From the article: What will I feel during a cesarean section?
When we talk about a c-section we talk about how you won't feel any pain because of the anesthesia, spinal or epidural. You should only feel tugging and pulling for the most part - no pain. This isn't what always happens. Some women feel nothing. Other women have brief moments of pain. What was your c-section like? Share Your Experience
No problems
- Wow, these are some horror stories. I have my 3rd c/s in two days and I didn't have any problems with my other two. The first I felt literally nothing and the second I felt mild tugging, was strange but not at all painful. During both I could not feel myself breathing due to numbness but they said that's normal and is why they have you on oxygen. I remember asking if I was breathing normal and they were reassuring and kind. Afterwards, I had minimal pain, just that kind of burning itchy feeling you get with any healing incision. The only really horrid part is when they come to check and make sure your uterus is shrinking by pressing on your belly. That is miserable but brief. As soon ad my babies were cleaned up they stayed with me from that point on. I'm very happy with my surgeries.
- —Guest Jenn
My unplanned c section
- I had an unplanned c section with my first. My water broke 1:45 am and by 2 am we were in our room.. We had a very busy day and only had 15 min of sleep. I was in full blown active labor for 13 hours with no progression past 3 cm.. I hit 3 cm by 6 am.. 9 of those hours were just waiting to progress.. I had the epidural.. Got rushed back and had all the meds.. I remember seeing my son and that's it until 3 days later when we went home.. I slightly remember that day also.. I'm due in 3 months with our 2nd.. My son is only 18 months.. I'm afraid because I want to remember everything.. And I'm scared I won't.. I had a great experience.. But I'm terrified I won't remember anything
- —Guest Jillian
felt being cut during csection
- This will ne my 3rd csect. and I'm not very happy bc I felt being cut both times n had to be put under. After telling the Dr. A few times I could feel being cut n getting nasty I was put to sleep. I as told 1%of ppl dnt take to the meds.(spinal)n must get put to sleep. Ive been hoping this time would be different bc I would love to see my last baby born. I too was in more pain after my2nd then first although I did heal faster n was up n more about then my first.
- —Guest Heidi Cheri
knocked out
- i had a emergancy c section at 32 weeks and was knocked out fully the pain when i woke up was terribe, didnt see my son for 4.days was also put on a ward of mothers who have there children by there bedside been woken up to the screams of newborns was heartbreakin, made me cry myself to sleepevery night but the bond i have with my son is still very much so strong.
- —Guest hayeyf
How it feels
- When I had my c section 9 days ago it hurt so bab it have a burning feeling and it still kinda hurt I hope it will b healed by next week cause this not a good feeling
- —Guest Shay
Most traumatic birth my c section
- I was in labour over 13 hours, fully dilated for 5 off them, they eventually brought scan to room baby's head was lodged was never gunna deliver naturally I was dashed for a ceserain they didn't top my epidural from labour room, I could feel the prick, they starred the procedure and I felt everything the cutting was like a burning feeling I screamed and cried the anaesthetist eventually looked over the screen I was shouting sumit was on top of my thighs she looked at me in fear offered to put me under I was terrified I thought I was gunna die that's all I remember the look in her eyes still gives me constant nitemares and flashbacks after 6 years on
- —Guest Sarah
I Felt Everything
- After 8 hours of labor i received an epidural. While waiting for labor to progress a pair of nurses came in and said my baby may bee in distress. Before i even understood what was happening I was drinking a horrible concoction and being told to get on my knees on the table. I was disconnected fromeverything and rushed toward the room for emergency c section. They prepped me then brought my mother in. They began cutting and I knew something was wrong. I looked to the anesthesiologist standing above me and nearly screamed to him i could feel it. Everyone in the room looked stunned. The doctor said since the baby was in distress there was nothingthey could do that they had to proceede. They pulled my mom from the room and before i knew it I had a nurse on each arm holding down my wrists with their knees. My mother and father said they heard my screams from the hallway and feared the worst. It was more than traumatic. I didn't even get to meet my daughter for two hours afterwards.
- —Guest Jordaine
Scared
- This will be my 2nd C section in about 3 months and I am terrified for some reason, I had an emergency C section 5 years ago with my son and it went okay, I didn't feel anything just pressure and the normal things, but after reading all of these comments I am scared that I will feel the pain or something will go wrong, I definately don't want to be put under, I want to be awake for it. I guess we will see and I will have to talk to my doctor about it. Hopefully it turns out okay with my new baby boy. :)
- —Guest Rachelle
one emergency, two planned
- I was gassed for my first c section which was an emergency due to low heartbeat in my son. But my other two c sections were planned and I felt nothing except for the tugging. Anesthesia makes me sick so I did puke several times after each of my surgeries. But overall nine of my c sections were bad.
