if you try a vaginal delivery and things don't go well and then have to do a c-section anyway. However, a c-section is a surgery and shouldn't be entered into lightly. So ask lots of questions and make sure you are comfortable with the procedure and who will be performing it. It took me about a week to be able to move around comfortably and then a few weeks after that before I was pain free. Do you have any other family that can stay with you to help care for your older child? That will be your most difficult task, I think, as they need a lot of attention and energy that you may not have.

Every mother is different, as is every c-section for every mother. I have had 2 so far, and will have my 3rd on April 1st. For me, both sections were pretty easy, but the 2nd was done after 12 hours of induced labor, so my body had been through the wringer already.

With my first, I had the c-section shortly before 3 pm on a Thurs, was up walking around the next morning so I could visit my son in the NICU (didn't see him for about 18 hours), and was dying to go home by Saturday morning, when my OB discharged me. I had to take it easy for a while, but it was pretty easy on me, physically, as my son was in the NICU for 13 days. I did not drive, but as a passenger, every single pothole or RR crossing caused me a lot of pain. So, be sure your hubby or any other chauffer is aware of this and goes easy on you (even sudden accelerations can hurt).

My 2nd section was performed at 11 pm on a Tues, and I was SICK SICK SICK from the anesthesia for the first overnite. I had intense cold sweats and kept begging for the a/c. My hubby kept telling me the room was freezing, but I didn't believe him until the next morning when I saw the thermostat was at 54'! I was weaker than with my first, but still up and mobile within 12 hours of the surgery. I was discharged on a Thurs morning (so, about 36 hours after my section.)

Recovery for my 2nd section was, surprisingly, much easier than with my first, even though I had an extremely energetic 2.5 yr old to keep up with. I was even driving within a week, when I drove my mom to the airport so she could go back home after helping us out.

If you are able to, have all of your necessities on one level of your home to eliminate/minimize the need for stairs. If you need to go up the stairs, go one step at a time, and support your incision site with your hand or a small pillow.

You might also want to look into getting a mother's helper for those few weeks when the pain is at its worst. As for pain management, they will give you a narcotic, as well as Tylenol. They should be taken in staggered doses, so your pain meds are never lapsing.

Hope this helps!!

**I would add that the fact that you HAVE had a successful vaginal delivery bodes well for the success of an induction. Since you are already 3 cm, and have had a vaginal delivery, I would take the induction option. If this was your first vaginal delivery, I would not opt for induction. (My first c-section was an emergency due to the cord being wrapped around my son's neck, so I didn't have any labor at all. My 2nd PG was induced at 39.5 weeks, but I wasn't dilated at all when I entered L&D, and after 12 hrs of Pitocin I was only up to 2 cm and never got any further.)

No judgements you need to do what is best for you and your child. I've had one emergency c/s and it was a pretty tough recovery. You will not be able to pick up anything heavy including your older child, stairs will be a nightmare, you will probably need help in & out of bed, you won't be able to drive for a few weeks (depends on the doctor), I think I could go on and on. Remember this is major surgery and if you feel you are being bullied by the doctor into one speak up and tell him/her so. Also ultrasounds are not always that accurate. I had one done on a Friday and gave birth 3 days later and the baby was more than a pound bigger than what the technician had said. I have also heard the opposite where babies are much smaller than what the tech said. That sucks that your regular doctor will be on vacation wouldn't that have been good if someone had told you like a couple of months ago? Good luck with your decision

I would be a little leary about them judging the size of the baby. Alot of the times those estimations are pretty far off. And besides that, most women can handle a 10 lb baby easily. I would be nervous about an induction with your experience as well.

I had one induced vaginal birth and 1 c section due to breech presentation. My c section wasn't scheduled really, I was waiting trying to get him to turn and did not want a C section at all....I was getting chiropractic and I got a version to physically try to turn him. I started leaking fluid after that so I went in and they did the surgery right away. Not EMERGENCY per say but they did want to get him delivered quickly since I had been leaking fluid for a long time (I wasn't sure if it was fluid or urine).

