Elective C-section. to do it or not to do it... That is the question

[Mumtobescared]

Hi everybody.

I am struggling with an important decision that i need to make with regards to my labor. To short up the story, i am in my second pregnancy and requested to NHS to do a C-section, by choice (call me selfish!!) ... please don't judge me...
The reason that I decided to do that was because I really had a tough time on my first delivery and had a terrible recovery. Both me and my daughter had to stay in the Hospital for 6 days with an infection and it took me 6 months to get back to normality.
Next week I need to give my decision to the consultant, if I go for it or not!!!
I would love to know from all of you that had C-Section how was it?!! how was the process? Did you recover well? Do you regret that you had a C-Section?!!

 

[laura_x]

I had a c section with my son people may call me weird but I didn't find any of the process horrible at all I had a really good experience but that may be down to the staff they were brilliant! I am having another c section Thursday if I don't go into labour naturally and I'm not nervous. Recovery can be difficult as you aren't allowed to lift anything heavier than the baby and obviously when you have little ones at home it's hard. If you do chooses to have a c section take pain killers on time and just rest as much as you can. Also try to get up and be mobile when the midwifes say, it's does improve the way you feel.

Good luck in your decision you'll know what's right x

 

[Melily24]

Hi. I had a natural birth with my first - he was a star gazer so it hurt like..., none of the pain options worked and I nearly ended up with emergency c-section, but luckily the suction pump worked at the last minute!

My second I had to have a c-section at 38 weeks as I had full placenta previa with my daughter. I recovered immediately - even with a 15 month old toddling around (I did have my parents over to help as I couldn't pick up my toddler). I walked the day after the surgery. Important thing they say is to walk and esp to stand and sit STRAIGHT. Do not bend over abit at the belly cos it hurts, just stand up like a soldier And take it easy. So I walked the next day, but it was only for a very short period and then I rested again.

But... even though my first birth was traumatic (they wanted me to go for counselling after) I really, really want another natural birth When I was lying on the table for the c-section, the dr asked me "are you ready?" so he could cut, I burst into tears. They were so good and gentle with me and thought I was crying because I was scared, I said no, I don't want a c-section....

But you need to do whatever feels comfortable to you, as its your body and you are the one that needs to go through it and recover.

wishing you all the best. xxx

 

[CARNAT22]

A planned section is almost always going to be calmer than an emergency section.

However it is still major surgery.

Yes some women recover well (especially from a planned section) but some women wont.

I would discuss it with your consultant, how far along are you?

My hospital have a strict policy on sections and someone like me - IE no medical need for a section - wants one then I have to go private. Although of course if a medical need presented itself then I would be offered an elective section and if need be I would be given an Emergency section.

You just can't rock up and say "I want a section" if that makes sense?

X

 

[Nutsyputs]

I had an emergency section 16 months ago. I recovered reasonable quickly but could feel it if I'd over done it. It still have very little sensation around my scar. If I wear clothes that sit on scar it makes me belly feel very on edge I also have the section tummy shelf. If I could chose I wouldn't have another section. It was nearly an hour before I got to hold my son. I lost a lot of blood and it took a long time for uterous to contract back. My son ended in neonatal as he had wet lungs. I wouldn't say that the recovery time is any quicker having a section and there can be more complications. I would think about the impact it could have on your family if all doesn't go to plan. I ended up staying in hospital for 3 days but that was a reasonable quick discharge (hospital were closed to new admission as no beds so where discharging people quickly).

 

[Becky1]

I had an emergency section. I'd say from reading a lot of women's experiences mine was good, I recovered well and didn't have any issues although recovery was slow and I was limited in what I could do which was frustrating. I often worry that if we are lucky to have another and I have to have a section again how I'd cope with my little boy and a baby with not being able to do very much. Of course I'd rather have had a natural birth but it wasn't to be and my son being 10lb probably would have done more damage coming out naturally than out the sun roof so to speak lol xxx

 

[Baby2sky]

F.

 

[Goat]

I had an emergency one and it went really well and my recovery was quick and no complications. However I hate the fact I had it as chances of complications with future deliveries increase. This pregnancy for example, I can't go past 40 weeks and if I do it's c-section. I'm allowed to go into labour naturally before then but I'll be wired up to monitor for uterine rupture so won't be able to be very active. I won't ever have the option of a birthing unit and I will never trust my body enough for a home birth. I just hate the choices the c-section takes away from you.x

 

[knopk@]

I only have natural delivery experience but my first labour wasnt very easy. However second was a doddle although he was b2b, i recovered very quickly and was able to look after a toddler no problem. My friend had to have an ELCS second time round and she had hard time recovering, she said she is very self concious about her tummy and is asked almost weekly when she is due(she is a slim lady). I dont think its something she would have chosen. You cant predict the recovery but it is indeed a major surgery with its own risks

 

[Hope81]

How old is your other child? If still a toddler or a preschooler i wouldn't do it. Months of not picking up heavier things than your newborn is not fun at all :/

