C-section Stories

Hi, my name is B. and I have three daughters. All of my children were born by c-section. The first one was an emergency and the other two were planned.

The nice thing about planning a c-section is knowing when your child is going to be born, so you know when to be prepared by. My suggestion is call in all the help you can to make meals, help with cleaning and with your daughter.

It took me a couple of weeks before I was on my feet again, but my mom, mom-in-law, church friends and of course my husband were there to do all the other stuff so I could focus on the new baby.

Hope this helps.

B.

My story... I have three children, all c-section babies. My first was an emergency c-section due to my son's heart rate dropping dangerously low any time I had a strong contraction. He was in the nicu for 8 days because he had breathing and feeding issues. I recovered pretty well... was sitting cross legged on the floor within days (which my mom who had 4 c-sections couldn't believe.). I had very little pain and was just using Aleive (sp) when I left the hospital.

My second son was a scheduled c-section. The two were only 12 months and 10 days apart and since my body didn't have a great amount of time to heal after the first they didn't want to risk a rupture. It was actually nice to pick the date... we were able to arrange for family to watch our oldest, and my husband could take time off right away. My oldest wasn't walking yet, but we trained him to crawl into his toddler bed using a step stool and how to crawl up and down the stairs (with mommy right there of course.) I was doing quite a bit by myself and after two weeks was on my own during the day with the two.

My third was supposed to be a scheduled c-section, but my water broke a week before that date. Again everything went fine. The boys were 3.5 and 4.5 when she was born so I didn't need to pick them up anymore. Pain again was very manageable. And again after two weeks I was on my own with the three of them. The last one they sound and repaired a hernia while they were doing the c-section, so I was on a very strict 10 lb limit (thank goodness she was only 6 lbs 8 oz because they were going to tell me I couldn't even carry her in her car seat!) and the spot where they repaired the hernia was tender a little longer but nothing bad.

Hi C.,
I feel your anxiety about the c section ordeal. I too wanted a natural birth with my children, but it wasn't in the cards- ever. I ended up with 3 c sections. I will be honest, I was disappointed when I found out I would need a section with my first. I had placenta previa- placenta plants itself in front of the opening, since you can't deliver the placenta first, you need a c section. THe first one was the hardest for me because it was such a shock to my system physically and then giving birth at the same time as major surgery. ANyone who says it's convenient to pick the day blah blah blah- I never wanted to hear that. The recovery is the hardest for me. I would suggest taking the pain pills for as long as needed when you get home. I stopped taking them thinking I was fine, what a mistake. I had trouble coughing, clearing my throat was painful in that area. THe surgery itself was fine, you don't feel any pain - You get a spinal (similar to an epidural I think) so you are numb from the boobs :) down. your legs will feel very heavy and big- you are not able to move. except your arms and head, but they tell you to stay still of course. you will feel tugging and a wierd sensation like someone is inside or you besides the baby. sounds wierd I know, but the good news is it's short lived. I asked a lot of questions just to keep my mind off of the discomfort, only discomfort NOT pain. Remember that. I also held my husbands hand and looked at him. Be sure to have him bring the camera, and bring the baby over for you to see, there will be a "tarp" thing so you can't see the surgeons. It's pretty quick really and then they will take the baby with your husband to the recovery room without you (kinda stinks) but they will need to close you up[-- also quick. I delivered at Edward and the experience was very good overall.
My next two babies were breach so I coulnd't try a VBAC, but at least I knew what the drill was.
As far as recovery and taking care of a little one.
My second baby was born and I had a 21 month old at home
I suggest take the pain pills, get help for at least a week, my husband was able to take 2 weeks each birth- lifesaver. I had to rely on the tv a lot in the beginning, but you do what you can to survive, DOn't do any heavy lifting, use a pillow to put pressure on your belly when standing, etc, Don't do the stairs more than once or twice a day in the beginning. I also took a basket filled with any meds, a brush, a toothbrush and toothpaste ( helped to feel good once or twice a day to brush my teeth). and anything else from upstairs you might need for the day. BY the way you will also bleed for a while after- mine was at least a week or so with each one.
By the time I had my 3rd c section- belive me I wasn't thrilled, but... I had a 4 1/2 year old and a 2 year 8 month old at home.
Accept help!!!food or whatever and take it one day at a time, Each day gets a bit better.
ALso breast feeding was tricky because of the pressure on the tummy. I did the football hold in the beginning and that helped.

