10. Bikini cut; This is a the BEST method of C-Section, I have no visible scar and my dream of my tummy returning to normal can be realized! However, I wish someone had told me wearing underwear without something to cushion the elastic would be horribly painful for about three weeks following my surgery.
9. One person in the operating room; at least in my case - my mom had been there throughout the whole labor but wasn't allowed in the operating room. It was hard on her! Thankfully, she understood that my husband took priority.
8. Swelling and Hyperpigmentation; maybe this is not unique to a c-section but your feet will look like they belong to a 600lb man who has his own reality show on the discovery channel. Note the example to your right. You retain a WHOLE lot of water right after you give birth - ask a doctor, I have no clue why. But, there is relief - as one nurse eloquently told me, "Don't worry, you will pee it out." In my case, I did in about two weeks. Also, if you are person of color you will notice the darkening of certain parts of your skin - again this may be pregnancy and not just a c-section. For me, my skin, particularly my neck had serious hyperpigmentation (or as my husband likes to say, "black neck"). It just means certain parts of your body get significantly darker than the rest of your skin. That, too, will return to normal.
7. Itching; You will not have feeling below your waist after surgery (which I discuss more below) but when the feeling returns it returns with intense itching. I mean, "bend me over and scratch me with a fork" type of itching. The sad thing is, no matter how many ways you scratch the itch does not stop. Apparently, it is common but no one warned me - they gave me an antihistamine for the first two days to stop the itch.
6. Chills; Not a seizure - I had violent chills multiple times in the hospital and once after leaving. Something about the epidural leaving your body. My husband thought I was having a seizure. The nurses ran in with blankets - there is really nothing you can do but it may help if you know there is a possibility it will happen. The first picture is one of me shortly after the chills - I am still wrapped in some blankets. The bean made it all okay and worth it!
5. No feeling in a section of your stomach; So, again, not a medical doctor - but shortly after my surgery and my ability to move had returned, I noticed I had no feeling in the lower middle section of my stomach. A nurse told me nonchalantly that this normal, apparently, when you have a c-section some of your nerves are severed. A doctor later explained it would take a few months to a year for the feeling to return. As I write this, it is about three months later and my feeling is just starting to return a little bit.
4. Long recovery; 8 weeks until sex or exercise (if you are like me and had a sexless last trimester this is pretty depressing) and the soreness can last even longer. I still feel sore when Isaiah lies on my tummy for long periods of time.
3. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE OR FEEL THE LOWER HALF OF YOUR BODY; Seriously, for about three hours you will know what it is like to be parapalegic. I was Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, I stared at my legs willing them to move so I could go see Isaiah. It is scary and intense but your feeling WILL return. Just ride it out...
2. You cannot spend time with your child right way; Although I was briefly given Isaiah after he was born, I was told I had to wait until the feeling returned to my legs before I could be with him. Apparently, this is not uncommon. I read Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs and Baby Laughs while I was pregnant and she had a similar experience. The pain of being separated from your little one feels unnatural and painful. I would recommend having someone there to support you. I wanted my husband with the baby so if you have a close relative or a best friend - have them there. I remember shortly after my c-section I was crying because I wasn't with Isaiah. My brother said something to the effect of "you have your whole life with him." Though well meaning, it SO did not help. Nothing but your baby will make it okay... but someone to dry your tears may make the time pass a little quicker.
1. Your child may have breathing problems intially; again, not a doctor but something about pushing your way through the birth canal enables babies to strengthen their ability to breath outside of the womb. In Isaiah's case, he had to be given oxygen because he wasn't breathing well when he was first born. Although he was visibly the biggest and healthiest baby in NICU, no mom wants to have to spend anytime there if they don't have to.
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