Normal delivery/c-sections...questions!pls help!

[want2bemama]

Hi moms,

I am due Oct 5th and I got back from the doc yest...she thinks the baby's head is pretty big and not yet fixed and since i havent progressed more than 1 cm in the last 2 weeks, she thinks I might need to get induced if there is no action after my due date and I might possibly need a c-section if the induction doesnt progress too well.

So my questions r:

1. Is there anyone who had the same issues , got induced and had a normal delivery??? Or is it always c-sections?

2. What is the healing time after C-sections? Is it true that one will need support 24/7 ???

3.Is it painful..I know we'll be anesthetized but i have heard women saying that they could feel all the tugging and stuff..will it be too uncomfy??

4. Will I be able to breastfeed as soon as the baby is born if i have a c-section??

Thanks ladies in advance!

[tracy]

I was induced (was almost a week late, and the baby was getting BIG), and had a normal delivery. It wasn't near as bad as I'd imagined in my head.

On Thurs evening , I was admitted and they started the cervigel (to soften the cervix). On Friday morning, they started the pitocin and I had the epidural about an hour later. Nope, I never felt a contraction :D . A few hours later, they broke my water and I began to make progress as far as dilated and contractions go. I began pushing around 6 and Matthew was born at 8:41. 9 lbs, 1 oz.

I was adamant about not having a c-section. Honestly, had I known how big he was, I might not have been so against it. If a similar situation arises with # 2, I probably wouldn't mind a c-section. Sorry, but I don't know much else about them.

HTH -- Good luck!!
Tracy

[tracy]

Not sure why this posted twice!?! :D

[wantingbabynumber2]

I had a vaginal birth but I worked in high risk OB, nursing student, and home care for infants and new moms.

1) Induction does not mean csection! It depends on how you progress. If your OB manages your induction well it can go smoothly. If you have a jerk that tries to hurry it along you could get a csection. They should know fairly quickly if the head is too large generally you won't progress and the baby stays high in the pelvis.

2) Healing time varies from person to person but you will need help for the first couple of days for sure. It also depends on your overall condition before birth, pain management, your pain tolerance. It is MAJOR surgery and it will hurt. My one sister had a section and is a big baby it took like 3 weeks before she was doing anything my other sister who is more stoic took like 3 days. Just don't overdo it trying to be superwoman either get help. Alot of insurances will cover an aide to stay with you part of the day if not overnight. You will also be in the hospital for a couple of days if you have a section so you will have help there too.

3) The tuggin and pulling can be very uncomfy and some women get terribly nauseated and anxious. Try to relax and stay calm is the best advice. You won't feel pain but you might feel like the nurse is standing on your ribcage.

4) Depending on your hospital will depend on when you get baby. Also how well the baby is doing after a csection. Since the baby doesn't get squeezed out the birth canal they are more prone to have respiratory distress temporarily usually a few hours to overnight. If this is the case the baby goes to the NICU for monitoring. Also if you have GD that can play a part whether baby's sugars are good. But they will have you or give a bottle to help with the glucose too. If baby looks good from the neonatologist then alot of hospitals will take mom to recovery and then let her hold the baby. And then that also depends on whether you feel up to it or if you have any complications or any issues with the epidural etc.

It is very hard to predict what MAY happen it is a scary thing going into a delivery vaginal or csection but the bottom line is the are soooo many variables that can go into it that its really hard to predict how it will turn out. But trust in your doc that he will do what is best for you and baby and no matter what happens the end result is you will have your baby. The rest is insignificant then. Good luck.

[esarah]

I was induced 3 weeks early due to complications. I went in on Tuesday night (the Tuesday of the same week that Tracy went in on Friday) and they gave me cytotec to ripen the cervix. I was having contractions all night but was not really in labor yet. They were going ot give me three doses of cytotec that night but my contractions were too close together for them to give me more then one dose. When the dcotor came in the morning I was only a 2 and he stretched me to a three. He almost sent me home but then he decided to break my water and start the pitocin. I progressed really quickly and 4 hours later I was holding my little girl. I really did not want a c-section and they kept telling me because I was only a 2 and I was three weeks early that I was probably going to need a c-section. I really didn't want one and I told them I would go as long as it takes as long as the baby wasn't in danger. Luckily for me that was only four hours. I had a good delivery experience for the most part. Leata's head was not engaged by the time they started the pitocin but it moved down very quickly. There is hope.

