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11/14/2004
Put. That. Back.
Yesterday's childbirth class saw us shifting our focus. Our discussions of validation — "I can't do it." "I can see how hard you're working, honey...but the baby wants to do it." — and comfort measures — cold packs, massage, groaning like the hydraulics on a 1936 International Harvester — seem to have ended. This time we went high-tech: we talked about pain relief and C-sections.
The first thing the educator did was pass around a sheet with a pain scale on it, one that encompassed every attitude from -10 ("wants no medication whatever, even for a C-section") to +10 ("wants to feel absolutely nothing, wants anesthesia before labor begins"). The educator instructed us to find ourselves on the scale. Since the sheet sternly admonished us that +10 was "an impossible extreme," I settled for a +9 ("scared of pain, dependence on staff for pain relief"). But then I admit that my circumstances are unusual; unlike most women about to be presented with a newborn, if I feel pain it means something's bad wrong. Damn skippy, I'm scared.
We talked about different medications we might be offered. I entertained myself by making anagrams. (Stadol: Sad lot. Tad S.O.L. Do last. Demerol: Led more. Med role. Sorry, what were you saying?) The educator showed us a helpful poster of a large and bulbous woman being administered an epidural. The woman was squatting calmly, balanced on her tiptoes, holding on to nothing, quite a feat when there's a long needle about to be introduced into your spinal column, for which you must remain...perfectly...still. I was keen to learn exactly which narcotic had been administered, because I want some before my upcoming audition for Cirque du Soleil.
And then we talked about C-sections. Another helpful poster made its appearance on the easel: Reasons for Performing a C-Section. Fetal distress. Placental Problems. Wack-Ass Presentation. Good-Christ-Almighty-No-Way-Is-That-Head-Gonna-Fit-Through-That-Pelvis.
The educator gave us a bare moment to absorb this information, then whipped us into a participatory frenzy by wheeling in a gurney and setting up a role-playing exercise. One of the men was selected to be the expectant mother, while the rest of us were given various jobs around the operating room — surgeon, scrub nurse, pediatrician, anesthesiologist, etc. I wanted to man the placenta bucket so that I might sneak in a good old-fashioned ass kicking while everyone else was cooing, stitching, or fitting the newborn with a fetching chapeau, but instead I was appointed pediatric nurse, and immediately took to menacing everyone nearby with the bulb syringe.
She walked us through what happens in a C-section. Do you know? I do, now. Here is a brief outline:
- Prep: shaving, scrubbing, draping, IV, anesthesia, etc. Draping includes erecting a barrier of cloth between the mother's chin and her abdomen to serve as a sort of sneeze guard. I am of the opinion that they should use one made of Plexiglass like at a salad bar, for easy viewing.
- Incisions: cuts made through whatever happens to be making it inconvenient to lift a baby out.
- Retraction: pulling the edges of the incisions wide to form a large enough opening for...
- Grabbing: seizing the slippery prize and wrenching it MacDuff-style into an ice-cold operating room.
- Whisking: hurrying the newly delivered baby out of the operating room away from the mother. Yes, away from the mother, who does not get to touch or feed the baby until...well, sometime later.
- Inspecting: checking to make sure the mother's uterus is still in good shape. Do you know how they do this? They pull it out of the abdominal cavity. Oh, sure, it's still connected (by God knows what mechanism, though I hope mine has a security device on it to discourage theft), but they pull it out to play with it. This is the single most upsetting thing I've heard since the class began, and makes me reconsider my desire for a clear splatter shield. In fact, I may ask for a blindfold, just to be sure I don't see Scottie Pippen, M.D., twirling my ute as if he were a Harlem Globetrotter, preparing to move outside the key for an easy 3. Dude! Put. It. Back!
- Closing: the mother is stitched up, swabbed down, and wheeled, still high as a kite, out of the OR. I assume she's still high as a kite, because the educator didn't have us role-play the part where the mother is shrieking for more opiates, now. I may have to practice that part at home just in case.
I asked with some trepidation whether I'd be able to breastfeed right away, and the educator looked shocked. "You'll just have had major abdominal surgery!" (Oh, silly me, I thought that part where they pull out your uterus for show-and-tell was just a motherfucking trifle.) I am disappointed that I won't get to do this, because babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can have low blood sugar, and it's thought to beneficial to put them to the breast right away. Sorry, Batman, you'll have to make do with a Big Gulp and a bendy straw. Sprite or Cherry Coke?
The only part of this whole affair that didn't freak me out was the part where the educator warned us in the "operating room" not to touch anything: "You're all sterile!"
Please. We prefer "subfertile."
Posted by Julie at 10:18 AM in Jesus gay, I'm pregnant. | Permalink
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» Touch Me and You Die from avocado8
I'd been reading (and laughing over) Julie's Put. That. Back. post yesterday, and I must say I was intrigued by the role-playing exercise at the childbirth class. I wasn't sure if Julie was kidding about that or not... and... [Read More]
Tracked on Nov 17, 2004 3:55:30 PM
» Touch Me and You Die from avocado8
I'd been reading (and laughing over) Julie's Put. That. Back. post yesterday, and I must say I was intrigued by the role-playing exercise at the childbirth class. I wasn't sure if Julie was kidding about that or not... and... [Read More]
Tracked on Nov 22, 2004 9:44:18 AM
Comments (64)
Yeah, step six does sound, um, what's the medical term for 'creepy as all hell'? I'm so sorry.
