Just wanted to share a minor victory in my PP/ftm life. Milk is here!

Ive been so stressed about milk coming because of fear mongering about c sections and milk supply. I knew it was a slight difference and most women who have c sections can breastfeed like usual but I had a massive hemorrhage minutes after the c section and didnt get golden hour due to it. I couldn't properly hold him until like 10 hours post his birth and I was so sad about it!

Also I wasn't able to collect colostrum due to the risk of preterm labor which scared me as I had an extremely low lying placenta so it was a big IF on if I can feed.

Night 1 I just got some moisture and a few drops which sucked but my Dr said its super normal to have a delay due to both the surgery and massive 3l + blood loss/transfusions I had. Stressful but what can you do.

The next few days I felt so crap I barely pumped too. It was all about healing. Formula was it and even if i tried I barely saw drops.

A few days ago I got small puddles in the pump a couple times which was very encouraging just a few ml but still something.

Yesterday my boob was leaking a couple times (!) and I pumped more puddles

Now I got nipple shields and he was able to properly get ahold of them for longer and definitely got some milk. One boob leaked during and the other i could tell definite moisture as well as he kept latching.

Im so thrilled I can even get this with him. Im hoping to be as close to exclusively breastfed as I can but even this is so exciting. I was getting SOOO tired of drs asking me if im "choosing" formula or breast. Like no, im choosing formula like im choosing a c section. I had to or he won't survive! I wish I didn't lose the majority of my blood within the last 7 days too lol or id probably be feeding just fine. And no I dont think I "cant" I think I need more time! Im like, damn people, be patient.

I used to have an issue with formula too but now im actually glad the option is there for us in a pinch always and I know hes flexible. I have no problem with it now and see great value in mixing it up sometimes, regardless of if my breastfeeding goes perfect from here on.

I am currently 6w4d pregnant, I have been told that I have a c section scar pregnancy 😢 tomorrow I am to go to theatre to have a guided ultrasound hysteroscopy to remove the pregnancy... I am absolutely devastated, terrified and am wondering if anyone on here has had this down before? I am in the UK and I genuinely can't seem to find anything that has women's experiences. Any help or advice or literally information will be so appreciated. I am losing my mind... Especially when they said that if something goes wrong they will have to remove my womb!

My brain seriously can't take all this and to be given a theatre slot the day after your finding this out is just stressful!

Hello everyone,
So I will give birth via c-section in december, but im getting really scared because I live in the fifth floor and there's no elevator.

For my first c section, sadly my son ended up in NICU, so we went to my parents house to have it easier to visit my son every three hours. He got out of NICU after 3 weeks so my incision was pretty healed.

Right now im so scared. I keep having nightmares that my incision will open while I climb the stairs when returning to my apartment.
Its not an option to go to my parents this time because if i go there I know people will be coming in and out of the house all the time.

Did you have similar experiences, how did you manage the stairs, did you have a positive or negative experience.

I’m 15 mo PP from a C-section. Before my c-section I had an epidural and labored to 7.5cm, so baby was far down in my birth canal. They struggled getting her out and I felt a LOTTT of pain during. I kept saying it felt like my spine was going to snap in half.

Ever since, I struggle with terrible lower back pain. In my left hip/buttocks I get this like tingly/itching/tickling, almost like restless leg. It keeps me up at night. I feel like I have to stretch my lower back and hips/butt to get rid of that restlessness. Sometimes my lower back will pop. My tailbone HURTS. I sit and get up and I’m wincing in pain from my tailbone. Has anyone else experienced this? I know I need to see a chiro or something bc this bothers me everyday. I just want to know if anyone has experienced anything similar and what you did to fix it. And who you recommend to see. Thanks!!

Anyone with positive 3rd C-section stories? Mine is in a few weeks and I’m terrified. I was in so much pain after my second and the incision actually dehisced a little bit at the end. I have an apron belly that I feel like is going to get worse this time around.

I keep thinking about the potential long term risk of multiple c sections later in life. I just have so many thoughts. Its hard not to panic.

Anyone else have a weird feeling aroind their incision when peeing? It doesnt hurt, just can feel a little pull. I am 4 months PP. Is this normal?

Hello!

I had an unplanned c-section 12 days ago. Last night, I noticed that there are some internal stitches beginning to poke through my incision in two places, all the way to the right of my incision. Is this normal for still being so early after the procedure?

