What is it like to have a c-section?

Ok... So, heres thing, c-section is the number 1 surgery completed on woman in the united states. I know EXACTLY how you feel right now, but it could be worse. With my first c-section I had complete placenta previa as well, however SOMEHOW at 31 weeks it had moved enough to let water come out. I also had a 21 month old so being on bed rest was very hard- as it is for you. After hemorrhaging 3 times I wanted nothing more than bed rest. I was petrified, honestly, when my water broke that morning of February 25th at 8 am, I wouldnt even check to see if it was water or blood, I just called my husband instantly and was flipping out. I was in my bed, just went pee and checked on the baby and climbed back into bed, when he showed up 18 minutes later we went to the hospital and they had said the placenta must have moved, so we would try natural, well.... That didnt work, I started hemorrhaging faster than I could of ever imagined. The had no choice but to do an emergency c-section where they put me to sleep, at the time I hated it, I was not the first to hold my baby or feed my baby, but the best part was we were both alive and healthy. at 9 weeks early he weighed 6lbs 1 oz (maybe cause of steroid shots, but im not sure) Everything happened so fast the only bad part was that I woke up grabbed my stomach and wanted my baby.... That was 11 years ago... 6 months ago I had my second c-section... After the first one and placenta previa at 18 I didnt want any more babies... So getting pregnant last year was unplanned and horrifying. I spent a good percentage of my pregnancy praying that we would not have placenta previa nor a c-section, but... The pregnancy went great and and 3 weeks before he was due I ended up having preeclampsya, bad enough where I had chronic kindney infections from seven months on and when I went for my 36 week checkup they wanted me in the hospital, cause it was time.. They said a c-section would be my best bet due to already having one and having such highblood pressure.. Soo... This time I was awake for it and that was scary, but I got to hold him in the room, kiss him that momemt, feed him first and my husband was allowed to be next to me, soo.. The point is not to scare you here, its to tell you that having it planned seemed better, less scary, and I was able to hold and kiss him.. Of course its scary, its surgery, but giving vaginal birth is scary too.. I felt nothing with this c-section. I got to watch my husbands face and talk to everyone in the room. It was well worth it, as I have three beautiful boys and the healing time was not bad at all. I was able to breastfeed though I was on heavy pain pills for a few weeks, it went great. The scariest part was the spinal and even that wasnt as scary as I imagined it to be. We always imagine it to be worse cause we are afraid. Neither one was horrible now that they are over, but no matter what is said to you, fear is a normal process of having a baby. We just were challenged a bit more with the damn placenta.. I honestly think now that my 11 year old planted that there, he is a spitfire and it was just his pregnancy.. But both of them were worth it all the way// So now that I have written you a book of my life, you can see even if it is the VERY worse situation it is worth it and you will be ok, though for a minute things seem scary. From what I understand doctors would rather you be awake, so unless you cant be awake I would choose awake. The worse part was the spinal and catherization. You may feel tugging if you have a fat baby like mine 8lbs 6 oz, but you get to see him or her right away and hear them cry and hold them in recovery, and I was up and walking the same day.. I couldnt see the surgery nor did I want to, I couldnt feel it, I just laid there and prayed for him.. You will be ok and I pray your placenta moves, but even if it doesnt a scheduled section may be worth it if saves you from the scary sight of bleeding and unknown. I researched c-sections this time and knew what to expect and it was all ok.. I knew I had a chance of having another one and it was a chance worth taking if it meant healthy baby and mommy to take care of that baby.. I hope my stories helped you and not scared you. I am great now, my baby is awesome. I love him to death just like the other two. It was all worth it, really.. So plan for the section and if you get lucky and it moves then you have a natural birth which will seem like a relief compared to the planned section. But if it is a section, it really isnt all that bad, they know what they are doing in that room and it goes pretty quickly, much quicker than pushing,so the anticipation of a healthy baby comes much faster. You have your ups and downs with both situations but the outcome is the same and worth it no matter which way it goes. so hang in there and share your fears with all your family and friends so they can reassure you and you will be just fine..

