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I was inspired to write this post because lately I’ve had a few friends facing the idea of a first time C-section delivery of their bubs. I remember what it felt like having all these questions and concerns beforehand and I have decided to share what my experience was like. I hope that you find it interesting, positive or even helpful x
I think I always had the weirdest gut feeling (haha funny no pun intended) that I would end up having a Caesarean Section with the Little Mister. While I was pregnant, I constantly tried to psych myself up for the fact that I might end up with an emergency one. I just felt it in my bones. Maybe it was ‘pessimism’ (I’d not had the smoothest of pregnancies), but maybe it was just mother’s instinct. Either way, it felt daunting and way out of my comfort zone. Before my C-section, I had never even been in hospital, unless I was visiting someone or had a routine appointment (which only happened for the first time when I was pregnant).
I was all like, “WHAT? They might have to cut me? In my belly? And PULL out a baby?! A whole entire baby?!”
I wasn’t a stickler for a birth plan (thankfully), but I did have a few concerns about a C-section birth!
Would the anticipation of surgery freak me out?
A part of me suspected that if I needed an emergency C-section, I wouldn’t have time – or the presence of mind – to worry (I was right), but I still worried that if I was told to have a scheduled C-section that I would psych myself out so badly that I would be a terrible bundle of nerves (and perhaps not a great patient)! I mean, the idea of being awake during a serious (and life changing) surgery just weirded me the eff out.
Also, I’d been watching that One Born Every Minute series and they’d shown a C-section taking place. I saw the way that baby just schlooped out of the mother’s surgical wound – pulled out almost violently – and I found it quite confronting!!! Not gonna lie! I was glad to see the real deal (I’m a ‘knowledge is power’ kind of person) on TV, but having that happen to me? WHOA.
I can’t speak for those who have had scheduled C-sections, but I have heard that the experience can be incredibly (and surprisingly) amazing. You can plan it all out, you have time to try to wrap your head around it, it happens before you’ve just suffered through hours and hours of attempting a natural labour, and I’ve even heard women talk about how they could do their hair and make up and have nice photos of their first cuddles!! 😮
What I do know from experience is emergency surgery and I honestly was in no position to freak out. For one, I had gone a little loopy on gas (turns out I’m very responsive to it) and in anticipation of possible surgery, I’d had an epidural administered (something else I am quite responsive to it turns out). I was quite out of it! But seriously, it was all about getting the Little Mister out healthy and well. I had never done this whole baby creating/birthing thing before and I just trusted the incredibly capable staff around me.
I was wheeled away to theatre and while I do remember being a tiny bit apprehensive (sh*t starts to feel real in there – I won’t lie), I had Mr Unprepared holding my hand and somehow an inner grit just kind of shone through. I just had to do what I had to do. There was no fighting it. Besides, I couldn’t run away – I had no feeling in my lower body haha.
The anaesthetist was very comforting too. He talked me through it a little (even made some great tension breaking jokes) and did all the tests to make sure I really couldn’t feel anything. That was comforting. They don’t just start cutting – they do have to check some things with you first. A relief, really haha.
Would I feel it? Because I so don’t wanna!
I was told that some women will feel a pulling sensation while having a C-section. This made me squirm. Not so much in fear of pain, but it just sounded kind of “urgh” (I don’t have a better word for it). I was lucky. I felt sweet eff all. Those who have told me they felt the pulling, have never told me that it scarred them for life or that the pain was unbearable. That’s kind of comforting, right? Can’t be as bad as pushing a watermelon out of your hoo-ha all by yourself, right?
What if I could see it happen? Holy sh*t that would just horrify me!
As I lay there with the curtain divider thingy up, I suddenly noticed that if I wanted to, I would see my reflection in the big metal apparatus (was it a light or something? I don’t honestly remember). This worried me a bit and I tried really hard to keep my eyes away. Just when I thought I had managed to do this (and was cool with it), someone angled it away deliberately. How thoughtful of them – yay. I know some people would rather see it happen but I was not one of them! Again, I didn’t want to scare myself seeing the surgery play out. I had never had surgery for ANYTHING in my life. No broken bones. Not even any stitches!
Would my wound be itchy? Because damn, I’d had enough of being itchy and the thought of being itchy again seemed unbearable!
I’ll admit it. As my due date became closer and closer, I started to become more worried about having an itchy wound than I was about the actual possibility of surgery! I had been so ridden with itchy conditions (PUPPP rash and the infection that eventually brought on my labour), that the thought of having my Little Mister out of my belly and still suffering the torture of itchiness seemed unbearable. I know I’m a wuss, but for me I think being itchy is the worst physical torture I’ve ever experienced! I’m the first to put my hand up – I can’t leave an itch alone. But a C-section scar? I’d be forced to leave it alone and the idea drove me nuts!
Right after surgery I was on pethidine (painkiller) and it thankfully did not seem to cause itchiness as a side effect. I had a big pad over the wound (can’t remember if I had a proper dressing first up or not) and I was on bed-rest of sorts for 48 hours (although it is normally 24 for those who have a routine kind of C-section). I was so relieved to not be pregnant anymore that I think the stress levels decreasing did help me to not focus on the wound.
