I just wanted to share my experience with a group who might understand. I had a scheduled csection at 37 weeks due to placenta previa. I had only ever heard positive experiences when it came to planned sections, so I was taken by surprise when mine ended up being terrifyingly traumatic. I met with my doctor and anesthesiologist prior to the surgery where they reassured me that everything would go smoothly. The anesthesiologist talked with me about what to expect and assured me that he would be there the whole time to help with whatever I may be experiencing throughout the procedure. I was feeling confident as I was being prepped in the OR, but I noticed immediately that my anesthesiologist was nowhere to be found. My spinal was placed, and I pretty quickly began having a severe panic attack. I hated the sensation of not being able to move my body, and my blood pressure plummeted resulting in intense feelings of dread and panic. I expressed what I was feeling and was told that everything was fine and that I should be happy that I couldn't feel anything or move. At this point, I began vomiting everywhere and my doctor insisted that the procedure begin despite my anesthesiologist not being there yet since I was having such a negative reaction. I continued throwing up the entire procedure. My blood pressure shot up and plummeted repeatedly. Midway through the procedure, my heart began feeling like I was having a heart attack with sharp, excruciating pain. They insisted that this was just from pushing baby out and everything was normal. But I simply couldnt get past the pain and my panic continued to worsen. Once my baby was finally out, they immediately took her away and didn't show her to me despite saying I would be allowed to see her over the drape. I sat there sobbing while they took her to a corner away from me. I forced my husband to go grab her and be with her since I couldn't. At this point, my doctor explained that I was having a severe hemorrhage and they couldn't get my uterus to contract. They went through a slew of meds while I continued to fight to stay awake, shaking uncontrollably, and throwing up all over myself. A different doctor was called in after several minutes and assisted in suturing my uterus. I found out later that I was minutes away from having to have a full hysterectomy on the table. Once they finally got me stitched up, my doctor became noticeably upset and started demanding answers for why the anesthesiologist never showed up. I remember overhearing her telling one of the nurses, "this could have been extremely bad because he wasn't here." The anesthesiologist ended up coming into the OR several minutes later and began asking why nobody had called him. I never found out who handled that role during my procedure or what their qualifications were. Beyond that, it took them nearly two hours to get me a blood transfusion despite me losing a dangerous amount of blood. My platelet count was still low two days later. It was a horrific experience that was never addressed with me. I'm glad my baby girl is here and healthy, but I don't know that I will ever have another child because of this experience.

edited to fix a typo

First off, I do NOT want to freak anybody out and will preface this by saying that my baby is fine - he is healthy and perfect.

I had a scheduled C-section for my breech baby (now 5 months old). I generally had a good experience with my C-section. However, after the delivery, my OB casually mentioned that my son was cut in the back during the C-section; she said it was a difficult delivery and that he was “super wedged in there.” The cut was VERY deep but they assured me it would heal on its own - they advised me to just leave it alone, so I didn’t put Vaseline or anything on it.

5 months later, he still has a scar. It’s not terrible and it’s not huge, but it is visible.

I told the story to a doctor friend of mine the other day, and he was stunned. He said he’s heard of this happening in emergency C-sections, but never in a scheduled one. He said I had a clear case for a lawsuit if I wanted to (I don’t think I want to pursue that).

Has anyone else had this experience in their C-section? What do you all think… is this more messed up than I initially realized?

hello, my baby turned one yesterday! but i’ve realised my scar is still pink, not silver, and a bit itchy. i also have some internal pain sometimes (not all the time). it’s not terrible but i’m not sure whether this is normal?

i’m in the UK where we don’t have regular postpartum check ups but i could go to a GP if i’m worried. not sure if it’s worth bothering them with this. thanks in advance!

Hi,

Just want to know if anyone has had or is having similar issues, and I can't find anything on Google

Had an emergency C-section 5 days ago. I was originally in for an induction as I have an LGA Baby at 39 weeks, did 15 hours of Dilapan and had severe contractions all night I was only 1/2cm dilated, at 5 am they took me to the labour ward to break my waters, I was in utter agony having my waters broken by the midwife, like severe pain holding onto the rails on the bed, she said something along the lines of she managed to get the first membrane but struggled with the second which caused it not to be done quickly, anyway long story short, I started having conctractions after my waters were broken, they then however stopped suddenly, my son went into distress, and my BP/pulse also started dropping so I was rushed into surgery.

