Negative impact of C-cection??? [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

Pina Colada

11-02-2008, 19:36

I had an emergency c/s with DD. I reacted to the epidural, and vomited quite violently for about 4 hours afterward. :barf:

I had an elective c/s with DS, and told the anesthesiast about the prior vomiting, and he gave me some medication to stop my blood pressure dropping, and it worked perfectly. No vomiting at all. :thumbsup:

With DS, the pain relief was being administered through the epidural site for a couple of days, and it ended up leaking into muscle and giving me a sore back.

After the emergency c/s, I was out of bed in 24 hours, with the elective, in 12 hours (overnight). I think recovery is generally quicker for an elective :confused:

But, emotionally, bonding with bub, feeling like a failure, hating my scar etc. etc. not one single bit :). Having another elective in August;).

Mamaduke

11-02-2008, 21:00

I've had a spinal headache from the spinal block (you can also get them from an epidural) where spinal fluid leaks into the brain causing an excrutiating headache, so bad that you cannot have any lights on and cannot lift your head from the pillow. It can only be fixed by going back into theatre and having a blood patch, blood was taken from my arm and injected into my spine to stop the leak.
Not fun, not nice and it really impacted on my bonding and breastfeeding relationship with my son.

I've had both an emergency c/section and 'elective' c/section, both left me with a feeling of hopelessness and that I was an insignificant part of a 'procedure' and not a mother giving birth to their child.
I understand that you have your fears about a vaginal birth but just keep in mind that once you go down the c/section road it is very difficult in this country to go back with subsequent births and have your baby vaginally without having to 'fight' medical professionals for one.

SassyMummy

12-02-2008, 13:20

My problems were more emotional than physical, but I still suffered some physical problems as well.

The pain afterwards, was god-awful. The burning when you first stand up is so intense, that I literally shook with fear every time someone came (the physio) to make me walk...

I had an "elective" (though unwanted and not needed) caesarean and a spinal, and threw up for hours afterwards. My baby was born at 10.55am, but I could not hold her until after 8pm that night as I was constantly throwing up (about every 10 mins)...

The intense feeling of being ITCHY was horrible... I've heard that's the morphine's fault.

It wasn't me, but it was my daughter who didn't breathe for 11 mins after birth as a result of the c-sec. Her chest didn't get squashed so the gunk didn't get pushed out... she was pretty much choking for 11 mins before she FINALLY started to breathe. It was scary.

Lila

12-02-2008, 13:23

too many things to start...

if you have the CHOICE -
DO NOT choose it!!!!

i had 3, so i know what i am talking about..................

missie_mack

12-02-2008, 13:33

It took me a long time to recover from my birth compared to those who had VBs I also had back problems for a bit from the cutting of my stomach muscles. I often wonder if things had been different with my c section if I would have been a more successful breastfeeder too For some women it also puts a limit on how many children they can have and can mean that future pregnancies are more monitored.

As for bubs it was nearly a week to get all the mucus out of his lungs. Nobody warned me before hand and as I had never had lots to do with CS born babies I found it really scary. Other than that I am sure there hasnt been anything too detrimental to his overall life.

While I am not anti c section (I am still undecided on what I will do for future pregnancies) I still feel (but not in the emotional manner that others have) that if I had had a VB things might have been easier in the long run IYKWIM :)

naiwen

12-02-2008, 13:54

Well to start with being shaved by a grumpy midwife down there and having a catheter put in was not nice at all. But for me the morphine itch was just excruciating I would not wish it on my worst enemy!
And as my baby was in NICU I had to keep asking people too wheel me down to see him because I couldn't walk that far for a few days.
Oh and now I have adhesions on my scar and a hernia as a result of them so I would say if you have a choice say no!

SassyMummy

12-02-2008, 14:03

Shanaynay

12-02-2008, 14:07

Please don't forget that if you choose a c/s, for any future babies, you will have to fight damn hard for even a CHANCE at a VB.

VB tears? I had 2nd degree vaginal and perinneal tears, they were NOTHING compared to everything that was sliced through when I had my c/s.

Yes, some women have very bad tears when VB'ing, but thankfully those women are in the minority.

Chicco25

12-02-2008, 14:55

Even though I've had 3 elected c-secs, and been lucky enough not too have anything go wrong with me or my babies. I would still say a vb is the way to go.

If fear is whats preventing you from a vb, its a fear that can be overcome with the right support system.

