In the seven months since I first wrote this, I have received a lot of comments from readers. I have received even more private e-mails; the majority from women who just wanted to say thanks for sharing my experience with my C-section, and they too, had a similar experience.
Not all comments have been positive, and I didn’t expect them to be. It seems the biggest “complaints” from the comments about this post, is that C-sections are not really like what I wrote about, and I am trying to scare women. Since there are a lot of comments, and I am sure not everyone reads all the comments and my replies before leaving a comment of their own, I wanted to clarify my viewpoint about this post, hopefully BEFORE the post is read.
This is a realistic account of MY C-section. There are certain aspects to a C-section that EVERY woman will experience, such as scaring, and increased chances of uterine rupture with future pregnancies. There are other aspects to this account which I experienced. These may or may not be experienced by every woman who has a C-section. Just like no two vaginal births are the same, no two C-sections are the same.
I agree and support emergency C-sections 100%, and they do save lives. However, as you will read, I believe that the medical community is over-using C-sections in non-medical emergency situations (such as breech births). I feel I need to clarify this point as well, because when I originally wrote the post, my goal was to inform women who may be facing a planned or elective C-section (not an emergency one), and to offer my viewpoint from my perspective, on what a C-section is like, since my experience with my C-section was not a emergency C-section.
I wrote this post to inform women who suspect there might be more to a C-section than what she is being told, like I was. That is the spirit of the post-to inform. Like the famous quote, “knowledge is power.” The more you know, the more informed decision you can make.
To the readers who feel I am scaring women, I am sorry my account of my C-section is scary. Honestly, it was pretty scary. There are countless TV shows, websites, books, magazines, Hollywood celebrities, and doctors who will tell you C-sections are not scary, are not painful, and they are nothing to worry about. That was not the reality I found at all. I do not want to sugar coat, or tone down my experience. If I were to do that, there wouldn’t be much point it writing about it.
So having said this, before you read the post, please be forewarned that this post could be scary. I am attempting to share what a real C-section was like. If that has the potential to scare you, then please think twice before reading it. If you are searching for information on what happens during a C-section, possible complications that could arise, pictures of the procedure, the recovery period, possible impact on the family, and general information on C-sections, and how the medical community using them, and feel this information would not scare you, than this may be something you would be interested in reading.
If you have a comment after the post, please feel free to comment. I read every comment, and try to respond when appropriate. Please know I will delete any overly disrespectful comment. You don’t have to agree with me, but please keep it civil.
Thank you.
Heather- A Mama’s Blog
This post has been several months in the making. I have been thinking about what I wanted to convey in writing a post about Cesarean sections, better known as C-sections, or even as a “C.”
As I thought about it, there were so many different angles to take. I thought about writing a very detailed researched post, but you can find a lot of those by doing a Google search on C-sections. I decided in the end, I was going to write what comes naturally from my personal research and experience of having a C-section.
My intent for writing this post is to convey the reality, which is not often mentioned, of women, their new babies, and families, endure from C-sections. It is not meant to judge or make any mother feel bad who has had a C-section. I write a lot of the things that I wished I had known before hand about C-sections, which I was not told. This post is only meant to inform, and bring to light, issues involved with C-sections, that as a woman, and a mother I seldom hear anyone (doctors included) talk about in our society.
- My C-Section
I had a C-section with my first birth, with Ryan, only because he was a breech baby, and refused to turn. I wasn’t very informed on other alternatives for turning breech babies at the time, other than the external version, and accepted having a C-section was the only way to give birth to my baby.
- Lack of Options
Unfortunately, it pretty much WAS my only alternative. I did not feel comfortable having a home birth being a first time mother, with a breech baby. Not to mention, there were zero doctors in my area who would attend the birth of a breech baby. This is despite living in a college area, with a number of top rated medical facilities. So we agreed to the C-section, but really what choice did we have?
It has always bothered me more alternatives are not available for birthing breech babies. I did not want a C-section, but it was my only option. Even a home birth isn’t always an option- in several states (mine included), it is actually against the law for a midwife to attend a breech birth! This isn’t to say it isn’t done, but if you know ahead of time your baby is breech, this could be problematic in finding a midwife who is comfortable attending a breech birth, and possibly be in violation of the law, and thus be putting her certifications and her practice in jeopardy.
Finding an OB these days, who will deliver a breech baby, is a joke at best- even though as I found out later, delivering breech babies vaginally is very safe, in the majority of situations. In my opinion, this is a HUGE failure in the medical community to have only one option for a mother facing a breech birth- an automatic C-section.
- Major Surgery
C-sections are MAJOR abdominal surgery. The pain is agonizing. I never experienced greater pain in my life, than after my surgical C-section. Even going through natural labor and contractions with a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) birth of my second child for eleven hours, the pain was not as bad as it had been with the C-section.
The best way I can describe it is imagine your most painful, intense, contraction, and multiply it by at least 50 to 100%, depending on your pain tolerance. Now, realize the pain does not go away, after 30 seconds or a minute like the pain during contractions does. It is constant and never-ending. That level of pain is with you for DAYS (not seconds or minutes). Imagine your insides feeling like they are going to split open for several weeks, after the surgery, every time you laugh, cry, sneeze, get out of bed, stand up, or move too fast.
- Media Portrayal of C-Sections
It is also very disturbing to me how some avenues of the media, and celebrities portray C-sections. I have seen on numerous TV shows- including a prime time, number one show, (named Gray’s Anatomy, to be specific), where women who refuse a C-section, because they desire to have a NORMAL, vaginal birth, are portrayed as fanatic, and ridiculous. There is another show, The Baby Story, which shows many elective C-section births.
As a new mother-to-be, and even before I was pregnant, I watched The Baby Story. In my case, seeing so many C-section births, almost made it seem like it was a normal, healthy, alternative to giving actual birth. I NEVER saw the downside: pain, infections, and inability to get back to regular life after a C-section, shown on The Baby Story.
It is almost glamorized by the media when a famous celebrity has a C-section. “Too posh to push,” is how they sum it up. Whether that is the case or not, it is misleading to millions of women, who are faced with the same decision. What is NEVER mentioned is even if a celebrity chooses to have an elective C-section; she has resources available to her, which a normal woman does not. The celebrity can hire nurses, nannies, chefs, and cleaning services to take over for her while she recovers from surgery, when an average woman cannot. The strain and time it takes to recover from a C-section puts the average family under enormous stress.
Yet, the media continues to glorify and glamorize C-sections. It even seems like they make a special point to say, “Actress A had her baby (or gave birth), born by Cesarean section.” I have yet to see, hear, or read, “Actress A had her baby, born by normal, vaginal birth.”
I certainly never gave much thought to what really was involved with a C-section. I honestly thought, since I had seen so many women on The Baby Story, give birth by C-section, and they seemed fine, and never mentioned any drawbacks, then certainly I could handle it.
- What A C-Section Is Really Like
Naive? Absolutely. C-sections are NOT as they are portrayed on “reality” TV shows, prime time TV shows, or by the media when reporting a famous woman had a C-section. Maybe if I hadn’t been bombarded by all these positive messages about C-sections, I would have thought twice about it. Maybe if I had, had someone actually tell me what a C-section really was like, I could have prepared better. Maybe if I could have found in a mainstream pregnancy book, the truth about cCsections, I would have known what I was getting into. But I didn’t, and at the time, all the information I had, said C-sections were no big deal.
C-sections ARE a big deal. So big, your life will never be the same. Here are some of the REAL outcomes from C-sections:
You may lose precious time with your newborn baby. Time that you will NEVER get back, because you are doped up on strong narcotic pain medications for at least 24 hours- usually longer- after the birth. Your baby might be groggy after birth in most cases, because the epidural and or spinal tap medication used to numb you, is in their system too.
Instead of spending the first few moments after birth holding, nursing, and bonding, with your baby, your hands may be tied down. Because of this, you probably won’t be able to hold your baby during this time, while you are being stitched back up.
Your baby may be taken out the operating room from you, while your uterus and incision site are being stitched. In my case, my hands were still restrained. You will probably have to wait at least 30 minutes after the birth (usually longer), before you can really hold your baby for the first time.
If you are lucky, your baby will want to breastfeed, even though he/she could still be groggy from the birth. If not, then starting breastfeeding becomes a much bigger challenge. As any new mother will tell you, breastfeeding a brand new baby can be hard at first. Now imagine trying to position your baby to nurse, but you can’t have your new baby’s feet, or body anywhere near your incision because you can’t risk having them push, or kick you in that area. You can use a pillow to block the site, but it becomes another aspect to figure out.
By having a C-section, your chances for hemorrhage, post-partum infection, internal injuries, post-partum depression, breastfeeding problems, reproductive problems, and maternal death, are increased than if you gave birth vaginally.
By having an elective C-section your baby’s chances for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), physician caused prematurity (since they can only guess, what the correct due date is), persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH), are cut by the surgeon’s scalpel two to six percent of the time, and are less likely to be breastfed, are increased than babies who are born vaginally.
In most cases, you will have metal staples in your incision for several days after the surgery. I thought my tummy looked liked Frankenstein’s forehead. It was so awful I couldn’t even look at it.
Your uterus will have permanent scar tissue, which is at a higher risk for rupture with future pregnancies.
You will have an scar just above your pubic bone for the rest of your life. Your stomach will more than likely hang over your scar, known as “belly flap,” for the rest of your life. Your incision / scar area will probably be numb for several months, several years, or even for the rest of your life.
Your birthing options with future pregnancies are SEVERELY limited, after you have a c-section. There is a saying, “once a C-section, always a C-section.” VBAC is a very safe choice for the majority of women, but VBAC’sare discouraged and you will be lucky to find a doctor and a hospital that supports this choice. In some states, it is against the law for midwives to attend VBAC births. In all actuality, you will be pressured to have a repeat C-section with future pregnancies, even though with every subsequent C-section, the uterine rupture rate increases, especially during pregnancy as the uterus expands. Usually another C-section is the only choice offered to you, even if that isn’t the best choice for you, and your baby.
You will probably have a longer recovery, after a C-section than if you had given birth vaginally. You can’t drive for usually 10 days. You are sore, and it can be a struggle to just get up and move, let alone walk, sit-up, sit, and lie down. It is recommended that you don’t climb any stairs for two weeks-too bad if your house has stairs- it can be very painful, every time you have to go up or down your stairs. You don’t dare laugh or cough for several days, because it just hurts too much. You may only have a limited amount of pain medication, because most doctors want to “wean” you off the strong pain narcotics a few days after the C-section. Keep in mind, this is all while you have a brand new baby to take care of as well.
(Many of these facts in the above blue boxes can be found on Childbirth Connection’s page on C-sections.)
- Recovery Time and Complications
Being a new mother is one of the most challenging life experiences. We rise to the task, but when you are trying to recover from a MAJOR surgery, YOU need to rest, and be taken care of. That does not happen after a C-section, for the majority of women. Maternal instincts take over, and we need to be with our babies. We push our pain, and discomforts to the background, in order to take care of our baby, and family.
This only adds to the recovery time, and often results in women “overdoing it,” which leads to ruptured scars, which leads to infected scars, which leads to another hospital stay, which leads back to square one, all over again. It can be a vicious cycle.
The general thought is it usually takes about 3 weeks, to recover from vaginal birth, and 6 weeks to recover from a C-section, IF everything goes well.
That was not true for me at all. It took me about 12 weeks to feel almost 100% again- meaning I didn’t have pain that kept me from doing daily activities. That is 3 months! If I were to count the time that it took for my scar to heal, and to not feel any pain whatsoever- I would say NEVER. Even now, four years later, if I move at an odd angle, I will get a weird pain in my abdomen, that I never had before having a C-section.
After the VBAC birth I had with my second baby, I felt back to normal, after about a month. Yes, there was pain, discomfort, and stitches involved with a vaginal birth, but it was SO, SO, SO much more manageable and less painful than a C-section. Having given birth both by a C-section and vaginally, I would pick a vaginal birth every time- without hesitation. As one of my friends who also had a C-section, and a vaginal birth said, “The worse vaginal birth, beats the best C-section anytime.” No wonder we were made to give birth vaginally, not surgically!