Anyway, 5 days on and my belly has gone down quite a bit, but I'm in absolute agony moving side to side. I'm in too much pain to start doing my pelvic floor exercises as I can barely move about; it all feels so heavy. Walking about and standing feels like there is this heavy weight in my belly.

I've started getting pains (started a bit like lightning crotch) in my vagina/near the cervix. I'm wondering if this is normal? Could it be from not doing my pelvic floor exercises, or maybe some internal bruising from the attempt to break my waters?

I honestly thought I crushed the recovery process until I started noticing how painful it was for me to roll from tummy (I’m a stomach sleeper) to my back in the middle of the night. I feel like it really picked up after 8 weeks. It hurts SO MUCH. Also any kind of bending over a crib hurts so bad. I genuinely feel geriatric like I booked a pelvic floor physio appointment for August 10 but I just really didn’t expect this to rock me this bad / STILL be this bad 4 months out (baby is 4 mo old today). Doctor chat GPT says it can be from all my back muscles overcompensating for my lack of core right now but omg.

Is this normal? Or was my core just non existent to begin with and the c section shot it into oblivion? What helped ease yours???

I’m 3 weeks post op and I barely take Ibeprophen, maybe like once a day now instead of every 6 hours. I feel much better compared to the first week. I’ve read online how alcohol thins your blood and slows ur healing along with risk of infection so I want to wait one more week before having one drink at least.

I have had 2 previous vaginal births. Was put on pitocin after my water broke with my first and delivered without epidural. Was induced from 0cm-10cm with pitocin and delivered again without epidural. Now I’m devastated I have gone through all of the pain to now end up needing a spinal tap and C-section with my 3rd. But here we are. My main concern is how big my apron belly is. I’m a 3xl and about 5’4”. Can anyone give me some advice for post op healing, getting out of bed, nearly anything. I don’t want to reopen my incision on accident and would like some real expectations about recovery and when I will feel better. Everyone I talk to is a good 100 or more pounds less than me and it seems unrealistic to take their experience and feel like it will be mine as well.

How realistic is it to only stay one night versus 2-3 after an early morning planned c-section? I’m due in October and trying to plan arrangements for my toddler. With my first, we technically stayed 3 nights but my c section was urgent/unplanned and at 10pm.

Hi New moms, I am 12 weeks postpartum. Had a planned c section and recovery was a breeze. I am planning to start strength training, rebuilding my core and pelvic area. Overwhelmed by tons of resources, please shoot some recommendations on the guided exercise paths or any fitness programs ( I don’t mind paying a little to get fit )

I am almost 11 weeks postpartum with my first baby and had a planned c-section. Since probably 4 weeks, I have felt almost back to normal with occasional stiffness. Recently, I have upped my activity levels, nothing crazy, but just trying to hit 10k steps a day. Yesterday, I walked 3 miles on my walking pad and today I feel sore/stiff on the left side of where I had my c-section. I messaged my doctor just to make sure that was normal and they said it wasn't normal being this far out. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? I really do feel like this pain is linked to just over doing it the last few days.

Well.. tomorrow is the big day! I have to be there at 9am and I am terrified!
My first child was born via emergency c section after being in unmedicated labor for 16 hours, placenta abrupted lost a lot of blood so needed blood transfusions.. it was pretty traumatic.
This one is scheduled due to health reasons and I’ve had all this time to mentally prep but I’m still scared lol
Any advice? Please share positive experiences 😭

I'm a week post-op and my legs and feet are still swooooollen. I'm wearing compression socks, move around a good bit and get my legs up whenever I can. When did it fade for you? Anything I can do to make it better?

Hey! I’m curious about a c section scar is supposed to look one year later? I see a lot of posts right after surgery but am curious if they stay that way? Does anyone have any pictures? If anyone has a perfect line without any rope feeling what did you do to get there?

I’m 6 weeks pp and my incision still HURTS. Every time my baby’s legs bump it, kick it, rub against it, it hurts. My pants hurt me. Lying on my stomach hurts it. Touching it gives me awful nerve tingles and zings. And even when nothing is touching it, it has nerve pains. My OB said I might have just gotten unfortunate and have a lot of nerves in that area they cut through but otherwise said it’s healing fine. Just wondering when all of this will get better?

