Is c-section painful?

Nandini, I am not experienced my self but I have seen my sister’s delivery and my SIL's delivery very closely and I know that C-section is really not all that bad. My sister had to get an emergency C-section done in her 37th week because the baby's heart rate was rapidly dropping. She was given local anesthesia and she didn’t feel a thing other than some tickling sensation during the surgery. Post delivery, she started BF in 4 hours. She was on pain killers for the first 3 days and then the frequency came down. By 15th day she was perfectly normal. ..Well, very close to being normal bubby self.

My SIL's was a normal delivery. She did have heavy vaginal tears though because the baby is big; for which she had to be stitched up. Every time she peed or even gets up suddenly it hurts. For her to be normal it took her about 10 days. So, either way the recovery period is going to be 10 days but either way, you will also be given pain medication.

So, like others said, try to relax for now as you are almost there for the baby to be born any time soon. Pack your hospital bag and be ready. You will do just fine.

 

Hi Nandini,

Sorry for the delayed response. Checked your post only today after my long break.

I would say you are doing the right thing by reading on new born care. Read a lot on the BF as well , be prepared for both ways of delivery. In most cases you really cannot know its going to be a normal or C till the last moment. All the best to you!

PT, congrats on your LO. Enjoy the precious moments! My heart still skips a beat when I read ab't birth stories and the cute LOs.

regards,

 

Nandini,

From my side,I had one normal and one C-Section and normal delivery was much painful than the C-setions and also recovery.
Some people won't feel anything in normal but for some people you have stiches then it will be painful.
I felt C-section was good than my normal delivery again each case is different.So there is nothing to panic about C-Section.
See you can hire some one for help atleast for a month or see.That would help in any case.
For some people even though they plan for normal and they could end up in C-section anytime.If the DR feels there is risk then he can take you to C-Section any time.Do don't worry about method delivery and I could walk immedialty next day where as normal one took me long time.
But please find some one to help ,you can pay them.

 

well, hear it from the horses mouth, someone who had both in delivering just 1 baby!they used vacuum suction, which didnt progress as expected either, so i ended up having a 2nd degree tear, and ended up into a c section since baby passed meconium inside....

c sectionwas painful in the beginning, but i was on my foot taking a step or two at a time from day 1, and by day 3 i cld walk perfectly without limping.... my episiotomy too long to heal, and i cant imagine having a 4th degree tear...

there are more challenges post delivery nandini, so let this fear not bother u at all, breastfeeding, handling a newborn, PPD were much much more challenging that my pain didnt bother me at all....ofcourse it was just me and DH so the baby chores were overwhelming

 

Nandini,

The surgery of C section is not painful, but yes the recovery is, initially. I suggest please take all the help u can get after the delivery. Once the anaesthesia wears out its painful hence they'll give u ibuprofen as pain killer. BEWARE, not to take too many and bear the pain. Reason, if u take many painkillers, u may end up having severe hyperacidity which is also very very painful.( I have gone through it and suffering even after 6 months post delivery, a result of 800 mg ibuprofen every six hours for 7 days)As far as breastfeeding, u can start immediately, do not worry of the anaesthesia. Reason, u will not have milk on foist day itself. It will take at least 6-7 days for thr milk to come in. In the meanwhile, the child thrives on colostrum which is enough nutrition for the baby. Plus the sucking effect of the baby will initiate the release of milk.. SO start breastfeeding from day 1. U can also visit my thread 9 months of pregnancy and beyond.. wherein i have put in my experiences. Hope something out of it benefits u.. ANd girl, let anyone say anything to u.. trust ur own instincts.. U will definately get milk in 7-8 days.. thats the first concern u will have post delivery.