Nurseman
September 4th, 2002, 02:06 AM
I wanted to start a new thread because I felt this was too long and wouldn't be seen if I left it in the prior thread.
First a bit of review:
When the Dr feels that the tissues around the opening of the birth canal are stretching beyond their limit, they will often opt to perform an "episotomy", an incision made into the perineum (which is actually pretty thin at this time. They AREN'T cutting you all the way to the anus).
A surgical scar is something that can be controled, a baby tearing the birth canal wide open is not.
A breech birth (Butt first) is not at all uncommon but can be a problem as the baby's body comes out easily enough but the head gets stuck. Paramedics are taught that this is the ONLY time that they may insert anything into the birth canal, namely their fingers, one to each side of the baby's nose so that the baby can breathe.
Cesarean delivery is when the baby is delivered via a surgical incision made through the abdominal wall. This is usually done only as an emergency measure. All KINDS of things can go wrong at a birth: Limb presentation (where just an arm or leg is hanging out), placenta previa (where the placenta has actually grown over the opening to the uterus) major bleeding, the list goes on. Thats one reason why I am no big fan of "home delivery" (a romantic notion at best).
If you had visions of great big hideous scars, forget 'em. Most Cesareans are done via a "Bikini incision", a 5 in. incision is made just above the pelvic mound and the Dr. usually takes great care sewing it up. (I have heard of Plastique Surgeons being brought in to do this part to minimize scarring.)
As for the belief that, post-op, you are flat on your back for weeks, sorry, that may have been true many years ago but no longer. I have made many a patient, fresh from surgery, get up and walk to the bathroom, NOT because I didn't feel like cleaning up a bed or otherwise "just trying to make things easier for myself" but rather it is now known that when you spend a lot of time in bed, your body systems shut down. This is bad.
I have even heard of patients walking back to their rooms FROM recovery.
BTW, I TOO was a "Cesarean Baby". To this day I can't leave the house without going thru the WINDOW!!! :lol: :lol:
Freshly birthed babies are often a little bloody (apologies to the Britts reading this) but that isn't nessessarily because of a surgical intervention. The stretching of the tissues of the birth canal, as well as other functions in the birthing process, can cause small blood vessels to rupture. Massive bleeding is a leading cause of women dying in childbirth. When the baby is first brought out it is covered with amniotic fluid and other stuff (urine AND feces are not at ALL uncommon) it may look like a lot of blood, but its prolly something else.
LOTS of things are done today to make the birthing process easier. Research goes on all the time. New trends and techniques develope constantly. I was reciently in a "Birthing Center" where the birth took place in a big hot tub. I thought THAT was amazing. I can just see the Dr and nurses in 'Speedos'. :lol:
Lying flat on your back with your legs up in sturrups has pretty much gone the way of Polyester Disco Shirts. Only a real conservative/behind-the-times Dr would deliver in that manner.
My point is that birth, while not exactly tea-with-the-Queen, is really a great experience. I highly recommend it. :)
First a bit of review:
When the Dr feels that the tissues around the opening of the birth canal are stretching beyond their limit, they will often opt to perform an "episotomy", an incision made into the perineum (which is actually pretty thin at this time. They AREN'T cutting you all the way to the anus).
A surgical scar is something that can be controled, a baby tearing the birth canal wide open is not.
A breech birth (Butt first) is not at all uncommon but can be a problem as the baby's body comes out easily enough but the head gets stuck. Paramedics are taught that this is the ONLY time that they may insert anything into the birth canal, namely their fingers, one to each side of the baby's nose so that the baby can breathe.
Cesarean delivery is when the baby is delivered via a surgical incision made through the abdominal wall. This is usually done only as an emergency measure. All KINDS of things can go wrong at a birth: Limb presentation (where just an arm or leg is hanging out), placenta previa (where the placenta has actually grown over the opening to the uterus) major bleeding, the list goes on. Thats one reason why I am no big fan of "home delivery" (a romantic notion at best).
If you had visions of great big hideous scars, forget 'em. Most Cesareans are done via a "Bikini incision", a 5 in. incision is made just above the pelvic mound and the Dr. usually takes great care sewing it up. (I have heard of Plastique Surgeons being brought in to do this part to minimize scarring.)
As for the belief that, post-op, you are flat on your back for weeks, sorry, that may have been true many years ago but no longer. I have made many a patient, fresh from surgery, get up and walk to the bathroom, NOT because I didn't feel like cleaning up a bed or otherwise "just trying to make things easier for myself" but rather it is now known that when you spend a lot of time in bed, your body systems shut down. This is bad.
I have even heard of patients walking back to their rooms FROM recovery.
BTW, I TOO was a "Cesarean Baby". To this day I can't leave the house without going thru the WINDOW!!! :lol: :lol:
Freshly birthed babies are often a little bloody (apologies to the Britts reading this) but that isn't nessessarily because of a surgical intervention. The stretching of the tissues of the birth canal, as well as other functions in the birthing process, can cause small blood vessels to rupture. Massive bleeding is a leading cause of women dying in childbirth. When the baby is first brought out it is covered with amniotic fluid and other stuff (urine AND feces are not at ALL uncommon) it may look like a lot of blood, but its prolly something else.
LOTS of things are done today to make the birthing process easier. Research goes on all the time. New trends and techniques develope constantly. I was reciently in a "Birthing Center" where the birth took place in a big hot tub. I thought THAT was amazing. I can just see the Dr and nurses in 'Speedos'. :lol:
Lying flat on your back with your legs up in sturrups has pretty much gone the way of Polyester Disco Shirts. Only a real conservative/behind-the-times Dr would deliver in that manner.
My point is that birth, while not exactly tea-with-the-Queen, is really a great experience. I highly recommend it. :)