 |
With my first baby I had a c section so I didn't get to experience the vaginal way... I'm pregnant with my second child and really scared about having a vaginal delivery... can some one share there delivery stories? What's it like have a first baby? Does it hurt? Can u walk around afterwards?
I had both, vaginal then c-section. You hurt in different places with each one. I couldn't sit comfortably for at least a couple of weeks after the vaginal delivery. If I'd had a third baby, I would have asked for a c-section again. My doctor would have insisted on it because of my small pelvis.
Why did you have the c-section? What does your doctor say?
Experiences are going to vary. Some women are uncomfortable for awhile after a vaginal birth, others are out doing a bit of shopping two days later. A cesarean is major abdominal surgery, so in general there is more potential risk involved and a longer recovery time. Some women have little discomfort, some women use pain medication for an extended time.
For either options, you will have medication options to help reduce or eliminate any pain. With a vaginal birth you will have some non medication options as well.
As Wondergirl asked, will a vaginal birth be an option for you? Depending on the reason for your first c-section, your doctor's comfort level, and where you plan to give birth, you may or may not have a choice. Safety wise, many women are able to have a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean), but there are a number of deciding factors involved.
The c section wasn't planned... I was 11 hours in and the baby's heart rate was dropping and he wouldn't come down any further and they needed to get him out so they said I needed a c section.. they didn't even ask me to try to push or anything.. I just hated the feeling of the c section and the recovery was horrible for me I could barely sit up the first 2 days ):
It may have been a situation where he wasn't low enough for pushing to be beneficial, and quite likely it may have put him at more risk had you tried.
Sometimes choices made can increase the possibility of a cesarean becoming necessary, sometimes things just happen and anything you try won't alter that.
If this was a combination of failure to progress (for no apparent reason), and reduced heart rate, then if your doctor, and the hospital you will be giving birth at, are experienced in VBACs, it might be an option for you.
First step would be to see if your doctor does VBACs.
Rule of thumb is that once a C Section, always a C Section. There are certain risks that are associated with a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section). While your doctor may allow VBAC's, it may be against the policies and procedures of your delivering hospital.
With that said, as you are aware, contractions do hurt but pain management is available in the forms of IV pain control and/or epidurals. As to whether or not it hurts as the baby is coming out, it depends on your personal tolerance to pain as well as whether or not you have an epidural, and how strong that epidural is.
Alrighty thanks guys... and one of you try yo explain what it feels like to push out your first baby
There are stages during delivery. The actual pushing out doesn't take that long, and, if you've had Lamaze classes or decide on drugs, there is little or no pain, depending on your pain threshold. I highly recommend Lamaze (or something similar) toward the end of your pregnancy, just for the educational value and to help you feel more confident.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cort527
This will also vary from person to person. As Wondergirl said, you might not push long at all. I've worked with women who pushed twice and baby was out. However, I have also been with women who pushed for a couple of hours or so. How long can depend on a number of factors: how far down baby is, the position of baby, positions mother can use, the effect of some pain meds, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cort527
In the scheme of things, labor and birth are a short period to get to the reward at the end! For many women, it is all in a day's work... with perhaps a little overtime for some.
Many women will say that pushing feels better than labor itself, and contractions usually space out a bit, giving you some rest time in between. An easy focus is that if you push like you are trying to have a bowel movement, you will be pushing effectively. You will be working with your body to help things along.
I agree with Wondergirl. Classes can be very beneficial to learn what to expect, various ways to help the process along and numerous ways that you and your partner can help you to be more comfortable.
As has been mentioned, it's like having a bowel movement. You push like you are constipated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cort527
I've been with patients who have pushed only once or twice, yet I've been with others who have pushed for two or three hours.
Before we go down this road you need to find out if the hospital you are going to deliver at allows a VBAC. Many rural hospitals don't as they don't have surgery on site 24 hours a day in the even there is a uterine rupture due to the prior cesarean section.
I've had two vaginal births, but I have friends that had c-sections, and had both vaginal and c-section births.
One friend had no choice. Her first child was delivered much like yours, baby's heart rate went down and they did an emergency c-section. The doctor didn't even give her a choice with her second, it was a scheduled c-section, which was much easier on her because it was planned, not an emergency.
Another friend had placenta previa, she was on bed rest for the last 3 months of her first pregnancy. She had no choice but to have a c-section. With her second the doctor agreed to try a vaginal birth, but they had surgery on standby just in case. She successfully gave birth vaginally to her second child, no issues.
It really does depend on the individual, and the doctor. Some doctors won't even consider a vaginal birth after a c-section. You'll have to talk to your doctor about this.
Good luck, and congrats. :)
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:44 AM. |