I haven't had a c-section so I can't answer those questions.

[Lovebug]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents....I was a week late and they induced me. Had a vaginal birth, no complications. They started the pit at 11 am on 12/26 and Emily was born at 10:52 a.m. on 12/27. Prayers for a quick, happy and healthy delivery!!! Just remember in the end it is worth it!

[selfishwench]

Well, honestly, you just never know. I know people that have had normal deliveries and THEN needed a c-sec with a subsequent baby! Nothing is ever set in stone, nor should it be! I had a friend who absolutely positively was NOT going to have a c-sec, and she ended up not being able to walk for MONTHS afterwards w/out pain -- the baby was REALLY big and she had a horrible time. I can't remember the specifics - I think it had something to do with her hips.

I have had 3 c-sec. All 3 have been pretty easy recoveries. I'm usually up and walking by the 24 hour mark, and then from there it just gets easier. If this is your first and you don't have anybody else at home to care for, you should be just fine. If you have stairs, know that they don't like you going up and down stairs. Also, no driving, so if you need stuff, you'll have to have other people get it.

With my first, I stayed in the hospital until day 4. With my son, I was only in for 3 days, and with my most recent, I was out by 48 hours. Honestly, if you can stay, I'd recommend it. The first few days are the hardest. AND, exactly like the above post - DO NOT overdo!! I made the mistake after my son was born of doing too much and I ended up stalling my recovery. Just remember to take it easy, which, heck, you SHOULD be doing anyway since the sleep deprivation will take its toll more than anything else!

Anyway... it's really not that bad. I've heard stories from both camps and there are equally scary birth stories!! I didn't think it was too awful... I mean, I can't even IMAGINE the pain from an episiotomy!! EW!

Good luck to you! No matter what happens, the end result is the important thing!
Aimee

[selfishwench]

Duh! Sorry... didn't answer your questions!!

2. What is the healing time after C-sections? Is it true that one will need support 24/7 ??? I didn't need any help after ANY of mine. I wasn't doing too much, though - people brought food, so all I did was take care of the baby. The first few days can be painful, but I have always been good about taking my pain meds. Be SURE you get an anti-inflammatory pain med (ie., Alieve) b/c it makes a huge difference! I'm typically a sissy (well, I think I am) - but I didn't feel too terrible. It did take a full 6 weeks to feel any semblance of "normal" and then now, at 4 months, I still have some pain in my incision area if I'm doing something like running. (VERY minor, though - more of an irritation type pain).

3.Is it painful..I know we'll be anesthetized but i have heard women saying that they could feel all the tugging and stuff..will it be too uncomfy?? It's never been painful to me... the tugging is weird, but I figured it's minor compared to trying to PUSH a baby out! I did have awful reactions to the anesthetics -- I get really nauseated and afterwards I am incredibly itchy. But, they can give you meds for both of those things, you just have to speak up.

4. Will I be able to breastfeed as soon as the baby is born if i have a c-section?? My hospital was big on b-feeding, so they were encouraging me right from the start.

[Holly]

Hi Arti-

My C-section was unplanned but necessary due to Ruby's heartrate dropping with my contractions. To answer your questions:

1) I think "full recovery time" is considered to be 6 wks, but what does that mean?? I was in the hospital for 5 days, and definitely needed help getting around during those days. Once home, I relied on DH for helping me out of bed and out of a sitting position for about a week and a half, and I didn't do any housework during that time either, and was still taking pain meds and walking very slowly. After that, I was pretty much back to normal but just taking it easy. Had some lingering effects, like constipation and bloating, but nothing unbearable. I felt completely back to normal about a week ago (at about 3.5 wks post-surgery).

2) For me the surgery did not hurt at all. I felt absolutely nothing except for some pressure on my abdomen when they were pushing her out, but even that was very dull pressure and only lasted a few seconds. Oddly, I did experience a lot of pain in my shoulders during and after the surgery. The doc said this was "deferred pain", meaning pain that was relocated to one of the few places on my body that was not numb with anesthesia. It went away as the anesthesia wore off. I don't know how common this is.

3) I was able to start BF-ing several hours after the delivery. So, not "immediately", as with a vag delivery, but this has not affected my ability to BF, it's going great.