Good luck with whatever decision you make :)

cho

12-02-2008, 15:02

too many things to start...

if you have the CHOICE -
DO NOT choose it!!!!

i had 3, so i know what i am talking about..................

I need to know if you are going to convince me lol! I am mainly worried about the baby, not me.

cho

12-02-2008, 15:14

I would agree with all of those who said NOT to choose it. I'd never choose to have one. It was awful and has f-ed up my life... I just can't get over it, and it haunts me and has made me a depressed, bitter, paranoid person.

How has it made your life so bad, if you don't mind me asking? I'm not being sarcastic or anything, I would really like to know.

I dont think it could emotionally hurt me as I have no desire to give birth normally. All that matters to me is that the baby is ok and that I am not permanently physically damaged. It does happen and even if its the minority, it could still be me. Not being able to have sex or being incontinate (sp?) or being in pain or disfigured would mess my life up a lot more than the physical effects of a c-section like the scar, pain for a few weeks (or months) or being sick. I know these things can be horrible and you wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy, this is JMO. I do NOT want to offend anyone and I beleive in the right to chose. My friends baby would have died if she had a VB. She had an elective and the cord was wrapped around the baby. They told her later the baby would have almost certainly died if she had not had the c section. The thing I dislike the most about c-sections is being in recovery without my bubs.

Shanaynay

12-02-2008, 15:14

I need to know if you are going to convince me lol! I am mainly worried about the baby, not me.
Statistics show that a vaginal birth is safest for babies (and mothers too!).
Babies born by c/s, especially elective c/s can suffer from a few complications, there is probably a thread about it all somewhere here!

susmamma

12-02-2008, 15:24

loved my c/s.
in comparrison to my vb the first time around i have nothing but good things to say about it.
recovery was better, optimism was better, darn it the whole kit and caboodle was better.
but then i had a shocking vb.

i think if you feel forced into any decision or your birth didnt meet what your expectation of it was then whether it was vb or c/s makes no difference, you'll still feel upset. i vehemently wished that they would of given me a c/s the first time to avoid the vb issues. but you cant change the past and you move forward.

just pick what you feel most comfortable with and the rest will follow.
good luck

Beany

12-02-2008, 15:36

cho, there are undoubtedly certain situations in which the c-section is the safest option. However, those are by definition not 'normal' circumstances: the cord doesn't usually get wrapped around a baby's neck, the mother doesn't usually get placenta praevia and so forth. Yes, it happens but it happens in a minority of cases and there is no reason to assume that you will fall into that percentage.

Vaginal birth for an uncomplicated pregnancy is by far the safest delivery method for both mother and child. They will be able to detect abnormalities during the course of the pregnancy as they monitor you and, should you need it, a c-section will be available up until the 11th hour.

Have faith in your body. I know all to well how terrifying it is and I too believed that there was no way I could birth my son without damaging him or me or both. But I did. You can too.

kikis3

12-02-2008, 15:41

too many things to start...

if you have the CHOICE -
DO NOT choose it!!!!

i had 3, so i know what i am talking about..................
:iagree: It is not an easy option out of having a baby. It is major surgery. I went to see the Brisbane screening of the Business of being Born. If you can find somewhere that is screening it go see it.

Mine too were more emotional scars then physical.

cho

12-02-2008, 15:41

i think if you feel forced into any decision or your birth didnt meet what your expectation of it was then whether it was vb or c/s makes no difference, you'll still feel upset. i vehemently wished that they would of given me a c/s the first time to avoid the vb issues. but you cant change the past and you move forward.

just pick what you feel most comfortable with and the rest will follow.
good luck

Thanks susmamma, thats a good way to look at it.:yes:

Fuchsia!

12-02-2008, 15:43

tickle

12-02-2008, 15:45

I agree with phineas. There is a study around (I'll find the link), that found babies born by elective c/section are three times morel likely to die in the first month than babies born vaginally. I promise you, if you really research it, you will find v/birth much safer.

