Caesarians

[Eveadel]

The last 4 people I know personally who have had babies in the last year

- Friend had a caesar with her daughter Vienna, May last year after having a horrific labour with her first daughter Scarlett 9 years ago which she had 3rd degree tears. She will have a caesar next time if she has another.

- Step brothers wife had a long labour and forceps - said she will have a caesar next time - she is still in a bad way - Harry is now 9 weeks.

- Brothers ex girlfriend who we keep in contact - was in labour for 24 hours and then had an emergency caesar. She said she will also have another caesar next time.

- Friends sister had a caesar on Monday

Caesarians are alot more common these days.

What I really dont want to happen is to be in labour for a long time and then have a caesar, Im thinking that having a caesar is the better option.

 

[bubble_dreamer]

having a caesarian is one of my biggest fears the thought of not being mobile after having LO is enough to put me off tbh
having been through labour naturally 2 times i would much prefer to have a normal vaginal delivery

 

[Eveadel]

Im not opposed to have an epidural so Im prepared for not being mobile whether epidural for normal delivery or epidural for caesarian

 

[bubble_dreamer]

how long are you not mobile for after an epidural then? i have never had one

 

[Eveadel]

Nah me neither!!! I have heard from quite a few people it is usually 2-3 hours afterwards you start to get feeling back

 

[bubble_dreamer]

my best mate had her little girl 3 days after i had beth by c section she wasnt mobile properly for 3 weeks, they kept her in for a week. it wasnt until her daughter was 8 weeks old she could actually pick her up herself. im guessing its different for everyone but i couldnt handle that!

 

[kellie80]

I had a very difficult labout with my 2nd and once i heard the word caesarian i pushed as hard as i could. Didn't want to go through all that pain only to end up with one anyway. Much prefer the natural way.

 

[Leigh Sless]

Hi,

I had a c-section just over 4 weeks ago and I know everyone is different but I have been really well.

It was my worst fear confirmed when they finally said I had to have a section after 36 hours of labour and believe me there was no-one more scared that I was, but seriously having now come out the other end of it, it really wasn't as bad as I thought, the thought is far worse than the actual reality.

i got myself up and about about 9 hours after I had the section and in my opinion it was the best thing I could have done, I watched others in my ward lie for the first day and they took a lot longer to get up and about than I did.

I was able to get clearance from the doctor this week to drive again which I am happy about as another 2 weeks would have had me crazy.

Seriously though, please don't worry about it, if its what needs to happen then think of yourself and the baby. I was able to breastfeed straight after I came out of theatre and both Ryan and I are getting into a good routine.

Good luck to you all anyway, hopefully you don't have to go this route but if you do then please don't worry.

Lx

 

[mdsremos]

I also had an emergency c-section after 20 hours and labour and 3 hours pushing without pain relief...labour for me (everyone is different) was the most traumatic thing I have ever been through and I got to the point of complete panic/out of control and Charlie turned in the birth canal so I couldnt push him out.
I was dead against wanting a C-Section but it was an absolute relief when they said I needed one straight away and although I spent a day in bed afterwards I was up and about the next day and left to look after Charlie as much as possible..there is no better incentive to get up and about than having to tend to a newborn!!!
I am still alit sore and stiff but certainly wasnt as bad as I had imagined. Not planning any more babies although my Doctor said she would remind me of this in 2-3 years time when I go back to confirm a pregnancy
My only advise is to take everything as it comes and go with the flow...at the end of the day your body will decide what is right and the health professionals are there to make sure everything goes smoothly with a beautiful healthy baby as the outcome!!!!!

 

[Amanda]

After having a horrible long labour with my daughter, I swore that if I ever did get pg again, I would do whatever possible to get a c-section. Now I am actually pg, I'm not that fussed.

TBH, I do have a very low pain threshold and am worried about labour, some days I would even say petrified, but I'm going to give it a go, hopefully with an epidural. But, if it comes to a c-section, then so be it. I'll not be one of those that thinks I've not had a proper labour if I have a section. Some days I even hope a little bit (just a little bit ) that he is breech so I would have to have a section! Is that wrong of me?!

 

[hayley_17]

i dont think thats wrong of you tankett!! my little man is breech right now, ive got to have another scan in 2 weeks when ill be 35 weeks, if hes still breech ill have another scan at 37 & if hes still breech then ill have a cesarean at 38 weeks!
i was really hoping he wouldnt turn at first because i was so scared of labour, was scared of tearing and being in labour for hours. but now im not fussed if he does turn... as long as he arrives healthy & well ill be fine! my mum had to have 4 cesareans when she had us so shes told me what its like afterwards.
to be honest i dont no what would be worse, having natural labour & tearing bad or having a cesarean!!
xx

 

[Eveadel]

Thanks girls for your input.

