If You Have Ever Had a C-Section....

Martha, I would PM Sarah she actually just trained on c-sections and is really helpful, when I almost had to schedule one she really helped me. Also Nicole (NHPT) had a scheduled one because Avery was breech and she knows a lot of about recovery and such. I don't know how much either of them are around this week so you might want to PM them.

Thanks, everyone!!!

My anxiety is kicking in and I can't sleep much at night. I am just ready for him to be here!

I saw that video with the baby crawling on his moms belly and eventually finding her breast. We actually saw it last week in our birthing class. It was crazy! It was also very neat how he knew where it was!

I think I need to restate that I did NOT initially want a c-section, but I do not want to labor for hours and hours with the chance that I would still need a c-sec and just be totally exhausted. I would rather be well rested so I can recover quicker.

I really do not have a high tolerance for pain...which is what worries me. We do have a 2 story home and have a restroom on each level, but unfortunately our bedroom is upstairs with the restroom that only has a tub (no shower). I really want to sleep in our bed and not on the sofa bed, so I will attempt to trek up and down the stairs once a day to shower...if it doesn't work, I will just sleep downstairs. No biggie, really.

Noah has always measured kinda big. Everytime I got a sono, they would up his due date a few days. I know sono's can be off a little, I just hope he is big otherwise I am gonna be mad that he was small and I didn't even try to deliver vaginally. But, really, with my anxiety attacks, I feel this may end up being the best route...I would hate to have an attack while I am trying to push him out. When I had my tumor removal, I had an anxiety attack about 20 min before the surgery, so they had to push it back a bit to make sure I was okay...I think with Jay there and knowing that I will not be put under I will be okay. I hope.

Our birthing class tonight is on C-sections, so hopefully she will answer any questions I have. If not, I will PM Sarah...I haven't seen her around much, so I just thought she was busy with work and her stationary business. I just really wanted advice from women that have experienced a c-sec....I forgot about Anny and Nicole having one. Hopefully the class tonight will ease my mind.

Thanks girls....I am so excited to finally meet him! It's been a loooooong 38 weeks!

Hi Martha~

I had a C-section. Because of my gestational diabetes, ultrasounds, and Kevin's birthweight of 10 1/2 lbs., they thought Austin was going to be huge. He was 7 lbs. 14 3/4 oz. I was induced around 8:00 a.m., and everything was going fine until about 3 p.m. That's when his heartrate was dropping with my contractions. Later found out that was because the cord was around his neck and leg. The section was SO FAST!! I went into the room around 4:30, they called Kevin in around 4:45 and at 5:01, the dr. held Austin up above the curtain and said "hi Mom, hi Dad"! It took longer for them to "put me back together" than it did to get him out! While they were "putting me back together", we could see Austin across the room being weighed, measured, etc. He was placed on my chest when they were wheeling us to our room, and he breastfed as soon as we got in there.

I had a very good experience with my C-section. I, too, did not want one, but it really turned out well. I do not feel any "less of a mother" for not pushing him out. I'm sure if you have any feelings like that, they'll disappear within a week of caring for your new little guy 24-7! In the hospital, it hurt when I coughed, sneezed, or laughed. Kevin changed almost every diaper there, because it was hard for me to move to get Austin. The mechanical bed was a huge help for me- as that was what was hard when I got home (pulling myself up in bed to feed him).

I have a tri-level, and the stairs were not a problem for me at all. However, don't push yourself with the stairs if you're not feeling well. If I remember right, I think I took pain pills for 1 or 2 days after coming home. Honestly, you'll be surprised at how much you forget so soon!

That's all I can think of for now~ let me know if you have any questions.

Good luck! Noah will be here so soon now!!!

Amy

P.S. Just went back and re-read your comment about a low pain tolerance~ I am one of the BIGGEST babies you will ever meet! And if I could, I'd have another baby tomorrow!!

Thanks for sharing, Amy! I am coming to terms with the fact that I can't deliver vaginally...I am not completely okay with it, but really, I just don't want to exhaust myself or worry about something happening to Noah.

Can I ask if you were able to breastfeed while taking the pain meds? I know there are some pills you can't/shouldn't take while b-feeding, but in all honesty, pills don't really work for me...it takes a strong dosage to make me feel okay. I am going to buy some Motrin because I hear sometimes that is better than the pain meds?

I breastfed (and still do- exclusively) and the pain meds I was on were Norco and prescription Motrin. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Marth, Congrats!! Cant wait to see baby Noah....I had a c-sect and I have a low-tolerance for pain myself. for me the 1st week was excruciating and the hardest, after that, the pain was bearable. The meds didnt work too well for me either (I was hoping it would take away all the pain at once but they didnt, LOL, but it help a bit). My advice is too always keep a pillow on your lap in case you have to sneeze or cough. I sneezed after my c-sect (i was still in the hospital) and I thought i ripped my stitches bc it hurt so bad...then a nurse told me that if i hold a pillow against my belly when coughing or sneezing, it helps and it did (for me). I wish you the best...you will forget about the pain once you see those little eyes looking back at you.