For women who have had c-sections, are they as bad as I hear?

Answer 1

I've had 3 and it's not that bad. The best thing I can tell you is to get up and walk as soon as you can. It will be painful at first but if you don't, you'll regret it. With my first I didn't and it took me 6 weeks to recover. With my second, I was up and walking the next day and I was back to myself in 3 weeks. With my last, I was up and walking around the same day and I was able to go back to work in 2 weeks. It's only as bad as you make it. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I had to have an emegency c-section because I hadn't progressed and my daughter's heart rate had went up a little and I developed a slight fever. It was really scary because I wan't expecting to have to have one.

It's not as bad as you've heard. The scariest part is getting wheeled into surgery because all these worse-case scenarios start flooding your brain and you start to think everything from you're going to die to your going to be paralyzed. Let me assure you, it's all in your head.

All you'll feel is tugging which is wierd yet painless. Afterward, the most painful thing is when you have to flex your stomach muscles to stand or even when laughing. There's a burning sensation that's quite intense but you'll get plenty of pain meds to help with that. And the doctors did my incision so low that I can wear bikinis and you can't see anything. I mean, honestly, you really can't tell and it was only 6 months ago. And there is no "double stomach" like some people scared me about. Supposedly, the incision is supposed to create this huge indention in your stomach. Not true. After the swelling, my stomach was just fine. Just make sure they cut you low enough. Where your pubic hair begins is a perfect spot.

Don't be afraid. I'm sure you've got excellent doctors and because of all the stigma behind c-sections, doctors are even more careful than they've been in the past.

Good luck with you baby!

Answer 3

I've had three; the first after 2 hours of pushing, the second (which was supposed to be a vback) when my water broke and she was completely sideways and the third was scheduled because they had to cut me vertically with baby #2.

I'm not at all sure they are worse. Yeah, your stomach hurts! It is hard to get out of bed for the first few days, but those who have vaginal births usually have stitches down there so they hurt to sit and to poop. Vaginal deliveries also bleed more, and get tossed out of the hospital faster which isn't that good for baby and you don't get the rest you can in the hospital where they can take the baby for a few hours so you can sleep. If you're lucky enough to avoid hours of painful labor, that's not something you'll be sorry you missed.

In the end, all that matters is that mom and baby come out healthy, and that is totally worth it.
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My only warning is that doctors have gotten lazy and do c-sections way, way too often. This isn't good because anytime you have surgery, you increase the risk of infection, and you can have a bad reaction (even fatal) to the anesthesia. I've had anesthesia problems all three times. Turns out I'm allergic to a few but didn't know that since I'd never had surgery before.

I think it is irresponsible for a doctor to assume a c-section is "necessary" before attempting a natural delivery unless you have one of the very dangerous conditions that precludes a vaginal birth, like placenta previa or a real medical condition for mom or baby, like high blood pressure or a heart problem in the fetus.

Breech or big baby is not reason for an automatic c as breech babies can often be turned, and docs don't know for sure if either can be delivered until it happens. The flexibility of mom's pelvis and the baby's head makes all the difference. I have seen really tiny mom's deliver beautiful, healthy BIG babies vaginally.

After having 3, and assisting a number of friends, I still think the very best way to have a baby (unless you've already been designated as high risk) is to use a nurse-midwife in a hosptial setting. A midwife is a lot more comforting and usually stays with you non-stop, providing encouragement and helping mom feel a lot better. If you use her in a hospital, you still have all the emergency resources right there should a genuine issue crop up.

Anyhow...it is hard to talk about childbirth and not scare an expectant mom.

Just remember, women have been doing this since the beginning of humanity. It is a natural process and well worth it.

I used to joke - God had quite a plan. He made getting pregnant fun to insure continuation of the species. He made pregnancy and labor suck, so we don't do it too often!

The good news about labor is that it signals the end of your pregnancy. That last month is terribly uncomfortable for most of us. Plus you finally get to meet the little alien that has been kicking your bladder for months!