Overall as long as your baby is healthy it's all good in the end. I ended up with my last two in the NICU, so I was trying to recover and also stay with them in the NICU to nurse and pump etc.. Difficult, but we made it through and we're all okay in the end.
Best of luck and remember no matter how they get here in the end, it's all the same. They are still brought into the world, by you and your husband.

My baby turned breech, at the last minute, and I, too, was forced with a C-Section delivery. The thought of it was very un-nerving to me, and I was worried about the whole thing. Let me tell you, it was not bad at all! As a matter of fact, it went easy, during the delivery, and afterwards too. Everything went absolutely fantastic (given the circumstances, because I wanted a natural birth). I didn't have a hard time recooperating, and was back on my feet within a week.( I am a strong willed person) I have no scar, and the surgery went without a hitch. To me, really, the biggest difference, is that there are no labor pains, and no pushing. I had no problems, at all. I am sure you will be the same.

Hi C.-

I had a repeat c-section w/ my 2nd daughter in December and I was so happy with how well the planned c-section went. With my first daughter, I was 42 wks and had to be induced. We then tried some other natural things to get labor going which didn't work so then on to the pitocin which then led to the epidural. After 36 hours of labor and only getting to a 5, my midwife recommended the c-section which obviously I just wanted my baby to be out at that point.
I had over 2 yrs between my 2 girls so I had the choice to try a vbac or go c-section. My doctor was awesome and didn't make me decide until about 36/37 wks. I scheduled the c-section as they filled up quickly and hoped that maybe I would go into labor on my own. She checked me the day before and I had no signs of anything.
The scheduled c-section feels a little wierd when you check in but I have to say that it was so smooth and the recovery was so much better than my first c-section as I didn't have 36 hrs of labor this time. I was able to nurse my daughter immediately after the surgery and I really felt that I was able to enjoy everything so much more this time around as I was more alert and had so much more energy. I felt like I was ready to go home the next day but of course they made me stay one more day. All I can say is remember that every person, every baby and every situation is different. Don't ever(easy to say) get down on yourself because you thought it would be a certain way or not what you expected. You are bringing a little person into this world and that is truly an amazing gift!
One last piece of info-make sure you take people up on their offers to help when you get home from the hospital. The recovery was much easier w/ my second but it can take a little while getting adjusted to having 2 kids. My 3 yr old was great with the transition but it can be alot as they realize that someone else gets a lot of mommy's attention. Good Luck!!!

I had an emergency c-section with my daughter. If you must have a C, then obviously it's better to have it planned than rushed to the OR. The main thing is that you adding a beautiful baby to your family, and it's best to focus on the final outcome rather than the process by which it happens. I understand you feel a little disappointed you won't be able to deliver vaginally (i felt that way too), but I suggest focusing on the good that you do have and the things that you can control.

I had c-section scheduled due to the fact that I have Marfan Syndrome and the strain of delivery would've been too much for my heart to handle. But, then I ended up having an emergency c-section at 36 weeks because I was losing amniotic fluid. To be completely honest with you, I never for a moment thought that I was missing out on not having our daughter vaginally. We went through three years of infertility problems and then I got pregnant naturally so however she entered this world was inconsequential to me.

As for the c-section itself ~ I had no problems and felt no pain during the actual birth. Afterwards, I remember being in some pain for about 2-3 weeks, but I think having to care of a newborn kind of took my mind off of the pain and of course, I had pain meds. :-)

I think that there are pros and cons to both ways of giving birth and instead of focusing on not being able to have your natural birth, try to focus on the end result, which is a beautiful baby!

