Scheduled C-Section

[bdazzld]

Not trying to AW this, but I know a few of us are facing this, I've at least known for awhile but it's becoming more "real" as we get down to the wire and I'm trying to process the loss of a chance at a vaginal delivery and also prepare myself with as much detail as possible about the actual procedure and recovery.  C-Section's don't get a lot of coverage it seems like--and even at my hospital tour I had to interrupt and ask a ton of questions to get anything said at all really.

I'm 5 weeks and 1 day from my scheduled c-section and my class on it isn't until next week or the first week of February (since it also covers vaginal we're being offered the option of a private RN appointment...we might take them up on it) I've been trying to do some research and ran across this particular article that seemed to touch me. Not sure why. I'm still scared but if it's what best for the baby and I, then it's time to suck it up buttercup and get over it and find the best way to deal with it. I'm still scared but we can do this.

I think I will bring her best 3/D ultrasound picture with me for DH and I to look at while she's being delivered, and keep my fingers crossed that everything will be text book and I'll get my skin on skin time with her in the OR and then DH can take over when they transfer me, and I'll meet them both again in recovery.

theadequatemother.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/what-really-happens-during-a-c-section/

[racegurl87]

Mine covered it a little bit. They went over the different circumstances that would warrant a c-section, what happens after, and your recovery. It was good to hear, but I hope that I don't need to experience it.

[atangiblewish]

If you hospital allows the skin to skin I would demand it! Make sure you have a birth plan for even a c-section. 

[bdazzld]

Jan 20, 2015 16:41:52 GMT -5 atangiblewish said:

If you hospital allows the skin to skin I would demand it! Make sure you have a birth plan for even a c-section. 

As long as nothing crazy prevents it, that's their standard protocol thank goodness.  Dad gets to go everywhere with the baby and when they take me to recovery she goes with him and they meet me in the area.  So really my hospital is one of the better places to have a C-Section.  Still, just some difficulty processing/realizing.

[jcar]

I don't think they discussed c-sections at all during my classes with DS. Which sucked since I ended up with one. It was nice that I was able to do the skin to skin while in recovery.

[crystaltrues]

Last Time When I took the prepared childbirth class they covered c-sections and medications kind-a all together. Honestly I paid some attention but not that much. I ended up with a C-section and wish I had paid more attention. Last night DH and I took the final class of the prepared childbirth series (a big thank you to the RN that let us sit in!). I was so glad I was there because not only do I feel more prepared for my RCS on 3-6-15, I feel Like I understand better what was going on 4 years ago when DS was born and some of the issues that I had after.

[gamora24527]

I had an unplanned (but nonemergency) C-Section last time, and it honestly wasn't that bad. I REALLY wanted a vaginal delivery and went so far as to have a successful version for my breech baby just to get the chance to try. I labored for 24 hours, pushed for 2, and the fact was that he was just never going to fit because his head was large and my pelvis is unusually small. I had this vision about what giving birth was going to be like, and what actually happened wasn't like that at all. It's hard for sure.

I tried to focus on the fact that we had a good outcome. DS came out healthy and uninjured. I was able to do skin to skin in the recovery room about 20 minutes after he was born (My arms were strapped down bc I was shaking from the epidural/pushing so I couldn't hold him during the surgery). DH stayed with DS the whole time, which was a relief because I couldn't really see what was happening with the baby from the OR table. I nursed DS as soon as they brought him to me and successfully BF'd for 14 months.

I'm actually looking forward to my RCS this time since I anticipate an easier recovery from not having to labor at all. And, I won't be exhausted so I will actually get to enjoy DD's first day on the outside and potentially be awake for most of it. Plus, there's something nice about going into the hospital not in labor and knowing what day that's going to happen. Having a C-Section was not my first choice, but wound up being the right decision medically for us (and does have a few positive aspects). Good luck!

[bdazzld]

Jan 20, 2015 18:18:49 GMT -5 gamora24527 said:

I had an unplanned (but nonemergency) C-Section last time, and it honestly wasn't that bad. I REALLY wanted a vaginal delivery and went so far as to have a successful version for my breech baby just to get the chance to try. I labored for 24 hours, pushed for 2, and the fact was that he was just never going to fit because his head was large and my pelvis is unusually small. I had this vision about what giving birth was going to be like, and what actually happened wasn't like that at all. It's hard for sure.

I tried to focus on the fact that we had a good outcome. DS came out healthy and uninjured. I was able to do skin to skin in the recovery room about 20 minutes after he was born (My arms were strapped down bc I was shaking from the epidural/pushing so I couldn't hold him during the surgery). DH stayed with DS the whole time, which was a relief because I couldn't really see what was happening with the baby from the OR table. I nursed DS as soon as they brought him to me and successfully BF'd for 14 months.

