C-section - What to Expect?

I had a section with my first and might end up with one for this one (due in may) and I had a similar issue in that my son was very large and was just stuck (pushed him for nearly 3 hours after 12 hours of labor). My issue then was recovery only becuase I was so tired from labor - but I healed quickly, no major issues at all.

A few things to keep in mind:
1) you are likely to feel cold/shakey the night after the section, and maybe even during - this is often just the way your body reacts to the anesthesia. If you have what to expect the chapter in there goes over that... It wasn't scary for me because I had read over that section and knew why I felt what I was feeling (like being really cold, your body just sorta trembles)
2) They will make you get up really soon, like within 12 hours. That first time is miserable, but you adjust and the faster and more you move the faster you heal.
3) don't refuse the take the pain meds! They will give them to you in a way that will allow you to heal faster, to control the pain, not to knock you out. I don't suggest trying to be a hero. Along the same lines, have someone with you through out the hospital stay, as you will need someone who can jump up if the baby is with you, and the same for the first couple days to a week at home.
4) your milk might take an extra day or two to come in. Mine came in the day after I got home, so about day 4. we supplemented for one day with formula - then I was able to breast feed normally for the next 18 months (your body is using blood to heal, not make milk)
5)If you live on a multi story home, set yourself up to live mostly on one story for a few days when you get home. Our bedroom was upstairs but bathroom kitchen etc was on the 1st floor, so I moved into the guest room for a few days. Stairs are killer.
6) try to read up on it in a neutral place like what to expect or the online sites. people who have had bad experiences might overwhelm you at this point - as people who have had bad vaginal births can too. I was with my child from the moment he was born until they took him to do the blood check hours and hours later; I was awake and aware the whole time and do not feel I was cheated, robbed or whatever at all.

Just be prepared, and ready - and you can have a wonderful experiences. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any specific questions. And, more than anything else, relax!

I've had two c-sections and no negative side effects. Neither of my c-sections were planned (the first was after 38 hours of labor and the second was after 12 hours of labor). You'll have a slightly longer hospital stay after a c-section, and be a little limited during your recovery (like not lifting anything heavier than the baby), but other than that I was fine. Send me a direct message if you have any specific questions that I can answer for you.

Good luck!

Lol ~
You've had alot of great advice! I'm an OB nurse, so can help some more.
Every hospital does things a little bit different. Feel free to call the hospital you're going to, ask for a tour, ask the staff what their protocols are. They will be more help to you than your doctor's office!
We start our patients in triage...2 hours prior to the surgery, nothing to eat since midnight...we hook you up to the monitor, do your consents & other paper work, start your IV, do a little shave, put in the catheter. We give some medication just prior to the surgery to decrease the stomach acids (Bicitra).
Then we take you to the OR and get going. The husband doesn't come in until we know that the spinal is working and the patient doesn't need to be put to sleep. If a patient is put to sleep, we don't let dad in (not common with a planned c-section, just sometimes with a patient who had an epidural and then it didn't work).
Most of our doctors hold the baby up to show mom, then the baby goes to the warmer in the OR for at least the 1st 5 minutes to make sure everything is OK. We then take dad and baby to the recovery room to finish the baby's admission and wait for mom.
Anesthesia usually gives mom some short-acting meds so you rest during this part...it's faster to cut through tissue than it is to sew it back together.
There may be shaking, partially from the cold OR, partially from hormones. You may have had it after your first baby, too.
Our patients don't get the extra medication someone mentioned in the spinal. We start an IV drip of morphine or demerol that you can somewhat control. We usually get moms up to the bedside chair about 12 hrs after the delivery, the catheter comes out after about 24 hrs, as does the PCA (pain med).
You will probably be on just a clear liquid diet the first day, sometimes longer depending on your doctor.
When the PCA comes off, you start on oral pain medication...sometimes vicoden, darvocet or tylenol #3. Sometimes they also order motrin...you can alternate the meds so that you're taking something every few hours. Don't wait until the pain is a 10 to ask for your medicine, it takes too much to fight that battle and get your pain under control.
Once you're up and moving, make sure you walk! Walking is truly the single most important thing you can do to heal. It helps your lungs, prevents pneumonia after surgery; it helps reduce your swelling in your legs, increases your circulation; it helps your digestive system get moving again, moves the gas (most women complain more about gas pain than incinsional pain); and helps with healing of the incision by increasing the circulation.
Remember that every day gets better! Tell people not to come visit when you first get home, you need your rest!
good luck!
D.