- Risks Outweigh The Benefits
C-sections are a medical tool, and should only be performed when absolutely necessary. C-sections DO have a place in obstetrics, and I have a friend who would have died, if she had not gotten an emergency C-section.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says anytime a country’s C-section rate rises above 15%, then the risks outweigh the benefits the surgery could provide. In the US, the C-section rate is 30.2% of all births. Just 100 years ago in the US, almost every baby born, was born at home! What has happened? Clearly, something is very wrong, and thousands of women are receiving unnecessary surgical C-sections, where the risks are outweighing the benefits.
- The “Hidden” High Costs of C-Sections
Another aspect that is hardly ever mentioned is the financial aspect and costs to a family. Obviously a C-section is more expensive than a vaginal birth. My C-section in 2004 cost 50% more than my vaginal hospital birth in 2006. That was with no complications- just a “by-the-book C-section”. Even with insurance, a family pays substantially more for a C-section, and that is just for the procedure! Most women have to stay in the hospital for a minimum of three days after a C-section, compared to anywhere from 12-48 hours with a vaginal birth. I had to stay for five days. Not only do you get charged for your care, but you get charged for the care your baby gets too.
If you factor in the extra long recovery time, the costs of hiring some household help, extra doctor and or hospital visits due to infection, pain medication, extra time the father may take off of work, to name a few- it is astounding how expensive a C-section is, and how fast it all adds up.
For a woman who has to return to work, 6, 8, or 12 weeks after giving birth, she may not even be fully recovered from surgery, before she has to take on the demands from a job as well.
- Ignorance Is Not Bliss
I believe that every woman who is faced with the possibility of having a C-section (emergency situation aside) should be given ALL of the information on the surgical procedure including the emotional and financial aspects beforehand. Ignorance is NOT bliss- it just keeps you from having to face the reality of this surgical procedure until you are in the thick of it, with nothing left to do, but see it and its consequences through.
During my recovery, I was in so much pain, and realized that I didn’t even know why, until my husband (who had watched the surgery) said, “If you had seen what they did, you would know why you are in pain.”
Then it hit me that I had no idea, what they even did during the C-section. They never show that on The Baby Story either. I have decided to include several REAL pictures from actual C-sections that I found by doing Google and Yahoo searches. Believe it or not, pictures like this were very hard to find. There just aren’t that many pictures of actual C-sections out there. I spent a lot of time trying to find pictures with the goal of showing what really happens during a C-section.
The pictures are graphic in nature- that is the reality of a C-section. I have provided the link to the site where you can view the pictures as well. There will be descriptions of what the picture is of.
Since some will prefer not to look at the pictures, I will include my closing comments now, instead of at the end of the pictures.
- Conclusion
Despite what we are told in the media, C-sections are NOT glamorous, or posh. If you choose to view the pictures below, you will see what it really is- bloody, painful, and surgical.
The emotional and financial toll it can take on you and your family is massive. Ironically, a lot of women choose C-sections, because they think it is a lot less painful than vaginal birth. You will have no pain during the C-section itself, because you are numb from usually the chest down. But, a surgical C-section birth is not a way to avoid pain during birth. Ironically, in most cases, it will cause you substantial amounts of more pain in the long run.
The end result of a C-section is beautiful- a new, hopefully healthy baby and mother. For me, that was my goal. But I never realized beforehand, as I wrote, you lose a lot of time with your newborn when recovering from the surgery. Time that you only get one chance at. If you have to return to work, as you know, your time is not endless with your baby, and that time goes by in a blink of an eye.
No mother I know, would willingly give up her precious time with her new baby, to attend to surgical dressings, be “out of it” due to pain medication, maybe miss out on breastfeeding, if they choose to do so, raise their risk of post-partum infection, and depression, and be in pain for weeks. Yet, that is what happens to one degree or another, with EVERY C-section.
If you prefer not to look at the pictures, I hope some of this post will help you, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a cousin, or anyone, who needed more information and truth on what is involved in a C-section.
I know first hand that sometimes a C-section is your only option. In these cases, I hope some of what I wrote may help in giving you more information on what to expect, so you can prepare better than I did. If you are considering a C-section that is not medically necessary, or you have other options, I hope if you have read this far, that maybe you are reconsidering having a c-section.
While writingthis post, I decided to write another post in the near future with ideas for mothers who are preparing for a C-section. I plan to include information on things she can do to prepare for it before hand. I also will include ideas and tips she can do post-partrum, to help with the healing process, pain, and the overall transition back to family life. E-mail me if you have any tips or suggestions, you would like to share.
Every woman deserves to know ALL of the facts, before facing a major surgery, especially one with the goal of bringing a new life into the world. Doctors should take into account ALL the factors, pre-AND post-surgery, on how C-sections can affect their patients and their families. The entire medical community (doctors, hospitals, etc.), should start offering vaginal breech baby birth options. Finally, C-sections should stop being glamorized by the media as a healthy alternative to vaginal birth. It is very dishonest and misleading.
I sincerely hope by sharing my experience, and facts that usually aren’t disclosed about C-sections, it can help women who are facing C-sections, to make an informed decision.
I would love to hear your comments and feedback.
- Additional Information
I urge anyone facing a C-section to read the article, “Cesearean Birth in a Culture of Fear.” It is written by Wendy Ponte, and it appeared in the September/October 2007 issue of Mothering magazine, and is the best article I have read on the subject to date. If you can get the actual magazine, there were some very good illustrations, showing the C-section procedure. I tried to find these illustrations on-line, but was unsuccessful. I was able to find something along the same lines, in a slide show presentation, with ten drawings from The New York Times, showing the C-section procedure. (These drawings are not graphic- they are what you would see in a newspaper.)
************************WARNING!!!!! ********************************
************DO NOT READ OR SCROLL ANY FARTHER IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO VIEW C-SECTION PICTURES- GRAPHIC IN NATURE************
Vertical incision (Note: most incisions today are transverse (bikini) incisions. The reason for the vertical incision was the location of fibroids)
Low transverse (bikini cut) incision in the early stages of being cut
Baby being delivered through the uterine incision
Uterus during a c-section, outside the body, after the baby has been born
Above pictures from Jefferson Hospital.
C-section in progress- notice the baby’s hand or foot? Notice how far apart the incision is now? Notice the clamp on the very top of the uterus to keep it “open?” Four of these clamps are usually used- one on the top, bottom, and one on each side to keep the uterus open. Notice how many layers of muscle, tissue, and tendons are cut through? Notice how wide the uterous is cut? This is why there is so much pain after the surgery- your uterus, muscles, tendons, and tissues are literally pried apart
Another picture- they will ”work” and pry the baby out by tugging on his foot, until more of the baby’s body is exposed, and then will pull the baby out.
Above pictures at TheFetus.net. There are some more pictures from this series, but it looks like this was a c-section because of a complication. Usually the bladder is held in place with an instrument, and there is a chance of bladder damage from this.
Removing the staples from a C-section incision.
There is also a picture of a new C-section scar held together with staples, and more post-partum C-section scars, including verticle ones, in this gallery at About.com .
Mother 1: C-section scar 2 days after the surgery, 20 year-old mother
Mother 1: (The same mother as in picutre above), her C-section scar, 11 weeks after the surgery
Mother 2: The C-section overhang (”belly flap”)- this is after the first c-section (third pregnancy), this 28-year old mother had, one year after the surgery
Picture from Terra, (a mother who read this post and sent me some of her C-section pictures) of her C-section incision
Picture 1 of Terra’s Infection at Incision Site
Picture 2 of Terra’s Infection at Incision Site
Mother 2: (picture 2) Same mother as the above picture; side view
Mother 3: Picture of scar, more than 3 years after C-section (it is the second line, towards the bottom-not the thin red line)
Mother 4: Pictures of infected C-section scar, 3 to 4 months after the surgery, during this 38 year-old mother’s
fifth round of antibiotic treatments for the infection
Above pictures from http://www.caesarean.org.uk/ScarPictures.html#group1. There are several more pictures of C-section scars at this site, in various stages of healing.
My scar- 4 years after C-section.
Another picture of my scar. On the right end of the scar, you can see how it looks indented. A few of my staples became loose, while I was in the hospital, so the skin there was open, while healing. It left a lot larger scar on that end of the incision, and tends to “cave in.” I doubt this will ever go away. The marks higher up on my stomach, are the marks from my pants. :-)
(All of these photos, the ones of myself included, are unedited. They have been reduced in size, however so they could fit on the site. )
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Crunchy Domestic Goddess says:
thank you for your detailed, well-researched post. i can tell you put a great deal of time and energy into it. you brought up a lot of things i know i never would’ve thought about either - like breastfeeding possibly being harder because you can’t let the baby anywhere near your incision. that thought never even crossed my mind.
also, it was very interesting to see the photos. i’d never seen a baby born via c-section before. wow!
i’m glad that your c-section has made you such a strong advocate and i hope that by sharing your experiences, others may make a truly informed decision.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
New mommy with C-section says:
Hello,
I really appreciate your highly detailed explanation of your c-section experience. It is exactly how I feel today. I found out my baby was in breech presentation when I was 38 weeks and the doctor said the same thing that they can try to turn the baby or I need to have a C-section. I was horrified because I felt like I did not have many options. The truth of the matter is I didn’t even have the chance to turn the baby because that same week I went into labor and when I got to the hospital I was 3 cm and I could only have a C-section.
I was angry inside, and was overwhelmed by emotions. Now, after almost three weeks I am beginning to accept what happened to me. I realize my body will never be the same again but I try to look at the outcome which is my healthy son.
It does feel good to read your blog and know that other women are speaking out because C-sections should be avoided as much as possible. Thank you
February 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
amamasblog says:
New Mommy,
Thanks for your comment- I am so happy that you have a heathly son, and that is the ultimate goal.
I think more women like yourself, are realizing that their C-sections were their only options and even though we are happy our babies are healthy, we still wish more options were and had been available to us.
I believe the only way to change this trend is for those of us who do feel this way, is to start speaking up and sharing our experiences.
If you ever have another baby, l’d encourage you to look into VBAC- it is very safe usually for the majority of women. My OB told me for women who had a previous C-section only because their baby was breech (no other complications) the success rate for VBAC was around 85%. I am happy to say I was in that statistic, and it kind of made everything come “full circle” for me- I felt like I had at least the opportunity to give my body a chance to give birth.
Congratulations again on your son. Please take it easy, and give yourself plenty of time to heal and to rest. I think taking care of yourself too, the weeks after a C-section are key to having a healthy recovery.
I hope you will continue to check in here, and let me know how your recovery is going.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Kim says:
I had a very positive outcome with both sections. You can hardly see my scar at all. It is true about the hanging skin… but for me it’s probably because both my babies were over 9 lbs and I’m only 5′1.
Both of my children were very alert after the surgery, and I was able to hold both of them in the operating room. Perhaps it’s different in Canada. At no point were my arms tied to the OR table.
While I agree that sections should not become the norm, I think each person will have a different experience. I had virtually no pain for my second section. They send you home with a wonderful med that’s an anti-inflam and pain killer. It was great!
I don’t regret either birth, and am just happy that I have to healthy children… regardless of how they came into the world.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
feedingtimeatthezoo says:
I was thinking of this post the other day when I was laying in the hospital and they mentioned the possibility of an emergency-C if the baby started looking bad. I was totally open to whatever it would have taken to make sure bb was OK…but…glad I avoided it all the same!
February 21st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
The Business of Being Born - My Review « A Mama’s Blog says:
[...] for me, and I realized how angry I have been about Ryan’s birth. I have written about my C-section before, but in summary, the only reason I had to have a C-section with Ryan was because he was [...]
February 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Maya's Mom says:
I know that you have full control over the responses on your website however, I feel that your sight scares mothers who have no choice but to have a c-section. Therefore, I would like to share with those mothers, that a c-section is not that bad. I had one in April of 2006 and although recovery was somewhat painful and long. It was not horrible. Infact, I took no pain medication after 5 days ( I was breastfeeding) and my cut healed very well!! They no longer use staples but a bonding glue. You can hardly see the cut and I do not have a mushroom stomach. Every womens experience is different with the majority of women having a good experience with a c-section. The pictures of the lady with the staples is not a picture that represents c-sections today (2008).
