What's a c-section like?

[colo1278]

With my vasa previa situation, I found out I have to have a c-section at 34 or 35 weeks. This is the only way to save my baby, so I am 100% fine with it... just curious what it is really like. What can I expect during and also with the recovery?

Thanks!

[mybell]

Hi, I had 2 c-sections. The first one because my daughter was breech and they couldn't turn her.

Since you are having a booked c -section, Like mine was, they will give you a spinal, which freezes everything below the bra strap line. They will have to put in a cathiter, which is a little embarrassing and it kinda hurts, but will only take a few seconds.

Once the freezing takes effect, you will still feel pressure as they cut you and take out the baby. They will drap a sheet right along your chest so you can't see what they are doing. The actually c -section doesn't take long. I talked to everyone the whole time. The drs. joked with me. Once the baby is out, they bring him over and let you look, most likely you will be hooked up to iv's so you might not be able to touch for a few minutes. The antiseologsit (drug guy) will probably give you a good dose of gravel, as it's common to get hit by nausuea all of a sudden.

It takes longer to get the placenta out and sew you up, then it does to get the baby out. Be prepared to get violent chills and sweats. Not sure how it works where you are, but I was put in pre op, for 45mins. before I could see the baby. My husband stayed with both of our children each time. We had a no sugar water or formula order and I told him to watch them to make sure they didn't go against my orders.

Recovery is about 6 weeks till you are feeling normal again, working out etc.
It hurts to move for the first few days, using a pillow against your stomach helps alot. to kinda hold things in. Expect to bruise pretty good.

I think that's about it. any questions?

[MicheleSC]

With my vasa previa situation, I found out I have to have a c-section at 34 or 35 weeks. This is the only way to save my baby, so I am 100% fine with it... just curious what it is really like. What can I expect during and also with the recovery?

Thanks!

Surreal is the best way I can describe it. They give you a spinal to numb you. The better your anesthesiologist the easier/faster/less painful that will be. They give you oxygen and put your arms out to the side and monitor your heart rate. They make sure you are numb before cutting. You can sort of feel being pushed and moved, but no real feeling. My doctor told me what he was doing as he was doing it, more so with the second c-section because it was planned and all the nurses talked to me and told me what they were doing. My nurse anesthetist was especially great and kept asking how I felt and constantly checked on me. Not long after they baby was out I started feeling sort of like I couldn't breath and it freaked me out a little. I told them and they said it was the amniotic fluid moving under my diaphragm after the baby was out and that it would go away soon (it did after 10 -15 minutes, I think). It is a strange feeling having all this stuff 'done' to you and you can't feel anything. After my daughter I had the chills terribly (my teeth were chattering) and that lasted into recovery. With my second c-sec, this did not happen. It was the part I dreaded and I'm not sure what they did different, but I didn't get the chills. The nurse sewed me up and took me to recovery. I had to stay there until I could bend and move both my legs.

I was dying to see the baby since I only saw him for a second when the pulled him out and for a minute after he was cleaned up and while I was being sewn up(it was the same with my daughter). When I could finally move again (about 1 1/2 hours after getting to recovery) the recovery nurse cleaned me up and dressed my incision and got me ready to go back to my room. I was incredibly nauseous. I didn't want anything for nausea (usually fenergin) because it makes me drowsy and I was already tired. I finally gave in for something else that didn't make me drowsy.

As for recovery, you have a cathetar in until the next day and after they take it out they want you to get up and walk ASAP. I have to say that the sooner you get up and move around, the sooner you feel better. With my first c-section I didn't get up as I should have. With my second I was determined not to feel so crappy and I was up right away. Also, you don't really feel the pain and soreness the day after the surgery, 2 days after I was really sore. I had pretty good pain medicine, but I didn't want to take it unless I needed it and in the evening and at night is usually when I took it. At home I was up and doing probably more than I should have. I would really feel it in the evening that I should have rested more instead of trying to clean or whatever I was doing around the house.

That might be the long version, but if there is anything else you want to know, ask away! There are plenty of moms around here that have had c-sections. Hope that helps :)

[Erin]

I had an epidural with my first two...first was not planned. The second two were. I had a spinal with my second. I got really sick from the epidural with my first. They had to knock me out at the end. With the spinal, it wore off...jsut a little towards the end and I could feel everything...so they knocked me out again. With my third, I had the epidural and it was perfect. I only felt the pressure.