I had a c-section after my labor didn't progress. With mine, they gave me a shot to numb everything from my neck down. The delivery itself didn't take very long once things got started. It takes a little bit to get everything sewn up, so my husband went to check on the baby while I was getting taken care of. He still got to be in there and got to cut the cord. The recovery time took about a week or so. It basically hurts to stand up straight for a few days and you can't lift much, but after that I felt fine. Good luck with everything, and congrats on the upcoming addition to your family!

Lola,

The best thing you can do is not to stress (I know easier said than done). The day of the planned c-section you will go to the hospital, they will get you all registered, set you up in a prep room (like a small room, monitors, bed etc). Your blood pressure will be constantly monitored, along with the baby's heart rate. They will put your IV in, and about 20min before you have a catheter put in (does not really hurt, just weird). Your Dr, nurse, and anesthesiologist will come in and talk with you to answer any questions you will have.
Once it is time you will go in a wheel chair to the OR, your hubby will get dressed outside the doors into his required scrubs. Once in people will be preparing the room, you will get a shot in your lower back that will numb you from mid chest down. You will have oxygen they will explain to you what you will feel (it does not hurt it is really just a strange feeling), what will happen once baby is born etc. Once baby is born and you will see her, then they will check her out and your hubby and baby will go to recovery. They will continue to finish up with you, typically they talk to you to keep your mind off of what is going on. Then you are taken to recovery for about 30min (depends on the hospital) and sometimes they let family back to see you and the baby. I got really itchy from one of the drugs so they had to give me benedryl which really doped me up. Don't worry it is a very smooth process, it was scary for me since that was the 1st time I every had a procedure done and stayed in the hospital.
good luck and congrats!

Sorry so long
K.

Lola, I am sorry that some people have used your request to get on their soap boxes about natural/vaginal births. That is one frustrating thing about this site, that people don't always answer your question, but try to convince you that their way is right.

I had a c-section, and the recovery was very easy...by the time I left the hosptital, I felt like nothing had happened to me! I had to remind myself that I had just had major surgery! However, I did have surgery DURING pregnancy, 6 months earlier to remove an ovary, so, I think that surgery may have prepared me. That one was a little tougher. A lot of soreness, but nothing too terrible. The few friends I have who have had vaginal births have had MUCH more difficult recoveries, and even some horror stories of many stitches, and having to be recut and sewn. Don't let people scare you.

Just remember, don't over do it after the c-section. the inside takes a long time to heal, even if you feel ok. and, if you notice ANYthing strange about your incision, or if you don't feel like it's healing well, see your dr., as infection is always a risk after any surgery!

One more thing, with a planned c-section, at least you will be prepared, and the dr.'s can do things at natural speed, rather than going through labor, pushing, and then having to do a fast c-section anyway. congrats and enjoy your baby!

Hi Lola.
Is the reason for the c-section just because the baby may be big? They always say that and I have yet to see a "too big" baby. I wonder if your doctor is planning a trip that he doesn't want to miss because of your delivery. This may be more convenient for him. Sorry for my cynicism but I've seen it too many times.

I had both a c-section and then a V-Bac. My C-section hurt for weeks and my incision always feels... funny- weak, even 7 years later. I felt vulnerable, breastfeeding was more difficult and recovery seemed to go on for months. I was miserable. And then it's over.

I couldn't believe how wonderful delivering naturally was. I was home and in my garden the next day! Please consider doing it naturally. You've already had one so it should be even easier. I know people who have delivered 10 lb baby's naturally just fine. It's just sooo much better for both baby and mother.