My first birth was very hard on me physically, I had been on bed rest due to preterm labor and was very far progressed before I went into the hospital at 37.5 weeks. I decided to induce because I was strep B positive and since we knew I was far dilated and effaced it was likely the induction would work. I wanted them to just break my water and wait but of course they rushed the pitocin in there, which was SOOO hard on my body....no breaks in contractions, 3rd degree tear he came out so fast. I had a hard time sitting for quite a while (which is challenging when you are nursing) and had to use a donut and be careful what chairs I sat in.

That being said, the C section recovery was WAY worse. Like another mother said, I couldn't cough or laugh without bad pain. And I had a cold at the time so I was grabbing a pillow and applying pressure every time I coughed or laughed or sneezed. I took me several weeks to be able to lay down on a bed from sitting position. And I remember distinctly after my C section, we were both napping and everyone had left the hospital to run errands and such. My son woke up and needed his diaper changed and the pain was so insane just trying to get up to help him. I remember being in tears listening to him wail and trying to endure the pain of getting up without screaming. It was a solid 8 weeks before I really started feeling somewhat myself, although I was still nervous about the incision site. Probably 6 weeks before I started feeling somewhat confident getting up and down by myself. I had help for like the first 2 weeks, but the 4 weeks between then were very difficult. I had a spinal rather than an epidural anesthesia I guess because a spinal goes into effect quicker ( I think the main difference is the site where the anesthesia is injected). I didn't feel anything during the surgery but I did have a little trouble keeping my son awake to feed afterwards because of the pain meds (that I had to take and keep up on or I would have been in quite a bit of distress) that were being passed to him through my milk

With the vaginal birth, the rest of my body got back into shape pretty quickly except for the tear. At my 6 week appt I had to have some scar tissue removed because of the way it was healing, but other than some soreness there I was back to normal.

I understand your nervousness especially with the other dr being the one that is going to be around. I don't really understand why they aren't willing to let you go full term and just see what happens. If you go into labor on your own you won't have to choose between the options of induction or C section. And it is likely the labor will go much more smoothly cause YOUR BODY is what is regulating the labor rather than some unnatural outside source. And if you don't....well, you still have the same two choices. And if labor doesn't go well, then they can do the C section. Make sure they explain to you adequately what is going on though. Doctors like to try to talk you into what is more convenient for them alot of times instead of doing what you want cause it doesn't fit into their neat little plan for the day as well....and it isn't really usually endangering the babies health or yours like they try to make it out to be. They just put the worst possible spin what MIGHT happen if you did your choice and the best possible spin on what MIGHT happen if you do what they want.

Read a little about how long a normal birthing process usually takes, and don't let them bully you into "speeding things up" just for the sake of speeding it up. The process takes a long time for a reason, your body has to change and prepare the way. When you throw those artificial hormones into the mix you aren't letting your body prepare itself the way IT needs to. My favorite book is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth or A Thinking Woman's Guide to a better birth.

Good luck to you and I hope it all goes smooth!

I have had 2 c- sections- the first one I was induced due to a big baby so I failed to progress and had a c- section. Both of them were really no big deal on the recovery. My 2nd one I had a 2 year old and the hard part was chasing her around and trying to avoid picking her up.

I had a scheduled induction of a child with a bigger head that led to an emergency c-section. I was told by the staff(not my DR) that based on my histoery..my first child was vaginaly delivery but with sholder distocia that made it more difficult..I should have went straight for the c-section. Since you had difficulty with the first child and this one is predicted to be bigger a scheduled c-section versus induction would be a better option in my opinion. I actually bounced back quicker after my c-section than I did with my vaginal birth.

I have 3 children, 2 were natural, the last one was c-section. My babies were big, my last one the c-section was my smallest (8 lbs 15 oz). My first, my daughter was 9 lb 1 oz, my middle son was 9 lbs 5 oz. My doctor for my last also thought I was having a bigger boy than I did and was scheduled for a c-section; my son wanted to come sooner than the planned c-section, my water broke at home, I went to the hospital at midnight, I asked if I could still have the c-section, they said I could and so I did. I didn't have any problems recovering from my c-section, I also had my tubes tied at the same time. My son had to stay in NICU so I was walking in between floors to see him. Which was nice since my hospital stay was longer because of the c-section, I physically could have left sooner, but be discharged without my son. My wonderful OB allowed me to stay the full amount of time for a c-section and my son and I left together.
I like the c-section, thought it was easier than the whole natural birth experience. I really didn't have any problems. Just a little sore, but I was sore after giving birth too. I would ask if you could have the c-section.
Congrats on your new child!