I have discussed having an elective caesarian many times with my midwife and she has now referred me to see the consultant next week.

Ive suffered with my nerves anxiety/panic attacks for years and the thought of having an attack during natural labour is just petrifying.

I avoided getting pregnant or even thinking about having children for 9 years as I have been so frightened of labour.

 

[stephlw25]

I didnt think they would just do an elective c-section if there werent any health reasons for it?!
i had an emergency c-section , the pain afterwards was awful and not being able to pick up my own baby was horrible! even to this day it still aches a bit when ive been busy etc! plus for 6 weeks after you have to take it really easy, cant drive, hover, lift anything over your headm showering is really hard!! just saying to think about it as it is major abdominal surgery, once youve given birth naturally then the pain goes away (well you know what i mean obviously its going to be sore etc!) but after a c-section the pain only then begins!
DEF want to try for a vaginal birth next time! (with a epidual possibly!! lol)

 

[Minxy]

I'm sure mental as well as physical health reasons can be considered, so you may get your C-section on anxiety grounds Eveadel.

The most important thing is to keep as relaxed about it as possible. I know phobias are very real but you and your baby need to avoid getting worked up wherever possible!

I hope your midwife is supportive and you get the experience you want xxxxx

 

[Eveadel]

Thank you littleminx, only 2 days to my appt now

 

[hayley]

i'm worried sick about needing a c section.. at the moment my baby is breech and has been since my 20 weeks scan... the MW explained that i'd have a scan around week 37and if the baby is stil breech i would be booked in for a c section at week 38... I hope the baby turns soon...

i'm worried about not being able to drive for 6 weeks, not being able to pick up my baby and not beign able to do every day things with my baby... but as they say - everyone heals differently.. i've had an op before and i was so ill for a week... i dread feeling like that ever again.. especially with a new baby...

x

 

[skatty]

Hi Evedale, I have exactly the same phobia and have known since being 10 weeks pregnant that I'll be having an elective caesarean. My doc and midwife both agree if its mentally stressful neither the pregnancy or labour will be straight forward and its better to know what is going to happen. I have been reading loads about sections and am feeling quite calm knowing what will happen in the operating room. It doesn't make you any less of a mother if you choose a section. My SIL had a section with her first and was up the next day, she had her second vaginally and is still lying down all day as she tore so badly and that was nearly a week ago. I think if you know what to expect from your section you will be mobile and up asap. You can also buy a caesarean belt from motherbliss.com to cover the scar while recovering. If you are like me it doesn't matter what anyone tells me about their birth it is not going to make me change my mind!

 

[Eveadel]

Oh Scatty it is such a relief to hear somebody in the same position. Can you recommend good websites or books to read up on.
Thank you

 

[skatty]

Hi Eveadel, I can't remember any specific websites I always just do a search on the web. there is a book on Amazon called Caesaeran Birth- Your questions answered which I plan to get. Its only about a fiver for a used copy. The thing with a lot of books is that they are really judgemental! I have weaned most of my info from people who have had an elective caesarean. Even my midwife says a planned caesarean is quite low risk, its in an emergency when the uterus is contracting that complications usually arise (I'm not trivialising it, after all it is major abdominal surgery). I always used to say that my fear is irrational but have now been told by many people that have given birth its not irrational at all! I don't know about you but its not the pain that makes me really scared in particular, its the whole not knowing what might happen that makes me anxious, my Mum and little brother both nearly died in childbirth when I was 5 and I know things are different nowadays but I have been scared since then. I started reading too much about childbirth, episiotomies, tearing and forcep deliveries etc, perhaps if I was a bit naive about it all I would have been ok! Like you I have also delayed gettng pregnant because of my fear. I was so surprised at how understanding my doc and the midwife have been, as long as they see that your fear is very real they do take it seriously. Do you know anyone that has had an elective section that can tell you about the procedure? My friend told me step by step what happens and I think if you mentally prepare yourself it will help. There is also a book you can get about recovering from a section which gives safe exercises so you can recover quickly. I think if you have someone around to help for the first week you can take it easy and bond with your baby and will be well on the road to recovery. The friends I have that have had elective sections have all recovered quickly and have been happy with the experience. I look forward to hearing about your appointment with the consultant. Be assertive about what you want, its your birth at the end of the day and you want it to be as pleasant as possible.

Skatty

 

[Minxy]

A word of advice Eveadel, make sure you put your case across very clearly!

A natural birth costs the NHS around £300, a c-section up to £2k so you may come across opposition if they think you want an elective without good medical reason.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.