Either way, you'll have a beautiful new baby! Congratulations!

I too have heard many people say that the recovery with a c-section is horrible. I had one with my daughter 2 1/2 years ago and will plan another with my current pregnancy (I have a tilted pelvis which makes it difficult for me to deliver naturally - I pushed for 3 hours with my daughter and couldn't get her out). Anyway, I disagree with the painful recovery. Yes, there is some pain but it was more of an inconvenience than excrutiating pain. I moved a little slowly for the first week but that's about it (and I think it's the same for many women who deliver vaginally - there is a recovery period for them too). The only time I really noticed the pain was when I would start to run up the stairs - I think that because I felt so great to not have this huge belly anymore, I just wanted to RUN up the steps. But I'd get 2 or 3 steps up and have to stop because I'd get a shooting pain (a subtle reminder from my body that I was recovering from surgery and should slow down!) But that's about the extent of it. I experienced mild discomfort for about a week and had to take it easy. I was in the hospital for 4 days and by the time I came home, I already felt good enough to take my newborn for walks daily.

my c-section was not planned .. I was 2 weeks overdue and finally went into labor , well come to find out he was to big for me to deliver 9lbs 4 oz.. so they took me in to have the surgery.. I was actually put to sleep due that the stuff they gave me to numb would only numb half of my body .. it sucked .. anyway i was sore all the way up to my 6 week check up .. not as bad but the first week or so is pretty painful .. to even cough hurts bad... They will send you home with some pretty good pain killers tho and they will be needed.. Its not the most comfortable thing to go through but its well worth it .. good luck and I hope everything goes just perfect for you !!!

Lola,

I have had four c sections ... each c section got better!!!I really think they have improved the whole process majorly in the seven years since my first child was born ... it's amazing the changes they've made just in that time. My last c section was last spring so maybe things are even more perfect now. I have also had the gest. diabetes and my first child was 9 lbs. 4 oz...big babies sleep great so that's your silver lining....You will do fine and what you have to remember is that they are over before you know it and they do sooooo sooo many of them everyday! You will arrive (without eating or even drinking water for the whole night...worst part)they will monitor the baby and take your vitals and give you an IV(the other worst part)... then usually right on your scheduled time they will wheel you down to the operating room ... or you will walk depending upon the hospital ... that is when you will say goodbye to your hubby (the part i always cry) and he will get dressed and meet you in the OR after they give you your spinal ... the spinal is the part I dread and cringe over but it is done so fast and I just squeeze the nurses hand and then boom ... your legs and body will go numb very fast and they will lay you on the bed and then your hubby will get to come in and hold your hand and be right next to your head the whole time!!!! yeah!!!! the nurses in the room will talk to you and comfort you and the anethesiologist will stay with you the whole time too ... they will begin right away and before you know it your baby will be born!!! you will get to see your baby (as long as everything is okay) ... they will hold it up and maybe even let you give it a little kiss before they take it away (not too far) just to clean the baby up and then your husband will get to hold the baby next to you why they sew you back up and it will be the dearest moment and you won't even remember what they are doing to you .... by the fourth child i decided to watch the delivery and i do not regret it at all ... they held up a mirror so i could see him be delivered and it was wonderful ... i didn't really even notice the yucky parts. i am happy to answer any specific questions you may have....good luck....and remember you EARNED your recovery time so don't push it with c section recovery...that part isn't so fun!!!

I had two c-sections, one after labor and pushing that wasn't effective, and one that was scheduled. They're not that bad -- please don't worry. You'll be fine. It'll be a different recovery for you, that's all.

You'll have either an epidural or a spinal. With my surprise c-section, they used the existing epidural. With the scheduled c-section, they used a spinal.