On the other hand, maybe you could score some extra credit points from the nurses for being, like, the coolest pregnant woman in the whole hospital and get a little something extra for step one. Like, instead of just shaving and prepping the crotchal area, they could do a complete body wax and spa-mud treatment, manicure/pedicure, and color and style your hair?
Posted by: akeeyu at Nov 14, 2004 10:35:38 AM
Okay-- take a deep breath. You are about to join a club, where the women all nod their heads with the knowledge that comes with childbirth. It is just a mystery, from when the baby initiates labor to the length (of the labor) etc. It is the first time you as a parent get the message that there will be someone else in the family equation who will have a modicum of control. Here are some thoughts--
First-- leave your modesty at home. For these people this is a job. They have seen people poop and pee and throw up a million times. Nothing new. They have seen more vaginas than a horney boy with a stack of Playboys. Just thank God you are having a baby at a time in history when they don't shave you anymore (the itch!!)
If there is a possibility that at the last minute you are able to try a vaginal birth, don't let the thought of the epidural freak you out. You turn your back to the doctor-- worry more about your husband, who will(might) see it all.
The best thing you can do-- is prepare. WALK, WALK, WALK!! This hels you beef up your endurance, whichever birth you have. As soon as the baby is born and you are not dizzy, GET UP AND WALK! It speeds the healing.
If you want to nurse, have a lactation specialist help hold the baby so that he can latch on. A C-section makes you weak and you might not have the strength to hold the baby right away, but those specialists are really gung-ho for lactation and will help you. Just don't be modest-- If the thought of someone grabbing your breast and jabbing the nipple into the baby's mouth seems a little rude, rest assured that that is the way they do it. It isn't all Hallmark Cards and roses-- for them it is just a thing to do. (plus-- it will get you used to the treatment you receive when you start getting mammograms!!)
Lastly-- Bring prunes. Lots of them. And drink tons of water. The though of pooping after you give birth will frighten the heck out of you-- but the hospital will not release you until you poop-- and the nurse has seen it.
Posted by: suki at Nov 14, 2004 10:50:28 AM
Oh, and have your husband guard the baby. He can escort the baby while he is weighed and cleaned. Instruct him not to let that baby out of his sight until that ID bracelet is SECURELY on the little wrist. The first time the needs of the child come before the needs of the parents (cuddle time, etc)-- but it won't be the last!!
Posted by: suki at Nov 14, 2004 10:54:31 AM
Since you brought it up, I just have to share. I thought my hubby was gonna pass out! Also, please don't think my ob is an uneducated jackass. He is awesome. We just happen to have an unusual comfort level with each other and are actual friends outside of the patient doc relationship.
After the twins were born, dr. d was inspecting and getting ready to do my tubal. During the pg, we'd known I had an ovarian cyst. It's normal, supposed to rupture at around 13 weeks when placenta takes over. Well, mine didn't. At about 22 weeks, I thought I was dying! Anyway, during the tubal, dr d takes out my left ovary, and all of a sudden, we hear, "Holy SHIT, that's not normal!" I kid you not. When he finally explains that the cyst on my right may have ruptured, the left never had. My left ovary was baseball sized in comparison to walnut sized. Then dr d forgot that I had been the nurse, not hubby and made hubby stand up to look. I was laughing my ass off, hubby was trying to keep his off the floor.
So, someone did take one of my ovaries, but I was cool with that. They really are attached!
Oh, and don't let this scare you.....it was an odd situation all around.
Posted by: Amy V at Nov 14, 2004 11:07:16 AM
That was almost enough to scare me into ending my IF journey RIGHT FUCKING NOW.
Oy.
Posted by: Liz at Nov 14, 2004 11:23:29 AM
um, did they mention the part where you are shaking like a fucking junkie from the anethestic and puking for 24 hours after the c/s (more fun for your incision)? Forgot to mention that part, huh? Oh yeah, one more thing about the surgery that they don't tell you, you can't feel yourself breathe (cause of the epidural) and that was scary for me.
It's so fucked up that they take the baby away from you for like 2+ hours. Bring someone with you besides your husband so that they can run and check on that baby in the nursery cause the nurse doesn't know shit aboout how Batman is and you will be asking every 15 seconds.
Sorry about all the advice, don't even know if you want it.
Posted by: Annie at Nov 14, 2004 11:25:21 AM
Ummm if leading events are any indication of future events I would take anything they said to you about what's gonna happen with a grain of salt. I'd just sort of think of it as a possiblty that things might go like that in your C-section but then again you might be abducted by aliens and transported to Mars to have your little one. While I, of course, wish you a snoring boring C-section with lots of good drugs.....I just don't want you to be disappointed if for some reason Willaim Shatner shows up for the event.
Posted by: achromic at Nov 14, 2004 11:45:02 AM
I had a c/s and it wasn't that bad. I believe I was pretty drugged up though. I can remember the anathesiologist (sp?) saying "You might not remember this later" and I said "OK with me." I look at the pictures my husband took (only above the sheet...I refused to allow him to even look below at the actual operation) and my eyes are VERY unfocused, even with my glasses on. BTW, I had to really convince them to even let me wear my glasses (this was not a planned c/s and as they brought me in I kept asking and asking for them and I think that they thought I would stop asking eventually but no effin way was that going to happen...talk about feeling vulnerable already but you want me to do this practically blind?) Anyway, this time around it will be a planned c/s so I don't know how different it will be...but I wouldn't mind as many drugs if not more than last time...I will make sure that they let me wear my glasses though...
