re: Having a C-section? Q&A and chat *here*

I ended up having to have an emergancy c-section.

do you want me to share my story?

Quoting chloe james' mama ☮:“ I ended up having to have an emergancy c-section. do you want me to share my story?”

Mine 1st one was an emergency too. What happened to you?

I was in labor for damn near 36 hours with absolutely no progression . 

well i started having horrivle back labor [we didnt do know then.] at about 2:30 am, monday morning, me being only 34 weeks we got worried, but i had a NST scheduled for that morning anyways, so we just waited it out, i showered, it subsided a bit, at 8 am, my SO took me to the hospital for my NST, they asked if they could re schedule for tomorrow since they had 2 births & were backed up. i just wanted to to go home & sleep so we said sure, i didnt realize it then, but i could barely walk without cringing with pain. it was soo intense on my tail bone area. i was leaking or anything. we ended up going back the hospital at about 10am, insisting they do a NST, because the pain was getting worse, they kept telling me that it was just the baby pushing on me, seperating my back a bit, & because i was bigger than normal it hurt more. so after pretty much crying the whole NST, my dr said i was fine. we went home, my SO had to go get the car as i took baby steps in pain to the car. we got home, all i could do was stand & Sway back & forth, it wasnt until i sat down in the living room did i feel the gush, i go up & rushed into the bathroom, i was doing keegles & still leaking, i think it was like 1:30p, my SO called my grandma who came over, she then called my mom & i had another gush, we told her were going to the hospital. so we pulled up to the hospital & i was waiting for the wheel chair, in more pain now, when a big gush came, the nurse [who was austrailain & made me laugh] asked me all these questions & stuff so they get me in a gown, im still leaking a bit, so i lay on one of the beds in the NST room, & another gush, they still dont believe that its my water, haventchecked me down there or hooked the baby up to anything yet, im crying in pain & the nurse is next to me talking with another patient. meanwhile my grandma & SO are in the waiting room calling mine & his family. my mom rushes to the hospital from work, finally the nurse does the water swab & says that it was def my water. she says, okay lets get to the l&D room, im freaking out, so she has my follow her to the room, me SO & MOM follow as well. she lays me down & says okay, lets check you, i was at 9CM & 100%effaced. it was am ad rush from then on, more nurses came in, starting frantically shoving IVs & stuff on me. i finally said i had to push, they all told me i couldnt cause i wasnt at 10 yet, but i couldnt help it, at this point things got all scrambled i begged for something for the pain, i couldnt get an epi ovbisouly, so they gave me demoral, ew, it was gross it didnt stop the pain only made me outta it. the pain was so bad i was holding onto the side of the bed & making it go up & down. finally i remember the dr comming in saying okay shes right there, youre still only at 9cm & 100% effaced, its been 3.5 hours, do you want an emergnancy c-section. i said YES! so they wheeled me into the OR, had me stand up, i guess i had gotten a cathider put in while in the L &D room. they had me sit on the edge of the table, my body was still pushing, they could pretty much feel the top of of her easily still in me. once i got that epi i was fine. i dont remember anything after that really, except shaking so badly they had to strap me down & gimme O2, the demeroal made it horrible. i wish i could remmeber. i didnt get to meet chloe until 4 hours later after i came off everything. she had a cone head for a c-section baby! it was horrible. yours?

I think it is a great idea. I think a lot of women are scared to have a c-section. And I have come across a lot of people that have judged me for not wanting a vbac and for being overall ok with my section. I can definately provide insight to my experiance and what happend, but the jist of it all was that my son turned breech at 39 weeks after being head down from 30 weeks on. I had a scheduled, non emercency c-section and am very happy with that. Labor isn't my thing - or so I don't think so   - and I don't mind at all having repeats.

I found this online about c-sections if you want to add information to the OP

• The rate of births by cesarean section has been rapidly increasing in recent years. In 1970, c-sections accounted for five percent of American births, while now they account for 28 percent.

• Currently, 3 in 10 American women give birth by cesarean, a major abdominal surgery.