I did get the nasty headache from the spinal but not from the other two. You definitely want to get up and move around as soon as they tell you you can. You might not want to but do it anyway. It makes a huge difference to get moving right away.

It will take more time to recover than a vaginal birth normally would but I was driving by two weeks and doing other stuff very shortly after that with all three of mine.

Congrats:)

[theresak]

I had three, and as far as the operation goes -it was all good. I don't care for the catheter, but it's a minor thing. You do get strapped down to a t-shaped table, so I couldn't touch the baby but they did bring them to me to see. I personally couldn't feel a thing, not any pressure at all - maybe it depends on the tech. You will go to recovery until the numbing wears off, and your hospital may or may not bring the baby to you to nurse in the recovery room. One hospital let me nurse in the recovery room, one did not. After you have feeling in your legs, you may get the catheter removed (one hospital made me keep it in for 24 hours) so you can get moving ASAP. That first couple of times getting out of bed are a bitch, so don't be afraid to ask the nurse to help. You won't get solid foods for at least 24 hours, or until you pass gass (again, that one is a bitch! use the pillow for pressure). Personally, I did not have chills, shakes, backaches or any of that stuff but it likely depends on how you respond to anesthesia. Moving as much as you can is good, so you recover even quicker. With my first c-section, after the first three days I felt just fine. But listen to your doctor's instructions (no driving for a couple weeks, no stairs, limited vacuuming) to keep your recovery short.

[donnajo]

I had a c-section and no problem. Easy. I did not feel a thing and I think it had to be easier than the natural way. Don't worry. It is not bad at all. I also had an easy and fast recovery. But that was my experience. I was very positive about it going in.

[colo1278]

thanks to all so far for posting. Good to know about the catheter and the chills post-op. I am definitely going in with a positive attitude like donnajo suggested because it is the only way for me to get my daughter alive out of this situation.

I'd appreciate anyone else to contine posting their stories too! :)

[H&G'sMom]

hospital to hospital I guess. My cath was removed as soon as I could move my legs around (a few hours after the c-section), and I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted when I felt like it.

I was unprepared for the air that gets trapped inside your body.. right when they pulled the baby out, I felt a huge POP all the way up to my shoulder - and it hurt like hell for several weeks after the surgery.

I would talk to your nurse when you are admitted so you know what to expect from your hospital.

[rogmel]

i wont post my story here, but if you really want to hear it, pm me and i will be glad to share it with you....it is NOT positive, although the outcome was. and VERY rare......so i do not want to scare you....... I NEVER share it unless specifically asked!

[colo1278]

i wont post my story here, but if you really want to hear it, pm me and i will be glad to share it with you....it is NOT positive, although the outcome was. and VERY rare......so i do not want to scare you....... I NEVER share it unless specifically asked!
I'm interested... I'm the type of person who is more scared when I don't know all the possible outcomes, no matter how rare.

[donnajo]

Keep in mind that all pregnancies and births are unique and different. So be positive , prepare for anything, and hope for the best. You will be fine. When are you going in for your C?

My daughter was a footling breech and had hydrocephalus(water on the brain) so she had to be taken early. She spent a while in the NICU but is a healthy 2 year old now. She did not even need a shunt, which was great news.

[fitnesschick]

my first was a section but keep in mind i had it under general because i had gone thru labor and there was no time for an epidural. frankly, it sucked ass. i had a terrible experience. the recovery was hell. but as you have time to plan and prepare, i think it would be a much more positive experience for you.

[liberty]

I have had three sections. All my kids but the last were breech and I have a funky uterus so they would not attempt a flip. I found each recovery different. The first I lost a lot of blood and was more tired, the second I was up and zooming around asap and the last was kinda in the middle. I HATE waiting to eat it is a bitch and I was soooooo hungry I wanted to cry. I had a babe at 35 weeks too and if you want to know the issues around nursing a 34-35 weeker feel free to pm me.
C

[Tina]

Great replies. Thank you.

Would it be a good idea to have someone else around for the first few weeks to help after a c section? I've heard that sometimes you're so sore you can't even really lift the baby.

And, do you have to wait longer to get back into having "relations" and does it feel any different?

Oh ya, and for those of you who didn't say, what was the reason that you had to have one?

[Aaron_F]

Seeing the doctor cut into your wife, and seeing lovely live fat cells is cool.

[colo1278]

Great replies. Thank you.