I know none of us want to have sections, and I was scared and disappointed at first. But looking back, it was not nearly as big of a deal as I thought. I hope you're able to have a regular delivery, but if not, you'll do fine!!!

Congrats on Dhruv's pending arrival!!

Holly

[Holly]

Oh, and just to ditto something Selfishwench touched upon-- the one thing about the section I am actually grateful for is that my stitches were on my belly and not ELSEWHERE!! Honestly, if I had to choose where I'd prefer to have stitches...no contest!

[want2bemama]

Hi ladies,
Thank u soooo much for the quick replies.
I guess I will wait it out, get induced and be mentally prepd for a c-section if necessary.

Holly..I guess everyone feels disappointed and scared when they have a c-section but as u said once baby is here, its not a big deal at all!!
Thanks for the encouragement.

One more question for u lovely ladies...

For those who've been induced and had vaginal deliveries, did ur babies move down and did the head get fixed as soon as the pitocin was started(I know esarah had mentioned it)...how abt the others??

Thanks again!!

[tricia]

Arti,
I'm wondering if the OB telling you the baby has not fixed, is the same as with my #2, the baby never dropped.
I had to be induced due to HBP. They warned me that if my water broke before she dropped it would be an emergency c-section.
My water broke at 9:30pm and I freaked out, the baby did drop and caused the water to break. I delivered her at 11:11pm. It went fast, but was my second which they say comes faster. BUT, if this "not being fixed" is the same as "not dropped"...then yes, you can end up with a vaginal delivery.

[texasred1]

Hey Arti -

I too was induced, not planning a c-section. I was induced a week early and when I went in i was only 1cm. They started the cytotec on Sun. night, Mon. morning started the pitocin and broke my water, a couple of hrs. later I took the stadol, then at 11:30 I was still only at 3cm, they quit the pitocin cause Mason's heartrate didn't like it. I got my epidural around this point as well. AT 3pm they started talking c-section, I was still only 3cm and Mason was still really high up there. By 4:45 they were wheeling me back for a c-section. Didn't feel a thing, apparnetly my epidural had gone into my spin and I was completly numb. I didn't feel ANTYHGIN for several hours.

Mason was born at 5:14pm and I didn't get brought back to my room until 9:30, I finally got to see Mason aroun 11pm and went to breastfeed almost immediately.

Not what I had planned, but it's what happened. If I have another I will just opt. straight away for the c-section. Screw that labor all day thing and then have a c-section, contractions hurt like hell!

I was in the hospital for 4 days as far as the pain goes, it was manageable. My surgery last summer to have my cyst removed I think was just as bad. maybe this time I knew I HAD to recover and get mobile quick cause there is someone depending on me for EVERYTHING. I did have help, my mom & dh stayed home the first week. Then 2nd week I was on my own. I really was fine. The worst part for me was all the fluid I had retained from pregnancy and the IV, once that subsided I was sooo much better. Oh, and being constipated - Ugh!!!! I think it was a week before I had a bm and I was trying everything. Once the water retention went away and got that first bm done, I felt even better.

Good luck Arti, my best advice is just go with it, don't get to hung up on having everything going as you thought it would. Take advantage of staying in the hospital as long as you can so you['ll have the round the clock care from the nurses and don't leave until you're ready. My nurses asked me each and every visit to rate my pain and be honest about going home if feeling up to it.

[want2bemama]

Thanks Tricia and Michelle...I guess I will wait it out and decided wat to do when the time comes.
Will be joining u gals soon!!:)

[Terra]

Arti

I had an unplanned c-section. Went into labor on my own, but I did not dialate past 4cm and the baby never made it down into the pelvis.

As with any major surgery the recovery can vary from person to person. I can tell you that I had a very rough delivery and recovery while in the hospital. They will most likely keep your for 3 days anyway. Many people can be up and walking around the next day. Took me a little longer than that, but once we were home I did not have too many problems getting up and tending to the baby. It was just DH and I here when we brought her home, so we didn't have much outside help. We had a few friends make us dinner for the week and they delivered it to us. If you have people who want to help in some way, I would highly suggest that over anything else.

For me, the actual surgery was not painful. You can feel them tugging--but it's just a strange feeling, not really painful. As long as everything goes according to plan, you should be able to feed your baby right away. You will probably have to wait until after they sew you up and the surgery is complete. Some places may do it differently though. For me the pain came with recovery--sneezing, coughing, laughing..things like that. And there is the numbness from the nerves being cut. But all in all it wasn't that bad of an experience. I will have to do it again because my pelvis has been deemed too small for babies. I'm with Red, forget that labor stuff.

