The Good, The Bad and the Ugly on Caesarean

I had a c-section 17 months ago and it was a wonderful experience. I would recommend it to anyone, and because it was so good I now fear a natural birth if I have any more children in the future! I had a spinal block which terrified me but I honestly felt nothing more than a scratch in my back. After I had gone numb my baby was out in 6 minutes. They sewed me back up with invisible stitches (I can't see my scar now as it was done so neatly). I was able to stand and shower alone exactly 4 hours after the needle went in my back, and yes it was uncomfortable but not at all unbearable, a few pain killers eased it. I sat and let DH do everything for 2 weeks after and I was almost fully healed. I think the key is literally doing nothing afterwards so you body can heal properly. Don't be worried at all! Good luck :)

I had a C Section to deliver my daughter in 2003 at Al Corniche Hospital Abu Dhabi I had been in Al Corniche almost 4 months (never stepped outside the door of the hospital in all that time) due to a massive bleed when I was almost 23 weeks. I had complete placenta Previa so the only option was a C Section. Because I had been in there so long I had quite a few of the obs in the operating room with me just because they all wanted to see me finally deliver after looking after me for so long. As well as Previa when they started the C Section they also found I had Placenta Accreta (where the placenta kind of acts like a tumour and starts growing through the uterous and it had started to attach itself to my bladder so my C Section was a real risky business. However it all went brilliantly despite all the problems going on inside me. I was fully awake thanks to a spinal and loved it (I know that sounds weird but we were all laughing and joking while my main Ob was working on me). I got through it just fine and my Ob despite her horror at finding out I had the accreta, never let it show on her face. Mine took over 2 hours because of the work they had to do on the accreta. I was up and running around less than 24 hours afterwards which amazed everyone and refused morphine until the nurse told me off for trying to be superwoman, rolled me over and shoved a needle in my backside. I have a high pain level and it was sore, more a burning feeling when I twisted my body to the side or went to get out of bed, but it was not too bad. When I look back the most painful thing for me was when they put the IV lines in. I had 2 in each hand (not sure why but one was incase of huge blood loss due to my previa and one was for the usual stuff they give you, not sure why I had a total of 4 They removed the dressing etc the following morning, helped me to the shower and when I took a look at my incision it was so neat, just a red line (I was given invisible stitches). I was most scared about them removing the catheter, but when they pulled it out the next morning I did not feel a thing. I was allowed to go home 5 days later and stepped out into fresh air after my long hospital stay. <em>edited by imanesmama on 26/04/2011</em>

I was behind the wheels after less than 2 weeks and carried LO with no problem. It's not whether you physically can or not, but rather to let your body heal properly. Carrying or driving works all your tummy muscles - the ones that were cut open and need to fuse back properly. Exerting your muscles also works your skin, which probably didn't help your scar. 10 day with no lifting, 6 weeks with no driving. You wouldn't challenge the doctor on this advice had you had heart surgery, would you? They say it for good reason, and a c-section, even though it's common, is still very major surgery. I'll take that into consideration next time but how do woman out there (being an expat) living far from family and no house help ... and husband having to go back to work after a few days of birth??? Who carries the baby then? 6 weeks of no driving?????????????? i would have ended up in a mental hospital rather than back to the surgery room! hehe - hence my comment about "would you disregard Dr's orders if you'd had a heart bypass?". No, you wouldn't. If you had small kids, you'd get help in... you'd call your mum over... you'd get DH to work from home a bit more... you'd get stuff delivered or take taxis. There's nothing more important to your health. Childbirth isn't an illness, but a c-section is a major operation... seriously. We tend to think we're superwomen after the birth (heck, I was out shopping in town for 5 hours the day after giving birth and regretted it afterwards - and I didn't have surgery!) and just somehow won't/can't listen when people tell us to relax and recover properly.

I was behind the wheels after less than 2 weeks and carried LO with no problem. It's not whether you physically can or not, but rather to let your body heal properly. Carrying or driving works all your tummy muscles - the ones that were cut open and need to fuse back properly. Exerting your muscles also works your skin, which probably didn't help your scar. 10 day with no lifting, 6 weeks with no driving. You wouldn't challenge the doctor on this advice had you had heart surgery, would you? They say it for good reason, and a c-section, even though it's common, is still very major surgery. I'll take that into consideration next time but how do woman out there (being an expat) living far from family and no house help ... and husband having to go back to work after a few days of birth??? Who carries the baby then? 6 weeks of no driving?????????????? i would have ended up in a mental hospital rather than back to the surgery room!

Hopefully there won't be any mad dash for me to be driving again if I had a section, just trying to weigh up my options with all the info :).

