Marcia Cross, Jenny McCarthy, and Rosie O'Donnell on c-sections and witnessing birth

The View co-host Rosie O’Donnell, guest host Jenny McCarthy, and guest Marcia Cross discussed their experiences with c-sections this morning on the show. Marcia said,

And whoever said that was easy?! I did not enjoy that, not for one minute…I heard Savannah come out cause I knew she was coming out first and Iwas waiting and waiting for Eden. But I didn’t realize they got themout so fast that they were both out. I was thinking something is wrongand she was already out. 

Jenny agreed, saying, ‘It’s horrible, it’s horrible — it’s hard when they have you strapped down ’cause you’re like, ‘I just want to hold my baby!” Rosie shared, ‘[My wife] Kelli had one too [with their daughter Vivi] and she was in bed for a long time afterwards.’ Joy lightened the mood, saying, ‘But the babies probably look beautiful, because they don’t have to go through that tunnel — they don’t get mushed — their head squashed. They just come out — ‘Hi, I’m gorgeous!”

Rosie said, ‘I always thought, if you don’t believe in God, watch a baby get born — and it will change your perspective. It was really the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.’ Jenny agreed, saying, ‘Your heart — you feel it explode.’

About her twin daughters Eden and Savannah, Marcia said,

I’m so deliriously happy, I just can’t even breathe. They’re fraternal and they’re already so different, they’re just completely different beings. They’re on the same schedule right from the beginning – every three hours.They’re still in that narcissistic phase – ‘No, I’m the only baby. No, I’m the only baby.’ 

She shared the story again about how the girls’ got their names, and mentioned, ‘I don’t think Tom was crazy about Eden, but he went with it.’

Marcia also mentioned that she’s a fan of The View - she tapes it and watches it while she pumps her milk!

What was your c-section experience? Do you agree with Rosie and Jenny’s views on witnessing birth?

Comments

I had a c-section and got to hold my baby immediately. 48 hours I was at about 95% and within a week, I was 100%. I loved my c-section and think that how she delivers should be every woman’s choice! I attempted a vaginal delivery, but it didn’t happen for me, and the dreaded c-section turned out to be great!

- Kate on May 3rd, 2007

I absolutely hated my c/s! I had an epidural but it became really difficult to breathe. My vision went blurry so I couldn’t see my daughter clearly until 10 hours later!!! I was in quite a bit of pain and couldn’t even walk normally a week later. I’d say it took about 3 weeks before I was feeling somewhat normal.

I can’t wait for my next birth in December – a home waterbirth!

Sarah’s note: Yay, you got pregnant?! Congrats!

- Lorus on May 3rd, 2007

I had great C-section experiences. My first was an emergency C after pushing for 2 hours but I held the baby immediately and was awake for the entire experience. I was up and walking the halls of the hospital the next day. With my second it was planned and a more pleasant experience since it expected but also more surreal. Knowing the baby’s birthday ahead of time is a little weird. I was also up and walking the next day and was in pretty good shape by the time I made it home 3 days later.

- Jennifer on May 3rd, 2007

my first was an emergency situation but i already had the epidural so it went pretty quick. I did not get to hold her for almost 24 hours though. she was shown to me and given to my husband to hold and while they were putting staples in I started feeling what they were doing so they had to completely knock me out. I woke up an hour later in recovery. My daughter had been taken to the NICU to be monitored. I had a fever the last 4 hours of labor and they were worried about her having an infection. She was put on antibiotics for 3 days. So was I. I finally got to hold her about 24 hrs later when I could get out of bed and into a wheelchair and up to the NICU. I was feeling pretty good about 6 days after. I think because I had staples it made it worse. I felt like I would rip in two if I stood up straight. The staples burned. After the staples came out at one week I felt much better and was back to normal within 2 weeks. Just tired as heck!!

My 2nd csection was fine. It was scheduled and straightforward. I still didn’t get to hold him right away, my arm was strapped down because of the IV, but I got to touch his face with my other hand. He went straight to the regular nursery and I roomed in with him except for at night. I was walking at 2 days, staples again, but not as bad as with #1. felt pretty darn good after about 10 days.

- tink1217 on May 3rd, 2007

I had a C-section after they attempted to induce me for two days. I had some complications, but it still turned out great and I had very little pain. I know that with my next baby, it will be another c-section. This time I will be prepared for it and know what I am getting into.

