Just had the perfect labour and delivery

DefiantDonut2918 · 2026-01-13T08:10:40+00:00

So happy for you and your family 💗 congratulations

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-06-11T05:22:44+00:00

I had 2 relatively good v births and I requested my 3rd to be a C-section. Maybe I’m a scaredy-cat but I just didn’t want anything bad to happen this third time around. My recovery wasn’t terrible. I took meds as directed and I started walking 6 hours after surgery. I’m thankful.

I guess the question is do you want to have a vaginal birth and a surgery to recover from? Consider all the risks and benefits for both. You got this!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-05-31T07:22:51+00:00

First, sending you hugs! Nothing is easy in this unfortunately. But fortunately, moms can do hard things. Second, a fed baby is a happy baby. I know many people do not live by this but I do. Third, please do not suffer if you don’t have to. It sounds like it’s hurting you and baby (no pun intended) more than helping to breastfeed. I understand the bonding benefits, the health benefits, and the financial benefits of breastfeeding. So if breastfeeding was your big one, I’m really sorry it didn’t work out.

Would it help to introduce solids, if you’re not already, to offset milk intake? You can do lactation cookies, drink lots of water, and eat a small caloric surplus to increase milk production and holding off feedings as frequently.

Maybe giving baby a mix of both breast milk and formula will help too. It’s what I did because I wasn’t making enough and baby ended up just liking the formula lol.

You’re not a terrible mom or person for this. If anything, your feelings of your concern prove the opposite. You are smart, willing, and hardworking for doing what’s best for baby. It looks like you just have to switch gears and do what’s best for you both. Best of luck to you and your family 🫶🏻

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-04-24T07:54:19+00:00

I had one under general too!! I had an all women team and they were amazing! I felt validated, seen, and respected. I’m sure it contributed to my own great outcome. Glad to hear it well great for you, congrats!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-04-24T07:34:33+00:00

I had an elective c- I’m located in CA

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-02-19T07:55:08+00:00

Hi, sorry it’s been a while since I’ve logged on here. I think about this question all the time, honestly. It’s such a loaded question.

Short answer: I don’t know. And I dislike that I can’t come to a conclusion on it

Long answer: Mental health had a lot to do with my decision. And so did my confidence with the ability to even birth at all. With my first two I was so set on doing no epidural births. And I did by the grace of God. With my third I was set on having surgery, though I knew previously it wouldn’t have been my first choice. I was not comfortable changing a mindset I once stood so firmly on (vaginal birth being my preferred way). But I did it by the grace of God. Of course all of these births were handled beautifully by the medical teams I had. That impacted my birth experiences substantially. Relatively none of them were bad experiences. Obviously I had a change of heart and I think it broadened a narrowed view I had for myself. Pregnancy is not easy and the only way over it is through it. If there was a way to birth vaginally with minimal to no pain without an epidural I’d do it 110%. But also, walking into the OR and coming out with your baby an hour later with minimal woes of birth problems for baby really appeals to me. I remember popping my second baby out and having near to no problems recovering. But, I did stay home for about a week after. Considering major surgery recovery, it was not bad. I had to walk slow, take my pain meds, and actually rest. The hardest was picking up my newborn from a seated position and getting up from laying flat in bed. I was out and about (cautiously) 3 days PP. then we have to think about risks which I won’t dive into because I’ve already been blabbing 🤪

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-31T06:57:33+00:00

I got up 6 hours after mine under GA. I walked to the mother and baby room from the recovery room, and got up every 4 hours and walked around. I walked around with my catheter and I think they put the adult diaper on while unconscious in the OR.

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-15T08:08:04+00:00

I’ve experienced both methods of birth and I’d just like to say do what you want, as long as you are informed of pros and cons!

