C-section Delivery

I don't know what it's like to deliver vaginally. I had my first baby girl(scheduled c-section)July 1st. Everyone is different with how they heal, but after 3 weeks I traveled by plane with my newborn. I just had a lot of help and what really helped support my belly and back was a support wrap. I bought it at Motherhood and it was a life saver. It really helped me recover and helped when I had to be on my feet. Seriouly don't pick-up anything heavier than the baby/babies:0)

Good Luck and Congratulations!

I never had a c-section but have had sister in laws that have. It really depends on you as a person on what to expect. If you expect the best then things will go good. If you expect the worst then things will go bad. The lady that was in the room with me when I had my second daughter had delivered her first two by c-section and the last vaginally. She said she would take the c-section any day over the vaginal delivery. A lot of doctors do c-sections when not really needed. She said she was just lucky to have found a doctor that told her that her first two c-sections were not necessary. A lot of doctors do the c-section for two reasons, they can schedule it on the date and time they want and they make a lot more money doing it instead of a normal delivery. The most important thing is not to pick up anything heavy, vacumm, etc.... so you don't rip the opening back open. You will know how you feel and what you can handle.
Congrats on the twins.....

I HATE IT!!!!, but I know you have no choice. I had my first baby vaginally and my second c-section. Good luck to you and the new babies,the recovery is hard, but we are MUJERES and we are strong!!!!

I have had two c-sections, but never delivered twins, so your situation may be a little different. At any rate, c-sections aren't as bad as a lot of people make them out to be. The first one is the hardest, though. You can expect moderate to severe pain if you allow your pain medication to run out during the first 48 hours. I learned this the hard way. If I can offer no other advice it is to take your pain meds religiously during the first few days! Call the nurse before you think you REALLY need it. I know that sounds bad, but you don't want to wait until you're in pain and then deal with a delay if the nurse is busy or there is a shift change or whatever. I'm not sure what your hospital's policies are on pain management - the ansethesiologist will decide (along with you) whether to give you a spinal or an epidural for the surgery. If they give you an epidural, they may decided to leave it in for a while after the surgery and give you a hand pump. I had that with my first baby. It was great for managing pain, but I didn't like that I couldn't get up and walk around at all until it came out. My second c-section they gave me a spinal which wears off within an hour after surgery. I liked this better, but had some complications after the fact. I still think I'd take the spinal if offered a choice. You can expect bleeding, similar to if you had a vaginal delivery, only maybe slightly less since the doctor can cauterize any major bleeders while they are sewing you up. You can expect a nurse to come in and push on your belly to feel that your uterus is going back down as it should. I think they do this with vaginal deliveries too, only you don't have the brand new incision that is healing, so that makes it a little painful. Take the ibuprofen that your doctor prescribes when you go home. This helps to minimize the swelling in your uterus and incision, and helps keep the bleeding down. Also, I know this is hard with two other little ones at home, but keep your lifting and activity to only what is absolutely necessary. This is essential to your healing - you will notice if you are doing too much because your bleeding will increase all of a sudden. You didn't mention if you were planning on nursing... I didn't have too much trouble with nursing in a regular cradle hold (using a My Brest Friend nursing pillow), but you might have more luck with using a boppy or pillow on the side and trying a football hold. This keeps the pressure off of your incision. Oh, and I'm not trying to scare you, but make sure you wash you hands A LOT and try not to touch your incision. And if doctors or nurses come in to check your incision, make sure they wash hands and wear gloves - no matter what. With my 2nd c-section, I got a pretty nasty MRSA infection. No idea how I got it, but it wasn't fun, so be careful! I'm not sure what else to tell you... It's been over 3 years since my last c-section, and it seems like forever ago. Good luck! I hope you have a smooth and uneventful delivery!

Hi Tahnee,
I had a c-section with my son. After 20 hours of being stuck at 4 centimeters, it was time to get him out. My sister had just had a c-section 5 months prior so I knew kind of what to expect. The pain that comes with it all depends on how you handle pain. I had my son at 5:45 at night and was moving around about 2 hours after the surgery. I really recommend to start moving as soon as you can. It will be painful, but nothing you can't handle. If you feel like you need something to help you with the pain, ask for it. Don't try to be tough, take it. Like the others said, put a pillow over your stomach when you need to sneeze, or you have to laugh or cry. It can help. When you get home, don't life anything too heavy. I had a hard time with walking and wanted to bend over to help with the pain, but it is better to stand straight up as possible. I too took pain pills at home. I only took the half recommended dose but I do feel like they helped me out a lot. My pain lasted for about two weeks. Then it gradually got better. My son is 7 months now and every once in a while I get a twinge in that area. The scar is numb but if my son bangs it or steps on it just right, it can hurt a little. One last thing...if someone offers you help with something, take it. You can't take care of the babies if you don't take care of yourself!!! I hope this helps. I'll pray for you and your safe delivery.