My first one was a nightmare normal delivery with forceps.
Second (twins) also natural delivery breech x2.
I was so grateful I had a natural delivery that's unreal.
Looking after an older baby is not easy at all. She wanted cuddles, climbing on me all day, playing on the floor etc all so more important when she was feeling jealous.
A second thing is all the guilt I was feeling for turning her whole life upside down. It would have killed me to tell her that I can't pick her up or play with her on the floor because I had a c section.
Sometimes it can't be avoided and that's it. But if the consultant dosent think it's necessary because of complication that can threaten your health I wouldn't personally do it.
Of course that's me, if you are emotionally not ok with one more natural labor then that's sth to be discussed with your consultant and decide why things went wrong last time and what are the chances to happen again

 

[Mrs CW]

I had natural births with both my boys but with my 2nd I was offered an elective c section. I had an awful delivery and recovery with my first and I still have problems now so I had the choice as they didn't want to cause further problems. I had extra problems in my pregnancy which meant I wasn't allowed to go over due so my option were c section or induction and I went with the induction mainly because of the no lifting and driving after a c section. The 2nd time round was so much easier and I had a great recovery which helped especially having a 19month old as well. The choice needs to be the best for you and your family x

 

[Ella1979]

I had an elective C-section with my second (I was given choice of induction or section and had a hideous experience with induction in my first pregnancy - baby's heart rate dropped, followed by emergency C-section). At the time, my daughter was 21 months old.

My experience was very good. I was booked in the day before for two steroid injections as I was less than 37 weeks. Then the day of the section I was told roughly when I was likely to go in and wasn't allowed anything to eat. I walked down to the theatre, chatted with the anaesthetist and had a lovely nurse who was laughing and joking with me - made it all as relaxing as it could be (even the spinal anaesthetic!). Op went smoothly and I got to hold my baby straight afterwards and we had a photo taken.

Putting aside my bp issues (I was readmitted for that), my recovery was very smooth. The pain for the first few days is so bad you actually think you'll take months and months to recover (if ever!), then it improves quite rapidly. Within a week or two it's fairly straightforward getting in and out of bed and picking up your baby. I didn't find any problem playing with my daughter. We were lucky she wasn't too jealous of her new brother. Also I'd had problems in the latter stages of my pregnancy that meant I hadn't been able to play on the floor with her for a while, so she didn't notice any difference there (I just sat up on a chair and played).

Did I regret having a C-section? Definitely not. Induction almost killed my daughter, so I feared it far more than an operation. Maybe I've been lucky having such a good recovery both times round. Sometimes I still have twinges and pains in the end of my scar and in the middle it's completely numb. I expect it'll always be like that, but I only have to look at my two gorgeous babies to know it was worth it.

You have to do what's best for you. I have to say if I hadn't developed gestational diabetes (and with it the need to deliver at 37 weeks), I'd have definitely gone for a VBAC, but I think things worked out pretty well in the end xx

 

[Mrs M]

I had an EMCS 1st time round and it was all a bit scary as I had no idea what was going on, but 2nd time I had a planned one and it was great! It took a little longer than planned due to scar tissue, but my recovery was fine (driving after just 3 weeks), not a lot of pain - more a slight discomfort. I was discharged from hospital 23 hours after delivery - that was my choice but I was fine. It was a bit annoying that there was a few things I couldn't do - lift my toddler being the main one - but personally I'd pick a section over labour any time!

 

[Minimonki]

Hi, I had an emergency C section with my son 12 years ago, i got to 7 centimetres and had a placental abruption. Was a scary experience, so now with this pregnancy ill be under a consultant and can decide how i want my baby to be born. I am going to opt for an elective C section. Yes, recovery is longer, and i wont lie the pain is awful, i struglged to sneeze or cough without having to brace myself. I couldnt get out of bed at all for the first 24 hours, which meant a catheta bag was needed, i couldnt do much at all... but my son was delivered safely and that was worth all my pain.

I am scared of going through the same with labour this time so have elected for a C section. A lot of people tell me its better to have a natural birth, but its not " a lot of peoples" baby, its mine and i want to be comfortable in the knowledge that he/she will enter the world without complication.

I will say to you, be prepared for the recovery, andt the fact you will probably stay in hospital longer than a natural birth, and also dont expect to be able to do much. Its painful afterwards and you wil need a lot of help. But do whats best for YOU!

 

[Hoping for no2]

My sister had an elective CS the second time and had a great experience. Recovery was quick and she was home after 24 hours. The main thing she said was her energy levels as she hadn't gone through a long labour so wasn't completely exhausted in the first few days. I had a terrible forceps delivery after a long labour with my son and took about 2 weeks to be able to walk at all really so a vaginal delivery doesn't always = an easier recovery. Also as you've never birthed naturally before it's like the first time as far as your body is concerned. I wanted a CS this time as have bladder issues and a prolapse from the birth and also have varicose veins of the vulva but the consultant feels these problems won't get worse with a natural delivery and doesn't want to do a CS. Has written in my notes no forceps tho but i'd rather just have a CS tbh as worried I'll be completely ruined down below after this one...x