I had a c/section for medical reasons and it was life saving, but I also haemorrhaged (you have more chance of this happening with a c/section). My vaginal birth was more dignified than what they had to do to me to stop me from dying or having a hysterectomy. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Good luck with your decision. :)

susmamma

12-02-2008, 15:47

i'd just like to add that assuming you havent had a negative first birthing attempt vaginally or are in medical need of c/s, i think the most rewarding method of delivery is a vaginal delivery.

not everyone has issues birthing and some have amazing births vaginally.

i was simply answering the question about my c/s experience, not prefacing it with which you should pick.

if it was my first time again i would definitely have a doula with me (and my partner). to be supported with someone you trust who has years of wisdom when it comes to birthing is amazing. i know of so many women who have had fantastic births because of the support of a doula.

also dont forget if you have an elective c/s you dont go into labour. that is a really important part of the process of birth. it's the first time your baby is given any physical information that it is about to be born. the contractions stretch your baby out from the fetal position as it comes through the cervix and out of the vagina. that pushing and contracting pushes all the gunk out of their lungs so they can breath air for the first time. the labour also tells your body that you are about to give birth.
after having had an elective c/s i can honestly say i missed the labour (and babe i had one brutal labour). when i held my baby in my arms i didnt feel like i had "given birth" and frankly i dont think my baby felt like they had "been born". so remember that labour is important for both you and baby to announce the arrival into the world, it tells the baby it is no longer in utero but now in the world. :D

good luck again :yes:

sam's mum

12-02-2008, 16:12

well c/s have taken away the option of any more babies for us. my poor uterus has been sliced and diced and just isn't up to anymore. We had planned on more, but that just isn't going to happen now.

as others have said, it is major surgery. I hate that I have no sensation in half the skin on my stomach because the nerves haven't reconnected properly. I know that I am touching my stomach, I feel that my finger is touching something, but my stomach doesn't feel the touch.

my first child was a VB and even after they took over half an hour to stitch me up and gave me more than 80 stitches, it was still a much quicker recovery than a c/s.

I had still had pain with sex after the c/s. my stomach was sore and it hurt if it moved. I def didn't want any pressure on it.

SassyMummy

12-02-2008, 16:38

Most of my issues are emotional, as I said, which is why it's screwed up my life. I never saw myself as having surgery, so when I had it, and when I was lied to about why I had to have it... well, I've just had issues. I've always thought that if there was one thing I'd be good at, it would be giving birth, so it was just so unexpected and has just stressed me out. Had I not cared either way, I don't think it would have messed me up so much.

It's true - where no TRUE medical condition exists, a vaginal birth is far safer for both baby and mother.

You mention incontinence, but keep in mind that this problem is often a result of pregnancy. Also keep in mind that before you sign the paper agreeing to a caesarean, one of the risks is urinary incontinence, another is faecal (poo) incontinence. So the risk comes with caesarean as well.

Tearing is a risk - but there are ways to lessen the risk, or at least, lessen the severity of a tear. If you read up on these (such as positioning during labour and birth, massage, etc), you'll learn that there are ways to avoid these things from happening. There's no guarantees though.

Caesareans can result in hysterectomy (removal of your uterus), meaning you can have no future children. The number of children you have also lessens with a caesarean - the more caesareans you have had, the more dangerous the next pregnancy becomes.

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a risk too - it's got something to do with being still for so long, and clotting, and the clot going to your heart or vein or something... it can kill you. This is AFTER the caesarean mind you, not during, but as a result of the anesthetic used for hte caesarean none the less.

The scar can also increase the likelyhood of placenta previa in future pregnancies.

Then there's the risks that come with any surgery - infection, etc.

You'll also be risking your baby arriving prematurely - as many scheduled caesareans take place sometime around 38 weeks... which may or not actually be 38 weeks. It could be 2 weeks either side... so it could be, in actual fact, more like 36 weeks.

There's risk of cutting parts of the baby during delivery.

There's risk of breathing difficulties as the baby's lungs won't be squashed and gunk-free like they usually will be as a result of a VB... this was the case with my daughter (didn't breathe for 11 mins after birth!).

There are just so many things to think about and consider...

cho

12-02-2008, 16:50

Thank you everyone for replying. My mind defently is not made up. In fact at this stage, I am leaning more to VB amazingly as yesterday I was almost onehundred percent sure of CS. I want to learn lots about preventing tearing as I have relized that is what I am really scared of. I didn't know there were things you could do to try and prevent it. I feel so much more positve about VB after reading some threads on here this afternoon. I will let you know what I decide, but thanks again for making me see this from the other side (I had just been going to the pro C section threads!)

