Just Found Out I Have to Have a C-section

Hi A.,
I had to have an emergency c-section with my son . So your really luckly that you know ahead of time. It isn't as scary as you would think. They numb you up just like a normal delivery. Barring any complications it should only take about ten minutes or so to have the baby out. You feel a lot of pressure when they are actually pulling the baby out of the hole, but it isn't bad at all. The worst part for me was when they were pushing my uterus down. That was when I was in the recovery room. It took me about two weeks to be able to get around normally. You can't lift anything heavier than your baby. And you aren't supposed to go up and down stairs. I would say that you won't be able to fully do your daycare for about 4 weeks. Hope this helps and don't be too scared. It's nothing to worry about. You can e-mail me if you have any questions. I'm at ____@____.com.
M.

I had an emergency c section after 24 hours of labor with my son and I was scared too. I guess I was lucky in a way though because I was only scared for about 30 min before they took me in. The surgery itself wasn't bad AT ALL. I barely felt any pressure or anything. I felt them pushing on my tummy a little and the next thing I knew he was crying. The recovery was about a week for me. I was out of the hospital friday evening (had him wednesday morning). Take the percosets though! I tried doing it with just ibuprofen an was fine until saturday. Know that you are going to have a very hard time sitting up in bed so adjust your sleeping arrangements with the baby accordingly. The most pain was Saturday through Tuesday and then I was pretty much fine. Some people have told me that it can take 2 weeks but I didn't seem to have that at all. I swelled alot after the surgery (by saturday) because of all the fluids they gave me for the epi. So know that your legs might feel and look like balloons for a couple days.
If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to email me. ____@____.com

A., Being honest I really dont remember a whole lot about the pain my daughter will be two on April 26. She was a planned c-section, but for end of May begining of June she decieded to come six weeks early. She came on a Tuesday and my planned baby shower was Saturday, I got out the hospital that morning and went to my shower a little drugged up half way through the party I stopped to pump and went back to the party. Since she was early she had to stay in the hospital for three weeks. I was at the hospital 3-4 times a day and tired. All is great now, and I cant even find my c-section scar!!!! I would be in better shape if I tried a little harder on the exercise but they say it is a little haarder to get your shape back. I look ok but always want to lose a few pounds!!!! Keep in touch and no need to be scared, but do plan at least two weeks off. C. G. 1st time Mom of 20 month old (I was 36 when I had her)

Hi A.-
I think that it is totally normal to be scared, I would be. I haven't had a c-section but I have lots of friends who have. Just make sure that you accept any offers of help as you will need a maid and chauffer in the first couple of weeks!! LOL! I am certain that it can't be that bad as there are many women who are now choosing to bypass a vaginal birth and elect to have a c-section. In England they call it being "too posh to push", pretty funny! One benefit, your baby will have that beautiful round head instead of the lovely cone!! Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Hi A.,
There is a lot of information out there about c-sections- a great support website is www.ican-online.com. It's the international cesarean awareness network. And even though they try to get the word out to prevent unnecessary c-sections, they are a great resource for women and families who have had planned and unplanned c-sections for a variety of reasons.
If you are in the Denver area the group meets monthly. Maybe going to a meeting will help you prepare and process your upcoming c-section. I'm the local secretary for the group and I will be there. Email me if you have any more questions. I have tons of info on c-sections.

Here is the local ICAN's website is www.icanofcolorado.org.
Anyone who had had a c-section, know someone who's had a c-section or whats to support women and their birth choices is welcome at the ICAN meetings.

Good Luck,
M.

Hey A. --not to worry everything is going to be ok! I am 23 and my first child I had a c-section (which was not planned).
I am not going to lie. It is TOUGH! It was painful (and I am a wuss) -but almost a year later I am realizing that it was certainly worth it. The first week I needed a lot of help -so plan on having help! It is hard to get around, and you have to go slow. But by the begining of week two I was feeling good. Just take it slow. I would certainly give yourself 2 weeks off. Let me know if you have other questions. Good luck! :)

A.

I had my daughter 4 months ago via C-section. My son who is 4 now I had naturally. Not to discourage you, but your recovery time will be atleast 6 weeks before you can do any heavy lifting, vacuuming, etc. I was in quite a bit of pain for about 2 weeks. My incision also go infected, so I had a few trips to the emergency room. I guess infections don't happen very often, so hopefully you will not have to deal with that.

I am not trying to be negative, just honest. It is just a lot harder. I hope that helps. Just try to have a lot of help for the first few weeks and evrything will be okay!

E.

A.,

I think you will be fine! I have a fairly high pain tolerance, so I took percocet for a day then I took Extra Strength Tylenol for a few more days and that's it! I just had surgery on my ankle and this is way worse than my C-section! Like someone else said, no lifting for 6 weeks (you can lift your baby though!). It's difficult to get up from a lying down or sitting position. But gosh, my hormones and my exhaustion bothered me more than the pain of the c-section!. I have one child and I had to have an emergency c-section, so I'd be curious to know how a c-section compares to a natural birth. Let me know! Good luck!

C.

It has been 22 years since my C-section, but I knew I might need one (herpes) and attended a class. As a result, I was very prepared and it was a breeze. Bikini scar no issue. But I hated the stockings they made me wear for a day in the hospital (clotting issue common w/ any abdominal surgery). I was told not to drive for a few weeks, also common with ab work. All in all it was fine. I can't imagine the process has not gotten even better over the years. And I went on to have 2 more babies, vaginal birth. Best part was as the child got older, kangaroos became her favorite because she knew she got to come out of mommie's "pouch". Just like any parenting/birth issue, if you are healthy and have a good attitude, I am sure you will be fine... Best Wishes
R