To drugs, that is.
First - about the baby. She was almost 10 pounds. I was really trying for a VBAC as you know, but it wasn't in the cards because at 42 weeks I wasn't dilated at all. She was also exhibiting signs of distress at the small contractions I was having - which is not good. They weren't really sure how she was going to tolerate labor anyway. It turns out the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. She's healthy, and gorgeous and so far pretty much the best baby, ever. I'm not kidding. This baby is the calmest, happiest little thing. If anyone tells you that being stressed out during your pregnancy is bad for the baby tell them to take their little guilt trip and shove it.
To anyone that's had an emergency c-section and is terrified of the prospect of going through that procedure again - I really have to admit that there is a world of difference between an emergency c-section and one that is (sort of) planned. I'm not advocating c-sections here - but one thing that I have learned since I have had 2 medically necessary ones is that - yes, SOMETIMES THEY ARE MEDICALLY NECESSARY. The only thing more infuriating than someone insisting that some c-sections aren't done out of convenience for doctors and as a money making tool for hospitals is someone insisting that they are never medically indicated. Anyway - this post isn't about that. I just want to tell anyone that is my position - and may be awaiting a dreaded necessary c-section to try not to work yourself up into a frenzy of fear. I did - and the utter panic mixed with the hormones almost made me go crazy. I'm not exaggerating.
The recovery has been much easier so far - as recovery from major abdominal surgeries goes. I'm still in a lot of pain and it is still pretty difficult to do normal tasks - but it is much easier than last time. The hospital got me up and moving about 12 hours after the surgery, and although I hated every minute of it, I think it has really helped with my recovery. This is way TMI, but something I wish someone would have told me: the most pain I was in in the hospital was caused by gas. Gas pain seriously had me doubled over and crying. When you have a c-section and they move all of your bits out of the way to get the baby out, it really messes up your digestion. They offer you something in the hospital, usually as a "last resort." That's what they kept calling it when I was in there, anyway. It's a suppository. Yes - they shove it up your butt - and that may be an indignity that you just cannot bear. But - whatever. I accepted one out of desperation on my third day in the hospital. In about 10 minutes it relieved all of my problems. Seriously - take the damn suppository. Why didn't anyone ever tell me that? I'm telling you now. Don't wait. Ask for it.
Also, become familiar with the "pain scale" because someone will constantly be asking you how much pain you are in on a scale of one to ten to figure out how many drugs you need during recovery. This is confusing as hell. Isn't pain subjective? I always responded with kind of a question mark:
NURSE: How much pain are you in - on a scale of one to ten?
ME: Four?
The correct response would be, What fucking number do I have to say to get the drugs to come? That number.
One early morning I awoke with a pain that sort of felt like someone was sawing my body in half. I called the nurse.
NURSE: How much pain are you in - on a scale of one to ten?
ME: I don't fucking know. Bring me drugs now.
Seriously, the pain scale is ridiculous. Who the hell is going to say 10? Isn't that like the most pain you could ever imagine experiencing? Well, I haven't lost consciousness or control of my bowels, so I guess I'm not in a "ten" state. But seriously - what the fuck? Just bring me drugs.
So all of my c-section advice in a nutshell: Don't freak out. Take the suppository. A "five" on the pain scale makes the drugs come.
You're welcome.
