C-sections and your experiences

[montie]

Alright ladies, I would like to discuss the whole planned c-section thing.  I had an emergency c-section with my first baby so I was knocked out for the whole thing.  Second child had to be a C cause of the damage to my uterus from the first C.  I was awake and found the experience miserable.  I didn't get to see my daughter for 8 hours anyway, I was so sick, I was dry heaving but paralyzed. I felt pain and just thought it was horrible. Not to mention the whole needle in the spine thing which just does not seem like a good idea at all. I am a sissy.  I insisted on being completely unconscious when I got my wisdom teeth out.  I am not looking forward to another planned C!  I have discussed my issues with this with my doctor and still being under a general is not an option.  I am scared and really don't want to do this, especially the needle in the spine.  Help!!! I mean, I want to do what is best for the baby but I have such anxiety about this.

[pertykitty]

my c wasnt a bad experience, i had pushed for several hours, but he wasnt coming and his hb dropped.  i wanted to do a vbac, but my dr doesnt and i love him and trust his judgement.  if you have had problems with damage to your uterus in the past, it may not be the best idea. i suggest you consult several drs, and see what they all suggest.  while its not as exciting as the "when will it happen" type of labor, our babies will be born safely and really isnt that the most important?  good luck in your decision.

[FEMMIE]

Sorry that is meant to read our family still HASNT recovered ...

[FEMMIE]

I am sorry to put u off Vagina births but it gutted our family and lead my sister to have a break down for which she was in a mental hospital for months she is still set on having her tubes done as now she believes she is completely responsable for emilys passing i would hate to see another family go thru this .. our family still has recovered not that i think that is wrong i think something would be wrong with our family if we had recovered ... Sometimes ignoring a docs advice does lead to trouble and i have heard a C section is very uncomfortable but to this day i still wish there was someway i could of changed my sister in laws mind about ignoring that doc ... The death of any child is horrific but to know it happened cause of a decision u made i honestly dont think u can ever recover from that ...

BEST OF LUCK with what ever u decide ...

[ElizD]

OK, I no longer have positive outlook on VBAC.  That is absolutley devastating!!  I had always heard that that could happen, but I think this is the first time I've heard an actual account of it.  I am so sorry for your sister as well as you and the rest of your family.

[FEMMIE]

My sister in law had a 4 yr old and he was born thru C section ... her second pregnancy was normal and she was told she would have to have another C section to which she ignored the doc and tried having a nat labour ... the old wound from the C section opened in the abdo so instead of the baby crowning from the vagina she went thru the scar in the belly and died due to this complication her doc had been trying to warn her for weeks before her due date and she was very certain he was worrying over nothing ... my advice is go the for planned c section at least then u know ur chances of having a healthy baby are better then ignoring docs advice ... emily rose jackson was laid to rest on 04/08/2005 and its one funeral i will never forget

[ElizD]

I think alot will depend on your reason for the first c-section.  I had an emergency c with my first also, and tried to talk my OB into vaginal with the second, but he said no way.  My first went into distress because I had a real problem with progressing.  According to my OB, we could try with the second, but those kinds of problems tend to repeat, so once again I would be recovering from labor and c-section instead of just c-section.  I guess what I'm saying is, it would probably be best to discuss with your Dr. if the reason for the first c is one that would likely repeat.  If not, I say go for the vbac.  I was in the room with my sister when she delivered her children and she barely broke a sweat (of course she was only 20) and her recovery was MUCH quicker than mine - even with a little tearing and some stitches. Although, I don't know about a vaginal without an epidural.

I will tell you that I have had 3 c-sections and each one gets quite a bit easier - during and recovery.  Alot of your problems may have had to do with your anesthesiologist.  I had a couple of glitches with my 2nd and I let anesthesia and my OB know about them and my 3rd went pretty smooth.  My least favorite part is that NASA rocket tape they put over the incision!

Good luck!

[Liza55]

I had a planned c-section w/ first baby and am having one again this time round. Perhaps I'm 'lucky' , but I would tell you it was an absolute breeze. Mine was due to start at 3p, my daughter was born 320p w/ perfect Apgar scores.  No labor pain, no problems w/ labor, no vaginal tearing or hemorrhoids. By 630p that night I was pushing her around the halls in the little bassinette. I went off the Percocet and on to Ibuprofen by day 3. Had no nausea, no real pain, no heavy vag bleeding and no problems lifting her to breastfeed. My scar is tiny now. I will say overall I am active and live a healthy lifestyle..so maybe that had something to do w/it. I would never choose a vag birth, especially after my c-sect. I heard the stories of being almost bedridden for a week w/ a section - which I planned for. Oh my gosh, no! I had to keep myself from overdoing it home.  Some women love the thought of labor and birthing that way, and some ( like me) have zero desire for all that and just want my baby out healthy. Do what feels right for you!

[montie]

Ok, I am laughing now.  I am not saying that I would like to trade my c-section for a vaginal delivery by any means!! (ha, ha)  That is scary!!  I went through 9 hours of labor before my first c-section and didn't get anywhere, I was begging to be knocked out.  

Kellym, it sounds like your c-section was just like my experience.  Dry heaving yet you can't move and just miserable.  It seems like it shouldn't have to be that way.  My doctor has promised me that he will arrange a consultation with the anesthesiologist prior to the birth to go over my experiences and plan for it the best we can, instead of just showing up and winging it with him.  I hope that helps.

[kellym]

I had a c-section because baby wouldn't come down. I already had the epidural so they just pumped me w/morphine & total numbing agent. Ughhh, I was hammered. I was puking my guts out and couldn't move. I shook uncontrollably for EVER after the delivery. The Dr. & anesthesiologist checked on me every 5 minutes. I swear they gave me too much. ANYHOW,,, I will have a repeat C-section but I think this time they give a spinal block? not sure. I'm not scared but I saw my sister give birth vaginally THATS SCARY!!! ha ha ha. I can't say don't have anxiety because then I would have to take my own advice, it will be okay :)

[shesherm]

delivery in general FREAKS me out...I too get anxietya d am already starting to worry about delilvering, but I know a planned Csection would be awful for me ...just knowing it was coming would FREAK ME OUT. so I hope to go with vaginal and not knowing when it will happen will take my edge off but I would definately talk to your DR and see what options you have.  I sometimes think being out and a c section would be ALOT easier.  I wish you the best as I know Im freaking out about it all as well.  Good luck  ((Sheila))26w6w

[cpatow]

I'm rare, but I have to tell you...I've had 2 c-sections now ( first because of fetal distress (but she was okay) and 2nd because of pregnancy complications) and I would RATHER have c-section than vaginal. I did get a little sick afterwards, too, but I'd rather have a little sickness afterwards, a small un-noticeable scar and slightly longer recovery time than have a BIGGER rip and scar "down there" plus all the labor pains and pushing. I'm obviously going c-section this time b/c of having had 2 so far and I'm happy about it :0)

[chiromom]

I had a non emergency c-section after my sons head never descended properly.  I pushed for 4 hours, no birth.  I never felt any pain, I was awake, and I saw my son within an hour.  He nursed immediately.  Even my scar wasn't so bad.  That being said, I would rather have a vaginal delivery, and would attempt a vbac the next time.  You have no choice, it is too risky to knock you out for the procedure.  I don't think your reaction was typical.  I would bring up there fears with your Doctor, and see if he knows something to minimize your reaction.  Good luck!