March 1st, 2008 at 3:36 am
amamasblog says:
Maya’s Mom,
Thanks for you comments and my intent was not to “scare” any mother, but to offer my story, of my C-section, just like you offered some of your experience with a C-section.
I totally agree with you that some people have wondeful experiences with C-sections. However, one doesn’t really know what their experience will be until AFTER the fact. Even with subsequent C-sections, you have no way of knowing if the second, third, etc. C-section will be wonderful or not- with any surgery there is always a risk of complications.
I have received several e-mails from other women who have chosen not to leave a public comment telling me they too, have had hard recoveries and less than wonderful experiences with their C-sections. One mother who has had four C-sections also pointed out that she has two different scars as well.
Of course I would hope any mother who has to have a C-section has a great experience with it, but personally, those seem to be far and few between. I just heard from a mother who had a C-section three weeks ago, and said she was having a very difficult recovery, and was also having some bonding issues with her baby.
I am glad to hear that they aren’t using staples so much- I still know people that have had staples though, as recently as December 2007. Perhaps more doctors will start using the bonding glue in the future. However, the fact still remains that a C-section causes a scar, which can affect different women in different ways.
My intent for the post was to alert women of some of the issues and complications that they may encounter when they have a C-section. I felt a lot of the information I included in the post was not information that is readily given to women beforehand.
In making any decision about our health, and especially when dealing with bringing a new baby into the world, we should have ALL the facts, information, and possible outcomes disclosed before the surgery.
While having a wonderful experience is certainly a possible outcome (which is great), also having complications and not a wonderful experience is also a possible outcome.
Personally, I always heard about all the wonderful experiences and when I had less than that, it was devastating. Part of my goal in this post is to let women know if they do have complications and have less than an ideal C-section, they are not alone. Also, complications do happen. We don’t want them to, but there are very realistic chances with a C-section that complications can arise hours, days, weeks, months, and even years after.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Amelia says:
Great post! I couldn’t agree more- there isn’t enough information disclosed on the complications involved with c-sections.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Kim says:
They still use staples here. In fact, I think bonding glue is more risky. The nurses are don’t like the idea of glue at all. Just hope for a healthy delivery, regardless of the method.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:08 am
amamasblog says:
Kim,
Thanks for you comment on the bonding glue. I have done no research on it at all, and was just going off what Maya’s Mom said about it. I’ll have to research it and write my findings in a follow up post.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Green Tip(s) of the Week #16 - Gift wrap ideas (and a giveaway) | Crunchy Domestic Goddess says:
[...] win and to check out A Mama’s Blog. She discusses everything from attachment parenting to the reality of c-sections, from household projects to life with her two sweet boys. [...]
March 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Suburban Oblivion says:
Not having had a c-section, I can’t speak from experience about the topic. That said however, the c-section rate is high enough, I know plenty of people who have had them, and every experience will be different. I know women who had terrible experiences with pain and infection, and I know women who only needed pain pills for 24 hours afterwards and had no problems with infection, breastfeeding, or anyone else. There are so many factors there that influence things.
I think in the end it comes down to picking a GOOD Dr. and preparing yourself for every possibility. Ask what their c-section rate is, and under what circumstances they perform them. I do think a lot of c-secs are done when they could have been avoided, BUT I refuse to villify them based on how many lives are saved due to them.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:22 am
rebecca says:
Unfortunately this is in part an ill-informed account of what a Caesarean section is and is for.
It is unusual for a woman to have her hands restrained in theatre, and most doctors and midwives encourage cuddling, skin-to-skin contact and even feeding whilst the procedure is being completed.
Also, the spinal/epidural medicine DOES NOT ‘dope’ the baby in the least which is one of the reasons this form of anaesthesia is preferred.
I have serious doubts that the picture of the 20-year-old woman is one after FIVE years - more likely FIVE DAYS - you can see that the scar is very pink, that there are still small punture marks from the staples and that in fact there is vertical gum on the skin from the Steristrips (medical tapes) still stuck on the skin.
Of course, no woman should have a Caesarean section if it is not indicated, but your account here only serves to MISINFORM and FRIGHTEN women who may choose or be required to have a section.
I feel very disappointed that there are women out there who have a misguided view of (what is it?) feminism or female empowerment or choice and actually serve to reduce women’s choice and to creat fear and distrust of the nurses and doctors trying to help them.
Please dear readers, use your own intelligence to see that fearmongering only serves to weaken our sex, not strengthen it.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Rebecca,
Here is the link to the picture from the site that says it is 5 years after the surgery. It is about half way down the page. http://www.caesarean.org.uk/ScarPictures.html#group1
After looking at it again, it says the photos are after 11 weeks and 5 years. I was assuming the top group of photos were at 11 weeks, and the bottom set of photos were after 5 years- just seemed like it made sense. After closer review, I do tend to agree with you that the top set of photos are more than likely the ones that are after 5 years and the bottom set of photos in this group are the ones after 11 weeks. I am going to revise the caption to this effect, because I do want as medically accurate post as possible. Thank you for bringing this oversight to my attention.
I want to respond to your comment as well that “the spinal/epidural medicine DOES NOT ‘dope’ the baby in the least which is one of the reasons this form of anaesthesia is preferred.”
With all due respect, I disagree with you on this point. I have read numerous articles and sources which say epidurals and spinals can affect the baby’s alertness, and can make a newborn overly sleepy. Like I said in the beginning of this post, it is not a detailed, medical post, but here is just one of the drawbacks listed from childbirth connection.org, regarding epidurals, “can cause adverse behavioral effects on the newborn.” Not every baby will be affected by an epidural/spinal, but the possibility that they could, does exist. http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10190#involved)
On that note, it is NOT my goal to misinform and frighten. I have said before my intent for the post was to alert women of some of the issues and complications that they may encounter when they have a C-section. I felt a lot of the information I included in the post was not information that is readily given to women beforehand.
Furthermore I stated that a lot of this post was based on MY experience with a C-section. I state in my post that sometimes a C-section *IS* the only option. I feel it is important that women, who are faced with having a C-section, should have ALL the information at least presented to them good and bad, regarding C-sections, so they can make an informed choice.
In my experience, and what seems like a lot of others experiences (based from some of the comments here, and private e-mails I have received), none of the negative outcomes were discussed before hand with them. Or they are quickly brushed over, never discussed in any detail.
How many women *may* have decided a C-section wasn’t for them, if they had been given accurate information from their doctors and caregivers beforehand?
I have had a C-section, and what I am finding is most women (myself included) trust their doctors, nurses, and hospitals BEFORE the C-section. However, once complications arise women feel like they were misled by these healthcare providers because the realistic aspect that complications can and do arise, were not fully disclosed to them before the procedure.
Obviously if this doesn’t bother a woman, she is free to choose to have another C-section and speak to whomever she chooses about her experience with her C-section. For those of us who do feel let down and misguided after our C-sections, we are also free to choose not to have another C-section, and we can speak about our experiences as well.
Women (and everyone) have the RIGHT to UNDERSTAND and QUESTION any procedure being done on their bodies. If they don’t know the questions to ask, how will they get accurate answers? If the healthcare providers don’t disclose potential realistic complications of C-sections, how can we say that a woman is making an informed decision? Plainly put-we can’t.
Quite frankly, I DO find it fearful that it doesn’t seem like most doctors and hospitals in general, choose to disclose the complications in detail that could arise because of a C-section. Why aren’t these potential complications discussed in detail with mothers facing a C-section?
Can we really be afraid of something that is not realistic or we know not to be true? Fear is a tool and an instinct that we have for good reason- we usually avoid, or seek to work out, what we are fearful of. If a woman is fearful of potential complications that can arise from a C-section, maybe it is her intuition telling her it may in her best interest to investigate the procedure further, or it may be in her best interest not to have a C-section. If she knows it is the best way for her to have her baby, despite the potential complications, then she is not fearful. This quote sums it up: “Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path.” (Henry Winkler- Actor)
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
rebecca says:
Thank you for clarifying your position, and I note that the picture that you have amended has been listed twice on that page. Indeed it is the first woman pictured, and on that caption it appears that the scar is 13 days old, which differs from its later label. To my eye, the picture is more consistent with 13 days after surgery rather than 11 weeks for the reasons I outlined above.
I agree wholeheartedly that women should be fully informed about the risks of Caesarean sections or epidural analgesia etc before consenting, but there may be grave risks for mother and baby if either of these interventions are not employed. Women should be informed of the risks of NOT proceeding with Caesarean section too. Presumably you were informed of these risks which is why you consented to the section.
Doctors and nurses have an obligation to not only ‘do no harm’ to the patient from their intervention (such as a Caesar), but they also have an obligation not to allow an unreasonable level of risk from not performing the section. What level of risk to you and your baby should your doctor accept before s/he suggests a Caesarean? Maternal and neonatal mortality in the developed world is a fraction of what it was 50 years ago.
I understand the disappointment at not experiencing a natural (or non-surgical) birth - after all, a Caesarean section is not something little girls think of when they want to be a Mummy. However, they also do not imagine burying a stillbirth or being a fulltime carer of their child for the whole of their life either. In your case, a Caesarean section was recommended in order to reduce these risks to you and your child. Of course, there are cases when a vaginal birth would have been fine and Caesarean was a disaster, but the converse occurs too. Scaring women from Caesarean sections, or creating unneccesary fear in them does no service to women at all. I do not generally accept as gospel the wisdom from a television actor. Telling people that their ‘inner voice’ will see them through is setting them up for failure when they fail to predict the unpredictable. To my mind, this is just another way we fail to support people through their trauma and instead blame the victim for not being able to ’see’ or ’sense’ their future loss, harm or hurt.
I am glad that it appears that despite the emotional and physical trauma of having had a Caesarean section that you and the baby have emerged (relatively) unscathed. I wonder if there are other women out there who lost their children or who are having to care for severely disabled (but nonetheless very much loved) children who would love to have the luxury to mourn the pain and scar of a Caesarean section and be nursing a healthy child. I sometimes think that because birth is so safe now (compared to historically) we focus on these relatively minor side effects of what is essentially a good outcome.
In some ways we forget that the hospital staff are there to actually help us, NOT to misinform or harm us. Some may see it as a shame that childbirth has become so medicalised, but without this medicalisation, can we guarantee such safety in childbirth? I am not sure. The vast majority of women could deliver in a field without as much as another person to act as an accoucher, but for those women who were always going to get into trouble then we need to have a system in place to save them and their babies.
You have said that women trust the hospital staff *before* the section, but grow to mistrust them afterwards when complications develop. Would you trust them more if no complications developed? Do you really believe that the people who work in these jobs working terrible hours really want something bad to happen to you? That they are conspiring against you because they want you to have an ugly scar and to experience pain and an infection? Is this really likely? Or is it more likely that they recommended the Caesarean because they were truly concerned about the health of you and the baby, and the (relatively minor) effects you have experienced are sadly a byproduct of giving you the safest means of delivery. How much trust would you have in them if they did not recommend the Caesar and your baby died?
I am constantly disappointed at the way in which women try to undermine each other especially with regard to the business of childbirth. We talk about women helping each other and being strong for each other, we try to encourage our daughters not to let a man walk all over her, that she is as intelligent and powerful as any man and that she should and will have the same opportunites as men. We treat men who are sexist or misogynist with derision. Yet I cannot understand why women cannot be more encouraging and supportive of each other when it comes to birth and the choices they make leading up to and during the process of childbirth. We are made to feel inferior if we accepted analgesia during labour (especially epidural), we are ‘cop-outs’ if we elect to have a Caesarean section, we are failures if we cannot birth a child vaginally, and we try to frighten other women who may have no option but to have a Caesarean.
Caesarean sections are major surgery, there is no doubt. I am sure that there will be cases of women who are dissatisfied with the outcome after a section, as you are. Remember though that the countless emails you have received are not a representation of all the women who have undergone Caesarean. It is only the dissatisfied who come to the internet to seek others. The vast majority of women who have had a section are happy and healthy, and possible grateful too. These women are out there but rarely email you.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:32 am
A Mama's Blog says:
Rebecca,
I don’t think doctors and nurses are out to harm anyone, BUT they are confined by the hospital procedures, and the fear of being sued.
