Second C-Section...Scared.

My first C-Section was 14 years ago.  Baby was breech, blood pressure sky-high, they wheeled me in a wheelchair across the street to the hospital and gave me a choice between epidural and general.  I chose general.  I wouldn't say it was technically an emergency c-s, because they ended up delaying it 3 hours, but I would label it "urgent." Needless to say, I felt like a trainwreck waking up.  Was in a lot of pain.

Fast forward to now, my chances of having a VBAC are diminishing as this baby is looking to be a large one (first one was 7lbs 8.4oz).  Doctor mentioned doing a planned c-s at 39 weeks.  I'm scared of two things: one being that I will feel something because of prior scar tissue (I would supposedly have a CSE - Combined Spinal & Epidural).  I have heard really good things about spinal blocks, and I assume the epidural would be for pain management post-op, but I'm still pretty freaked out.  Second, I think I'm just scared in general about recovery, although I've heard that subsequent sections are easier to recover from, and not so "trainwreck-y" feeling.  

Does anybody have any advice on second C-Sections, and Spinal Blocks?

I'm afraid I might not be much help - but here goes!

I am 32 + 3 today, and my baby is still breech - they're giving me a few weeks, then will scan and discuss options if baby hasn't turned - she turned about 3 weeks ago, stayed head down for 1 week, and then turned back - clearly prefers being sat up!  lol  I have to admit, I'm worried about the possiblilty of a C myself.....never had a spinal or epidural with other 2, and worry about that 2....(I have had a general before, for a diff op, which I woke up fine from......)

My best buddy is exp baby #5, and had to have emergency C with last baby (he's nearly 2) she is due to have elective C and sterilisation in about 3 weeks time - she is nervous, as has taken a long time to get over her last - the scar tissue didn't heal too well - but, I must tell you, that I think this was mainly due to the fact that her other half is useless!!!  He does nowt to help, and I think she over did it.....

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you have lots of support, and if birth this way is safer, then try not to worry - what will be will be, and I have to accept that too! - I do hope you have the birth you'd like, and that recovery is swift either way. 

What makes you think this baby will be large?  The later on you are in your pregnancy, the less accurate ultrasounds are for determining size.  7lb8oz is average.  I believe macrosomia is defined as anything above 8lb 13oz and c-sections are rarely actually indicated for them - true CPD is rare.  There are tons of women that have babies over that weight, and do fine :)   My advice would be to get a second opinion.

the following links have a lot of information and resources dealing with choosing a repeat c-section vs. a vbac.  Also, the book Pushed by Jennifer Block has a chapter on vbac with a ton of actual facts/figures/statistics/studies and she cites her work very well.

http://ican-online.org/ican-white-papers

http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211

decemberbaby:

What makes you think this baby will be large?  The later on you are in your pregnancy, the less accurate ultrasounds are for determining size.  7lb8oz is average.  I believe macrosomia is defined as anything above 8lb 13oz and c-sections are rarely actually indicated for them - true CPD is rare.  There are tons of women that have babies over that weight, and do fine :)   My advice would be to get a second opinion.

the following links have a lot of information and resources dealing with choosing a repeat c-section vs. a vbac.  Also, the book Pushed by Jennifer Block has a chapter on vbac with a ton of actual facts/figures/statistics/studies and she cites her work very well.

http://ican-online.org/ican-white-papers

http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211

 

My husband was almost 10lbs.  I have looked at the ICAN website before, and a friend of ours is a doula and is giving us a bit of assistance.  I understand that the weight of babies is not as accurate via ultrasound in later gestation, but at the same time I do not want to get myself into something that turns out worse than if I had just planned the c-s.  I am due April 4th, and scheduled to have another ultrasound on Thursday to see how large he is.  About three or four weeks ago they estimated 6lbs by ultrasound.  

So I'd just like to get some reassurance in case I do happen to decide to go ahead and schedule the c-s on Thursday.  I have heard that spinals are better than epidurals and that a spinal would be used for a planned c-s.  My doctor mentioned a Combined Spinal/Epidural, and I am looking for anybody's experience with those as well, especially for a *second* C-Section.  