I spent a lot of time gingerly shuffling around in the first few days at hospital. I probably could have been a little less shuffly, but I was nervous about the wound as I had never had surgery before. When I got home from hospital I remained very cautious. It did really help that Mr Unprepared was home on leave from work for a few weeks. He was able to do the things I couldn’t (they advise that you don’t lift anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks), and while this was frustrating for me at times (I wanted to be the on-top-of-it new mummy who knew how to do everything but I couldn’t – my husband even learnt several baby related tasks before I did), it was also quite nice to know my biggest job was just to recover and to cuddle and feed my baby. Good bonding right there 🙂
I started to feel quite good within a couple of weeks, which really surprised me. It was so nice to move again without feeling a bit sore or shuffly. Getting in and out of bed to pick up the Little Mister for a feed became much easier (at times Mr Unprepared had to get up for me and pass him over in the middle of the night) and I started to enjoy being physically free (well compared to just after surgery haha).
By three weeks, I was ready to take my first solo outing with the Little Mister – a very big deal for a new parent. I was able to lift my stroller out of the car and get the Little Mister in and out of his seat. I was probably twisting and lifting a little too much but the fact that I felt mentally ready really was a great milestone.
In the present day, my scar is quite visible and dark in colour (I always scar prominently and dark), but I don’t care too much. I’m not bikini ready and even then, the scar sits quite low so I’m cool with that. I probably could make more of an effort with bio oil etc to help it fade but it is honestly not of much concern to me. Sometimes it will get itchy (if my skin is a little dry or my underwear rubs on it a tad uncomfortably), but it’s not horrible. It’s just a little uncomfortable occasionally. 99% of the time it’s completely forgotten. I don’t feel less attractive because it’s there. In a weird way I’m proud of my battle scar. It’s evidence that I lived through something life changing (and ultimately positive)!
Two years later on reflection, I don’t regret that the Little Mister had to be delivered via C-section. In fact, to be honest, it’s all I’ve known and I’m cool with that. I don’t think I ever felt all cut up about how he was delivered (eek – excuse the terrible choice of words). You have to do what you have to do and I think I was quite the little trooper 😉
In fact, there are advantages to a C-section. I was able to avoid doing any damage to my lady bits! While this can still happen if you have a long labour before you head to surgery, I was lucky. There’s an upside to everything, right? I was also lucky that it all happened so fast. While the reasons for this were a bit scary, I did feel glad that I hadn’t suffered for an eternity beforehand. I still call it ‘giving birth’ and I don’t think I’m any lesser than someone who was able to deliver naturally (good for you if you have – what a champ!)! Each new mother goes through some kind of adversity or pain delivering their baby – however your baby comes into the world isn’t what’s important – it’s their health and the fact that they’re alive and well that matters. It’s the fact that you have your beautiful baby that you’ve dreamed of that matters.
Do you have any questions? Or advice for those facing a possible first time C-section?
8 Comments
Ctrl+Alt+Mum
“I wanted to be the on-top-of-it new mummy who knew how to do everything but I couldn’t” – I think this is one of the things weighing on my mind as well. But hey, I reckon that’s a result of my, you know, never actually caring for a newborn before. I reckon I’m dreamin!
Thank you for posting this. It’s made me feel a lot better to, once again, read about someone else’s experience, even though it’s always different from woman to woman.
KezUnprepared
Look, I won’t lie to you – that part was hard for me. When I learnt to let go and to understand that it’s overwhelming regardless of why, I just felt proud of my husband for stepping up and I think it empowered him to teach me some things! He’s been very involved and competent since – I think it built HIS confidence! Always a silver lining 🙂 I do so hope for you that your birth experience will be so positive and I am thinking of you as you get closer! xx
mummylovestowrite
Great post Kez. I had two C-sections and wrote a blog post about it a while ago (Competitive Birthing), because some women have strange views that giving birth this way is not as ‘valid’ as someone who gives birth naturally. Sheesh. As if we haven’t been through enough!
My first was a breech baby and I had no choice, but I admit I was a little relieved as well. My biggest fear was trying for a natural birth and having it end up in an emergency c/s with general anaesthetic and all. It has happened to a few people I know and they were devastated.
I could have tried for a VBAC under strict conditions with the second, but it was safer to opt for another scheduled c/s. I then went into labour naturally. I had pre-clampsia both times and was hospitalised for a whole week before they were born (at 35 weeks and 36 weeks respectively). It was very dangerous for the babies (and me). My body didn’t like being pregnant at all.
So although it would have been lovely to have the ‘ideal’ pregnancy (they so weren’t) and then give birth naturally (was never going to happen once number one was breech), I am privileged to have two beautiful sons who are healthy and safe. And that is all that matters.
KezUnprepared
That is exactly how I feel 🙂
mummylovestowrite
Sorry, I realise I didn’t really give any advice here. My advice is, listen to the Dr when they say not to lift anything heavier than your baby. No washing, no driving, nothing – for at least 3-4 weeks. I noticed it more with my second because we had a 16 month old who was WAY too heavy for me to lift and I definitely did so too soon – causing bleeding, pain and a delayed recovery.
My other advice is get out of bed as soon as you can in the hospital. Although it is daunting, the quicker you get up to at least pee and shower, the quicker you recover. Laying in bed seems to make it more stiff to do so etc. The first time you get up you will feel like your guts are going to fall out (sorry for the description, don’t be scared, it isn’t that bad), so put your hand over you wound, or even a pillow/cushion to brace as you get up. Use the handle thing over the bed every time you want to move/get up.
The nurses are preoccupied with poop and want to make sure you go within a day or so…if it isn’t happening, let them give you a laxative (I had one that was milky white stuff and it worked really well). I say that because being back up can cause pain. And they won’t let you go home til you go. Seriously, they will ask you 10 times lol.
KezUnprepared
Fantastic advice – thanks for sharing 🙂
Tam
Loved this, & having just been through it loved it even more. X
KezUnprepared
Thank you, Tam! Your comment means a lot to me! Hope you’re recovering well and I can’t wait to catch up and meet your beautiful little girl x