What is it like to have a c-section?

Question

I believe I'm going to have a c-section... 36 weeks and he still wont turn. The doctors said he doesn't have any room left to turn, but they are going to try to turn him when I go back to the doctors on tuesday. So im just wondering what is it like for those who have had one. What goes on? What does the doctors do? I just want to be very prepared for a c-section if it comes to that point. I asked in pregnancy and no one answered, so im asking here. Any information is very appreciated, thanks to all in advanced!

Answer 1

I'm not going to lie to you--it hurts!  

The surgery itself isn't painful, although you might feel some pressure or tugging.  You will have a curtain placed below your head so you cannot see what's going on, and they will tell your husband when they are pulling the baby out so he can see the moment of birth.  Depending on how you react to anesthesia, you may feel groggy, even though they only gave you a block.  I had to fight very hard to stay conscious during my c-section.

The recovery is very painful, however.  It's major surgery, and you have the added demands of caring for a newborn while you are recooperating from such a major ordeal.  So if they encourage you to stay in the hospital for several days, I encourage you to listen.  You will at least have extra hands there to help with the baby, and they willbe there to help take care of you as well.

Getting out of bed the first time can take forever, as your incision will still be very painful.  It does get better in time, but you aren't supposed to do any bending or lifting for quite some time after you return home.  They may also tell you that you shouldn't drive for a week afterwards.  I had complications with my incision after the fact, so my recovery was longer than most.  There was fluid building up behind the incision, and while it wasn't infected, it was still very painful.  They had to reopen my incision in order to drain it, and 12 ounces of fluid came out--no wonder I couldn't button my pants!

It's certainly all worth it in the end when you have a healthy baby, but the days and weeks after the surgery are not easy.

Answer 2

I've heard it's not that bad. Recovery is harsh the first 2 days, but you barely notice having that baby around. I just hope I don't have to ever have one. I'm awful on anesthetics, they'll have to sedate me.  

Answer 3

you get cut open and you don't feel anything and then they pull the baby out take out the placenta and sew you up. It only hurts for like 2 days in the experiences everyone else told me about. Mine was really bad because I got an infection but everyone else I know said after about 2 days they felt better. and they have a pain strip now that they put in incision that constantly releases medication, I didn't get it but my sister did and she loved it. Not to bad. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had an emergency c-section, so mine was a little harder.  Truthfully, I didn't feel anything.  The curtain between my head and my lower self combined with the drugs made me a little claustrophobic.  It was a little scary, but I trusted my doctor.  My husband was up by my head and talking to me and telling me what was going on.  It was hard to get myself off the gurney to the bed without use of my legs.  They had to call people in to help.  Once I was on the bed I started sweating and my body wouldn't stop shaking (someone told me I was in shock).  Then I had to wait till I urinated before they would let me get up.  I was up and walking that night with some pain, which not everyone can do and no shame in not being able to.  They gave me some pain meds and that made the pain manageable.  I had a hard time walking for a few weeks after.  I was just really slow.  I'm a slow healer though, a lot of women will heal faster.

Answer 5

they just cut you and take out the baby sometimes they put you to sleep to do it and sometimes they drug you up. i had one done and they started drugging me up and i was feeling it so they put me to sleep.