Posted by: Meg at Nov 14, 2004 11:49:57 AM
Some of them do let you bring another person to a C-section. I got to go to my friend's this summer. Her husband was a bit on the freeking out side, so he wanted some moral support. :) The nurses were saying "oh the room is so small, they won't let you bring another person." But my friend asked her doctor directly, and he and the anestesiologist said sure. I got to go and see the highlights (I was sneeking peeks around the splatter shield) and take the first pics of the baby and the parents. They also let her breastfeed as soon as they were done stitching her up (like 30 mins after the birth), so I guess it's not a hard and fast rule... Or maybe she was just at one of those hippy hospitals. You know, if it feels good, do it. Is there someone more in charge than your educator that you can check with on whether they subscribe to the philosophy? Or how much it would cost you for them to subscribe to it? :)
Posted by: JuliaKB at Nov 14, 2004 12:00:35 PM
Holy crap.
Julie, to make up for that missing +1, do you think Paul could smuggle in some vodka for you?
Posted by: Menita at Nov 14, 2004 12:23:35 PM
geez, had I not had a c-section I'd be scared out of my mind for the one I'm scheduled for in 10 days! but really it's not all that bad, and I say that after having been in labor the first time for 24 hours then getting an ER c-section and it wasnt fun but it wasnt all that bad. Sorry your hospital wont let you breastfeed right away, I couldnt w/ my first but this time they say the baby will stay w/ me the whole time and as soon as I'm stitched up I'll get to breastfeed. I was able to hold my son the first time and even well enough after to be up walking around shortly after. I guess it's an individual thing, but if you go into expecting a hard surgery and hard recovery then you're setting yourself up to fail. I wasnt at all prepared for the first c-section and I still had an easy recovery. Hope things go well for you, and dont let them scare you, that's what those dumb classes are for anyway!
Posted by: amy m at Nov 14, 2004 12:45:18 PM
So you think the mama MIGHT be high as a kite after the op? I had a C Section and Yeah baby I was flying for about 14 hours afterwards. The babies (twin boys) were brought to me in the recovery room (so I hear) and I nursed them skin to skin (apparently) for about 30 minutes, then I went into my post partum room (so I hear) and the babies came too (according to my DH, two doulas and mother, who were all there as witnesses). *I* don't remember anything past the epidural, wheeling into the OR, somebody pushing me around, suddenly seeing my new sons, then waking up in a room on the tenth floor, with the boys in little Tupperware boxes on wheels beside me. I didn't feel any pain until they took my nice morphine drip away. The rats.
Posted by: MOT at Nov 14, 2004 12:52:46 PM
Ummmm. Some of my c-section was distinctly different from that.
No shaving. Had long, coherent conversation with anesthesiologist about his tours of residency duty during prep (aka "we're cutting you wide open, lady") time. Felt nothing the whole time, admittedly after enormous amount of dosing in epidural. Asked, "are you almost ready to start cutting?" Reply: "We're just getting ready to pull out first baby." Well, alrighty then.
Okay, did have hard time Holding. Perfectly. Still. during epidural/contraction but didn't suffer spinal injury, so O.K.
Also, did see babies (two out of three) while still in O/R. Didn't get to kiss them (have seen that done on "Maternity Ward"), and definitely not to hold them--arms were tied down in classic "Passion of the Christ" positions--but did get to see them. If the babies hadn't been eight weeks premature, they would have stayed with us in the O/R and we would have taken them with us to recovery. Where I would have been allowed to attempt nursing them.
Also, not high as a kite at all. Perfectly lucid, all through first (horizontal) tour of the NICU, report of possible newborn punctured lung (negative), and sudden onset of pain/elimination of epidural medication from system at 3:30am.
Scariest c-section moment: 24 hours post-partum, when my belly was shrinking/rearranging fast, and it started blowing like a foghorn. Really: huge foghorn bellows with accompanying internal organ rumblings. Could make 'em come faster/deeper if I massaged my belly (v.v. weird to feel uterus through skin, too). Quickly went from scary to hysterical. Might have been the meds, though.
Oh, last piece of advice: keep pushing the morphine button. Nurse came into room at noon, 24 hours after delivery, and announced I wasn't using drip often enough, morphine done now. So push that button!
Posted by: Jody at Nov 14, 2004 1:06:11 PM
The morphine is wonderful, ask for lots.
Posted by: Tertia at Nov 14, 2004 1:15:04 PM
It is disappointing that they won't let you breastfeed immediately (can they do that?) - do they have a more rational rationale for this? I had breastfed my dd within 30 minutes of her being born (by section) which was good since she developed complications and ended up in nicu for 2 weeks; having fed her for a day made it easier to pump. I have a couple of friends who breastfed their babies while they were being stitched up - a very normalising experience for them.
I'm interested that people are saying they were high after the section - maybe this is a USA thing, in the UK the only medication you get (apart from an antiemetic) are the epidural ones which do not get absorbed systemically and shouldn't have that effect (e.g. I had an epidural at 3am and was out of bed post section (very gingerly!) by 8am and was completely lucid all the time (fucking knackered but I knew what was going on)) - do they routinely give section women opiates/sedative or something?
