Caesarean Section

Hi,

Today i went to the hospital to find out if i have to have a c-section or natural birth with my 2nd bub (due 24th March) since i had a pretty bad tear with my first. Turns out they recommend that i have a c-section between the 12th-15th March.

I'm pretty nervous and was wondering how many mummies out there have had c-sections and what were your experiences?

Thanks. :)

There was a good thread on this recently - I will see if I can find it for you...

ETA: I have bumped the 'Good C-Sections' thread for you in the C-Section section

Edited by Joscia

Yep have a read in the c-section sub forum! they're not that bad :D

I had a really positive experience too and was quite happy having a c-section. I also found it helpful being in hospital that extra time and having all that help.

I guess the downside for you will be that it will be difficult to lift your first child which will be hard, but I'm sure there will be plenty of advice others can give you on that.

I did find walking around a little difficult for the first week or two - as in I walked ultra slow. But every day I noticed big improvements.

Good luck, that's not very far away at all is it?

Thats right! unless you get really sick they have you up and about the next day :D

I had an emergency c sect after 17 hours labour, was up and about (albeit very slowly and carefully) the next day and was home on the 3rd day, which may have been a bit soon but I was busting to get home hehe.
It was a bit hard to get out of bed at home...I loved the hospital bed up and down mechanism, want one for home haha!
I had no problems really at all, recovered really well.
Didn't have any trouble bonding with bubs..he was given to me shortly after being born but honestly I was too out of it to hold him properly so DH ended up holding him for the first hour or so..
The hardest bit was getting to baby when he was crying...being a first time mum, it was rather distressing when he cried and I couldn't reach him on the first day and then when it took me some time to get up on the subsequent days..but I am sure you as a second timer won't be quite so frantic
Oh and the actual c section itself? Well, I was in shock at the time but surprisingly calm if that makes sense, I just wanted my baby out safe and sound so was prepared to do whatever and didn't notice anything they did including the spinal block haha! It felt a bit weirdo when they were getting baby out, one thing I hadn't realised was that you can still feel things, it just doesn't hurt so be prepared for that weirdo sensation. Oh and when they held baby up, DH said 'it's a boy' coz he saw him first then he was lifted so I could see and all I saw was his balls haha! Was a pretty brief glimpse at him so be prepared for that too, tho might be different with an elective. Oh and finally, we didn't have the camera in the room because it was the last things on our mind to be honest, but if you want those photos then check to see if it can be taken in before you go in. Though you might find DH is too busy holding your hand to remember to take a photo

blah blah, thats a bit of a novel sorry!

great experiences had 2 electives as can't give birth naturally ( long story!)
skin to skin as soon as each was born, breastfeed right away , no problems. Such great positive expereinces. Was worried at first but my worry was un founded.
babies have to be born, so what ever way doesn't matter, as along as they come out!
i say!
get help for recovery and do REST after you really need to and take the pain killers.
good luck!

Thanks so much for all the answers and comments. Has helped me with the freaking out, feeling a lot calmer now. :)

Just another thought, did anyone have problems breastfeeding after c-section?