I had a planned c-section and no problems with it t all. When you need to get out of bed to get the baby, just remember to roll over to get out. I didn't think about it and tried to get up the regular way, but since you muscles have just been through surgery, it doesn't work so well to just sit up and get out of bed. Other than that adjustment, I had no pain or problems. They kept asking me in the hospital if I was in pain, and I wasn't. They made me take the meds anyway, and I'm sure that was a good idea. After I came home, I would just be a little sore after taking care of the baby all day, and normal life stuff, but nothing bad. I hope your recovery is as easy as mine was. Congrats on the twins!

First off, congratulations on your having twins!!! It will be exciting!! I had a c-section that was not planned and I have heard that planned c-sections are a little easier on the body, but not much. LISTEN to your dr. about your restrictions and DO NOT overdo it!!! You will not recover as fast as you did with your other two and you need to take advantage of all of the help you can get!! I stress again-DO NOT OVERDO IT!!! We were moving out of our house while I was in the hospital and talked my dr. into an early discharge so I could "oversee" the move. I didn't even move anything, but I was so sore from all of the walking and moving and then got an infection and tore some of my incision open. We moved to florida when my son was 10 days old, and my mom didn't come with us-I had the baby and two dogs in the hotel room for a month by myself while my husband started his new job, and I would feel great like I could do everything and then relapse and be in a lot of pain. I stress again, listen to the dr. about your restrictions and utilize any help you get even if you feel ok. You need to give your body time to heal. I couldn't even walk around the block until around 7 months after my son was born without feeling "uncomfortable". I hope I didn't scare you, but you will be fine if you take it easy and give your body time to heal. Best of luck!!

I too delivered my daughter vaginally and then had to have a c-section 4 months ago when I delivered my triplets! It was such a huge difference recovery wise at least for me. There's a lot of pain and discomfort after the surgery and for at least a couple of weeks after. I much prefer vaginal, but with multiples it usually isn't the option. The good news is there is medication that can help with the pain and TAKE IT!! I hope you have alot of help for when you and the babies come home because it is hard to get around and you can't drive for a couple of weeks either. I was able to recover somewhat while my babies were in the NICU for a week I don't know how I would've handled it if I didn't have that time to rest and recooperate. I wish you all the luck and hope for a safe delivery and healthy babies!

Hi Tahnee and congratulations! I read the other responses, and I just wanted to say that during my (unplanned) c-section, the dr said she did not cut my stomach muscles, but opened them up (like a box top) to pull out the baby. Perhaps different drs do it different ways, but you should ask. Also ask if the dr will use staples or glue to close the incision. Mine used glue, and I have to say you would be hard-pressed to see my scar. Practically disappeared. That said, I tried several times to quit taking the pain meds, which just made me more miserable. Please stay on top of the meds if you need them. Keep a little notebook to write in each time you take them, as you may not have as good a memory right after the birth. It did take about two weeks for me to feel better, but a friend of mine (who had two other children vaginally) was at a basketball game four days after her c-section and didn't take the meds (just ibuprophen). So everyone is very different. You may also want to stay in the hospital for as long as your insurance allows - let the nurses take care of you - it helps you to rest more. Congratulations again!!

Congratulations on the twins! It looks like you've gotten a lot of helpful advice. I wanted to add to it for you with a few things that helped me recover that I hope will help you too.

*After the c-section (for about 2 weeks) it hurt to bend over. I had my husband put a chair in the shower so I wouldn't get winded and be able to reach the places I needed to (ie shave legs) and not get dizzy. No need to buy a medical shower chair like in the hospital. We just used a plastic one that we had outside and cleaned it up really well.
*Also, keep things at chest level (diapers, wipes, etc.) You probably do already with the boys, but if not move things up now so that you don't have to bend.
*When getting out of bed or a lying position, turn your body to the side you're getting out of and push up with your arms. Don't rely on your abdomen. This will provide you with comfort and less strain. You can practice even now for "rolling out and up" off the bed. The nurses should show you this as well.
*Hold a pillow close to your tummy whenever you sneeze, cough, laugh, etc. It provides comfort and helps with that incision pain. My friend brought me a stuffed animal and I used that as my "comfort pillow". It also helped me feel more secure that no one was going to bump it with an eating tray, etc.

