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When it comes to C-section recovery, there are some suprises that only experience can prepare you for. If you're getting ready for your first C-section, here are some of the unexpected moments that most books and doctors forget to tell you.
What You Feel During C-Section Surgery
If you are awake during surgery, you will not feel any pain, but you will feel pressure and motion. However, the anesthesia will give you a sense of detachment from your body and will keep your anxiety in check.
Difficulty Breathing During C-Section Surgery
The anesthesia can make it difficult to take a deep breath. This can be scary, but it is normal. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns to your doctor or anesthesiologist, but rest assured that this is only a strange (possibly unsettling) sensation, not a dangerous one. Your vitals will be monitored at all times before and during surgery.
Shaking Like a Leaf
During or after surgery, you may shake uncontrollably. This isn’t painful, but it can be freaky if you aren't prepared for it. This is an anesthesia reaction that will typically subside within about an hour. Once your shaking subsides, you will be able to hold your baby in many cases.
Remember...
You will get through it! It's normal to feel apprehensive or even completely scared about the prospect of c-section surgery. Cesarean sections are performed routinely every day, and you and your baby's health are worth temporary discomfort of a required c-section surgery.
Many women experience disappointment for not being able to carry through with their natural birth plan. Remember that motherhood is about loving and caring for your child, not the method by which your baby is delivered.
READ MORE
C-Section Recovery: What To Expect After Cesarean Birth
Editor's Note: I've been through 2 c-sections, both in my early 30's. I had a completely "granola" natural birthing plan for my first baby, but my body had other ideas. I tried for a VBAC for my second child, but, again, things didn't go as planned. Yes, I was disppointed by not having the birth experince I envisioned. But understanding that modern medicine allowed me to deliver two healthy babies (when that may not have been possible 100 years ago) has made me deeply grateful to be a mother in the 21st century. ~Christine E. Taylor |
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