Reassure me: c-sections

[YepBrook]

My DS was overdue, so they set up an induction for me. After being induced all night and through the next day my water broke, my midwife checked me to see how dilated I was and my son sucked on her fingers!!! When she told me, I was watching Muppets in Space... and I was literally IN SPACE from the drugs and exhaustion. They called it a facial presentation... they had just about every nurse and a few OB's in the hospital feel his nose & mouth (in me!) before they rushed me to the OR for an emergency c-section.

I know you're probably like: "thanks for the story, Brook. But what's the point?"

Well, that first c-section was not fun. I can't lie. It was scary and I was so tired and drugged that I shook the entire time. I even felt like I had to hold myself in consciousness, so I wouldn't pass out. It was not easy. I think it's because it was not expected and because it was after a full day of labor! OH! But I am supposed to be sharing POSITIVE stories.

Ok, so I know you don't want to be freaked out, and you shouldn't. Everything you experience, they are ready for! I will say, know what you want in the case of a c/s. I knew I wanted to see him being born, so they lowered the curtain when it was time for them to pull him out. DH took pictures of the whole birth portion of the surgery. With my first c/s I had a rough recovery and didn't see DS for 5 hours after. With my second, planned c/s, I asked to see the baby as soon as I was wheeled into the recovery room. I got to hold her 1 hour after the surgery!

With my first they removed the staples right before I left the hospital and put steri-strips on. Well, I have sensitive skin and allergic to adhesive on band-aids and things like that after an extended time. The allergic reaction caused my scar to... (I will not go into details). So, the second c/s I opted to have my staples in until my first check-up with the OB. That was sooo much better! If you have any kind of irritation to adhesive, skip the steri-strips.

They had me on a morphine drip immediately after the surgery (it made me sooo itchy!) but after that, I kept up on my pain meds to manage the pain. They had me taking percocet and perscription strength ibuprofen. They were good about bringing the pills to me when I needed a dose. That helped! And like someone said, hold a pillow to your belly! It helps when you are sitting up.

The good thing about a c-section is the time you will spend, recovering, in the hospital is usually longer. Think of it as a vacation. You will be ready to go home when it's time. And, if you plan ahead with meals in your freezer or a grandma to be home with you for the first 2 weeks that will help even more.