Hope this helps and congratulations!

Best of luck to you..I delivered twin girls 12/14/06 via C-section, almost 2 now..the best advice i can give for the 1st week or 2 while you are recovering from C-section is sleep in a proped up position, much easier to get up and down for the babies (20 times a night). Hopefully you have help with you at home. My hubby and I blurrily made it through the 1st 3 sleepless months..Best advice for twins..get a schedule with them ASAP, do everything at the same time for them,,change, feed bath..makes it much easier, and lastly keep charts of who did what for like 1st month..it helps. I know sounds kinda silly, but you'll forget who did what when...lol. Best of Luck to you and family.

Ban laughing in your house for a few days after the procedure! For me that was the worse part is laughing and coughing. But luckily it goes away fast. Make sure you stay on top of your meds right after the procedure. Just because you feel better does not mean it will not come back worse after the meds have worn off. This includes after the epi wears off. Usually the nurses are really good about this but some hospitals stink.
If you plan on breastfeeding, which is the best thing in the world I have ever done, I have heard great things about Breastfriend, it is like a boppy but it is not. You can find it at babies r us and burlington.

Good luck

Tahnee,

I had a C-section with my first child. I was in the hospital for almost a week. (that was 12 years ago) I is a major surgery and took a while to recover. I bless you for having twins after 2 other children. My second child was a VBAC and a much quicker recovery than the C-section. See if you can prepare to have some help with the other kids once the babies are born. You will need some recovery time to heal. Good luck!

Michele

The surgery itself is quick and they usually make the incision as small as they can, but the recovery is a kinda painful - but mangaeable! Each day, you'll feel a little better and within a week you'll feel so much better - then 2 weeks and you're really feeling better. It's actually the walking around that hurts, but they want you up and about fairly quickly -- have someone help you out of bed, do the c-section shuffle holding and ice pack and pillow over the site - that helped tremendously. Definitely use ice packs, or bags of frozen peas in a soft pillow case on the incision site and take your painkillers. You'll be fine!

Aside from having your hands completely full (you go girl), you can expect an easier recovery than your first two...at least, that was my experience. The staples are uncomfortable, but nothing compared to recovering from an episiotomy. I preferred my C-section over vaginal delivery. The only issue I had was feeling groggy after the surgery....you'll be fine! My advice - get some good girlfriends to come over to help you out for the first week! :-)

Tahnee-

I had an emergency c-section this past June for my first baby, and it was definitely major surgery. I have had surgery before, so I was probably a little more prepared than others. The nurses had me up walking and going to the bathroom about 12-14 hours post op. I was also allowed to take a shower the next day which was wonderful. I was sore, but I was still able to do everything I needed for my baby. I was fortunate that my husband took the first week off to help, and then his family and my family were in town to help. I think the first week was the hardest, so I definitely appreciated the help!! Take all of the help that is offered!! I had to wear maternity clothes for at least 4 weeks post op b/c anything else was uncomfortable on my scar and belly. It is amazing what you can do after such a major operation, but also listen to your body. Good luck and congratulations!!

I've had 2 c-sections. A scheduled c-section is not that bad. I had an emergency one the first time after being on pitocin all night to induce labor. It was a rough recovery for me. The scheduled c-section was much better. I had my son on Friday morning and went home on Sunday morning.

I highly advise that you get up and walk as soon as you can. That makes the recovery time much quicker. With my first one I was in pain so of course I didn't want to move. I even continued on pain meds once I got home. Later I was told that the quicker you move the faster your recovery. With my second one I got up the next day and started walking. I started out really slow but kept going. I would pass other c-section mommies kind of bent over like me. I took a pain pill the following day before leaving the hospital just to help me get home. I never needed anything afterwards.

Of course there was pain once I got home after both c-sections. I remember my stomach muscles really hurting when I peed. I'm sorry, that might be too much information. But it would take my breath away to where I would have to stop, catch my breath, and then continue. I guess it was my body readjusting. I don't know. But that only lasted a few days.

Congratulations on the twins!

L.

Hi there!
I had the same as you, my first 2 were vaginal and my last was c-section. The spinal they gave me made me sick after my daughter was born and I had to stay in bed for 24 hours. It is hard to move around after also. I think vaginal is a way speedier recovory! However I felt better a week after. My scar is so tiny, it is hardly noticable! All my luck to you with those beautiful little girls! Just remember to move slowly when you are getting out of bed, or from sitting down, your belly is going to be sore and try to rest as much as possible! Congratulations! M.