Thinking good thought for you, Paul & Batman.
Posted by: cressa at Nov 14, 2004 1:16:11 PM
Possible assvice from the nurse/epidemiologist:
Contrary to the implication of your teacher - they don't actually haul the uterus out like a mechanic pulling out an air filter to look it over. They just bring it up enough that they can see it - your belly is pretty deep, having stretched out to carry that baby around. You may not think you're happy about this, but it's a good thing - lets them see if there's any retained placenta, uncontrolled bleeding, injury. But really, if I didn't know they did that I wouldn't be able to tell by looking. You won't know, either, because all you're going to feel is a lot of random pushing, pulling and tugging.
They will definitely show you the baby before they whisk him away. If you're not too gorked from the anesthesia, you can usually ask to have a free hand so you can touch him. Don't let them rush you in that moment, which (sadly) the staff will probably try to do. (Unless he's in any distress. Then you should probably let them whisk at speed.)
Depending on what kind of anesthesia you have, you will likely be able to hold (and breastfeed) the baby a couple of hours later. Care staff will usually have you breastfeed as soon as you can safely hold the baby. If you opt not to have any kind of sedative (valium or whathaveyou) to relax you, you'll be less logy. You'll probably have epidural, or more likely spinal anesthesia, both of which will require a bit of recovery time before you can move your legs well. Either of those regional procedures is preferable to general anesthesia, which requires longer recovery during which you're much more likely to experience nausea, disorientation, etc.
General anesthesia is not necessary except in emergencies. Talk to the anesthesia department at the birth center before you're admitted if you can. They can help you make the right decisions for you and keep those decisions a priority after your admission.
Sometimes a lot of careful planning goes down the pipes because something unexpected and urgent changes the process, and the medical staff either don't know or lose sight of what the parents want. Bringing your med staff in as your advocates before the birth increases the likelihood you'll get the experience you want from your C-birth. It's not just a surgery, it's a birth, and it belongs to you and your family, and you can still recognize it and celebrate it as the special experience it is. (I'm chiding the medical model, not you.)
Hope that's more helpful than soapboxy.
Posted by: ginger at Nov 14, 2004 1:17:00 PM
Two words - abdominal binder. Get one.
After my last c-section, I was trying to just move in the bed, but with one hand grabbing my abdomen because pressure eased the pain, that left only one arm for other things. Once I got my velcro abdominal binder, I could use both hands. I wore that thing for at good two weeks. But I had to ask for one - see if you can get one before hand - it really is worth it!
Posted by: Elena at Nov 14, 2004 1:25:29 PM
Not to scare you (thought it might, but I believe it's best to be prepared)...my epidural wore off exactly during #6. Urrrrg. ALl I remember was saying, "OW! OW! OW! OW! OW!" And vomiting a lot. They got me re-dosed, luckily, just in time for #7.
Side Note: One piece of advice (if BFing is something you feel you really, really, really want to try) - PUSH for what you want. Have a lactation consultant BE THERE when you are first brought your baby. Even if you have to find a private LC now, and arrange to have her meet you at the hospital. After my c-section, I tried to get LC's to help me, I pumped exhaustively (is that a word?), I did acupuncture, I resorted to Reglan and herbs...but my body never got it and I had to give up when, at five weeks out, my body was still only producing 2 ounces a day...TOTAL. To this day, I truly believe a good LC at the very beginning could have helped me, and probably would have made all the difference.
All that being said, I am SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!! I check in every day, and I can't wait for THE post, when you tell us all how it went and how in love you are with your little bundle. Corny, I know, but SO true. :)
Posted by: Shannon at Nov 14, 2004 1:50:20 PM
Well, that sounds pretty awful! But either your instructor is a little off base or your haspital has some crappy policies. With a planned section you should be able to have just the spinal and so be totally lucid. You should also be allowed to hold and nurse the baby if that's what you want, unless there's distress. I'd double check all that info with your OB. Unfortunately though, some hospitals do just have really crappy policies. I'm hoping she was wrong though.
And OMG Shannon, I first read that as BABY #6 and nearly fell out of my chair.
Posted by: Emily at Nov 14, 2004 2:04:16 PM
I had an emergency c-section (prior to my infertility journey) when my first son was born. We used an epidural (my choice) for pain relief, anti-nausea meds (because I get sick during labor), and my meds for pre-eclampsia. Despite all this, I WAS able and allowed to nurse my son immediately following birth. Oh yeah, I live in the US so you should be able to do this also. I would bring up the issue with your OB...not just with the nurse teaching the class.
Posted by: Kristin at Nov 14, 2004 2:15:21 PM
Oh yeah...I also was not shaved completely and the baby was weighed, measured, and given to my hubby who was in the OR with us. My hubby pushed the baby in his bassinet back to the labor and delivery room when I was moved back.
Posted by: Kristin at Nov 14, 2004 2:18:05 PM
Please ask again about breastfeeding. Ask your doctor. Make him/her put it in your chart. be demanding and make your husband be demanding (and follow the kid and make sure they don't give it a bottle). If you want to do it try to educate yourself before hand (I am having a scheduled c section in january for a different reason and they claim I will get to feed the kid as soon as they've checked it out, so this sounds something that is totally negotiable).