Would it be a good idea to have someone else around for the first few weeks to help after a c section? I've heard that sometimes you're so sore you can't even really lift the baby.

And, do you have to wait longer to get back into having "relations" and does it feel any different?

Oh ya, and for those of you who didn't say, what was the reason that you had to have one?
I'm going to have my mother in law in town and mom around all the time to help. DH will also pull his weight! :)

From what I have heard, c-sections save you from all *ahem* internal problems that vaginal births can cause in relation to sex and incontinence issues. All you have to do is make sure your incision is healed or else that will hurt if you're missionary-style!

Also, I'm having one as I was diagnosed with vasa previa, where fetal blood vessels cross the cervix. If I go into labor and that vessel severs, baby will bleed to death in a minute. I have to be on hospital bedrest starting pretty soon (I'm 23 weeks) and will have to be c-sectioned by 35 weeks max. www.ivpf.org

[rogmel]

Great replies. Thank you.

Would it be a good idea to have someone else around for the first few weeks to help after a c section? I've heard that sometimes you're so sore you can't even really lift the baby.

And, do you have to wait longer to get back into having "relations" and does it feel any different?


Oh ya, and for those of you who didn't say, what was the reason that you had to have one?


1.......YES......HAVE HELP LINED UP FOR A WEEK....YOU MAY NEED IT FOR THAT LONG, MAY NOT......YOU CAN'T DRIVE FOR 2 WEEKS USUALLY.....


2.....NO....ACTUALLY, LESS THAN THE 6 WEEKS THEY RECOMMEND FOR VAG BIRTHS.....CAUSE YOU BLEED LESS AND YOU ARE NOT SORE "THERE"(AND I HAVE HAD BOTH KINDS OF DEIVERIES)



3.......MY FIRST WAS REGULAR VAG. BIRTH, SECOND AND EMERGENCY C BECAUSE MY BODY REFUSED TO PROGRESS PAST 4CM.......AND BABY WAS IN MAJOR DISTRESS AFTER 15 HOURS OF LABOR.........THIRD WAS A PLANED C....AFTER DECIDING I WAS TOO FAR ALONG TO TRY A V-BACK(MANY ISSUES HERE).......AND THIS WAS THE ONE THAT WAS TROUBLE FOR ME!

[Caramom]

I had three Csections. The first was due to my DD being too large. I gained a lot of weight that pregnancy, and that was my WORST (of 3) recoveries. I think fitness has a lot to do with how quickly you recover. The other 2 Csections were because I'd already had one, and I don't respond well to induction.

What everyone else has already said is pretty much standard. On my 3rd, I said I wanted to watch so I could see when they took the baby out. The doctor was fine with that, but at the last minute I chickened out. I got to nurse my last two in the recovery room, and that was great.

When it comes to pain - it really hurts to get out of bed at first. The next day you feel fine - but don't believe this, it's like a euphoria (and good painkillers). Make sure you stay on top of the pain by taking the Tylenol 3 and Motrin BEFORE you start hurting, like every 3 hours or so.

I was back to normal within the 6 weeks. The best part is - once you're healed you don't have any further issues with bladder control problems, epesiotomy scarring,etc, that some women who have vaginal deliveries have to deal with. And you're not "stretched out" at all. :wink:

[Caramom]

Also, I'm having one as I was diagnosed with vasa previa, where fetal blood vessels cross the cervix. If I go into labor and that vessel severs, baby will bleed to death in a minute.

This happened to a friend of a friend... undiagnosed vasa previa. She lost both her twins. :( You're fortunate to be so informed about it. Take care of that baby!

[fitnesschick]

in defense of vaginal birth ;) i have no bladder problems or "internal issues" i think that myth has been debunked a few times in the research (i had 3 vaginal births after my section). with my vaginal births, the last one i had sex the first week so i think it really depends upon how you are feeling.

yes have helped lined up! that is a great idea, c-section or not.

[colo1278]

This happened to a friend of a friend... undiagnosed vasa previa. She lost both her twins. :( You're fortunate to be so informed about it. Take care of that baby!
omg, how awful! I have read lots of success stories and lots of "angel" stories online and the ones where the babies didn't make it just break my heart. We will be counting our lucky stars for the rest of our lives.

