C-section - Eastlake, OH

Hi J.,
I had a second c-section and was also very nervous. I think it was because with my first, the c-section was a surprise and I had no time to think about it. So with number two (who was also breech!) I knew it was coming and had much more anxiety about it. In the end, I don't think the recovery is any harder. About the same for me. I actually felt like I was able to move around sooner in the hospital the second time. But at home, the recovery seemed to be about the same. The hardest part was having a just two year old who still needed to be picked up into his crib and car seat. My doctor told me not to lift for six weeks. Well that is virtually impossible with a two year old. Good luck and congratulations.

I also had 2 c sections that were emergencies. The one I had a spinal the other one was a general anesthetic. I had more trouble with my spinal than I did the general. I dont know if it was because it was an emergency situation or not. I know you probably want to be awake to see your baby born is why you are choosing a spinal.
I can understand you being nervous about it. I myself would never have another spinal. To me it seemed like I had a harder time getting up and moving after the spinal. WIth my second daughter I was able to get up and walk around within 2 hours of her being born I was only under the anesthetic for 20 minutes. I wanted to be fully awake for my girls birth because it is a time of great joy. But I look at it like this what is 20 minutes when you have a lifetime of memories with your baby. Generally there is about 20 minutes where the nurses are cleaning up the baby and monitoring them anyways. I dont see where the initial few minutes of the babys life were compromised without the touch of their mother.
The up side for me was I had less gas and I was able to move more freely with the general. We all know how painful the gas can be after surgery. I was able to lose my weight faster it seemed also.
If I were in your shoes I would opt for general for the following reasons.
1.If you have a hard time getting your spine into the proper curve. And had to be stuck several times.
2.I am not sure if I would want them to be poking around with a needle in my spine for fear of being paralyzed. There is that risk anytime they do anything with your spine.
3. I dont know if I would want to take the chance of an infection in my spine. As there is that chance anytime a foreign object is introduced into the body.
These are just my thoughts. You have some time to think about it so I hope you make the right choice for you. Just remember one thing the 20 minutes it took them to poke you could have been the time it takes to go to sleep and wake up and be able to sit up and hold your precious angel. That to me was priceless. To be able to move freely and nurse my baby quicker meant more to me. I had less pain also. I know my baby was happier. As you know our babies sense when we are in pain or uncomfortable.
I hope it helps you knowing what I went thru. Talk to your husband and get his feelings on it before you make a decision. I hope you both make the choice that is right for you.
I am a 41 yr old mom and now a grandma. Also went thru the c section thing with my daughter.
GOOD LUCK!

I'm not sure on making your back more a 'c' shape but with the second c-section I can help out with. I had a 2 1/2 year old when my second was born. The hardest part for me was getting enough rest and putting my feet up. My bleeding wouldn't slow down because I felt like I had to do it all. Sit a lot with your first. Try not to lift. My husband left six days after my son was born and I felt like I needed to do everything and I paid for it. REST when you can and take care of yourself. My scar area stayed numb for a little longer then the first time, but I had a block my second time for other reasons. That might be the reasons but I thought I might mention that too. GOOD LUCK!

Dear J.

I have had three c-sections and I recovered very quickly from all of them. If you recovered fairly easily from your first I think you will find this one will be fine. My last one was at age 36 and I think it was even easier than the first. I was a little nervous about the last one too but like I said it went really well. I think the important part is to get out of bed as soon as they let you and don't be afraid to take the pain pills before the pain gets really bad. I was on my husbands Harley 10 days after my third c-section. Congratulations and good luck.

J.,
My second c-section was actually much easier and quicker recovery. Guess you really have no choice though cause now you have 2 to take care of :) As for the spinal, they could never even get it right with my first so all I had was the epidural. For the 2nd, last year, they have a new thing where they only use the epidural and the spinal goes in through the same tube. So only 1 prick and it was relatively painless. Good luck and think of it as a positive to have your little baby and don't think about what it takes to bring it into this world. That should help to ease your worries.

L.