C section.....?

Well from the beginning of my pregnancy my doctor seemed adament on me having a vaginal birth, but now it appears things have changed. I can't say for sure that I will have a c-section although that was the opinion I got from him yesterday. I will definitely be asking him this on Thursday when I see him again. My questions are these:

What should I expect from a c-section? What will be the big differences between that and a vaginal birth besides the obvious I suppose? How long should it take me to heal? I think she will be here around very early Sept. I want to go back to school around Oct 29th. Think that will be enough healing time??

Thanks for all the replies.

[*heartagram*]

I too will have to have a c section. I had an emergency one with my second. From what I remember you will not be able to walk comfortably for a good couple weeks but you should be healed very well by the time the end of Oct comes along and you can do your school.

[stephd]

If you have your baby in early Sept then I would say that you would be ok to go back to school.  It takes your body 8 weeks to FULLY recover from a section tho.  So you would have to be careful.  Things you should expect are....pain when you try to get out of bed and move around.  I know my first one was harder than my 2nd one.  I was in so much pain the first time around....the 2nd time was better....still painful but not as bad.  You arent allowed to lift more than the weight of the baby for a couple weeks after you go home.  I would DEFINATELY LISTEN to that.  I didn't listen so well this time and I ended up with adhesions....THOSE THINGS ARE PAINFUL all the time let me tell ya!  I wish I would have listened.  However, even tho you listen doesn't mean you WONT get them.  I had a spinal when I had my 2nd one and it was great.  The Anesthesiologist put some morphine in my catheter so I wouldnt have any pain for the next day or so.  That helped ALOT!  You def. heal faster if you have a vaginal birth tho.

What makes your dr. think you will have to have a section??

My pelvis was too small that is why I had one.

[kellym]

I'll have to say that the c-section wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yes, it hurt for the first couple of days but I healed really quickly. Keep taking the meds every 4 hrs. for the first couple of days. After a week I felt great. Def. take it easy or you will regret it. Good Luck, you'll do great!

[Darkestlight]

For me it will be much safer than a vaginal birth, or at least I think that's there opinion. They are planning on taking her at 36wks not 40. So go figure.......

[stephd]

They took my 2nd son at 39 weeks.  My 1st one came at 38 weeks....my water broke.  Good luck to you!  I hope everything goes well.  Just remember, if you are in pain, ODNT HESITATE TO CALL THE NURSE for ssome pain medication!!

[kellym]

Oh, yeah, and make them take the baby to the nursery so that you can get some rest. Geeze, at my hospital they had these signs "keep your baby with you in your room" , yeah, bunch of ****. I needed some rest after my c-section. We both had fevers, I threw up during it, too much medicine, I needed rest but all these signs were staring me in the face... I was physically exhausted, just don't hesitate to send the baby during feedings..

[Darkestlight]

I will definitely keep those things in mind. Especially the rest thing. My hubby will be there so he can help out with holding her and changing her and stuff..... haven't decided if I will breastfeed yet. I don't know if it's worth it since I will be going back to school almost 8wks later.... what do u all think??

[ajemmom]

I've had two c-sections, but never a vaginal birth.  Honestly, my two were not as bad as I expected them to be.  The first one was emergency and I didn't even really have time to comprehend what was going on.  I was obviously in pain for the first two days, but after that, I was able to get up and move around and just felt very sore (like I had done a million sit-ups!)  I went back to work 6 weeks later with no problems.  I did breastfeed and it was worth it to me, but that is a personal decision.  I was able to nurse in the morning before work, pump once during the day while baby took formula at home, and then nurse for the rest of the evening once I got home and that worked for me.  With my second, it was a scheduled c-section and much easier than the first b/c I knew what to expect.  I was actually out of bed on the second day and I recovered much quicker.  The only complication I had that time was that I tried to do too much too soon ( I had a toddler to chase around) and my incision started to separate.  So my only advice is to take it easy as long as you possibly can.  Best wishes!

[Liza55]

Wow..I was almost 36y and generally in good shape, and my C-section was a breeze!!!!  I rested as much as I could sanity wise, but not only was walking around that same day pushing her in a bassinett w/ no pain, but lifting her for breastfeeding, walking the halls, etc. I got home and basically was taking short walks outside w/ the baby right away. I don't understand how someone could take weeks to feel good walking around! I have no worries w/ this next c-sect. b/c I had less recover than my vag birth friends who complained of swollen, stitched, sore vaginas, hemorrhoids, etc...none of which I had to deal with. I guess everyone's different, but know that I had virtually no pain, no vaginal bleeding and had to really be conscious not to do too much ( I even vacuumed w/ no problem week 2). Good luck!!!  

[Van73]

I've had both.  My first daughter was emergency C-Sect and 2nd daughter was V-BAC.  I would def go for vaginal birth due to healing time.  But if I have to have a C-sect for the safety of the baby, I would 100% have a C-Sect.

[rubyolivia]

I have no clue what the answer to your question is. Just wondering how you get all the luck? j/k How are you feeling?? I'm glad you got to come home! And you should probably be hearing from you dh anytime now, huh? :) Just checkin' up on ya!

[Darkestlight]

lol tell me about it huh??!!? I'm still really tired and I can't stay cool for nothing. I Live in a a igloo, but my face is always flushed and I can't cool off. No, my blood pressure isn't high. We can't find a explanation for it except pregnancy. I called my doctors office today and gave his nurse all the information he needs to call the red cross and army and have him home. Hopefully I will be getting that call from him today or tonight that says everything is ok and I'm on my way home. He knows he's coming home. I talked to him this morning for like a hr and a half so that was nice. The army  might not like the fact hes going to be home for 2 months, but oh well. I can't wait. I'm so excited. I'm just hoping my doctor has already called, but he might be waiting till after his office day is over so that he actually has time. I don't know, but I sure am so anxious. I have myspace for those of u who do and want to talk to me on there as well. :) Just let me know.

[Darkestlight]

I have to say that I think the c-section is for my health and not so much the babies. My body is the one apparently who's having a hard time dealing with stress, not hers. She's doing so wonderfully. Shes strong and resilient and shes going to give me a run for my money that's for sure!

Thanks everyone for your responses.

[rubyolivia]

You'r on my myspace friends and I was going to comment you there but my myspace as been SUPER slow today! I did manage to listen to your profile song though. I'm a big baby today so it made me bawl. Made me think about my ex who passed away from cancer. I love that song though...it's so sweet!!

[mommy2aj]

a couple of things i remember from my c-sec:
1. i would have these sharp pains, like pin pokes. i wondered if maybe they had forgotten something in there. the dr later told me it was where the nerves were fusing back together.
2. i had staples and they were removed after 1 wk. as i got to the 1 wk mark i noticed the area where the staples were started to feel inflamed. i was so scared i had developed an infection or something. the dr said this was a normal process and just meant my body was rejecting the staples being there.

i remember thinking i could have been spared so much stress had i been told these things from the beginning. instead for a week i imagined all kinds of horrible things.
so if you experience anything like this you probably are not falling apart but just healing.

[4EVERDK]

Why do they want to deliver you sooner than 40 weeks? Just wondering?