With my scheduled c-section, they inserted a catheter, an IV, and the epidural or spinal. I had the catheter and IV in a hospital room, I walked to the OR dragging all the equipment attached to the cath and IV, and climbed up on the operating table. The table looks like a cross--it's skinny with long "wings" on the sides for your arms. There's a screen between your face/chest and your belly, so you can't breathe or sneeze on the surgery area, and you can't see anything, either. My husband sat near my head. There was an anesthesiologist beside me, two doctors, one on each side of the table, and a bunch of nurses. The OR is cold. The nurses count all of the materials they use aloud, sponges, instruments, etc, so they know they didn't leave anything inside you. You might feel some pressure or tugging during the operation, but no pain.

With my first, the nurses had me up and walking withing six hours, and I suspect that played a role in my quicker recovery.

I had very little pain, as evidenced by the pca (patient controlled anesthesia). The nurses were surprised that I wasn't using it. I was given demerol that time, and for me, each push of the button on the machine lasted a long time.

With my second c-section, I had more pain, and I was given morphine, which made me very sick to my stomach, and I couldn't move my thumb to push the button on the patient controlled anesthesia machine without gagging. IF ONE OF THE MEDS MAKES YOU SICK, ask for the other one. After 18 hours, a nurse removed the PCA and said she'd give me motrin by mouth. I was sure I couldn't keep anything down, but she said I'd be fine when the morphine was gone, and she was right. Because of the timing of my c-section and my nausea from the morphine, I didn't get up and walk for nearly 24 hours, and that recovery was much slower.

You'll need a nursing pillow for sure w/ a c-section, and the nurses will help you position the baby. You feel like your insides are going to fall out when you stand up for several weeks -- that's weird.

My advice is have them get you up and walking ASAP.

Hi Lola,

I know it can be so scary, I had one 7 mo. ago. I was a little diff. I was in labor for 19 hours before mine, my pelvic bones would not give for my daughter to come out, so they took her out.
I don't know if you had an epidural with your first but they gave me pain meds through that, but I could still feel what the nurse sitting next to me during my surgery called secondary pains, they were in my arms, chest and back. Just remember to breath through it, and expect to feel them inside your belly, I could feel the Dr. up under my ribs yanking at her. Didn't feel so good, but It was not bad. Tons of pressure, It feels like your ribs might break, but remember they know what there doing.(im not trying to scare you, just want you to be informed) After my daughter was born, they held her up, I cried and they knocked me out. I didn't even know, when I woke up I asked if I had fallen asleep. lol. By that time I was all done and shaking from meds and hormones. I would ask if they plan on knocking you out, because they don't all of the time. Also I asked to not have staples, because they have to take them out before leaving the hospital and that scared me. So they stitched me and used the suri stripps. Just dont be afraid to ask or voice your opinion. Definatly use a pillow for coughing, sneezing or laughing!! I didn't walk until over 24 hours after my surgery, but I had also pulled muscles in my side from trying to move. This may sound gross, but I was also scared to poop. They won't let you eat solids until then! But I did, and I figured it would hurt from everything being moved around in there, but it didn't. Ask for a saline bag, my nurses gave me one and warmed it up for me, it was great on my incision, and I still use it for cramps at home.

Just remember the sight of your new baby is well worth anything you have to go though to have him/her!!

Good luck and congrats!!!
A.

I am not sure how a scheduled c-section goes because I went through labor first. I heard that if it is scheduled to make sure they give you the spinal before they put the urinary catheter in. If they do the spinal first and it starts working you wont feel a thing when it goes in. I heard horror stories that that is the worst part of a c-section. I didn't like the fact that they tie your arms down, it was really uncomfortable for me. I managed to tell them I at least need one arm free and i got it thank god. Also as for the pain meds I made sure that i was getting them every 4 hours or six not sure which it was. I would call and tell them ok its time for my pain meds now and they gave them to me. The only reason why I did this is because I new that if i gave it a chance to wear off even a little the pain would be to bad. So I decided I wasn't going to give it a chance to wear off and I just made sure that I got it right on time. but you will have to be persistent with the nurses because they will wait to give it to you unless you request it. I found that the pain was not that bad with the tylenol 3 and Ibuprofen they gave me. It was more of a burning uncomfortable feeling then a painful feeling. As for getting up and taking care of things around the house forget it. If your bedroom is upstairs I would set up other sleeping arrangements because you are not supposed to go up or down steps. I did after a couple of days maybe mroe than a week and I was ok. But i know people who overdid it and really regretted it so take it easy. If there is anything that I didn't answer just ask and I will see what I can do.

