emergency c-section

I had one because I was in labor for a REALLY long time and still didn't dilate past about 3 (failure to progress). My water was broken for a long time and the baby was in distress. They just try not to alarm you and say something along the lines of "we think it is best for the safety of you and the baby to go c section at this point ". If you have a epidural already, they make sure it is doing what is supposed to and they cap and gown dad and off you go to an OR.

There is a sheet between you and the sterile field that is the surgery site so you can't see past your boobs, they secure your arms so you can't flail or anything and you are completely awake.. Dad can peek over if he is not squeemish and see the whole thing but he otherwise sits right by your head and keeps you at ease. It happens pretty fast. Next thing you know...there's a baby!

No, I never had. I have had friends who did though. They had great experiences too.

KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.

I had one with my first son and everything went smoothly. Pretty much the same description as the first response.
The only bad thing was that I was numb from the neck down - they had to use a lot of meds for me - and I couldn't hold the baby for a few hours until I could move my arms.
I don't know if that's typical - but my husband got a lot of great time with the baby right away.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.

A true emergency C-section is all about the unexpected -- there's no way to be prepared. It's about life or death. Sometimes, as in my situation, it's about life and death.

I guess if you really want to know what to expect, you can expect to be terrified out of your mind. But if you're pregnant, why even go there?

DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com

I had to have my son by c-section, though it was planned. Really the first descriptions is pretty accurate. The only thing she didn't mention is that there is pressure around the rib cage when the take the baby out. My doctor failed to mention that as well and it came as a huge shock, since I wasn't prepared. Also with an emergency c-section the husband is not always premitted in the room with you, it just depends on the situation.

I had an emergency c-section because I was in a car accident at 7 months and my placenta Abrupted and he was not getting any air. I dont remember but they had to do a full test on me, When I say that I mean they had to look inside to make sure i had no internal bleeding. I was fine, all i suffured was a hideous scar and broken pelvic bone. My son was in the hospital for 2 months. He was two months premature only weighing 3lbs 8ounces 16 inches long but he is fine now. he is 13 months weighing 20lbs and 29 inches.
My experience was horrible. I almost lost my son. But he is fine and now has a 1 month old brother.
Jennifer

I had an emergency c-section. I was in labor for 13.5 hours. I did not dilate b/c it turns out the umbilical cord was wrapped around Macy's neck and she could not drop into the birth canal (thus I could not dilate) and so...13.5 hours of labor, 4 of which was hard labor and no epidural.... Anyway, once I was finally given an epidural about 2 hours before Macy was born, I was in La La Land enjoying the lack of pain. The doctor rushed into my room and started reading the monitor beat by beat. The nurses were moving me into all sorts of different positions thinking the umbilical cord had gotten stuck. After not even 15 minutes of this, the doctor said "C-section now." My heart sank. I was terrified. My husband looked at me, said "fine. no problem" and he was wisked away to scrub in. I was wheeled into the OR. As others have said, the curtain was put up, my arms strapped down and my husband sat right next to my head, holding my hand.

During the surgery, I was actually tilted slightly to my side so the doctor could operate (not sure if this is standard procedure). The anesthesia all went to the tilted side of my body and I could feel my husband holding my hand, but I could not move my hand. It was very strange. Also, moments after Macy was born, the anesthesia made me vomit, which was very scary b/c I was strapped down and couldn't move. A doctor tilted my head and I got sick into a little vomit-tray...all very nice and neat, but for some reason that scared me as much as when the doctor said "c-section now." Because the anesthesia had gone to the side of my body, I couldn't use my right arm for a few hours. The doctors wouldn't let me hold Macy until I got partial feeling back.

What to expect - a lot of emotions, especially fear. My husband was the epitomy of cool and had he lost his nerve, I would have been a wreck. As it was, I started hyperventaling when they took my hubby to scrub in and prep me...the doctor ran out of the room to get my husband and as soon as I saw him, my breathing was fine. Expect to be very vulnerable and dependent upon your husband/partner in delivery. Hopefully you won't have an emergency c-section, but better yet, I wish you a healthy baby!!!

I had a c-section with my son, though it was planned. I developed a rare eye condition while pregnant and had hemorrhaging behind my retina, and the retinal specialist and pernatologist both agreed it would be best to not try to change labor/delivery. My section was similar to what many of you have described, although I was only numb from the chest down; I could still feel my arms (and move them had they not been strapped down). The worst part for me was the numb chest; I felt like I was suffocating! I also vomited as they were "putting me back together", but aside from that, it was pretty smooth. I hurt like nobody's business for days afterwards, though! I'd never recommend a section for someone who doesn't truly need one!

Jennifer, mom to one special little boy