I am having a C-section done on Tuesday and I am terrified.?

Question

I heard that you dont feel anything once the drugs kick in. Just a bit of tugging and pulling. This is my 1st pregnancy. Can anyone clear my nerves a bit that has had a c-section and explain to me what happens during and after? How do they check to see if the drugs worked?

Answer 1

They check to see if the drugs work by testing whether you can feel something on your skin (it was kind of like a rough scrubber sponge). You don't feel the pain, just pressure and tugging. The doctor then holds up the baby over the drape for you to see. They then take the baby aside and cut the cord (hubby can help if he wants) do the first APGAR and get the baby wrapped up. Then they bring you the baby to hold for a few seconds and the anethesiologist will take a picture for you (our had his own camera, and used ours too). Then hubby and nurses take the baby away while they get you stitched back up. You go to the recovery room for about 45 minutes to an hour. With my first c-section I didn't see the baby again til I was back in my room, with the second my husband brought her back up while I was still in recovery. If there are things you'd like to watch (like the first bath) ask the nurse to wait to do it until you are back in your room.

The beginning part of the c-section until the baby is born is the fast part--they'll have him/her out in about 5-7 minutes, then it takes about 20-30 more minutes to get stitched up (I had my tubes tied after my second c-section so that added more time).

You'll have a catheter so you won't have to get up to use the bathroom. My second c-section was at 8 am, and I got out of bed and sat in a chair for dinner. The next morning they removed the catheter and I took a shower. I was walking very slow laps around the maternity ward by that second night. I went home the morning after that (48 hours after giving birth), but for c-section you may be in the hospital for even one more day.

Congratulations.

More things I thought of:
They'll have a blood oxygen monitor on you, if you need it they may put an oxygen mask on (had it with my first, not with my second). Take deep breaths throughout and after (anethesia can cause fluid build up in your lungs). Because you'll have a catheter you will have an increased risk of bladder infection (UTI) so I would suggest drinking cranberry juice in high amounts for the first 4-5 days and if you have any burning during urination go to the doc and get a prescription. Ask the doctor to cut as low as possible (my incision is actually about 1 inch below the top of my pubic hair), I personally think having a low incision helped my heal faster. I was feeling pretty good about 7 days postpartum, and back to normal within 6 weeks.

Answer 2

First of all- RELAX!!! I have had 3 c-sections. The 1st was the worst because I was not prepared for it. But you are at an advantage, knowing ahead of time! They will give you either an epideral or a spinal block. It could possibly make you feel like you are going to throw up. I also had the feeling like I couldn't breathe well. Just take deep, slow breaths. The anesthesiologist will be there the whole time, monitoring your vital signs and adjusting things if needed, but I would not hesitate to say something if you are feeling some sort of side effects. Once the drugs kick in, they will test you by touching your stomach with the instruments. Trust me, they won't do anything until you are ready! After the surgery, you go to post-op room for a few hours, depending on how you are feeling. Once the epideral/spinal wears off, you are going to start feeling pain. Make sure you communicate with the nurses as to what you need! Also, they will want to get you up and moving soon. Its going to hurt like no tomorrow, but its necessary so you don't develop blood clots. Even while you are in bed, keep moving your legs up and down periodically to keep the blood flowing in them. Good luck! I am sure it will all go well. Just remember, in the end, you get a beautiful little one!

Answer 3

Actually, the drugs kick in super-fast. I barely had time to move from sitting to lying down - they had to do most of it. They will pinch you really hard to see if you are numb. It's a pretty quick operation. They push on your stomach pretty hard and they yank a lot but it's not pain - it's pressure. Nothing about the surgery itself hurts. I think it took longer to sew me up than to get the baby out. By then, you're looking at your baby and you're not really thinking about it anymore. You might have the shivers right after but that's from the drugs and it wears off. I also remember having a morphine drip (great stuff) that made me really sleepy. Great thing about a c-section is it doesn't hurt to pee or poo and your baby won't have a cone-head (which would go away anyway). As far as recovery, my first was more painful than my second but that really varies and they send you home with some nice pink pills to help that. A friend of mine had a really easy time of it (recovery) and she'd had twins. Don't worry - this is routine surgery. It sounds bad but it's not. You can't see anything and you have your husband or whoever right there with you. Just think about how good it will feel to not be 9 months pregnant anymore! Good luck! You'll be just fine!

Answer 4

Your doctor will ask you if you have sensation to test whether the anesthesia has kicked in before he or she begins the procedure. So, relax and trust your doctor that you are doing the right thing for your baby.

My daughter was 15 days overdue, and I had to have a C-section. It really wasn't bad. Yes, you typically can feel a bit of pulling, but it doesn't hurt. If you feel short of breath, be sure to mention it to your doctor before you feel panicky, and s/he will probably give you an oxygen mask. That will keep you comfortable and relaxed.

