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Category: Labour & Delivery

Asked by n-larock

Q: 26 weeks and embarassed...

I still don't really know what goes on before the c-section? Do they induce you and let contractions start? No, that sounds dumb. See? I have no clue. All I know is they keep tossing the word over my head everytime I'm in the doctor's and I have little to no clue what-so-ever what exactly is going on. I understand they cut you open down low and your uterus and remove the baby... but what exactly goes on before that and who can I have in my "delivery" room?

This question was asked Jan. 14, 2013 1:26pm
Category: Labour & Delivery

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Answered by ameliasmom0723 - Jan. 16, 2013 4:47pm
I also recommend that you have help for at least 2 weeks after. I was told not to drive while on Percocet or if my incision was causing pain that would distract me while driving. Take advantage of the nurses at the hospital and get lots of rest.

I know it's not an easy decision to have a c-section but healthy mom/healthy baby is the goal. Good luck and best wishes to you!

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Answered by ameliasmom0723 - Jan. 16, 2013 4:42pm
I would have a discussion with your OB about their protocol because they all do things differently. I have had 2 c- sections. one emergency and one after stalled labor. I had a spinal block for one and Lidocaine for the other. I recommend the spinal block because I felt it was better pain management where the lidocaine was wearing off while they were finishing closing me up and it was uncomfortable. DH was allowed in with me both times and we remembered the camera the second time since it wasn't an emergency. I was able to recover in my original labor room and bond with my son before the his first bath. I was able to bond and nurse him which I missed out on with my daughter. I would ask if this is possible.

Get as much info as you can so you can make some decisions before you are too far into labor. I had some idea of what happens during a c-section so when it came to having the emergency one I wasn't caught off guard.

bguertner is spot on about recovery. I would...

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Answered by n-larock - Jan. 16, 2013 1:36pm
Thank you for those who commented on HOW THE CSECTION goes down and some good questions to ask my doctor about... for those who are trying to "convince me c-section is a no-no" if I do give birth vaginally my heart has a 62% chance of giving out during labor... but thank you for giving me a bunch of scary facts that were totally un-neccassary. It honestly wasn't a question about whether or not c-section was good or bad or to get opinons on it... I just needed facts about what goes on. Thanks for scaring me.

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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 7:08pm
http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2011/09/07/how-to-avoid-an-unnecessary-cesarean-section/

If you must have a C Section for necessary medical purposes, you can easily make a birth plan for your scheduled C Section:

http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2012/09/18/a-family-centered-cesarean-birth-plan/



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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 7:00pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJTN88Zv0_M

One of my favorite episodes from the second film, More Business of Being born is when celebrity moms like Laila Ali, Gisele Bundchen, Cindy Crawford, Alyson Hannigan, Melissa Joan Hart, Kellie Martin, Alanis Morissette, Christy Turlington-Burns and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. This film is also on Netflix right now.

Dr. Sears answers questions about C Sections:
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/pregnancy-childbirth/pregnancy-concerns/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/questions-you-may-have

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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 6:44pm
If your health care provider has suggested a cesarean and you are in a non-emergency situation, take time to thoroughly discuss your options regarding the procedure.

Find out why a cesarean procedure has been recommended in your situation.
Ask for any alternatives that might be an option in your particular situation
Have your health care provider do a comparison of all the possible risks and complications for you and your baby for a cesarean versus a regular birth.
Get information regarding the standard procedures after a cesarean (i.e., when you can hold your baby, if the newborn evaluation can be done with the baby on your chest, how soon you can try to breastfeed, whether you will be given medication that will make you drowsy after the delivery).


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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 6:41pm
Risks and Complications for the Baby:

Premature birth: If gestational age was not calculated correctly, a baby delivered by cesarean could be delivered too early and have low birth weight6.
Breathing problems: When delivered by cesarean, a baby is more likely to have breathing and respiratory problems. Some studies show the existence of greater need for assistance with breathing and immediate care after a cesarean than with a vaginal delivery7.
Low APGAR scores: Low APGAR scores can be the result of anesthesia, fetal distress before the delivery or lack of stimulation during delivery (Vaginal birth provides natural stimulation to the baby while in the birth canal). Babies born by cesarean are 50% more likely to have lower APGAR scores than those born vaginally8.
Fetal injury: Very rarely, the baby may be nicked or cut during the incision (on average, 1 or 2 babies per 100 will be cut during the surgery9).


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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 6:41pm
Extended recovery time: The amount of time needed for recovery after a cesarean can range from weeks to months. Extended recovery can have an impact on bonding time with your baby (1 in 14 report incisional pain six months or more after surgery4).
Reactions to medications: There can be a negative reaction to the anesthesia given during a cesarean or negative reaction to pain medication given after the procedure.
Risk of additional surgeries: Includes possible hysterectomy, bladder repair or another cesarean.
Maternal mortality: The maternal mortality rate for a cesarean is higher than with a vaginal birth.
Emotional reactions: Some women who have had a cesarean report feeling negatively about their birth experience and may have trouble with initial bonding with their baby

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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 6:40pm
From http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cesareanrisks.html

Take into account that most of the following risks are associated with any type of abdominal surgery.

Infection: Infection can occur at the incision site, in the uterus and in other pelvic organs such as the bladder.
Hemorrhage or increased blood loss: There is more blood loss in a cesarean delivery than with a vaginal delivery. This can lead to anemia or a blood transfusion (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion1).
Injury to organs: Possible injury to organs such as the bowel or bladder (2 per 1002).
Adhesions: Scar tissue may form inside the pelvic region causing blockage and pain. Adhesions can also lead to future pregnancy complications such as placenta previa or placental abruption3.
Extended hospital stay: After a cesarean, the normal stay in the hospital is 3-5 days after the birth, if there are no complications.


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Answered by cherienc - Jan. 14, 2013 6:38pm
My post continued: I am not trying to scare anyone, these are actual facts about C Sections that many people don't realize because their doctor's have not told them. I will post all of the risks I find here, but you can visit any website to see the risks.

I would highly recommend that you read the Birth Book by Dr. Sear and that you watch the film by Ricki Lake called The Business of Being Born, it is on netflix right now and there are links for clips of it on youtube.com
Why are your doctors proposing a C Section for you? Do you have a high risk pregnancy? You don't have to have a C Section if you don't want it or need it!


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