https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:55:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1183415 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 22:48:47 +0000 Grace 1183415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: WTF??!?!? Why didn't they immediately do general anesthetic? That sounds absolutely horrible and I'd be expecting the anestesiologist to be working to kill the pain, not hold me down.</p> <p>It's interesting how the same experience has different effects on people. I thought the uncontrollable shaking was so funny. I knew it was nornal and from the meds, so I wasn't scared. Rather, I made it my mission to try to keep my arms still. Kept me occupied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1183373 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:56:59 +0000 lilteacherbee 1183373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I'm really glad to read about your experience because that's basically how I feel. I've never really had any big expectations of the birth, I just wanted a healthy baby in the end (especially after being paranoid this whole pregnancy because of a previous m/c).</p> <p>I have a c-section scheduled in 2 weeks. Like you, my baby is large (has been huge the whole pregnancy and was estimated at over 7.5 lbs at 36w) and I'm small. Doctors are worried about his head/shoulders fitting. I also have GD so I would likely be induced at 39w anyway. My doctors and I agree that we would rather schedule a c-section than have me induced and end up with an emergency one because of failure to progress or because he wouldn't fit. I have other medical issues that makes a calm, planned out surgery way more favorable than an emergency one.</p> <p>Our hospitals sound similar, as ours is really focused on bonding as well. It definitely makes it better knowing that, unless there are complications, he will be with me the whole time during recovery. Thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1183340 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:29:15 +0000 yoursilverlining 1183340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am sorry that so many of you gals had such horrible experiences<br /> :( </p> <p>I think a c-section can be an empowering experience, like any, if you feel you are in charge of it and I'm sad that so many women feel they have/had no control in their birthing experience. </p> <p>My experience was what I expected; and I expected it to be smooth and relatively easy. All of my friends who had c-sections raved about their recoveries, and I totally trusted my OB who recommended a c-section due to LO's head/shoulder size vs. my pelvis size (which other doctors prior to my OB had commented on possibly being a problem for birth). </p> <p>My hospital is very family-friendly c-section, with immediate skin-to-skin, "golden hour", partners in the OR, and I could watch the procedure if I wanted to (ugh, no thanks!!!!!). The spinal was flawless, I just went totally numb from the waist down but was cracking jokes with the doctors while they started my section. </p> <p>The nurses in recovery and our stay were *awesome*, too, which helped a lot. </p> <p>I didn't go into delivery with any hard-set ideas of what I wanted. To me, birth (vaginal or c-section) is just a means to an end and I really didn't care how LO entered the world, so there was bound to be little disappointment in the method. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1183320 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:14:41 +0000 Sunshine710 1183320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was a nightmare. My epidural failed (after a failed induction, only got to 9.5 cm) and they couldn't get me numb. After shooting me up with everything possible and realizing they could not get me numb, I had to be put under general anastesia so both DH and I were not present at my LO's birth. It was very tramatizing. Now that I'm pregnant with #2, I'm trying to decide what to do - planned c-section or try for VBAC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1182779 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 16:25:26 +0000 LuLu Mom 1182779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was an emergency, all the nurses kept talkign to me about how I had a tramatic delivery, but I knew nothing different and really the c-section was better than I expected, it was the low iron that sucked me dry, I was so tired because of that. I was told I could have a blood tranfusion with my next one due to low iron. My saving grace was my sister, who had a very similar delivery (pushed for several hours, baby and momma in distress, and wisked away for c-section.) She forced me to get up &amp; walk even though it hurt. I was in such better shape than most mom's I saw. And my daughter was in NICU, if I wanted to visit her I had to walk to elevator and go down to see here, I went back and forth several times a day. I have no negatives thoughts about my c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1182778 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 16:24:38 +0000 Mrsbells 1182778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: for me it was also worse than expected. Ihad an itchy reaction to the spinal shot which was horrible. The recovery wasnt fun at all. And I didnt get to hold me baby for almost an hour after she was born </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1182749 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 16:16:11 +0000 yourekindapretty 1182749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I too had a planned c-section (breeched) and it went smoothly. It was actually a lot easier than i had anticipated (both the operation and recovery). </p> <p>Reading some of your stories really makes me feel grateful for how well mine went. I can't imagine how some of you must have felt - your stories are so scary!