[Caramom]

Those issues DO happen, more frequently than with Csection births. There are also issues with Csections that are unique to that experience... I'm not trying to promote Csections as being in any way "superior". In fact, I would have preferred to have vaginal deliveries, but it wasn't possible in my situation. Every situation is really unique to the individual... I had a friend who had 3 vaginal deliveries, and she has had no end of issues with bladder problem and severe scarring inside (she tore really badly inside her vagina).

But yes, line up help.

No matter what kind of delivery you have, a baby will change your life from the inside out. It is the most wonderful thing, and the most stressful and difficult life change you'll (hopefully) ever experience. It is worth every moment. Children are such a gift. Someone said, "Having a child is choosing to have your heart go walking around outside your body". That is so true.

[theresak]

I HATE waiting to eat it is a bitch and I was soooooo hungry I wanted to cry.
C
Oh MAN! I feel you on this one. My doc is a real stickler for that, and the first time it was THREE DAYS before I could have anything but clear liquid, the next two times it was just a day and a half - since I knew what to expect and when to demand they change my doc order. He wouldn't allow food until after you passed gas and urinated on your own. I was so hungry i was about to cry. Crappy bland lukewarm food never tasted so good! Plus my family brought all this candy that was just staring at me, torture.

This last time, the hospital policy was bedridden for 24 hours, and these stupid pressure things on my legs. I was mad, just take out the catheter and let me walk dammit! The sooner you walk, the sooner all gets back to normal.

BTW, for my opinion on after recovery "relations"....see the thread about "why wait?". No problems what.so.ever!!

[theresak]

Those issues DO happen, more frequently than with Csection births. There are also issues with Csections that are unique to that experience... I'm not trying to promote Csections as being in any way "superior". In fact, I would have preferred to have vaginal deliveries, but it wasn't possible in my situation.

Yes, if my babies had been born vaginally the last two likely wouldn't have spent a week each in NICU. Since they don't get the squeeze of the birthing canal, they had liquid leftover in their lungs and needed IV antibiotics to clear them out. The first one was fine though. There is good and bad with each delivery choice, but as long as you have your baby in the end it's success.

[Dane]

Another 3 timer here. :) With my first, I had planned to give birth in a mid-wife center, natural, no drugs. Went into labor (2 days later than EDD) 2pm on a Friday, and was still laboring early Sunday morning, at which time the baby was in distress, so I ended up having a c-section at 11am at the hospital across the street. The relief from the epidural was so sweet! Due to the exhaustion from my labor marathon, I was pretty zombied out for the procedure, but I remember it being painless, just some tugging at the end. My partner was allowed in the operating room with me, and I was allowed to nurse the baby in the recovery room. I had a finger pump for meds so I was pain-free the first 3 days, and then I was able to get Tylenol 3 on demand, as well as a script for more when I went home. I was in hospital for 4 days.

Fast forward 6 years, and I am in Hungary for my second baby. I was going to try for a VBAC, but baby was a week overdue, and then when I started finally having contractions, the baby exhibited signs of distress after about an hour, so I was whisked into surgery. Here, your partner is not allowed in the OR, so I had to deal with the language barrier by myself. My regular OB also happened to be on vacation that week. Luckily, the operating OB was the dept. head, and so spoke English. Unluckily, I didn't respond well to the epidural this time--it began to wear off as doc was pulling out the baby. I was given gas (nitrous oxide, I think?) by mask, but still felt intense pain and it was SO bad, I couldn't even appreciate seeing my newborn when they showed him to me. It was horrible, and my recovery sucked. When they went to have me get up for the first time, I almost passed out, and my blood pressure dropped dangerously low. Many IV drugs were given, and I was one sorry girl for 3 days. I also developed a fever by that time, so more drugs given. I ended up staying in hospital for 10 frickin' days. The only upside was that (in addition to a perfectly healthy baby, ha) rooming in and breastfeeding are the norm here, so I never had trouble with that.

The reason I am telling you about my horrible experience with #2 is to really show you how c-sections are truly YMMV, lol. With baby #3, I had already made the decision to go with a scheduled c-section, and used the OB who did my surgery as my new doc. He also arranged for me to meet with the anesthesiologist ahead of time, so I could discuss with her what went wrong last time (she didn't know--it's just one of those things), and what we could do to help this time. I decided to have a general anesthetic done.