Well, as different as each pregnancy is the same goes for c-sections. However, that being said, I just had a c 3 months ago. Depending on your pain tolerance it shouldn't be too bad. I went in on a Monday and was released on Wed. They did however make sure I had extra help at home for our 2 yr old. The biggest thing I can suggest is to start walking, now. After delevery ask to sit up, move to another chair as soon as you think you can. Don't say you can't cause you are tired...you'll never get up:) Listen to your body.
The more you move the better you will start feeling and don't push away pain pills, take them and don't let your pain get strong before you take them. Get plenty of rest. Sleep when the baby sleeps.
Now what to expect during, in short:
start IV - walk into OR - start spinal (breath through it)
lay back and they start - leave OR - if you are bf go for it soon - bath, all that - go back to room.
I think that is about it in short. Good luck next week, I hope all goes well.

Lola,

I have had 5 c-sections, my last one being 2 years ago. They will schedule a time for you to go into surgery and usually you need to be at the hospital about 2 hours prior to that time so they can prep you. Also no eating or drinking 12 hours prior to surgery.

When you get there you will go into a room and change into a hospital gown, and the surgeon, anesthiologist (sp?), and nurses will all eventually come in and ask you health questions. They will shave you, cathaterize, and put your IV in, in this room. (be prepared for most of my c-sections they were always running late, so you may have to wait).

When they are ready for you they will escort you to the operating room, you will most likely walk there yourself, (ask for an extra hospital gown to put on backwards like a robe to cover your backside for the trip down the hall, because they don't always offer one!)

Once in the operating room you will hop up on the operating table and the anestheiologist (sp?) will come in to put in your spinal. It is not bad, they will numb the area first but you must hold very still. I always found the easiest way to do this was to get a nurse to stand in front of me while I sat on the table with my legs hanging over the edge and just hug the nurse tightly while the anestheiologist did his thing. You then wait for your legs to start feeling very warm, tell them when this happens and then they will let you lay down.

I always thought the operating room was freezing until the spinal then I would start feeling hot. It goes away though. There is a period when right after the spinal starts taking effect that your blood pressure goes down quickly and you will feel very nauseated, maybe even throw up. I have to be honest this was the most horrible part for me, but once your blood pressure levels out it goes away.

They don't tie down your arms anymore. They did for my first 4 and it made me feel so clausterphobic but with the last baby they didn't and when I asked about it, they told me that the practice of it was discontinued.

When they start the surgeon will start poking at your belly and ribs and ask you what you can feel, thats how they can tell if your numb yet. Once they start the operation you will feel lots of tugging and pulling, this is normal. About half way through I would always get to shaking an shivering involuntarily and usually hard enough that it felt like my whole body was moving, but it never bothered anyone else so I think that may have just been my perception of it.

Your husband will be allowed to sit right next to you and hold your hand. Be prepared- he will get to hold the baby first, the Dr will show you the baby once its out, then they take it and weigh it, measure it, do the APGAR tests, etc. while they close you up. Closing you up will take longer than you think it will, you will be impatient for them to get done so you can spend some time holding your new baby, so be ready to wait for a bit. Also be prepared because I cried every time I was looking at them tending the baby (they will be close enough for you to watch the process) but they were tears of happiness, and you may need to ask for something to wipe your nose with, lol.

When everything is done they will transfer you to a regular hospital bed, You will be lying on a sheet and they will use that sheet to slide you right over to the other bed. Once you are settled into this bed then they will give you the baby to hold. Then you will be wheeled into a recovery room where they will wash the baby properly, and clean you up a bit, they will take your blood pressure often. After a couple of hours here you will be moved to the room you will be in until you leave the hospital. You will be numb for awhile. I always had my c-sections scheduled in the morning and it was usually always late afternoon when the numbness went completely away if I remember correctly.