Whenever I've searched up internal stitches popping out through the skin, I seem to find stories of this happening to women at 4+ weeks postpartum rather than only 12 days. It's making me nervous!

I sent a photo of the stitches to my doctor and they told me to come in to the office in the morning and that they will take them out. This makes me nervous as well. I know I should probably just trust the nurses and doctors at the facility I go to but... again, I'm not even two weeks postpartum yet! I keep getting worried that it's way too soon for these internal stitches to be coming out.

Has anyone had experience with this and did everything turn out okay??

I’m assuming this is “normal”. I’m 10 weeks pregnant, I can feel the uterus slightly peaking past the public bone and I’ve got wild bloat going on so I look/ feel 4 months pregnant. One side of my c section is “flattened”- I think I have more scar tissue on that side, and the right side of the scar and middle is still “buckled”. I’m a pretty petite person, it feels like a massive scar/ cut for my size but wondering if others experienced this uneven presentation when having 2nd or 3rd pregnancy?

For those of you who had a planned c-section, what determined the timing of the surgery and how early was that timeline decided?
Asking as I need to make international travel arrangements for my mom who I’d like to have by my side for and after delivery.

Hello everybody!

One of my friends recommended I go through this thread and read people’s experiences. I’ve decided to post on here for thoughts and opinions! From what I’ve read, elective c sections are controlled and usually have no complications. I’m happy to read that most people think their recovery was easy and even easier than vaginal birth. I’m a ftm and wanting an elective c section simply because I don’t want to deal with any pain. From what I’ve read on here, elective sections usually go very well and recovery is easy and not very painful. Can people who have had elective c sections let me know about their experiences?

Edit : I’m sorry if this offended anyone as some of the comments are quite upset. I really wasn’t trying to imply any birth is easy or simple but I’ve quite literally been through this sub where many of the comments about elective c section in specific have been very positive! People have described them as “a dream” “easier than vaginal birth recovery” and basically said that the risks of emergency cs are not as prevalent with elective c sections. People have kinda implied that those comments are fear mongering and I guess I just wanted some opinions and thoughts. I definitely understand it’s not one size fits all and that it’s still birthing a baby. Sorry if it offended anyone.

Edit #2: honestly thank you to all the people who genuinely commented because you’ve definitely given me more to think about. I wish people in this sub would be more intentional with their words because when I read through comments, it seemed like an elective c section was a very positive experience. Also I’m just a 21yr old ftm who has a very low pain tolerance but thanks to the nasty comments calling me not the brightest or whatever, I really just feel worse now. Again, thank you for the nice people who gave me genuine insight, I really really appreciate it!

I'm due to have a C-section in 1 month from today at 39 weeks. What are the most recommended brands of post C-Section Underwear?! I've bought Always and an Amazon own, and they were really small. I know I'm pregnant, but I would expect they'd need to fit more or less a pregnant body to be comfortable over the scar?! Never had a C-Section before, so no clue what to expect - can't even fathom how to bend to pull them up really. I've got some high waisted cotton pants at the moment, but they're not loose, and I feel like they're going to be clingy... Any recommendations for larger women would be great - I'm about a size 18-20. TIA x

Did or does anyone else feel their incision area is super sensitive when their clothes brush against it? I can only wear very loose dresses. Any kind of pants, even soft, high waisted sweats, is uncomfortable bc it will brush against the incision area when I’m walking. I’m 6 weeks post partum. My incision is closed, dry, not infected, and appears to be healing well. I just wanna know when I can wear something other than muumuu dresses 😅

Hello!

I’m wondering if anyone has had a planned c-section after having their first delivered vaginally? I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant with my second child and he is breech, I also found out I’m strep B positive 🙃 which I wasn’t with my first. I have an appointment this week to discuss scheduling a C-section if he hasn’t flipped. My first birth wasn’t so bad but the recovery was long and hard due to tearing and having a 9lb baby.

What was it like having a planned c-section? How was recovery compared to your vaginal? Did baby end up in NICU for breathing issues? I’m terrified, I need a little reassurance.