Posted by: jen at Nov 14, 2004 2:22:22 PM
C-section Post-Birth Story
When I had my c-section, after they took the baby out, dried her, weighed her, dropped the stuff in her eyes, swaddled her in a blanket and put a hat on her, they handed her to my husband to hold. He then brought her to me so I could see her little pissed off face. I'll never forget that mad look. I didn't get to hold her, but I was too afraid I'd drop her anyways. Then she was whisked away to the other room. I had my husband go with her as I didn't want her to be switched with any other babies (fat chance since most of the others were petite little tan babies and mine was nearly 9 lbs and sheet white).
While he was gone, I started to freak out a little. The doctors were doing their job to try to remove the placenta and whatever else they've got to do down there. I got this huge urge to have my legs rubbed. I begged them to please rub my legs or have one of these million bystanders rub my legs. Of course I was really numb from chest down and still had my big open incision, so my requests kind of freaked them out. The doctor then told the anesthesiologist to give me a little nap.
I woke up about 20 minutes later in the recovery room. From other women who've had c-sections, I didn't miss anything except the boring stitching up part and it might actually be preferable to sleep through it. When I awoke, my husband was with me and couldn't stop talking about what a beautiful perfect baby she is. I was jealous he got to spend so much time with her before me, but I was glad she was okay. That's all I really cared about.
Maybe 20 minutes later, my bed was wheeled out of recovery and we stopped by the nursery to pick up my daughter. The nurses were all gathered around her, talking about how amazing it was that she had teeth. Yes, teeth. I knew that the drugs must still be in my system and got annoyed (in a sort of sleepy way) that they didn't immediately hand over my baby. But then they did give her to me and wheeled me into post partum where I stayed for the next 5 days.
As for recovery, it involved a lot of walking, drugs, and very little food. There is also the usual gore from after delivery that is not discussed among polite company. Despite their strong desires for both the baby and I to have our first post-delivery poos before being discharged, neither of us did. I guess we're both just more comfortable doing that at home.
p.s. She did have teeth. Neonatal teeth which means that she cut her first two bottom teeth while still in ute. By her huge size and teeth, I liked to joke that I gave birth to a 4 month old.
Posted by: Pazel at Nov 14, 2004 2:54:14 PM
Um. I'm scared. If I have to go through that, I better be knocked the fuck out until they're ready to hand my baby to me.
Posted by: Carrie Jo at Nov 14, 2004 3:09:36 PM
More info on breastfeeding w/respect to c-sections, gestational diabetes:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/concerns/c-section.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug97p107.html
http://www.msbfc.org/breastfeeding_helps_gd_babies_an.htm
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bfhelp-hypoglycemia.html
Kellymom.com is a great resource generally, whether you consider yourself "AP" or not.
And because you have such ginormous and freakadelic bazoombas, you might find these useful or at least interesting:
http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html/Large_Breasted_Tips.shtml
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/NursingWhenWellEndowedFAQ.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVMayJun89p35.html
Some day I will learn how to hyperlink in comments, like the really cool kids :)
And I echo the previous commenters who urge you to set yourself up now for successful breastfeeding later -- the nurses and so-called lactation consultant in the hospital where I delivered practically destroyed any chances I had of breastfeeding -- if I knew now what I knew then...
And get yourself a good nursing pillow NOW, to take with you to the hospital and provide a much-needed buffer between baby and incision. Hospital pillows suck.
The Boppy is more versatile and great for an older baby, but My Brest Friend (I know, I know -- try and get past the name) was MUCH much better for the newborn period.
OK, that's probably enough assvice for one comment :)
Posted by: Veronica at Nov 14, 2004 3:15:21 PM
HA ha ha ha ha! Ha.
You're STERILE!
Heh.
And when you think about it (have you thought about Julie? have you? I mean, really, have you given any thought to any of this? I worry because you seem so clueless and frightened all of the time) I suppose it is better to bring the uterus out than send somebody in there after it with a flashlight.
Posted by: Julia S at Nov 14, 2004 3:48:21 PM
I've had babies both ways. Baby Number 1 was a natural delivery sans epidural, second degree tear, no episiotomy and it sucked! I still think of it as the most horrible thing that has ever happened to me. I felt like I'd been hit by a truck for days, couldn't wee without burning, stinging and itching. Coughing or sneezing unexpectedly resulted in some somwwhat uncomfortable dribblings from the nether regions...ick. The whole process left me feeling just about as unwomanly as I've ever felt. This is coming from the ONLY WOMAN at childbirth classes whose hand shot in the air when they asked if we'd thought about pain relief. When they further asked what I'd consider I replied "whatever you've got". Didn't go down well, but at least I was honest.
Baby Number 2 was a caesarian after 13 hours of failing to progress wiht labour.
Absolute bliss! Bliss, bliss bliss after the last one. Sure there was pain from the incision, but pain relief worked wonders and I only needed it for 12 hours post delivery. I was able to feed Ladybaby as soon as I was out of recovery...if memory serves me right it was about 4.30 when I fed her and she was born at 2.05. Not straightaway, but close enough for jazz. I was up and around roughly 18 hours from when she was born...no stinging, burning, itching, no unexpected leakages, afterpains seriously reduced compared to a natural delivery and a much, much faster recovery period.. As far as I am concerned, caesarian wins hands down.
