Csection moms

So i may be dealing with a possible c section b/c little booger isnt so little it seems. My dr. said we'll do another sono to check at 34 weeks but i might want to consider a c-section. she said the shoulders might be wide and get stuck and thats a complication i dont want to have. (at 30 weeks he was est. at 4lbs 7 oz..im 32weeks tomorrow).

my question..if you had a csection, how did you breastfeed? aren't you on pain meds that can transfer through breast milk? or did you start feeding after you were off medications.

whats the scars like these days? I've been told its not straight down the belly..its down by the bikini line now?

and how is the recovery?

i said c-section would be my last resort, but if its the safest way considering the size of the baby, then so be it.

Re: Csection moms

if you had a csection, how did you breastfeed? aren't you on pain meds that can transfer through breast milk? or did you start feeding after you were off medications.

You can bf right away. I was able to do so right in the recovery room. The pain meds do not affect the baby.

whats the scars like these days? I've been told its not straight down the belly..its down by the bikini line now?

I have a 3 inch scar right along my bikini line. It's low enough that I would never wear a bikini that was low enough to expose it.

and how is the recovery?

For me, the recovery was great. I hardly used the pain meds in the hospital and never used them once I was released. Yes, it was tender for about a month, and once in a while you will get an odd pain or itch, but nothing really bad.

I had a really great experience with my c-section and will definitely opt for another one if we have another child.

Good luck!!

Re: Csection moms

I had to get a crash c-section. I was 10 days late so sent to the hospital to get induced. Long story short... b4 they got a chance to induce I was contracting (even though I never felt it), not dialated and the baby's HR dropped.
I did hear a c-section with an epi is a better recovery, but I really can't tell. My recovery wasn't the best. I didn't BF till the next day so he was given formula that night. DS was fine BF'ing in the morning and I was fine with it as well.
REcovery isn't so bad. I was fine after a week and other women are fine later or the next day.
The scar is so small and below the bikini line. I wear bikinis and you can't even see it. Plus, I had DS 3 months ago so it shows you I heeled fine and the scar isn't so big.
It wasn't by choice to have a c-section, but it was the right choice for me and DS. if it's the right choice for you and the baby and the Doc suggests it then that's what you may have to do. I worked out throughout the pregnancy so I think that also helped with a faster recovery. Everyone is different and it's really not that bad.

Re: Csection moms

DD got stuck and I had a c-section. I had a tough recovery so given the choice I'd try for natural and not schedule a c-section but that is my opinion. Make the decision that is right for you.

I had no issues BF'ing right away. The give you meds that are OK and I really didn't need much pain meds at all.

My scar is horizontal and low. 2 years later if you didn't know I had a c-section you wouldn't know it was there. I healed very nicely after a few post-op complications. My recovery would have been easier if I didn't have issues with my incision but all in all I wouldn't say it was too bad. I saw my friends who had vaginal deliveries seem to bounce back quicker but only by a few weeks.

Re: Csection moms

I started breast feeding right away. I was on perkiset and motrin, both are safe for bfing.

The scar is down low, by my bikini line. Unless you are wearing a string bikini, it won't be visible. I do have a flap of skin that hangs over it that wasn't there before though.

The recovery wasn't too bad. The day after was the worst. I was feeling pretty good by 2 weeks after and totally myself by 3 weeks after.

I did not want a c-section at all. DS was breech and with twins, that pretty much left me with no choice. If I get pregnant again I want to try for a VBAC.

My friend vaginally delivered a 9lb baby with no issues.

Re: Csection moms

A friend of my sisters delivered a 10 1/2 lb baby naturally....

I did not BF so I can't help on that aspect.

My scar is a couple of inches long and is right at the start of my hairline. The only reason you can see it is because it goes up at the end

My recovery was not bad at all. I was up and moving that night (hospital's rules) and I was walking around the next day. I took the pain meds maybe 3 times a day in the hospital and not at all once I got home. The hardest part for me was the car ride home (I felt every bump and crevice in the road) and I couldn't sleep in my bed for about 2 weeks. I couldn't lift myself up and out of it (I didn't have anything for leverage) so I ended up sleeping on the couch.

But I was out and about 2 weeks after my c-section going shopping with DD, visiting my parents and ILs, and going to lunch with DH.

Re: Csection moms

thanks ladies, i appreciate the feedback!

Re: Csection moms

I had a c/s because DS was nearly 10lbs.

I breastfed a few hours after he was born even while on meds...