Congrats and good luck to you!!

Hi C.!
I have four beautiful children. The first a c-section (meconium in the fluid and stalled labor). I then had a successful VBAC, followed by 2 more c-sections. They (dr's ofc) chose the date for c-section for baby #3 but I never made it to that date, I went into labor 7 days sooner. They also chose the date for baby #4 (which was my 3rd child's birthday!). I refused the date and they scheduled it for the next day instead. Again, baby #4 didn't want to wait and came 2 weeks before scheduled. So as far as choosing the date, it ultimately winds up being baby's choice. Take the medications you are prescribed for pain and before you know it, the whole hospital stay will be a memory. It took me about 8-10 full days to feel "okay" again. It does take about 4-6 weeks to start getting back to normal. If you can, count on family and friends to get you through the first several days at home. My best advice is to stay as long as you can in the hospital. My insurance covered 5 days and I stayed the entire time after each c-section. They take good care of you and your baby and you start to heal with all that help right there. They try to send you home after three but I told my doctor I didn't quite feel ready to leave and my insurance would cover two more days - he said it was no problem and jotted down on my chart that I got dizzy when standing up and needed additional time to recupe? - okay. Just know you are lucky to be able to conceive and have children, regardless how they come into the world. Best of luck to you.

I am an only parent and have been from the start...my daughter's dad ditched us while I was still pregnant. I went full-term and everything was fine, but I ended up with an emergency c-section due to placental abbruption. I never got as far as pushing and I had opted for the epidural in the first place (although I was already at the hospital for 10 hours before I received it).

I did have a feeling of being "ripped off" of the birth experience. I had heard from others that mothers and babies bond more with a vaginal delivery. However, I also realized that both of our lives were in great danger, so that feeling quickly dissipated.

Even though I had 4 days in the hospital due to the c-section, I still got up to get my daughter and took a shower and shaved my legs everyday. It's painful, but they give you pain meds and you can adjust to how you move.

At home, I live on the second floor (only stairs) and have pets as well. My mom took off of work for the first week at home to take my dogs out for me, so I wouldn't have to climb the stairs. However, I completely took care of my daughter from day one and again, still showered and shaved everyday.

BTW, my daughter is going to be 4 in a couple of weeks. We bonded WONDERFULLY! I can't imagine that a c-section vs. vaginal delivery has anything to do with the bonding as I had previously heard.

You'll be great! It's not as bad as you've probably heard!

Good luck!

Hi C.!
I was hoping for a natural delivery but there were complications and after 9 hours of labor, we had to go to the operating room for a C-Section. We had picked the induction date, so yes - it did feel weird to pick a birthday in that way. We knew it may be a 2 day induction...but due to circumstances, he came a day early via C-Section. Delivery was easier -- I felt nothing but some pressure. The recovery took longer. I stayed in the hospital the full 4 days allowed and enjoyed the tlc and attention. At home -- I could only go up and down stairs once a day so I basically camped out in the living room with the baby in a bassinett. The only weight I picked up was him. It takes a full 6 weeks before you can pick up anything heavier. I did after 5 weeks and I started bleeding...the internal healing wasn't done. I was home on leave for 9 weeks and returned to work. Showers an issue at first and you have to cleanse the area but otherwise all okay. What you get in return is worth the extra healing time.
Good luck!
S. in Lisle

Dear C.,
Here is a positive story! I had my daughter in 2003 vaginally and it was a long, difficult labor. I just had my son this February via planned c- section due to serious complications during the pregnancy. Compared to my daughter's birth, my c section was really, really easy. In my opinion, the c section was far easier to recover from and I was not physically/emotionally worn out afterwards. I was worried about the c section, but it turned out to be such a positive experience for me. Good Luck! - S.

