It was a grueling 32 hours as my husband and I waited for my daughter to come out. There were about five other women in labor when I was brought into the labor room.
The hours ticked on but still no baby, though my contractions came regularly. Soon, I was the only one left in the room. All the other women who were in the room when I arrived had gone on to deliver their babies.
A second batch of women in labor replaced the first one. One by one, as the women were wheeled out to delivery rooms, the green curtains that hung from metal bars attached to the ceiling, and which separated one bed from the next, were drawn apart. A nurse would come to change the sheets and sanitize the area.
Soon, all the curtains were drawn back and all the beds were empty.
I was again the only mother in that mocha-colored room that smelled of hospital disinfectant. I roamed the hallways of the hospital in a bid to help my daughter descend faster. I must have gotten out of bed a dozen times to waddle about in my hospital gown and fluffy slippers.
We were racing against time. I was hooked up to Doppler or fetoscope, a machine that monitors the baby’s heartbeat, to make sure that Raya was not getting too stressed. To quicken labor, my doctor burst my amniotic sac, and later injected me with a labor-inducing drug.
Nothing happened. And so came those awful words every soon-to-give-birth mother dreads to hear. “Kailangan na kitang i-CS (I need to perform a caesarean section on you now),” my doctor said.
I was quickly brought to an operating room. I remember feeling the cold air rush at me as the doors of the OR were opened. Was the air-conditioning temperature set too low? Or was I just really scared? A cyclone of emotions took over me. This isn’t how I planned it to be.
In retrospect, I should have anticipated all possible scenarios, including an emergency C-section and recovery from the procedure.
A C-section can be truly intimidating, especially if you have not planned for it. Knowing what to expect will help ease your fears. So I’ve put together some facts about c-sections, as well as tips on how to gear up for and recover from a C-section.
A cesarean section, also called a c-section, is a surgical procedure performed when a vaginal delivery is not possible or safe, or when the health of the mother or the baby is at risk. During this procedure, the baby is delivered through surgical incisions made in the abdomen and the uterus.
Each year, around 18.5 million C-sections are performed worldwide.
Emergency C-sections are usually performed due to fetal distress, failure of the fetus to descend (which is what happened to me), preeclampsia, placenta previa (placenta is blocking the cervix), or abnormal position of the fetus, to name a few.
There are two types of abdominal incisions: the vertical and transverse incision. A transverse incision is more popularly known as the bikini cut as it is done right beneath the belly button, along the bikini line. A second incision measuring between 3-4 inches is also made on the uterine wall.
In emergency c-sections, the procedure will take about two minutes from the time incisions are made to the time the baby is actually delivered. In non-emergency cases, it can take as long as 10-15 minutes, plus around 45 minutes more to deliver the placenta and stitch up the incisions.
Because a c-section is still a major surgery, there are, of course, some risks involved. These include:
- Infection
- Loss of blood
- A blood clot that may break off and enter the bloodstream (embolism)
- Injury to the bowel or bladder
- A cut that might weaken the uterine wall
- Abnormalities of the placenta in subsequent pregnancies
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Risks from general anesthesia
- Fetal injury
Preparation and recovery
Knowing the facts about c-sections is not enough. The other half of the picture is knowing how to prepare for and what to expect after a c-section.
Choose a good doctor
When I say choose a good doctor, I don’t just mean a doctor who is good in his field. Choose a doctor who will not only deliver your baby safely, but will also have good bedside manners.
A c-section is not a pleasant experience. Recovery can be painful. A doctor who understands and commiserates with your pain and discomfort is vital.
I was so blessed to have a doctor who really made me feel relaxed and calm as we waited for my daughter to descend. She also prayed for me as the epidural was being administered on my spine. While I was recovering, she patiently listened to my complaints and answered all my questions.
What to pack
Recovery from a c-section takes longer than vaginal delivery with hospital stay usually extending to up to 4 days and only after you have moved your bowels.
Even if you think you will have a normal delivery, it is best to prepare for unexpected complications that would entail a C-section. Prepare a hospital bag with five days worth of clothes.
Choose clothes that are soft. Clothes that have low necks or buttons are also a good idea if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.
Underwear that rides low on your hips or lose panties are also advisable to avoid garters rubbing against the incision area.
Keep yourself healthy
A c-section is a major surgery. Make sure your body is up for the challenge by eating healthy before and after surgery. Get enough sleep, take vitamins to boost your immune system, and avoid contact with sick people.
Managing the pain
Pain management medication will be necessary as the anaesthesia wears off. Do not hesitate to ask a nurse for pain relievers.
Simple tasks like walking to the comfort room will take much effort. You will be asked to move around little by little as early as 24 hours after surgery. This will prevent blood clots from forming and help against constipation.
Gas pains, which I experienced, may also be an issue. The pain of the air pushing against my stitches and the stretching caused by my bloated stomach was truly excruciating.
Wound care
Your incision will be dressed with a water resistant bandage which will allow you to bath without getting the wound wet. However, in my experience, creases formed on my bandage, which then created gaps between my skin and the bandage. Water seeped in through those gaps, and I had to take antibiotics for an extended period.
Your doctor will advise you to visit the clinic for a follow-up check-up, usually a week after surgery. Your doctor will then clean your wound and change the dressing.
Home recovery
Besides your baby and yourself, you will not be able to take care of much else. If you have older children, it would be a good idea to ask a relative or a friend to stay and help take care of the other children while you recover.
It is normal to have muscular weakness in your abdominal area for several weeks. You will have to hold on to something and pull yourself up when trying to get up from bed or a lying-down position. Over time, your abdominal muscles will regain their strength.
Upon discharge, your health care provider will instruct you to avoid climbing stairs. Carrying heavy loads is also a big no-no. Make sure you follow all discharge instructions.
Recovery will take some time. So take it easy and just enjoy your baby.
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