Last thing..the gal who mentioned getting up and walking right away was spot on! It hurts like hell but the faster you get moving the quicker the discomfort goes away.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Well to start off, I have had 3 c-sections and I do not want to scare you. Every c-section is different. My first was really bad, but the other two where not. The main thing to remember is to stay moving. The more you lay in bed the more you are going to hurt. Don't over do it, I mean though. Just do little things, like going to the bathroom or just walking around in the house a little. Don't sit or lay there all day or you will regret it.

Answer 5

I thought it was horrible. My first son was delivered vaginally (with an epidural) and my second was an emergency c-section (with a spinal block). He wasn't moving much, and they found he was in distress when I contracted. He was two weeks early.

So many women think a c-section is minor surgery, but it's NOT. They're cutting through skin/fat, abdominal muscles and your uterus. Just becuase you're awake doesn't make it any safer or any less important.

With my vaginal birth, I recovered so much faster...I was out driving, shopping, playing with the baby, etc. etc. in a few days/week. We went for walks...to the park, all kinds of stuff.

With my c-section, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't go anywhere or do anything, only take stairs once a day. It hurt to sit it hurt to stand, it hurt to lie down (and forget standing up from a lying down position...lol). I couldn't drive. The pain meds I was on for a few days after having him made me nauseous, so I couldn't eat. I was stranded at home with a newborn to take care of and couldn't do anything with him, other than to hold him and sit (very uncomfortably). I preferred the vaginal birth hands down...yes, until I got my epidural it hurt like a *****, but as soon as the baby was born, all pain was forgotten.

I'm still slightly numb on my c-section scar (from over a year ago!). It has something to do with nerves that were severed when they made the incision...it's common, but it's totally weird to have no feeling around the incision.

Answer 6

I had a C section 18 yrs ago, and at first it was a blessing, but I wont lie, after you wake, it is very very painful. The best advice I can give you is be strong and try to straigten up as soon as you can, don't stay doubled over as I did. To let you know how bad it actually is, the hospital staff made me walk to the toilet which was approximately 100 yds away, it took me half an hour to get there, pee and get back to bed, but one morning you'll wake up and the pain will be gone. It took me about 3 days before I was feeling better. All I can say is you soon forget the pain. All the best

Answer 7

Depends. I have had 3 "emergency" or unplanned c-sections and recovered more quickly from them than from the natural birth.
As well, I was able to talk and joke with my husband and the medical team as i was not having to undergo painful contractions.
Another thing that i liked is that it was more controlled. I didn't have to worry about tearing or episiotomies.
However, alot of women I know who had c-sections find it harder to do situps or any type of abdominal excercise very well.....
Sorry not much help, but if i got to choose between having a natural or c-section, i would choose the c-section.

Answer 8

No, c-sections are not that bad. I had one with my first because he was breeched. Get up and walk as soon as you can. I was walking (slowly) within 12 of waking up. It really makes a difference. My doctor took my stiches out before I left the hosptial and I had no trouble with them. They will have you do breathing excerises and make you cough a couple times an hour, this is what really hurts. Hold a pillow over you cut with light pressure, this will relive some of the pain. You will forget all pain when you hold your baby. Good luck.

Answer 9

No, it wasn't that bad and I had twins! Just get all the info you can about it before you go in......
Go get a book called " what to expect when you are expecting". It's the pregnancy bible and will help with all these questions. It's excellent in describing all of these little things that worry moms and help distinguish when something is "normal" or not. It has a great chapter on C-sections..... go to the library and read all you can about it.
I knew in advance that it was my only option. I went in with the best attitude that I could. I decided that it was the best thing for my twins and wanted to get well fast so we could all go hom....attitude means alot.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

No, I had my first c-section was unplanned, I had high blood pressure. I was awake, a bit nauseas from the anesthesia, but was alert and talking the entire time. I kept asking the doctor to move the mirror so I could see too! LOL (they did not) the staff was great, recovery was not bad either. In 2 weeks I was driving and felt fine. My second was planned, it was a bit tougher, but I was 4 years older and had a hernia repair also, so it was not as easy as the first. But you will be fine!