You may get a bit nauseated during the procedure, which is not abnormal. Let a nurse know as soon as you feel that way, and they will bring you a tray in case you need to spit up a little bit. (You shouldn't have had anything to eat for several hours beforehand, but sometimes you get a bit of nausea anyway.)

The anesthesia from a saddleblock wears off in a couple of hours, and then they typically give you some other kind of painkiller (like Tylenol 4). I recommend you take it. I didn't because I'm allergic to acetaminophen (found out later that Tylenol 4 does not have acetaminophen in it at all), and I was rather uncomfortable through that night when the nurses would come in to palpate my abdomen (to insure that the uterus is shrinking back to normal size appropriately).

You may be a bit sore, and some people complain of fairly severe gas pains, though I didn't have any gas pains at all and very little pain of any kind once I got through about the first 36 post-partum hours. I understand that for gas they recommend putting a pillow between your knees and drawing your knees up toward your chest.

I'm sure your doctor has told you to expect to be in the hospital for a few days while they insure that you are recovering normally. They will also tell you not to pick up things heavier than your baby for a few weeks, not to drive or go out in public where you could be exposed to germs for a couple of weeks, and not to go up and down stairs any more than is absolutely necessary for a few weeks.

If you're planning to nurse, you may want to keep a pillow near where you will probably sit to nurse to keep the baby from pressing against your incision. Again, I didn't have any problems with this, but some women do.

By and large, I had no undue effects of the C-section (except a low, narrow scar at the pubic line from hipbone to hipbone). However, it is really not very noticeable. Your scar is likely to be much smaller.

So don't worry! I had a much easier experience than some of my friends who delivered vaginally!

Answer 5

You won't feel anything. THey had my daughter out, and I asked when they would be cutting me, and they said "she's here!"

They give you the spinal or epidural (depends on the doctor) and then for me, they poked my feet and asked me if I felt anything.

Afterwards, you go to a recovery room for about an hour where the drugs wear off. You'll be sore, it's not horrible pain, but you'll have a hard time sitting up for a few weeks because those muscles are so weak. Try to get up and walk as soon as they let you - you''ll be better off.

Good luck, and just keep in mind the end of this will be that you get to have a beautiful baby!

Answer 6

The epidural is not a lot of fun... just stay still, curl up tight as you can, and scream if you have to.

Once it's in it will take a bit to really start working. They would test me by running an ice cube up my body, and they would ask me when I could feel it. You really can't feel anything. If you do, let them know!! If it's a scheduled c-section, then they are going to be taking their time. When it comes time to get the baby out, there is a lot of pressure and pushing and proding.... not painful, just ackward?

Recovery is very difficult... I hope you have someone to help you out for the first few weeks. Take it easy... take your madication... and if yo think you might have an infection.... don't hesitate to get it checked. I missed out on the first month of my baby's life because I spent it in the hospital with an infection.

Answer 7

once you recieve the epidural you will not feel anything mid body afterwards they will take you into the operating room and then they will check your vitals then the dr will start the c section you will not feel much fust some pulling and alot of pressure they will then show you the baby and you will go to recovery for a couple of hours then back to your room in a few hours you will be very sore and tired but thrilled also a few days afterwards you will feel much better they will make you get up and walk the day after surgery good luck to you im sure you will be fine!!!!

Answer 8

Don't worry! I have had 2 and will have another in July. The only bad thing is when you have to cough, sneeze, or laugh. Just put a pillow on your stomach press down and do your best. It's really nothing. You'll be sore but you'll be so busy with the baby that time will fly by. I wish you the best. Remember concentrate on the baby not the pain. Oh! By the way, the dr will give you these nice pills that will make you feel really good. lol Take a nap everytime the baby does. That will help you recover.

Answer 9

OK Hun your gonna be just fine Ive had three c-secs in fact i just Had one six months ago my sweet baby boy was born Aug 2 but back to you and your fear well it is a little scary the day of the surgery alot of faces you don't know but remember there is one face in that room that will make it all worth while and he or she needs there help to get out !
OK i will walk you threw it first they draw some blood second they get you prep ed IE.. saving belly and IVs and the spinal block third after that Hun its over so fast you cant believe it there a lot of pushing and pulling sensation and then a final feeeling of pressur when you sweet baby is taken out and then thats it while they get baby cleaned up they are sticting you back up and off you go to your room A NEW MOMMIE !!!!!!
ITS GONNA BE OK ! then some meds for pain for a couple days .
goodluck hun god bless .

Answer 10

You don't feel anything except pulling but I will warn you cause nobody told me, when they cut you open you might get a little bit of the shakes maybe feel like your cold. That scared me at first but it's just them takin the baby out off you is not natural you'll do fine. I wish someone would have told me about the shakes before I had mine