Is c-section painful?

Yes you can BF with anasthesia / pain meds. Someone may have to help you out by holding the baby or you can use a pillow too. Here in US they have a product called "my breast friend" which is basically a c shaped pillow you put around yourself and place the baby on it to help with BF.

Just make sure your docs / nurses know in advance that you want to BF as soon as possible after the birth. Since yours is a high risk pregnancy, they may move baby to NICU for some time. Make sure they let you BF asap because the longer you wait after delivery to start BF, the more issues the baby has with latching on. so make sure someone knows that no matter what, you want the baby to latch asap after delivery, withing the first 2-3 hours.

 

Hi Nandini,

IMO you still have time for the baby to turn , so relax. Is there a reason why they would go for a C-section at 39 weeks and cannot wait longer?

I didn't do much other than crawling and going on the fours and rocking gently. Mine too was a high risk pregnancy (placenta separation) but went 41 weeks and 4 days and had a normal delivery. My docs did frequent ultrasound to check the position. He was posterior though but I delivered normal. It wasn't too bad with the epidural.

If you are not totally convinced by your OB, I would suggest for you to take a second opinion if it makes you feel better.

Finally, my advice relax and be prepared for either one. In the end its is a healthy baby and you that matters and both ways you will be able to have that.

All the best!

 

I would suggest you read as much as possible about bf techniques (especially latching) before you have the baby. Kellymom.com is a good website with all info related to BF. For now , you could start preparing your nipples by applying a nipple cream or expressing a little bit of colustrum after shower and applying it on the nipples.

Also, I would suggest you try to find a lactation expert in your area, in case you need later.

all the best!

 

Hi,

In my opinion C-Section is not painful when compared to labor pain. But after the operation may be it will take atleast a week to be ok and then weeks to be normal.. My frnd told me. Labor itself is painful wht it is normal or C-Section.
I had a C-Section on April and now I am perfectly fine. But had pain near the stitches and head ache for a week. But it was far better than the labor pain. I had pain only for 2 hrs and then they decided to do C-Section as the LO passed motion.
I was able to do BF the next day morning itself. So that wont be an issue expect that some one has to carry the baby and give to us.
So just go head which is better for u and the LO. All the best.

 

Nandini, just one point....because its going to be your first baby and you willbe all alone with hubby, just hire some help if possible , as the sutures take about 15-20 days to heal well.Keep the sutures clean by washing them well with soap and water.Be very careful about lifting heavy stuff and dont do any heavy household work.As far as BF is concerned, you can feed your baby 2 hrs after you deliver...but make sure you get the necessary support from your hospital staff to help yoy hold the baby and make sure BF gets established before you head home.
I have had two cesereans(both elective) and my second one is 9 months old.
All the best to you.

Deepa.

 

Nandini

I delivered a baby girl by C-section 9 days back and it was an unplanned one. I had gone to the hospital to be induced, with the baby being head down and all that, but still due to 0 dilation and sudden drop in baby's heart rate, they scheduled me for a C-section. Though I was completely freaked out when the doctor announced and obtained consent from my husband, it was all over within a matter of minutes.

I was given a spinal anesthesia and though I was pretty much conscious, I did feel very sleepy. All I felt was some kind of tickling in my tummy and in 5 minutes, I could hear the baby cry! I did not even know if it was my baby or if there was another baby being delivered. My baby was brought to me to be shown to me around 30 minutes later, when I was in the recovery room. They let me hold her for about 5 minutes and then took her away to be bathed and checked etc. As for the post-op recovery, I was given a good dose of pain meds and I hardly felt anything. The 2nd after my surgery, my doc suggested that I try to take a shower and slowly walk around the hospital lobby, all of which I was able to do. The baby was born on Monday, Thursday, I got back home and Friday was able to go the the ped and my doctor to get my staples removed. I can say that now, I am almost fully recovered and can get by just on tylenol which I take about 3-4 times in a day. I have been able to breast-feed by baby right from day 1.

Though I regret not having been able to go through the experience of labor, I must say that C-section was not even remotely horrifying as I imagined it would be! So there is nothing to worry about in case you do have to go in for a C-section. All the best