First of all, there are specific reasons why one may schedule a c-section, ours being that we had twins and that baby "b" was breech. We opted to schedule ours as a safety precaution. You'll have to make this decision with your medical practitioner. FYI, if I could have, I would have delivered them vaginally, as I already had experience with our son Cameron and knew what to expect. For the peace of mind of all around me, and to honor my father in law, we selected March 18th (this would have been his 78th birthday) for our c-section.
BEFORE:
We were asked to arrive at the hospital two hours prior to our scheduled surgery. We entered what would be our recovery room to be prepped for our c-section across the hall from the operating room. Two nurses worked together to get us ready, which included: explaining to hubby what his role would be and where he would be placed during the c-section, talking to me about what to expect from anesthesia and the procedure itself, threading an IV into my arm, and checking my vitals. I had to drink a shot of nasty...a base to counteract the acid in my stomach in hopes of preventing nausea and vomiting during the surgery. I was then shaved in the bikini area and "cleaned" across the incision area for a total of three minutes by one of the nurses. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about his plan to prevent pain for our procedure (you will either get an epidural or spinal block; unless it is an emergency c-section in which you'll be "knocked-out" with a general anesthesia). I would be receiving a spinal block to numb me from the chest down and this would begin with a "Big Burning Prick" to numb the area before administering the actual spinal anesthesia. I think I was more nervous about this than being cut open! Yikes! After being prepped, we waited for our doctor to come in so that the show would begin!
IN THE O.R.:
I walked into the O.R. where I was greeted by an audience...yes, all shyness needs to be left at the door ladies. You are about to be sprawled out on a table for all to see! I was asked to climb up onto the table so the anesthesiologist could get to work. I had to bend forward and push my spine out towards him (a difficult task with a belly of twins sticking straight out front!) so that he could access my spinal column and numb me...ladies the first prick hurts! I can't lie...it was a stinging/burning sensation that made my eyes go cross! However, once he put the "real medicine" in, I began going numb immediately. My legs began to tingle (that going to sleep feeling when you've been sitting on your leg/foot too long.) and I was afraid to move when they asked me to lay down, as I couldn't feel my lower half. It was a weird sensation for sure. Once I was laying down, a nurse moved my legs into a "frog position" to insert the catheter. I began to receive fluids through my IV as well as antibiotics while a screen was raised across my chest. Another nurse rubbed antiseptic across my entire belly and my doctor walked in scrubbed up and ready to go. It was then that hubby was escorted in and placed in a stool above my left shoulder. It was go time!
THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE:
Though I didn't witness the procedure, I've read a lot about c-sections in an effort to mentally prepare myself for the surgery. This is what I know to have happened based on my research:
My doctor made an incision in my bikini line (We could smell the laser cut through my skin...) eventually making it through tissue and my muscles were also spread (this is sometimes done manually but some doctors opt to cut through them.). A low transverse cut was then made into my uterus. Baby "A", William was then pulled out and the umbilical cord cut. She briefly raised him above the curtain as she announced that he "has mama's red hair." My heart melted on the spot and the happy tears came. William was then handed off to a team of nurses to be evaluated while my doctor removed his placenta and then begin working on getting baby "B", Olivia delivered. She was also raised above the curtain...she too is a red head. :) My doctor handed off Olivia to the nurses and delivered her placenta then began the process of cleaning me out and closing me up. The entire time that the procedure was taking place, the anesthesiologist monitored my blood pressure and continued to pump my IV with medication. My husband pointed out that my face would drain of color then as soon as meds were administered, my color would return. He enjoyed learning more about what was going on with my medication and chatted with the anesthesiologist throughout the procedure. He tells me one of the meds pushed into my IV also prevents bleeding. Hubby pointed out that he did glimpse a lot of blood when he went around the curtain to see the twins. He was discouraged from looking in my direction but couldn't help a quick glance! *I did get benadryl, as I became red and itchy after the procedure, possibly due to the morphine. I also got the chills as a result of the medication and requested warm blankets as soon as I returned to the recovery room.
Once the twins were evaluated and cleaned up a bit, hubby was invited to see them. They swaddled the twins and brought them to my side of the curtain where I could see them and their precious little faces. Hubby took pictures that I'll post in a future entry.