I think they will have at least stand up by that night and walking to the bathroom by the next morning. I have to say I always wanted to get up and moving as quickly as I could, even though it was uncomfortable, for 2 reasons. First the longer you wait to get up the harder it is, and secondly if it hurts the hospital can give you pain meds, once you go home you just get one small bottle and when its gone its gone. So I always wanted to get the moving around part over while I had that kind of support.

Also you will hear horror stories about getting headaches from the spinal. With 5 c-sections I never had one single headache from them and someone ( I dont remember who now) explained it to me this way. It is imperative that you be asolutely still when they are giving you the spinal, so thats always what I did. Good luck, and God Bless!

The first thing you need to know is do not let other people's horror stories scare you! I too had a scheduled c-section because my baby was measuring big (9 lb. 14 oz) but was SO scared because what everyone told me....I was FINE. Yes I had pain at the incision for awhile, but they give you pain meds for that. You just have to take it easy afterwards, no overexerting yourself, no lifting anything besides the baby. One thing I will tell you....from stories I have heard, it sounds to me like those of us who had a scheduled c-section (vs. those who labored and ended up having an emergency c-section) had an easier recovery. All the best to you!

Hello Lola,

Congratulations! your baby is almost here! as with any pregnancy, make sure your bowels are moving softly and have some milk of magnesia or liquid or caplets to make sure you have a smooth bowel movement after the c-section. I had 2 c sections. you might not go for a couple of days after the delivery that's why I suggest you do that. if you like pears, eat pears so the fiber helps keep it smooth. The anesthesia interrupts your bm cycle. Good luck! ~Carmen~

i had a c section with my first and the surgery went well it is the recovery that is bad. i would never recommend a c section to anyone! then i had a v bac with my second so much better and she was an 8 lbs. baby. but on the other hand my friend had a scheduled c section with her second and recoverd just fine. i think going into a scheduled c section is different than an emergency like mine.
it is ok to be nervous but things will be ok

A big baby is *not* a medical indication for a cesarean section. I would be questioning your doctor and seeking a second opinion.

I was *sort of* in your same shoes in December. I had to deliver via c-section 4 weeks early (due to placenta previa, not gestational diabetes) and my son was 8 lbs. I too was extremely nervous but rest assured it all went well...

Make sure you talk to your doctor and ask them to walk you through the procedure step by step (if they haven't already) - that was very helpful, nothing was unexpected. I think the only thing that may be odd feeling or uncomfortable is that you will feel tugging and there is also a time where it will feel very difficult to breathe. But the difficulty in breathing only lasted about 10 seconds. Actually a scheduled c-section goes very quickly (the doctors can plan). I think it took 5 minutes to deliver my son - maybe 10 minutes max??

You can also ask your doctor to talk to you during the procedure so you know when to expect to experience specific sensations.

I was noticing some other posts - one specific to strapping the arms down. My arms were restrained, but I did not ask to NOT have them restrained - maybe you can? Maybe each hospital is different with their procedures. It didn't really bother me other than not being able to touch my baby . All is good though, he has a wonderful bond with his father and I suspect that played a role in that.

A lot of people I spoke to had pain during the recovery, but I really didn't think it was as awful as most people told me it would be. The day after was probably the most uncomfortable, but I made sure I was up and around quite a bit as quickly as possible, which, to my understanding, helps in the healing process.

In terms of your child, something to be aware of is possible minor respiratory problems. Be prepared for the possibility of your baby spending time in the NICU or spend an hour or so with oxygen. The reason, I was told, was this: a vaginal delivery extracts the liquid from the baby's lungs whereas a c-section does not. Although it sounds like you are not delivering early, which should also help in avoiding respiratory issues.

