Questions for C-section Moms

Congrats!!
I was totally awake through and a
fter both my c sections. They give you a block similar to epideral but stronger.
I did not use support band, but 4 days after c section I resumed my normal life,did not push myself. with a newborn and 3 year old . Did not baby myself, which actaully made me healer faster. (my first i babied myself so easy to do with just a newborn, but took forever to heal)
Granted I did not do heavy lifing.

I had 2 c-sections with the first being an emergency and a LONG labor.
The "shakes" are because the epidural/anesthesia makes you cold. Its normal.

I did not have bad pain with either surgeries. All that was given to me was a Codeine Tylenol. And I was fine after, even after the epidural wore off after surgery.

I did fall asleep afterward... I mean, its a tiring thing to go through.
But I was mostly alert and did not fall asleep for long. I got to see and hold my baby as soon as they got him and her all checked and then was able to nurse as soon as possible and after I recuperated.

For my 2nd c-section, I recovered MUCH quicker and faster with less pain. My Doctor was so impressed. AND though, they had me get up and walk around as soon as I could... which helps recovery.

Also, I don't know if it matters or not... but my Doctor does NOT use "staples" to close up the surgery. He sutures each layer. Healing is better that way.

I did not use any support bands after surgery. I did not need it nor chose to use it. But I know it can help some.

Just ASK your Doctor, what they do, what the process is, what drugs/pain relievers they use, and what the reactions are. While I had my c-section, I was talking the whole time and with the Anesthesiologist... and he explained it ALL to me. And yes, you DO get cold and the "shakes" from the epidural.

Good luck,
Susan

R.,

Both of my kids were C-sections. With the second I'm still not sure if it was the anesthesia or just me being tired but I did fall asleep as they were sewing me back together. I also recovered faster after the second, even though I had a reaction to the spinal they gave me before the surgery.

Hi R.. I've had three planned c-sections. I had a spinal block with two of them, and epidural type anesthesia with one of them. I had an excellent experience with the epidural type, but the spinals both caused me to have more side effects. So you may want to ask about that. Yes, morphine knocks you out and makes you sleep, I assume I had it with all 3 of my surgeries. However, for whatever reason, the epidural type anesthesia was much gentler for me. I was more awake and alert and able to enjoy teh experience.

All in all, a repeat planned c-section is a good experience. You can get a good night's sleep, go to the hospital in the morning and have your baby a few hrs later. You are well rested, unlike with labor which results in a c-section.

Good luck!

Hi R.
For me both sections were different. I would suggest speaking to your doctor and remind her of your first experience. She will be able to tell you what to expect this time around.

Good luck!

M.

Hi R., I have had 3 c-sections. Yes, it will be much easier this time because it is scheduled. You'll go in, get an IV, get your anesthesia (I got to choose between an eperdual and a spinal) and then your in the OR having a baby wide awake. My hubby was in the room with me all three times except for when they did the spinal thing. Sure you will have the shakes...those are part of any birth it is a hormone "let-down" and a normal event that no one tells you about. You will be tired afterwards, but not as tired as you were after all that labor!! And yes, pain meds can make you sleepy. But you may find that you actually use less pain meds this time since you won't be in labor before...that really makes a BIG difference in the whole experience!! Our second and third c-sections were much easier, more relaxed and very special for us! You get to go into the hospital rested, excited and relaxed...and the doctor is too! Enjoy! Best wishes and Congrats!!

Hi R.
I also labored a long time before having a c-section, & i thought for sure i was going to fall asleep.I think it was partially from the exhaustion & the fentanyl they had given me for the epidural. The anesthesiologist shouldn't haven't given you anything additional.
Though the shakes from the epidural or spinal is a normal side effect. They can give demerol for the shakes but it is a medication that is usually given when the pt asks for it,but not always.
Most hospitals can give you a binder for abdominal support also, ask the RN when you have arrived to your postpartum room. Pea in the pod carries some nice binders also, hope this helps

I labored for 32 hours and I did not sleep after my C-section with my first child. My second child I delivered naturally. I got bone rattling, teeth chattering shakes after both deliveries, though the second time was shorter in duration. I never received any sort of support device after my c-section. My doctor never mentioned it. I used support underwear (girdle-like panty) when I wanted to start walking again. Good Luck to you, I hope it all goes well.

Repeat c-births are sooooo much different than 1st time (and to be honest, my 1st was pretty much a breeze). I think the reason is that you have not been through hours and exhausting labor. I had an iv in recovery but got unhooked from everything within a couple hours and stuck with ibuprofen for the next day and then nothing after that. I was up and in the shower once the iv was out and I remember the doctor wishing I would go home because I was making the other new mothers feel bad about their own recovery.

About shakes post epidural...Let them know right away and they can inject an anti-nauseous med into your iv lines. I know shakes and nausea don't seem related but it helps.

Congratuliations on your baby! I have had 3 c-sections. I did not fall asleep after either. I was actually up for quite a while then the nurse took my baby and they let me sleep. I also got the shakes the first 2 times and it is due to the anesthesia. This time I told the anesthesiologist that I get the shakes whenever I get any type of anesthesia and he gave me another type of anesthesia, one that wasnt as powerful but he kept a close on eye on me and kept asking me if I was ok and it was actually better I did get the shakes but not as bad after. The shakes are from the epidural.

I used my support band for 3 mo's after the baby. It is good to use it to control your abdomen muscles and tissue. Also after, dont do any mopping, sweeping, bending up or down for about 2 months. Have someone help you at home with the cleaning because believe it or not this uses your stomach muscles and you are not ready for that quite yet. Good luck!

Congratulations on the baby. I can tell you sutures, not staples is the way to go on that. I found that Tylenol 3 plus Motrin was enough to manage the pain and I'd highly reccomend control top underwear or even the partial body slimmers to help you when moving around. For anesthesia ask for a spinal block as it's much easier to recover from. Good luck:)

Congrats on baby #2! I did not fall asleep after either c-section. My first c-section was an emergency section, and I did not have any labor. After that section, I did experience the shakes. My 2nd section was after I attempted to do a pitocin-induced VBAC, and I had labored for 13 hours without dilating beyond 2 cm. I did not have the shakes with the 2nd, but rather had EXTREME sweating. I was so hot and drenched in sweat, begging for ice and more A/C. My hubby was freezing (I had requested the temp be lowered so much that by the time I was better, the thermostat read 58 degrees!)

I did use the support band that the hospital provided with c-section #2, and it seemed to help a lot. I had MUCH more pain with my first c-section.