As far as pulling out the uterus, I was far too busy watching my new baby girl and crying because she was so perfect to worry about what the doctors were and weren't doing.
There ain't nobody standing at the delivery suite door waiting to pin a medal on you for bravery. You and your baby...in that order...are the only ones to worry about and it sounds like you've got all the bases covered.
Posted by: Anne at Nov 14, 2004 4:11:02 PM
Even after a normal delivery (*normal*? what the heck is that?) they sometimes whisk the baby away... I saw my daugther for exactly three seconds after I gave birth, then they stabbed a double dose of Demerol into my epidural and I was out for about six hours beofre I saw my child again. Fortunately, she was pretty patient and didn't mind waiting for dinner. Of course, her first bout of nursing was done while the darling husband fed me a piece of cheese pizza over her head because I was just fixing myself dinner when I went into labor, so I hadn't eaten in almost 34 hours by that point!
And she nursed well for about six months before she started this meanie biting thing where she'd latch on and then turn her head as far as possible towards the outside, at which point I decided that formula wasn't entirely evil.
As a note, epidurals don't hurt, altho they're a little cold when they start to push the meds in.
Posted by: KT at Nov 14, 2004 4:50:27 PM
I think there should be separate childbirth classes for people who've been through IF treatments.
They should start with a big celebration that you got and stayed pregnant. We'd get tiaras, bouquets of flowers and faux fur capes and parade around the classroom while our partners clapped. Each pg woman would make an acceptance speech, thanking those that supported her and deriding an idiots that made the "journey" harder.
Then a straight-talking, but kind educator goes over everything you need to know in a reassuring manner, pausing to validate any feelings of fear or anxiety without talking down. She would refer to pg women as "your majesty".
Posted by: beaver girl at Nov 14, 2004 4:56:39 PM
Based on the previous comments, it looks like there's a pretty wide range of experience around c-sections, but I'll add mine to the mix.
Mine really weren't that bad, and wonderful when compared to the alternative. I had three c-sections, all emergency, the first two because my uterus did just one looooong powerful contraction, which means mondo pain, and no oxygen for baby. With these two I had an epidural, pretty much lucid with the first, groggy with the second from morphine. I was just so relieved with both to have the pain go away I would have let them do anything to me. They were very casual at this hospital. In fact, they left the door of the operating room open. My husband was there and has now seen parts of my body that I will never be able to see (I hope). My mother was able to wander in to the operating room after my first was delivered.
I was able to nurse after these deliveries within an hour or so, and everything was FINE. No problem with weakness, or with healing. With my firstborn, it was actually a blessing to have to be in hospital for a few days, because they had terrific lactation nurses who really helped me out at the first. Nursing is not natural! Or at least it wasn't for me. It's a learned skill, and the first few days after your milk comes in are crucial for developing a good milk supply. So if you have access to good lactation nurses, they can be tremendously useful.
My last cesaerean was a little different, because my uterus had ruptured at home, it took a while to diagnose(no external bleeding--it was all going into my abdomen), and by the time they figured out what was going on, the baby needed to come out in a hurry. So this time I had general anaesthesia, the baby was 6 weeks early, and there was a lot of blood loss to deal with. My husband got to see the doctor inspecting my uterus (looking for the tear, since it was in an unexpected place), though they wouldn't let him in this time. I guess the door was open this time too! I didn't see her for the first couple of days, which was surreal, but I pumped as soon as I could sit up, and kept it up every three hours. My milk came in fine, I was able to exclusively nurse our daughter once we got her home, though we kind of had to duke it out because she'd gotten used to the oh-so-easy nipples in the NICU. It's a bit more work to take the breast.
And by the way, I was never shaved except right where they made the incision. I looked like one of those fancy poodles.
Posted by: martha at Nov 14, 2004 5:18:38 PM
Wow...lots of super-long comments on this one! I won't add to them other than to say that I'm a first-time commenter here, and I was able to nurse my baby within 5 minutes of being wheeled into recovery after my second c-section. After my first c-section they seperated me from my baby for two hours for no good reason, and he never did catch on to nursing after that, so the second time around was a vast improvement. I agree with everyone who says you should be very adamant about wanting to nurse right away.
Posted by: Lili at Nov 14, 2004 5:41:59 PM
My cousin's best friend went in for a planned c-section, and when they hauled her uterus up onto her pubic bone for a quick look-see, do you know what they found?
It was wearing tiny little Chuck Taylors, just like that red hair-monster from Looney Toons.
I'm just saying.
Posted by: Jo at Nov 14, 2004 5:58:04 PM
So okay, some of what you were told was cr*p, depending on the hospital, and this is stuff you can find out from the practice you go to. FWIW, I was able to see my daughter immediately after delivery. I wasn't able to hold her, but I was able to nuzzle and kiss her, and we have it on videotape, so I know I'm correct, even if it was more than eight years ago.
I felt pulling during the delivery. I did not feel pain. I also didn't feel out of it: basically calm and rational.
Afterwards, I was exhausted, but when they took me to recovery, my husband was able to hold the baby, as were my parents. I believe that I was able to attempt nursing her, also. And FWIW, I also had GD w/both my kids (second one was a planned C-section).
Find out exactly what your hospital's policy is: some are more progressive/parent friendly than others.
