The thought of being in labor (times two!)
scared me, and I knew that having twins more than likely meant I’d have a planned C-section.
But things don’t always go according to plan with childbirth.
Justtscott / Getty Images; Social: Getty
As it turned out, I developed preeclampsia just six days before my scheduled surgery.
With my blood pressure climbing, my obstetrician sent me straight to the hospital for an emergency C-section.
In the case of my C-section recovery, it was the most pain I’d ever been in.
Plus, you’re saddled with a lovely scar, which often creates a permanent pooch as a souvenir.
I now have two healthy, happy 3-year-olds to show for it.
Here, women share their stories of how they felt before, during, and after having a C-section.
I was incredibly nervous about the potential of a C-section with my first.
Recovery was not easy.
I forced myself to walk every day after the surgery to recover faster.
I have a scheduled C-section for baby number two.
So when I ended up having an emergency C-section, I had no idea what was going on.
I just wanted healthy ones and focused on wanting to get my baby out in the safest way possible.
My second pregnancy was also a C-section.
My recovery the second time was much worse.
Lisa B., 47
“I was terrified of having a C-section.
After 41.5 weeks of pregnancy, my obstetrician suggested I induce.
I resistedeveryone I knew who had been induced ended up having a C-section.
After 10hours of labor, I stalled out at 9 centimeters.
I waited five more hours before finally giving in to the C-section.
The end result: I was not built to give birth.
My hips never spread.
I wish I had that information in advance and never bothered going into labor.
A scheduled C-section would have been ideal.
After the birth of my child, I had to recover from 22 hours of laboranda C-section.
I was a mess.
For my second child, I had a scheduled C-section.
I went into the hospital at 10:30am, and by 1pm I was done.
Even so, I would never recommend someone have a C-section.
The recovery time is just not worth it if you might give birth the ‘normal way.'”
The surgery and recovery weren’t difficult for me.
I really needed those four days in the hospital, mentally and physically."
Lisa S., 39
“I had two C-sections and both went very well.
But one side effect I experienced after my first C-section was severe post-op itching from the anesthesia.
My body itched all over.
I didn’t have this after the first C-section.
Meredith M., 43
“I had two C-sections.
The first was an emergency and the second one was planned.
I absolutely loved the second, knowing when it was going to happen.
I think I was more scared than I realized for my first C-section.
But with number two, I was up that evening and walking.
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
No need to deliver vaginally for me.
I have two very healthy, beautiful children who did not suffer from a C-section birth.”
