devilishvixen79
10-03-2006, 11:58 AM
I had baby # 1 vaginally, baby # 2 via c-section, and was very set on having baby # 3 vaginally. I could not believe that in all of Houston I could only find 2 doctors out of hundreds that would perform a vbac, and only if I had a previous vaginal delivery of a healthy sized baby. Well, My very naughty 3rd son flipped at 40 weeks and I ended up having a c-section anyway. As far as recovery time, my vaginal delivery I was cut from hole to hole (ouch) he was 9'8" It took my a couple weeks to feel normal and about 2 months before I could get romantic with my honey because of the soreness. With my good friend the kegal though everything was back to normal down there. After my 1st c-sec I was up and moving quickly, amongst other things, my 2nd c-section though, My baby is four months old and I'm barely recovered. I've had 2 infections and spent alot of time in the hospital, at one time the incision actually had a hole in it from opening. So I guess the moral is every experience is different. As far as cosmetic goes, I really wish I didnt have those scars, One is very purple, I just hope in time it fades, but you'd be surprised how small a cut they make so its possible they won't even be seen. In the long run, I am just extremely blessed to have 3 healthy boys, and for them, I'll take all the scars or pain in the world.
Return2theStage
10-05-2006, 10:24 PM
Ack I have lots to say!
OKay- I had a c/s with my oldest son becasue he was breech. (Lots of parts of the country/world deliver breech's vaginally but my doc didn't and I didn't know any better.) My c/s was not particularly hard for major surgery and I actually have to look hard to locate my scar. (I am fair- pretty much the color of the scar.) With my second son I had a natural VBAC and it was a thousand times easier for everyone involved. I was walking aorund the hospital the minute they allowed it. (An hour after birth.) To the best of my knowledge, and my husband's, my vagina is no different despite some tearing and stiches.
Your geographica llocation has a LOT to do with the availablilty of VBAC. With the right research almost anyone can find a VBAC friendly practioner. A lot of it is about knowing the risks (which are small but exixt) and knowing your rights. There are very real risks to c/s as well. Babies have a 30% higher risk of morbidity with a c/s. THe risk of uterine rupture is less than one percent. I have very few stretch marks form either birth. NOt much you can do about those anyway.
As far as the pumping goes- I am a BF counselro and would gladly give anyone help that is interested. :) (Milk making by day, money making by night, lol.)
First- what kind of pump do you have? Have you tried pumping on one side while nursing on the other? Not everyone can master it, but it helps tremendously with let down. If you feel full try pumping then. The breast is never really 'empty' and the baby can draw milk more effectively than the pump. So even if you pumped a few ounces the baby can get on the breast and illicit another let down of milk produced 'on the spot' as opposed to stored in the breast. First thing in the morning is a good time to pump.
If you have any regularity about your schedule try ot pump at the same general time for a few days (three should be sufficent) and your body will make an "extra" feeding. If you can't pump with the baby right there cooing away (good for letdown) you can try using a blanket that smells like the baby draped over you. (Smell is the strongest sense tied to memory.) You can also try breast compressions to make more milk come out faster.
Here is a link to breast compression- just scroll down. http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html
SOme women find hand expression more effective then the pump. That makes even me feel cowlike- but whatever works!
Regardless of your pumping success your commitment to breastfeeding is awesome, BTW.