</p> <p>I guess this is why my family was so scared when they found out I would be having a c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180722 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 23:36:00 +0000 ChelseaRose 1180722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: No, it was much worse due to eclampsia. Like @petunia354: I was not conscious, but I don't think it was because of anesthesia. Neither my husband nor I was "present" for the birth. I don't know if he cried or was silent, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180603 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 21:31:57 +0000 marionberry 1180603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a planned c-section due to my lo being breech and a failed attempt to turn him via ecv. I had heard great things from friends who had delivered via c-section at my hospital so I went in with great expectations. My c-section went very well and I have absolutely no complaints. I'm sorry that yours was a poor experience. I think that an unplanned c-section is a very different experience than a planned one. I got to mentally prepare, ask questions, get a spinal without being in the middle of contractions and I was excited vs scared. I'd totally do it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180591 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 21:23:21 +0000 wonderstruck 1180591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry there are so many of you who had awful experiences! Are you guys thinking about going to another hospital if you get pregnant again? After reading about some of your procedures I'm so grateful that I chose the hospital I did!</p> <p>I was completely terrified and burst into tears when I found out the c-section was absolutely necessary, but I'm very thankful that mine went quite smoothly, much better than I had expected. I do remember being surprised by the shaking from the anesthesia and hating that sensation, but my nurse who'd been with me throughout labor was AMAZING and was able to help me keep the shaking under control by putting heated blankets over the parts of my body I could feel and helping me with my breathing. </p> <p>It was over much faster than I thought it would be, and I didn't feel out of it or drugged (other than not being able to feel below my chest, obviously.) We did have the option of seeing and having skin-to-skin contact with LO right away. Then they had to do all the tests and it felt like it took ages, but in reality it wasn't that long, and I know those tests would have happened without a C-section too. DH didn't get to cut the cord, but honestly that had never been a big deal to him anyways. I remember the nurse who 'helped' me transition from the OR bed to my regular one was a bit rough and upset me, but thankfully she was the only bad one I encountered. LO was with me the entire time, he stayed in my arms in the OR, recovery room, my room, and being rolled through the hallways on the way to those places.</p> <p>My recovery was quite easy compared to bad stories I've heard. The nurses were great - I never had to ask for pain medication, they knew when mine would be wearing off and when I could take more, and they were always ready and made sure I got more pain meds at the right time. So I really didn't experience any pain unless I was getting up or moving too fast. But they did make sure I got out of bed and walked around a bit quite frequently since that's supposed to help you recover more quickly. </p> <p>The pain/discomfort from standing up lasted about a week, which was when they came to my house and took the staples out. From then on I only had pain if I pushed myself too far or went too long without my pain meds. I weaned myself off the meds and had myself back to moving at my normal pace and routine by about a month out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180329 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:18:09 +0000 Katrocap 1180329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I wish your C-section wasn't traumatic. But I am glad you are so in love with your little girl! My C-section was planned because DS was large and they were worried about shoulder dystocia. We arrived at the hospital at 1pm and had to wait around for a long time, because like @jennimac, there were emergency C-sections at the time. DS wasn't born until 7pm. The worst part was that no one was communicating with us. I was terrified and had a panic attack when they first put the IV line in me. The actual procedure wasn't terrible, just very clinical and impersonal. I never even met the OB because the one who was supposed to deliver DS wasn't there because it was so late and the new OB didn't introduce himself. They also didn't let me hold/touch DS right after he was born. I was shaking uncontrollably for over an hour after the procedure. And the nurses didn't bring DS to the room until 3 hours after he was born. Overall, the procedure went better than expected since, like I said, I was terrified beforehand. But it was still an unpleasant experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180317 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:13:07 +0000 petunia354 1180317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had forgotten about the shaking!! That was awful now that I'm remembering it.</p> <p>Mine was under general anesthesia so, not traumatizing in the sense that I was in pain but moreso in the sense that I never ever expected not to be "present" for the birth of my child. It breaks my heart over, and over, and over again to think about it. It's something I totally took for granted and feel SO bad for DH as he was not allowed in the OR and was made to wait alone in the waiting room :( Also, being on mag sulfate for the next 24 hrs was hell too.