Caesarians
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25470
Printed Date: 25 August 2025 at 2:10pm
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Topic: Caesarians
Posted By: Hope
Subject: Caesarians
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:20pm
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Hi ladies,
My baby is due soon and I found out today that if he has not arrived on his due date I will be having a caesarian that day. I trust my obstetrician's advice so don't want to hear any opinions telling me to push for a natural birth instead. However, I'm VERY nervous, so I would love to hear any POSITIVE stories / encouragement / advice from those of you who have had C-sections. Ta 
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Replies:
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:29pm
Well it is surgery, so obvously they went over what can go wrong .. however Issy got a sunroof entry into the world (although she was an emergency, not elective) ... and we are both fine.  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:40pm
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Oh I just wanted to add ... I wouldnt have one again lol (if I could help it .. obviously if Elias needs to be chopped out then fine, but Im avoiding another cs like the plague!) ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:47pm
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she said positive stories!:)
I had emergency c-section and while that was awful I will be going for an elective one next time and while recovery is longer than a natural delivery at least with elective c-section you know when and where and will be a bit easier on your body having not gone through labour.. good luck with the birth!!:) look forward to seeing pics of the bouncing baby boy! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:48pm
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My first was an elective c/s because of being breech. I found it to be just as positive as giving birth naturally although the recovery was longer and harder than a natural. With an elective there are still aspects of it that you can plan, like if your DH wants to cut the cord, having kangaroo cuddles whilst they stitch you up etc. Obviously there are some limitations as to what you can plan but it can still be a good experience.
There are lots of people in the theatre with you which is kind of odd but they are all necessary but then once we were in recovery only 20 mins after he was born they popped him on the boob and then we were pretty much left alone to have some bonding time. If you DH is ok with blood and guts and stuff then he will be able to take pics of the birth and will also be able to go over with the baby when he/she is weighed and suctioned etc. My DH went over and took pics of him on the scales then they wrapped him up and DH brought him over to me and I had cuddles whilst being stitched up. Once I found out I would be having a c/s I read up everything I could on the actual procedure, so not people's experience of it but just the medical factual side of it all, I find knowing what is going to happen, what is happening and why it is happening helps me feel more in control so that might be something to think about. CWH had a really good folder all on c/s which I read so you could ask your obs if they have something for you to have a read of. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:51pm
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cuppatea wish they had given me something to read!!:( though i guess it was all in a rush..it's good they have some info to read.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 1:54pm
Yeah I had three weeks sitting around bored in the maternity ward to read before mine would be a bit different trying to read up on it as you are being wheeled into theatre -------------
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 2:07pm
I had a natural birth , BUT ,I was a casearian baby , and I can tell you , from first hand experience being a c-section baby , that c section babies are extremely good looking, extremely intelligent , and extremely funny  ------------- 
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Posted By: RubyG
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 2:18pm
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Hope - can i ask why you will be having one? is the baby big? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 2:20pm
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I had a natural birth first time and an emergency c-section the second. Whilst I was absolutely scared sh*tless during surgery.....especially feeling the tugging and rifling through my tummy (they liken it to someone looking for something at the bottom of your hand bag...very true) as soon as James came out I felt instantly ok.
As for receovery....well, it didnt hurt to pee (stitches arent down there
Trust your OB......Even though Iwas gutted when they made the call to do a c-section, I am so grateful that they didnt make me push for hours and then do a CS. They do know what they are doing.
As for CS babies...yes, they are gorgeous, goodlooking, intelligent etc. I am sitting by one right now who is talking to a purple giraffe. |
Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 3:12pm
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I had an elective based on my OB recommendation as well and I don't regret the decision.
I preferred to have time to prepare for the c-section rather than deal with the chance of having an emergency c-sect for Aoife. She was the second baby, was the one under stress and it we didn't know how she'd cope enduring 2 labours. The most valuable thing I was told was that heat and pain senses are in the same nerves but not touch, hence why you can feel them rooting around in your tummy. Which to be honest I was happy about this as I could feel the babies were coming out of me IYKWIM
Also I'd have been a lot happier in all those years at the dentist if I'd known about the touch nerves as so many times I was petrified that the anesthetic hadn't worked
ETA: added 'senses' to make more sense
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Posted By: RunningT
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 4:20pm
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Had one this time (not planned)... want one again.