The ONLY reason a C-section was recommended to me, was because my baby was breech, and the doctors don’t attend breech births anymore- at least it is very rare here in the USA for them to do so. The reason they don’t, is fear of litigation. So when they are confined, and have to work under guidelines like this, how can they make the best decision for their patients?
My doctor told me flat out delivering a vaginal breech baby is not any more “dangerous” than a regular vaginal birth. I had not other complications where a C-section would have been “needed’ other than my baby was in the breech presentation. But because medical schools aren’t even teaching breech vaginal delivery anymore, women with breech babies are automatically given the “choice” of a C-section. Unless they can happen to find a doctor relatively close to them or a midwife (providing the state they live in allows midwives to attend breech births), they are out of options. A C-section is the *only* way they can deliver their baby in the hospital. What kind of choice is that? Assuming you do want the expertise of a doctor and nurses, it is that, or find another place to have your baby.
I refuse to believe no matter how many medically necessary C-sections there are, that it is in the best interest of *every* woman with a breech baby to have an automatic C-section, just for that reason. That is a *major* flaw in the birthing system in the US. I just had a friend who was told she would be delivering via C-section, ONLY because her baby was breech. This standard procedure for delivering babies because they are breech is not in the best interest of women and their babies every time.
Ideally, I would like to see hospitals offering a CHOICE- a real choice to women, not in medically necessary cases where a C-section IS the best option, but in cases like where a woman has no other complications or problems, and the only reason she is being told she has to have a C-section is because the doctors and hospitals are practicing defensive medicine. If we never make our dissatisfaction with C-sections known, how can we expect this situation ever to improve?
Women were flocking out of hospitals in droves in the US in the 1970’s; because of the way they were being treated there. Fathers were not allowed in delivery rooms, babies were not allowed to room in with their mothers, and were only allowed to breastfeed every 4 hours among other things. Eventually the hospitals changed their procedures when they realized they were losing patients and money. The mothers and families who were not satisfied with the birthing experience then, made it known, and policies and procedures were changed. We are still seeing a lot of those improvements today in hospitals, where fathers can attend the birth, babies and mothers are roomed together, and mothers can breastfeed on demand.
I have stated several times that sometimes a C-section is medically necessary and is the only option and the safest option. I have nothing against any woman who has had a C-section, for whatever reason. That is her decision. I am not judging them, or trying to “undermine” them. I am trying to bring to light issues and complications that can arise from C-sections, whether they are deemed medically necessary or not.
I wholeheartedly believe that every woman does have instincts that can guide her in making the best decision for her and for her baby. I certainly don’t think everything Henry Winkler says is “gospel,” but his quote is applicable when listening to your instincts.
Like you poined out, women will come to this post because they are dissatisfied with their C-section experience and they are seeking answers and possibly hoping things can change so when they have another baby, or their friends, or even their daughters, have babies, they won’t have to have the bad experience that they had when giving birth by C-section. If nothing else, I hope they realize that they are not alone, and not every C-section ends up being a good experience for every woman.
I can say wholeheartedly, if I knew ahead of time what I wrote about in the post, I would have seriously considered not having my breech baby at the hospital. I would have pursued a midwife. The realistic possibilities of the complications involved with a C-section were not fully disclosed to me, so I did not have all the information I needed to make the best choice for me and my baby. That is the entire point of my post- women deserve to have the possible complications disclosed to them BEFORE the C-section.
I am sure there are lots of blogs and other Internet sites where women who are happy with their C-sections can express this, and I want to keep this blog post a place for women who don’t feel satisfied and happy with their C-sections, a safe place where they can express these feelings.
Despite us having a few issues where we agree, I think we just need to put this to rest now, and agree to disagree generally on this, and realize we see these issues very differently. I am not going to change your feelings and beliefs, and you are not going to change mine. I am glad we could have a civil exchange on the topic, and I thank you for that.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
The Reality of C-Sections « A Mama’s Blog says:
[...] Reality of C-Sections This post has moved, and can now be found by clicking HERE. It has been moved to the new A Mama’s Blog site. Thank [...]
April 19th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
chezartz.com » Blog Archive » 5 Things Much Scarier Than Childbirth says:
[...] I feel qualified to comment on this topic (although my blogging pals have great posts on the c-section and medicalized birthing debates). The mother that Time cites in this article admits that fear of a [...]
April 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Karen says:
Although I agree with some of what you say, I have to say I do not agree with most of it. I feel like you are scaring the woman that will require or do elect to have a c-section. I had a horrible vaginal birth with my 1st child which took months almost a year before I felt normal again. I elected to have a c-section and I had a positive experience. Yes, I vomited during the first part of the surgery and was giving antiemetics and immediately felt better, once the baby was born they handed her to my husband who placed her next to me. They kept her in the room with me and placed her on my chest to transport us to recoverey. I was able to bond and spend time with her…sure I was sore once the pain meds wore off but no more than after vaginal delivery, just in a different spot…I recovered very quickly within 2 weeks or so I felt great. I am sorry you had a bad experience but people should know there are good and bad to all methods of delivery….
April 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
irem says:
I had a “so called emergency” c/sec during pushing phase due to failure to progress. I still have doubts. This c/sec could be a panic choice. My dr. said the time is up, she said she did not want to loose time waiting this(me pushing). Despite the unfriendly hospital room with a wide open door so that other people could see and hear me during contractions-while i was in need of privacy- actually an indifferent dr. and inexperienced nurses; i still trusted myself and wanted that i could do it. I wish i was armed with a birth doula(which at that time difficult to find here in turkey) and i had changed my dr.(and hosp.)to a considerate one who would support me and communicate me.But it happened. I admit I made mistakes. So much loaded myself with guilt, now i would like them(hosp. stuff, dr) also to share the part in what has happened.
Dr.s also should now how women feel after a cesarean. This emotional burden is hard to deal with. If I had the feeling that I had done everything to avoid this, but it happened; then i would get over with it easier. But there was much work inside myself that i did not do. First of all respecting myself so that i could give some time in searching other doctors and hospitals. Experience is the best thing I have in my hands now!
I appreciate your apprach to warn other women in similar situations. Though I think the issue is not about c/sec, but c/sec due to a specific reason under specific circumstances. so the title “reality about cesarean” is misleading because this essay is about your personal experience which is genuine.
It is inspiring that you had finally a vbac and you were indeed lucky to be surrounded by the right people who would support you in this. and you were lucky to be healty as well!i would love to read your vbac story and i would love to learn how you earned your vbac experience.
Best.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:49 am
Jungleswife says:
I had three C-sections - the first one was due to a breach. I didn’t find out until later that sometimes they can turn the baby. No one ever mentioned it, and I know they didn’t try.
I had infections following each one.
Until I watched my daughter-in-law give birth the regular way, I was pretty angry about the whole thing.
My grandson wasn’t breach, but his arm was across his face. She had a tough delivery and recovery, and he did, too. Thankfully, they are both fine now.
I hope that, if nothing else, those who read your post will be more understanding when their friends or family members have C-sections. I felt like people treated me the same as anyone else who just had a baby.
A new baby is a happy event, but recovering from major surgery while nursing every two hours and all the other demands of a new baby (even with help)…wow!
The mom will appreciate get-well wishes and assistance during the lengthy recovery process.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Jungleswife says:
Oops, spelled “breech” incorrectly - maybe something else, too. *blush*
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
elquny says:
i am prego with twins and both are breech as of now(6mo). if they dont turn over then i will have to have a c setion. my first baby was 8.5 pounds and a natural birth. i dont want a c section, never did and don’t think it’s cool.. what else can i do?? do i force my doctor to deliver my babies breech? i don’t mind. i wish i knew how to find a doctor that specializes in breech births. any suggestions??? thank u for the information also…
May 7th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Linda says:
I had twins 3 weeks agao. Both were breech and I felt I had no option but to deliver c section. I have had four vaginal births which I loved. The labor is awesome and truly a way to bond with your husband. The babies being pushed through the birth canal - no better experience in life.
My c section was awful. How can having a baby or in my case babies as a result of major abdominal surgery, having your guts ripped, your uterus cut way open be a pleasant experience.
I had perfect muscle tone prior to this awful surgery and escaped even a twin pregnancy without stretch marks. Now I have a 6 1/2 long incision. And by the way for whoever says that doctors do not use staples anymore well they do at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California. And yes, they looked like Frankenstein. I intend to do everything possible to get rid of the hideous scar. Yes, the babies are beautiful but I care about my body. I have to live with it and how it looks for the rest of my life.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
StellaOlla says:
I had my very first section 4 days ago in Washington State, and I can also confirm that staples are still in use there as well.
The decision to have a section was reached jointly by me and my doctor at the end of a very long labor. I have to say, I am very disappointed, especially after working so hard for so long towards a natural birth, but on the other hand, my little girl is healthy and my experience with the pain differs vastly from yours. My incision is very small and is healing fast. I may be an unusual case, though, so I commend you for your well-written post. There are many alternatives to c-sections for women with complications in late pregnancy, and it’s sad that many people aren’t given the option to choose.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
mom2be says:
Thank you for posting these pictures. The abdomens of your “scar models” have clearly been ruined by their pregnancies (stretchmarks and celulite) making the C-section scars barely noticable even though they are so fresh. I can see also from the pictures you posted of your own stomach that you didn’t suffer that fate as most women do (myself included) thus I can understand why you are more self concious of your ONE scar. I have HUNDREDS from my baby and whether I deliver vignially or surgically I’m bound to end up with more scars from EITHER “option”. You can do as much research as you want, ask as many questions as you can, compare as many statistices as you can, take as many precautions or preventative measures as is humanly possible (I did), but when it comes right down to it you are at the mercy of chance, nothing more. Some women are lucky, some women aren’t. Unlucky women will develope tearing, scarring, infection, permanent bladder snd sexual disfunction etc. etc. etc. from having children no matter WHICH method they choose or how well informed they are. So rather than getting your hopes up I propose that you simply ask yourself a question: do you feel lucky… well, do you?
June 9th, 2008 at 8:25 am
jess says:
I have had a c-section and have to disagree! I had little to no pain with it and was very happy with the procedure! I do NOT think you did alot of ACTUAL research but mainly based things on your opinions of the prcedure
June 17th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
jess says:
To add a 1little…Maybe it is your Dr. who is the reason for the Horrible Experience…
June 17th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Ree says:
Maya’s Mom: I’m glad your experience with c-section was not as scary as others. But I think you may be an exception to the rule. I had a c-section in March ‘08. They still use staples. My body is not what it used to be and I’m only 27! I have that horrible belly flap. And Yes! It was a long and painful first and second months. I’ve heard of women who recover faster (my friend has had 4 ceasarians and comes home from the hospital to bake cookies), but that is not the majority. My doctors asked me again, and again if I had help for the first few weeks home with my daughter. Living in a two-story home, I needed the help. I think this story is very well written. Every pregnant woman should be prepared for a c-section and should not expect it to be easy. You could be very disappointed, as I was.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Jess-
Thanks for your comment, and I realize obviously, everyone has different experiences. I have done extensive research on C-sections, but I didn’t want this post to be a research post- I wanted to share my experience with my C-section.
For the record, I have had a doctor and a surgical resident send me private e-mails on this post. There was one inaccuracy about the procedure that the surgical resident pointed out to me, a few days after the post was published that has since been corrected.
While this post isn’t intended, nor claims to be a medical description of the procedure, I strive to keep it as medically accurate as possible- not just my opinion on the surgery. If it isn’t medically accurate, I have not been notified of any errors of the medical procedure, other than the one I mentioned, that has since been corrected. The doctor who e-mailed me privately told me it was an interesting perspective, but did not tell me there were any inaccuracies in it.
I hope and think it is vital for doctors to explain in detail all the potential positive and negative outcomes of C-sections. However, I still feel the reality is, for the most part, women are not informed on the entire procedure and possible outcomes (negative) of a C-section.
