Questions & Answers

I would certainly ask your doctor for the run down on a c-section, they'll be able to give you answers specific to the way they preform the procedure. And every hospital is different so they would be able to tell who how many people can be there, although i'm pretty sure it's usually just one person. As for the actual procedure they bring you into the Operating room and they will give you an epidural than when that takes effect they will start the procedure. You may not be able to eat for a certain amount of time before but like I said asking your doctor is the best way to feel more relaxed about the procedure. Never be embarassed to ask a question, i'm on my second pregnancy and I still feel like i ask some of the dumbest questions lol, all in all the relief you'll feel from having a straight-foward answer from your doct. will far outway the anxiety of not knowing whats going on.

A C Section is a major abdominal surgery with many risks to the mother and baby, many more risks than giving birth vaginaly. Although C Sections are wonderful when they are medically necessary, C Sections can do a lot of harm when they are not medically necessary.

C Section should only be done in emergency situations because there are so many things deprived from the mother and baby and many things about it are risky. For example, when a baby is born vaginaly, his or her lungs are squeezed and all of the amniotic fluid is squeezed out so the baby can take that first big breath of air. After a C Section the baby's lungs are still filled with fluid and has to be completely suctioned out. For this reason a higher number of baby's are sent to the nursery or NICU and taken away from parents after they are born, and unfortunately some baby's lose their lives. The recovery time for the mother is a full six weeks and many woman have pain from the scar forever or get horrible infections.

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!

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).

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...

cont...outside it just looks like a line. Recovery is a lot different than a vaginal birth (my first 2 babies were born vaginally). I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks and am not supposed to lift anything heavier than my baby for several weeks. In the beginning it will be difficult to move around so make sure you have some help. I had my c-section 2 and a half weeks ago and am feeling awesome now! Just take it easy and don't try to do too much. Good luck :)

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!

I would certainly ask your doctor for the run down on a c-section, they'll be able to give you answers specific to the way they preform the procedure. And every hospital is different so they would be able to tell who how many people can be there, although i'm pretty sure it's usually just one person. As for the actual procedure they bring you into the Operating room and they will give you an epidural than when that takes effect they will start the procedure. You may not be able to eat for a certain amount of time before but like I said asking your doctor is the best way to feel more relaxed about the procedure. Never be embarassed to ask a question, i'm on my second pregnancy and I still feel like i ask some of the dumbest questions lol, all in all the relief you'll feel from having a straight-foward answer from your doct. will far outway the anxiety of not knowing whats going on.

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

you go in a week before the section is due, and they tell u all about what to expect. well thats what they do in the uk anyway :) if its a emergency section and you are put to sleep, no one is allowed in during surgery.
with my second an third my partner was allowed in during surgery.
if ya c section is booked they will not induce u. with mine I went in at 7am and baby was out by 9.30 I cannot remember if I had to not eat or drink etc, but it will all be explained anyway nearer the time, and some hospitals may work differently from others.