I am almost certainly having a c-section this week.

[laurata]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

[hamamelis]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

(((laura))) homeopathic arnica and hypericum for the nerve/muscle pain. Nux vom for helping the anaesthesia get out of your system, as well as drinking as much water as you can. I'm not sure what your usual potency is, but 1m or maybe as high as 10m. Every half hour if you can keep up with it.

[Stacey]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

I took Arnica for a few days before and then about the week after my c-section (7yrs ago).

I found the getting out of bed and up and around not too bad, but I felt it took some weeks longer to feel recovered from the birth than it did from my vaginal delivery. It didn't take much to wear me out physically.So I guess my advice would be to get as much help as you can - housecleaning service if you can afford it, mother's helper etc.

I'm sending many good thoughts your way!!!

[lunita]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

((Laura)) I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

Does this link help at all? http://www.aafp.org/afp/980800ap/peleg.html Is she small all over, or asymmetrically small (IUGR?)

[lunita]

I took Arnica for a few days before and then about the week after my c-section (7yrs ago).

I found the getting out of bed and up and around not too bad, but I felt it took some weeks longer to feel recovered from the birth than it did from my vaginal delivery. It didn't take much to wear me out physically.So I guess my advice would be to get as much help as you can - housecleaning service if you can afford it, mother's helper etc.

I'm sending many good thoughts your way!!!

Yes, if there's a chance of getting a postpartum doula, find one. No matter how the baby comes, it's probably a good idea for a fourth baby, to avoid overexertion while you are recovering.

[Gargoyle]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry ((((((Laura))))). If you need anything please don't hesitate to call me. I'll pm you my phone number. Where are you going for the cesarean birth? Please let me know when you go so I can keep you in our prayers and then let me know when you're up for visitors so we can stop by.

[Jengirl]

Any suggestions on how to make recovery easier would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and positive thoughts too. Our little girl has fallen to the 5th percentile for size, and there are other indications that she needs to come out very very soon. I am just praying that she is OK until the surgery, and that I haven't caused harm by refusing to schedule the surgery immediately (without having done any research of getting more information).

Can anyone tell me if homeopathic arnica will help, and how much to take and how often? I am hoping they let me stay awake for the surgery so I can touch and breastfeed her ASAP. I hate recovering from general anasthesia. Can I take motherwort after a c-section? Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.

xx

[stickcow]

I hope everything is ok and that recovery is smooth as can be from a c-section.

[cinnamon]

Oh, Laura. How Scary. :( I will be thinking of and praying for you and your littlest one, and your family. (((hugs)))

[victoria]

(((Laura))) you and your little one will be in my prayers. I hope everything turns out ok. I had a challenging c/section recovery but it was after a 20+ hour labor and I've heard that c/s without labor isn't quite as difficult. Let me know if you want to talk.

[threecubs]

{{{{{Laura}}}}} You and your little one are in my thoughts and prayers!

[Amanda_Reyasmom]

Holding up okay now, but we'll see how I am in 72 hrs.


I don't know, but I'll be thinking of you adn your family.

[Sparrow]

(((Laura))) Don't hope, but insist that you be concious for the birth. Usually they only need to do general in emergency situations where they can't wait for the spinal to take effect. So insist! Also, even though I was awake for Jack's birth they gave me a sedative/painkiller/something they didn't tell me about that would affect my conciousness. When I had Zaporah I *insisted* that I be awake and alert for her birth because I would be breastfeeding and holding her before they put me in recovery. So make sure you tell them that even after the birth you want to hold baby and breastfeed before recovery. After I had that I was happy as a clam to have her go with her dad and our family or in the nursery while I dozed for an hour.

And as sucky as it is, keeping up and moving around doing stuff really makes recovery alot easier. Altho with 3 other kids at home you probably don't have a choice huh?

[victoria]

Jayme makes some really good points. I was wondering why you wrote about general anesthesia, it really shouldn't be necessary. My c/section was for a baby in distress and yet we waited for a doctor for 1/2 hour and I had an epidural for anesthesia.

If you want, Laura, I would be willing to do some research on the ICAN list or other places to help you put together a sort of c/section birth plan. Let me know if you're interested (or if you even have time).

[laurata]

They didn't schedule the surgery! :yay: and yet, :eek: I was just about sure that I would be sent directly to the OR, but thank goodness, things looked much better today. My amniotic fluid index was up to 10.8 (from maybe a 7), and she's back in the head down position. The told me to come back in Thursday for a BPP and NST.