But I would shave myself rather than let them do it... I guess this time it was an emergency and I didn't even think about it but next time I hope to avoid short sharp hairs near the scar. Also have plenty of support because I think the physical recovery went so well because I didn't push things... PS: You also get to use the term designer v_gina which is funny funny funny. Good luck ------------- 
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 5:28pm
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I had an elective due to breech presentation and loved it. DD was crying as soon as her mouth was free (even while her head was still inside) so that was cool and even though I was on my back I got to sort of cuddle her while DH held her.
I got to joke with the OB and MW and it was all very relaxed. I was worried about the spinal block but I couldn't feel it at all as they numb the area first. The most discomfort I had was getting the IV line put in my hand before hand (and not being able to eat or drink for 12+ hours prior) There is a fair bit of recovery involved and that is not the most pleasant thing in the world but you are well looked after and I think a hard labour is just as hard to recover from. As a plus she had a beautiful shaped head and my pelvic floor was back to normal immediately
If you're like me and not squeamish and like to be fully informed there's a full length video of a C-sect on YouTube that you can watch. I found it pretty interesting but obviously not for everyone. -------------  
 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 7:44pm
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My c/s was an emergency so you will be better prepared for it than I was. The recovery was a little tough but only in the first week or two and a lot of that was because I had lost a lot of blood (the reason for the c/s not as a result of). Having gone through an almost drug-free labour just this weekend, I say you're going to appreciate the c/s! -------------  |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 10:03pm
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Dont shave....get up the guts and wax!!! Hairs growing back through the dressing is not nice.....still looks a mess down there due to ingrown hairs etc. Waxing would have been worth the pain
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Posted By: kat_hutch
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 8:18am
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i had an emergency c-sect, and will be having another with our next child. like someone else said, you're lucky and get to prepare yourself for it :) the specialists i hard were awesome!! ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 11:18am
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Mine was an emergency, 30 hours after my waters broke. I would much prefer an elective (and almost hoping for one this time to be honest) as you are prepared for it, you don't ahve to go through any labour pains, and it will be alot more relaxed than an emergency.
I personally didn't find the recovery as bad as most make out (and I am the biggest wuss ever) and have heard some pretty horrific horror stories from natural birth recoveries too. I would rather stitches where I have them than "down there". I had no bonding or breastfeeding issues, and Jake got an apgar score of 10, so no probs with him either. Good luck ... and just think of all that pain you won't have to go through in labour --- which is FAR worse than the pain of recovering from a c section, if you ask me! ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 2:54pm
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Loved loved loved my C/section! I had an elected C/section at 37 weeks and loved the fact that all I had to do was lie there The whole procedure was really smooth and stress free and I never used anything more than panadol for pain relief afterwards. It took 45mins in total and I was up walking around the next day. I plan on any future babies to be born the same way. I think if you are planning to elect a c/section its a lot less stressful and scary than if you end up with an emergency c/section.
Hope it all goes well best of luck either way  -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 5:10pm
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I am terrified of having to have one (I dont need one at this stage), but its one of my fears. I spoke to my Ob about half an hour ago about it.
The things she said that helped me: The anesthetist does a great job at distracting you through the whole process... asking questions, etc Trusting the team- who do the procedure a LOT. They take less than 5 mins to get baby out, meeting your baby for the first time is a fantastic distraction and you wont even be thinking about whats going on down there. I found this helpful- I was concerned about the feeling of being awake during this kind of surgery. I guess there are different kinds of fears/anxieties.... I highly reccomend expressing these to your Ob so they know where youre coming from. Hearing reassurance from them will help Im sure. I hope it helps you. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 9:43pm
| Kitkat....that is exactly right. CS was the one thing I DIDNT want and I was so upset when they said I would have one. I begged them to try something else (thats what happens when they tell a woman inlabour things she doesnt want to hear). But whilst I was seriously scared and shaking like a leaf (apparently its the drugs) as soon as James was born I didnt care about the rest. And he was out fast. |
Posted By: Hope
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 10:49pm
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Hey guys, thank you so much for all advice / experiences, its been really, really helpful and has made me feel A LOT better.
Thank you again
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 8:40am
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Okay I had to have a cesear (due to all sorts of reasons). The night before it felt all unreal. I felt actually apart from my girl and could only imagine the worst.