- Shan on May 3rd, 2007

Both of my boys’ deliveries were C-sections (first one was due to pre-eclampsia and second one, though dr. was going to let me try VBAC, ended up being a C-section due to pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes complications). The first one was not scheduled, so I had no warning, and really no time to fear it. It wasn’t too bad – no horror stories – both times I had the baby in my arms within about 30 minutes in the recovery room, and held him all the way to my post-partum room; I had a lactation nurse there to help me if I needed help initiating nursing within an hour. These experiences were in two different hospitals in two different cities.

- Carrie on May 3rd, 2007

My first c-section was an emergency due to my baby being breech. I had a spinal placed and ultimately the procedure itself wasn’t too bad. The pain afterwards was quite overwhelming but eventually we got the pain under control. By 2wks I was pretty much back to normal. My second c-section was a planned VBAC but my water had already broke and the baby’s cord prolapsed. I was knocked out and she was delivered within 10min of them deciding it was necessary to cut. With my second I was cut vertically and was in much more significant pain, complicated by the infection that occured as a result of the section. It took a good 6wks to be fully functional again after the second and last section.

- Emily on May 3rd, 2007

Having had 3 kids, I have had the instant love, and the just wonder of “how wonderful is God” however, I think moms need to know that it is okay if they don’t feel it right away. Many new moms think there is something “wrong” with them if they don’t feel that instant bond. Especially with everything coming out about post partum depression, we need to let moms know that childbirth is different for every woman – wonderful, difficult, the best time of your life, or the worst.

- mbev1234 on May 3rd, 2007

i had a pretty hurtful “normal” birth with my first one und now with my next one i consider having a c-section. my doctor said “oh, the second birth is always easier” but actually i cannot trust her, just because the first one hurted so much. even i less hurtful birth would be too hurtful for me.
but on the other hand it´s possible that you can have some problems afterwards when you had a c-section. for example with your bladder…or an infection of the cut. or the cut itself…don´t look that pretty…? so maybe i should go and have another normal birth despite the pain and i won´t have a scar…i really don´t know.

- trullesand on May 4th, 2007

I had a scheduled c-section because the doctors thought my son was going to be huge. I measured two weeks ahead all during my pregnancy. I was terrified of having a c-section. But it worked out great. The doctor also discovered my son’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, so I would have had to have an emergency c-section anyway. My husband and I much preferred a scheduled c-section to an emergency c-section. Less drama and worry! The c-section was, for me, not painful in the least. I actually never asked for pain medication from the nurses. I think the secret to a successful c-section is to start walking as soon as the nurses tell you too. It makes recovery fast and smooth.

- m on May 4th, 2007

My c-sec was unplanned but I have few regrets…my recovery was speedy enough after I left the hosp, I didnt “feel” any of the pain aside from labor and thankfully no tears (!) well aside from the biggest one BUT most people don’t get to hold their baby after and that was hard plus I thought I would never walk upright again…lol

Trullesand,

The chances of you getting an infection is pretty slim given you keep the incision clean and dry like the nurses teach you prior to discharge. I never had any issues with my bladder, after the cath was removed I was back in business.

- NCJoy on May 4th, 2007

I had two planned C-sections, so I can’t compare the pain/recovery with a vaginal birth. I suspect C-section experiences are as individual as vaginal birth experiences. Mine were a breeze. I showered the next morning and was up and around, and–five years since the last one–my scar is very faded and barely noticeable.

- Fynn on May 4th, 2007

I had a scheduled csec w/my daughter. It went very smoothly. The hardest part was not getting to hold her for about 45 minutes after she was born, but it was okay b/c my husband was the first to hold her, so that’s something special that he has w/her. I left the hospital after 2 days and felt almost normal. I was careful w/lifting things but I would say I was completely fine within a week. I’ll be having another if I can ever get pregnant again. We are fixing to try IUI in a few weeks.

- Sarah on May 4th, 2007

I had a c-section when I delivered my twins last September, and I found it to be really easy. I was up and walking that same evening, and I was blessed that I had large ( 7.7 and 6.12), healthy babies that were able to be with me immediately. Best advice that I can give regardless of the delivery you may or may not have, keep as active as possible throughout your pregnancy! I walked throughout my pregnancy, even went to the mall 3 days before I had them, walking around for 4 hours. I believe that helped in my recovery. Have a happy day mommies!

- Darcy on May 4th, 2007

I had an emergency c-s she came to soon (preemie) and it was very difficult to endure but i wanted was to hold my baby but i had to wait b/c they had to take her to the neonatal for 2 days but when we reunited it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened.

- Nat on May 4th, 2007

My c-section experience was just fine. I went through a similar experience as Shan’s… the doctors tried to let me go natural, then induced me. I got to 10cm, but he still wouldn’t come out. Turns out, the cord was around his neck and his foot. 20 minutes later, he was born by C-section (which, after 64 hours of unmedicated labor, was a blessing!!) I saw him right away, but I didn’t get to hold him for almost 12 hours. We bonded just fine. The hospital was very supportive and helpful with breast-feeding, so I’m sure that helped our bond a bit.

