C-Section Recovery

April 26th, 2011

I am a mother. Can't believe it. My baby is so tiny, so small, so breakable. I am mostly happy, but in a little bit of pain from surgery. I had a planned c-section. I know, a lot of people were confused with out decision. Why have a planned c-section?

You are a woman and you won't feel like a mother unless you give birth. (loved that one)
Are you aware of how dangerous a c-section is?
You are just a wimp and can't handle labor.

Okay people, first - back off! Second, my husband and I are in the medical field. We both feel strongly about the benefits of a planned c-section. We felt it was best for our baby. Granted, it is major abdominal surgery; but most of the complications fall on my shoulders, not my baby's. A vaginal birth is extremely traumatic for newborns. There are numerous problems that can occur. With a planned c-section we felt we had the best control over a smooth birthing process for our child. Notice that I keep on saying planned c-section. Those c-sections that are emergent and occur after hours of labor are completely different. Much tougher. More dangerous. My own OBGYN had a planned c-section herself and was very supportive of our decision.
That said, it is a personal decision. Whatever the parents want to do is up to them and their doctor. Although I will say I do NOT understand "natural" childbirth. No drugs. There is no reason to be in pain while you labor. Which brings me to my point. I am in PAIN. I decided not to take anything for pain except Tylenol and Motrin; truth be told I was scared of getting constipated if I took narcotics. Stupid. I am now laying in my hospital bed with my brand new boy next to me and I can hardly move. The nurse is getting some Vicodin as we speak; my husband came in after working all day and found me in pain so he told me to simply take some stronger medications. I didn't argue. My lesson; take pain meds if you are in pain. Simple lesson. I think I was just stubborn, but don't tell my husband I admitted to that.