So now I'm not sure what will happen. I need to call around and find a local OB, I guess. I was originally planning to have a family and friends UC homebirth, and all my plans fell to shit on Friday. My best friend isn't going to make it. I did find a birth doula who has had a VBAC, and we're working on a birth plan together. She recommended a different hospital than I was thinking of. I am completely :eek: freaked out trying to decide how to handle this. My big fear, and reason I decided to consent to surgery was baby is in oxygen deprivation and starving to death. She was having a high heart rate which had me freaked, and thinking, what if she can't handle the stress of normal labor? Lots of information, and I admit to feeling pretty confused.

Ugh. This page: http://www.aafp.org/afp/980800ap/peleg.html was extremely helpful. They did use the term "growth restriction" in my report, but I'm a bit mystified as to why. The head to abdominal circumference ratio was .99 and 1.01 at 36 and 39 weeks respectively. That sounds normal to me? Her percentiles for head circumference and all that make me scratch my head, but she *is* growing, just at a slower rate than normal. The main worry, I think, is the abdominal circumference going much more slowly than the other measurements. I guess I understand that now, after reading the aafp article, because it means her liver and other organs aren't getting what they need, and she's probably not putting on the fat deposits a normal newborn would...

So, it seems the current plan is to 1) drink LOTS of water and really amp up my nutrition 2) Take it as easy as possible 3) Find a local care provider, but NOT to stress 4) Talk to my baby 5) REST.

I'm really praying baby stays head down and I go into labor on my own very soon.

[kokoro]

They didn't schedule the surgery! :yay: and yet, :eek: I was just about sure that I would be sent directly to the OR, but thank goodness, things looked much better today. My amniotic fluid index was up to 10.8 (from maybe a 7), and she's back in the head down position. The told me to come back in Thursday for a BPP and NST.

So now I'm not sure what will happen. I need to call around and find a local OB, I guess. I was originally planning to have a family and friends UC homebirth, and all my plans fell to shit on Friday. My best friend isn't going to make it. I did find a birth doula who has had a VBAC, and we're working on a birth plan together. She recommended a different hospital than I was thinking of. I am completely :eek: freaked out trying to decide how to handle this. My big fear, and reason I decided to consent to surgery was baby is in oxygen deprivation and starving to death. She was having a high heart rate which had me freaked, and thinking, what if she can't handle the stress of normal labor? Lots of information, and I admit to feeling pretty confused.

Ugh. This page: http://www.aafp.org/afp/980800ap/peleg.html was extremely helpful. They did use the term "growth restriction" in my report, but I'm a bit mystified as to why. The head to abdominal circumference ratio was .99 and 1.01 at 36 and 39 weeks respectively. That sounds normal to me? Her percentiles for head circumference and all that make me scratch my head, but she *is* growing, just at a slower rate than normal. The main worry, I think, is the abdominal circumference going much more slowly than the other measurements. I guess I understand that now, after reading the aafp article, because it means her liver and other organs aren't getting what they need, and she's probably not putting on the fat deposits a normal newborn would...

So, it seems the current plan is to 1) drink LOTS of water and really amp up my nutrition 2) Take it as easy as possible 3) Find a local care provider, but NOT to stress 4) Talk to my baby 5) REST.

I'm really praying baby stays head down and I go into labor on my own very soon.


Best wishes! I will be thinking of you and sending good birth vibes you way. (((hugs)))

[stickcow]

How did you originally find out something wasn't right? Was it a gut feeling that brought you in for testing?

[mirage1]

{{{Laura}}} Thinking of you!

[Gargoyle]

They didn't schedule the surgery! :yay: and yet, :eek: I was just about sure that I would be sent directly to the OR, but thank goodness, things looked much better today. My amniotic fluid index was up to 10.8 (from maybe a 7), and she's back in the head down position. The told me to come back in Thursday for a BPP and NST.
I'm glad to hear that things look better. Best of luck in baking that baby till it's ready.

[A_Marie]

I am thinking of ALL of you! Hang in there MaMa...Grow baby Grow!!!!

[MamaAnnie]

Yay! I'm glad to hear things are looking better!