When they have less than what was explained to them, it is very hard and conflicting to work through, and affects the entire family. I’m glad you had a great experience with your C-section, but the fact remains there are a lot of women who don’t.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Cheryl R says:
Oh my, my. I don’t even know where to start. And besides, most everything has been covered between your post, the comments & your replies to them.
I got pregnant for the first time at age 38, always wanted a baby, opportunity or accident had just never arisen. But there I was, knocked up & thrilled! I immediately hired a Doula, read every book on midwifery and “natural childbirth” I could get my hands on, avoided books like “What to Expect” as much as possible. Tried to pick an OB that would respect my wishes to have a NON-invasive birthing experience. Opted NOT to have invasive procedures during my pregnancy either, no Amnio or other unnecessary or risky tests (much to the OB’s chagrin given my “Advanced Maternal Age”), no glucose testing, limited Ultrasounds, etc. I also didn’t want to be induced, didn’t want any pain meds or epidural, no episiotomy, goodness knows NO c-section, etc. Mostly, I wanted to be left alone to do what my body already KNEW how to do… have my baby at my own pace, walking around, NOT tied down to monitors or IV’s or nurses constantly checking to see if I’d effaced or dilated further.
Since I got pregnant during a 4-day span of time after 1 and 1/2 years of celibacy, I knew when I would be due. I went two weeks PAST that due date, but my doctor had been bugging me to induce since I’d been approximately 34 weeks. He kept telling me my baby was going to be HUGE.
I walked, I drank Castor oil, consumed mass quantities of spicy food, I “stimulated” my nipples ad nauseum, had sex as often as possible, etc. but STILL no baby at 42 weeks.
Finally, worn down from weeks of badgering by an OB that I had grown to distrust & dislike over the course of my otherwise wonderful pregnancy, I agreed to be induced. Knowing it would increase my chances of C-Section by over 50%. Knowing it would decrease my chances of being successful at breast feeding. Knowing I’d likely have terrible labor pains, and a very lengthy recovery. Against my better judgement & all those facts, I did it anyway.
Please remember, I was more educated than MOST women in America about my choices. If Medi-Cal had been willing to pay for it, I’d have Home Birthed without hesitation. I did NOT want an elective C-Section. I had a great Doula that was on board w/ my birthing philosophy. I was SO ready to do things the “natural” way, no pain killers, no dulling of the experience. I had loved being pregnant, I was going to embrace the process of what my amazing body could do to bring my daughter into the world.
Long story short? After I was induced, they wanted to monitor the baby constantly, they wanted me in a supine position (this I refused), the nurses would NOT leave me alone and kept asking me if I “wanted my epidural now”. After 15 hours of very intense (but also very doable) labor, I finally agreed to the epidural b/c they told me it’d let me get some rest & maybe it’d speed up the dilation (I hadn’t gotten past 5cm).
Well you can imagine what happened. I got 2 hours of sleep. They checked my cervix again. Still at 5cm. I got wheeled into the OR for an “emergency c-section” b/c they were concerned about the baby’s heartbeat & blood pressure. Despite what some knucklehead above said, they DO strap you down on the table. They DO deliver your entire guts, womb, etc. right onto your belly. They didn’t do a good job doping me up b/c I could FEEL the pain of the surgery while it was going on, but I wasn’t able to TELL them b/c I had an oxygen mask on.
They do NOT let you hold your baby when they are trying to stitch you up afterwards. I had a bleed out from my large intestine, so as I cried for water or ice cubes (never been that thirsty in my life) and cried of course for them to give me my baby, they whisked her off to the nursery where they promptly gave her tests & poked her w/ needles, then decided that my ELEVEN POUND baby needed to be in the NICU b/c she had low hematocrit levels.
7 hours after I was finally resting in my room recovering from the trauma above, a doctor finally came in to tell me WHY I still hadn’t seen my baby — even though I’d been pointedly rude and pissed off about it all damn day.
I didn’t get to see her until almost 12 hours after they’d taken her from my belly. She was in an incubator, hooked up to monitors and IV’s, etc. I was not allowed to hold her, or breast feed her for FOUR and 1/2 DAYS. The nurses were able to hold her, but I wasn’t allowed to. And of course, they gave her bottles during that time. So of course, by the time I finally got to hold her and try to breast feed, she wasn’t having anything to do with it… no instant gratification from MY nipples, they were flat & my milk hadn’t come in fully, despite pumping every two hours in my hospital bed.
She had to stay in hospital for 8 days while she finished her course of antibiotics while I went home to recover from my surgery ALONE (I’m a single mother). I couldn’t get off the couch. I had a drain in my incision b/c of all the excess fluid which got infected. I could hardly walk. I certainly couldn’t laugh or cough or even poop very well.
I know this sounds like a freakin’ horror story, but the sad thing is that based on MY research (and the research of other moms like you, midwives, doctors, etc.), this is indeed the reality for many moms in the US. C-sections are at an epidemic rate in this country. Celebrities are pushing it along certainly, but so are the OB’s that perform them.
I am still of the belief that birthing a child is NOT a medical event. The doctor should only be there to “catch” the baby, but even THAT I could have done if given a chance.
Is it possible that my eleven pound, 6 ounce. 23.5″ long baby would never have engaged in the birth canal? Of course. In fact, it’s likely she wouldn’t have.
But did they need to do what they did even AFTER she was born to further make our bonding complicated?
My daughter is now a healthy, happy, well adjusted 2 year old. Yes, obviously it’s MOST important that she made it here safely. But I do feel cheated out of the birthing experience that I wanted & dreamed of. I feel like my choices were taken away from me b/c the doctors and nurses assumed I had NO idea what I was talking about, b/c they know all, and we know nothing.
And I will never, ever forget how distressed and lonely and heartbroken I felt during that time. Which really sucked after having 42 such wonderful weeks of being pregnant.
Nothing I can do to change it certainly. But if I (and women like you) can educate even ONE woman about the fact that C-sections are major surgery and not some piece of cake “procedure”… I’ll be satisfied with that.
Big hugs to you and to all the other mamas who feel they got shortchanged from the experience they wanted.
P.S. Breastfeeding is still possible for women who have C-Sections (just not as likely). My childhood best friend had three C’s w/ babies all over 10 pounds, has silicone breast implants AND was able to produce enough milk to feed her babies AND mine. Which she did with wondrous generosity b/c I was never able to get more than a few ounces even after 5 weeks of trying w/ a lactation consultant. Sigh.
Thanks again for this post!!
Mama Cheryl
@jasperblu on twitter
June 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Cheryl R says:
P.S.S. I still have pain at the incision site, numbness over most of the rest of my belly, the dreaded c-section belly “pooch” or flap, and a knarly assed scar (which I actually do not care about). Yay for Obstetrics right?!
June 21st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Judit says:
In some European countries, post-cesarean hospital stays are 7 days or longer. New mothers are assigned a home visiting nurse to spend several hours a day helping out and caring for mom and newborn. That would be a good way to start addressing some problems with cesareans here in the U.S. too.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Raquel says:
Your scar looks wonderful afterwards (the lack of stretch marks is nice too). What did you do to reduce the appearance of scar tissue… and did your look as “mangled” right after the surgery as well?
June 25th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Hi Raquel,
Thanks for you comment, and I sent you an e-mail too. I think it is great you are researching options before the fact.
To answer your questions, my scar was pretty ugly and “mangled” looking right after the C-section, for about 4 days, until they took the staples out. Keep in mind that the picture in the post of the scar is four years later. The scar has had time to heal,and fade somewhat. I also try to eat a healthy diet, which helps my skin overall.
I think the staples really make it look worse. For the most part the incision was very thin and straight- I am sure that was due to the doctor’s skill.
However, two days after the C-section, the end of the scar, for about an inch, broke open from the staples, and it was not pretty- lots of blood and pus. At that point, they decided not to “re-staple” it, and just put surgical tape on that end of the scar. As a result, the tail end of my scar is wider than the rest of it, and it isn’t straight- it is kind of squiggly.
Funny you should ask about that, because when I was writing this post, I included the above information, but later edited it out. I was trying to make the post more concise, and felt this was a detail that really wasn’t that important. I know it doesn’t show up in the picture that great, but the picture isn’t a very close, close-up, but believe me- it’s there.
I was VERY lucky that I didn’t get one stretch mark with this pregnancy. My mother claims stretch marks are hereditary, and she never got them either, even after 4 kids. I didn’t get any with my second pregnancy either- but got them a month after I gave birth (after the second pregnancy)- on my hips. I guess that is like stretch marks in reverse. Not sure how that happened. I really didn’t do anything special. I live in a very dry climate and tend to keep my skin very moisturized. I used shea butter too on my stomach, since it was itchy, due to my dry skin.
I really doubt the amount of weight gain had anything to do with it. I gained 50 pounds! I was normal weight before I was pregnant, so technically, this was more weight than I should have gained, but I ate when my body felt like it, and obviously, I needed it to grow my baby boy. I tried to eat healthy- of course I had cravings like ice cream, but I really craved protein, and ate a lot of dairy, eggs, and meat.
Since I was breastfeeding, I lost almost all my weight in 3 months. I lost the remainder within 6 months, but I didn’t really try- I really think genetics has a lot to do with it, and also your age.
After my second baby, just 2.5 years later, I was older and the weight didn’t come off as fast the second time around. I fortunately didn’t get a bad stomach overhang. I think it just depends on your body, but unfortunately, you don’t know what your body is going to do until after the fact.
I hope by presenting all sides of a C-section, woman can prepare and know what they might experience. Obviously not all of the negative aspects happen every time, but I feel the more aware of the possible outcomes, the better prepared they can be. In my case, these were things my doctor and all the pregnancy books never addressed.
I hope that helps, and good luck with your decision. Keep me posted.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
shannon says:
I read your blog and to have had a c-section, a vbac and then another c-section. Reading your blog I felt extremely scared about c-sections and I’ve recently had one myself. However, not everyone has the same experience that you did. I had my first son 18 years ago via emergency c-section. 9 years ago I delivered my second son via a vbac and 14 weeks ago I delivered my daughter at 36 weeks via an emergency c-section. I was very scared and apprehensive about this as I to have read horror stories like the one you posted- What I found however was that after my daughter was born I was able to see and kiss her and my husband was able to be with her immediately. Within an hour I was back in my room and was also able to bond with my baby-Within two hours after the surgery I was up and walking around and in little pain. In fact they tried to keep me in bed and I would not stay. I used little to no pain medication and was home and doing fine within 3 days. 11 days after I delivered my baby I was working from home 30 hours per week and doing all of the things I once did- Not all c-sections are horror stories nor should you try to make them seem that way. Also, my doctor never, ever told me I would have to have a c-section- he would have let me do a vbac had I not begun to hemorrage. So again I feel your misinterpretation of this is also false. Please realize that young woman of all ages will be looking at what you write on the web and those unlike myself who don’t know any better may literally be scared to death by this-
July 1st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Hi Shannon,
It is NOT my goal to misinform and frighten. I have said before my intent for the post was to alert women to some of the issues and complications that they *may* encounter when they have a C-section.
I felt a lot of the information I included in the post was not information that is readily given to women beforehand.
Furthermore I stated that a lot of this post was based on MY experience with a C-section. I state in my post that sometimes a C-section *IS* the only option. I feel it is important for women, who may be faced with having a C-section, to have ALL the information at least presented to them good and bad, regarding C-sections, so they can make an informed choice.
I realize no two C-sections are the same, and I am very happy yours was so successful. However, the fact remains that many women have no idea what a C-section entails, and have no idea what some of the complications are that might arise.
I wrote this post not to scare anyone, but to share my experience with MY C-section, which was less than ideal.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:33 pm
actress that have had c sections says:
[...] had her baby, born … One mother who has had four C-sections also pointed out that she has two …http://amamasblog.com/index.php/the-reality-of-c-sections/Angelina Jolie To Have C-Section Tuesday: Report - Entertainment …There&39s nothing unhealthy [...]
July 13th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Kate says:
Thank you for the informative post. I was petrified of having a c-section when I learned I was pregnant last year and of course, my luck, I ended up carrying monoamiotic identical twins and had NO other choice, period.