• C-section has become the most common surgical procedure performed on women of childbearing age.

• Elective, "by request" cesareans are becoming more common every year. One study by a publicly-traded healthcare ratings company even claims to have found a 36 percent increase in elective cesareans between 2001 and 2003.

• Cesarean section, a major abdominal surgery, can be a life-saver for both mother and baby in a small number of cases. But for most women and babies at the end of pregnancy, the risks of surgical birth outweigh benefits.

• Thanks to vast research and data collection of recent years, we've learned that the perception of c-section as "totally safe" or even preferable to vaginal delivery is unfounded.

• Here's what the body of research tells us: Compared with vaginal birth, cesarean section can increase a woman’s risk for a number of problems, including:

Severe bleeding
Blood clots
Bowel obstruction
Severe infection
Severe post-operative pain
Delay in release from the hospital
Rehospitalization
Mental health and emotional difficulties, including PPD (postpartum depression)
Lowered future fertility
Future ectopic pregnancies that develop outside the uterus or within the scar
Pre-term or low birthweight babies in future pregnancies
Physical abnormality or damage to the brain or spinal cord of future babies
Increased chance of fetal or newborn death of future babies.


• C-sections are also associated with increased risks for newborns, including:

Difficulty breastfeeding and/or bonding, due to decreased early contact with the recuperating mother
Breathing problems around the time of birth
Asthma in childhood and adulthood
Cuts (usually minor) from the cesarean surgery itself.

• A planned cesarean offers some advantages over an unplanned c-section, which happens after labor is already in progress. Unplanned c-sections tend to impact the delivering mother heavily in terms of her emotional health. However, c-section under any circumstance does come with the risks of a major surgery. Any c-section will cause a uterine scar and impacts your future pregnancies equally.

• It’s important to know that an assisted vaginal delivery – that is, one involving forceps or vacuum extraction to get the baby out – also carries more risk than an unassisted vaginal birth. A woman with an assisted vaginal delivery is more likely to have bowel problems, hemorrhoids, pain with intercourse, emotional distress during the postpartum period, and a baby at increased risk of injuries to the arm, hand, face, and brain.

• Though there clearly are medical situations in which either a cesarean section or an assisted vaginal birth is appropriate – even lifesaving – the safest, healthiest birth for the majority of women is still the good, old-fashioned unassisted vaginal delivery. Nature is no idiot.

• So why all the c-sections these days? There answer is at least fourfold – medical, financial, legal, social. Ob/gyns feel pressure to practice medicine “defensively,” and tend to think that opting for a c-section protects them from litigation. Also to protect themselves legally and financially, many doctors will not perform a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesearean), even when the woman requests one and there’s no clear medical reason why it shouldn’t be attempted. (The latest research -- and a statement from the NIH -- tells us that for most women, VBAC is safe and desirable.) Many doctors don’t try less invasive procedures, like turning a breech baby or giving a laboring woman more time, using c-section as more of a first choice than a last resort. Some doctors are unwilling to allow a woman with twins or a breech baby to attempt a vaginal birth, period. The “medical model” of birth in our culture, which understands ALL births as medical events requiring significant intervention, normalizes c-sections to a large degree.

• What can you do if you really want a good shot at an unassisted vaginal birth? Choose your doctor or midwife carefully. Ask about their policies and common practices. Consider multiple types of birth settings, and ask about their rates of epidurals, artificial induction of labor, cutting episiotomies, using synthetic hormones like oxytocin, and use of non-emergency electronic fetal monitors and IVs. Ask if laboring women are allowed to get up and move around, eating and drinking when they want to during labor. (Research shows that women allowed to be upright, moving, and well-nourished have much lower rates of c-section.) If you don’t find a hospital you feel good about, consider a freestanding birth center or even an attended home birth, with the hospital as a backup in case complications arise. Also, consider the use of a doula, a woman trained to provide labor support, “mothering the mother.” Research shows that women with doulas have lower rates of birth complications. Since avoiding an epidural can increase your chance for an unassisted vaginal birth, take a good class in pain management during labor. There are many techniques – like tubs, showers, inflatable birth balls, massage – that can help. You can also write a birth statement of your desires for the delivery. Keeping in mind that in an emergency situation the birth statement may fly out the window, it can really help you clarify your values and what you most want for your baby’s delivery. It can make communicating with your partner and your doctor or midwife much easier and clearer when you’ve taken some private time to write down your goals and wishes.