So, when it came time to have #3, I was rested and ready for it. It was done at 39 weeks, and omg what a difference. Knowing what to expect surely helps! I was awake while they did all the prep work of catheter (hate them!), IV (no biggie), tying you down (ugh), the pre-op swabbing (cold), and then, when everyone is ready, suited up, surgeon is standing there scalpel in hand, they gas you. I was REALLLLLLY worried about still being able to feel pain or something, or waking up during surgery, or not waking up at all (!!), but it was a piece of cake. The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes to see my DH sitting next to me holding my little one. The nurse came in and layed the baby on me, and DH helped hold him there so I could nurse him. After I was fully awake (about an hour), the nurse came in, pulled the catheter (oww), and helped me up, so I could go shower.

Past experience jives with what the other ladies said---getting up and walking as soon as you can speeds recovery. Also, try to force yourself to stand upright as much as you can, fighting the urge to hunch over. That evening I was walking up and down the corridors--I did NOT want another 10 day stay, lol. As it turned out, I was feeling SO good, I was allowed to go home on the morning of the 4th day (5 day stay is the norm here). Recovery at home was also swift, and I was back to a lifting program at 3 weeks.

With each section, I was allowed to eat and drink once I was fully awake, but it was bland food for the first day. Hospital policy here is that you have to pee on your own after they take the catheter out, within the next 12 hours. With kid#2 I was able to, but not with kid#3. She had to recatheterize me to pee, and then take it back out. I made sure to drink alot after that, so I could go myself and not have to repeat it! Breastfeeding with all 3 was fine, no bonding issues.

About pain med--don't be a hero--take it. And take it in advance of the pain, as Caramom suggested. Pain can interfere with your milk let-down response. This last time, I didn't need pain med past the first 3 days.

One thing the others didn't mention, and maybe it's a thing unique to hospitals here, as I didn't get this with my first birth in FL--oxytocin injections. :yucky: It's enforced policy here to give all c-section women twice daily oxytocin injections, presumably to help contract the uterus, as well as stimulate milk let-down. These SUCK! Painful jabs in the butt, :(

I contribute the ease of the 3rd time due to knowing ahead of time what to expect, and also being in much better physical shape than I was for #1 and 2. It's not that bad--even my horrible experience with #2 didn't deter me from having #3, haha. Man, they're worth every second of it. :)

[Inatic]

It's great to gather information ahead of time. As stated before, everyone is different. Your going to find good and bad stories no matter what subject you ask about, delivery one of them.

From what I have heard, c-sections save you from all *ahem* internal problems that vaginal births can cause in relation to sex and incontinence issues.

No C sections but Im a mom of 5 kidlets, all separate births, no twins . I've had epidurals for 4 out of 5 of them and one natural and lol didnt do THAT again.

I have no "internal problems" whatso ever other than some weak stomach/stability issues that all pregnant women suffer. Im not sure where those ideas come from.

[Tina]

No C sections but Im a mom of 5 kidlets, all separate births, no twins . I've had epidurals for 4 out of 5 of them and one natural and lol didnt do THAT again.

I have no "internal problems" whatso ever other than some weak stomach/stability issues that all pregnant women suffer. Im not sure where those ideas come from.

I've heard many csection moms say that they were happy they had one because their vagina didn't get all stretched out and sex is still the same for them. I've heard the same woman say that they would choose a csection again over a vaginal birth because of that. Those comments were always weird to me, :shrug: but still made me wonder..

[MicheleSC]

Seeing the doctor cut into your wife, and seeing lovely live fat cells is cool.


My DH took a picture of our son after he was 'out' and didn't notice until he sent the picture to his dad that in the background of the picture you can see me totally opened up on the table - intestines and all :crying:

[Tina]

My DH took a picture of our son after he was 'out' and didn't notice until he sent the picture to his dad that in the background of the picture you can see me totally opened up on the table - intestines and all :crying:

eeeeeeeeeewewwwwwe!!

[colo1278]

I've heard many csection moms say that they were happy they had one because their vagina didn't get all stretched out and sex is still the same for them. I've heard the same woman say that they would choose a csection again over a vaginal birth because of that. Those comments were always weird to me, :shrug: but still made me wonder..
this is sorta gross where I heard it from, but my mom and I have a very close relationship and she has always been open about sex with me... anyway, my dad's first wife gave birth vaginally three times and my mom had just two c-sections.. my mom said my dad said it made a big difference.

I also have a sister who has a uterine prolapse- where her uterus is unsupported and cervix is sticking out of her at all times because of hard pushing during vaginal births.