I’m a big defender of C-sections. If I hadn’t had one, my son would probably have died, and I wouldn’t have been in such great shape either. If I have another, it will have to be a planned C-section.

- Jenne on May 4th, 2007

I hated everyone of my c-sections(3). There isn’t enough room to get into all of them so I will touch on my last one in August 2006. Attempted a VBAC as it is something I firmly believe in and that no women should be denied the RIGHT to choose VBAC. 3 days of labor and broken water was forced into another c/section when there was nothing wrong that they couldn’t do something about. I had a fever other then that everything else was pretty boggus and was used against me to concent. The surgery was awful even though I knew what to expect as I had been through it 2 times before it was very painful and I was told to stop crying that I couldn’t possibly feel anything. Felt like my sternum was being ripped apart with a crowbar. I was convinced I would have a bruise. Fastforward to post-op day 5 my entire scar opened from seroma(fluid build up) and opened all the way across down 4-5 inches. INCHES to the facia(the membrain that seperates your organs from subcutanous tissue and fat) Was sent home like that with minumal pain meds. Sever constant pain couldn’t even sleep in my own bed for the first week and a half. Was put back in the hospital once they realized a week and a half later how much pain I was really in and how badly the pain was depressing me cause it wasn’t under control. 3 days later sent home again this time with a PICC line(more permanint IV) so I could give my self IV morphine for the pain of having the health nurse come to my home 2x’s a day to change the packing and clean my wound. SHowers were a luxury as I couldn’t get my bandage wet and they didn’t have time to wait for me to finish. It took 4 months to compleatly heal and I am still dealing with daily pain(not just at the site of my scar). I had to stop breastfeeding because my body was too focused on healing to produce enough milk and the pain meds killed my appetite. I lost 49 pounds in 3 weeks if that tells you how sick I was. And to go through all that when there was NO REASON for it. Not all c-sections are wonderful for everyone.

- Tracy on May 4th, 2007

I had a horrible cesarean surgery experience. I didn’t get to see my son until he was 4 hours old, and had a very difficult time getting breastfeeding ‘working.’ He was groggy the first week of his life because of the pain meds I was on, which didn’t help. The surgery was “complication free,” but still very painful afterwards, and it took 4 weeks or so before I felt anything like myself. My pubes region was completely numb for about 9 months after the surgery, and I still have numb spots down there. I’m pregnant again and having a VBAC; nothing short of an emergency could make me have a c-section again!

- Danell on May 4th, 2007

My first daughter was born c-section after 20 hrs of back labor and not getting past 5 cms. She was sunny side up and not budging. My second daughter came 3 weeks early and was positioned just right, so she was born VBAC.

I had no complications with either and do not have a preference if a third baby came along. Like children are different and unique, no birth is the same. Having said all that, an uncomplicated vaginal birth is easier than an uncomplicated c-section.

- Kerryann on May 4th, 2007

I was fully prepared to have a c-section… I was told it was a big possibility with twins. I begged to be induced 3 weeks early because I was huge, swollen and my twins were big (dd was estimated at 8 lb 11 oz!). The contractions started but no dilating and this went on for 48 hours. I pleaded for a c-section, but the doctor refused because he said the twins were handling things well. (In hindsight, I’m glad he made me hang in there!)

I think it would be kind of cool to be able to plan for your baby’s birth (as in a planned c-section).

- TwinMom24 on May 4th, 2007

While my first two sections were uneventful, my third section was a nightmare. My son developed respiratory distress as a result of being surgically delivered. He had to be rushed to another hospital where he was in the NICU for 2 weeks. I didn’t hold him or feed him for 5 days.

As for me, my body is permanently scarred and I feel disfigured and ugly despite regular exercise. It has been over 6yrs since my last surgical delivery.

- Amanda on May 5th, 2007

I hated my c/s… it was pretty routine as c/s go, but it was much more difficult to recover from than either of my vaginal births (which were both AFTER my c/s)

I didn’t get to hold my son after he was born, either… and then he had to go to the nicu.

I didn’t get to bond with him at all until the next day because he was in the nicu and I couldn’t nurse him because of the magnesium sulfate in my system (for my blood pressure)

They did tell me if I’d delivered vaginally, I would have been able to see him sooner… but because of the c/s, the catheter, I had to wait till I could be gotten up and into a wheelchair and taken in to see him.

- Kat on May 7th, 2007