HI Sweety,
I have had 3 C-sections. The recovery from my last one a year ago was flawless. I was sent out of the hospital with no RX for pain meds (hospitals mistake) and was fine. Over the counter Motrin worked perfect. I was up and moving around a few hours after the C-section. With your history it sounds like a good idea to have a c-section but that is just my opinion. I would rather have a c-section any day then go through hours of delivery :)... BTW congrats on your baby boy.... Good luck

I have had 3 babies via c-section. My first baby was breach and I had no choice, he was also 4 weeks early. Recovery time wasn't too bad, I was up and walking to the NICU after 10 hours to nurse him, though everyone was amazed that I was up and walking down 2 very long corridors to go see him...don't get me wrong I was in pain but nothing I couldn't handle.
My second c-section I opted for seeing as I had already had one and the baby was measuring to weight 10 lbs (she was 9-13). I thought that recovery would be more difficult because I had a 19 month old home but it actually helped me heal faster and I was in less pain than the 1st one...maybe because I already knew what to expect...by c-section 3 I was up and about and back to normal activity after a week...
Each of my experiences was different and every one person will have a different experience. Go with your gut and don't let others try to influence your decision...unless they are trained professionals that is.

Blessings!
J.

I have a simular story with my two children. I have type 1 diabetes so it's a smidge different in that aspect, but my first child I had a normal delivery. She was induced at 39 weeks and was 8 lbs 1 oz.(she is now 2) My son (who is now 5 months) was delivered by c-section due to the fact that he was a little larger and had very broad shoulders. They wouldn't even let me consider a normal delivery. Although my c-section had to be done early because I had preeclampsia they found at my regular appointment and sent me straight to the hospital, and was actually the WORST timing ever. My husband was out of the country, I had to have my brother and his wife had to watch my daughter (which wasn't a bad thing, just not a planned thing), my Mother tried to find me at the hospital who couldn't find where they had put me, and my regular OB was on vacation! pretty much anything at that point, that could have gone wrong did go wrong. As for the operation itself, it went without a hitch. I was extremely nervous about it. In reality it took longer for prep than it did to have the baby. He was delivered with in about 20 minutes at 9 lbs 3 oz. It took a few hours for the feeling get back to my feet, which kind of freaked me out.
The C-Section was NOT my first choice. I really wanted to have him naturally. It completely broke my heart and crushed my spirit when I was told I couldn't have him naturally. As I have told many people, it is very do-able even if it is not how you wanted to have your baby. Healing was not nearly as aweful as I expected it to be. That was my major concern because I also had a 2 year old at home. They do give you pain meds, but honestly I only took them for a couple days after I was sent home. I actually think the healing may have went a little faster than I had with the natural delivery of my first child.
I did have help after I got home, my husband came home the day we were discharged from the hospital, but he was so jetlagged I wouldn't really say he was a whole lot of help.
If it comes down to having a c-section, don't stress out. You will be all right.
I hope that wasn't too scatter brained and made sense! I hope all goes well for you!! best wishes!

I can't give you any information on vaginal deliveries as I had two c-sections. My first I was induced after 18 days past my due date because his heartbeat was slower then normal. I was in active labor for 27 hours (they broke my water at hour 2) finally exhausted and really frustrated I was moved into the OR and had the c-section. I never got past 2 cm and later found out that my uterus is tipped in a way that makes it almost impossible to deliver vaginally. This was never caught in all the time I was getting pre-natal care. My son spent 48 hours in the nicu but thankfully was ok. I would NEVER be induced again. I had a similar experience my OB was on vacation so I had some dr. from her practice that I never even met and to this day still can't remember his name. My ob never once answered the pages they were sending the whole time. We ended up suing her practice because she very well could have killed my son. When I had my daughter I had a planned c-section. I don't take pain medication because of past drug problems so other then the drugs given for the surgery I only allowed them to give me Tylenol at the hospital. With both of my c-sections I was up and around within 48 hours and we have a two story house and I was fine getting up the stairs by then end of the 1st week. I didn't drive because the seat belt was really uncomfortable on the incision. I think you should decide what is best for you and your family. I tend to be one who is able to put pain out of my mind and am very capable of doing things on my own without help. If you are that way then I think you’ll probably be fine. Good luck and congratulations on the new baby!