• If you find yourself at the hospital with a doctor proposing a cesarean, and it’s not an emergency situation, ask him or her to go through ALL of your options and the risks/benefits of each. In a non-emergency, do not be afraid to ask for more time to consider the options and discuss with your partner.

• And if all else fails and you end up with a cesarean or an assisted birth for any reason, do not allow yourself to think of the birth – or your body – as a “failure.” This simply isn’t the case! Remember that occasionally medical help during birth is a necessity and a blessing. Celebrate your new baby and his or her good health, and be kind to yourself, body and soul. It will speed your recovery and help you get on with enjoying your newborn!

it looks good Mama! I think this will turn out to be a great place for ladies to come and learn about c-sections and hear stories. I hope it makes things easier or at least calms some momma's nerves about going in for a c-section!

I will share my story at some point...right now it's too much to write and I am way tooo uncomfortable to begin  

Maybe some vbac info for those who want to and are able. This is from the mayo clinic

You've already had a baby by Caesarean section (C-section). Your doctor says you have a choice with your next baby. You can try a vaginal delivery or schedule a repeat C-section.
Years ago, a C-section ended any hope of future vaginal deliveries. But today, thanks largely to changes in surgical technique, vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) is possible in many cases. In fact, 60 percent to 80 percent of women who try VBAC have a successful vaginal delivery.
VBAC isn't right for everyone, though. Sometimes a pregnancy complication prevents the possibility of a successful VBAC. Many local hospitals don't offer VBAC because they don't have the staff or resources to handle emergency C-sections.

Delivery options
After a C-section, many women are candidates for VBAC. Your doctor will review your medical history to help you decide whether VBAC or repeat C-section is appropriate for you and your baby. Here are factors your doctor will consider.

What type of uterine incision was used for the prior C-section?
Scars left from certain types of incisions have an increased risk of tearing during labor and delivery — a rare but serious risk of VBAC. You can't tell what kind of uterine incision you've had just by looking at the scar on your belly. Instead, check with your doctor or review your medical records.

• Low transverse incision. This is the most common uterine incision. It's made sideways across the lower part of the uterus. A low transverse incision usually bleeds less than an incision made higher on the uterus. It also forms stronger scars and presents less danger of rupture during subsequent labors — between a 0.2 percent to 1.5 percent chance. If you've had one or even two of these incisions, you may be a candidate for VBAC.
• Low vertical incision. This type of incision is made low on the uterus, where the uterine wall is thinner. A low vertical incision may be used to deliver a baby situated in an awkward position or when there's concern that the incision may need to be extended. A low vertical incision presents a higher risk of subsequent uterine rupture — 1 percent to 7 percent. If you've had a low vertical incision that doesn't extend into the upper uterus, you may still be a candidate for VBAC. However, it's sometimes difficult to determine if the scar is low enough to minimize the risk of uterine rupture.
• Classical incision. This type of incision, also called a high vertical incision, was once used for all C-sections. However, it carries the highest risk of bleeding during labor and of subsequent uterine rupture — 4 percent to 9 percent. It's now used only in emergency situations. VBAC isn't recommended for women who've had a classical uterine incision.
• T-shaped, inverted T-shaped or J-shaped incision. These incisions are used only in emergencies or when problems develop. They're not planned. If you have any of these scars, VBAC isn't an option. The risk of uterine rupture is too great.

If your type of previous uterine incision can't be determined, your doctor may recommend a repeat C-section.

Have you had previous vaginal deliveries?
A vaginal delivery at least once before or after your prior C-section increases your chances for a successful VBAC.

