I Go in for My First C- Section,im So Scared!

No it isn't true that you have to stay in bed for 6 weeks. They actually want you to start walking when you are still in the hospital. It is a little dificult to get out of bed the first week and a half, but it is doable. The more you move the faster you heal as long as you don't over do it.

I'm with Tara... why a c-section? I had one with my first baby -- and now feel I was unnecessarily pushed into it. (I was young and too scared to argue or question... and the doctors had a suddenly very busy L&D floor to deal with.) In any case, I found out afterward about the risks it posed to my future pregnancies and deliveries (and I had planned - and still do - on a large family). So, to make a long story short, make sure you know about the impact of c-section on your body for the future (I didn't) and that it's absolutely medically necessitated. If you can avoid it, great! If you can't, you do what you have to, to get your baby safely into this world and you'll be glad for the medical advances that allow this option. :) And you'll be fine! (I did have a vbac, with second baby and am pregnant with third, no complications, praise God!)

As for recovery, pretty much what everyone else has said. :) You have a recovery no matter how you deliver. Nursing can be a little more awkward after a c-section, but be persistent! :) I was unable to carry my baby and walk at the same time for probably a week (didn't trust myself quite yet and was wobbly). And I avoided stairs for a while. Definitely was able to be up and around and do more when I delivered vaginally the second time, but looking back, each method of delivery has its unique "recovery time woes." (I bled longer and more profusely with vaginal delivery than with c-section, for example.) With the c-section, though, I "overdid" it... pushed myself too hard too fast to recover and be up and around walking and trying to take care of the house instead of resting, and ended up back in the hospital for a day with a high fever. So, give yourself time to rest.

On the plus side, with c-section, no contractions to deal with, no lost sleep while delivering, you know exactly when your baby is coming and the pain is really pretty minimal and easily managed afterward. You'll be fine, whatever happens. :) Big hugs and lots of prayers!

Are you having an elective (i.e. not truly necessary) cesarean? If so, please research cesarean birth before you decide on this. A vaginal birth would be healthier for you and your baby and will have a MUCH shorter recovery time (after my natural vaginal births I was up in five minutes to go take a shower - not going to happen with a cesarean). Check out these websites:

http://ican-online.org/

http://www.theunnecesarean.com/

Please really do your research before you decide to go with this if it's not necessary!

First, congrats! I had my son c-section after full labor and pushing, he got stuck, so emergency c-section. Even after that, I was able to care for him without problem. My biggest piece of advice WALK! Yes, it will hurt to move and walk at first, but the more you walk the faster you will recover. As soon as a nurse will let you, walk a little, then just add a little more each time you get up, it gets easier each time. I know people who choose c-section over regular delivery. It really isn't as bad as you think.

I see you've gotten many responses already. I hope they put your fears at ease. I had 2 c-sections and I was just fine. After my first I was back doing areobics after 5 weeks (very low impact I should add). I wasn't in as good of shape going into the 2nd c-secion so it took me a couple more weeks to get back to normal. If you just do what the doctor tells you to you'll be fine. Get up and walk laps around the nurses station as much as you can. One bit of advice I want to give you though, is take the pain medication regularly for at least the first 24 hours after. When it's time for more, take it even if you think you don't need it yet. It was time for my next dose and I told the nurse I didn't need it yet but when I tried to get up to go to the bathroom, it was a bit uncomforable. I had been laying in bed for a while and felt fine laying still but once I tried to move, it was uncomfortable. Don't worry too much about it, you're young and you'll bounce back quick and easy.

I am also afraid of C-Sections to the point of telling my doctor I wanted to avoid one if at all possible with both my children. I was induced 2 weeks early both times after my OB checked and saw that the baby was in position and actually ready in an ultrasound the day before each of them.

I have had friends and family come through them though. They said basically the same thing the others said. I would never do a planned C-Section though. It is a lot easier to heal from a vaginal birth. Anyhow, good luck and enjoy your new baby.

