Cesarean [si-zair-ee-uh n] noun, also called Cesarean section, C-section. An operation by which a fetus is taken from the uterus by cutting through the walls of the abdomen and uterus.
Yikes, right? Although it sounds scary, it’s an operation that doctors perform hundreds, if not thousands, of times a year. I was scared to death of delivering naturally, so after having just watched my sister go through a very successful (and seemingly easy) c-section delivery I knew that when I became pregnant, I wanted to deliver by cesarean.
And when we heard two small heartbeats during my first ultrasound, my doctor didn’t hesitate at a planned c-section. The OB coordinator barely read through my paperwork before she started marking ‘cesarean’ on all the insurance forms. So… from that moment on, I expected an experience not unlike my sister’s.
What happened after that, I had not prepared myself for.
At 26 weeks, I developed preeclampsia and after a 3 night stay in the hospital, 4 weeks at home on complete bedrest, and then another 3-1/2 week return to the hospital, I was preparing to deliver my twins at 35 weeks.
Needless to say, my pregnancy did not go like my sister’s did.
My attending OB and the partners in her practice are some of the best (I’ll sing their praises to anyone who will listen). However, had I known prior to surgery about some of the side effects of a c-section, I would’ve been a little less stressed once I returned home.
Surprise #1: Where are the Staples?
I expected the doctor to close my incision with staples (like my sister’s, right?), But guess what? I had stitches that would dissolve over time. No one mentioned this or asked if I had a preference, but your doctor will go with whatever method she/he’s comfortable with… either stitches, staples, tissue glue or even tape strips to close the incision.
Surprise #2: A Leaky Incision
After any surgery, your body responds by creating fluid around the area that’s been operated on. And in most cases, there is swelling from this fluid. But similar to my case, a pocket of this fluid and a bit of blood builds up behind the incision site, creating something close to a bruise. This fluid and blood tends to seep out, making the patient believe their incision has come open. This is called a seroma and, while scary, is totally normal. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have worried myself sick, rushing to the ER only 48 hours after being discharged only to be told that I was just fine.
Surprise #3: Bumpy Scars
Imagine running your hand across your scar line one night, only to come across several knots like those bumps in the middle of the road. Totally scary for a gal who’s just had her first experience with surgery. Now, I didn’t run to the ER this time, but you can bet I called the triage nurse as soon as my OB’s office opened the next day. I’ve been told that these are hair follicles that will soften with time. And after almost four months postpartum, the knots I originally felt are no longer there.
Surprise #4: Missing the Feeling of Touch
The strangest part that’s happened post surgery is your instinct to scratch your stomach and not physically feeling a thing. When you have an itch, your hand and fingers know their job, your brain is telling you that you’re scratching a part of your body. but because of the small sensory nerves that have been severed, you can’t feel a thing. That sensation is said to return over a period of months as the small nerve endings heal and grow back together in their correct locations.
It’s All Worth It In the End
While I thought I had prepared myself by reading several “what to expect” books and asking my doctor all the questions that society tells you to ask, apparently I didn’t. Despite the surprises that came with such a foreign experience, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. The saying really is true… if I could do it all over again, I would. But I’d add a few more questions to my list first!
What other post-cesarean side effects have been a surprise to you?
, the results can be a little scary and Collin County Moms Blog shares their advice.){kind=link}
Yes! Such great info. I had an unplanned c-section so I had close to no expectations of what it would be like but these things definitely would have been helpful! The other thing that surprised me was how long it took for me to feel like I could actually stand up straight comfortably!
Wow! I have always wondered what a C-section was like and this is so helpful to keep in mind for any friends I have delivering or myself in the future! Will share! Great article.
Awesome post! Right on the money!
Unlike you I had no expectations over 30 years ago when I had a Emergency C-section. I was expecting a natural birth. Your post brings back many memories of the unexpected. There are people who say that a C-section is the easy way to give birth but it’s so not. The recovery time is so much longer and the scars are a lifetime. I would do it over again in a heart beat though because the little blessing (or in some cases double blessings) are incredible??. Thanks for sharing.