- —karenc73
Spinal block and violent shaking
- I was booked in for a planned c section because my baby was breech due to a bid ornate uterus, but went into labour 4 days early. I did not feel the needle for the spinal block even though they said it would hurt as I was having a contraction at the time. It took longer than the surgeons thought for the numbness to kick in completely (when getting dentist work, I need double the local). I could feel everything but no pain. They had not expected my daughter to be so big, and had made the incision too small to get her out, so by the time they finally did she was very blue and not breathing (quickly did start though). I did not know any of this at the time. I began violently shaking and complaining about pain from the needle in my arm so they put the oxygen mask on me for a while till I felt a bit better. This was at 6pm at night. I started to get pins and needles feeling back at around midnight and soon after that my catheter became very uncomfortable as I began to feel it.
- —Guest Rosie
emergency C - felt nothing
- I have a scheduled c-section this coming Monday, 4 days from now, and reading all the above comments I'm glad I've already had one because they're all terrifying. I was knocked out and the count back stopped at 9 - I don't even remember saying 8, and when I woke up, there she was, waiting for me with my husband. This time it's scheduled and my husband will be there with me. I'll be awake this time, and pray I don't feel what ya'll did! *crosses fingers*
- —Guest Ruth
Epidural only worked on right side
- I was 41 wks pregnant having contractions. They did an ultrasound and the was no fluid around the baby so they admitted me after 4 hrs of pushing and it not working they tried the vacuum suction still nothing so then we had to go into an c-section. When I received the epidural I told the guy that only my right side was numb so they continued on. Once they started cutting my left side I could feel everything so I started flipping out coming up out of the straps. They then decided to gas me. I woke up in intensive care and didn't get to see my son for a day. 1 yr later I was diagnosed with an epidermoid brain tumor on the left side of my head pushing against my brain stem so I'm not for sure if that played a role at all in me not feeling the epidural on my left side.
- —Guest Ashley
Couldn't breath
- When I had my son 6 months ago he was already a week late, i had been induced for 23 hours and had an epidural already in place. I was only dialated 2 so they called the doc and he came in and told me he was going to do a c-section. They got me on the table and strapped my arms down and they let my mom go in with me. They asked if i could feel anything and i could feel the pressure and feel the doc touching my skin but it was numb like when your arm falls asleep and you know someone is touching you but at the same time it doesn't really feel like they are. When he started cutting I couldn't feel pain but I could hear him cutting my skin. I was fine until they pulled my son out. At that point I couldn't catch my breath and that sent me into a panic attack which was even worse! They didn't even tell me to count down they just told my mom that she had to leave and put the mask on me. It was terrifying but I'd have to say it was worth it.
- —Guest Kaitlyn
Could feel them cutting
- My Dr. decided to perform a csection after being induced and 16 hours of labor and one hour of pushing and my daughter was not coming out. Since I had already labored & had an epidural in place, they topped off the medication and prepped me for surgery. Once in the OR, they tested my abdomen with a scapel & I told them I could feel it & it was sharp. They then told me that they were going to have to put me under general and I protested. So they gave me nitrious oxide to take the "edge" off (which had no effect at all), but I would most likely feel the surgery. So they began cutting and I could feel everything! Once they cut through the superficial layers of my skin, I could not feel anything else, but I think I was in shock. I barely remember seeing my daughter for the 1st time. The next day, one of my nurses told me to schedule a csection for my next baby and I will be given a spinal, which is a complete block.
- —Guest Jenn
My c-Section
- Reading all the above posts is teriffying, I had an cesarean section 6 weeks ago after 30 hours of non progressive labour, making it to only 3-4 centimeters, I felt the incision and had to be put under, I still hate the fact that I didnt get that lovely euphoric experience meeting my son for the first time, and it sucks that this will probably be the case for future births, is there any good news out there, everyone seems to have a bad story to tell, even though I had a tough labour and after my section had many complications and stayed in hospital for over a week, I thought the midwives and doctors were all amazing and the care was second to none, I will not leave the experience dampen my spirits, my little fella was worth it all and I would do it again tomorrow, keep the chins up girls xx
- —Guest Karlam01
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