D. P.

While I do not think you should take surgery lightly, please don't stress!! Both of my children were delivered via c-section. I was up and running before I left the hospital. As with any childbirth you will have a period of "taking it easy" but when I had my 2nd child I still had to contend with my first (your situation). It is a little more tough but still totally do-able!!! Just take it easy but you should have NO troubles getting around!! Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I had two c-sections. The first one was after I had been in labor for a day. That recovery was hard. I was dreading the second one because I knew how hard it was, but the second one was sooo much easier. I think most of the horror stories come from the c-sections after trying vaginaly first. Your body is so worn out from labor the it makes recovery awful. The other moms have given you some great advice. Walk as much as possible and stay at the hospital as long as you can. It will be nice to have the meals and the nureses will be there to help both you and Darla.

Everything will be OK!

Why are you having a c-section?

Hi A., congrats on your baby and best of luck during your C-section. You will do great! I had 2 c-sections and they both went just fine and the recovery was not bad either. You will probably get a variety of responses because every woman is different. My personal opinion is whatever attitude you go into the surgery with will effect your recovery. If you go into the surgery confident that you will recover fine, you will be stronger and push yourself to get up and moving faster, and the pain will seem less severe.

My advice is to get up and walk around the hospital when the nurses come and help you up the first time. I was dizzy with my 2nd baby, so I just walked for less time but did it more often. I took the pain pills while in the hospital and the first 2 days at home. I tried to cut this out as quickly as possible and switch to Tylenol as they make you sleepy and out of it. I walked up and down my stairs the day I came home from the hospital too. If you have a 2 story house, my advice is to setup a station downstairs for a few days. You can sleep on the couch and put the baby in a pack-n-play. That way you don't have to walk far to get to a bathroom, kitchen, and your baby. This is probably too much info but the worst part of my recovery with both c-sections was constipation. I had painful bowel movements that were large and difficult to eliminate even with the use of suppositories.

Even though I was nervous the first time around and not totally confident. I forced myself to think I was wonder woman after my surgeries. I really felt like my attitude helped me recover in less than a week.

I had an emergency c-section with my second son and natural with my first. I was up walking back and forth to the nursery to feed my son the second night in the hospital. I found that the immediate recovery was a lot easier than my vaginal delivery. The hardest part for me was climbing in and out of my SUV and up and down the stairs. It honestly wasn't bad for me at all. I really had no down time at all. I was scared going into the c-section as well. In fact, I was terrified. But the doctors were great and kept me calm. Good luck. You can do it.

Hi A.,

First off, congratulations on your upcoming delivery. I had a c-section and I walked around the hospital carrying my daughter a day after she was born. I came home three days after she was born and I got up with her, walked with her and enjoyed the whole experience. I won't lie, there were times when it was painful but my doctor did give me pain meds that were safe to take while I was nursing. You won't be in bed for six weeks - that is basically the entire healing time - I would say that after the first couple of weeks I felt fine except for a few twinges here/there and for that I just took tylenol.

I think the worst part was that I was very swollen and holding water in my hands, fingers, calves, ankles and feet - I was told this is pretty normal and my skin felt very tight but it literally went away overnight. One day I had no ankles and the next day I had ankles again. The swelling lasted about 7-10 days.

You will do just fine. C-sections are becoming very common and the technology and advanced techniques are incredible. You can't even see my scar.

Remember, you are a mom and you are tough. Don't worry, when you hold her and walk with her there will be times you won't even remember you just had a c-section.

Good luck and God Bless.

L.

No, you won't be in bed for 6 weeks, you can get up and move around, you won't be able to pick up anything heavy and you are not allowed to drive. You will be very sore for a long time and nursing may be uncomfortable, but you can adjust your position to make it a little better. I was told to take Motrin and get lots of rest, sleep when the baby sleeps and don't try to do anything extrenous. If your husband is not able to move around much, then see if you can get someone to come stay with you for a while to help with picking up the baby and taking care of your 4 year old.
Don't worry, it's not that bad, you'll be fine.