I had an emergency c-section. It was very hard for me to get out of bed afterwards. I actually asked them to leave the cath tube in longer so I wouldn't have to get up! They said no. lol When I got home, I slept in the recliner for a couple of weeks because it was just easier than lying down and getting up out of bed. Of course, there wasn't all that much sleep those first few weeks anyhow, but you already know to expect that.

I guess the other main thing was that I wasn't allowed to drive for a couple of weeks so I had to get people to take us to the pediatrician's office for weigh-ins.

You do have to be careful of what you're lifting. Generally, at the beginning they say no more weight than the baby. With older kids, that may be tough but maybe you can sit on the sofa and have them cuddle with you instead of carrying them.

On the long-term, I have a scar of course. Sometimes it itches, usually I'm unaware of it. It's low enough no-one but myself and my husband see it so it's really not such a big deal once it's healed.

Good Luck and congrats on the twins!

Hi, everyone is different but I can tell you when I had a c-section it was not bad at all. After the morphine wore off (the worst part for me) I took 4 advil and that was it. You are a little sore but for the most part I would rather endure what little discomfort I had than to take any pain meds. It wasn't to the point where I really had any pain, I have had worse periods. LOL
My incision was sore to the touch but was fine after a couple of days so when I fed her I put the boppy over my incision so she wouldn't rub it.
Honestly though I can say either I had a great surgeon or a high tolerence for pain because it really wasn't that bad for me like I said the worst part was the morphine. That would be the only thing I can say that was really the worst cause I hate that loopy feeling.

Good luck and congrats on twins!!
R. J.

First off let me say how neat and exciting to be pregnant with twins! I wish! I'm had a c-section and the actual surgery is a breeze but the next day is pretty bad! They will come in and start making you sit up and try to get you up and moving as soon as you can because you can develop problems if you stay stationary for too long! It will hurt pretty badly because of where they cut you also your stomach muscles will hurt you! Once you get up and move around for a couple of days the pain minimizes and it only hurts at about maybe 1 or 2 out of a scale from 1 -10! Now have you mind everyone is different but I'm sure it wont be as bad as you think! Good luck and enjoy those new babies!

Congratulations on the twins! I had my first child vaginally and my second via c-section. By the time I left the hospital, I was a little sore, but nothing terrible. The thing that hurt the worst was coughing and laughing and sneezing. Other then that I was in hardly any pain at all. It was a lot easier then I expected it to be. Hope all goes smoothly for you!

I have had two c-sections, the last one 7-14-08. The best thing I can advise you on is to have the cathader removed as soon as you have the feeling back in your legs so you can get up to the bathroom asap. The first time you stand it won't be fun, but hit your pain meds, wait about 2-5 min then try and get up-slowly! Other things to know: If you get nausious on the table tell your anest. Dr they can give you something, you can feel heavy in the chest and almost have to remind yourself to breath and the worst part- at my hospital they took my baby out so quick. all i got was a quick glimpse and a quick kiss. Then 2 hrs later I got to my room as they brought them in. Good news is a family/ friend can go with them (Usually) and they are bathed and calm and your the first person to hold them besides the nurse of course. But all in all it's not bad, in about 2 weeks you'll be fine maybe a little slow still but moving around on your own, just don't push it to fast or you'll take longer. Congrats on the twins and good luck! C. W- Mother of 2

I had a c-section... The good: can't feel anything but you're awake and can hear what's happening. The weird: not being able to move your legs for a couple hours. The bad: the pain getting in and out of bed... seriousely I stayed a day extra in the hospital because I didn't feel ready to be home. Get some comfy 'granny' panties so the elastic isn't irritating the stitches. Good luck!

I have had 2 C-sections and it isn't too, too bad. Follow doctors' advices...When they tell you to walk as soon as possible, do so. Your recovery will be much faster. Also, ask your guests not to make you laugh because laughing (sneezing, caughing) will cause you a lot of pain. Just in case, keep a pillow near your pelvic area and hold on tight if you have the desire to laugh, sneeze, or caugh. You are doing the best thing in the world preparing yourself. With my first daughter, I had an emergency C-section and I was disappointed and uprepared. I was much harder than the 2nd time around. The 2nd time around, I knew what to expect and had done my research and therefore, it was a piece of cake. Good luck!

