C-section[haters and smart a's fall back]serious replies

Question

ok first off if your on here to say something smart please just click the x or somthing.

but anyway how does the c-section process go[just incase im pregnant] do they give you the choice to get it and what does that pressure feel like and do you feel when they cut you?

Answer 1

Typically, you don't really get a choice, especially with your first.  They always prefer you to have a vaginal, but the c-sec happens if you can't have the baby vaginally.  Your doctor can talk more about this with you.

First off, my first c-sec was an emergency and I wasn't smart like you in researching this beforehand, so I did not know what to expect.  The second one I had to have b/c the hospital's policy was once you have a c-sec you must always have one here.  The third one was at a hospital that allowed vaginal births after c-sections, but I had another anyway b/c the baby was lying sideways, but the doctor was aware of it ahead of time and so I knew I'd be getting another c-sec.  

You will be prepped for surgery, just like any surgical procedure, then the person giving you anesthesia will have you sit up on the edge of the bed (if getting a "spinal block" like I got for three deliveries) and administer the anesthesia through an injection in your back.  They'll have you quickly lie back down on the bed and you will start to feel your legs and trunk from around the top of your stomach on down get a little tingly and warm like you're floating in a pool of warm water.  (That's how it feels to me each time).  They strap your arms out on either side and the anesthetist will be sitting next to your head monitoring you.

Next they put up a shield of a paper sheet to keep the surgical "field" sterile... you won't be able to see what goes on.

At my last delivery, they put the urinary catheter in AFTER I was numbed, which I appreciated.  Anyway, that was the next thing that happened, then they shaved the area down there and then started cutting.  Before they do that, they check to make sure you are numb.

All you will feel is some pressure, pulling and tugging, but NO PAIN at all and it's over quickly.  At the last delivery (very recently), I was given duramorph (http://www.nhhn.org/body.cfm?id=2293&act... at the same time as the anesthesia for the surgery.  Girl, if you are not allergic or get sick from morphine, this is the way to go!  It helped me feel so much less sore and loopy for the next 24 hours!  I loved getting this.  I was able to talk coherently to visitors after the delivery and eat, etc.  It helped so much with pain relief!

Anyway, the baby is delivered soon after the cutting (it doesn't take long to get the baby out), the cord is cut, you are shown the baby and then you are sewn back up and that takes a little longer.  After that, you are wheeled to another room where you are watched a little while, half hour to an hour, and then they take you to your room and your baby will be wheeled in to you soon after.

Having had both a natural birth and c-secs, I prefer the vaginal way for birthing (it's just, well, natural!), though extremely painful, but the recovery for the last two c-secs was better than the recovery with the vaginal.  Now, that's just me.  My SIL has had four vaginal births and the girl doesn't ever have complications and is back to normal in a flash.  My body's different from hers!  She's also younger!   Both birthing ways have pros and cons and you will quickly forget any con with the joy of caring for the little ones that result!

You can also go to www.or-live.com and see an actual c-sec performed.  The specific link is:  

http://www.or-live.com/shawneemission/18...

You have to sign up for a free account with them to see videos.

As for recovery, I had a bad episiotomy (dr cut me to enlarge vaginal opening) and it took awhile to heal from that and hurt like fire to sit down for a couple of weeks, yet the c-sec incision hurt for a couple of weeks, but not nearly as bad with the last two as the first.  I had my mother for the first week pretty much each time and my DH.  It's nursing the baby all the time that is the reason I need help to clean the house, fix meals, etc.

Answer 2

K. According to my brother's wife, you can see and feel as much as you want. Most doctors prefer you have a baby "the hard way" but it seems to me that c-section is way harder! Sure, the process is painless, and you don't even have to watch (or you can--whatever floats your boat!), but it takes weeks to heal whereas some women get over a vaginal birth in a week.

  As far as process, you'd have to take it up with your doctor. My SIL couldn't deliver the first one so they cut her open. The second one was scheduled b/c they were afraid she wouldn't be able to do a VBAC, and the hospital was too lazy to help her try.

Answer 3

thats really sad that you have to write a disclaimer like that! why would someone give a smart@$$ answer about c sections???

anyways, i have had 2 out of my 3 births.. but i never did want one! pressure...feeling it when they cut u.. eh, well youre definately doped up way more than a natural birth and by natural i mean vaginal not no medicine.... and you dont feel the knife (theyll poke you a few times to make sure).. but the pressure is UNREAL. its strange and hard to explain, its never a real "painful" thing, but as they struggle to get the kid out of the smallest hole possible, then after the baby is out its the same with the placenta. . yea, it is pretty uncomfortable. but with all 3 i did experiance a good few hours of labor and i can tell you that labor pains are nooo comparison to the "pressure" during a c section.. thats a walk in the park.

Answer 4

http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_n...

http://www.babycenter.com/0_giving-birth...

i have not had a c-section, but my mom had a c-section with all of her kids, so i hope these links are helpful, gl.

Answer 5

There are some doctors that will do elective C-sections, yes. I don't recommend it myself as I had to have an emergency one and it wasn't a great experience. You don't get to hold your baby right away and you really cannot care for them as you should the first couple of weeks after coming home. It's major surgery and a lot of insurance companies won't pay for it unless it's needed. As far as the procedure goes you don't feel any pain. If you do then they put you completely out. They'll numb you from the waist down, cut your belly open and pull your baby out that way. All I felt was pressure when they were taking my son out. You'll need a catheter for the next day or so after the operation because you won't be able to feel your legs.

IF you are pregnant and don't have any complications with your pregnancy then it's going to best for both you and your baby to try for a vaginal delivery. Weigh the pros and cons of both and talk to your OB about it.