[mybell]

hospital to hospital I guess. My cath was removed as soon as I could move my legs around (a few hours after the c-section), and I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted when I felt like it.

I was unprepared for the air that gets trapped inside your body.. right when they pulled the baby out, I felt a huge POP all the way up to my shoulder - and it hurt like hell for several weeks after the surgery.

I would talk to your nurse when you are admitted so you know what to expect from your hospital.


I forgot about all the air, until you mentioned it. Yeah, that wasn't pleasant.

[mybell]

1.......YES......HAVE HELP LINED UP FOR A WEEK....YOU MAY NEED IT FOR THAT LONG, MAY NOT......YOU CAN'T DRIVE FOR 2 WEEKS USUALLY.....


2.....NO....ACTUALLY, LESS THAN THE 6 WEEKS THEY RECOMMEND FOR VAG BIRTHS.....CAUSE YOU BLEED LESS AND YOU ARE NOT SORE "THERE"(AND I HAVE HAD BOTH KINDS OF DEIVERIES)



3.......MY FIRST WAS REGULAR VAG. BIRTH, SECOND AND EMERGENCY C BECAUSE MY BODY REFUSED TO PROGRESS PAST 4CM.......AND BABY WAS IN MAJOR DISTRESS AFTER 15 HOURS OF LABOR.........THIRD WAS A PLANED C....AFTER DECIDING I WAS TOO FAR ALONG TO TRY A V-BACK(MANY ISSUES HERE).......AND THIS WAS THE ONE THAT WAS TROUBLE FOR ME!

I think it's different for each women, with my second, I bleed for 9 weeks. And had major pain with intercourse, it was a long time before that went away. BUT I had an infection after the c-section, so I'm not sure if that was the reason for the extra recovery time.

[Caramom]

Yes, I had an infection with my first Csection - that made recovery time double. It was sooo nasty.

[colo1278]

Yes, I had an infection with my first Csection - that made recovery time double. It was sooo nasty.
I know you say "nasty" but I need to know about all this stuff... what happened? Did your incision get infected?

[mybell]

I know you say "nasty" but I need to know about all this stuff... what happened? Did your incision get infected?

Mine was internal infection, so the womb/uterus got infected, which is a possibility with any operation. You get very sick and need to be hospitalized with antibiotic IV. my stay was 10days. I got sick after I was discharged, where I live you only get to stay in the hospital max 2days. Unless you are sick already. Basically, it's like any other infection. High fever, dizzy, and pain where the infection is. After I was better I was on antibiotics for another 30days. But they said I was very sick. My digestive system shut down and I had to have something that pumped out my stomach acids. Worst part was that since I was home already they wouldn't let me have my son stay with me. So I had to pump milk for him, and my family bottle fed him the milk I pumped while I was in the hospital. They also brought him to me everyday so I could nurse him.

I was told over and over, there is nothing you can do to prevent an infection from happening, it's just chance. So, yes you need to know that it could happen. But most likely, when they start your IV, they will start you on Antibiotics right away to prevent an infection from starting. It just didn't help that time with me.

Ask your drs. as many questions as you need to, to feel comfortable. Knowledge is power.

[Caramom]

My infection was a topical - they caught it early. I was discharged, went home. Was feeling really sick, terrible headache (from the spinal, not uncommon apparently). Mobility was limited and painful. I got into the shower and when I got out had toweled myself off. I was standing at the sink in my underwear and drying my hair when I felt something dripping onto my feet. You drip from lots of different locations post-delivery (;)) and I wasn't sure if it was my breasts leaking, so I looked down. They seemed fine, I was wearing panties/pad so I knew it wasn't vaginal. I couldn't see my incision because of the swelling (and fat) and so I asked my SO to see if he could see what the source was. He bent down and looked, and ran to the toilet and puked. It was my incision, and the corner had opened up and it was draining pus, etc. We went straight to Emergency. They had to open the incision a bit more to let it drain. OW! Then I had to do very hot towel packs on it to draw the infection, as well as antibiotics.

In the end, it cleared up within a week and all started to improve from that point.

