What I will say is that if you'd really told me start to finish how everything was going to go I would have told you that there's no way I'd be strong enough or brave enough to do it...the thing is though, you are and I was.
As far as sections go, mine was planned and overall, uncomplicated. Based on my section, here are the questions I had going into it and now can answer based on now having gone through it. I read a lot online about other women's experiences and to be honest, there are a lot of drama queens out there. Put on your big girl panties, have a little cry in the car on the way to your surgery if you need to (if it's a scheduled C) and know that you can and will get through it and you will likely feel back to normal sooner rather than later! Attitude is everything! I'm not a Dr. so this is just my experience, not medical advice.
1. Will my c-section hurt?
As with all of the answers I'm about to share, remember each experience is individualized...But I think most of us first time moms fear the pain of childbirth no matter what. The short answer is Yes, there are parts of what is about to happen that will range from unpleasant to god-awful...but what I know for sure is that it's worth it! For me, the surgery itself was painless, the recovery was the hard part.
- The Bad: After surgery, when I got up from bed or sitting, I wanted to punch gravity in the face for existing, the initial moments of going from sitting/laying down to standing hurt. Take a deep breath (or 5), use that hoo-hoo-heeeeee breathing you learned about in the movies and count to 3, having someone help you very slowly rise.
- The Good: It gets better and eventually the pain will END! Every day I was in less pain and found workarounds to make things easier. I felt nearly normal (on pain meds) by Day 3. By Day 5 I felt virtually no discomfort (on Motrin as needed). I wish I'd done more arm strengthening exercises during my pregnancy to help me get around and situate myself since I couldn't use my core muscles post-op.
2. How do I manage the pain?
First and foremost, take your pain medication as directed by your Dr. and do not get behind, or off schedule. Take your stool softener! Don't try to be overly tough! Secondly, I found moving and walking helped me to feel better. On days once I got home if I didn't move as much or take a walk, I was stiff and sore. Breathing and affirmations helped me as well. I used the breathing techniques I learned in childbirth class to power through the painful moments like standing up from bed, or sitting down on the toilet (next time bringing a toilet seat riser, seriously!). I also told myself out loud that I was strong and I could handle it.
3. What does a spinal feel like?
My anesthesiologist was amazing. The morning of my C I was terrified as the events started happening. Using his finger nails he pushed and prodded in between my vertebrae to assess where to do the block. This part hurt a little, but I think much of that was because I was so tense and terrified for the needle part coming next. He gave me several quick shots of local anesthetic (barely hurt, felt like little pinches) and then he inserted the spinal needle (I didn't feel anything really). I could feel him pushing in the medicine and my spinal nerves tingled (not painful, but more a very strange sensation). They laid me on my back quickly after the needle was out and I started to go numb in my lower body. It felt like pins and needles in my legs (not painful) at first, then felt like nothing/numb.
4. Does the surgery hurt?
No. You are awake, fully with it and present mentally. I experienced some sensation of awareness that the doctors were doing something down there in my belly but, zero pain though as they worked to get baby Carter out. Twice during the surgery I started to see stars, the doctor pushed some meds into my IV and I was fine again. Remember, it's normal to feel nervous about major abdominal surgery that you are awake for but know your adrenaline will help power you through it. You can do it!
5. How long is the recovery?
We stayed 4 days, 3 nights in the hospital. By day 4 post-op I felt decent. I'm 5 days post op now and getting around well at home. I was able to walk upstairs from the first night at home. I can carry the baby up and down the stairs, get up and down from sitting and can even get up from laying down in bed as long as I have my step stool. I don't have much appetite thanks to the medication I think. Today, hubs and I took baby for a 20 minute walk outside in the stroller and I felt just fine. My incision site is sore and I have no ab muscles which makes tasks challenging but not painful. I have not looked at my incision per the advice of other c-section survivors, my hubs takes a peek every day to make sure it looks ok and that's that. *updated!* I'm now three weeks post and I feel pretty much 100%! Still need to regain my core strength but the only discomfort I have now is from hemorrhoids. *updated I'm now 12 weeks post op and completely back to normal. I am exercising, running, doing everything I did before I was pregnant and no worse for wear.
6. Anything else you wished you'd known...
From day 1, air out your incision. Take 10 minutes a few times a day to make sure it gets some fresh air and stays dry. I bought a little portable mini-fan once I was home to help blow dry it out. Blot it dry with a clean towel (I used a clean washcloth) after you get out of the shower and either blow dry it (on cool) or fan it after to make sure no moisture is trapped (that can cause yeast to grow).
Your incision will be OK when you shower, it won't hurt to shower.
This is gross, but...you will smell a lot down there because all of the fluids, meds & lining from your uterus that comes out after your give birth. Once your catheter is out (for me it was 24 hours after delivery, and taking it out did not hurt at all) you and your husband will likely get really close as he helps you to the potty and puts on your maxi pads for you.
I'd advise you google "first pregnancy poop" so as not to be caught off guard by the final hurdle of childbirth that comes a few days after baby ;) Like I said earlier, just take your stool softener and consider having a tube of Prep-H at the ready.
Your guts won't fall out when you start to do sit-ups again. Just go slow and listen to your body, if it hurts, take another week off and try again!
In the hard moments, the thing to remember is the pain DOES get better and when you see the product of it, your healthy baby, you will realize it was all worth it and may even be crazy enough to say you'll do it again someday.
*updated 2017!* I'm in my 3rd trimester with #2, hired a Doula and trying for an unmedicated VBAC! See...crazy enough to do this baby thing all over again ;)