Hi C.. I am 20 weeks along with my 4th baby. I had an emergency c-section with my first as well. She was not dropping, and I failed to progress past 8 cm. Plus they said they didn't think she'd fit through even if we got past the other issues. I was disappointed as everything else had gone along so smoothly, my water broke, labor was progressing normally, and then BAM! It all stopped and I'm in surgery. We had to do repeat c-sections because the doctors believed that the situation would repeat itself and that we would be in more danger because of the scar from the previous c-section if we tried VBAC.

I recovered extremely quickly after the first and second c-sections. The doctors were amazed at how quickly I demanded to go home from the hospital and how quickly I was up and about. I do not believe that this has anything to do with how strong-willed I am, though, it's just how the surgery affects each person. As I learned with the third c-section, you have to listen to your body. I had a much harder recovery with the third, but it still wasn't horrible. I just had to rest more, which was hard to do with a 2-year old and 3-year old to also take care of!!

I have had passing feelings of sadness that I didn't go through vaginal birth, but then I focus on the good stuff: first of all, of course, the amazing children that I have that I would not have if they couldn't do c-sections; the complications that I will NEVER experience because I never had to have a vaginal birth; the ability to plan the birthday (this has it's benefits as well, especially with another child at home: you can plan for someone to watch your child without having to call anyone at the last minute to run over to you).

It sounds like you have an amazing family. However you add to it, allow it to be a positive experience that focuses on your, your new baby, your daughter, and your husband.

You are a natural mother, regardless of how your baby enters the world. You are strong. And your baby will want you to be proud of what you accomplished to bring him into the world. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD. You don't have to give birth vaginally to be a natural mother or to be proud of how you got him here.

Congratulations to you, and good luck with your delivery. Please let me know if you have any other c-section questions. I've been through enough of them in the past 5 years to have some experience under my belt (and some scars, too!).

I chose to have a scheduled c-section with my twins. It meant that the babies wouldn't have to be in any sort of trauma .My doctor wanted to induce but having healthy babies was the most important thing for me.Really that is what matters:)The recovery time was longer than expected but my husband helped out tremendously. If you have your husband bring you the baby so you don't have to lift him or go up and down stairs a million times a day for the first week you should be fine.One of the advantages is the baby's head will be perfect!Good luck !

Hmmm... well, I've had 2 c-sections, one that was TERRIBLE & one that was actually pretty good. (Especially when compared to the other.)
Both my boys had to be delivered via c-section, prematurely, due to complications.
The first one was a nightmare. The spinal didn't work properly & I was still able to move (and scream) on the operating table so they had to rush to put me completely under - but not until after they had pulled out the living baby. (There were twins & one had already been dead for a month.) Then afterwards, the IV had gone all the way thry the vein (infiltrated I believe they call it?) so was only pumping fluids & meds into my tissue, not directly into my bloodstream, so the morphine had very little effect. Air bubbles trapped internally caused heart fluctuations, (however you spell that) I caught an infection & had double pnemonia, had a fever over 103 degrees for days & since the baby was in the NICU, was not allowed to see him at all until he was 4 days old.
Pretty miserable time. There is more, but you get the idea.
Now the 2nd c-section was much better. It was also due to complications, and the baby was a preemie, but the spinal worked, and they also used "duramorph" which is injected into the spinal at the end of your surgery & lasts for 24-48 hours. It REALLY cuts down on the amount of post-op pain. I was on morphine for 48 hours, but the last 24 hardly ever used the button. No infection, etc. They wheeled me into the NICU every 4 hours for me to nurse him once he was off the vent.
The one drawback I have to morphine (and codeine) is that I cannot sleep - it makes me hyper. So I was wide awake for days after both of these surgeries... at a time when you REALLY need to be sleeping & letting your body heal.
Good luck!

I had a c-section at 38 weeks because my appendix was rupturing. There really was no other option. Certainly I don't regret it. And rather than wonder what I missed out on giving birth naturally, I try to focus on the fact that we both lived. 100 years ago or so, me and my darling daughter would have died when the toxins were released into my blood stream. I'm so greatful for medical technology. There were people who tried to tell me she wouldn't be as smart, and that we wouldn't bond properly, etc., but none of that happened. There is so much more to giving birth than just how it is done. Emotions between mother and child are strong no matter how the baby comes out.