I'm actually looking forward to my RCS this time since I anticipate an easier recovery from not having to labor at all. And, I won't be exhausted so I will actually get to enjoy DD's first day on the outside and potentially be awake for most of it. Plus, there's something nice about going into the hospital not in labor and knowing what day that's going to happen. Having a C-Section was not my first choice, but wound up being the right decision medically for us (and does have a few positive aspects). Good luck!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

[atangiblewish]

Wow it does sound like a great hospital for a c section. I hope you get all of your desired wishes!

[frecklesinside]

If a scheduled c-section is absolutely necessary medically, I'd still go in with a birth plan (obviously with C-section in mind). You still want your wishes to be known. And you can have as baby/mama friendly a C-section as possible. I'd also make sure you'll have access to a LC afterwards and would definitely still push for immediate skin-to-skin. I'm not going to bother sharing my experience because it is very, very different than the experience of someone with a planned C-section.

[jennypm]

I'm planning on a scheduled RCS and after our hospital tour, I felt much better about how things would go down. My first c-section was an emergency, I was completely out of it after they go her out and I couldn't tell you where she went or what happened until I was back in recovery and there she was with my then H. This time, daddy and baby do not leave the operating room until the OB is finished and then they move us all, at the same time, to recovery. Also, as long as everything is ok with baby, H will hold him the entire time, until recovery, and they will not bathe him until I've had an hour of skin to skin.

[bdazzld]

Jan 20, 2015 20:27:50 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

If a scheduled c-section is absolutely necessary medically, I'd still go in with a birth plan (obviously with C-section in mind). You still want your wishes to be known. And you can have as baby/mama friendly a C-section as possible. I'd also make sure you'll have access to a LC afterwards and would definitely still push for immediate skin-to-skin. I'm not going to bother sharing my experience because it is very, very different than the experience of someone with a planned C-section.

Thanks!

I'm delivering at a designated baby friendly hospital and they're all about preserving the Golden Hour and doing skin to skin contact so if things are text book I *should* be fine.  They have rules about no bottles, or pacifiers etc and the LC's are on site and will help you establish BFing going so far as to helping you collect and spoon feed or syringe as needed. 

If I have to go under general things will be a little different but DH can do skin-to-skin in my place if I'm unable to.  Not quite the same but happy for the alternative.    

Any other tips to help with it being as baby/mama friendly as possible? 

[busterrose]

Jan 20, 2015 20:40:45 GMT -5 bdazzld said:

Jan 20, 2015 20:27:50 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

If a scheduled c-section is absolutely necessary medically, I'd still go in with a birth plan (obviously with C-section in mind). You still want your wishes to be known. And you can have as baby/mama friendly a C-section as possible. I'd also make sure you'll have access to a LC afterwards and would definitely still push for immediate skin-to-skin. I'm not going to bother sharing my experience because it is very, very different than the experience of someone with a planned C-section.

Thanks!

I'm delivering at a designated baby friendly hospital and they're all about preserving the Golden Hour and doing skin to skin contact so if things are text book I *should* be fine.  They have rules about no bottles, or pacifiers etc and the LC's are on site and will help you establish BFing going so far as to helping you collect and spoon feed or syringe as needed. 

If I have to go under general things will be a little different but DH can do skin-to-skin in my place if I'm unable to.  Not quite the same but happy for the alternative.    

Any other tips to help with it being as baby/mama friendly as possible? 

I didn't have a c section but I did deliver in a baby friendly hospital. They had lactation consultants, skin to skin and breastfeeding were encouraged, etc. Keep in mind though that the nurses can vary in their knowledge and breastfeeding experience. Mine scared me into thinking I was starving my baby, another told me to pump on the first night and supplement. I have since learned that it was bad information I was given. I just assumed that the nurses were the experts. So read up as much as you can before about normal intake and common problems. I thought I was so prepared before but I really only focused on learning how to latch instead of what to expect.

[clarue12]

My next appointment I'll be asking about the baby friendly c-sections. I had an emergent c-section last time at a fairly small hospital and by the time she was out, I was so exhausted and slept thru being closed and in recovery. I am trying for VBAC this time, so hopefully I won't have to have another c-section.

[mango]

Jan 20, 2015 20:54:36 GMT -5 busterrose said:

Jan 20, 2015 20:40:45 GMT -5 bdazzld said:

Thanks!

I'm delivering at a designated baby friendly hospital and they're all about preserving the Golden Hour and doing skin to skin contact so if things are text book I *should* be fine.  They have rules about no bottles, or pacifiers etc and the LC's are on site and will help you establish BFing going so far as to helping you collect and spoon feed or syringe as needed. 