I guess with regard to insurance I'm not sure whether they would bother investigating as to whether you'd been a patient in any hospital within the last 6 weeks? Where do you stand with insurance regardless here in Dubai?!?! I think insurers tend to look very hard into anything that can get them out of forking out their "hard-earned" cash! Good point! ;)

I guess with regard to insurance I'm not sure whether they would bother investigating as to whether you'd been a patient in any hospital within the last 6 weeks? Where do you stand with insurance regardless here in Dubai?!?! I think insurers tend to look very hard into anything that can get them out of forking out their "hard-earned" cash!

The recommendation is from 6 weeks according to the physio's in the hospital. But they also told me it was a judgement call as to whether you felt you could perform an emergency brake (as this utilises the muscles that have been damaged). The other concern is of course the airbag inflating on impact and tearing sutures open. Personally, I was in a difficult situation and was driving 2 weeks post c-section in order to get back to the hospital twice daily. I guess with regard to insurance I'm not sure whether they would bother investigating as to whether you'd been a patient in any hospital within the last 6 weeks? Where do you stand with insurance regardless here in Dubai?!?! Perhaps if you're desperate to get behind the wheel speak with your OB and get written approval should there be an issue?

Does anyone know where you stand with insurance when driving after a C-section here? I always thought in the UK you couldn't drive for six weeks and that was partly because you'd invalidate your insurance if you did - as medical advice is to refrain from driving for six weeks - but my sister's doctor told her she was fine to drive after three weeks as long as she felt able, and he said as he'd approved it her insurance would be fine.

I was behind the wheels after less than 2 weeks and carried LO with no problem. It's not whether you physically can or not, but rather to let your body heal properly. Carrying or driving works all your tummy muscles - the ones that were cut open and need to fuse back properly. Exerting your muscles also works your skin, which probably didn't help your scar. 10 day with no lifting, 6 weeks with no driving. You wouldn't challenge the doctor on this advice had you had heart surgery, would you? They say it for good reason, and a c-section, even though it's common, is still very major surgery.

The night before my scheduled CS was the one night during my pregnancy that I had my best and most peaceful sleep. That morning was the most surreal experience and I was of course, very nervous. All the nurses prepping me and othe related staff kept telling me I was in for the most amazing experience ever. I thought to myself that they all can't be lying to me, so a sense of calm came over me and to be completely honest with you, it definitely was THE most amazing exerience EVER! I never felt a thing, excpet for the tugging on my belly as others have mentioned, not painful at all. The next day was the most horrid pain ever when they made me get out of bed and move around, but the day after that just got better and better! My recovery was very easy and quick. Did I want a natural delivery? Yes, but didn't get it due to cord around bub's neck. Would I have another CS with my next bub for whatever reason, if any? With out a doubt, yes! My opinion is that at the end of the day who cares HOW you give birth - when you're holding your baby in your arms thats the most important thing.

I had an unplanned C-section 2 years ago, and I was walking the hospital corridor by the next day, showered by 2nd day and was sent home on the 3rd day. I was scared of the experience, but like many had said here, i only felt a little weird when I felt they were tugging and pulling inside my tummy :) I was behind the wheels after less than 2 weeks and carried LO with no problem. My only "problem" now is that the scar is still very visible despite being 2 years ago ... and i fear I have what they call Keloid Scar ... hoping for VBAC next time around so I won't have too many/thicker scar .... Enjoy the ride of delivery ... oh Pethadine (*I think that is what they called anyway) was prescribed for me but I was so out of it and didn't feel a thing for the first 12 hours!

This is a great thread, I am much happier about c-sections now that I read so many good experiences. Thank you girls :)

have watched 'One Born Every Minute' but still quite nervous. That's enough to put you off childbirth for life! 'If I can get home by 8 I can go pick up my methadone'... I think they must have picked some of the roughest people out there for that programme! Good luck, my sister had a C-section for her third last October and said the whole experience was much preferable to her first two natural births. She was back to normal after two weeks.

I was scheduled for a C section with DS because I had diabetes and he decided he wanted to jam his head up under my breasts and stay there. He pretty much stayed like it the whole time so I was scheduled but after a weekly bio, it was discovered I didn't have enough fluid left for him to be safely left in for the remaining 2.5 weeks to my scheduled date and so I had it done and over with in less than 24 hrs. I can honestly say, I didn't sleep a wink that night and felt very scared but I think that is a natural feeling in that case. Sometimes I think it's better when you don't know. Anyhow, I can honestly say the most uncomfortable thing was having the IV put in the back of my hand...ugghh, that hurt more than anything else. I had a spinal block and was fully aware. I could feel some movement from the docs pulling but no pain or anything. I was slightly sick after but I think it was more starvation than anything. I stayed in recovery until I could wiggle my toes again...DH and DS by my side the whole time and then once the feeling started to come back I was brought down to my room and shortly after they came in and removed the cath and I was up walking around after. Good Luck! Thinking about it makes it worse and I watched too many of those baby shows as well.

