I am 2 days away from my scheduled C-section. And I have ANOTHER cold. Last time this turned into a month long ordeal, complete with torn ribs from coughing. It's like the last couple weeks of feeling pretty great, never happened - I can feel my ribs (which I've heard can take up to 6 weeks to heal) getting sore again (I've barely even been coughing). Sinuses going crazy, and general exhaustion. I don't know if I can go through this again. Last time the pain was so intense from my ribs I ended up at the ER twice - the S. time it took quite awhile for me to even be able to sit in the wheelchair (the nurse said later she thought I was having some kind of "episode") because of the intense pain. I've never felt pain like that, and I've had a previous C-section as well as kidney stones. UGH!
I have so many worries now. In no particular order- what will a cough do after I've had a C-section!? OUCH!! If I take meds will it mess up my efforts to nurse? Will I get the baby sick? I called my doctor yesterday when it was obvious I was catching something, and she said it should be ok as long as they can get the epidural in ok. That if I had to have general anesthesia, it could be a problem if I can't breathe through my nose (I can't currently). I asked what would cause them to have to do a general? Because I haven't heard of them doing that for ages. She said because of my size they may have a hard time getting the epidural in correctly. Which, with my first pregnancy, they hit a nerve the first time, and the pain was excruciating. And that was quite a few pounds ago. That and the memory of the pain of torn ribs and I'm sweating this. Not to mention, what if they DO have to do a general, and I can't breathe out of my nose? What then??
Can anyone set my mind at ease about these things? Sorry to sound like a basket case, but I am SO DONE with this pregnancy, I just want my baby here and both of us safe and sound, already lol.
I'd say go sooner to deliver rather than later but if the doc isn't going to move you forward...oh well.
I think if you don't have it then you're only going to complicate things more.
It's going to be ok. Your doctor will take care of you. It's good that you've called your doctor and made her aware of the situation. Now that she knows, she can consider the what if's. That is her job, not yours. Your job is to take care of you.
Right now the best thing you can do is relax as much as you can and just hang in there. You are not in control. Hang in there, and try to let go of as much of the fear as you can. This is going to be over soon.
I know this is not easy for you at all, but you can do this!
You poor thing! You have been through the mill.
I think the best thing is to get that baby here and away from your ribs and lungs! Having less of a strain on your body will likely be just the ticket you need!
Talk to the anesthesiologist - print out your question and anything else from prior posts, and discuss them as soon as possible. I doubt they would do general anesthesia with you, because they don't like to do that anyway and certainly not with breathing issues, but there are ways to do it with someone congested, don't worry. Tell the doctor about the first epidural problems with pain, and knowing that info may be helpful. Your OB has to warn you about everything, but that doesn't mean it's likely. I'm not sure why your increase in pounds will effect how the epidural goes in - maybe because it's hard to bend forward?? I remember my anesthesiologist was trying to give me an epidural, and told me to bend forward more. I just look at him like, "Yeah, right. What would you like me to do with this belly?" But the nurse helped me open my legs more so my belly kind of nested between them rather than on top of them, and she helped keep me from falling off the table! And they got it in the first time. So don't be afraid to say, "Hey, work with me, would you!!" Still, your questions should go to the doctors directly. The worries and uncertainties are causing you stress and anxiety, which is understandable given all you have been through.
There are meds compatible with nursing. You can wear a small mask when you are nursing the baby to cover your mouth - they have them in dispensers in many hospitals for every visitor or patient who comes in with a cold. As someone said below, they can teach you how to use a pillow if you cough - and women with colds have been given birth for centuries. They will help you through it.
Line up plenty of help in the beginning so all you have to do is lie around and nurse. When people ask, "What can I do to help?", believe that they want to! Sign them up for every boring and inelegant task you can imagine - bringing you the baby, doing laundry, prepping and cleaning up meals. (None of this frozen casserole business where you have to defrost and cook and clean!!) Do not say, "Oh I can manage" or "I hate to ask" - ASK!!! INSIST!! DEMAND! You can be grateful later!
Good luck and happy baby!
I clutched a pillow to my abdomen/chest after my c-sections and abdominal surgery - whenever I coughed, sneezed or laughed. My husband has had torn rib cartilage, and that's what they told him too. It really helps.
I was able to use sinus medication while pregnant and nursing. There was one type that my doctor recommended. Vaporizer and raise head up help too if you can't take anything. I used a foam wedge pillow after my abdominal surgery to take the pressure off my incision and pulled muscles when lying in bed. You could ask if they would recommend that. Available at home health care supply stores.
I went in a few months ago to have a procedure done and they discussed epidural vs general. Anyone with a medical concern they typically discuss options. I actually met with the anesthesiologist and was able to ask questions. I would think they will meet with you beforehand and you will feel comforted to hear what they have to say. They won't put you at risk.
Try not to worry. It will all be ok. It's just hard right now and you're filled with anticipation. Just rest up :)
So many worries, I feel badly for you. A few things I can think of: you are worried about coughing with the c-section. Yes, you might and it would hurt. But, it's possible that once the baby is out, your lungs will have so much more room to breathe that you might actually feel better pretty quickly.
And, if you are still congested, you can take a decongestant or use a decongestant nasal spray while nursing, no problem. My Ob actually recommended the nasal spray because it works mostly locally, and you don't really even get much into your bloodstream (thus, it can't get into your breastmilk). You should check with your OB for her opinion. You don't usually want to take an antihistamine though, because of the drying effect.
Anesthesia - For me, anesthesia was...not good... for my first. When it was time for my S., I was more nervous about the anesthesia than I was the c-section! I got my OB to set up a consultation with the anesthesia department with me in advance. I talked to them about all my concerns. They came up with a game plan, which they attached to my medical record so that when I went in the 2nd time, they could pull it up no matter who was on duty. It went completely smoothly. You only have 2 days, but maybe you could call and get a consult today?
drink ppleanty of orange juice and pineapple juice. fresh pineapple juice will help the cough and the orange contains higher levels of vitamin c that will assist in geting over the cold faster. you can do this momma, hang in there. call the dr and discuss all the fears and uneasieness you have about having a c-section while sick.
you poor sweetheart. what a miserable time you've had.
the baby will probably not get sick, your colostrum will protect him. you probably won't need general anesthesia, don't borrow trouble. the doctor will give you meds that are safe for nursing. coughing will surely make the C-section hurt, but you won't have the baby squinching your ribs any more, so there's that.
try not to let your mind run you ragged, sweetie. two days. you can do it. just breathe.
khairete
S.
so sorry to hear about your current situation and who could blame you for wanting it to be over. I can't speak to every concern but what I can tell you is that the anesthesiologist will have multiple needles in several lengths available to accommodate you if it needs to be longer to fit you properly. This maybe a nuance of which your OB is unaware. Maybe this can help to take that variable off the table. You can always call the hospital and speak with the anesthesia department for more information. Since you're scheduled, they know you're coming and you can try to proactively coordinate this. If not you, then surely your OB's office can do it. best thoughts to you and yours. S.
You got some great advice! Just want to say CONGRATULATIONS !
I knew my babies were coming when I got a super bad cold. It's actually an early labor symptom.
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I knew my babies were coming when I got a super bad cold. It's actually an early labor symptom.