How much time will your husband be able to spend with you if you elect for a c-section? I've had 3 sections and pregnant with my 4th and this will also be a scheduled c-section and I can tell you from my own personal experience that my recoveries with each were somewhat different. The first c-section was difficult, the second was a breeze, and my third was awful. I am hopeful that my next c-section will be easier. No driving for the first two weeks, no going up and down stairs for two weeks, no lifting ANYTHING heavier than your infant for the first two weeks. You will need help during this two week period. After two weeks, you should be more mobile but not by much. You will be moving slow but as time passes, your mobility will get better. IF you can have your husband for the first two weeks home to help, you should be fine. I would also encourage you to get help from friends and family for after he goes to work. Having a c-section is major surgery. You need time to recover. You will be sore for quite some time. Don't be afraid of a c-section. It's just another way to have a baby and it sounds like this could be the "easiest" for you since your first delivery was so difficult.

When you go into surgery, you will get an epidural or spinal block. I've had an epidural and two spinals. Epidurals tend to last longer whereas a spinal begins to wear off sooner...but not always the case for every woman. I had no complications with the epidural but I did with the spinal block. Some women experience dumbness from the chest down...others from the neck down. I experience both. From the neck down is scary. I will not lie. When you are numb from the neck down, you cannot feel yourself breathing. It's not a nice feeling. The best I can say is to keep breathing like normal and tell yourself you are OKAY since you can see and hear things around you. After the baby is born, you are allowed to see your baby for just a minute, maybe two, and then they take the baby out of the O.R. where you remain to be sewn up. After your surgery, you will most likely go to an area, most referred to as "post op" where you may remain there for at least 45 minutes....longer if there are any complications. With my third child, I remained in post-op for 2 hours because my uterus would not contract. In post op, a nurse sits by your side and squeezes your abdomen to get your uterus contracting. Once they are sure everything is okay, you will then be transferred to your room where you finally get to hold your baby. However, if you get a spinal block and you are numb from the neck down, your arms will be affected and holding your baby will not be possible as was the situation with me. It was still hours after I had my baby before I could finally hold him. It was torturous. With my last spinal, once I was released from the hospital (plan on staying in the hospital for 2-3 days ) I developed a spinal headache which is common with spinal blocks. I had not experienced this type of headache with the previous spinal block so this was new. Nothing took the pain away. Not even the medicine I took for the c-section itself. The headache lasted for a week. I also experienced extreme back pain where the needle was inserted. I had not experienced ANY back pain with my epidural or previous spinal block but with the third one, the pain was more painful than my incision. The back pain, like the week long headache, lasted for a week. I will ask my OB this time around if I have a choice for anesthesia...I want an epidural this time around. When I had my third child, I was told I was getting whatever the anesthesiologist normally prefers. If it wasn't for my bad experience with my last spinal block, I would say it doesn't matter...but to me I'd rather have an epidural. You will have an catheter and once you regain feeling in your legs, the catheter is removed. It's not painful, just a little uncomfortable. Once the catheter is removed, you are expected to begin walking. Walking gets the things moving in your body...they want you walking as soon as possible. The rule of thumb that my nurses always suggested: every time you nurse your baby, plan on going for a walk afterward. They will expect you to have a bowel movement before you leave the hospital...walking helps to get this going as well. If it's your first c-section, the first day of meals may be all liquid. My first section was all liquid diet. Yuck. The next two sections, I got regular meals. I guess my doctor knew from my first experience that I could handle it.

I hope this all helps you.

