10 Things Your Labor Nurse Wants You to Know About C Sections

I love your #11!! Here are some tidbits and advice from my own experience: - if you have an emergency c-section, try and stay calm even as your dream for a vaginal delivery disappear, and even if your baby is born early: the medical team will take care of you two. - the spinal tap barely pinched, I didn't feel pain. It was actually a relief to stop feeling stuff before the operation and it helped me relax. - talk to the team present about everything you're feeling. I told them we didn't know the baby's sex and that it was a surprise (I was holding on to one last thing) so they wouldn't tell me before I saw the baby. - they'll put a catheter in after your spinal tap, and you may still feel something, though no pain. It may disturb you a bit (as catheters do), but focus on the fact that it's not hurting you, and once it's in place you don't feel nor notice it. - if like me you don't feel any sharp pain, but the whole thing is freaking you out (especially in an emergency with zero preparation), speak up and they can give you drugs to help. In my case it was ketamine and I saw geometrical patterns and was half passed out until I heard my baby cry. So I wasn't mentally present during the process and I was grateful for it, and still awake to hold my baby afterwards. - about holding your baby: it may take five minutes for you to hold them as the nurse cleans them out a bit and makes sure the airways are clear (and whatever else it is they're doing). I'm guessing if it's a preemie that you holding them may be even more compromised. It's tough, but it's for your baby's health. - after holding my baby for a minute, they had to take her away again because it's cold in the OR and she was small and needed to be warmed up. It took two hours before I could see her again because I obviously couldn't walk and my bed couldn't get through the nursery door. This is something that still makes me angry (who designs a hospital where a rolling bed cannot get through the nursery door for women to see their baby??). Anyway, be aware that depending on your hospital and the baby's health, it may take some time for you to hold them. Hang in there! You hopefully will have plenty of time afterwards. - if you feel like it, kick all your visitors out when you can finally be with your baby and do skin to skin or breast feeding. You don't owe your family who wants to see the baby. You owe yourself and your baby after what you went through. - removing the catheter does not hurt: I peed with a nurse the next morning and she pulled on it while I was peeing and I didn't know it was out until I asked. Didn't feel a thing! - do take the medicine every time it's proposed, even if you feel fine, so you can stay ahead of the pain. - take as many stool softeners as you can. I was SO hungry starting the next day and did not poop for 3 days (I think my body used up all that food). When it finally happened, it was a tough moment, especially with the incision. Tmi but I was glad they had gloves in the bathroom, and even took some home, which is one of the best decisions I ever made. - holding your belly and wearing the brace they give you helps so so much! - if your doctor doesn't mention it, ask about the kind of stitches they'll use: the new technology is barely more expensive and is like gluing you back together and doesn't require them to remove the stitches! The scar will also look better faster. - you will feel numb around the scar, as nerves have been cut, and it can be frustrating when it's itchy because you get no relief. Feeling can come back slowly. It's been two years for me and there's still a bit of numbness, though I usually don't notice it. - it may still hurt weeks afterwards, especially to one side (where they tied everything up), do talk to your doctor if you're worried, but if there's no swelling, no redness, etc, you should be fine and they can examine you to make sure. - you WILL heal from it, may recover fast like I did and walk around the next day. Even with the pain lingering for a while, I knew it was getting better. And in the end I was grateful to have a vagina still pristine! Also you have your hopefully healthy baby, and will not care what you yourself went through. - if the conditions are good you can still have a vaginal delivery the next time around! Or go for another c-section if needed or if you feel like it'd be too much to go through something different and scary in its own way. You are amazing!

I don’t know why there’s this “if you have a c section you didn’t really give birth” I have nothing but respect for those women. C sections terrify me. You guys are brave! Seriously!

Another suggestion, use a pillow to apply pressure on the drive home. Speed bumps and rough roads are killers when you had a C-section.