That said, for ME, it was actually rather easy, I thought. Yes, it hurt. I was up in 4 hours to visit my girls (32-weekers in NICU). Walking around the next day (day one too sore…). I have no vaginal birth to compare to, and hope to try VBAC with my next child. I wonder after readig your post if I just have a really high pain threshold. I was up and down stairs, back and forth 45 minute each way tot he hospital and in and out of chairs and nurseries the day after I left the hospital. Maybe a VBAC will be a cinch!
I had never seen c-section pics, which is why I landed on your site. I was interested (funny that, a year later!) in seeig what they did to me! WOW. Yeh, I can see why you have pain afterward. And since my girls’ cords were knotted and tangled they did a LOT of tugging to get them out. I thought they’d tug me off the table at some points!
Again, thank you for the excellent information.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
RayniesMom says:
I can speak from experience that my c-section was not the most pleasant. I went in for blood work and fetal movement tests a couple hours after my check up due to being in bad pain the day before, and they told me I had no choice to get the c-section or my baby would die within an hour. I had placental abruption and it was almost 90% abrupted. it’s now been 4 almost 5 weeks and I’m still in some pain when I stretch or sneeze or cough hard. I know have a little (i think it’s an infection) mark that looks like a blister on my incision and I dont know when it happened or why it happened. any ideas please e-mail me as to how to help it. I’ve been cleaning it and using bacitracin but I think I should go see a doctor…. any ideas on it?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
RayniesMom says:
Troubled_angel22@hotmail.com… that might help
July 28th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Hi Raynies Mom,
Congratulations on your new daughter, and thanks for leaving a comment on the C-section post.
To answer your question about your blister on your incision, I would definitely call the doctor ASAP and tell them you have the blister and you think it may be infected. I don’t believe it is normal to have a blister like you describe at any time on a C-section incision.
If it is in the early stages of infection they can probably prescribe an antibiotic, and that will be that. If it gets really infected, sometimes they have to hospitalize you for observation, etc. I would try to nip in the bud to avoid any possible complications with it.
Please keep me updated on how you are doing, and what the doctor thinks about this blister on your incision.
Take care.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Emily says:
I had a so-called “emergency” c-section with my first son - an induction that didn’t go well. In retrospect, they sure didn’t hurry very much in that “emergency”! I relate so much to your experience, because mine was pretty awful, too. My hands were strapped down, my husband wasn’t allowed into the room until at least ten minutes after I was (and I was TERRIFIED!) The actual experience of the section was extremely uncomfortable, even with the epidural. And then whatever they gave me in that IV (I still don’t know what it was) knocked me out pretty entirely. I don’t remember seeing my son. I don’t remember the first time I nursed him (thankfully, he was able to figure it out even without my help). I don’t remember ANYTHING until about 10 hours after the surgery. That is my biggest regret about the surgery - that I missed out on those happy hours after the birth.
Recovery was truly awful in my case. I had horrible post-surgery gas - that is the worst pain I have been in, in my entire life. SO much worse than labor, and it didn’t stop. I couldn’t go to the bathroom, and they had to catheterize me and eventually try an enema, as well (it didn’t work, either). I was so miserable, and I should have been happy!
I had staples, too, in my scar. I looked at them once and then decided not to look again - they gave me the shivers. I was glad when they got taken out. Thankfully my scar healed well, with no infections or tearing, but it was about three months before I began to feel “normal” again. I had numbness at the scar (and one small section still has no feeling, even after 3.5 years). I also had bladder pain that no one could diagnose or fix, but since it had never happened before I’m positive it was due to the surgery.
I’ve since had a VBAC and am about to have my second. There is NO COMPARISON in the recoveries. Thank you for writing a clear, concise explanation about what really happens in a c-section. Yes, some women have easy recoveries (I have a friend who has had three and had no trouble at all) but they are the EXCEPTION, not the rule.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Rosanne (mommy of two, and number three in 15 days) says:
Hi, my name is Rosanne. I’ve had two children, and I’m pregnant with my third. I have a c-section scheduled for 15 days from now.
My first child, born vaginally in 2003, was almost uncomplicated. I was in active labor with her for 22 hours (not counting the contractions almost 24 hours before my water broke). During the delivery there was a problem and the forcepts and vacuum had to be used to pull her out. She now has a learning disability (she’s dislexic and has speech problems). Also, my daughter and I both had an infection and she was also jaundice. So we were both in the hospital from saturday to the following thursday.
My second child was born in 2005. I started out with a vaginal delivery. My water broke at 2am and he started coming out around 1pm. His head did not come out first though. His hand did. I had to have an emergency c-section because I went into shock. the recovery was not that bad. I went into labor on a monday and we were both home on thursday. The scar i have is less than 3 inches, and it healed nicely so you can’t even notice it. As for the extra flabby belly, SIT-UPS or use an excersize ball. After I healed and was cleared by my doctor I started excersizing and I had a beautifully flat tummy again within a couple months. I got thin again and you couldn’t even tell that I had had two children. Anyway, after the c-section delivery my hospital/nurses/doctors gave me so good meds that were safe to take while breastfeeding and I was in very little pain. As for “not being able to breast feed because you need to protect your belly from the baby kicking it”, the nurses told me to just put a pillow again the incision and use a second pillow for the baby to lay on during the feeding. And you also wrote that you lose precious time after a c-section to breast feed immediately after birth, you can request that the nurse put the baby to your breast while you are still knocked out. As some woman may feel uncomfortable having a nurse touch them and hold their child to their breast while they are sleeping, if you feel so strongly about having the baby feed immediately after birth, it is an option.
Now I’m having my third baby in a couple weeks, as long as a don’t go into labor before my c-section is scheduled. I asked my doctor to schedule the c-section because I am a single mother and wanted to make sure I could make arrangements with my family members to care for my other children while i am in the hospital. I like knowing when my childs birthday will be. As is, I have my birthday, then 7 days later this child will be born, then 7 days later is my second childs birthday (he’ll be three).
Anyway, in my opinion, having a c-section has many more benefits then people give credit. I had a friend who had a baby last year. She had a completely normal pregnancy and when she went into labor, vaginally, nothing seemed wrong. The labor began and progressed normal until the baby’s head came out and the doctor told her to stop pushing. Unfortunately it was too late. The cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck and he had sufficated during the last push. They unwrapped the cord and finished delivering the baby and tried to resesitate him but it was too late. The baby had died.
That is one of the reasons I’ve choosen to have a c-section this time around. Anything can go wrong during a vaginal delivery, c-section deliveries have minimal problems and fatalities.
Thank you for your time.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
A Mama's Blog says:
Thanks for your comment Rosanne, and congratulations on your soon to be born baby.
While I respect your opinion, I must respond to your thought that “Anything can go wrong during a vaginal delivery, c-section deliveries have minimal problems and fatalities.”
I would like to restate some information I wrote in another post, which included information from birth writer, Jennifer Block. http://amamasblog.com/2007/09/30/excellent-article-on-disturbing-c-section-trend/
“Caesareans are riskier than normal, vaginal birth. They also lead to repeat caesareans. Repeat caesareans carry even greater risks.
Placenta accreta is one of them. The placenta embeds into the uterine scar from a previous surgery, causing a catastrophic hemorrhage at the time of delivery. Most women with placenta accreta lose their uteri; as many as 1 in 15 bleed to death. In 1970, accretas were so rare that most obstetricians never encountered one in their career. Today, according to a University of Chicago study, the incidence may be as high as 1 in 500 births. And that is all because of caesareans and repeat caesareans.”
This is just one piece of evidence that shows C-sections can result in MAJOR problems and do contribute to the USA’s increasing maternal death rate. While vaginal births do have complications too, C-sections are major surgery and definitely are just ask “risky,” if not more so than normal vaginal birth.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
patty says:
I just found out that I have a condition called placenta previa. Most likely I will have to have a c-section. I had a vaginal for my first and had such a bad tear that I had to go to rehabilitation for months afterwards. I don’t want to have a c-section but if it’s in the cards what can I do…risk bleeding to death? I was looking for information on c-sections and came across your site. Generally I don’t take into account others experiences knowing how different everyone’s experiences are. I have two close relatives who had c-sections for medical reasons and both had very easy recoveries. They chose not to breastfeed because of their own reasons. I wanted to know about breast feeding and c-sections because I breastfed my first for 6 months.
The problem I had with your blog is mostly in the blue sections. I’m sure your intentions were not to scare or freak out people who have to have c-sections, but you have. It’s the wording…”You will have an ugly scar”, “you will have a VERY long recovery”, “Your baby is taken out of the operating room, while you are lying down with your hands restrained, like a criminal, while having your internal organs being placed back inside of you, and getting stitched up. You will have to wait at least 30 minutes after the birth (usually longer), before you can really hold your baby for the first time.” (that one is the killer since I have NEVER heard of this happening). You are writing directly to the reader with all these definites and that is just not right. Maybe if you wrote “I” instead of “You”. You don’t know what others’ experiences will be.
If I gave a detailed account of my first birth I would probably scare some people from even getting pregnant. That’s just not something I want to do.
Again, I’m sure your intentions were true; just realize who your audience is…many first timers who want some information that will be honest but not fearful.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Lisa says:
patty,
Thank you for your post you are absolutely right “I” should be used instead of “you” … Mama’s Blog keeps defending it is her own personal experience but is always using “You” not “I” maybe there should be some changes!
*EVERYONE do not forget that an emergency c-section is ALWAYS more dangerous and has more complications than a planned c-section!*
I wish the best of luck to all and thank goodness no one had died from thier experiences… Thank God you are all able to live a healthy and prosperous life; a little pain goes a long way so you and your baby are able to live life together!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Patty and Lisa,
Thank you for your comments on this post. It is interesting to read how this post can be interpreted by different people. From other comments left, some women agree with me in full on how I wrote this post, and some like yourselves, do not.
My goal in writing this post was not to try to scare women, but to hopefully raise awareness on what they could be facing after a C-section. I do re-read the post from time-to-time and revise information to have current and up-to-date information. After reading your comments and the post, I do agree with you that some of the information I have in the blue boxes, are based on my experience, and may not be the case for others. Because I want to help raise awareness on the complications that often arise after a C-section, I have changed that wording on those aspects in the blue box, to reflect that it may or might happen.
When I originally wrote the post, I used the term ‘you’ instead of ‘I,’ based on numerous conversations and comments I have had from women who have had C-sections. I felt that ‘you’ was being used as a general term, and I didn’t think anyone would take ‘you’ to mean every single woman, but I do see how it can read, and thank you for bringing this to my attention.
However, I did not change the wording on the information in the blue boxes, that are facts, for every single woman, not just my own personal experience, such as the fact that you DO end up with a scar. For some women this fades, which I even pointed out in my own pictures that it can fade, but for some women it doesn’t fade.
*You DO lose time with your baby in the recovery process. This can range from hours to weeks, but in general, there is always time lost with your new baby after having a major surgery like a C-section.
*It is well documented that babies born via C-section have a harder time breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be more of a challenge after a C-section, and I believe I phrase this accurately in the box, that you may have a harder time breastfeeding after a C-section.
*Your uterus DOES have scar tissue, you DO have a scar at the incision site for the rest of your life, and having a C-section DOES limit your birthing options in the future. It also increases your chance of uterine rupture with future pregnancies as well.
As the blue boxes pointed out, there are numerous risks to both baby and mother following a C-section.
But interestingly, studies show the complications seem to increase to the mother after ELECTIVE C-sections, NOT emergency C-sections.
I disagree with Lisa’s comment that “an emergency c-section is ALWAYS more dangerous and has more complications than a planned c-section!”
Several studies suggest that PLANNED C-sections can be up to THREE times more risky than emergency C-sections. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/02/12/c-sections.html
Furthermore, planned C-sections for non-medical emergency reasons are more risky than vaginal birth: http://health.howstuffworks.com/c-section4.htm
I plan to write a post about that in the near future.
I think so many women believe they have to suffer through the pain and complications of a C-section because it is medically necessary, but that doesn’t always have to be the case.
