I was grateful for other women's positive c section stories in the days leading up to mine. I'm happy to add mine now!
Mine was scheduled for 37 weeks due to complete placenta previa. I made it to the day with no bleeding or other complications. We checked in at the hospital 2 hours before surgery, signed a few forms, and they started the IV (not fun, but the pain fades quickly). After answering some questions and getting my husband into scrubs, they took me down to the OR. The anesthesiologist walked me through what she was doing with the spinal and I hardly felt it... But I knew it was done because my legs were falling asleep. This was actually the most uncomfortable sensation of the whole day - my legs falling asleep yet me not being able to move them to wake them up. It happened after surgery too, when the spinal was wearing off. But the feeling only lasted about 10 minutes each time, and it wasn't painful or anything. Just annoying.
With the spinal working, they moved my legs up into the table, put up a drape, inserted the catheter (I couldn't feel it), and welcomed my husband in. About 2 minutes later, I was surprised to feel tugging (not painful at all) because I didn't know they had started. I heard suctioning and then a cry!
They let my husband announce the gender, then spent about 30 seconds evaluating my baby boy next to my head before determining he was healthy enough to come to me. They placed him on my chest, where he put his hand in my mouth and stayed snuggled for the rest of the surgery, the wheeling into recovery (where he tried to breastfeed), and the wheeling into our room. It was over an hour before they took him off of me to get his weight and other evaluations.
The whole atmosphere was light and celebratory from start to finish. It was exactly what I wanted for a birth.
That evening they got me to sit and almost stand up, the next day I was walking to the bathroom, the next day I was walking the halls, and the next day I was home and just taking ibuprofin. Moving around was tough at first, but it's bearable. The worst part of recovery for me was constipation while in the hospital. Take your stool softeners, ladies!
I was surprised how ok I felt by day 4, when I came home. I had anticipated a struggle to get upstairs, and I thought I'd just stay in the recliner around the clock. But I was able to walk upstairs, get in and out of bed, and take care of my baby (with ample help from my husband). The hardest part since being home is breastfeeding, but that has nothing to do with the c section.
I realize there are risks associated with c sections, and a few small disadvantages for baby, but I would easily do another c section with no fear. It was a lovely experience and my baby is beautiful and perfect.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!
Mine was scheduled for 37 weeks due to complete placenta previa. I made it to the day with no bleeding or other complications. We checked in at the hospital 2 hours before surgery, signed a few forms, and they started the IV (not fun, but the pain fades quickly). After answering some questions and getting my husband into scrubs, they took me down to the OR. The anesthesiologist walked me through what she was doing with the spinal and I hardly felt it... But I knew it was done because my legs were falling asleep. This was actually the most uncomfortable sensation of the whole day - my legs falling asleep yet me not being able to move them to wake them up. It happened after surgery too, when the spinal was wearing off. But the feeling only lasted about 10 minutes each time, and it wasn't painful or anything. Just annoying.
With the spinal working, they moved my legs up into the table, put up a drape, inserted the catheter (I couldn't feel it), and welcomed my husband in. About 2 minutes later, I was surprised to feel tugging (not painful at all) because I didn't know they had started. I heard suctioning and then a cry!
They let my husband announce the gender, then spent about 30 seconds evaluating my baby boy next to my head before determining he was healthy enough to come to me. They placed him on my chest, where he put his hand in my mouth and stayed snuggled for the rest of the surgery, the wheeling into recovery (where he tried to breastfeed), and the wheeling into our room. It was over an hour before they took him off of me to get his weight and other evaluations.
The whole atmosphere was light and celebratory from start to finish. It was exactly what I wanted for a birth.
That evening they got me to sit and almost stand up, the next day I was walking to the bathroom, the next day I was walking the halls, and the next day I was home and just taking ibuprofin. Moving around was tough at first, but it's bearable. The worst part of recovery for me was constipation while in the hospital. Take your stool softeners, ladies!
I was surprised how ok I felt by day 4, when I came home. I had anticipated a struggle to get upstairs, and I thought I'd just stay in the recliner around the clock. But I was able to walk upstairs, get in and out of bed, and take care of my baby (with ample help from my husband). The hardest part since being home is breastfeeding, but that has nothing to do with the c section.
I realize there are risks associated with c sections, and a few small disadvantages for baby, but I would easily do another c section with no fear. It was a lovely experience and my baby is beautiful and perfect.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!
