Have you gone through a Caesarian Section for your baby delivery?

Question

Please share your experience with me. I don't know what a C-Section surgery is like. What are it's advantages/disadvantages? How quickly do you recover? Is it painful?

Answer 1

You receive a epidural/spinal that numbs you from the chest down. A catheter is inserted and you do not feel any pain, but you do feel pressure as the baby is removed.

The advantages is that you do not have to go through labor.

Disadvantages are that you take longer to heal. It took me about 3 weeks.

I did not have any real pain after the surgery. I took Motrin and that seemed to take care of it. There was a problem with gas, due to the surgery. In recovery, they push on your stomach to make sure your uterus is contracting. My best advice would be to get up and move right away. That helps with the pain.

I did get to see my baby right away. I did not get to hold her, but she was in the operating room with me. After the surgery was complete she was given to me as I was taken to recovery and she stayed there.

Each experience is different, just as in normal labor and delivery.
I, personally, had a great c-section experience and I would have rather had a c-section then a normal vaginal birth.

Answer 2

I have had 3 c-sections. The first one was un-expected and I didn't feel a thing after they did the spinal. Getting up on your feet and moving helps more than anything. You can't lift anything heavier than your baby for a couple of weeks, and when you first start moving around your kinda bent over a bit, but that goes away quickly. My second and third c-sections were alot easier as I was not in labor and they were scheduled....easy as pie. I also had great doctors that were really quick. My husband was in the room with me the whole time except when I got the spinals. Never having done the vaginal thing I can't tell you if it is any more painful or not, everything else that goes along with having a baby is the same....you still bleed (seems like forever) you still get the shakes in the recovery room, you still cry over everything (talk about hormones!), and you still have a precious beautiful little baby!! The important thing is to go into it without panic and fear. The most important thing about birth is actually having a baby at the end...it doesn't make you any less of a Mom or a woman if you have a c-section. There are faniatic's out there that will tell you that since you had a c-section you haven't "experienced" birth...and that is a load of crap. It doesn't matter how it happens as long as you and the baby are safe and healthy. It is all about your state of mind. Which also effects your recovery time and the amount of pain you go through. Talk to your doctor about it, espically if you are worried. Good luck.

Answer 3

I did have a c-section. I was scared to death about it, but it's not so bad. I was freaked out about the needle going into my back for the anethestic, but it only hurt for a minute. I felt a lot of tugging and pressure, but no pain during the surgery. Afterwards, it took some effort to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. But getting up and walking helps the pain go away faster. For about a day after the surgery, you are hooked up to a morphine i.v., so you can manage your pain as much as you need. It took me about 3 weeks to fully recover, but that varies for everyone. Depending on your pain tolerance and how fast you heal, it make take you more or less time. But by 3 weeks after the surgery, I was down in the floor, searching under the furniture for lost pacifiers and the like. Just make sure your hubby understand that you are going to need his help a lot the first couple of weeks. You'll find that, since you have a little life that is dependent on you, it's easier to put your pain aside and take care of the baby. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had a c-section. Here is what they do:
1. the doctor comes in a asks if you are allergic to any meds.
2. They start an i.v. with just regular fluids
3. They make you drink this stuff that tastes like really sour smarties candy
4. They had me walk to the o.r. (your hospital might be different)
5. They gave me 3 shots in my back- i had a spinal block, not an epidural. This wasn't as bad as i thought. I'm not going to say it was painless, but it wasn't crazy bad.
6. They laid me down on the table and put the blood pressure cuff on me
7. They waited till i was really numb before they put in a cath (so you don't pee on yourself)
8. they started cutting. You don't feel this, but you do feel the pulling and tugging which doesn't hurt.
9. After surgery, they put you in recovery and you are there at least an hour. The nurses will make sure you are doing ok. When i was in there, i couldn't stop shaking and my nose itched really bad, but they said that this was normal.

It took me a while to recover. This is a major surgery, so don't expect to be going shopping or walking around really soon after. You will also be dealing with the fact that you just gave birth as well.
It will be ok, just trust your doctor and do exactly what he says. Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy.

Answer 5

I had a c-section in September. I went into the hospital 5 days past my due date with no dialation. I was having contractions about 3 to 5 minutes apart. They started the potosum 3 hours after I got there and they had to break my water. I did about 20 hours of labor and then they decided it was time for a c-section. It took 7 minutes for them to cut me open, take the baby out, and stitch me back up. The advantage... Hmm not having to push that baby out. It's quick. Disadvantage... The pain of it afterwards when you have to cough, clear your throat, sneeze is horrible. I didn't get to change my baby until she was 4 days old. I had a hard time holding her for the first 1 1/2 weeks. I don't regret having it done!

Answer 6

the only advantage is that you usually do not have to go through all the pain of labor. they will give you an epidural to numb you and then take the baby out. disadvantages are that you cannot be with your baby right away, it takes longer to heal, you have to stay in the hospital longer, once you have a c-section it is hard to find a doctor that will deliver you vaginally. the procedure itself is not painful, but the recovery is. it is a surgery and it is not uncommon for women to experience pain for months after wards.

Answer 7

I agree with Red...in my view, the disadvantages out weigh the advantages. I had a c-section and it took me a very long time to heal. Some women swear by them though...I have had 2 natural births (no medication), 1 c-section and one birth w/ an epidural....by far I would recommend the natural birth! I felt SO much better after the natural birth, you don't have to wait hours for feeling to come back into your legs, Anyway...I wouldn't have a c-section unless it was absoloutley necessary...(if you or the baby is in danger)....best of luck to you!