What prompted the prior C-section?
If your prior C-section was done for a reason that isn't present during your current pregnancy — such as infection or a problem with the placenta — your chance of a successful vaginal delivery is similar to that of a woman who's never had a C-section.
If your C-section was done because the baby didn't descend through the birth canal, the chances of a successful vaginal delivery decrease — but you don't necessarily need to rule out VBAC. Your next baby may enter the pelvis in a more favorable position. Or your current pregnancy may have changed your pelvic dimensions.
If you had your prior C-section because your cervix didn't dilate enough to allow your baby to pass through the vagina, your chance of a successful VBAC is less favorable.


How many C-sections have you had?

If you've had two or more C-sections and no vaginal deliveries, you face a higher risk of complications from VBAC — including uterine rupture. If you've had two or more C-sections, your doctor may support VBAC only if you've also had at least one successful vaginal delivery.

Have you had a uterine rupture?
If you had a uterine rupture during a previous pregnancy, you're not a candidate for VBAC.

Are you delivering multiples?
If you're delivering twins and both babies are positioned headfirst, VBAC may be a safe option. But because twin births are more complicated, many women and their doctors choose repeat C-section for twins. If you're pregnant with triplets or other multiples, VBAC generally isn't an option.

Do you have any health conditions that might affect a vaginal delivery?
If you have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or active genital herpes, vaginal delivery may be risky for you and your baby. Asthma and anemia may increase the risks associated with vaginal delivery as well, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

Will you deliver the baby in a facility equipped to handle an emergency C-section?
If complications arise, an emergency C-section may be the only option. A home delivery isn't appropriate for VBAC. Many local hospitals don't offer VBAC because they don't have the staff or resources to handle emergency C-sections. If you choose a facility farther from home, traveling while you're in labor may pose substantial risks.

Quoting Kyrie & Dominic{JAS08}:“ I found this online about c-sections if you want to add information to the OP • The rate of births ... [snip!] ... health, and be kind to yourself, body and soul. It will speed your recovery and help you get on with enjoying your newborn!”

Can you link me to the sites you got this post, and the other from?

I am going to copy key points and then provide the link to the rest (like I did in the OP)

Thank you, its great info.

Quoting Kyrie & Dominic{JAS08}:“ Maybe some vbac info for those who want to and are able. This is from the mayo clinic You've already ... [snip!] ... emergency C-sections. If you choose a facility farther from home, traveling while you're in labor may pose substantial risks.”

Interesting. I didn't know that there might have been a chance for me to do a VBAC with twins. Not that I want to take risks...since my chances for a successful VBAC decreased since I never dialated with my 1st (and it doesn't seem like I will with these 2 either  ). But it wasn't even talked about as a possibility. We scheduled a c-section when I was about 12 weeks.

Quoting Epic Jo:“ Can you link me to the sites you got this post, and the other from? I am going to copy key points and then provide the link to the rest (like I did in the OP) Thank you, its great info.”

C-section
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36018.asp

http://www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html

Here's one from the mayo about vbac
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999

Tips for breastfeeding after c-section
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T021400.asp

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/c-sections/breastfeeding-after-c-section/

Quoting Kyrie & Dominic{JAS08}:“ C-section http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36018.asp http://www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html ... [snip!] ... http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/c-sections/breastfeeding-after-c-section/”

Thanks!

Added.

I love this Kelli!

Quoting Epic Jo:“ Added.”

Looks good!

Quoting chloe james' mama ☮:“ well i started having horrivle back labor [we didnt do know then.] at about 2:30 am, monday morning, ... [snip!] ... meet chloe until 4 hours later after i came off everything. she had a cone head for a c-section baby! it was horrible. yours?”

Oh man, what a bad experience.

Mine was rather uneventful, such as my labor. I bled and started having contractions regularly around 10pm on a Monday night. I labored at 3cm until Wednesday when they finally gave up and opted for the C-section.

I was scared as to be expected. I never thought in a million years I'd have to get one. As you know theres really no turning back at that point.

They accidentally ripped my catheter out. I'm certain that was the worst part of it all.