How Did Your Scheduled C-section Go?

I have had two planned c-sections. I def prefer a vaginal birth, which I had with my first because the recovery was so much better, I felt great within days after a vaginal. But, with the c's my first planned one, I felt pretty good after two weeks, I just had my second c-section 16 days ago, and I would say after 1 week I was feeling pretty good.

I tried for a VBAC but had placenta previa and abruption so no choice-my C was "scheduled" for the next day once they learned the extent of the problem. It actually was great because it gave my parents time to fly in and take care of my daughter for the whole thing, plus it was SO much easier to recover from-night & day. Since with the 1st I had labor too and for whatever reason-it took me 6 months to not feel like my stomach would fall off. The 2nd-I was walking upstairs home from the hospital pretty easily and felt pretty good by 6 weeks. I'd recommend it.

My first delivery was a disaster all around - very long story. My second delivery was a scheduled c-section, and it was fabulous! The delivery was quick and easy, and so was recovery. I was in the hospital for three days, and I don't remember how long it was until I was feeling better, but it wasn't long at all.

It went very well.
Recuperation was very good.
I was in the hospital 3 days. I wanted to stay the whole 3 days, just to rest. Although per my recovery and condition and recuperation, I was ready to go home on day 2.

My Mom/Hubby was home, to help me for 2 weeks. Alternating their time off from work.

My scheduled c-section went fine. We got up early, went in and had our baby. The only time I remember feeling actually scared was when I was alone(my husband was getting changed into scrubs) and getting the epidural. It went very quickly and later I didn't feel too bad-all things considered. I was in the hospital for 4 days and feeling sore but I quickly recvered by my 6 week checkup

If you're worried about pooping-I ate half a bag of prunes on my first day home and that helped immensly as I had the same fear.

I think what helped was that we were in control of the situation.

I had a planned C with my second and found recovery easier than the vaginal delivery I had with the first. The shaking is a very common response to coming off the surgical pain meds (plus the stress and adrenaline of hard labor and an emergency C). You may have less trouble with that this time. Do yourself the favor of not trying to tough out the pain for ONE MINUTE in the days following. If it hurts EVEN a LITTLE and you can take more meds TAKE them. It helps enormously not to be tired from the pain! Good luck and enjoy the new baby. :)

It is easier because you won't be so exhausted...you'll still be afraid to poop tho- it does take a little while to get back on your feet, but it should be better than your last experience.

I could have written this post myself. My first c-section was after 12 hours of hard labor, emergency c-section, (medically induced sleep, due to issues with spinal, and saw my daughter for the first time when she was 2 hours old). The recovery was wasn't awful, the experience was unreal. With number 2, I arrived at the hospital at 7am, and my baby was born at 8:50am. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and everything was at ease. I had to sign a special release at the hospital to leave before 48 hour mark, but I felt great and I wanted to me home. I got home and cleaned- no joke. And then I made lasagna. lol

I had 4 planned C-Sections. I went home after two days after my 4th. They're fine. I always react to the medications but even still, it wasn't like what you described. My first baby was a vaginal birth with only a 2 hour labor. I obviously bounced back a lot faster after that one than the C-Sections but I did fine with the scheduled ones. Just be sure to rest a lot. Moist heat helped me with the pain better than pain meds. Hold a pillow over your incision if you have to cough. Rest, rest, rest as much as you can. Good luck and congratulations!!

*ADDED* in case you're curious, I had scheduled C-Sections because of autoimmune thrombocytopenia in my babies. Although there was treatment, they preferred to get them out as quickly as possible rather than risk vaginal delivery. My first was the only one with dangerously low platelets because the treatment worked with the others but the quick delivery helped him. =D

Unless you have a severe medical condition... I would advise you to look into a CNM or Birthing Center Midwife, rather than another major abdominal surgical procedure.

The rates of complications are more than triple with a cesarean on the first time in, that itself doubles with the second time.