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180301 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:06:41 +0000 MamaBehr 1180301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OH! And if you have another LO when your first is old enough to understand what is going on, it is SUPER easy to explain where babies come from! DD knows exactly how her new brother is going to come out of me hahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180294 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:03:57 +0000 MamaBehr 1180294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I'm really sorry that you had such a horrible experience. My first wasn't planed either, and I know I freaked out in the middle of it and they gave me "do not remember" medicine (I don't know what it was called but it exists because my brother is an anesthesiologist). I was very upset and disappointed about my experience, though my hospital and nurses were great.<br /> The second time around though, it was much much much better. When you haven't labored for however many hours and just have the c-section is nice. I wasn't exhausted from the whole experience, and I had an idea what to expect (I took a c-section class from the hospital). </p> <p>Make sure you take your pain meds, it will get better, and take it easy. Try to get as much help as you can :) I hope you are feeling better soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180275 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:57:04 +0000 GrapeCrush 1180275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was an emergency, and I was expecting it to be terrible. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was and recovery went really well. I had a scheduled csection with number 2, it was really easy as well, other than some lingering pain from a stitch. I'm sorry yours wasn't great :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180270 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:55:17 +0000 MsMamaBear 1180270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: It's amazing how much better you'll feel! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180217 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:31:28 +0000 chrispygal 1180217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really didn't know what to expect and it was better than I feared. It still wasn't a blast and recovery was a challenge, but overall I thought the experience was better than I feared. I think that when you are scheduled it's a totally different experience than an emergency section. Sorry yours was so tough. Not fun. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1180049 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:37:52 +0000 daniellemybelle 1180049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: The same thing happened to me! Then I totally passed out &amp; I was really out of it. Thankfully it wore off by the time I saw my baby, but that was unfortunately because they took forever to bring her to me.</p> <p>@sunny: The hospital was a nightmare for us. I hated my postpartum experience. Our nurses didn't help with diaper changes or taking care of the baby at all, other than continually ask to take her to nursery for tests when we wanted a no separation plan of care.</p> <p>@ladybee: I'm so sorry your experience was that traumatic. Mine was not so bad that I would not want to have another, but now I am really motivated to have a VBAC.</p> <p>@autumnlove: That sounds horrible but I am so glad the second C-section was better!</p> <p>@MsMamaBear: I can't wait to get my staples out tomorrow! Good to know that helps. </p> <p>@Colee: I noticed somewhere else you had prodromal labor like me. I really feel that contributed to or was related to my C-section. Do you mind posting on my wall about your experience?</p> <p>@Jennimac: I'm so glad your C-section was positive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1178055 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 07:13:13 +0000 singingbee 1178055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was way better than I was thinking it was going to be. I had to have one because LO was breech. I ended up having it a week before it was scheduled due to elevated bp issues. We got there at 7:30 and I was prepped. Then we waited because the sections were pushed back due to an emergency one early that morning. I had her at 10:52. The worst part for me was the actual section because I felt more tugging and pulling than I expected to. That was just my problem. My expectation was that I'd just lie there and wouldn't feel anything. Oh well. That didn't last long. I got to see her and press cheek to cheek. DH went with her. I think he enjoyed getting to be the one to show her off and be in charge like that. They brought her back to me, we nursed right away---she didn't have any trouble latching. I threw up the first time she nursed due to eating my ice chips too quickly. I did have some major blood loss. I almost had to have a transfusion, but they ended up giving me iron supplements. LO had her bath and then was with us until the evening when we sent her back so we could sleep some. They brought her back to me every two hours. I had a problem with my iv that night and early the next morning they had to turn off my iv and epidural. I got up that afternoon and took the best shower ever. I stopped pain meds a week after the section and have been doing most of my normal routine ever since being home. My dr doesn't do vbacs, which I'm okay with, so I'll have another section with my next one. Vaginal delivery has bad memories for me so that's ok that I'll have sections with my other ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1178004 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 06:09:31 +0000 Colee 1178004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I had a c-section four weeks ago with my first child and had a similar experience. Very traumatic! I'm glad to see your second c-section went well. Were you nervous that it would turn out like the first? Was something done differently to ensure the epidural didn't fail? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177996 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 05:55:23 +0000 MsMamaBear 1177996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, it was better than I expected. I had saw so many bad stories I expected mine to follow those. </p> <p>I went into labor and had a csection 15hrs later. She was in distress, had pooped and ended up breech. I hated waiting to see her again in the recovery room, but once we got home, I felt better. I was more tramatized that the belly button clamp was left on her even though it was checked off that it was taken off. My ex took her back and took care of it and had a few words with them. That doctor (the pediatrician, my doctor is wonderful) got a bad review on the website from us and she has a better one, not just the hospital one. At home, it hurt when I laughed b/c of the staples and when I walked upstairs. Once the staples came out, I felt better because I could move more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177964 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 03:08:03 +0000 ladybee 1177964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: thank you for sharing that while your first was beyond horrible it went much better a second time. I'm beyond afraid of another c-section. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177938 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 01:08:27 +0000 autumnlove 1177938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first c-section was the most traumatic experience of my life. The spinal failed during the incision and I felt everything during my surgery. I cried and screamed the whole time and my husband, nurses and the anesthesiologist had to pin me down to prevent me from writhing around too much.</p> <p>My second c-section was a breeze....smooth surgery and no pain. I did have excessive bleeding a few hours after giving birth but I still view it as a positive experience overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177931 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 00:49:40 +0000 ladybee 1177931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was similar and miserable. After laboring for 14 hours where my epidural stopped working twice and there were signs of duress for myself and LO they took us back and my husband had to wait back. He didn't get to come back until they were pretty much started. I was shaking uncontrollably, I could hear them discuss how lodged the baby was and how they were going to pull me to get him out. The pressure was intense and I could not stop shaking the whole time. My uterus would not contract and the meds they gave me for that literally made me poop myself in recovery. </p> <p>My recovery has been equally as miserable. I was swollen and bigger than I was pregnant. Have had horrible gas pains in my bowels and I'm two weeks out. Since delivery I've had a migraine that affects my vision and being able to care for my son. I've been in and out of dr appointments and scans. My only choice is to take a steroid that I can't BF on so I am trying more holistic approaches. Overall, I'd describe it as traumatic and miserable to the point that we might only have one child now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177919 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 00:33:13 +0000 sunny 1177919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt traumatized from my emergency C-section as well. I wasn't emotionally prepared at all since I didn't really even go into labor. I was immediately admitted to the hospital and C-section happened within 30 minutes. </p> <p>The first 3 weeks were so difficult for me. We were in the hospital for a full week which made things a bit easier, since we had nurses to help with diaper changes and a lactation consultant to help us figure out breast feeding. Since we were confined to a hospital room we also didn't have to worry about climbing stairs, cooking, cleaning, etc. There was zero temptation to do too much! </p> <p>My advice is to take your pain meds and take it easy. I kept trying to get myself off them and I would be doubled over in pain, not able to care for my newborn. There is no rush in trying to get back to 100% right away... just take care of yourself as best as you can--remember, you just had major surgery! Good luck and congratulations on your precious baby girl! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177915 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 00:24:32 +0000 mrsjazz 1177915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Mine was pretty traumatic, too. The surgery was not what I expected and I was given more meds during the surgery because I was feeling a burning sensation on one side. Fun. :sad: My recovery was really hard and I had pain for a long time at the incision area. It's something that I never want to experience again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/was-your-c-section-what-you-expected#post-1177900 Sun, 27 Oct 2013 23:59:35 +0000 daniellemybelle 1177900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had our little girl last Tuesday and I'm so in love! I ended up having a C-section, which was and is greatly disappointing for me. There were several factors that contributed but I know it was the right thing.</p> <p>Still, I was really surprised by how traumatic both the procedure &amp; the recovery were. Our childbirth class didn't go over it at all. I had expected a "family centered C-section" but apparently they don't do them outside certain hours at my hospital. </p> <p>The surgery was horrible - I was terrified, shaking uncontrollably &amp; puking. And the recovery has been so tough. I had horrendous gas pain in my shoulder from the surgery that no one was really able to help me with. The pain from the actual procedure &amp; how its kept me from caring for my baby has been surprising too. I was taking maximum doses of meds &amp; still in pain.</p> <p>Overall, it's been really challenging. Anyone else experience this? I feel like there are a lot of positive stories on here which is great but mine was not that positive. </p>