20 months later 50% of my scar is nearly invisible. Its in my bikini line so its really hidden.

My recovery was very good! I can say with all honestly that I dont believe it could have been any easier even if I had a v-birth. I felt great by the time I went home 3 days after DS was born and even in the hospital on a scale of 1-10 I never ranked my pain higher than a 3.

ETA: I didnt schedule my c/s until 2 days before my EDD and DS was born ON my EDD.

If you dont want to have a c/s then I would wait until the last possible minute. I have a few friends who delivered baby's well over 9lbs with no issues. And remember sonos have the possibility of being up to 2 lbs off...As my ob said, She suspected DS was over 9lbs but I couldnt get upset if he turned out to be only 8lbs.... Also my Dr sent me to the hospital for my growth sonos because she felt they were more accurate than the in office tech.

Message edited 8/27/2009 10:05:44 AM.

Re: Csection moms

I had an emergency C-Section because I started to develope pre-eclampsia.

As other have said the pain meds are OK for BFing. I first nursed DS using the football hold because the nurse said it would be more comfortable on my incision. After that I help him across my belly and it was fine.

My Recovery wasn't bad at all, the first few days I was pretty sore at times, but the most pain I remember was from gas . After going home I just followed Drs orders (no driving, stairs no more than once per day) and I did fine!

My incison scar is barely noticable and is along the bikini line

As for size - I had a sono a few hours before DS was born, they estimated him to be neary 11 pounds and he was 8lbs 10 oz - off by 2 pounds!

Re: Csection moms

my question..if you had a csection, how did you breastfeed?
*I BF'd right away. Even though my milk didn't come in, DD still nursed and I pumped and mixed the colostrum into the formula. I was on percoset and motrin. There was no worry about tranfer into the BM.


whats the scars like these days?
*My scar is about 3, 3.5 in long. I had an issue with it keloiding (the car became puffy...looks like an earthworm ) But they will be fixing it with this c/s I'm having and I will be on a special scar treament to prevent it from happening again.

and how is the recovery?
*Right after and the 1st day were pretty difficult. Not being able to move, walk, etc. But the 2nd day...get up and walk. It's the best thing you can do for yourself. The more you get moving, the faster recovery is and the more you feel better. I was able to get up and walk the halls and shower the 2nd day. I did develop an infection at the incision site, so I was put on anti-biotics and had to stay an extra day in the hospital. No big deal.

When I got home, I just took it easy. No heavy lifting, but I made sure to get up and walk as much as possible.

DD was a BFing champ, so I had no issues with that.

I stopped taking the percosets when I got home and just stuck with the motrin.

Just listen to your body and remember that when you are on those pain meds you don't feel anything...so don't try to be superwoman!

Re: Csection moms

I had a scheduled c-section since DD was breach. I BF her in the recovery room. The meds that they give you do not effect the baby. And then afterwards, you take motrin &/or tylenol for the pain. I am still EBF to this day, so the surgery/pain did not interfere with BFing at all. The recovery was not bad at all. The first few days were a little rough and I did not change DD's diaper until she was 2 days old. But by the time I was leaving the hospital on day 5, I was feeling a lot better. By 2 weeks I felt great and by 3 weeks, I awas like "did I have surgery?"....your belly will be numb for a long time (have been told a year or longer) and the scar is small - very low, right at your pubic bone. I loved my c-section and when I do hopefully have a 2nd baby, will opt for one again.

Re: Csection moms

When I had my c-section and I was still in the hospital, I took the percoset at night for MAYBE 2 nights but NEVER during the day - I just toughed it out. I pumped during the day for her in the hospital and once I went home as she was a NICU baby. I also pumped every few hours while we were visiting her in the NICU. It took maybe 6 or 7 days before I was able to feed her from the breast, but she finally did latch. I did not take any pain meds once I went home. I have a pretty high threshold for pain.

Message edited 8/27/2009 10:43:19 AM.

Re: Csection moms

I wasn't able to BF bc DS didn't latch adn my milk to a long time to come in , so I had to Exlusively pump for 3.5 months.

recovery was not great. I was in labor first , then after the surgery , the nurses made me walk around and my spinal worked itself out so I was in major pain. but the Percocets take care of that, just keep on top of it

My scar is BAD, it's a 3 inch long Keloid. my doc said I could fix it now or wait till the next child. I'll wait , then get it fixed. but it's really low. I think all scars are about 3 inches long, but I am a tiny girl so it looks big on me.