C Section worries!

[kirlou92]

So with my first labour, I started naturally 10 days past due date. DD was back to back so labour was horrific and I wasn't dilating hardly at all even though contractions every 5 mins. Long story short.. 66 hour labour, baby in distress, emergency c section, 9lb 7 baby (I'm small so actually relieved I didn't push that one out!)

Been contemplating what to do this time round with no2. I'm worried that I'm going to have an even bigger baby this time I was told at the time when they stitched me up that I could have a vaginal delivery next time (not what you want to hear after labour and on the operating table )

I hated c section recovery! But I would rather have a planned c section than a possibly bad tear. Has anyone had a large first baby with minimal tearing or none? Or had a planned c section? Is a planned c section easier than an emergency one?

So many questions!!!

 

[snowbee]

My friend had an emergency with her first and a planned with her second and said it was totally different and a lot less traumatic.

A section was my worry, the recovery time and being on my own would be really difficult for me to get on, luckily I had mine vaginally and as soon as baby was out I felt fine and was up and about.

 

[Dee83]

Your story sounds very similar to mine - long labour, slow dilation which stopped at 8cm, everything that could go wrong did, then emergency section with a 10lb12 baby. I too am not a large person, size 8-10.

Like you I was concerned about having the same problems again with maybe an even larger baby. I don’t see how my son would have fit out naturally without it ripping me to bits! So I am booked in for an elective section in 7 weeks. Not looking forward to it at all or the recovery etc but I thought it was the best plan given my history. I have heard a lot of stories about an elective being so much better and easier to recover etc so fingers crossed

 

[Hoping for no2]

I had a forceps delivery first time round with lots of damage down below that still affects my day to day life and a long painful recovery. 2nd time I had a planned c-section as baby was breech and it was a very calm experience. I also recovered well and found it a lot easier than my recovery from forceps delivery. So I’ve opted for another section this time. There’s no way I’d risk any further damage from another vaginal delivery. The other thing I was told is that if you’ve had a section they prefer you to have continual fetal heart monitoring throughout labour so you can’t move around much as the monitor is strapped to your stomach. That would be a nightmare for me in labour.

 

[kirlou92]

Thanks for replies ladies, I think I will probably opt for c section and at least I can prepare and plan for it this time! And even though the initial recovery was hard, I don't have any problems with it now so at least I know things get back to normal eventually!

Dee83 wow that sounds all too familiar, I also stopped at 8cm! I wonder why that happened to us and such large babies! I'm even wondering if I had gestational diabetes that went undetected as I had a lot of hypos in late pregnancy.

 

[Dee83]

I’ve often wondered too. I was also 10 days past my due date and was induced. I have read that being induced can cause issues with dilation so I kind of just put it down to that but I don’t know. Were you induced? I feel the same as you, at least I can plan this time and it (hopefully) won’t be as traumatic. I was obviously completely unprepared last time but this time I have long lists of things I can buy or do to aid recovery and make it as smooth as possible! Off to mothercare now to buy some C-section briefs

 

[kirlou92]

I was booked for induction at 41+5 days but started naturally 2 days before! Same, I've already started looking at what I can do to help myself with recovery. Been reading that Arnica tablets can help speed up recovery so might get some of those!

 

[Glitter2707]

Really difficult decision & if I were in your position I’d probably be thinking section as well. However, I’ve had 2 babies vaginally - not big ones, granted - and with my second I literally felt absolute fine afterwards ‘down there’, I couldn’t believe it! I recently had my appendix removed via keyhole surgery & it made me realise how difficult having a C section wound must be, total respect to all C section mums as I really struggled with a couple of small abdo incisions, let alone a huge one. Labour is so unpredictable and that’s what’s hard. All the best x

 

[Ethanmummy13]

Hi,

I had a planned C section for my footling breech baby. It is so much easier to plan things and was not too painful, I would just say the recovery time is the worst. I had to stay for five days in hospital afterwards then I was laid up for five weeks. I couldn't imagine doing it this time round with a five year old to look after too. The surgery was the easy bit I think, its the recovery! You need to weigh up your options and do what is best in the long run, if you're worried about natural labour ending in a section again it may be easier to take that worry away and just pre book one. If not I'd say go natural and then least you've tried. Good luck hun. Xx