Life
9 Weird Things That Happen To Your Body When You Have A C-Section
You've gone through nine months of pregnancy and noticed some odd bodily changes. And if you're having a Cesarian, you're going to experience weird things that happen to your body when you have a C-section. The fun never stops for childbearing women, does it? But all joking aside, some women downright love the experience of having a C-section, so don't for one second think I'm knocking this birth process, because I'm not.
But weird things are going to happen to your body because, well, bodies are weird, (in a totally cool way) and a C-section is major surgery. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a C-section is when a baby is brought into the world in a sterile room after doctors make an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. You will likely be given a regional anesthesia or an epidural block, both of which produce a loss of sensation in the lower half of your body.
You will also have a vaginal catheter inserted, in case you have to pee during the procedure, and intravenous line will be put in a vein in your arm or hand so you can get vital fluids and medications during surgery. All quite normal. The following weird things might occur, but don't worry. Even though they're weird, they're totally common.
1Your Vagina Will Bleed
Yes, the baby was coming out of the abdomen. But, according to The Bump, blood leaks out of you vagina aduring your C-section and postpartum bleeding might continue up to six weeks. Why? Your uterine wall has to heal itself after the placenta has been removed, the fluctuations in hormone levels might cause the blood vessels in your cervix and uterus to constrict. All totally normal weird stuff.
2You No Longer Have Hair On Your Vagina
That's right ladies, a nurse probably shaved your vagina before the procedure. You don't want hair anywhere near the incision for obvious reasons.
3You Might Feel Something During The Process
The ACOG indicated that some pressure during the procedure, unless you're unconscious, is totally normal. Will it feel weird? What do you think? But, it's OK, it's just your medical team taking your baby out of your stomach, and detaching the placenta. Soon you will have your baby, so let that thought alleviate the weirdness you feel.
4You Might Have Bruises From Being Strapped Down
While all those drugs might have you hallucinating about Dr. Mc Steamy in a Fifty Shades of Grey scenario, those bruises you have on your arms are from being strapped to the table during your C-section. Totally weird, but then again, there are hands inside your body taking your baby out of you. I'd want to be strapped down during this, just saying.
5You Might Have Gas Pain In Your Shoulders
Say what? According to The Bump, a weird side-effect of a c-section is gas pain in your shoulders. The gas pressing down on your abdomen has nowhere to go, except up. So, you feel it in your shoulders. The feeling should subside within a day or two after your C-section.
6Your Legs Might Feel Numb
This is the result of the anesthesia, reported the ACOG. The Bump added that sequential compression devices (SCDs) are machines that doctors bring into your room to help circulation in your legs and ease the numbness. Weird? Totally. But I bet it feels good, like you're getting a deep tissue massage.
7You Might Feel Like You're Freezing
As someone who has had anesthesia in surgery before, I can tell you that it leaves you feeling cold. And, The Bump noted this is yet another effect of those drugs that allow you the major extraction to take place.
8Your Scar Will Most Likely Freak You Out A Bit
Any scar requires some getting used to, right? C-section scars are no exception. On Baby Center's message boards, women reported lumpy C-section scars. Weird? Yup, but totally common, and just think of the story that comes with this scar.
9You Might Cry Uncontrollably When You See Your Baby For The First Time
The ACOG reported that if you are awake during your C-section, you will get to hold your baby as soon as your baby comes out. Groggy from the drugs, you'll experience a flood of emotions at seeing your baby for the first time. Even if you're not a crier, like a mom on the message boards of What To Expect, you might burst into tears after your C-section. Whether it's the drugs or the hormones, or your astonishment of seeing your baby for the first time outside your body, have the tissues at the ready.