If I have to go under general things will be a little different but DH can do skin-to-skin in my place if I'm unable to.  Not quite the same but happy for the alternative.    

Any other tips to help with it being as baby/mama friendly as possible? 

I didn't have a c section but I did deliver in a baby friendly hospital. They had lactation consultants, skin to skin and breastfeeding were encouraged, etc. Keep in mind though that the nurses can vary in their knowledge and breastfeeding experience. Mine scared me into thinking I was starving my baby, another told me to pump on the first night and supplement. I have since learned that it was bad information I was given. I just assumed that the nurses were the experts. So read up as much as you can before about normal intake and common problems. I thought I was so prepared before but I really only focused on learning how to latch instead of what to expect.

OMG this is SO TRUE. The hospital I was an RN at was baby friendly, but we had become certified shortly after I started working on the postpartum floor. Many of the nurses were passionate about baby friendly methods/breastfeeding (or at least wanted to do a good job) & did all the training eagerly. But some nurses had been there for like 10+ years and didn't give one fuck about baby friendly. They did all the things we had to do, but bitched & moaned about the new rules/requirements. I heard classic myths about breastfeeding on a regular basis. They were shit at helping moms breastfeed and troubleshoot through problems. It was especially a problem with the night nurses.

[bdazzld]

mango Good to know! If I'm feeling stressed or like they're not really being helpful I'll be mindful to request a LC specifically (if I haven't seen one already) I'm taking frecklesinside's advice and writing a Cesarean birth plan.

RE cord clamping/cutting what are you ladies considering requesting?

[ashleyrh661]

I will be having a RCS on 3/5. My first c-section wasn't an emergency and it was pretty much as great a experience as a c-section could be. I didn't get skin-to-skin right after and DS was taken away (with H) until I was back in my room. This time I want that skin-to-skin sooner. And to see a LC quicker since I had issues with nursing DS. Breastfeeding is the thing that I'm most worried about this time.

[mrsh288]

Jan 20, 2015 20:36:22 GMT -5 jennypm said:

I'm planning on a scheduled RCS and after our hospital tour, I felt much better about how things would go down. My first c-section was an emergency, I was completely out of it after they go her out and I couldn't tell you where she went or what happened until I was back in recovery and there she was with my then H. This time, daddy and baby do not leave the operating room until the OB is finished and then they move us all, at the same time, to recovery. Also, as long as everything is ok with baby, H will hold him the entire time, until recovery, and they will not bathe him until I've had an hour of skin to skin.

I had almost the same experience. I couldn't tell you how I got from the OR to the recovery room or how long I was in there. I remember baby coming out, then nothing until a couple hours later. Your post makes me hopeful that the scheduled will go a lot smoother in the sense that we'll know what to expect once they go over everything so thank you for that!

[pearsforpoops]

I had an unplanned CS for Haden and will have a RCS with Hunter. I like my hospital and doctors, etc. so have no real procedural concerns. I didn't get to hold Haden until recovery. After they checked him they handed him to DH, who stayed with him while they finished with me, etc. The details are a little fuzzy. I also have a memory gap between OR and recovery.

I assume it will be the same process for Hunter. Frankly, this doesn't bother me. I've had him for 9 months. I get to see him and hold his hand while DH is holding him right after they deliver him and then DH gets some bonding time before I hog him to try to get BFing started. So to me, it all works out in the end. It honestly makes me a little emotional thinking about it. It's like...I got to experience all the pregnancy and now DH gets to experience the baby immediately and be his protector and mine while I recover from surgery. Even if it's only for 30 mins or an hour or whatever. I'm okay with that.

Sorry that got rambly. Also sorry that rambly isn't a word.

[jennypm]

Jan 21, 2015 11:13:57 GMT -5 pearsforpoops said:

I had an unplanned CS for Haden and will have a RCS with Hunter. I like my hospital and doctors, etc. so have no real procedural concerns. I didn't get to hold Haden until recovery. After they checked him they handed him to DH, who stayed with him while they finished with me, etc. The details are a little fuzzy. I also have a memory gap between OR and recovery.

I assume it will be the same process for Hunter. Frankly, this doesn't bother me. I've had him for 9 months. I get to see him and hold his hand while DH is holding him right after they deliver him and then DH gets some bonding time before I hog him to try to get BFing started. So to me, it all works out in the end. It honestly makes me a little emotional thinking about it. It's like...I got to experience all the pregnancy and now DH gets to experience the baby immediately and be his protector and mine while I recover from surgery. Even if it's only for 30 mins or an hour or whatever. I'm okay with that.

Sorry that got rambly. Also sorry that rambly isn't a word.

I kind of feel this way, too. Since this is H's first baby (my 3rd) I'm so happy that he'll be the first one to hold our son and bond with him. I'm completely ok with that.