Shanaynay

12-02-2008, 16:53

There's SO much you can do to prevent tearing - I'm sure there is a thread somewhere :yes:
Massage pre-birth, positioning during pushing, and pushing slower rather than fast all at once (which is what I did!) are just a few! :)

SassyMummy

12-02-2008, 16:58

Yep, massage before and during pregnancy (even something called an epi-no which you can buy and is said to help), pressure applied during delivery (your partner or yourself or your midwife... up to you), positioning (like being upright by squatting, kneeling, etc, or being on all fours, rather than laying down), BREATHING your baby out rather than actively pushing hard...

There's perhaps heaps heaps more you can do... and tearing might always be too severe or too painful... but remember, tearing your vagina is a possibility not a set-in-stone going-to-happen thing... getting a cut across your belly is a going-to-happen thing when having a caesarean, and the pain that causes when you first stand up (and every time after for a week or so) is horrible. It means you can hardly move without pain...

missie_mack

12-02-2008, 17:04

I had still had pain with sex after the c/s. my stomach was sore and it hurt if it moved. I def didn't want any pressure on it.

Me too!! Still have issues. Hard to believe but things arent as good as prebaby :o

Verdi

12-02-2008, 17:57

I had 4 VB's and i am very tight down there! Sex is wonderful and more enjoyable now then before i had kids.
Recovery time from a Vb for me was zero days opposed to those who had a cesar the same day was in pain for 2 days, yep i know she was crying day and night.

You need to believe in yourself you were made to do this your body was designed to do this. Nothing compares to the exhiliration and the high you get from pushing baby out, it is the best feeling in the world:D.

If you do alot perineal massage prior to labor it helps:yes: i know i have never torn down there. My nickname at the hospital is a elastic girl

Beany

12-02-2008, 17:59

There is a product you can buy called an Epi-No which is designed to gently stretch your vagina in preparation for birth. The results are impressive. You can also use it post birth to exercise the pelvic floor muscles.

Also, gentle perineal massage will help stretch the area a bit.

But accept that you might tear and accept that it might be sore for a few days. With a c-section, you will have a whopping great incision across your abdomen and will be in pain - that's a foregone certainty.

Shanaynay

12-02-2008, 19:18

Reading this thread, I realise some women often opt for a c/s because they "know" what is going to happen, whereas with a VB, there is an element of uncertainty - when will you go into labour, how long will it be, how much will it hurt, will you need intervention, will it even come out of your vagina in the end, lol :p

But there is also that will c/s's, I think many people forget.
Surgery is not always straightforward, complications arise - from something as small as an epidural not working and you having to be knocked out for it (and hence miss so much of your baby's first day :() to, well, awful things.

So really, you never know what you are going to get either way!

sam's mum

12-02-2008, 19:30

it isn't just if you get knocked out that you miss your babies first day either. I had an epi but because bubs was in SCU I didn't see her until late on the second day (except the photos that the nurses took for me) and I didn't get to hold her until the third day. the only thing stopping me from seeing her sooner was my own lack of mobility.

SassyMummy

12-02-2008, 19:33

I agree Phin... it SEEMS like the option which is more "this is how things will work," but you still don't know how it will affect you physically or emotionally until it happens. The procedure is the same, generally, but how you feel about it differs.

The consequences differ too.

You can prepare for it because you think you know what will happen, but I wasn't prepared for that pain... it's an odd pain, not at all natural... it was just the kind of pain I don't think my body was meant to deal with and so it hurts, but hurts in a very odd way. It's hard to explain... maybe someone understands what I mean though...lol.

Neither is a controllable situation... but any control you do have is handed over to your care provider ABSOLUTELY when you have a caesarean. You can't even move below the arms... you have no control at all. I suppose in a VB, while you can't control it totally, as your body does what it does involuntarily, you still have a greater level of control...

Shanaynay

12-02-2008, 19:57

it isn't just if you get knocked out that you miss your babies first day either.
Very true - I had an epi, but during the surgery I lost 1.5 litres of blood, which apparently is kinda on the borderline of needing a transfusion, or not. I didn't get one.
So I spent DD's first 24 hours drifting in and out of consciousness, very drowsy, dizzy, couldn't really look at her, couldn't hold her properly..... not sure if that also was a result of other stuff going on in the surgery, but blood loss is never easy anyway.