I had my fourth and last csection last week! Each time was a different experience! The things you speak of are so relatable. But I'm alive and well and my kids are in great health! Glory to God 🧡

I'm one of those viewers who are no where near having a baby,but watches for the info and you seem like such a sweet and genuine person. Its so refreshing to see how passionate about your job you are!! 💖

You are just the best and most motivational woman ever. Anyone would be lucky to have you as their nurse :)

I had a last minute c section last month. I couldn’t believe how quick the baby came out! We didn’t even make it through a whole post Malone song! 😂 the stitching up process felt like a long time but I was really surprised at the little bit of pain I experienced and how well the healing process is going!

I literally left my c section thinking man me and my Anesthesiologist are bffs after going through that with him. I loved him 😂

I’m crying now at the very last part. You wouldn’t believe the negative things I’ve heard about c sections or how I didn’t really give birth. I’ve had 3 and I’m going for my 4th in August. I’m not scared or anything I’m not nervous I just hate the constant questions of “why”. Why am I getting a c section. I’m also sick to death of people telling me that I should still try for a natural birth as if they know my body better than me or my doctor... it’s actually infuriating. I almost want to make a video of what not to say to a pregnant woman/new mom. But thank you for saying such good things it’s so nice to actually hear it said...

#11 made me cry my eyes out bc I didn’t get the birth I wanted but I appreciate you validating that grief. You are amazing!

I had a c-section and I can not even tell you how many NEGATIVE comments I had about the procedure prior to having my baby, when I sat on the operating bed my whole body was shaking because all I could think of was the horrible things ppl told me I might feel (feeling them cut me, smelling, or hearing when they cut me, etc.) and my experience was literally the opposite! I felt nothing at all, no pain what so ever after the surgery... after all of it was over and to the date it pisses me off thinking about all the comments I got about it. ppl are so inconsiderate and ALWAYS want to point out the negative things about it... if you are going to get a c-section PLEASE do not be scared stay calm and just know you are where you SHOULD be for the best of your health and the baby’s... there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of <3

I just love your videos. I wish you could be my nurse when I go into labour. I’m going to be a first time mom and labour has always been the one fear I had about pregnancy. You and your videos are helping me work through that fear. Thank you for your kindness and honesty. Keep the great content coming :)

Just had my second C-Section 2 days ago and it went very well! My first was very traumatic, but I can happily say; just because the first one was bad doesn’t mean the second will be! Stay strong mommas! Spinal taps are your friend. I felt nothing but pressure and weird sensations as Nurse Zabe went over. I still haven’t received a binder but I’m going to ask for one today. Pain wise, it’s actually not bad, compared to when I had the emergency one. You got this mommas! The faster you get out of bed, when you feel like it, the better!!

Another tip for us plus size mommas, (having 3rd c-section in August) to keep the incision dry, take a panty liner and fold it over and place on the incision so it can control the sweat. 👍

I'm still a good 3-4 years away from having a baby and as the kind of person that obsessively researches before even ordering a menu item, I really appreciate your videos. Watching you has taken away all of my birth anxiety and has made me feel prepared. Thank you for your work (:

The accuracy!!! I love your videos. And I LOVED my anesthesiologist. I'm convinced he's an angel sent from God. That man listened and heard everything I said and even wiped my tears during my surgery. I am sooo grateful for the team in the OR during my surgery.

i feel like there's such hate towards mums who've had c-sections sometimes. I had to have one because my baby was breech, and my next one will also be a c-section for the same reason. I've been told so many times "Ooooh, what a shame, you aren't even going to try natural birth!" Like, 1. it isn't my fault, it's the way I'm built, and 2. It's literally none of your business. No one gets a medal at the end of it, whether it's a normal birth or c-section. We Ziploc mamas rule <3

I get so jolly when I see a new video of yours! Had a c-section 10 years ago and here I am soon to bring another little one to the planet. Not sure if I’ll have a vaginal birth but if it’s another c-section I feel good because of your video. So informative and sweet. Thanks xoxo

the anesthesia made me shake like crazy, uncontrollably. that’s also something to be aware of! I thought something was wrong with me but they said it was normal.

can you do a "what to bring in your hospital bag" video and talk about what to bring for the mom and for the baby! Thank you:)))