Hello! I had two and they were not bad at all. Yes, it is major surgery, however, they also know what they are doing. If you know already you will have a C-section, it is not going to be an emergency procedure and they can take their time and will not have to rush to save anyone.
Tracy already said all the important things.
Walk laps around the nurses station in the hospial - the more you do, the quicker you will feel better. Listen to your nurses, take your meds. If you already know that your husband can not help because of his own surgery, arrange for friends to drive you to your Dr appts after your hospital release as you should not drive for 2 weeks at least, so you do not inadvertently injur yourself and because of the pain meds.
If he can not do the laundry, have a friend come to help, because all that even light lifting and bending can tear your internal stiches.
Fill your freezer now or ask friends to help, so you do not have to go shopping the day you get home :).
Talk to your Doctor about what to expect and how to deal with it all. The ever-present "what to expect when you are expecting" book also has a good chapter on C-section.

All the best to you and your family!

Feel free to ask me more questions :)

D.

A.,

Honestly...c-section not fun, but not so scary. Within a few days (don't suggest this) I was up taking care of the baby and my mother who flew in to help me and ended up with a horrible fever, etc so I locked her in the guest room. I cooked and fed everyone. My husband didn't get that I had "surgery." Now that he had his appendix out I think he may be a little sorry he wasn't more supportive.

I was at St. Joseph's and it was a great experience overall.

Don't worry...c-section is done every day in every hospital. You'll be fine.

Hello A. (great name, by the way). I had two C-Sections. With my daughter (my first), it was an emergency because she had flipped herself around and was breech. I was very scared when they said I had to have a C-Section, but I had already been in labor most of the day and was dilated to about 7 or 8 by the time they even found out she was breech. It all happened very fast and everything went great. My doctor was great, and of course, knew what he was doing. My second was planned, since I didn't want to attempt a VBAC.

With both C-Sections, it really wasn't that bad. Like some other responders have already said, every woman is different. I repeat the advice to walk when they tell you to in the hospital and as much as you can at home, as well. I took my Percocet and Ibuprofen regularly in the hospital and for the first day or two at home, but I am not a big fan of pain medications, so I only took them occasionally (if needed) after that. Take all the help that is offered by family and friends when you are at home. Just remember not to push yourself too hard. That is the only time I really felt bad after my surgeries, if I over did it. Get as much sleep as you can, drink lots of water, and don't be afraid to ask for or accept help. Good luck and congratulations! You'll do fine!

A. P.

A.,

Every woman is different and unique and so is the recovery. There are some good suggestions in the responses but just because someone else had a rough time, does not mean that you will. I was uneasy with my first C-section as well (my daughter was frank breach), I don't care for unnecessary surgery and I don't take lots of meds. I live a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly, I did not take pain meds after my c-sections and did most of those things your not supposed to do. Why? Because no one told me that I shouldn't do them and they didn't hurt. It's great to be prepared, but in the end, just listen and respect your body and everything will be fine.

I had my first vaginally. 2 hour labor, no epidural, full term, no complications, fast recovery. Then I had 3 C-Sections because of Alloimmune Throbocytopenia. The recovery is definately longer and more difficult than vaginal deliveries but it's not as bad as you think. You can't lift heavy things for 6 weeks and my driving restrictions were different with each C-section. One time it was 6 weeks but the others were 2 weeks. You have to take it easy for 6 weeks but I was pretty much back to "normal" pretty quickly. I'm going to have my 4th C-Section in April and I have 4 kids at home... plus I homeschool. No worries! You'll be sidetracked with your little one but not bedridden. Take it slow if you need to but it should be like after your first child. Congratulations and good luck! BTW~ Your baby might turn on its own... good luck!

I am a single mom with a beautiful 5 month old baby that was delivered via C-Section. I had no help from my son's father at the hospital and was up on my feet the day after the surgery. You will be sore, but it is bearable. I was walking around the hospital room and showering within 24 hours of delivery. It took me about a month until I felt normal, but I was up every day doing more and more. You will be fine. Relax, it's not a bad experience. Good luck to you!

