Anyone have hysterectomy during c-section??

In March I went in for a scheduled c-section but ended up hemorhagging, lost most of my blood, and they had to remove my uterus in order to save my life. To say I was shocked to have a hysterectomy at this point in my life would be an understatement, especially since I had no GYN problems.

It is now almost 10 weeks since my surgery and I am doing fine mentally and feeling pretty good physically but still have SOOO many questions because I can not find anyone I relate with. This recovery is so much different and so much longer than my previous c-sections. I have got so much info from this site over the last several weeks, but feel my condition is still very different.

Has anyone else had both at once?

I have not had both at one time. But I had my girls by c section. One in 1999 and the other one in 2001. They are hard to recover from. Especially if you don't have lots of help like I didn't have with my older daughter. But I cannot imagine having both at one time. That would be awful. I hope that the baby is fine and growing. Love all

I can't even imagine the stress you must be under. I had 2 c sections--19 and 21 years ago!--and my hysterectomy was in Feb this year. New baby, hysterectomy--yikes!
Did you keep your ovaries? If you did, that should hopefully prevent hormone problems right away. You will need to work closely with your OB/GYN, I sure hope you have a good relationship!
Lots of hugs and prayers being sent your way...sorry I couldn't be helpful.


isewquilts

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You have a lot to process. Here is a link to another thread where someone else had an emergency hysterectomy that might not be exactly like yours, but seems to be a similar shock.

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...y+hysterectomy
You have to read through several posts to that thread before you find the one I mean.

I did a search by typing in emergency hysterectomy and got some threads that you might look through and find out what others have gone through.

Also you can visit the Aching Hearts forum on this site and share all your thoughts and feelings about this whole thing.

Please know that the Hystersisters are all thinking of you

So sorry Tricia! I must be very difficult to adjust to a sudden and unexpected hysterectomy at a time when you could be at risk for post partem depression anyway. Make sure you get emotional support as well as practical and I would get on HRT and also antidepressants if you need them.
I'm older and was more than ready for a hysterectomy. Even though it did end up being an emergency, that only made it easier for me.
I can tell you that I very nearly went through what you did, with my second child. I came within seconds of an emergency hysterectomy to save my life, 23 years ago. I had a very swift and easy, vaginal delivery, then mysteriously, almost bled to death. 2 units of blood were replaced. I went on to have another child, 4 years later, by c-section and, in retrospect, It's probably too bad I didn't get a hysterectomy at that time, or at least 10 years ago. I recently got 2 units of blood before my emergency hysterectomy, because I was so anemic.
Try to see the possible blessing in disguise. I know that sounds lame, but the longer I live the more often I realize things happen for a reason.

You are all so kind!!!

First off, the baby is doing great and growing like a weed. We were so fortunate that he was delivered before I hemorrhaged. Everything looked great until they went to remove the placenta and found I had a hole in my uterus that had not shown up on any u/s. It was most likely from a placenta accreta (the placenta grew all they way through the muscle of the uterus) and when they pulled the placenta away it was wrapped around so many blood vessels. I am so blessed to have a wonderful experienced dr who was able to act quickly.

I still have both of my ovaries and a large part of my cervix so they don't anticipate HRT.

I was also very fortunate because this was our 4th child (really only planned to have 2, maybe 3 ) and planned on having my tubes tied. Still, there is a sense of loss that I am sure you ladies understand.

Even though my dr is VERY experienced, he said he doesn't really know how to answer my questions because my case is "unique". I don't want to be "unique", I want answers! ~ LOL!!!

I want to know how long I am going to have bleeding/discharge. I had to have 10 blood transfusions just to get to the minimum level to got out of the hospital, I don't want to lose anymore ~ lol

I also want to know how long this swelly belly is going to last. Come on, they took the uterus OUT, shouldn't my belly sink in not stick out???? ~

Hi,

I'm really sorry to hear someone else had to go through this emergency procedure.
Back in october I was having abdo pains and went into hospital several times. I went in one day for a scan and was then whisked away to theatre and woke up in intensive care - everything kinda happened in a whirlwind.

It took around 5-6 months before things hit me hard (one of the reasons I haven't posted much on here recently).

In the first few months I felt really good and I feel healed really well, although others may not think the same - my incision split open when the staples were removed and it has now been fully closed (yay for real skin hahaha) for around 8 weeks.

So, yeah, I kinda understand the shock and unanswered questions that go with an emergency hyst.

If you feel up to posting your questions, I'll be happy to answer you from my expriences.

And PraireLakeLady - thankyou

Hello!

Am so sorry to hear about what you have been through...it is such an emotionally hard time; you are happy to have a new baby,but at the same time mourning the loss of your uterus.Makes for very contradicting moods.

I had my baby boy by emergency c-section in nov 2004,9 days later I had a secondary post partum haemorraghe.I spent 3 days in I.C.U,as they worked to save my uterus,had 45 units of blood transfused and had heart faliure.They did an emergency hyst to save my life...only option.It's been 6 months now,and I still find it upsetting,but I'm trying to be positive.

It took me at least 3 months to really recover (i had 4 operations in all) and even now,I still get niggly pains.I belong to another online group for women who have haemorrahged and had a hyst durring or after birth...it is the best group...everyone has been through the same thing and is very understanding.I'll send you the address,if you would like to join.

I hope you continue to recover well, and to enjoy that new baby!
Hugs, Sian

OOps sorry didn't see your last post

someone hasn't fully informed you,
placenta accretia - placenta adheres firmly to uterine wall
placenta incretia - placenta grows into uterine wall
placent percretia - placenta grows through uterine wall and sometimes invades other structures such as the bladder.

I did extensive research on this as the pathologist said of my uterus that there was previous signs of placenta incretia AND percretia - very clever considering it was my first baby I was expecting!!!

Also I was told my case was unique - unfortunately I have come across hundreds of case studies of the exact same thing - even though my surgeon insists IT DOES NOT EXIST hmmmmmmmmmmm ok like whatever mr surgeon lol

I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but it is actually suprisingly common to haemorrhage post partum especially if they pull (what were they thinking) on the placenta.
Placenta accretia, incretia or percrtia are common if you have had a previous c-section.

I was told I had about 12 units of blood transfused but due to the fact I am challenging the hospital, getting a second opinion, probably going to sue, and another sister recommended it I obtained my entire medical records file - in it there is at least 20 individual codes from blood units that were transfused to me.

It wasn't until I started finding my own answers I realised how incompetent the hospital staf had been. In the first couple of months I saw those docs through rose tinted glasses, now I see them for the scalpel happy incompetents they really are.

I couldn't say how long the swelly belly lasts - I am one of our ahem "fluffier" (gotta love that term) sisters lol and didn't really notice the swellyness.
But yeah, expect the swelling for some time, they push and shove a lot of stuff around inside and that causes it all to swell. Walking and sipping water are good measures to take.

I hope you feel better soon, glad to hear little one is doing ok too.
are your family being supportive? I sure hope so.
Are you an american sister or a uk sister? Gosh, I'm so nosey!

Sian, thank you! thank you! thank you!!! That sounds exactly like what I am looking for. I joined the group and now have to figure out how it works ~ lol! I have rec'vd so much info from this board but I am piecing that info together with facts about c/s recovery. The other site sounds perfect!

Kia, yes it was a percreta that they are quite sure I had. Usually the three terms are grouped under the general term "accreta" even though there are the 3 different stages of it. It is strange because I had almost 20 u/s (because of bleeding, early contractions, etc.) done at multiple facilities by multiple people but it never showed up. Because I had 3 previous c/s they always looked for an accreta but it never showed up.

Thanks again!