Negative impact of C-cection???

**cho** · 11-02-2008 19:28

Has anyone on BubHub experianced any bad effects from having a c-section???? To you or your baby? I would love to know as I am trying to decide if to have one or not. I know a few of you have bad bad tears and other problems from VB and was curious.

**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.

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.

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

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

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.

**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