I had an emergency C-section so I was totally unprepared. My doctor asked my height on my last visit and the weight of my last baby. He then told me this isn't a small baby so I still didn't understand at that point. When I was in the hospital he had a bowel movement so then for sure he had to be C-section. My back was numbed, they put a little curtain under my breast area. I felt something moving around then heard him cry then I was out. Of course the hard part was waking when I felt as if I was a wrapped burrito. My legs were numb and cold and I couldn't move for quite awhile. I heard the nurses talking about someone having a 10 lb baby and I thought wow she must be hurting. A while later they brought my baby boy to me weighing in at 10 lbs 6 oz. It was me they were talking about while I was still groggy. You have to hold onto a pillow if you cough and that first time out of bed was like someone had punched me in the gut. After awhile it wasn't so bad but they tell you not to overexert or lift anything over 10 lbs. I walked hunched over for 2 weeks, slept leaning up against pillows on the couch because I couldn't lift myself out of bed easily. I was scared that I would rip my stiches open. I was not supposed to lift over 10 lbs so the baby was all I could lift. You'll be ok, but since you know ahead of time which I didn't maybe you could prepare yourself with watching some films.

I just had a schedualed c/s this past Oct for my twins, #1 was breach. I was sooo scared too.
Anyway...they will put a catherter in you first. Then they will take you to the operating room, and your support person will wait in an other room. They will then put in a spinal, it will hurt kind of like a bee sting, but it wil only be for a moment.

After that, they will lay you down and bring in your SP. A sheet will be up so you don't see anything and your SP will sit right up near your head. the whole thing only lasts for a few min and then the baby comes out.

I was so nervous and upset that I said I didn't want to be awake for this. I was told after the babys come out I could have something to relax me and it would probably put me to sleep. After the babys came out I was asked if I wanted it and I said "no are you kidding me??!! I need to be awake for my babies" LOL.

They will then take the baby to make sure he/she is allright, while they close you up. Closing you up takes the longest. You will be too numb to hold the baby, if allowed your SP, would be able to. But with my twins, hubby had to wait to hold them until we were in the recovery room. So it could depend on the hospital. But they did hold them up for me to see.

after you and baby are all set, they will take you both (and your SP), into the recovery room. Here they will monitor you and the baby and wait until you can move your legs. It seemed like it would take forever, but I think it was about 45-60 min.

When you can move your legs you will be put into your room where you will stay until you leave.

One mistake that I made was in the spinal there is an extra pain killer that lasts for 24hrs, so after the c/s I felt relativly OK. And the nurses were only allowed to ask if you wanted pain killers, they can not tell you it's time to take them. So for me, I don't take pain pills unless I really need it, so I declined the pain killers b/c I was sore, but not too bad. Well, the 24 hrs was up and I was in a lot of pain b/c I just had majior surgery and all of the meds were out of my system. So take your pain pills at the time that you're allowed to take them regardless of how you feel. You need them to stay in your system to help with the pain.

But moving around will be hard at first, but after a few days your ab;e to move around pretty good. I think it was a few weeks though before I really started to feel "normal". And even 5 months later I am still numb at the insision sight, and will get sharp pains there every once in awhile too, but that's normal.

You'll do fine, try not to worry and just think about your little one. Good Luck, and Congrats!!

I planned on having my daughter naturally and ended up with a c-section at 37 weeks. They advised me that she was measuring over 9 pounds at 36 weeks so I was pretty nervous myself. I was pretty scared about the c-section cause it was a last minute decision from my doctor due to some bleeding complications I was having. The healing process is a bit more difficult and I have heard stories both good and bad. They used staples to close me up and a week later I had them removed and have been healing just fine and to top it off I get 2 more weeks paid off work so everything worked out. Try not to worry, everything will be fine:)

Lola,
First, Congrats on the new baby. Try not to worry too much, I know much easier said than done! :)
I had a c-section 4 years ago. Not planned, but I never dialated past 8... so in we went. My Dr was great and recovery was a little painful -- but nothing too bad, more I just had to remind myself to take it easy for a few days.
Knowing you've listened to your Dr's and do what's right for you and your baby.... that's all that matter.
Enjopy the time with your family and just take it easy! If that's possible with 2!! Congrats again!!