C-section scar

abitzan

So it has been brought to my attention that there is a real possibility that I may need a c-section. I am not a fan of this because I was hoping for a normal birth with the bonding that comes after and not having to be sewn up. I am also concerned about the scar.
So I would like to know immediately after your babies were born were you able to hold them? How bad is your scar?

cmaxmor

I have two children via c/s and one coming on thursday. There is no change in bonding with your baby. You will still be able to breastfeed. The pain is very manageable. The scar is minimal, right above or in the pubic hair line. Honestly, my pain vs the pain my friends had in vaginal birth..... I would take the c/s any day. Having a c/s is not a failure, it is just a different way to get your baby here safely. While you will not hold your baby the very second it comes out, it is very soon afterwards. They usually take the baby away (escorted by your partner) for the usual tests and shots and them immediately bring them back for feeding. So. Relax. It will be just fine either way.

sdke

I was able to hold my baby about 20 minutes after the c-section. We were in the same room the whole time. She was being evaluated and cleaned up while I was being stitched/glued up (stitches internally, glued externally). She was ready before I was, and her dad held her until they were done with me. I was able to try breastfeeding as soon as we both got back to the recovery room. I had some trouble bonding, but I do not know if that was due to the c-section or not as this was my first and only child. Not everyone bonds instantly.

My scar is not bad at all. It is in my pubic hair and very light now (almost 7 months later). I have seen some that look worse than mine. I don't know if I was just lucky or if it was because I had a great surgical team.

keyalus

Sometimes I can't even tell they cut me - my scar is that tiny.

They had to work on my son for a bit after the birth. He didn't descend much and that process of going through the birth canal can help clear the fluid out of their lungs. It was a while (45 min?) before I could hold him. They did hold him up to me so I could see him though. My husband was right there looking on while they worked on him.

You will still bond with your baby. Don't worry about that. Having a C-Section did not meet my idea of an "ideal birth," but in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter that much. Some women view it as traumatic but I don't look at it that way. Good that you are being prepared for the possibility ahead of time, that will help.

vim_n_vigor

I had 2 c-sections. One was an emergency. I got to see them and touch them both right away, but couldn't hold them until I was able to move and sit up on my own and my vitals stabilized. I am not sure how long it took, I don't think it was too long though. It did give daddy a good chance to get some hugs and kisses in though.

abitzan

Thank you ladies for all the great advice. I was mostly concerned about the bonding and holding my little girl after the birth only because I am a little neurotic after my first was a stillborn. Thank you so much and in the grand scheme even if the scar looked like Frankenstein I wouldn't care with a little girl to hold onto.

rachypompa

Aww, Abitzan, what beautiful words. I imagine going through the whole birth process again will be very challenging for you. Big hugs and good luck.

My husband held my baby girl against my face/ upper chest whist I was stitched up, so I got pretty much immediate contact with her, no different from my son with whom I had a normal delivery.

rachypompa

And on the scar, with an elective C/s it will be very, very small. Often people require stitches after normal deliveries too. I had to have one stitch, but it took ages to do (probably longer than the c/s stitching!) as it was deep inside me, my son came out like superman and cut my vaginal wall with his finger nail!