From the article: Cesarean Section - Giving Birth by C-section
Having a cesarean birth can be frightening. Given the fact that about 1 in 3 women will have a c-section, planning ahead for the possibility of surgery in labor and delivery is a good idea. However, there are many things that can be done to make it more birth and less surgery, when possible. What have you seen done or what have you done to make a cesarean section better for you and your family? Did you alter the birth room? Have people with you? Watch the birth? Just know that there are things that you can do to help you have a positive experience. Share Your Advice
scared
- My due date is soon. I've been knowing that my baby has hydrocephulas and his head is begining to be impossible to push out which means my doctor is planning a c-section. I can even began to explain how scared I am about the whole process. Already I have a 15 month year old and I had a vaginal delivery so thinking of a c-section is really bothersome for me. Does any one have any suggestions of what I can do to make the thought easier?
- —Guest latasha taylor
Still scared
- I was really scared to have a CS with our 1st baby, and I hated every minute of it. I labored for 24 hrs. but he was too big, and I felt like a failure. Physically, it took a couple of months before I even felt good (and I was young and in shape), but emotionally, I was upset with myself for a WHOLE YEAR! I've had 3 VBACS since then, but we're expecting #5 in Feb., I'm 41 (in good health, but not in good shape), they think the baby will be between 9-10 lbs., and he is breech (so far -- turn, Baby, turn!), so I'm scared that I will need another CS. I think it might be rougher on me this time, and I'm having a hard time staying positive about any/everything. My husband is no help, really. I pray and try to leave it in the Lord's Hands.
- —Guest bbrowning
Don't worry about it!
- I've had 3 c-sections and I'm getting ready for another. I attempted to deliver vaginally the first two times but ended up having a section anyways. The third time was a planned section and recovery was much easier. It was a pleasant experience. This time, I'm only nervous about getting the spinal, which isn't any different from how I felt all the other times. But hey, I'd really rather not feel the cut. This time I will be sure to take all of my pain medication and receive the help that is offered by friends and family - the first time they offer. Establish a good relationship with your doctor and trust her/him. This is what they're trained to do. Having said that - remember to pray for yourself, your baby, your doctor, and the medical staff that you will encounter while in the hospital. Everyone needs a little help.
- —Guest Karen
more than 3
- Any one out there have more than 3 c-sections. I would love to know where the limit...
- —Guest leona
4-time section mom...
- Find out before-hand if your hospital/doc allows cameras in the OR - if so, have your SO/DH take your camera into the OR and start taking pictures ASAP. Ask the doc if s/he will hold up the baby for you to see as soon as s/he is born - or if the peds team will come around the drape before taking the baby to the warmer. If you have a spinal, keep your head flat! Lifting your head if you have a spinal can make your blood pressure drop and make you nauseous. Get on your feet and move as soon as you can post-op. Gravity and movement are your friends, especially to help your bowels post-operatively. Take pain meds if you need them. Use a pillow to keep the baby off your incision when you nurse. And yes, while it is delivering a baby (as others have said) it is also major abdominal surgery. Don't do too much - rest and recover!
- —a_half_dozen_eggs
Picking a Birthday - Baby Style
- I had to have a cesarean but was so worried about my baby. I know that there are a lot of risks for him. I talked to my doctor about how to give him the best shot at being healthy. We did a birth plan and it even included waiting for labor to start. My doctor told me that if we waited for labor, that my baby would NOT be premature and he would breathe better on his own, meaning no NICU. That sounded like a good plan. So about three days after my due date, I started having contractions around 3 a.m. I laid in bed for a bit and then went and called my doctor. Hubby and I went in to the hospital and they were waiting with the operating room. It was fun to get that "mad dash to the hospital." Our son cried pretty well once they cleared his lungs and he got to pick his own birthday when his brain and lungs were ready.
- —Guest MarnieMom
Caesarian section
- If you are having an elective CS it prepares well ahead of the big event and if you can see the CS as bringing forth your baby(ies) and not as a Surgery it will help calm your nerves. CS is not such a difficult thing if you ask me, from my experience, it is even easier especially if you don't have to go into labor first before having the CS.
