C-Section Questions & AnswersIf you're having a C-Section or going through a c-section recovery here are some FAQ's that may offer some advice and support Q. I'm feeling stressed about having a c-section. What can I do?A. A c-section is one of the safest surgeries performed today, however knowing that isn't always enough to calm nerves and relieve frustrations. The best thing you can do is get control of yourself and the situation. Don't let it control you. Stay focused and relax, concentrate on the precious outcome you are expecting. Stay in close contact with your doctor, discuss issues and worries often. If you find that you aren't happy with your doctor, get a new one. In the Worry Free C-Section Recovery and planning guide I focus on planning, preparing and recovering but by going through the motions of planning for your surgery, preparing and understanding what it means to recover well will help relieve your stress and anxiety. The more you know, the more confident you will become and the more confident you are the more in control you will be which ultimately leads to less stress and anxiety. Q. What will Recovery be like and how long will it take? A. C-section recovery varies from woman to woman. Everyone recovers in their own way and time. There are lots of factors such as your overall health and your physical and mental condition, however for most women it takes about two good weeks to start feeling normal again, however it can take up to 4-6 weeks if health problems become an issue or there are complications that delay healing. Most c-section patients may experience things like gas pains, incision pain, fatigue or sleeplessness, difficulty getting out of bed and breast-feeding issues. Try to get up as soon as your doctor allows. I highly recommend using a tummy wrap or c-section abdominal binder for support. It will make laying your side, rolling over, getting out of bed and breastfeeding much easier. Q. How will a c-section affect my "maternity leave" A. Typically most companies offer 6 weeks of maternity leave. This can be taken in addition to any sick leave you have accrued. For c-sections you are usually given an additional 2 weeks bringing your leave to 8 weeks. Not all companies offer the same benefits, your benefits may differ so check with your company policy. Q. How much will a c-section cost? A. A c-section is roughly double what a vaginal delivery will cost. Q. What if I have no Insurance? A. Medial care is expensive and having no insurance could cost you a bundle, especially if you have a c-section. You do however have a few options with regard to maternity insurance that could save you from high medical expenses. Q. How can I best Prepare for my C-Section? A. There a lots of things you can do to prepare for a c-section, these include preparing yourself and your family. The Worry Free C-section guide goes into great detail about how to prepare, however preparing yourself mentally is a big part of the process. Staying calm, exercising moderately and eating healthy are also very important. Q. Why is it numb around my c-section scar? A. When nerves are cut during an incision it leaves a fair amount of numbness. This numbness typically goes away but it can take as long as several months or maybe even longer for some women to get feeling back to the cesarean scar area. It actually took a few years for my numbness to be completely gone. Q. Can I still breastfeed after having a C-section? A. Yes, absolutely, however most women after a c-section find that their milk is slow to come in so that can cause frustration and a hungry baby. There are lots of tips provided by the Le Leche league, so give them a holler when you need help. Q. I'm so tired! How can I get more energy? A. Get moving! The more you move and the more you do the more energy you will have. Conversely the more you lay around the more tired you will feel. So get moving as much as possible, no matter how hard it is to get started. I promise, once you get started the easier it will become. Most women continue their pre-natal vitamins after birth, so continue to do this if you can as it also helps. Eat foods rich in protein. Take a few moments each day to take slow deep breaths in and out. If weather permitting get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Q. What is the elective c-section? A. An elective C-section is when a woman chooses to have a c-section for reasons other than medical. More and more women today are choosing to have a c-section. Reasons can include fear of labor pain, interest in birthing on a special date, (lots of c-sections occur on Jan 1st), career schedules, etc. While I don't recommend having a c-section if there is no medical reason for it, there are special cases that make it necessary. Regardless of the reason every woman has the right to a happy, healthy and rewarding childbirth experience. Q. When can I safely have sex again? A. Sex after a c-section is one of those things that again, depends on the woman. It takes most women anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months and your doctor will have some advice for you on that. I would just listen to your body and if it feels right go for it. However take it slow and easy. It's a good idea to cover your incision with a tight wrap so that it does not pull apart. It also helps with discomfort. Q. When can I drive again? A. Usually within about 2-6 weeks. Driving uses your abdominal muscles so it's going to be uncomfortable. If you can do the following comfortable you are probably ready to drive:
Q. I'm having trouble getting pregnant again, is it because I had c-section? A. A c-section is rarely the cause of infertility. If the surgical procedure is followed
by a severe pelvic infection, abnormalities can develop in the uterine lining; this is called intrauterine adhesion
formation. Adhesions might also form around the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Q. How soon is it safe to get pregnant again after a C-Section? A. Most doctors will tell you to wait at least 12 months. I say the longer the better. I say that because the more time your incision (internal and external) has to heal, the stronger it becomes and the better it will support stretching from another birth. There have been women who have waited less time, however to be on the safe side the recommendation is 12-18 months. Q. What is a VBAC? A. VBAC stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. It is usually pronounced vee-back. Many women are successful with VBAC's however there are some things that make a vbac more successful than others. The type of previous incision you had makes a big difference. Also you'll find that many doctors are very cautious and would rather perform another c-section rather than chance having the previous incision rip or tear which can cause life threatening problems. Q. How do I know if a VBAC will be safe for me? A. There are no guarantees, but the longer it's been since your last C-Section the better. It's going to also depend a lot on your doctor and the hospital. There are doctors that won't perform VBAC's no matter what the situation, there are also hospitals that won't perform them as well. If you really want a VBAC discuss it with your doctor and understand the risks. Make sure you are a good candidate. Q. Is a VBAC ok when I am past due? A. Yes, women who are past their due dates can attempt a VBAC. However an article sites on Macleans.ca stated that of the women who were past their due date, 31 per cent failed VBAC, compared with 22 per cent of the women at less than 40 weeks gestation. You can read the article here: http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20050607_101119_5424&source=srch Q. What are some feelings that I might expect after having a C-Section? A. Keep in mind that after having a baby, c-section or otherwise, a woman may go through a range of emotions, simply because your hormones are attempting to get back to normal, so there's a little 'hormonal chaos' going on. Some women may experience disappointment that they were unable to deliver vaginally and feel frustrated or angry. If you find that your emotions are more than you can handle, ask for help. Feeling depressed after childbirth is common due to hormonal changes but if it persists too long and it interferes with caring for your baby call your doctor right away. ‘The Worry Free C-Section Guide’ is a comprehensive guide designed to help women fully prepare for having a c-section and also provide essential advice and support for helping achieve a safe, effective and complete c-section recovery. Click here to find out more.
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