When I used to hear stories of women who said “I am going in on Tuesday at 9am and will have the baby by 9:15” I would think it sounded like the perfect way to have a baby. They know the date their baby will enter the world, they get to avoid 4-32 hours of labor and I bet they were ready for a new mom and baby photo shoot by 10am!
Well it’s just not that easy or glamorous. My first daughter was delivered by c-section due to complications so my OBGYN and I decided that it was best to have another c-section with my second daughter. Perfect. I am healthy, know what to expect and have a very helpful husband so this should be a breeze. We packed our bags and arrived at the hospital for our 9am “surgery”.
I put on my gown and went to the operating room. I talked with the anesthesiologist who explained the epidural procedure which it pretty straight forward but I was so nervous that my spine wasn't relaxed enough, and he had to try SEVEN times to get the epidural in the right spot. Finally it was in and I quickly lost feeling in my lower body. The surgeon entered, and after feeling only a tremendous amount of pressure, my daughter was born. Then the fun began.
I thought the worst part was over, after all a c-section is major abdominal surgery, but the morphine was making me vomit -- repeatedly. The numbness that was necessary during surgery became very nerve-wracking as it was very, very slow to work its way out of my body and 8 hours later my feet were still numb. It hurt to sit up and the shooting pain from the incision left me wondering if I didn’t just tear my insides apart. What's my point?
It's not to scare women who are having c-sections, it’s to let you know that a PLANNED C-SECTION may be harder than you expect. Recovery can be painful and please do what your doctor says -- although it is a little unrealistic to think you won't lift anything heavier than your new baby for six weeks. We all still have to buy our groceries, lift up our two-year-old and do laundry without the help of nannies. That’s just life. But please do take it easy. I think my recovery was longer because on the days I felt good, I did too much. I probably went through the six weeks "two steps forward, one step back" which is not what I recommend. Accept help, acknowledge that you had major surgery, rest and snuggle your new baby (and two-year-old) as much as possible. Good luck.