Not all pregnancies and births are the same, and MIdwives have a higher rate of vaginal births going normally and smoothly than OBs or hospital births.

Don't forget, you have an older child now and doing your normal routine and snuggles, hugs, holding, chores, etc will NOT be possible while your are recovering from the intense abdominal surgery.

I wanted to mention I'm a Nurse who will be getting her Master's in Midwifery, had an intervention induced 'emergency' surgery with #1 and will be having #2 in July - at my HOME for a VBAC and assisted by a Midwife. I've studied OB/Hospital Birthing statistics vs Home Birthing/Birthing Center statistics as well as how much better other nations do for statistics in having a healthy and happy Mommy and Baby for the last 5 years.

Ahhh, I LOVED my plan C-section ... now I do not reccomend a c-section unless you have an actual reason to have one. I had mine because of major back surgery that was done shortly before conception ... basically after vaginal delivery there was a risk that I would be back on the operating table or it would be worse! So, I planned my c-section for good reason. Mine was great, I got to the hospital and settled in, I was prepared for what was going to go on by the nursing staff and doctors, it was calming and relaxing. I was in the hospital for 3 days (2nights) and I was well functional a few days after being home and right back about two weeks then FULLY functional (aside from sleep deprivation) by 6weeks. My dr was conservative on releasing me to do activities due to prior history. I will do it again should I choose to have another child.

Mine was easy and if I had another child, I would choose another c-section. It was a bit hard to get up and down for a week or so, but that got better quickly. The nurses made sure I started walking the next day, and I kept that up. A little bit each day. I took the pain meds, as I definitely needed them. I definitely was really tired, but think of what your body just went through -- you gave birth, you had anesthesia and surgery. Of course you are going to be tired and wiped out. Just arrange for help at home ahead of time so you can get some rest during the day.

I definitely think it is easier to schedule a c-section than have an emergency one. Your body doesn't go through the stress of laboring, which has to add to your exhaustion level.

I was in the hospital 4 days. Wish I could have gone home after 3 days, but my doctor doesn't allow that. At home I noticed a dramatic difference in my recovery every week. By week 4 I felt pretty good. Not fantastic, but pretty good.

My scheduled c-section was awesome! I was released about 48 hours after surgery. I didn't have the cold shakes after surgery the second time around, didn't even need the Bear Hug. My husband said I looked so much better after surgery the second time than the first. It was less stressful because I had a feeling of Been There, Done That. Same OB, so I know he knew his way around. It was smooth sailing.

I was walking the next morning. I asked for a suppository so I could poo before leaving. Nothing to be shy about. The pain meds do it to everybody. Just get up and get walking as soon as you can. And don't hold in gas. It will make everything worse.

I had to be there at 5am. Was supposed to be the first, but of couse there was an emergency c/s before me so I laid in the bed for 4 hours being a nervous wreck just waiting for my time.

You will still be afraid to poop, that won't change. And the shaking after the surgery is from the anesthesia, I had the shakes with both of my c/s. So you may have it again too. The second time around for me I had a bad reaction to the morphine drip and ended up with hives and I was a itchy mess from all of the benadryl and other meds they gave me to stop the reaction.

I was in the hospital for an extra night with my second. The first night at home was alot harder than the first time around I was in alot more pain and it was terrible to get in and out of bed but I recovered quicker than my first and within 3-4 days of being home I was good to go. Within 1 week I was taking the baby outside while my toddler played and swam, or going for walks.

My first c-section was scheduled, and it was wonderful! I didn't go into labor at all and within two weeks I felt normal again. Of my friends that have had both emergency and scheduled, they've all said scheduled is way better. I was released after four days. I had the option to go home after three, but I had twins and wasn't physically feeling ready yet. I'm having a c-section at the end of this month, and I will probably take the four days again simply because I have twins to take care of at home, and I'd like one more day of recovery before I have to take care of three kiddos.