Oops, sorry, I know I'm giving advice, but I didn't want you to be worried/freaked out unnecessarily.
Posted by: emily at Nov 14, 2004 6:21:30 PM
My mom had me by C-section nearly 25 years ago. Apparently, she had gone through most of labor but my head was turned and no amount of aruging would convince me to straighten my head out, so they used the Jaws of Life to pull me out of my comfy home. :( But, she and I are just fine. Well, she did have them tie her tubes while they were still in there, poking around her uterus. I guess the 3 point shot was the last straw?
Posted by: Colleen at Nov 14, 2004 6:26:29 PM
Just pitching in with my two cents on GD and breastfeeding. I didn't get to hold my son right away because they had to check his blood sugar. It took a dive once and they had to give him formula (because my milk hadn't come in yet). Because I wanted to breastfeed, I told them they absolutely could NOT give him a bottle. They said no problem and fed him from a tiny cup. Once his levels were deemed stable, I got to breastfeed him.
Posted by: Michelle at Nov 14, 2004 6:37:59 PM
Julie,
you can breast feed as soon as you feel like it! just let the nursery know. They will probably give Batman a bottle of sugar water after birth till you are out of the OR and back in your room.
The uterus is pulled out in order to examine for any bleeding and sew up the whole where the baby came out of it.
You will do great. I promise.
Posted by: Laura at Nov 14, 2004 6:39:43 PM
Dear god. I needed a laugh today and this made me laugh so hard I'm crying. Which I realize may be hormonally related, as the post tended to make other women join in comeraderie and share stories of their c-sections. At any rate, I'm feeling better. Thanks.
Posted by: Kristine at Nov 14, 2004 6:44:37 PM
Hold the phone, I never said I thought they wouldn't show me the baby! Nor did I say I thought they'd shave me stem to stern. Nor did I imply, I hope, that I'm not comfortable or capable of being my own advocate, asking a lot of questions, and, ah, expressing my displeasure as necessary.
I love the personal stories — I really do! — but please don't read something I'm not writing, eh? Really, I swear to God, I can and will speak up.
Posted by: Julie at Nov 14, 2004 7:12:24 PM
You'll do great! I have had 2 c-sections myself. By the way I was able to nurse an hour after my baby was born, good luck! *hugs*!
Posted by: Tamara at Nov 14, 2004 7:38:13 PM
I sat in on my best friends c-cetion, she wasn't sure her hubby could make it. He did, hiding behind the screen. It was great. The baby was laid on her tummy, and after the imbelical cord was cut the baby was held up for her inspection. They then set it on a heated baby holding thingy where it was inspected quickly and then wrapped in a warmed blanky an given to dad to hold right there at moms head as they finished the placenta and stuff. Then Dad took it with him to her room while they brought her down from the spinal/epi, I don't remember which and then she was there with dad and baby. It was a great expierience for all and she did it again with number two. Her advice it to talk about it with the Dr ahead of time making sure he/she knows your wishes.
Posted by: Red at Nov 14, 2004 8:02:18 PM
Julie, they ask if you need any drugs, the answer is YES, they ask you to rate your pain, go for the high numbers, get yourself whatever they will offer.
Posted by: Boulder at Nov 14, 2004 8:26:18 PM
I have no actual medical advice, but I'm wondering if you remembered to ask about the hospital's photography policy? Because, really, I don't think your readers will be satisfied without the photo essay on the operating room to complement the photo essay on the IVF examination room.
At least, I won't.
Posted by: ValleyGal at Nov 14, 2004 8:52:37 PM
There is a photo essay on the insertion of an epidural catheter here:
http://www.pattiramos.com/Epidural.html
Posted by: Shamhat at Nov 14, 2004 9:10:11 PM
All I gotta say is;you get the absolute best (legal) drugs with C-Sections. And not just for the procedure itself, oh no, you can milk them for morphine for days if you tell them that your incision hurts (which it won't).
Yep, good times.
Posted by: Jules at Nov 14, 2004 9:12:38 PM
My son and I struggled w/breastfeeding. As someone else said, it isn't natural - and if it is, consider yourself very, very, very lucky.
If Batman requires supplemental nutrition b/c of the GD, you might consider getting some supplemental nursing gear ahead of time so that Batman is only breastfed - and it is helpful stuff for the adoptive breastfeeding parent, too. Gear is available at www.lalecheleague.org and the thing I was thinking of is described here:
Medela Supplemental Nursing System--Two thin tubes, taped to each breast, deliver a supplement to the nursing baby from a plastic container that hangs around the mother's neck. The SNS is helpful for the baby who can latch but has special needs. This device is used in relactation, for babies with a weak suck, and for adopted babies. Includes three sizes of tubing, tape, and detailed instructions. The Medela SNS Instructional Video is recommended with this purchase.
Posted by: Cricket at Nov 14, 2004 9:38:44 PM
My daughter was wisked away as soon as they pulled her out of my tummy (emergency C-section), but I WAS able to begin (trying) to nurse her within an hour (I believe). I was pretty doped up so it was hard to keep track of time. Breastfeeding is more challenging when you've had a C-section because your tummy is sore and it's hard to shift your body appropriately. If I could offer one piece of advice it would be to ask the hospital staff to provide a breast pump for those first few days.