I've had 3 c-sections. I learned from all. Make sure you get up and walk as soon as they let you. Walk as much as you can. Take the pain meds when you're supposed to. If they happen to constipate you, get a suppository! Stay in the hospital as long as your healthcare plan allows. You will appreciate the cooked meals! You will not be in bed for 6 weeks. That is usually your rest time to not exercise and do strenuous activity. Walk walk walk during this time! YOu will be able to get up your baby. You will just be a little slow. It's not as bad as you think. Good luck!

My little sister is 20 and just had a C-section on Dec. 17th. I'm sure she would be a great resource for you. Can I get your personal email and I'll send it along to her and see if you two can chat. Take care!

I had a normal delivery with my 1st, but my 2nd was an c-section. Let me tell you, it's TRULEY NOT THAT BAD. You will not have to stay in bed for 6wks!!! I was up and walking around in the hospital. I was able to care for my newborn & at the time my 4yr girl. The biggest thing is to make sure you roll out of bed at first, cough or sneeze with a pillow at your incision site. I also got a little burning feeling at the incision site, but I just managed it with meds (over the counter). I know it's scarey, but it won't seem that way once you have it. And in the medical you are a high level patient and the level of care is at it's best.
Good Luck!!! & Congrats!!

You will be able to get up with your newborn and no you won't be in bed for 6 weeks. Lifting no more than the weight of you baby is the key. Staying in the hospital for 3 days I believe is standard for a c-section and will help your recovery immensely. I actually had to stay for 6 days and was ready to go back to work the next week.

I had a c-section for my first beacause she was frank breech. They tried to flip her too, with no luck. So, if your baby is breech too, that's why they are having a c-section for you and baby. I did however have a V-BAC for my second child with no problem. I did vomit in the recovery room after delivery from the medication (morphine I think), which is common. No, you won't be in bed for 6 weeks. But, it will be sore to get out of bed for a while. And, you can't lift anything heavier than the baby. Having the baby in a basinette in your room close by is a good idea. Also, I think I was told no stairs or driving for about a week or so. Take it easy and accept help from those willing to give it. Try to make and freeze meals ahead of time now if you can. No reason to panic, just take it easy and don't worry about how the house looks. Congrats!

Hi A.! First thing to say is it will be alright!!! I had a c-section with my first baby (emergency c-section, baby was in distress) and the recovery was better than I thought it would be. A few things about the recovery - yes, it does hurt but they give you pain killers. They gave me percocet (generic name is oxycodone) and ibuprofen (800 mg) a few times a day. Yes, the percocet can make your baby a little sleepy but you don't need to worry about this - pain will keep you from being a good mommy! When you start to feel in less pain (I think I took the percocet regularly the first four days and then I took it only a few times after that like when I overextended myself), then you can just take the ibuprofen. It is important to take the ibuprofen regularly - it will prevent the pain from coming, there are no side effects for your baby, and it helps the healing. The bad thing with the percocet is that it constipates you. To be truthful, I found the constipation to be the worst part of the whole recovery from a c-section!!! In the hospital, they gave me one stool softener three times a day but I see that the maximum dose is two pills, three times a day - I wish that I had taken the maximum dose so please ask your doctor about this! and don't be embarrassed to ask about it - really, really, the constipation can be painful so try and prevent it! You can also prevent it by drinking lots of water.

They will probably give you a tight tummy band to wear around your waist - it gives you support and makes it easier to move, cough etc. I liked mine.

I swelled after the surgery (puffier ankles than during pregnancy!) - just a result of the drugs, surgery etc. It may not happen to you but if it does, you just drink lots of water, try and move around and it goes away in a few days.

Pain-wise, you'll be able to walk around slowly after the first 24 hours but even soon after the surgery you can walk to the toilet etc. In the hospital, they will encourage you to walk around because it's good for you. I would walk to the cafeteria (slowly!) and get dessert as a treat. After 4 days, I was basically okay but then would overdo it and need to lie down and rest a bit. I felt totally normal (except for sleep-deprived) after a couple of weeks.

Remember - women who deliver vaginally are also tired after birth so all women have to take it easy those first few weeks.

It's amazing how our bodies can recover! Don't be scared. Really, really, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be at all.

Congratulations!