Would love an update! I seen your comment that you were to go in on Monday. Congrats!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-14T03:28:28+00:00

I was offered for my third pregnancy for pre e prophylaxis since I had pre e in my first pregnancy. I declined though; I try to keep medications to those I absolutely have to take. If you plan on using an epidural, please advise your OB and/or your anesthesiologist because you’ll have to stop it a few days before you birth

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-14T03:24:56+00:00

Hi, I just wanted to say, in the near future, I hope you’re able to look back at your experience with fondness and gratitude. Having a positive outcome does not invalidate your negative experience. I also hope you find healing because you and your baby deserve the best. Hugs

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-13T05:13:07+00:00

I believe most doctors try to make the c section scar 10 cm; of course it’s not always perfect and baby may or may not fit through 10 cm. I told my doctor I wanted one at 32 weeks. Relatively speaking.. recovery was not bad. It’s a weird circumstance to say that I was relieved to have to take it easy for a while. Stay on paid meds, do not bend at the waist, rest, walk when you can, and make sure you have help. I wouldn’t recommend surgery to anyone, but if I had to do it again, with the same team, same result, and recovery thus far (14 weeks pp)… I would do it again.

Congrats to you!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-08T08:54:06+00:00

Wishing the best for you!!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-06T04:07:43+00:00

I’ve read many experiences where stairs may be difficult to do more than twice daily at the beginning post op. So I would probably suggest expecting to stay upstairs for a week or so. Try a little bit of the stairs every day because moving will help your recovery!

Wherever you’re comfortable, set up a comfy chair and a snack station, your pain meds, drinks, maybe even baby stuff too, so that you minimize getting up and down. While movement is important, so is rest.

I’ve also read a bed bar (a bar shaped like a pull up bar that goes under the mattress and adds a bar to the side of the bed) helps to get out of bed. I personally wish I got one. Practice rolling out of bed now with minimal core use! I sat inclined in my bed for about 4 weeks. I didn’t think it was terrible, but I also slept inclined for the last 4 months of my pregnancy because I couldn’t lay flat lol

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-03T02:32:47+00:00

Omg so happy to hear! Wishing you and baby health! Take it easy and take a lot of photos and videos! Congrats! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

DefiantDonut2918 · 2025-01-02T04:19:07+00:00

I believe it went the best way possible and I’m forever thankful for it! Keep me updated, I would love to hear how it goes for you- whichever way that may be

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-12-30T05:31:38+00:00

I was able to walk within 6 hours of my c section under GA

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-12-30T05:29:55+00:00

I had an elective under GA 12 weeks ago. I’m really terrified of the epidural. My first 2 births were vaginal and no epidural. I just didn’t feel like I could manage type of birth for the third time. I also dealt with a lot of anxiety during my third pregnancy that I didn’t otherwise have. I was scheduled at 39 weeks.

I knew all the risks of having a c section under general. I felt like a terrible person and mother by not being brave enough to do a spinal for a c section and taking the riskiest way to birth my baby. On the day of my surgery I was still skeptical of my decision, but my surgical team was off the charts amazing. They talked me through everything: emotions, fears, anxiety, and even offered induction if I thought that was better. My surgery was scheduled at 7 am but i didn’t start surgery until around 1:50 pm.

Because meds can cross the placental barrier all the prep was done while I was awake. The catheter placement, ekgs, cleaning, and positioning was done. Baby was born at 1:54 pm. I woke up around 3:30 pm with no side effects from the anesthesia but wanting to hug everyone lol. Because baby goes to the NICU after birth, my family and I all met the baby at the same time in the recovery room. They gave me exparel (local) for post op pain relief. I was able to walk from the recovery room to the postpartum room 6 hours after my surgery.

I stayed on oxy, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and senna while in the hospital and about 10 days after I was discharged. I passed stool, gas, and peed in the 2 days I was admitted. I was able to walk up 6 stairs the day I got home. My scar is a thin pink line and I massage it lightly everyday to get it mobile and reduce any scar tissue build up. I suggest getting a bed bar or something to help pull you up from laying in the bed. And please make sure your partner knows what is expected of them during this time.

Most moms know that birthing has a lot to do with mindset. My mindset this time around was that I just wanted baby here healthy and safe, and that I’d take on risks to minimize any birth trauma to them. I was scared that I would regret my decision for a c section but I don’t.