I did want to say a few words, though, because I've had three sections. If you have one, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I had three very easy recoveries. In fact, they seemed easier than most of my friends who had normal births described. I second the person who said stay awake and try to avoid extra drugs. For my last birth, I was awake and just had a spinal. I did end up having a shot of Demerol about 30 minutes after the birth, because I had the shakes. But even the Demerol didn't make me drowsy, just, um, very affectionate and happy. LOL

If you have a section:

-have a bare bones birth plan and make fifteen copies (things like: no vaccines, no circ, no vitamin k, what ped u want in the hospital, minimal noise in or when possible, drug preferences, etc) Hand one to everyone you meet in the hospital.
-ask around and choose your anesthesiologist, if you have time
-get out of bed as soon as possible afterwards
-drink lots and lots of water and anything else that might help you poop
-ask when is the earliest you can have your catheter removed. The longer it stays in, the more you risk infection.
-As soon as possible, take little walks up and down the hall in the hospital.
-Make sure you have help at home. No lifting anything but your sweet baby!
-Do NOT have my mother-in-law over. I guess you weren't really planning to, but I needed to warn you.
-Do plenty of walking, but be very careful about lifting things. I know I already said that, but it's true!
-Give yourself a great hairstyle before going to the hospital. It might last a few days and it's hard to brush your hair after a section, expecially if you usually lean back a few degrees to do it. :P

[Kimd]

(((Laura))) I hope everything continues to look up for you and the baby.

[sarahs]

Lots of good thoughts for you and your babe. (nt)

[ADDled]

Yay! I'm glad to hear things are looking better!

I did want to say a few words, though, because I've had three sections. If you have one, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I had three very easy recoveries. In fact, they seemed easier than most of my friends who had normal births described. I second the person who said stay awake and try to avoid extra drugs. For my last birth, I was awake and just had a spinal. I did end up having a shot of Demerol about 30 minutes after the birth, because I had the shakes. But even the Demerol didn't make me drowsy, just, um, very affectionate and happy. LOL

If you have a section:

-have a bare bones birth plan and make fifteen copies (things like: no vaccines, no circ, no vitamin k, what ped u want in the hospital, minimal noise in or when possible, drug preferences, etc) Hand one to everyone you meet in the hospital.
-ask around and choose your anesthesiologist, if you have time
-get out of bed as soon as possible afterwards
-drink lots and lots of water and anything else that might help you poop
-ask when is the earliest you can have your catheter removed. The longer it stays in, the more you risk infection.
-As soon as possible, take little walks up and down the hall in the hospital.
-Make sure you have help at home. No lifting anything but your sweet baby!
-Do NOT have my mother-in-law over. I guess you weren't really planning to, but I needed to warn you.
-Do plenty of walking, but be very careful about lifting things. I know I already said that, but it's true!
-Give yourself a great hairstyle before going to the hospital. It might last a few days and it's hard to brush your hair after a section, expecially if you usually lean back a few degrees to do it. :P
YES to all this (LOL about Annie's MIL) and I have more:

- research the drugs they give. They gave me Demoral the first two times for pain, and I was done by the next day and on oral pain meds, and I did find. The third time, they had a new drug, that was supposedly a wonder drug, and they give it to you in with the spinal, and it's a miracle on pain. Well, for me it was a problem because 1) it didn't get the pain, it was ineffective, 2) it made me itch all over, which is I guess a common-ish side effect, and 3) they have to WAKE YOU UP every hour, no exceptions, when you're on this drug to get your vitals. They did not warn me about this before they gave it to me, and I got no rest in the hospital that first night. I'd finally get to sleep, then they'd wake me up, then I couldn't get back to sleep because of the itching, lather, rinse, repeat, all night.

I don't remember the name of the drug but I'll try to figure it out - I'll know it if I see it.

-My spinal babies were good nursers. My epidural baby was sleepy, sleepy, sleepy. I know that's anecdotal, but my sorely uneducated belief is that the spinal can be done immediately before the surgery and it's not in your system (and baby's system) very long before baby's out.

-Make sure they don't drape you up higher than your armpits, and make sure baby come straight to you on the table without being cleaned up, etc., if apgars are good. Also, keep your gown loose in case you should feel inspired to nurse while still being closed.

-Take food with you, covertly. They won't let you eat, and you'll starve to death. My midwife brought me peanut butter and bananas, bless her sweet soul. Even after they take you off liquid diet, it often takes nutrition a couple meals to catch up with doctor's orders, IME.

((((())))) I hope you don't have to have a section, but IME it's not the end of the world, either, just not optimal. I hope baby girl stays nice and healthy for you.