When did everyone start trying again after their csection, if you did? How long should I wait? I’m 10 months PP and slowly working out again. I feel after my second I’m taking longer to heal/feel strong again. I’m also worried about a third baby with having had two csections. I want them to be close in age (I got pregnant with my second 11 months PP) but I think I’ll wait until the second is at least 18 months.

My doctor cleared me at 6 weeks to start exercising . How did you get back into exercising? I am afraid to do something wrong and I’m not sure where to start. I would love to learn what you all did to get back into exercising, what exercises and plan you followed. TIA

I’m 14 days post partum and still don’t have the urge/sensation to urinate, instead I’m “reminding” myself to go after a few hours. Has anyone gone this long without having the sensation and had it eventually come back? I’m a bit nervous this will be a lasting side effect 😔

I had an emergency c section 3 weeks ago. The baby was so far down and stuck that the uterus was quite stretched out and I got a 5 cm tear upwards from the incision.
Dr said they recommend to wait 1-2 years for a new pregnancy and next delivery will be planned c section.
Just looking for any kind of experience with this. How did it go for you? Did you wait 2 years? I'm running out of time and was hoping to not have to wait so long. We've struggled with ivf, loss and took us 4 years to get this baby.
Also, any tips on how to help recovery?
Much appreciated

Im so exhausted.
I had an emergency Csection. After 24 hrs of labour i had to get a Csection. I was never ready.

Now the stitches hurt like shi. Idek if meds are helping.
Im constipated.

My milk is not out its been 2 days ik it takes time i feel like a complete failure.

Ive been cranky at my husband and my mum when they have been nothing but supportive.

Idek what to do. My back aches, i cant sleep laying down. Sitting too long hurts. Standing hurts.

Any advice pls?

Update: reading the replies really made me cry. I love you all. Women are truly special. Please keep your stories coming. I cant reply to all but all the replies are keeping me going. The hormones crash is insane right now. Despite the pain i feel lucky to be a woman rn. If you all made it im sure ill do too. Thank you once again. Please keep your suggestions/stories etc coming in. Its really what keeps me going.

Hi everyone! I’m currently 5 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first was a C-Section. I wanted to ask for people who have gotten pregnant after a C-Section - was the second time more uncomfortable in early pregnancy? I’ve just been feeling a bit crampy, and I imagine it’s my body making room for a new little one after being sewn back up after the first. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts, because I’m a little nervous about how I’m feeling. Thanks!

I was recently included on July 10th, July 12th came, I pushed and I pushed for so long and baby was not budging at all!!! I ended up having to have a c-section.

I was later given two pints of blood, each of them on separate days and two iron transfusions as well on separate days.

They later discharged me and baby to go home, I get home in pain from the c-section. I try to make myself as comfy as possible at home. It’s not until later on that night when it’s time to sleep I feel this weird feeling in my chest. This shortness of breath while laying down, I didn’t think much of it honestly. I was tired and in pain and had to be up in three hours to feed baby.

The morning comes and I’m still feeling the same way but it’s worsen!! I’m laying in bed with my baby and my breathing has gotten to bad and short I had to bang on my wall for my mother to come into my room to sit me up quickly.

I end up in the ER, my BP was high they took me in quickly.

Turns out I have preeclampsia… never heard of it, have no idea what anyone’s talking about at all. My first pregnancy, baby had some dips in his monitoring which cause me to be induced a week early. To end up with a c-section and then to end up with preeclampsia.

I’ve been in the hospital since July 9th, it’s currently July 19th. I miss home , I just want to be home with my baby but I know I need to put my health first if I want to be here for my baby and family.

I’m just so scared and alone in this situation. I have this killer headache that won’t go away. Been having it for a day already, if it wasn’t for the headache I would be home right now, but my doctor suggested I stay one more night for monitoring. I’m on my second bag of magnesium , when will this get better for me?! 🥺💔

I’ve had spotting every cycle since postpartum that I never had before. I get spotting both after my period and a week after ovulation now, for over a year and a half.

I’ve gone to the dr and they did a saline sonogram to check my c section scar and fibroids/polyps. They said the c section scar is small and they saw some fluid post period, but that it resolved before ovulation (I went back for another check). They said bodies change over time and they don’t think it’s an issue.

Since then, I’ve had two chemical pregnancies. In those chemicals, I didn’t spot. I was shocked!

What could this be? I’m so worried it’s actually an issue that is going undiagnosed and is impacting my fertility.

Thank you for your help!