It took about two weeks for me to heal, but I had two surgeries in one, so it may be shorter for me next time. It hurts, but so does giving birth naturally. And both ways, you end up with a healthy happy baby, which is the most important thing.
J.

Dear C.,

I have 4 children ages 21,13,11 and 9. All 4 children were born through a c-section. With my first child I experienced 22 hours of induced labor that was going nowhere and then had a C-section. Due to many factors, I had 3 more c-sections with my other children.

Certainally, never having the experience of pushing any of my children weighed on my mind after my first child. I sortof felt jipped. As with all things in life though C., it is all in how you look at things.

If you focus on the fact that another c-section is not what you had planned for your life, this thought alone will surely give you some heartache.

It is apparent to me that there may be no way that a vaginal birth is possible for you. In life, there are difficulties. You must choose for yourself if you are going to dwell on the negative or create all the positive that you can out of your situation. It is a choice.

Having 4 c-sections myself was extremely difficult. Having hyperemesis for the duration of all 4 of my pregnancies ate away at my spirit. 2 of my sections were bikini cut and 2 were vertical cut. Yes, 2 sections wound up emergencies. I went through very much during those pregnancies and afterwards. I must sit here today and tell you that NONE of my experiences, whether it was the pregnancies or the births, went anywhere near what I had hoped for myself. It is what it is....

Soon, you will have a beautiful child in your arms. This child will add tremendously to your life. How that child arrived........in the scheme of things........matters only for the moment. Look beyond your disappointment and remember what you have to be joyful about. Concern yourself only about what you can control. Enjoy your family.

K.

Hi C.,

first of all congrats on your new baby and your 10 mo. old. Sometimes we realize in retrospect just how close they were to mortality and it send us into shudders. God Bless you :)

With my c-section, which was emergency as well, though a month early at 36 weeks (I JUST turned 36 weeks like the day before...) With my c-section I also had ovarian torsion so there was residual pain from that, and I had my tubes tied (baby #4) so my recovery time and how i felt may have been a bit skewed. anyhow... i took the vicoden for about 5-6 days (I was not breastfeeding)... I stopped because of the terrible headaches I was getting from it (I was surprised to find a pain med actually CAUSES headaches, but it's a known side effect) I also discovered I am allergic to Motrin - very scary being so short of breath - i was convinced there was a blood clot in my lungs or something. I had to wear my binder for about 3-4 weeks, and the swelling in my legs took about 2 weeks to completely go away. They had me on IV fluids at the highest rate for 2 days... against my OB Nurses advice, I took a water pill... just one, and it was gone the next day. wish i had done it sooner because i seriously gained 15 lbs in water, and it was all in my legs... suffice it to say, even my loosest jammie pants were like spandex and were stretched to their capacity by my unbelievable thick legs - ugh! i never felt more unattractive. I had help from my husband for the first week... (might want to see if your husband's work offers 'paternity leave' - I worked for a J&J company and this was a standard for new parents, to be able to take a week of paid time off to be with the new baby and assist mom with duties during the hardest part of recovery). because my post partum depression hit me VERY hard this time, I literally spent 2-3 days in bed crying (didn't think my face could swell that bad but my eyes were almost swollen shut), and then the meds started to work (though it took longer to get back to a 'good' frame of mind - the worst of it stopped though)).