- —Guest Mary
Caesarian section
- As soon as you can stand up and stand up STRAIGHT.. it hurts unbelievably but if you stand up straight each time you will feel better sooner. Also take the pain medication when needed - don't let the pain get on top of you. Wear high-waisted underwear and use a hair dryer to dry the wound.
- —Guest KarenP
have an advocate
- Prior to my unplanned c-section, I asked for a mirror so that I could see my baby being born, but they didn't get it to me in time. I wish I had thought to remind my husband to speak up for me. Afterward, I didn't get to see my baby until he was cleaned, weighed, had his cord cut, etc. I wish I had seen him all slimy and new! At least we had given a disposable camera to the nurse, so she took pictures of him, but I felt cheated a bit out of the experience. Don't let that happen! Think of what you want beforehand and remind your partner to help you get everything you want.
- —Guest mommy
It is really not that bad...
- Don't think of it as surgery, rather the birth of a child. I have had two and will be having another in a couple of weeks. The first was an unexpected surprise after high blood pressure, and I was relieved to see my baby rather than sit in the hospital for days on end with no progress being made with other interventions. I rave that I have been blessed with great recoveries and have had little pain. The only rough part is not being able to carry my older children or drive for a few weeks. In this area my husband has been accommodating and has a great appreciation for the birth experiences of each of our children.
- —Guest mother of 3 under 2 1/2
Plan ahead and make the best of things
- Speak to your OB/GYN, anesthetist, & hospital ahead of time to make sure you know where they can be flexible. 1. Walk into theater (OR), 2. play music, 3. if the screen can't be dropped for you to see the baby being delivered, ask them to have it low enough for your husband to see, 4. know in advance the drugs can make you woozy, so tell your husband to be super aware so he can retell you everything after wards, 5. have him take photos if poss, 6. arrange for them to place the screen lower & free one arm after the baby is out, so that if all is well with the baby s/he can be kangarooed with you instead of being put in the warmer to warm (theaters are usually very cold - this is why babies get taken out ASAP and put in warmers for a few hours... but you can avoid that by using your body to warm the baby), 7. once the baby leaves the theater, have your husband go with the staff WITH VIDEO CAMERA so at least one of u is with the baby and he can film everything for you. & Breathe!
- —jsdcreative1
Check Hospitals Protocols BEFORE Birth
- As part of the hospital selection process I think it is key to ask about section protocols where you are planning a vaginal birth or a section birth. Protocols vary greatly from location to location. One of our local hospitals that delivers over 10,000 babies each year won't allow babies in recovery and mother/baby pairs aren't together until the mother is well enough to go to a postpartum room which can be an hour or two or many hours. The other major birthing facility lets babies into recovery with the mother if both are doing well...big difference. Many facilities only allow one person in with the mother and some women want more than that. Know what to expect up front and it can make it a nicer and/or easy process.
- —hostdiane
cesarean preferences
- Ask for the baby to be put skin to skin on your chest while they are stitching you up. I think it's important to have a plan and advocate for mother and baby to stay together in the recovery room - never separated. So many surgeries are done now where the baby is healthy, so there should be a lot more opportunity in those situations for skin to skin, nursing on the table, no separation.
- —Guest PfB Teri
Be happy!
- I acknowledge that I was really sad about having a cesarean. But I knew it was the best decision, I think allowing myself the feelings of sadness BEFORE the birth was so good for me. Once I did that and cried and talked to my husband, it was so much easier to focus on the birth. We had our doula with us and she went with me to get the spinal. My husband joined us and sang happy birthday in my ear while I watched the birth via a mirror I asked for (not the gory stuff just the baby coming out). My doula really helped us get breastfeeding off to a good start and helped my husband know the best way to help me after surgery. So get a doula, breastfeed right away and it's okay to be sad, but then you can rejoice at the birth!
- —Guest c-sectionmommy