MoonstoneMumma

12-02-2008, 20:18

also keep in mind that even though at the moment you have no desires to have a natural birth, you may have ideas about after the birth - eg, not spending time with baby, being one of the last to hold the baby, in some cases people have to be put under a ga and miss the whole thing all together. a lot of women also report feeling groggy and sick afterwards and dont remember their first cuddles with baby or first feed.

i know physical pain is a scary thought, but believe me, and god knows a million other women as well, that emotional pain is A LOT worse. physical pain heals, emotional pain some times never leaves.

KatiesMum

12-02-2008, 20:56

Cho

I was a bit like you ....had no huge great desire to have a natural birth - just wanted what was best and safest for my baby. Was a bit scared of a vb (tearing etc) but had looked into things and decided it was best.

Unfortunately for me bubby had other ideas and was breech, so I had a (by then planned) c/s at a bit over 38 weeks.

Everything went fine, I recovered wonderfully, bubs was perfect, all was good ....... but ........ in becoming a Mummy and all of the emotions etc that go with it - I now feel like I have missed out on something. I have never gone into labour ...dont know how I would deal with it.

If I have another bub, I would have another c/s (not into VBAC's), so I will never get to experience labour.

If I had had a choice ..... a vb would have been it. If it doesnt go to plan, you can still have a c/s ...... but half way through a c/s you cant suddenly decide to have a vb!

Anyway - wishing you have a wonderful pregnancy, a great birth and a beautiful little bubby. :flowerz:

MrsMiggins

13-02-2008, 12:25

The thing I dislike the most about c-sections is being in recovery without my bubs.

Speak with your hospital/OB about your options here. When I had my elective c/s with DD, I requested in my birth plan to feed her ASAP after she was born. We were all set to feed in recovery, however they had an emergency with another recovery patient, so DD & DH couldn't come with me. With DS, I had a failed VBAC, but had prepared for the eventuality of a c/s. I asked the nurses, OB, middies - anyone who would listen really! - about the possibility of BF in recovery, or even earlier if possible, and they were very open to this. They arranged with all the staff involved for me to actually BF as soon as he was delivered. It was wonderful!! He would have come with me to recovery also, but he had a minor respitory issue & had to be taken to special care. It was lovely having that first moment with him though!

My advice would be to speak to your team about it well in advance and if you do end up having a c/s, be very vocal about BF as early as possible (if that's what you want to do) and about keeping your baby with you. If you can, research any Baby Friendly Accredited hospitals in your area, as they will bend over backwards to help you BF & keep your bub with you wherever possible.

Lila

13-02-2008, 12:33

bad...
ok,
because with my vbac trial i could have died, so could dd- as my old scar ruptured (uterus rupture)
so my first emergency c/s (which WAS necessary, i had PE) crippled my body.
now, after my 3rd c/s i CAN'T have anymore babies, because my uterus is too thin to hold a full term pregnancy, BECAUSE i had too many c/s (PLUS the UR).....

so, if i could choose, i bet you i'd choose VB!!!

Lila

13-02-2008, 12:36

and
i only was able to experience 1 c/s , because 2 tiems i had to have a general (too urgent)
with my 3rd however i wasn't in recovery, they just kept me in theatre and i held bubby ALL the time naked, on my naked chest, i fed him in there everything- i even saw him being born!!

Pina Colada

13-02-2008, 13:34

My bub's were put skin to skin with me in recovery, and first bf then too :bee:.

I'm sorry to hear so many of you had such emotional scarring from your c/s :(.

I must be lucky, because I have no emotional baggage whatsoever from my c/s (emergency or elective). I instantly bonded with my babies and bf with ease. I certainly don't feel as though I didn't 'give birth'. And my scar doesn't bother me at all.

So, what I guess I am saying is if you do decide for vb, to keep in mind emergency c/s may still happen (if I didn't have an emergency c/s neither my DD or I would have made it). Maybe keep in mind that not all C/s end in emotional turmoil. I would hate for you to end up in an emergency c/s situation, with yourself convinced that it will be a negative experience.

I hope that made sense :confused:

AlirasMummy

18-02-2008, 12:33

I had an 'elective' (they called it elective but was my only choice as baby was breech and couldn't find a doctor who would deliver her this way). I think there is nothing wrong with a c/s. My only complaint is that I was vomiting after the epidural wore off and had a reaction to the morphine (itchiness). And the effects from all the drugs kept me awake all night just staring at the ceiling while bub was peacefully sleeping. Then the 2nd night when I finally wanted to sleep, baby didn't want to sleep!