to women who have had a c section?

It really depends. I've had 2 c-sections. The first was after 24 hours of hard back labor and 4+ hours of straight pushing with nothing but neubaine. His head was right there but it was turned and sunnyside up so he woudlnt' come out any farther..after trying just about every technique we could.. I was exhausted beyond recognition. The actual csection itself wasn't bad at all. They gave me the epid. and shortly after that I was wheeled into the operating room. I was so tired though. I sat in recovery for about an hour or so until I came around. once I got to my room I was so tired from the whole ordeal I just wanted to sleep. The recovery sucked also because of what I went through. I had to lay flat on my back for the first 3 days and it hurt like heck when I did get up and walk. I couldn't bend at all b/c it hurt too much (thankfully my husband (fiancee at time) was there the whole time to change diapers and help out with what I needed. It took me about 8 weeks until I was actually feeling better with no pain.

The second c-section was GREAT! It was planned so I had the apt scheduled. I walked into the operating room myself. They gave me the epid. and started shortly after that. I was awake, alert, responsive and happy. No pain at all! I went into recovery for about an hour then off to my room. I was sitting up that afternoon and walking the next day. I felt pretty good!

The main key is afterwards! Talk to your dr about pain meds. and take them every 4 hours (or as soon as you are able to). Keep taking the pain meds every 4 hours (or as directed) regardless of if you have pain or not. If you wait to take them until you are sore you are going to take that much longer to feel better again...it's a double wammy. I learned that the hard way the first time. Ask for them routinely and keep up with them. Also drink LOTS of water. The more water the better!!! Water helps get things going! Also when you go to move be sure to grab the handrails on the bedsides. They work wonders!! Talk to the nurses about massaging your tummy..sometimes that helps as well.

So you see every situation is different! Good luck and if you have any questions or concerns write me at sydneysbone@yahoo.com

Is there a specific reason you will be under general anesthesia? I have had two and both were not a bad experience. It is not really that painful. You will be quite sore for a few days. That's about the only question I can answer because the walking, how long it will be until you see the baby, etc. is different with general. I had a spinal with my 1st and an epidural with my 2nd. The recovery is generally six weeks as with any surgery. But you feel ok within the first two weeks. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.....

The first person said "c/sections are the way to go..." Um, no, they're not. They are meant for emergency situations only, or if the baby is too large to deliver vaginally, or if there is some other issue going on. It's major surgery, and definitely not the option that women want over a vaginal birth if not necessary.

Why are you being put under general anesthesia? That is normally not done. C/sections, for the most part, are done when the woman has had an epidural, spinal, or epidural/spinal combo (which I had with my second one).

I've had two emergency c/sections. My first with my son was actually a planned natural birth, but then I decided to go UNnatural and opt for the epidural. After a while, my son and I were in distress and I needed an emergency c/section. With my daughter, I had planned a vbac (vaginal birth after c/section), but again required an emergency c/section b/c she had gone into distress.

I was awake both times, all I felt was a very numb tugging sensation. No pain during the surgery. I wasn't able to hold my babies until I was out of recovery, but I was shown my little ones before they were taken to the nursery and got a chance to snuggle with my son.

The recovery period after a c/section is quite painful, I won't lie to you. It's longer than that of a vaginal birth, since it's major abdominal surgery. My second was much more painful and longer than my first.

I do wish you all the best, congratulations to you on the impending arrival of your little one.

I actually had a c-section and general anesthesia with my first daughter and the experience wasen't that bad. I had to wait about 4 hours to see the baby. First I had to wake up and be monitered to make sure my vitals were back to normal. You can walk again a few hours after surgery and you just have to take it easy though. It is painful but with medication it is not all that bad. It takes about 2 weeks or less to feel normal when walking and standing but 6 weeks to fully heal. Hope this helped good luck! and CONGRATULATIONS!!

A planned C-sec. is great. The recovery time is short. My first C-section was horrible b/c I went through 25 hours of labor and then 3 1/2 hours of pushing and trying everything to get her out. Nothing was working so they took me into the OR. Half way through the surgery I felt him working on me. I guess my epi slipped out and was only working on one side. My second c-sec was planned and I had a spinal done and I enjoyed every minute of my daughters birth. I got to hear her cry and hold her. It was great! They were actually going to let me go home a day earlier b/c I was healing great. But I stayed b/c i didn't want to have to come back to get my staples out.

More and more people are having c-sections. You have to remember to get up and walk when they say you can. usually after 24 hours you can get up and move around.

Good luck to you. Enjoy Mommyhood!

C sections are definitely the way to go! It's a simple procedure and more and more people are doing it. It's nothing you should worry about, and the recovery should be about as long as a normal maternity leave. Normal anesthesia means you will be waking up in a couple hours and your baby will be waiting for you, permitting no problems occur. Don't stress, everything will be great and motherhood is something to get excited about! Good luck :)

Why are they doing general ana...thats only for emergency's...