I have had 2 c-sections! And to tell you the honest truth the second one was not as bad as the 1st one. I mean it still hurt like a B*, but I was able to walk sooner and the pain wasn't as bad. (I'd say the first was a full 10...the second was about a 7) With both of them I had the Spinal. It worked instantly and the doctor will check to make sure your numb. That was one of my worst fears too. I had alot of scar tissue but still got fully numb. The anestheologist gave me versed in the OR to help me calm down since I was having a panic attack (scared of the pain). But all went well and in the recovery room I got a pain pump. Instead of an epidural for pain control I got an IV attached to a Morphine pump. I got a certain amount every hour then if I needed a "bump" I could press this button every 10 mins for extra medicine. It worked sooo well! I have had about 10 surgeries in my life, so it takes alot to control my pain. I used the pump about a day and a half and then could go back on just the pain pills. The WORST pain of the c-section for me, is when they push on your stomach after the operation. they are trying to make sure your uterus is contracting back to size, but it hurts soooooooo bad. I had one nurse that I actually had to push off me because she was pushing on me so hard. I screamed blood murder. But I guess I was bleeding a little to much....but damn it hurt. Have you talked to your doc about pain control? C-sections are major surgery but Iam having my THIRD csection on March 26th and Iam not to worried. I would def. try for a VBAC through. Much easier recovery.

moonwalker:

I have had 2 c-sections! And to tell you the honest truth the second one was not as bad as the 1st one. I mean it still hurt like a B*, but I was able to walk sooner and the pain wasn't as bad. (I'd say the first was a full 10...the second was about a 7) With both of them I had the Spinal. It worked instantly and the doctor will check to make sure your numb. That was one of my worst fears too. I had alot of scar tissue but still got fully numb. The anestheologist gave me versed in the OR to help me calm down since I was having a panic attack (scared of the pain). But all went well and in the recovery room I got a pain pump. Instead of an epidural for pain control I got an IV attached to a Morphine pump. I got a certain amount every hour then if I needed a "bump" I could press this button every 10 mins for extra medicine. It worked sooo well! I have had about 10 surgeries in my life, so it takes alot to control my pain. I used the pump about a day and a half and then could go back on just the pain pills. The WORST pain of the c-section for me, is when they push on your stomach after the operation. they are trying to make sure your uterus is contracting back to size, but it hurts soooooooo bad. I had one nurse that I actually had to push off me because she was pushing on me so hard. I screamed blood murder. But I guess I was bleeding a little to much....but damn it hurt. Have you talked to your doc about pain control? C-sections are major surgery but Iam having my THIRD csection on March 26th and Iam not to worried. I would def. try for a VBAC through. Much easier recovery.

We have talked about pain control.  Supposedly it would be a CSE, combined spinal/epidural.  I just don't want the spinal to be a low dose, I want to be initially numb from the spinal.  I think the Epidural is used as back up and for pain control.  A nurse friend of mine had a c-s with the different incision, the long one (not the bikini) because of twins.  She said her doctor put her on continual and intermittent morphine (which is what I'm assuming you had) and she was fine.  I've heard those incisions are more painful so that makes me feel a bit better?

I remember the pushing on the uterus.  I've heard if you walk they don't have to do it.  I just want to make sure I'm topped up on pain meds before they do anything like that.  And do staples really hurt worse than stitches?  I had staples with my last one but I didn't know they were hurting me, I thought it was just the surgery.  When the nurse took them out I couldn't even feel it?

So the morphine pump worked well for you too?  That is somewhat reassuring as well.

Still!  I am COMPLETELY freaked out!  I go from one minute thinking it'll be fine to the next just...a complete sobbing mess!

I have recently had my second.... and it wasn't as bad as the first.  Pain not as bad, I didn't need so many meds and recovery has been great.  Can you get the homeopathic medicine arnica? I swear by it.  I live in Dubai and my mothers support group put me onto it, it made all the difference.

Desert Princess:

I have recently had my second.... and it wasn't as bad as the first.  Pain not as bad, I didn't need so many meds and recovery has been great.  Can you get the homeopathic medicine arnica? I swear by it.  I live in Dubai and my mothers support group put me onto it, it made all the difference.

I didn't a quick search on that, but wasn't able to see exactly what it's for?  Is it a salve or do you take it inernally or...?

SF, it is homeopathic medicine that you pop under your tounge.  It tastes sweet like a lolly, lovely.  Fine to take during pregnancy and I believe that it helped a lot with recovery.

Good luck!

I have had BOTH the staples (with my 1st) and disolving stitches (with my 2nd). I didnt notice a difference in the pain or the look of the scar. My 1st scar keloidid so the 2nd c-s the doc said he was going to use stitches this time and use some special needle hook. It didn't make a difference in the end...just how my body healed. The only thing that I liked was the fact that with stitches they didnt have to take anything out before i went home. I could just say "I have sitches, no need to touch me!" The staples wernt bad to take out...just a slight pinch (12 times!) Iam like you tho....I want to be in control of my pain. My pre-op appt is Friday and i'll be requesting the PCA (pain pump) again. As far as incisions...mine was the typical horiziontal one, not vertical like ur friends. The kind she has is alot worse to recover from. Not to mention you cant have a VBAC after that type of incision.

I had 2 c-sections.  My first was an emergency c-section and it was painful and traumatic.  My 2nd was a scheduled c-section and it was WAY better!!  I had the spinal block and it was great, no pain during c-section and fast recovery.  We will be ttc#3 in July and I will choose a scheduled c-section again.  Good luck