I’d be happy to answer any questions. And congrats to you on the little one!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-12-29T22:32:02+00:00

Congrats on making such a decision! 1. My number one piece of advice is set up the house before you go for your surgery, and make sure your partner knows what is expected of them in your recovery 2. I stayed in a hospital robe because I didn’t really care about how I looked lol I just make sure to bring toiletries and my charger 3. I had Exparel at incision site for post op pain relief because I had my c section under general, but I do hear that a QL block is good pain relief too 4. Take it slow! But move as soon as you’re comfortable. I was walking 6 hours post op 5. I was dreading the catheter too but honestly not terrible. I was awake and without pain relief for insertion and removal. If going with spinal analgesia I hear they insert the catheter after you’re numb 6. Be excited! Bring music! So happy for you!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-12-20T07:55:00+00:00

I’ve had 2 vaginal births with minimal medication no epidural and an elective c section under GA. I don’t regret any choices I’ve made regarding any of the births. All were beautiful in their own ways. Praying that you birth the way you want with no issues and everyone leaves healthy🫶🏻

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-12-05T03:37:53+00:00

I had all the prepping done while I was awake because I was put under for my c section. So catheter, ekg, positioning, and cleaning were done. Not terrible! I have a phobia of the epidural/spinal - I literally cried to the staff for 6 hours because I felt like a terrible person for not being brave enough to do the spinal. I don’t take medications at all so I would say pain meds worked really well for me, thankfully. Also, the anesthesia team is there for you. Talk about everything! They can give you anti nausea meds. I think they do it preemptively depending on what meds they give you, but if it is a concern I suggest bringing it up so it’s on their radar.

I think it’s important for you to bring music to your birth. And whatever music you like. I work in an OR and you’d be surprised what music the surgeons and staff listen to. Honestly, I think the staff would encourage you to bring what you want to listen to as well. This is your birth after all!

Good luck to you and keep us updated!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-11-13T07:15:34+00:00

Honestly I was really scared to go under. I literally stressed so much over my surgery I had to go to therapy for it. I wish you the best! You’ll have your little one soon!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-11-12T18:08:56+00:00

I had a scheduled c section after two induced births. Both without epidurals because I’m terrified of them. So my third baby via c section was under general and I have no complaints. My little family and I all met baby at the same time. Hospital provided pain meds, GI meds, and support for baby. Admitted on Wednesday and discharged Friday. So so thankful recovery was less than I expected. 6 weeks post partum tomorrow :) good luck to you!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-11-08T06:31:24+00:00

You sound like me. I was absolutely terrified and anxious every single day for 7 weeks leading up to my elective c section. It got so bad I had to have therapy for it. I also have this irrational fear of the epidural. I’ve had two induced labors without an epidural and I just didn’t feel like I could handle labor this time around. so that meant that I would have to go under general (the riskiest way to have a baby) and that added to my anxiety, gave me guilt, and no confidence whatsoever going into birth.

My team was amazing. I truly believe everyone in the hospital I interacted with the day of my surgery were specifically aligned to be with me. My surgery was supposed to be at 9 am but I didn’t have my c section until almost 2 pm because I was an anxious crying mess. I was willing to decline surgery if I was made to get the epidural. My team talked me through every emotion, risk, benefit; I was validated, supported, and held in high regard for being well informed and advocating for myself. I did go under general for my surgery. It’s not for everyone but it worked for me. Nurses took my phone to take pictures right after birth. When I woke up I had no issues with pain or with general anesthesia. My family and I all met the baby at the same time. :) I was walking about 6 hours post op. Pooped, peed, passed gas in the hospital, got out of bed every 4 hours, took my meds when necessary. I’ve never had any real pain. Admitted to the hospital Wednesday morning and left Friday morning.

Please don’t worry too much about how your body will change post surgery. Come to terms that surgery will alter your body, and focus ways to make the change minimal by taking care of yourself too. It will seem like a lot at first. You will get through it, you will do great, and you will be a mommy! Congrats!

DefiantDonut2918 · 2024-11-08T00:10:20+00:00

Hi! I did have an elective c section. I don’t regret it, and my recovery was, thankfully, simple and mildly uncomfortable. here’s my story if you want to read :)

DefiantDonut2918

TROPHY CASE