On the actual day stuff happened really fast. Drank an anti reflux stuff. Taken to theatre. The worst was the spinal (I have spina bifida and it caused trouble) so was knocked out. When I came around again I was disorientated. Got to my room. Grant brought McKayla in. It was love at first sight. She latched on all by herself. First day I was kept hooked on to everything. Early the next morning everything was taken out and when I started walking I was just a bit stiff from lying the whole day but not really sore. That second day I started not taking pain killers as I really had almost no pain at all. Some slight discomfort if I sneezed or so but not real pain. Hope that helps. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Oxy
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 2:52pm
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Can you choose to have a C/S if you want to or does it have to be emergancy only ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/250ed1" rel="nofollow">  TTC#1 Jan 2009 |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 3:26pm
Why would you choose one if you didnt require it .. 
It is MAJOR surgery where they cut through your entire abdomen and requires weeks of recovery where you cant lift anything or drive lol Edited to add .. You do get out of vacumming or hanging out washing though post surgery ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Oxy23 wrote:Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 3:54pm
I guess everyone is different... I know I found both my births very scary and anxiety inducing... after I was glad I had not had a c section but at the time I was begging for one... a lot of people do elect to have c sections so I can't be alone in how I feel surely... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 4:00pm
Freckle, sorry, my comment wasnt referring to you
However Oxy23 asked if you could just randomly choose, so I just asked why she would want too (especially as she hasnt given birth yet, and wouldnt have any horror stories)
I personally am trying to avoid the whole post op thing .. and even though I recall the horror of the birthing process up to the point where they cut her out .. im hoping it will be plain sailing this time
Well I can only live and hope .. (others may call it sticking my head in the sand) lol ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 5:14pm
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No you can't choose there has to be a medical reason, some medical reasons you can pick either but if you just want a c/s with no medical reason then you need to pay for it.
So it doesn't always need to be an emergency, mine was termed an elective as we had a date and so on in advance but there was still a medical reason for it being done and had I have gone into labour before the booked date then I would have had an emergency one. Hope that answers your question. -------------
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 7:19pm
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Personally if I hadn't had one then I'd probably try for a vaginal birth but I think that if you're willing to pay for the OB then you can.
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 12:21am
sorry to thread jack , am just curious , in cases like that ,where you are booked in to have an elective c section , but then say you go into labour maybe a week before hand , how long would they have you in labour for ? would it be as soon as you feel the first contraction ? Reason I ask is my best friend and i were talking about it (not that shes pregnant) , she has severe arthritis from her jaws to her toes and I would imagine she would need an elective c section cos her body really wouldnt cope with it -------------
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 9:38am
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I think it depends on the circumstances. With me my waters had broke at 35 weeks and Spencer was extended breech presentation. I was kept in hospital and had I have gone into active labour (I kept going into false labour) then they would have done the surgery straight away because of the risk of prolapsed cord. But by straight away I think it would have been within a few hours depending on what else they were dealing with, but they did say that if the cord did prolapse they could have me down from the maternity ward and the baby out within 6 mins which I thought was pretty impressive, but obviously that would have been a true emergency and would have been a general not a spinal and so forth.
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 10:12am
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I remember being confused pre baby about the difference between an elective and emergency. I imagined emergency was bells ringing, lights flashing, everyone running around. All it means is labour begun. With James, I laboured, fully dilated, got checked at 10cm and my OB said, "theres no way baby is coming out" and so we went for a CS...no panic. no rush. In fact she went off and checked on an instrument delivery she had just done and then came back to me.
however if we had been pushing for ages and he got distressed then it might have been an "emergency" emergency. Tom was almost like that. His heart rate dropped while we were pushing and the OB made the call for ventouse....that was all done super fast with great urgency. The mood in the room changed and suddenly people were appearing from every where. It would have been scary if I wasnt pushing so damn hard anyway. |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 12:14pm
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An 'emergency' emergency C is called a crash. They put you under, often cut you vertically instead of horizontally, and do whatever it takes to keep mum and baby alive.
Kelly I think Cuppatea is right - depends on the circumstances. Rowan was extended breech too and they wouldn't have let me labour. Although in my case I think it was less from risk of prolapsed cord and more from no one being experinced in breech births. -------------
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 1:59pm
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Mine was classed as a crash c-section as I had been labouring for over 70 hours and DS had gone into foetal distress, my cut was still along the bikini line and he was out within 5 minutes of making the call to do the c-section. In my case I'd already had the epidural line put in, so they just topped it up... I remember giggling when the anaesthetist was running an ice cube up my torso asking me if I could feel it yet, meanwhile I am flat on my back on a bed being raced down the corridor of Waikato hospital to theatre panic can make you react to things in wierd ways! ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 5:31pm
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I had an emergency C Section after a 48 hour labour. Mine was a "quick, get her to theater" one, it was all very scary and rushed, before I knew it I was signing consent and having my epi topped up and he was out within like 5 mins of getting into surgery.