[colo1278]

My infection was a topical - they caught it early. I was discharged, went home. Was feeling really sick, terrible headache (from the spinal, not uncommon apparently). Mobility was limited and painful. I got into the shower and when I got out had toweled myself off. I was standing at the sink in my underwear and drying my hair when I felt something dripping onto my feet. You drip from lots of different locations post-delivery (;)) and I wasn't sure if it was my breasts leaking, so I looked down. They seemed fine, I was wearing panties/pad so I knew it wasn't vaginal. I couldn't see my incision because of the swelling (and fat) and so I asked my SO to see if he could see what the source was. He bent down and looked, and ran to the toilet and puked. It was my incision, and the corner had opened up and it was draining pus, etc. We went straight to Emergency. They had to open the incision a bit more to let it drain. OW! Then I had to do very hot towel packs on it to draw the infection, as well as antibiotics.

In the end, it cleared up within a week and all started to improve from that point.

glad to hear it was all okay in the end. My dad had back surgery once and got a staph infection (really bad, really dangerous) and they had to leave his incision open for like a week while it drained out. And it wasn't just a corner- the whole 6 inch gaping hole. ewwwwww.

[PerfectAnjail]

My C-section story.

I wanted a natural vag birth, but after a few hours of pushing, they finally figured out he wasn't gonna fit.

I did not have an emergency section as he was not in distress. As a matter of fact, I laid there having contractions for 30min while the surgical team got the hospital and got suited up. (that was NOT fun)

The spinal was the best pain I've ever felt. A little pinch and complete numbness :thumb: My babe was born at 3:30am and I had been in labor since abou 6:30p the day before. During the surgery, the anesthesiologist talked me through everything they were doing. I could feel slight tugging, but nothing major so I hadn't a clue. I managed to stay awake long enough to see my baby before his father took him out to see the family. Next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room. (I feel right asleep like a baby!)

In the days after...soreness from the belly button down. At my hospital, they want you to pee witihn 3 hrs of your catheter coming out or they put it back in (not fun). You may need stool softeners, as you wont be able to fully use those muscles for almost a week. (you only realize this when you try to poop) I only took tylenol #3 for pain after the surgery and it was plenty for me (i normally dont take pain meds at all) I never had to refill. You will be sore and stiff for awhile, so help is always good...very good. I bleed for 9 days (if I remember right) My hospital gave me extra pads before leaving. And if you can, snag some of those gauze underwear, I LOVED those things, but they wouldnt give me an extra pair.

One thing I was never told about the after effects of giving birth: nightsweats. Mine were a surprise. The first night I woke up, I thought I had peed the bed I was so wet (for some reason, this didnt happen at the hospital) This still hasn't completely gone away (probably b/c I'm BFing, at least that's my guess)

Sorry for those who thought this was TMI, but colo, I hope it helps. PM me with any quesitons

[MicheleSC]

One thing I was never told about the after effects of giving birth: nightsweats. Mine were a surprise. The first night I woke up, I thought I had peed the bed I was so wet (for some reason, this didnt happen at the hospital) This still hasn't completely gone away (probably b/c I'm BFing, at least that's my guess)

Sorry for those who thought this was TMI, but colo, I hope it helps. PM me with any quesitons

Me too. After my daughter, I would wake up soaked in sweat at night, but it was summer (and it was a hot summer) and the a/c was always on and I would freeze! I was glad when I realized I was sweating out and peeing out all the water I had been carrying around so uncomfortably - and that's something else about a c-section - I swelled (retained water) more after the c-section, at least my first one. I had a lot of uncomfortable swelling with my first child, especially in one of my legs and feet and I couldn't wait for it to be gone when the baby was born. To my surprise it got worse before it got better. With my son, I didn't have all the swelling during my pregnancy and it didn't get any worse after he was born.
I didn't get the air pocket thing H&G's mom mentioned although I have heard about it.

[PerfectAnjail]

Oh yea. Swelling...I knew I wouldn't be my normal size right after givign birth, but I was still very large (water/swelling) I still looked abou 7.5 months pregnant! Needless to say, it subsided quickly.

[jackie]

I had 1 c-section but will not explain everyone else did a great job. Just wanted to give you a tip. Have them put the catheter in after the spinal :thumb: .

[jackie]

Oh yea. Swelling...I knew I wouldn't be my normal size right after givign birth, but I was still very large (water/swelling) I still looked abou 7.5 months pregnant! Needless to say, it subsided quickly.
:ditto: I came home weighing the same as I did when I went in :shrug: .

[mybell]

I had 1 c-section but will not explain everyone else did a great job. Just wanted to give you a tip. Have them put the catheter in after the spinal :thumb: .

They wouldn't do that for me, as you can lose bladder control right away with the spinal.