I remember when I had my daughter which was now near 14 yrs ago, her birthday is at the end of this month, she was delivered naturally. I had a room to myself until they brought in a woman who just had a baby by c-section. She did seem to be in alot of pain. She moaned & groaned the whole night thru. I felt so bad for her. Now my second child (boy), who is now 9, was breach the entire pregnancy so it was my turn to experience a c-section. The scariest part is when they inject you in your spine, you need to stay extremely still. Unfortunately when they are doing the proceedure you do not have a chance to see anything. You get strapped down and are numb from the waist down. It is funny thou how you dont feel any pain but you can actually feel movement of them taking the baby from your belly. Its kinda funny. I could tell you that I don't really remember too much pain like the woman I mentioned above. It really depends on you. What type of everyday routine you have, do you exercise, eat well, are you a nervouse person. Its time to relax. I'm a singer and performed while I was pregnant so I got to dance alot on stage before hand. Everyone is different. Yes there is some pain but for me it wasn't crazy. You get to wear some funny looking stocking afterwards and before you know it .. its all over.
You'll be home with your new beautiful twin girls. You'll be fine..Keep your faith in the good Lord above and you'll get thru it with flying colors. Its truly an experience!
B. S.

First of all, congratulations on the twins! I have boy/girl twins and had them via scheduled c-section. I also have a 4 year old that was a c-section and a 17 year old that was vaginally.
Although the recovery time for the c-section is about 2-3 weeks before you are back to normal, it is ok. I had trouble moving around the first few days, but by the end of the first week, I was moving fine, just couldn't walk miles or my insides ached and felt like they were falling on the floor. Now, that was just an ache, not all out pain. More uncomfortable than anything. The second c-section was fine, too. No problems there. Just be sure you take it easy, as easy as you can with twins and don't over do it. If you do over do it, your body will tell you.
If anyone offers you help with the twins, TAKE IT!!! Taking care of 2 babies at the same time is no way simialar to having 2 kids 12 months apart like people love to tell me. I always have to set them straight:-) They are a blessing and a true joy!! Be sure to take lots of pictures because this first year will go much faster than it did with your other 2 children. Twins are a walk on the wild side, but worth every hair pulling, gray hair making moment! Enjoy them!!

Roz

I have never had a vaginal birth, I had 2 c-sections. my first was an ASAP delivery, and my 2nd was scheduled. I had many problems with my first, but they ALL had to do with me laboring for 18 hours. My 2nd went smoother-being scheduled helped. Taking away the labor factor really does help ALOT. I also work as a mom/baby nurse, and I see the difference all the time. No matter what you are gonna have SOME pain, that level of pain depends on your pain tolerance. You may have something called a PCA right after surgery, it is a machine with morphine, demerol, or dilaudid in it. It comes with a button that you push to get pain medicine. And it will help-it just takes a little time, I had this with my 2nd son, I remember getting to my room, and feeling really uncomfortable, but after about 2 hours I was feeling MUCH better. They usually take the foley catheter out 12-24 hours after delivery, and peeing can be a little tough the first couple of times, relearning to use those ab muscles that got cut is a little rough. But all and all, the pain for me wasnt that bad, you are gonna get pain pills like percocet after your primary pain med is gone. I recommend taking them and staying on top of them, dont let the pain get out of control. It is harder to catch up on pain that it is to stay even. and WALK WALK WALK.
if you have any concerns/questions shoot me an email and I will do my best to answer....I have quite a bit of experience in this area-with myself and others ;)

It's very quick for starters. Epidurals are wonderful - you won't feel a thing except it felt like someone was sitting on my chest when they acutally pulled her out of me. Of course, it's a little disconcerting when you can't move your legs or feel anything below your chest. But you'll hear the first cry and see that beautiful face right away and you'll be perfectly lucid and able to remomber it. As for the recovery - you may be drowsy, but you should be able to breastfeed your baby within that hour window. I couldn't sit straight up for about 3 weeks, and if the baby's a kicker they tend to aim straight for your incision,w hich is fun. But other than that it's not all that differnt, and from friends I've talked with there is no pain when urinating and no stiches "down there" to worry about. It will still be a wonderfull and special experience - just differnt.

Hi there. I'm just wondering why you need to have a C-sec. Hopefully it's not just because you are carrying twins. Unless there is a real medical reason for the C-section, you could insist on giving birth vaginally.

Sorry if this is not the kind of response you're looking for. I just get so fed up with doctors who force women into C-secs at the drop of a hat (oh your baby's too big, oh you're having twins, oh I have a golf game next weekend.)

Y the section? Just because it's twins????