There are different levels of "emergency", mine was pretty up there, Caden was getting stressed and when he came out wasnt breathing, so had to be given oxygen and have his mouth sucked out etc, But after all that he was fine and I was "alright". Electives are much more relaxed and not stressful, as you are booked in and it gets done un rushed etc. Recovery from my c section was a long 6-8 weeks, I was very very very sore, and that was from labouring for 48 hours before hand. I healed well though, no issues there, but Im definitely avoiding having another c section this time if I can help it. Recovery from an elective is a lot easier from what Ive read and heard. ------------- |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 5:56pm
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ah, cool ta Cuppatea, that makes sense
so they do c-sections both under general and under spinal ? i did not know that .... -------------
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Posted By: Kazzle
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 6:35pm
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I had a csection with Rhiannon (after 24hours of labour and no progression), i had a spinal as epidurals dont tend to work on me.
I had no problems what so every, was up and about the next day, was driving within 3wks, was doing normal household duties within 4wks. if your ob says have a section then he/she is the one that knows best, and im always of the belief that a positive mind yeilds positive outcomes, and helps you to heal a lot quicker as well. Good luck with your birth, no matter how it happens and i cant wait to see a picture of your geogeous wee baby ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 9:32pm
Yes. The general is the emergency emergency one I think. Even if I had gone into labour I was advised to get the epidural. This meant that if I had to have a c-section then they could just give a local anesthetic. Otherwise it would have been 'knock her out and kick DH out'.
I agree with this too. |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 9:32am
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haha when I read that first Tishy , I thought it said "knock her out and knock DH out " and I thought ,poor man , then , ah well !
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 6:31pm
You can have epidural top up or a spinal block for the C-sect too. I think the spinal block is more for electives.
That's what I gather too which is why I'm having another one rather than risk an emergency C since I've been told I'll only get a trial labour basically if I do a VBAC. -------------
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 6:44pm
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Yeah, my MW said that I can have a trial of labour, and Im going to do that. I really really dont want another c section if I dont have to, and if I do end up needing one its not going to be after 48 hours of labour lol, so its going to be a easier recovery I imagine.
With Caden, it was just the fact that he was over due, big and had got into a bad position which prevented my cervix from dilating effectively, I got to 9.5cm with a lip of cervix that wouldn't budge because of where his head was(and he was posterior). So this time, Im hoping she is smaller and not too over due and that the labour progresses so that I can have her naturally. ------------- |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 7:03pm
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Yep Im only trialling labour as I know that I wont have to go any further than I am comfortable with before they will go in and cut Elias out.
It does make the whole "give it a go" scenario much less scary. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 8:13pm
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Mine was a trial of labour and he popped out no trouble at all, well if you call an episiotomy and a 2nd degree internal tear nothing...lol
Kelly, they only give a general if the spinal doesn't work (spinal is stronger than an epi but if you already have an epi they can top it up, the spinal goes into a slightly different area of the back) or if something major goes on and they don't have time to do a spinal or top an epi up, and the other time it can happen is if you start to get sensation back during surgery and topping up the spinal/epi doesn't stop the sensation from returning. If you have a general then your support person cannot be in surgery with you. -------------
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Posted By: coldfish
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 8:30pm
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I had a consult with an anesthetist earlier this week, as it is most unlikely that I will be able to have an epi or spinal due to past spinal damage, so if I need a c-section (hopefully I won't!) I will probably have a general.
I had my mother with me in the consult as she is my support person, and asked him if she can be there if I have a general. He seemed to think it was no problem at all her being present for the surgery - just that she would need to be prepared to see me with my eyes taped shut and a respirator in my mouth. I gauged that they would set me up in private so she can't see the insertion of the respirator, but after everything was set up she'd be allowed into the theatre. There are 9 anesthetists at Nelson hospital though and a few OBs so I guess it would depend on the day and shift as to whether the on duty doc would allow her to be present, and whether there were major complications.. ------------- 
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