I've had three babies. The first, by emergency c-section, was my only pregnancy where I didn't have gestational diabetes. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, I spent five days in the hospital and needed help for about two weeks. Not fun, though of course glad to have a healthy baby out of the whole experience.

Second baby, gestational diabetes, baby was big but I was allowed to go into labor and deliver vaginally, a 8 pound 15 ounce baby. Third baby, also gestational diabetes, induced at 40 weeks due to concerns about the baby's size. Best vaginal delivery ever because I got an epidural early on so that I was in no pain at all and could enjoy the whole experience. He weighed about 8 1/2 pounds.

With the vaginal deliveries, there were no recovery issues for me, making it much easier to care for a newborn. I'm trying to spare you my opinion and just share my experience, but if you opt for a c-section, make sure you have help.

I had 2 c-sections, neither planned. The first one was failure to progress and the recovery was not too bad. My second one was supposed to be a VBAC but turned into an emergency c-section when the baby was in distress (I was about to start pushing). The rush of it being a real emergency and 6 hours of active labor and scars from the first c-section made it a lot more painful. That c-section also got infected later (the infection was worse than the c-section).

If you have a c-section you will need help for the first 2 weeks at least though. It would be longer than that before you can lift your toddler. It will also be a while (6 weeks?) before you can do an outing by yourself with both kids (because of the lifting) so plan around that too.

I had a c-section with my second (placenta previa) and the pain was very manageable with the pain pills, however it was uncomfortable when standing up etc for about three days. After that I was fine to get up and do things by myself but I had relatives helping for the first two weeks. is it impossible for your hubby to stay at least one more week? I did need help for things such as cooking, laundry, cleaning etc. I don't think I would have been able to do that right after the hospital; so the advice I give you is prepare before hand, froze some dinners, have all laundry done and the house clean (at 37 weeks pregnant I think you might want to hire someone if you can).
overall I had a positive experience with the c-section, the epidural had me worried and I didn't even feel when they put it in, I'm sure you and your baby will be fine.

I had two of the c-sect type of surgeries. 1st was for the removal of one of my ovaries due to a very large ovarien cyst. Same type of surgery just not entering the uterus. 2nd was the birth of my dd she was breach and decided to come 3 weeks early. Both surgeries were very easy going. for the birth I did not take any pain meds except for tylenol and motrin bc I was bf'ing and did not want that in my milk. As soon as they take out the catheter (sp) get walking it helps with the pain and gettting your bowls moving also get on a gas pill I had a alot of pain in my neck from the gas build up. When they cut you open and stitch you back there tends to be less gas movment and that pain is only for a day or so if you are on the antigas pills. Your excitement will dull alot of the pain just take it easy and you will do fine. gl and congrats.

Hi E.,

I had an emergency c-section on my 1st baby and a scheduled c-section for my second child. In my opinion, c-sections are easy to recover. I wouldn't worry. It's a little scary, but on my scheduled c-section my husband was with me and it was comforting to have him there.

I do have a high tolerance of pain, because I had open heart surgery before I had children. The open heart surgery was a lot worse than the c-section. The first couple days I was sore, but they do give you medication for the pain. I was walking a little slow, but after a week I was able to do the things that I wanted to do. I would say thumbs up with the c-section.

A couple of things that don't get addressed very often about C sections, but are very real...some lasting consequences.

First, because the muscle fibers are cut, women often do not have any feeling in those lower abdominal muscles. This often results in a worse split of the abdominal muscles, called a diastasis recti. The mind body connection is severed and it can take extensive work to get the feeling back (although possible)

Second, you will have a muffin top look to your belly that will always be there - you will always want to smooth it out. You will need to practice scar mobilization - literally taking the layers of the scar and mobilizing them (with EVOO) so that your belly will look smoother.

You will also want to do the Tupler Technique post surgery to bring blood flow to and promote healing to the area. This will help avoid numbness that I see in so many women, where the scar is.

Whatever your decision, you can contact me if you have questions :)

B. Wayne
Prenatal/Postnatal Trainer
Licensed Tupler Technique provider
Diastasis & Ab Re-Pair
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www.beautifulafterthebelly.blogspot.com