Please don’t just take my word for it- do your own research, talk to people who have had VBAC’s, do your own research and make an informed decision. This post is intended to be used as a tool in that process.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Candiandsons says:
I was fortunate enough to birth my first son. I loved the excitement in knowing “It’s time.”
I didn’t have that opportunity with my second son. I had placenta previa. A c-section was a must or I faced the chance of losing my son and my life as well. (Later found out I had an “unusally large placenta)
I didn’t want a c-section. The element of surprise was scheduled… well I started bleeding and needed an emergency c-section.
I was mad that the previa forced me to have a c-section but glad that my son and I were given a chance to survive this birth, albeit via c-section.
My friend LOVED having c-sections. I HATED the recovery. Everytime I coughed I felt like I was going to pop open.
My son was born at 35wks and 1 day gestation. He had RDS and had to be in the NICU for 1 wk. I didn’t get to hold my son until the next day! He wasn’t able to breast feed but I was deligent to pump.
I get sad reliving this memory. I’d never opt for a c/s for convenience but I am thankful we both lived to tell the story.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Michelle says:
I just want to thank you for the great, necessary, important information you have provided but also for the way you handle responses. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of both sides.
I hope one day women and their doctors will trust the female body to instinctively do what it was made to do without interference. Doctors need to give up this need for control and remain on the sidelines as a “lifeguard.”
By the way, have you heard that insurance companies are now denying women coverage who’ve had even one previous c-section, unless they’ve been sterilized???
Thanks again,
Michelle
August 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Melissa says:
I have to agree with a lot of the previous posters - this article seems meant to frighten. Maybe you didn’t mean it that way, but that’s how it comes across.
My fear from things like this is that it will cause some women to believe that most sections are done without medical need, that they’re frivolous or for the doctor’s ease. Mine wasn’t - mine REALLY wasn’t. I can’t imagine my doctor wanted this at ALL.
So here’s what happened. I planned a natural childbirth and had a totally normal pregnancy. I went into labor on my own, counted contractions, labored in the bathtub, rushed off to the hospital in the middle of the night with my excited hubby and bag. I labored for 5 more hours at the hospital - I was offered the tub, but chose the shower, was occasionally monitored but was allowed to walk around. I did everything “right.”
I decided on an epidural to relax me at 5 am, after being awake 24 hours and not dilating more than 4 cm. It worked. I was 6 cm within 1/2 hour of the meds. All was right with the world.
And then, like out of a movie, my daughter flatlined. Beep-beep-beeeeeeeeeeeeeep. I immediately woke up, my husband couldn’t even get near me for all the doctors and nurses. My experienced, wonderful doctor looked scared. I’ve never seen a look like that before. My situation clearly wasn’t normal. She told me she wanted to do a section, even though at that point I was 9.5 cm. It was not even a question in my mind - I almost ASKED her to do it. Most people would if they hear their baby’s heart completely stop.
So, we did the operation, and my daughter, who had the cord tightly around her neck twice and was facing up, was delivered within 10 minutes and is totally healthy. I was held down, but only because I was shaking uncontrollably from transition and the epi (not tied). I had sutures. I have a small scar, no “shelf.” No more pain.
It hurt in the days after, but that ended. I didn’t need painkillers. I was encouraged to breastfeed, and my milk came in like a bandit. My daughter latched on immediately with no problems. We went home in 4 days.
Despite the scary situation, I think it was great. It saved my daughter’s life. Might vaginal have been easier? Sure. But would my daughter have lived? Probably not.
I am all for natural birth and for women being more informed about the birth process. I will likely try a VBAC if I do it again, just to avoid a long hospital stay. But my c-section was great. If I was told I needed another, no biggie. I won’t feel like less of a mom, or less of a woman, or sad because of it. I bet there are a lot more people like me but they don’t talk about precisely because it really wasn’t a big deal.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Melissa,
Thanks for your comment, and I agree with you 100% that emergency C-sections are great and can save lives. A quote from my post:
“C-sections are a medical tool, and should only be performed when absolutely necessary. C-sections DO have a place in obstetrics, and I have a friend who would have died, if she had not gotten an emergency C-section.”
Our C-section rate in the United States climbs every year. Many OB’s and even ACOG believes it is ethical to allow elective C-sections, when there is no medical need for them at all, despite the fact that research shows the chances of complications rise for the woman and the baby on *elective* C-sections. Isn’t it interesting that emergency C-sections have lower complication rates? Should that be telling us something?
Doctors have now resorted delivering almost all breech births by C-sections. Hospitals continue to ban VBAC’s, even though they are safe for the majority of women. They are taking birthing choices and options away from millions of women and babies, and increasing their chances of complications.
My goal of the post is to inform women who may be facing a planned or elective C-section, and to offer my viewpoint, from my perspective, on what a C-section is like. Like no two births are alike, no two C-sections are alike, and of course in an emergency what needs to be done, is what needs to be done. Maybe I need to write a follow-up post explaining this better, because I keep getting comments saying I am trying to “scare” women.
I honestly wish I had information like this before my C-section for my breech baby. It would have helped me made a more informed decision, and I did try to find information on what a C-section was like, but I couldn’t find anything. All the popular baby delivery books said you go to the hospital, and you may have a day or so recovery time longer than with a vaginal birth.
Some C-sections births ARE like that, but I wished I had at least been able to find information that would have helped me prepare in case my C-section *wasn’t* a piece of cake that I had been led to believe it was by the information out there and by the media.
I receive comments and e-mails every day from women who are thankful for this account. To the ones that I am “scaring,” I am sorry my account of my C-section is scary. It was pretty scary – honestly. It was the worse experience of my life. Your C-section may not be. There are countless websites, books, TV shows, magazines, Hollywood celebrities, and doctors who will tell you C-sections aren’t “scary,” aren’t painful, and they are nothing to worry about. I’m sorry, but I am not going to sugar coat my experience- if I was to that, what would be the point in writing about it at all?
I’m aiming to inform women who suspect there might be more to a C-section than what she is being told, like I was. That is the spirit of this post- to inform. Like the famous quote, “knowledge is power”-the more you know, the more informed decision you can make.
I am so glad you were able to have an emergency C-section, and it all ended well for you and your baby. Again, thanks for your comment, and it has inspired me to write a follow-up post explaining my position in more detail.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Melissa says:
It’s funny, but from all of the reading I have done, I have never thought of the c-section as the easy way out. I have read more anti-section literature than “you’re posh if you push” stuff. They make it sound evil, like you’re less of a woman, won’t bond with your baby, etc. It really does, for the most part, seem to be be pushing against c-sections for almost ANY reason.
That said, I understand that the goal is to inform, and maybe that’s why I was fine with it - I was very informed and had done my research into all the possibilities. And the one thing that I believe the anti-section literature leaves out is that ANYTHING can happen in childbirth. You simply can’t have expectations - you can have goals and desires, but expectations? No. You set yourself up for disappointment and failure if you do that. And I had no expectations, so I never felt failure or disappointment.
And as I said, I do believe childbirth is natural and should be treated as such. It’s just that I worry that too many women will say “I’m informed, childbirth is easy” and refuse c-sections and suffer consequences. C-Sections are occasionally medically necessary and it’s very easy in hindsight to say “I shouldn’t have listened to the doctor, I could have had a vaginal birth.” But it would be just as easy to say “I SHOULD have listened to the doctor and had the section,” and if that’s what you’re saying, the consequences will be much worse - a dead baby, or an injured baby. I know at least two women who wish the doctor had offered a section. One has a child with cerebral palsy and the other had such terrible damage that she will not be having other children. And to them, a scar with some pain would have been nothing. So it can go both ways. I would not want to see a lot of people rejecting suggestions of doctors outright and suffering as a result.
Moreover, I wonder how many women will actually happily accept the consequences of their actions should they refuse a section that turned out to be necessary, or will they turn around and sue the hospital and doctor for not forcing them to have a section? I am an attorney - I see it all the time, and I can almost guarantee, having seen enough of human nature, that this does and will happen.
There has to be a happy medium somewhere. I have always thought that St. Luke’s in NYC, with its birth center IN the hospital would be a good route. It’s midwife run, but the doctors are upstairs, and if a section becomes necessary, they’re right there. You get the benefits of modern medicine with a less invasive approach.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Melissa says:
Oh, one other thing I remember I wanted to mention - I was a breech baby. Frank breech - I came out butt first. My mother not only delivered me vaginally, but without drugs (she had an episiotomy, but heck, was glad for it, as would most people be in a situation like that). I had not been breach, but turned after she went into labor. Ultrasounds were not as common in the 1970s, so they didn’t realize it. I don’t even know that a c-section was mentioned. My mother’s doctor delivered me at a teaching hospital, with tons of interns around. So there was a time when hospitals DID deliver breech babies vaginally.
But again, it brings to mind the question - if given the option of delivering a breech baby vaginally by a hospital, would a mother be willing to accept the consequences, and, if necessary, absolve the hospital of responsibility for her choice, should something go wrong?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Elizabeth says:
Just wondering– had you ever had surgery before this experience? It seems as though you hadn’t, and if it’s the case I think it would be nice if you mentioned that fact somewhere.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Doe says:
I have had two csections - while both traumatic - I would go through them again. With my second csection I knew what to expect and felt much more confident with this one. I developed intense SPD with my little boy (born 12th may this year - 2008) and ended up on crutches. Yes csections can be very painful but if a csection helps your child to live you would go through it again. My first child was a normal birth and my next two were csections due to placenta abruptions. I am now 21 weeks after my csection and the scar has opened up yet again and i have developed another infection - currently on very strong antibiotics. I developed infection after infection and had chronic indigestion with my last child. Even after all of this, I would go through the pain again if it meant my boys were alright. I would like to congratulate you on highlighting what happens with csections. If I had known what to expect with my first i would have been much more positive probably the first time around. I would just like to say to mums to be or new mums no matter what pain you go through its all for your new child. I would glady do this all again and more for my children. I follow my late nans motto of ‘ONE DAY AT A TIME’ basically take one day at a time to get through the pain barrier. Enjoy the miracle of your children
October 7th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Terra Stewart says:
I wish i would have never had my c-section i just had my 3rd baby boy on 9-17-08 and he was an emergency c-section i had my other 2 boy 7 and 5 years old by natural no painmeds nothing and that is the way i wanted it i was right up after i had them holding them walking around with them so when i got pregent for my 3rd i thought things would be the same..I was looking forword to having him but i started to have lots of problems… So long story short i went in on the 17th to be induced 3 days early cause of my problems and i was doing good until 8 hours into thr birth of my baby.. the found out that his arm was stuck above his head and he couldn’t move and i was bleeding very bad and his heart rate was dropping with every contraction.. So the doctor come in to talk to me about what we wanted to do or what could be done.. So he told me he would most likely move his arm out of the way most babies do but he wanted me to sign the paper for a c-section just in case something really went wrong they could take me straight back…so i signed thinking they was going to do other things first to try and get him out.. ha yea right the next thing i know 20mins later i am back in the room and they are cutting me open to get him out… Don’t get me wrong i am greatful that my baby is ok but they worst is yet to come.. After the c-section they din’t put me on any type od meds. except pain killers and they forgot to take my staples out before i left the hospital so i got an infection.. so 7 days after the birth of my on i was cut back open and sent home with a 16 inches cut in my stomach that was 3 inches deep.. so long story short her it is 6 weeks after i have had my baby and i still have a 14 inche cut that is 3 inches deep in my stomach i son’t think i am ever going to heal i can’t hold me baby i have to sit down so someone can hand him to me and i had to stop breast feeding because they thought it would help the healing process and the pain is so bad i eat pain pills like they are candy.. so if anyone is thinking of haveing a c-section just to have it don’t please think about it first and think of the risk in it.. they will tell u it is not a mager surgury but it is.. thank you for reading and listening to what i had to say..
Terra
November 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Terra,
I’m sorry you are having such a hard recovery time. I know it isn’t easy. With two other children, I imagine you are pretty busy. Honestly, one of the biggest things that can help is rest. I know that is easier said than done, but is there any way you can get some extra rest, and take it easy for at least a few days?
