Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

My first two childbirth experiences were single birth, vaginal deliveries. After a few years, we started talking about maybe having one more and promptly got pregnant with twins. This time, because of their positions in my uterus, I had a scheduled caesarian section.

The most serious “surgery” I had ever experienced before was the removal of my wisdom teeth. So, I was a little nervous about the c-section. Now I know that no one is actually a fan of needles and scalpels but they make me go weak at the knees. I have to turn away from the TV while watching hospital shows. But, what are you gonna do? When Baby A has planted his butt firmly atop your cervix and shows no signs of re-positioning himself for two months, you don’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.

The night before my surgery was scheduled, I got everything ready for the hospital. Prepared my house and other kids for my absence. I think I ate until one minute before midnight – dutifully obeying the doctor’s order that nothing be consumed after midnight. I’d watched enough episodes of TLC’s A Baby Story to know that even a single doughnut would result in the delay of my c-section.

We drove to the hospital and before I knew it, I was gowned up and in a prep room. I got my IV port and was started on fluids immediately. Several different monitors were attached and then we waited for the anesthesiologist. I had received epidurals at both of previous deliveries – so this was nothing new for me. But it was still anxiety-ridden. Did I mention I hate needles?

The anesthesia doc came in and I once again curled over to expose my lower back while he found the right place to insert the tiny tubing that would take the numbing medicine to the right body parts. It went smoothly but still freaked me out a little. All was good. After I was good and numb, the nurse came in to insert a urinary catheter, which would remain in place until sometime after the surgery. I know, yuck. I think she probably shaved the area around the incision site as well. Too much information? I’m just trying to relay the real scoop here! And once you’ve delivered even one baby, modesty is out the window anyway…

So, soon I was on my way to the operating room. Very bright and very cold. The combination of cold, anesthesia and nerves gave me the shakes when we first got to the OR. A few deep breaths and several warm blankets helped settle me down a bit.

My doctor and her assistant came in. A drape was set up so that I was unable to see them while they performed the surgery. My husband watched the whole thing. “Surreal” is how he described it.

I had been told that the anesthesia would allow me to feel movement and pressure but not pain as the c-section progressed. I had no idea what this meant until I was there – but it’s ultimately pretty accurate. The pressure and pulling eventually got really, really uncomfortable (but still not really painful) and the anesthesiologist adjusted my meds a little to help.

Baby A was out in a flash. He weighed 8 pounds and caused my incision to rip a little as they tugged him out (not that I felt it – I could see the tear later). Baby B, however, was curled into a little (5 pounds 11 ounces) ball up near my ribs. My husband claims that the doctor’s arm disappeared into my abdominal cavity as she looked for him. (This is where it got really uncomfortable.) And out he came a few minutes later.

After the babies were delivered, the doctor set to work putting me back together. My husband reminds me from time to time that he has seen my uterus. In fact, it was apparently sitting on my abdomen for a bit as the doctor finished up her work. Anyway, she got everything back in place and closed me up with some staples. The whole staple thing kind of creeped me out – they look just like the big ones you can buy at OfficeMax! But they do the job.

For the next four days, I was poked and prodded by nurses as usual. My incision site was checked regularly. My urine output was measured. I was encouraged to walk around the maternity ward to avoid post-surgery clots. That first walk from bed to shower the day after the surgery was pretty brutal – but the shower felt fantastic (as long as I didn’t look at the staples!). After about three or four days, my swelling finally started to subside – my natural pregnancy fluid retention plus the hours of IV fluids administered for surgery had caused ridiculous swelling! My staples were removed just before I was discharged with the babies.

As expected, I tried to do too much when I got home and found myself unable to stand upright at the end of several days. When they tell you to take it easy and stay in bed to rest? Do it! It took me a few days to learn my lesson.

Eighteen months later, I do still have a scar. It is about six inches long (would have been four if it hadn’t been for my big boy) and is just starting to fade. My doctor tells me that my fair complexion takes longer to do away with scar discoloration. I always tell her that I wasn’t planning on becoming a swimsuit model anyway…

So that’s my perspective on a caesarian section from start to finish. How did your experience compare?