I requested morphine TWICE after my C-section, and got it both times. No effect. To this day, I'm convinced that nurse gave me saline! BUT, the day after they started me up on a very nice Percocet regimine. It was LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY. I was up and about, taking care of my daughter and acting like a relatively normal human less than 24 hours after the surgery thanks to that amazing stuff.
Posted by: Susy at Nov 14, 2004 10:13:07 PM
I had a planned c-section too. I had GD that was well-controlled, and there were no blood sugar problems with my little girl. One more tip: Let the anesthesiologist know the instant you start feeling queasy while you're in there, and they will give you something in the IV to make it stop. If it doesn't work, say so, and they will give you more. The same in the recovery room. They don't actually want you hurling if they can help it, and it comes on fast. I didn't get any other drugs until I was in recovery. You can't see anything that happens to you down there (I kind of wanted to), and you're husband won't either if he doesn't want to.
The worst part of the spinal for me was when they put in the local anesthetic. It burned for about 4 seconds--then I felt nothing more. I was terrified of this, so it was a relief. The feeling was very odd, though. I could feel them touching me, but couldn't feel pain. They pinched me with clamps to see if it was working, and I could feel the pinch but not the pain. Kind of freaky.
Because you aren't going through labor, the baby might come out having a little trouble breathing due to fluid in the lungs. This is not unusual, so don't panic, though this might necessitate them whisking him away. My baby was breathing with no outside help 10 minutes after the birth, and the doctors hadn't expected her to breathe on her own -- ever. You'll definitely feel better if your husband is with him.
You're going to do fine, and it is an amazing thing :-)
Posted by: Carrie at Nov 15, 2004 1:00:26 AM
Oh, the epidural, the wonderfulness of the epidural. Like pins and needles without the pain. Had what is called a "walking epidural" so was able to walk immediately afterwards (the clue's in the title, I know). So I was able to go to the toilet. Not actually by myself, because there has to be a nurse there in case you keel over, but still. Almost. Highly recommended. Oh, and they give you a topical local before the needle goes in and, frankly, at that stage you nearly (I did say nearly) wouldn't care if they didn't.
Posted by: Belgianwaffle at Nov 15, 2004 4:45:04 AM
Hi Julie. Am popping out of lurkerdom at the end of a very tiring day - I haven't had the energy to read your comments yet, but just thought I'd throw in a note about my fairly positive C-section experience. (I should add that this was a PLANNED c/s, which I'm sure makes a hell of a difference to the level of physical and emotional stress involved.)
My c/s was for the birth of my second child. It took place on medical advice because of the severe damage (3rd degree tear) caused to my perineum during my first - drug free, 'natural' - birth. (A long story - both births had their wonderful and not-so-great aspects - I'm not meaning this comment to seem to favour one experience or the other!).
Anyway, knowing that I was having a c/s, I was able to talk with my obstetrician before the birth about what I wanted. I gave birth at a major, public (don't know if that concept applies in the US) Women's Hospital. The hospital was quite easily able to cater for the things I wanted - in fact, most were standard practice. These were:
- Having my husband present during the birth.
- Spinal/epidural anasthesia, without added sedation (I wanted to be 'with it' throughout).
- For my husband to accompany/hold the baby throughout post-op checkups, etc, until I was out of recovery.
- As short a time as possible in recovery (it's hard to remember - I guess I was there 30 mins max).
- Breastfeeding asap after leaving recovery.
Shaving wasn't even mentioned - it wasn't part of hospital practice.
Breastfeeding actually got off to a fantastic start with my second little boy - the c/s didn't impede things at all (mind you, I think much of this was due to his enthusiasm and my confidence as a 2nd timer).
The 'not-so-great' aspects were:
- The weird feeling of having my baby wrestled out of me (no pain was involved, but there were a lot of very strange sensations).
- The 48 hour-or-so period after the birth when I was confined to bed and catheterised.
I also misinterpreted the nurses' questions about pain relief. When they asked me if I "needed" post-op pain relief, I interpreted this as asking whether I could cope with the level of pain I was currently in. It was only after 8 hours or so without morphine that a nurse came in and explained that if I was in ANY pain, I should request pain relief - and I was entitled to morphine every 4 hrs if needed, with lower-level analgesics in between times if necessary. In short - if you're in pain, you're MEANT to get the drugs (I know you've worked this one out already...I was a lot dumber!). What amazed me was that I left hospital taking only paracetamol, and abandoned even that shortly afterwards. I have spoken to several other c/s veterans who were also amazed at how quickly they stopped needing pain relief.
This has become far too long-winded - sorry! The main thing I was wanting to ask (which others may well have raised already - more apologies!) was whether there was potential to talk with your OB about any concerns raised by the childbirth class. Is it possible that s/he would be flexible on issues such as shaving, breastfeeding, etc etc??
Posted by: Liz at Nov 15, 2004 5:02:44 AM
in the uk (where i had my c-section) i was perfectly awake and pain free from the epidural (which wore off about 6 hours after we started) i think i had one shot of morphine and then was on tylenol. baby and i went to recovery together and i nursed her about 35 minutes after she was born. then again - here we don't wash newborns and have extensive procedures done to them (like the eye goo) so maybe that's why they didn't have to take her away. :) ebeth
Posted by: ebeth at Nov 15, 2004 5:08:14 AM