Wishing you a safe and speedy delivery of a healthy baby. Hopefully you will have a normal delivery and won't need to be induced or have the surgery. Not sure how you want to deliver, but I recommend the epidural with pitocin or induction. Just my thoughts :) Can't wait to read your birth story. It will be different than all of ours and unique only to you! LABOR VIBES :lol:

[want2bemama]

Thanks Terra!! I need lotsa labor vibes right now!:)

If i dont go into labor on my own..I am thinking pitocin and epidural too...I want to try everything possible for a vaginal delivery before opting for a c-section.

I cant wait to post my birth story too!!:)

[tracy]

Arti -- Sorry for the delay. I don't have much time on weekends to post.

As for "dropping", Matt had dropped prior to me going to the hospital. I could tell because I could finally breathe!! Had to pee every few minutes, but atleast I could breathe when I was running back and forth to the bathroom :lol: .

As far as exact location, I have no idea where he was before/during the labor/delivery. I had to push for a pretty long time, so I think he was probably at the furthest point away; but he also had a big head...so I'm not sure.

HTH :D

[Kelansma]

Just try not to stress - my OB thought my first might need a C section and it didn't. Then with the second he had pooed in the waters and I knew I only had limited time to get him out before a C section.

Had I known the damage that would occur to my vagina I would probably have had a C section scheduled........thought sex is more comfortable even if my poor little girl doesn't look like she used to.

[RE]

First of all, a c/s is a major abdominal surgery. My c/s was unplanned, but I knew there was a huge possiblility since I was carrying twins. I went into labor at 32 weeks and just barely made it to the hospital on time. I was 10 cm and fully effaced. My ds was head down and ready to come out but my dd was breech and since they were preemies I decided to let the drs do a c/s. They gave me something to prevent nausea before going into the OR. I did feel tugging and pressure, but it wasn't really painful because I was so numb, however my main concern wasn't myself at that moment because I was really scared about delivering so early. Compared to the contractions, the tugging was nothing.
I spent 5 days in the hospital (which I believe is what your insurance will allow for a c/s) but could have gone home sooner (and would have if my babies weren't in the NICU-I wanted to be close to them). The recovery was painful. I needed vicoden for about 2 weeks before I could go with only motrin. The only good thing about my babies being in the NICU for 3 weeks is that it gave me time to heal before having to take care of them. I consider myself very tolerant to pain, but this was very painful.

[want2bemama]

thanks for the replies ladies...

I will keep in mind watever u gals have told me...I guess eventually, if its best for the baby, I will go ahead with anything the doc tells me.

[kirsten]

I was induced and had a C-section. It was not painful (but after twenty hours of labor nothing could have bothered me!)
I was able to breastfeed, and I was walking around the next day (although I was told this is not typical.)
I did wind up with a c-section wound, which was awful because they had to re-open the incision and then I had to go to the hospital every day for a week so they could pack it with gause. But this is not common.

One thing to keep in mind is that the USA has the highest C-section rate in the entire world, and it is on the rise. I recently read that it is approaching 40%. C-sections are often performed because it is easier for the doctor's schedule if labor is taking too long. Most C-sections are unnecessary. Most women who have a c-section are told that it is necessary, and no woman will ever know for sure if it really was. But if more women went into labor with the idea that they can do it, and will avoid c-section unless there is a true emergency there would be less c-sections. The USA also has the highest rate of induction, also for the doctor's convenience and usually unnecessary. Although this is not what a doctor will tell you. I am just mentioning it so that you can know that it is your body, and ultimately it is UP TO YOU what you will and will not have done. Let your doctor know your wishes. Doctors are not gods.

I wish you the best with your labor and delivery!
Keep us posted.

[want2bemama]

Kirsten..thanks a lot for the info..My Dh thinks its better to go directly for a c-section if thats wats going to happen eventually...but how will u know unless u actually go thro the induction process !!
Anyways..I am firm that I will try my best for a normal delivery but if at the end, if the baby is in distress, i will do watever the doc says.
I hope everything works out well and I have a healthy baby in my arms!!

Will keep all of u posted! Cant wait to join u ladies on the mommies board!:)