THE STITCHES:
The doctor "sewed" me up layer by layer. The stitches used on the uterus will dissolve into my body, the outer incision was closed up with medical glue. Some doctors use stitches or staples that are usually removed a few days to a week after the procedure. My incision looks great and seems to be healing nicely. I hope the scar is minimal and am glad that it will be hidden within my bikini area.
FYI: The doctor began opening me up at 8:11am. Baby "A" was born at 8:16am and baby "B" was born at 8:17am. It went pretty quick. The process of closing me up however, took about 30 minutes.
AFTER THE SURGERY:
While my doctor and a nurse worked on closing me up, my hubby got to carry William while a nurse carried Olivia out to the waiting room to be introduced to our family. I was jealous that I wasn't able to bond with them right away, as I got to hold our son Cameron right away and nurse him for the first time within minutes of being born...
Once I was closed up, I was wheeled into the recovery room to be monitored for a couple of hours. Luckily, our twins were born healthy and were able to be with me in the recovery room within an hour of being whisked from the O.R. I was able to get the skin to skin contact that I craved and nurse them for the first time.
Once I was released from recovery and allowed into my room, family got to join us and cuddle the twins too. I would continue to be monitored and attached to an IV while pitocin (to help the uterus contract) and fluids got pumped into my system for 24 hours while in the horizontal. I was also on a strict liquid diet for the rest of the day (broth, juice, jello, and water).
THE RECOVERY:
I was closely monitored by nurses throughout my entire stay at the hospital but the first 24 hours were the most intense. Nurses constantly checked my vitals, incision, and vaginal discharge. My urine was also monitored, as the catheter remained in until 6:30am the next morning. They also listened for bowel sounds using their stethoscope and pushed on my uterus (which had shrunk to just below my belly button within hours of my surgery.) to make sure it was shrinking and firm. They also helped me manage my pain throughout my stay.
Some doctors have their patients up and moving within the first 12 hours of having a c-section, I however was just required to "dangle my legs" and sit up on the edge of my bed at the 12 hour mark. I have to admit, I felt like my guts were going to fall out and I had an air bubble in my right chest cavity that caused a sharp pain, as if a knife was being pushed in and twisted! That was a long 15 minutes and I am glad I won't have to do that again.
The next morning at 6:30am, my catheter was removed and I began to mentally prepare myself for the big walk to the bathroom. I dreaded it based on the discomfort and pain the day before as I "dangled my legs." I was right to feel skeptical, as it was not fun! I recommend you move slowly and cautiously. My hubby and a nurse helped me and I am thankful that the nurse massaged my back and shoulder, which eased the sharp pain in my chest while I was still sitting, as it had only magnified since the night before. With help, I got up and took baby steps until I felt more confident on my feet. Finally, I made my first trip to the bathroom. I required assistance getting my "sexy" mesh panties and a pad on, as I was unsteady on my feet and was grateful for an opportunity to wash my face and brush my teeth while I was up and moving. After changing into my night gown and out of the hospital gown, I sat up in a chair for a little while to allow my insides to settle and begin their move to their intended and original position. Note that the quicker you ambulate after a c-section, the quicker you recover. Once I was up and moving that first time, I quickly began to feel better and more human each time I needed to make a trip to the ladies room. My first time up was also the first opportunity I had to look at my incision. There was some swelling and bruising around it, but I understand that this is normal and there was nothing to worry about. The nurses were all impressed with how great it looked. My pain control was switched from the IV to oral medication and I highly recommend that anyone going through this stay on top of your pain! Don't skip a dose and don't try to be a hero! If you miss a dose, it will take longer for the next dose to take effect and you will regret it! Don't push yourself and follow doctor's orders when discharged. No lifting, no chores (bummer right? lol), no driving, etc.
I also have to say that you'll never celebrate "passing gas" like you will after a c-section. The nurses will ask constantly about your gas and you will find that you have never felt such relief before. This is especially true if you get the painful chest pain that I experienced. IF you have an older toddler like I do, he'll find this part of the experience quite funny and will celebrate along with you! lol!
I'm sure I think of more to share because most of the four day/three night stay at the hospital is a blur, as my focus was on my newborn twins. :) If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask in the comments below. If I think of additional details I'll be sure to add/edit this post. Thanks again for reading!!
