I'm getting really annoyed! A few people in my family (Late 40's and early 50's) and friends on my Aunt's are acting like having a c-section is the biggest mistake in the world. Everyone in my family is discussing me to everyone else, except me. My Aunt is under the impression that I won't be able to drive for 6 weeks and going on and on about a scar. My Mom is frantic about the whole thing too.

When I talk to my friends and family who have had one in recent years, they said it had difficult moments, but overall was not as bad as they expected.

My DH has been so supportive and has been a huge supporter of us going the c-section route. (I think because he was here with me when I cam home with DD and knows how rough it was for me.) I'm just getting really ticked off with people who can't be supportive--especially family!

So, have things changed so much?? I can't find much online. I have a Dr.'s appt. to discuss it tomorrow. I know the horizontal incision and in the bikini area was new. (I thought 15 years ago though...) Also, I know they are now doing a horizontal incision on the uterus too, to avoid rupture with later pregnancies or VBAC's. That's all I have read.

BTW-Less than 2 weeks to go!!

By Vicki on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 09:58 am:

Eve, no matter what your choice was, people will talk about it. If you had decided to try a V birth, given the problems you had last time, people would be talking about that too. They would think you were nuts and then god forbid, you has some of the same problems, they would be the first to be the ones with the "you should have known better" attitude. The thing I see here is that YOU need to be ok with your choice and as long as you are, it really shouldn't matter what anyone else says or thinks. It really is the same with parenting styles, some will agree and some won't, but you do what is the best for you and you hold your head up high confident in your choice.

I had a C section, but it was after hours and hours of pitocin and no progress. Even after all of that, I really wouldn't say it was bad at all. I have heard it is even easier with schedules sections because your body goes through no labor, so there is no soarness or anything from that. My section was almost 11 years ago, but my scar is very low and it wouldn't show if I wore a bikini. Now the stretch marks above that would...LOL I do know that I had to have someone take me to my appointment to get my staples out. I still couldn't dive then, but that wasn't too long after the section. I do remember driving to my 6 week check up though, so I know it wasn't that long that I couldn't/didn't drive. But I don't recall that exact time frame that they told me not to drive. May have just been till the staples were out....

Don't let these people get to you. Know in your heart that you made the best choice and let it roll right off you!!

By Kolbysmom on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 09:59 am:

They have changed so much in the last 15 years! I've had 2 in 4.5 years time. After the first one, I really didn't have a scar. You could barely see it if you looked really hard. I have a bit more of a scar after the second, but they cut along the first scar, but it's still not bad.

As far as the pain goes, it's managable. I didn't have any pain after the first. I stopped taking pain meds. after the first night. With the second, there was a little bit more pain, but not much more. I was up and around within 12 hours. I think I took pain meds. for the first 4-5 days.

They'll tell you not to pick up anything heavier than the baby for the first 6 weeks. That was the worst part. Even though I felt better, I still couldn't lift anything. Oh, and vacuuming is considered lifting!

My doctor said no driving for 10-14 days. Longer if you take the meds longer.

Oh, I wouldn't suggest wearring low rise jeans for a few weeks. I made that mistake. I was so excited to actually fit into my jeans after the first week, I wore them. Well, the waist of the jeans comes to wear my incision was. It took me longer to heal.

With the 2nd section, I had worked myself up about it. I was so scared. My doctor was great. She talked to me the whole time, so I knew what was going on. Once the baby was out, she gave me a tiny bit of Morphine in my IV to calm me down. I would ask about that. It helped A LOT!! It wasn't enough to knock me out, just enough to settle the nerves.

I'm sure this is much more information than you had wanted. If you have anymore questions, I'd be glad to help.

You're in the home stretch. Just relax and enjoy these last two weeks with Sydney as an only child!!

By Debbie on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 12:09 pm:

Eve, I am sure there have been changes since 20 yrs. ago. I had a rough few days, but I was fine after that. It did take about a week for me to feel back to normal, but after the first few days it wasn't too bad. My scar is so faded and thin that it isn't really that noticable.

You have to do what is best for you. Just try and ignore everyone else(I know easier said then done, especially with pregnancy hormones racing). You and your dh got a lot of information and made an informed decision, so try not to worry about it.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 12:44 pm:

I think you'll see a c-section as a piece of cake compared to your tailbone problems, and probably in comparison to vaginal childbirth as well!It's really not so bad at all. Vicki is right...people are going to talk no matter what you decide, so you just have to stick to your guns and tell them this is the right decision for YOU.
Try not to worry...it will all work out for the best!

By Marcia on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 12:49 pm:

I had an emergency section 10.5 years ago. Of course it was painful, and there were restrictions because it is major surgery. Still, when she was 11 days old I spent a few hours in the mall getting pictures done of my girls. I knew it was too long because I was pretty sore when I got home, but it sure wasn't that bad. I think my biggest thing was the combo of learning to breastfeed, section pain and having a not quite 2 year old at home.
After such a horrendous labour, I asked the doc right away if I could opt for a section if I ever got pregnant again. It really wasn't nearly as bad as what people made me think!

By Agreen on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 01:44 pm:

I had a c-section with my first 14 months ago. (seems like forever ago!) I was told not to drive for two weeks, and that was restricted because they felt that if i had to slam on my brakes i could rupture the incision. believe me i didnt want to drive until after two weeks anyway. But you do spend a few more days in the hospital, so it doesnt seem that bad. i wasnt in a lot of pain, just ached and it hurt to bend, get up/ down, etc. i stopped the pain meds after i got home. i felt dizzy with percacet. Although i only experienced a c-section, it seems as though both ways to deliver has it's pains.

By Eve on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 01:59 pm:

Thanks, Everyone. I just have yet to figure out why babies and delivery, and parenting are always under such scrutiny! It drives me insane! Yes, you are probably right about my hormones. They do kick into high gear. LOL

You know, I've been so miserable these last weeks, that I figure a little pain from a c-section might not be such a change. I've been having horrible round ligament pain where I can't even stand straight up when it comes on. Plus, DH will be home for 2 weeks. I just want my baby here! I don't care how he arrives anymore! I think the only isse I will have is letting everyone else do things for me. I know I won't have a choice, but I'm such a control freak! LOL

I'm soooo ready!

By Amyk on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 02:49 pm:

Ditto on all the recent c-section experiences. My recovery was hard - but I went through labor, pushed for 1.5 hours -then emer. c-section. That is hard on the body. I will have to do a c-section for the next baby - and I think things will be much easier.

I cannot see my scar. Heck it's the breastfeeding that does a number on your figure! Hee, hee

Amy

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 03:34 pm:

Well, my outer scar is vertical, because they thought Sarah was going to be bigger than she was. My uterine incision is apparently horizontal, though. So, with the second section, they just used the same scar. Yeah, it's there. It doesn't bother me. I never wear bikinis or show my tummy anyway.

Yeah, I was sore in the beginning, but it wasn't THAT bad. I used the pain meds and stayed reasonably comfortable. You just move a little more carefully for a while.

I worked on a surgical floor for almost 10 years. Our standard instruction to people, who had also had major abdominal surgeries and actually had longer incisions than a c-section incision was no driving for 2 weeks, and no lifting of more than 10-15 pounds, for about a month.

By Colette on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 10:03 pm:

Eve, you are going to be fine. Write down your questions and your doctor will give you the answers you need. The scar is small and way below your belly button and it fades with time. Soon you will have a beautiful baby in your arms.

RELAX!!!