I have had 2 c- sections and they were both easy surgeries and recovery. The scheduled c- section will be different. You can come in rested, showered and you won't even break a sweat. I nursed my babies right afterwards and everything was great.

My c-section happened after a day of unproductive labor and a few hours of unsuccessful induced labor. My daughter's umbilical chord was over her shoulder and when I would contract her heart rate dipper LOW so they did an emergency c-section. The next morning (after a painful night lol, except holding my baby yay) two nurses helped me get up to pee and get in the shower (it was one of those handicapped-type showers, which was awesome in my condition). It hurt so dern much to even get up and walk. I felt like a train wreck too. I was releases the day after my c-section because i peed enough. I didn't feel better for weeks. It sucked because my ex was on paternity leave (which meant he got a vacation) and I had to still get up with the baby at night after the pain killers wore off and had to do everything with the baby while the ex watched tv and occasionally played with the baby (like talk to her and hold her). I think after 2 or so weeks I felt better. Definitely a challenge when you hurt when you walk or get up and taking care of a newborn too :)
I bet scheduled is better. I should've read better that you're looking for scheduled c-sections :P

I was a scheduled C section the first time because he was breech and I chose to do a VBAC the second time because there was no reason I could not. I understand after what you went through with the first scheduling a C section as opposed to doing a trial of labor. I felt very sore after surgery and really hated the feeling when the phrenic nerve was pushed on my free gas in the abdomen. It actually hit me in surgery, I thought someone was shoving a needled through the top of my shoulder. It hit me again several more times in the 5 days in the hospital but was gone by the time we went home. With a toddler already home I would be very careful that s/he does not go crawling over you in bed for several weeks after surgery. If you can plan on it it will be a nice experience relatively speaking since you should know what to expect

My first c-section was after an unsuccessful labor due to a narrow pelvis. I had sort of already suspected I would need one, so it wasnt a complete shock. I completely understand the "afraid to poop" part. It was all a shock and new experience to feel like I had been gutted. : ). My second c-section was scheduled. I liked it better because I liked the spinal I was given better than the epidural (first csection). It was easier mentally, I think, because I knew what to expect afterwards. During surgery, I didn't do as much shaking as the first time. I felt a little more at ease the second time around. Still hurts the first couple of days and showering is still a pain, but overall, a little easier.

Hi,
I can definitely tell you that the recovery from my emergency c-section was the hardest by far. I had two planned ones after that and I was up and about hours later. I went home on day 4 after each one, feeling pretty good so long as I was careful and stayed on top of the pain meds. If you can find one of those support things [blanking on the name...but they wrap around your waist and then velcro closed...] that helps a lot. Best of luck and try really hard not to visualize negative and unpleasant things. Take it as it comes!

Anytime you can plan a C-section is better than Laboring for X amount of time, then going thru the C-sec.
With my 1st child, I labored for 12 hours, and after xrays, was found that my pelvis would not open up to accomadate him. I was exausted, and just miserable.(As you were). My next 2 were planned C-sec, because of the prior problem, my OBGYN wouldn't even consider a VBAC. I definately felt more prepared, well rested and recovered so much quicker. I wanted to get up the same day as my surgury, just so I could get moving. But the best they would let me do was up the next day, so I took full advantage of it. I didn't receive a lot of pain meds, only because I didn't want them, and I was fine. You have to decide for yourself how to handle the pain meds, if you need them, then take them. I was home after 4 days with each child, and I just made the best of it. Preparedness is definately the key. I did a lot of deep breathing to make sure my lungs stayed clear and it helped with the abdominal discomfort. I moved carefully, took my time and by the end of the 1st week home I was really feeling good!. I realize that not everyone recovers the same way, but that's what happened with me.

My first was a semi-emergency that went well. I was very sore and walked funny forever though lol. My second was more scheduled (they had to take her a day earlier than planned) but the recovery was literally a breeze! I had her around 9:20 on a Monday night and we went home on Wednesday afternoon because we were both doing so well. I had to take very little in the way of pain meds, was up walking, getting a shower Tuesday morning. Of course I still had to take it easy at home and rest but it was night and day comparing the two sections.