I think I felt back to 'normal' in most respects by about the 2-3 week mark...though I wasn't moving very fast, I was able to get around and do things for myself and take care of the babies.

how to adjust to 2 babies... i wish there was a magic formula, but all I can say is... you find a way :) As mom's we just seem to 'do' what has to be done... I didn't think i could carry an infant and a rather chubby 13 month old down the stairs, with a big gaping cut in my stomach from delivery, but we manage... we find a way, we are VERY strong when we have to be, and that's why we are the mom's... my husband - strong in so many ways, God bless him - could never do what I do, and he fully admits it :)

How to make it feel more natural... well... you can't change the fact that surgery will be taking place, the best thing to do is find the most rewarding part of bringing baby into the world, and focus on that... you made her naturally? (a lot of women have a tough time getting pregnant - seems to be more prevalent these days than ever before)... if you didn't need assistant then you are one step closer to a 'natural' birth (I mean no disrespect to those who have trouble conceiving, please don't misunderstand me). If you are choosing to breastfeed, that is also a natural point you could focus on... if you plan your baby's birthday... and that's bugging you (I agree that it would bother me too) just try not to look at it as a bad thing... i'm sure your new baby, when they are older will feel so very special that you chose the date he/she was born :)

Good luck to you C.... congrats on your pending arrival. I hope your story is picture perfect... focus on the positive :) the alternative is just not an option, so now ya just have to accept it, and be proud of how strong you are... i totally don't mind my c-section scar... it reminds me how close we were to losing our baby girl... i wouldn't have it any other way... (she is now squealing at her toys... music to my ears!)

Good luck!

~J.~

After a long labor without any pain meds, I was very disappointed when my first son was delivered by C-section, but by the time I tried natural labor again with my second son, my attitude had changed. My hospital care was better and, when I needed it after surgery, the pain management was better the second time around. It's so much safer to have a C-section when labor is not progressing normally. You have excellent medical reasons for getting a C-section, and if you don't have to go through labor first, the recovery is even faster (I was totally exhausted by the time my kids were delivered). So, don't worry about the surgery, just enjoy your kids.

Hello C.....I had 2 C-sections. My first son was breech...he thought he was being funny buy giving mommy his "butt" lol...then for my second son I thought It was just saver from the reading I did on my own and my dr agreed with me because I had a tipped uturs. Now I will say the first 2 weeks you will need help. I will tell you that, so maybe your husband can take some vacation or a family member can stay with you including overnight or something. You will be able to lift nothing but your baby, that is including no house work...I know that is a heart breaker.... I have never had a vaginal birth to compare to so I cant help you there. But I was able to "fill" them pushing on my stomach and they told me when my sons where coming out and heard them cry and they held them over the sheild and my husband was able to video what he could.I guess all in all, I didnt have to go through all the hard labor as a vaginal birth, and really the dr picks the birthdate of your childs birth, its really 2 weeks from your due date...I hope this helps alittle...sorry this is so long....good luck

My first daughter was an unscheduled C-Section due to her being breech, and after 20 hours of labor they decided she was stuck. It was miserable, I felt like a truck had run over me. With my second, I tried for a VBAC, but after 10 hours in labor the doctor decided not to continue, and we had another C-Section. I have to tell you, I cried. I felt terrible that I couldn't do it naturally. Surprisingly I felt great afterwards. It went smoothly, and once I saw my little girl I forgot all about my other worries. With a toddler at home I decided I couldn't take strong meds, and I did just fine. Decide that you will be fine, that this will work great, and that once your little one is with you, you won't care anymore how they came into the world. Best Wishes.

Everybody is different, of course. I had twins via c-section because baby B was breech, and my doctor wouldn't let me try vaginal. (Although some other doctors would have.) For me, it was hard afterwards for a little while, but like everything else in life, you get through it and you end up forgetting how bad it was later. I remember within the first 24 hours right after my kids were born telling my husband that I was NEVER going to do that again! And I really meant it when I said it... But now, they are 19 months old, and we're trying to get pregnant again!

**It sounds like you've really been overthinking this whole thing, if you don't mind my saying! If you don't really have a choice, and a c-section is best for you and the baby, then try to let it go! It will go just fine, and you'll all get through it. The most important things are a healthy mom and baby. Years from now, no one will care exactly how the baby came into the world! Just eat well, rest, and take care of yourself now, and try not to worry so much on what will happen on that one short day in both of your lives. Good luck!**