I was trying to do it all, after my C-section, and it just made the pain worse. I had to let it go, and give myself permission- if I didn’t heal, it wasn’t going to help me, my baby, or my family. Do you have a relative that could come help for a few days, or a friend? Can your hubby take a few days off of work? People always want to know what they can do to help, so don’t be shy in telling people what you need.
Even if you don’t have anyone who can help, do the least amount possible. Get some frozen meals, or have your hubby get take-out for dinner, if he doesn’t cook. It won’t be like this forever, but you have to allow yourself proper time to rest. Your body can’t heal, if you constantly pushing it.
When your scar is a little more healed, try putting pure Vitamin E oil on it. I have always had good luck with that, in reducing scars, but for some reason, I never thought of it, when my scar was healing.
Thank you for your comment. That is why I wrote this post- not to scare women, but to let them know, there can be real complications associated with a C-section that can continue weeks and months after the baby is born.
Please let me know how you are doing- you can e-mail me privately too.
Heather
November 1st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
kay says:
My name is Kay, I am a bit worried, I am 33 years old 20 weeks pregnant, I gave birth naturally with my son who is now 13 it was a very long painful day with stitches involved I am worried and I would like a c section, can you help me decide, I hate that I worry about it every day. Thank you
November 4th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
MARKETTA DAVIS says:
As you said every situation is different. I had two c-sections. The first an emergency the second elected. I wish I wouldve tried vbac!!!! My first c section was smooth. No problem. The second? The one i chose to have? Horrible!!!! I was alone. The doctor cut my colon before he cut my uterus. I had hbp the last three weeks of my pregnancy. My bp skyrocketed. They overmedicated me with bp meds. I couldnt feel my left side, see out of my left eye, fluid filled my left lung. What happened to me? I dont know, never was told. Just moved to icu. To top it off, I didnt see my baby until Sunday. (My surgery was Friday morning) I really wish I wouldve tried vbac.
November 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Jen says:
I had a c-section on month ago (October 20, 2008) and they used staples. So some hospitals are not using the glue. I am concerned about the area above the incision. It is puffy like swelling but the incision is completely closed. I am wondering if this will go away or if it is scar tissue forming?
November 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Kristen says:
Dear Heather,
I am so sorry you had such a bad experience with your c-section. You story was difficult to read. I was lucky enough to have a great experience with my emergency c-section for our now 2 1/2 year old happy and healthy son(who was concieved via I.U.I.). I breastfed 1 1/2 hours after my surgery, ate a huge meal 4 hours post and even showered that night. I was up tidying my room the next day(the nurses scolded me), I was off all meds after 5 days, and was vacuuming and cooking by day 7 post op. My incision healed beautifly as well. I am currently 27 weeks pregnant(natural conception) at the age of 42 and am scheduled for my c-section 3/10/09. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am lucky enough to live in the Boston area and will deliver at Beth Israel Deaconess (same as our son). I realize that there are risks involved with major surgery, but I completely trust my OB- he gave me the option of VBAC and I chose c-section. I will be 2 weeks shy of 43 at the time of this childs birth and I am not willing to leave anything to chance. I think the most important thing is that women should learn as much about all the options as there is to learn. Being informed gives you a greater advantage. I’ve heard it said that natural birth is empowering and women miss out on this if they have a c-section, and that they really haven’t “given birth”, but honestly, regardless of how the baby is brought into the world, is there any one thing on the planet more empowering than having the ability to grow a human being within our body and having the ability to produce life sustaining milk to nourish this little miracle? I really can’t think of anything more empowering than that!
Thanks for your time-
Kristen
December 14th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Genna Corrigan says:
Brilliant post! Thank you so much for the photographs. I had a section 14 weeks ago, and although I have a very healthy and happy son, I have never come to terms with what my body went through. My section was done after 30 hours of labour and after reaching the full 10cms - but unfortunately my sons head never lowered enough and he was in distress. I felt pounced on at the last minute. Nobody had mentioned a section until the very last second and it was definitely something I NEVER wanted. I understand how necessary it was for me, but I still feel absolutely robbed. Not of the childbirth experience - I am no hard-core “earth mother” and just wanted the whole thing over with - but I feel I have been robbed of my fitness. Nobody told me of the physical set-backs of a section and how long my body would take to recover. It gets better all the time, but 14 weeks on I still feel physically drained and sore. For someone who was pretty fit (I’m only 24), I’m finding it really hard to do things I used to enjoy like running. My body now troubles me in ways it never used to - sore joints, aching abdominal muscles and sore scar in cold weather (not so good considering I live in Scotland).
The photo’s here help me understand better the trauma my body went through and why I am taking so long to recover. Thank you for helping me get my head around it.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Tiaras & Tantrums says:
oh my - those photos - I never had any issues with that . . poor ladies. I totally agree about the pain and recovery - that was terrible. It is terrible. I took me about 6 -8 months to feel okay again after my first and only 3-4 months after my second - my third - it took me a long time . . . I still get pains . . . as for the scars - argh - terrible now - a shelf I have and it is dented and loopy and my hair no longer grows there.
Very interesting posts!!
April 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Cris L says:
hy there
very nice website. I just had a c section on feb 18. after almost 24 hr labor. i am reading that it takes 6 weeks to recover but i am experiencing pain still. i feel I am getting worse with time. I have needle like pain from my incision down. I can’t sleep on my sides or on my stomach, I can’t sit and I can’t have the baby on me for long periods which is like impossible to avoid I am always with him. I don know to what extend is this normal.I wish doctors would have told me what to expect. All by pubic area all feels like needles are going inside is horrible. people are saying for me to watch out that they have not left something inside of me. thats a very scary thought because i don even want to think about being open up again. It does can happen because I have a friend who told me they left a piece of gauce inside of her and she went back to operating room. Can anybody tell me if they experience pain sensations like this. I would really appretiate
April 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
A Mama's Blog says:
Cris,
I am sorry you are still having so much pain. I don’t think, almost two months after the C-section, it is normal. I would suggest you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If nothing else, they can make sure you don’t have an infection, or something else going on. If your doctor can’t explain why you are still having such intense pain, find another doctor who can figure out what is going on.
Please keep me posted- I am worried about you. You can e-mail me privately too. My E-mail is on the Contact page.
Please get this checked out as soon as possible.
Heather
April 11th, 2009 at 12:24 am
C-Sections- Five Years and Beyond- (Part 1) | A Mama's Blog says:
[...] was the third part in a series of C-section posts I have written. The first post in the series, The Reality of C-sections, has generated a wide variety of thoughts, feelings, and comments. One comment that kept coming [...]
April 17th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
morgan says:
Those pictures are WAY different than the ones I have from all of my c-sections! I have videos of each of the surgeries too- the cutting and everything else, and it doesn’t look like anything in those photos!
To get the babies out, my doctor or the OB asst. would put one hand under the babies head inside my womb, then the other doctor would push down on my belly under my ribs so the baby would slide out.
Definantly not glamerous, and definantly not fun. However, it’s definantly a life saver. I’ve read about what they used to do when babies wouldn’t come out and I’m very thankfull that I was born during a time when c-sections are a relatively safe option for both baby and mama.
That said, I have had a baby go into respitory distress. I’ve also dealt with a possible spinal headache and the other usual painful recoveries. C-Sections scare me, even after having had 4.
Even so, I’ve learned some things since my first c-section that have made the deliveries and recoveries a little easier. I try to share with other repeat c-section moms so they too can have a better experience the second time around.
April 18th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
skin caretaker says:
That’s one horrible experience, but I think most of these are successful without any implications… The doctor accounts for a lot of it, too
April 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
stephanie says:
your scare is one of the best the best that I have seen. I know you are you are thankful that it looks that good after three years. WOW
May 5th, 2009 at 4:27 am
vicki says:
People…giving birth is a risky business whether its natural or with medical intervention. These photos posted here are pretty gruesome and have to portray ‘worst case scenario’…but I can imagine there are some people out there with pretty horrific ‘natural’ birth stories that could match these c-section disasters.
I have had both natural and c section births and to be honest my natural birth was a complete disaster for me. All was going smooth until my last push when I felt and heard a ‘blood curdling crack’…I had broken my pelvis in 3 places and sustained ’separation of the pubis symphis (sp?)’ I was unable to move for a week in hospital…unable to pick up or carry my baby. Then I had intensive physio and had to use a walker for the next 12 weeks before I could ‘get around’ in any sort of manner. For the next 12 months I walked with a serious limp…3 years on and I still have pain and discomfort from my injuries and this is on top of my daughter coming out with her hand first and tearing my vagina extensively requiring many, many stitches.
In December 2008 I had a c-section (planned) which was a totally pleasant and successful experience. My baby was handed to me immediately after my stitches were completed (about 10 mins) and during this time, my husband held the baby close to me…I then began breastfeeding with no problems.
I only had 2 stitches on the outside..all the others were internal (not a staple in sight). I had a quite bad pain for one night and then the next day I was up and about feeding and bathing my baby…what a different experience compared to my natural birth.
Heather, I read your posts with some bewilderment and wonder what your motives are here? Giving birth to a breech baby naturally can be extremely painful, exhausting and down right dangerous. My best friend is Canadian (I am Australian) and she gave birth to her breech baby naturally and it was so traumatic she couldn’t bear the thought of having any more kids.
In doing my family tree over the past few years, I realise with such sadness that many of my foremothers lost their lives during childbirth or the child did not survive the process.
I am not promoting c-sections but I don’t think your post portrays a balanced opinion on this subject.
I also don’t agree with your vaccination opinions.
May 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Melissa says:
Thanks for blogging about what to expect after a c-section. I had and emergency c-section after being induced at just 33 weeks due to my uncontrollable high blood pressure. During delivery the cord dropped and I was rushed to surgery. I was so scared, my husband was not allowed to attend. I demanded to be asleep. When I woke up my husband said I was gone for 3 hours. They finally took us to the NICU to see our baby girl weighing only four pounds. They told us she was floppy at birth. I was in so much pain and so confused about the birth. I was so much more depressed than with my other two vaginal births. It’s been 8 months now and I still have pain. The scar isn’t to bad but the belly flap is really upsetting and I’m having such a hard time losing this belly fat. It’s great to finally find a web site that explains what to really expect during and after a c-section. I thought maybe it’s just me, I felt all alone. So thank-you for posting your story!
May 7th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Cindy says:
Thank you for listing the truths of C-sections. I’ve known many people who have had them and haven’t had a hard time or a long recovery, but for me, I found it grueling and I didn’t believe it would ever end. I spent weeks sitting in my bed crying because my baby needed me, but my pain was so bad, I couldn’t even move. It would take me so very long to take care of my baby even when I had put everything I needed so close together and this was weeks after surgery. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much of a choice with my delivery. My baby was 11 pounds and 1 ounce at birth and there was no way I was going to squeeze him out. I’m thankful that we are both alive, but being treated like I was healing normal and that my pain level was like everyone else and being denied medication to help me function truly robbed me during this special time. Yes, I suppose I was healing normal, despite a bladder infection, fevers, and some other nasty things that went on for weeks, but my pain level is not like anyone else and it really broke my heart not to be able to hold my baby in ways I wanted to in order to console him due to my own suffering and pain. And, it is very hard to take care of another when you are in a great deal of pain yourself. This truly was a very traumatic experience for me. I am grateful for my son, but I will never go through this again and risk having another c-section. I’m happy for those who go through this and have a speedy and almost painless recovery, but I very much feel for those who don’t and have to also deal with added complications.
I definitely have a greater respect for mothers. And, an even greater respect for those who can push through when the odds aren’t very good.
If you don’t need a c-section, please consider a vaginal delivery before electing anything else.
And to reply to Chris L: Yes, I am also experiencing everything you just described. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought I had written it word for word. I haven’t been brave enough to seek out an exam due to pain and I definitely don’t even want to think about having to go through the whole process all over again. If my worst nightmare came true, the hospital would truly regret every operating on me. Hopefully, as I’ve already expressed, it is just a different type of tolerance for me and I hope that I just have a lower tolerance for this pain and that nothing is wrong. I wish the same for you.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:44 pm