I had to have a c-section when I had my daughter. I was terrified when they said that's what was going to happen!! I couldn't stop crying! It really isn't so bad though. First they shave you below the bikini line. Then you go to the OR and a nurse holds your shoulders while you sit up with your chin on your chest. The anesthesiologist gives you a shot in the back to numb you. Honestly I think that was the worst part. It hurts but it's not too bad. Then you lay down and they get the baby out. It only takes a couple minutes and you don't feel a thing. My scar is not bad at all. It is a lot shorter than I expected and I can still wear a bikini because they did it so low. Once the meds wear off I wont lie.. you are in a lot of pain but they give you percocets. I don't like pills but they sure helped! If you have to have a c-section don't worry. I know it's scary but once you see that beautiful baby it is soooo worth it!

I have had 4 pregnancies 3 were natural. The 4th was a c-section. I was scared to death. Only one of my arms was strapped to the table. But while they were cutting my open I was having panic attacks. I was scary but well worth it. Just remember the baby, take deep breaths often and keep your mind on con-stint happy thoughts. I would not want to be put to sleep either. Until you go though it I don't think anyone knows how they will react. It will be okay. Congrats in advance and good luck.

Girlfriend....relax. Everyone is different and I'm sure you may have heard many negative things about c-sections. However, there are risks either way and based on your situation a c-section would be the best way to go. The only way I will have a baby again is by section! My first child I was in labor for 24hrs, they finaly did the section. I was awake for the whole thing, but pretty drugged up from the epidurals and exhausted from labor that I realy didn't even care what was going on (as long as the baby came out okay). I healed fast and easy from surgery. With my second the doc wanted me to go vaginal, but after my first experience I opted for another section. That was weird, no labor or contractions. I just walked in on the scheduled day and had the section. I healed even faster with this one, walking around that very day. Of course it is a major surgery and you have to take it easy. After surgery your incision feels like it will burst open if you stand......don't worry it won't that is just the feeling. You will most likely need pain medication for about a week. I loved my c-section as opposed to that hell I went through. The scar is so low and fades. Another plus is baby's head is nicely shaped via c-section lol. Good luck!

P.S. I had two sections, no saggy skin or stretch marks and I'm also not a workout nut either, the scar is so low that I could wear a string bikini if I wanted to.

Ack! Not many places around here strap you down anymore, but I don't know where you are. Unless it's an emergency, they're likely to give you an epidural... and long before they begin, they'll test to be sure you're completely numb everywhere they need to be.

You DON'T want general anesthesia ("put [you] to sleep") if it isn't medically necessary. They use it in emergency cesareans because there isn't time to administer an epidural, but you're groggy for a lot longer than with the epidural -- and you'll want your baby to have the earliest possible opportunity to nurse if you intend to breastfeed.

Take whoever will offer the most emotional support into the procedure with you -- your spouse or significant other, your mom, a birth coach, a good friend -- someone who won't faint at the sight of blood is ideal, even though there really isn't that much.

Fear of the unknown is always worse than the unknown itself, honey. Talk to your doctor and ask as many questions as you need in order to get comfortable-- information is a great antidote for panic in cases like these.

All my best to you, Mama!

They will not strap you to a table. Just look at your husband when hes holding your hand and think of the day you got married thats what I did. Yes you probably are freaking out a little much but it is okay I was too but it will all be fine. My doctors played some of the music I liked while i was in there. They won't put you to sleep at least I don't think so it isn't a long procedure it was done in about 15 minutes.