I had the shaking after my first section too. Very common side effect the anesthesiologist said. They can give you demerol and it helps with that. I don't do well with demerol so I passed but the shaking only lasted maybe an hour+

i had an emergency c-section at 29 weeks. So scheduled the second one. However my water broke at 36 weeks. It was another emergency - just not as big of an emergency. Not the dire need to get it done RIGHT NOW! I was awake for the second - which was completely different! As far as the poop - I just flat out told the nurses I don't poop in public so as soon as I'm alone or get home I'll go and if not I'll be sure to let someone know.
Both times I was in the hospital for 4 nights. My second she had lost too much weight so instead of sending us home after the third they had us stay.
My first I kept going going going - back and forth to the hospital so no time to just lay around. And with the second, I had to get the first to school, the second fought jaundice and poor weight gain, then H1N1, then colic...so again no time to physically just lie around. Although wish I could have!

I had a scheduled c-section because my son was breech. I ended up going into labor anyway and they couldn't give me pain relief until I was in the operating room, which was terrible. But once I was in there, the spinal was great and the actual procedure was wonderful. It was fun and I loved it. Then the anesthesia started to wear off and then I realized that even the slightest movement hurt terribly. I was forced to finally get out of bed on day 3 and I felt the worst pain of my life. On day 5 I went home, could walk, but like a 90 year old person. It really took the full 8 weeks to recover because even thought he pain went away in the first 2 weeks I would get exhausted very easily and then the pain would return. By the way, I am young, fit, and normal weight. So its different for everyone. At least you will enjoy the actual surgery...that was the only good part.

My second c-section was a walk in the park compared to my first emergency c-section. I went to the hospital at 9:00 a.m and had my baby at 12:20. I was able to have her with me and nursing in the recovery room. I was much better about staying on top of my pain meds too. I wasn't afraid to ask for more when I needed it. I was up and walking about 12 hours after my surgery and I went home 2 days after. I was back to mostly normal after a week.

Mine was a breeze. Don't be tense when you poop, it makes it worse!! I remember it being easy to go, but the nurse told me to take deep breaths and relax. They should give you a stool softener, to help with the process. I think a BIG think that helped me, was that I take probiotics daily. It helps the digestive system and colon and works wonders. You might go to a vitamin store and get some, porbitoics will only help in some way! (Get them from the refrigerated vitamin section.) I moved as soon as I could and that really helped. During the night, when I would wake, i would turn a little to each side and move. It made getting up and walking so much easier. Hold a pillow to your incision when you walk. I don't know why it helps, but it does. They gave me a little firm one. The thing that caused me the most pain, is I couldn't tell when my bladder was full the day after the c-section. I would end up holding it too long, and boy did that hurt!! I started to get up ever 45 minutes, to see if I needed to go. I never had the shakes, so I'm not sure what help I can offer with that. Drink LOTS of water. Lots and lots. It will help your bowel movements and keep your body hydrated. If your body isn't hydrated enough, you won't have as much energy, and you won't heal as well.

I healed wonderfully and it was a great experience. They had music playing in the operating room and the nurses were singing and made it a very relaxing experience. My Dr. said the difference between an emergency section and a planned one, is night and day.

I had 2 scheduled C-sections, so I don't know about the going through labor first part, but I will say that the 2nd C-section is much easier to recover from. Most of the "damage" to your Ab region happens the first time. I have a friend how labored for almost 3 days (from onset of first contractions) and then had a C-section and she was up and walking around within a couple days. I on the other hand had a scheduled and wasn't moving very well even three weeks later...so it just depends. BUT my second and her second were both much easier to recover from than the first.

I was released from the hospital after 3 nights with my first and 4 nights with my second. The nurses didn't get me up and walking around with the first, so I made sure to do it myself the second time. I think that made a huge difference in my recovery.

Best of luck!!!