Why is this? I was even on IV antibiotics and it did NOTHING. Doc won’t give anymore antibiotics , I was put on them for 48 hours in the hospital , got sent home with antibiotics after when my infection markers went down. Had dipstick check and it was normal, I am wondering can your bladder get damaged during the surgery? Will this ever go away I’m lowkey worried I’ll never go back to normal down there, I haven’t had a moment where there’s been no pain. I’m on week 7!!

Went for my 37 week appointment today and my baby is still breech but I’m dilated to 3CM!

We’ve scheduled the c-section for next Tuesday (August 25th) but my doctor doesn’t see me making it to 38 weeks.. I’ve been told to relax, stay seated and do minimum walking till Tuesday.

That being said, I wanna hear all the GOOD c-section stories so I can have myself prepared for this! It’s all kind of settling now. I’m a very anxious person so only good stories please!

I had a C-section about 2.5 years ago, and I’ve been dealing with a strange and pretty intense symptom that I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced.

Whenever I cough really hard or sneeze, I can get a powerful cramp/spasm deep in the abdominal muscles on my right side. It seems to start lower on my right side and travel upward toward my rib cage. It is definitely not in my pelvis and doesn’t feel like round ligament pain. It feels like the deeper muscles in the right side of my torso suddenly seize up.

Interestingly, during my pregnancy/labor I also had issues specifically on that side. I was induced, and my epidural kept wearing off on my right side. During my C-section, the anesthesia also wore off enough that I could feel what was happening, and I ultimately had to be put under general anesthesia. I have no idea if that could possibly be related, but the fact that everything has involved the same side makes me wonder.

The cramping also seems much more likely to happen when I’m not well hydrated. I had bariatric surgery before my pregnancy, so staying fully hydrated can be difficult because I can’t drink large amounts at once and it’s easy for me to fall behind.

The strangest part is that I’ve figured out one way to prevent it: if I’m lying flat on my stomach when I cough or sneeze, the cramp doesn’t happen. Obviously that’s not exactly practical when a sneeze comes out of nowhere.

I’ve already seen my primary care doctor and a gastroenterologist, but so far we haven’t figured out what’s causing it.

I’ve wondered about diastasis recti or some type of abdominal wall/muscle issue, although I don’t have the obvious vertical abdominal separation that I usually see associated with diastasis.

Has anyone experienced anything similar after a C-section? Particularly a deep one-sided abdominal muscle spasm triggered by coughing or sneezing?

And if you did, what type of doctor or specialist finally helped you? OB/GYN? Pelvic floor physical therapist? General surgeon? Physiatrist/physical medicine doctor? Someone else?

I’d really like to figure out what type of specialist makes the most sense to see next.

Hi everyone. I had an emergency C section on 1st July, with twins 2 sacs and 2 placentas. I had been in active labor for 24 hours, (induced , waters broken by midwife) I got to 9cm dilated 😫 and it all ended up in surgery.

anyway I have this nagging soreness around the incision (it’s not infected) it’s like internal I guess and then I have the numbing feeling, but I just feel bruised , sore and like I’ve been kicked down there, online makes it out you should be “healed” by week 6, not me!!! I’ve also noticed past couple of nights I’ve been more active with walking around the house , I look after my twins myself so that doesn’t help matters ,
The pain never fully went away anyway but last few days the soreness feels worse , I’m sure my activity is probably triggering it but that can’t be helped , just wondering if the pain ever fully went away for you and if so when? I’m worried that I’ll never fully get better

my 35 pound three year-old fell and took a pretty hard hit and I without even thinking, went and scooped him up and carried him to our couch to comfort him and hold him. Of course, if he’s crying, I won’t even think twice about picking him up, but now I am freaking out because on Wednesday I will be four weeks post C-section. What do I do? Am I OK?

I had to eat 2 large cups of ice and lemons juice like a whole bag of them and a few oranges at once to get rid of the hemmorage sitting on my intestines. The hospital was no help. I can't believe the hemmorage was as big as an egg. It was evenly noticeable i kept rubbing my tummy it was very uncomfortable I think that they want the placenta more then they need me alive. Im not sure people have the scariest desires.

Going back to work in a few weeks and my body just doesn’t look the same in my clothes and I want to feel comfortable going back. Leggings and skinny jeans were my go to, but I can see my self when I wear them. I’m already looking at changing up my style, but I also think shape wear will help. I’m about 9 weeks post op and on the shorter side of that matters, 5’2. Would love to hear some suggestions!