You will be fine. It's a little scary, but you can't see anything - just focus on the baby coming out of you, and not the rest of it. You don't feel anything but some pressure - it doesn't hurt. To be fully honest though (not to scare you, but b/c most dr.s aren't really honest about what to expect afterwards), recovery is not pleasant. I've had two children naturally and one by c-section and the section was SO much harder to recover from. I had to have my husband help me on and off the toilet for the first week (as did a few other women I know that have had c-sections). Like I said, I don't want to scare you but I was completely unprepard for that which I believe made it much harder than if I had known what to expect. The procedure itself though is really nothing to worry about. Good luck to you and enjoy your little one.

first of all why didn't you call me if you are scared? OK you will be numb, they do have a blue sheet thing up so you cant see what they are doing, they do strap down your arms so you cant scratch( you will itch) and so you cant freak out when they go to work. also what helped me was your Dr. has been doing this for a vary long time ( he delivered you) nothings going to happen to you that hasn't happened before. they know what they are doing. and it will be over before you know it. plus your mom will be there. come hell or high water shes not going to let anything happen to you. if i were you i would have her in there with you, you will feel better. but you are not going to have a c-section. I'm believing it will fix its self. one more thing God doesn't let anything happen that you cant handle. love you

You will NOT feel when the doctor is cutting you, however, you will feel tugging and pulling but it will not hurt.

The best advise is to mentally prepare for it NOW. I felt the same way when I had the C-Section. My c-section was not planned so it was a little more worst. I had my husband with me the entire time which he kept me focus and kept my nerves in place. I went into the OR petrified, I had uncontrollable shaking but it eventually died down when I starting focusing on my baby.

Who's ever going to be there with you, let him/her know what you need from them if you start panicking.

Good Luck... trust me things will be fine. As a matter of fact, I would worry about the after care... you will be in the WORST pain ever for a few weeks!!!

First, they get you into the room and hook up some of the monitors. Such as a BP cuff, pulse oximeter and maybe an EKG.

Second, they either sit you up or have you roll on your side and curl into a ball. Then they paint your back with antiseptic. Then they put in a little local in the skin then put in the spinal needle. It is a 25-27 gauge needs so is really small. Once they get that into the right place they inject a local anesthetic, sometimes mixed with a small amount of narcotic. Then they take the need out and have you either lay down or roll onto your back.

Third, they have you put your arms out on the boards to the sides. They may put a roll under your right hip. They might put in a bladder catheter at this point if you do not already have one. You might get oxygen by a nose cannula or face mask. It is a really good idea NOT to move around at this point because every time you strain, such as lifting up your butt or head, you make the anesthetic go higher. You could even get it so high your tongue would go numb. So just lay still.

Fourth, they will wash off your stomach. You will have a strap across your legs but will not know it because your legs will be numb. They may lightly strap your arms down so you do not go move them down and contaminate your belly. Once they have you prepped and draped, and are sure you are adequately numb, they will bring in your husband if he is not already there. He will hold your hand.

Fifth, the surgeon tests the anesthesia level with a pair of tweezers to make sure you are numb. Then he begins the surgery. You will feel the bed wiggling. They get down to the baby in five minutes or so. Just as the baby comes out, you may feel a big pressure on your chest as they push down to make the baby go down to the hole and out. (think of toothpaste!!) Once the baby is out, start listening for crying.

Sixth, the baby goes to the warmer so they can make sure he is OK. Eventually they will bring the baby over to you.

Out of 10,000+ C-sections I have only had 3 women go nuts to the point I had to put them to sleep before the baby came out. They obviously did not get to see the baby in the OR.

Keep cool by thinking of names. Even if you pick out a name ahead of time, play this game. Think of names for BOYS starting with A and going to Z. Then do GIRLS. or vice versa. You can alternate with your husband, you do A, he does B, you do C, etc.....or you do boys and he does girls, alternating. You might even try to come up with FUNNY names. Altoid, Beyer, Clamidia, Deltoid, etc.

What I usually do as the anesthesia provider is tell jokes. It is kind of hard to worry about stuff when you got some nut case looking at you upside down telling you stupid jokes.

(Who invented the foot printing of babies? The Blackfoot Indians.)..

Take it easy, you will do fine. (Feel free to tell the anesthesia guy the joke above. Watch his eyes and see if he smiles.)