10 Surprising Realities of Undergoing a C-Section

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I went into labor at 35 weeks, which landed me an unexpected night at the hospital. After hours of stalled contractions and feeling like my twins were about to make their grand entrance at Babies “R” Us, I spent another grueling 12 hours in labor. Despite being fully dilated, I couldn’t push them out and had to have a C-section. While I had prepared myself with reading about the procedure, there were still plenty of surprises waiting for me.

1. Peeing Became a Challenge.

After the catheter was removed post-surgery, I assumed I’d just go to the bathroom like normal. Six hours later, with my bladder full of saline, I still felt no urgency! I had to endure the whole catheter experience again—ouch! The next 24 hours involved nurses waking me up to encourage bathroom attempts, often resorting to running water to prompt me. I can’t help but want to brag about my first successful trip to the bathroom.

2. Getting Out of Bed Was a Struggle.

I underestimated how difficult it would be to get out of bed. It required a specific technique: roll to one side, scoot forward, push up with my arms, and tumble out. If someone assisted me, they had to be careful not to pull me up. The realization hit me hard—my abs play a much bigger role than I thought!

3. Thirst Like Never Before.

I felt incredibly thirsty after my surgery, but water was off-limits due to the risk of nausea. After convincing a nurse to let me have ice chips, I spent hours savoring them in the dark while my husband dozed nearby. The moment I was finally allowed water was pure bliss.

4. The Shakes Were Intense.

I expected some post-surgery shaking, but I was unprepared for the severity. The full-body tremors started during the procedure and continued for hours, leaving me alone with my ice chips and uncontrollable shaking.

5. Lost in a Sea of Medications.

I was a bit out of it but remember being prepped for a series of injections. “One on the left, one on the right, one under the tongue,” they’d say, and I’d lose track of what was happening. Thankfully, my husband was there to witness the chaos, which made me feel a bit more grounded.

6. A Postpartum Potbelly.

Carrying twins certainly contributed to my postpartum belly, but I didn’t realize that gas could be trapped during the C-section, adding to the bulge. The incision also meant my stomach muscles were compromised, making it challenging to tighten things up. I still look about three months pregnant, and I’ve lost my patience with those asking if I’m expecting again.

7. Almost Slept Through It!

As a light sleeper, I was shocked that I felt so drowsy in the operating room. Despite the bright lights and chaos, I struggled to stay awake, likely due to being up for 48 hours and the medications I received. The urge to doze off was surprisingly strong.

8. Residual Numbness.

The area surrounding my incision remains numb, and I’ve been told this could last for a year or more. I often find myself poking the area above my scar, fascinated by the strange sensations compared to the rest of my body.

9. An Unfortunate View for My Partner.

My husband got an unexpected glimpse of the action during the procedure, and let’s just say, it was a sight he won’t forget. Witnessing the chaos as I was hemorrhaging and the doctors pulled out my uterus was a bit too much for him.

10. Husband Purgatory.

My husband wasn’t allowed in the operating room until I was all set up. While he waited, I lay there half-numb, listening to medical staff chat about their weekend plans, eagerly craning my neck to see him.

If you’re anticipating a C-section—don’t worry too much. The tough parts last less than a week. You’ll eventually walk again, cough, and laugh without wincing. Plus, you’ll have an epic scar, a brief rendezvous with painkillers, and a unique tummy texture. Oh, and of course, you’ll welcome at least one little one into the world.

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If you want to dive deeper into the ins and outs of the C-section experience, you can also read about it in our other blog post available here.

Summary:

Having a C-section can lead to unexpected challenges, from difficulties in basic bodily functions to the surreal experience of the surgery itself. The journey includes a mix of physical recovery and emotional surprises, with the ultimate reward of welcoming new life.

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