Absolute result!! I had two caesars and it was great. No tears/rips, incontinence issues. You can plan, because you know when the baby will be born. Just need to ensure that everything is at waist height, as you can not bend, so baby baths, pampers, wipes etc must be well located!

In all honesty - I hated the experience :( I was high on drugs and could not completely comprehend what was happening to me, especially when DD was handed to me - I had none of those natural happy hormones flowing! It was a complete mind-over-matter experience and there was no pain during the whole procedure! It does hit you afterwards though when the spinal wears off! But that's what the morphine is there for ;) I only asked for it on the first day and was off the pain meds from Day 2! Up and about and walking on the second day as well - even though I looked like Old Mother Hubbard - hunched over and walking at a snails pace! Catheter out on Day 2 as well and managed to get a good shower too! I tried to fight my section until 40weeks, but unfortunately DD was not budging and my body was not doing what it was supposed to (cervix was not ripening and was well and truly shut)! I hope and pray our next baby can be delivered the way Mother Nature intended it to be, and we run into no complications along the way (DD was tangled in the umbilical cord)! I know sections have saved many, many lives, but truly hope we will have better "luck" next time :)

I haven't had one, but from teh experience of friends who have do exactly as the doctor tells you afterwards regarding recovery - no lifting anything heavier than a kettle or your baby, no rushing around thinking you're superwoman... properly taking it easy for 10 days.

Just had my third C section 5 weeks ago. I also agree that the worst part is the actual anaesthetic, but it doesn't take long, and you get a new person to fall in love with right afterwards! Catheter was out the next morning, and walking slowly about - doesn't take long. One piece of advice is plenty of fruit and water....constipation is not a good idea. I hope it all goes well...don't worry, just look forward to your new little family member!

I'm due to have a caesarean soon and as the day gets closer I'm going into a panic. I have been reading up on it, have watched 'One Born Every Minute' but still quite nervous. Could any of you ladies who have been through this tell me what to expect, how to prepare, anything I need to know? How long does one have to have a catheter? How long does it take before one can really move around? Any other info I may need to know? i had one with baby no1, a planned csection so i was under a general. i always remember everyone commenting on how neat my scar was. key to it i think is to focus on baby and get moving. unfortunately when baby was born he was transferred to another hospital up the road as he had major medical issues, and so i was left in a ward of 6 with no baby, they changed me to a single room, but then i had to wait for the doc to come around and do his "inspections". i had no meds, as i suppose i was anxious to go and see baby, everyone was very surprised that i didnt need any painkillers etc, so i think a positive mental attitude is key!!!

Thanks, ladies. That sounds quite reassuring. What about diet? Are there certain foods one needs to avoid immediately after? nope i ve never avoided foods.... They say u can get constipated so plenty of fruit etc soon helps that out afterwards..

On a possitive note - it doesn't sting when you pee ;) I've had 3 c-sections - and they've all been reasonably good. I've been up and about within 24 hrs and after my 3rd I was actually up that night after a c-section in the morning. Catheter is always out the next morning - just ask them to remove it as soon as you're mobile (no need for it then!). It's uncomfortable/ painful walking that day, but each day is easier! You might find it uncomfortable finding a good position to lie in for sleep (I found side on was the best). and getting out of bed from lying position just took a little while. In reality - the whole c-section experience just blurs into the background when you have your gorgeous LO in your arms! And as for scars - all 3 scars are on top of each other, so there is only one line. After 4 months it's still visable and a little pink but well below my bikini (ha ha ha, like that matters anymore!) line.

Ive had 2 will be having my 3rd in september...Lucky me lol I had a spinal, My last one 18 months ago i came out of theatre around 3pm the cathertar was out and i was walking about in the morning, as soon as the doctor checked on me. The sooner your up and moving the quicker things get better and you feel normal so u have to get moving and not lay in bed.... The actual operation is fine u soon forget about them stritching u up when u see your baby. The only thng i felt was tugging and moving of my body about during the op. I think the worst thing for me is having the spinal and not the actual c section, i just focus on the baby thats gonna come out. Good luck and you ll be fine

Hi, I had two ceasarean and can tell you that's not very scary. If I had the choice I would have naturals but my first daughter was sat and the other one was in distress after my water broke, so I can tell you that each case is a different case. My first deliver was a little bit painful and it took forever for me to be walking and released of all tubes and things, it was a hospital procedure, and I got a terrible scar, doctor's fault. The second one was different, only a couple of hours to be walking and with my baby, the doctor fixed the scar and almost no pain at all. So don't be so scared, there is a risk because it's surgery, but if you don't have an option or if it was your option, be sure that you are in good hands and in a good hospital and that in the end you will have a beautiful and healthy baby. Good luck!