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Birth after emergency C Section

11 replies

iddybiddymum · 29/06/2020 06:51

Is anyone facing the dilemma or whether to attempt a vaginal birth after an emergency c section the first time around?
My 1st birth ended in this and now I'm pregnant again and unsure what to do.
Has anyone had a planned c section? Is the recovery time better? I will have a toddler and a newborn so will need to move.

OP posts:

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Plumpi · 29/06/2020 06:55

I wanted to, but my second was late and they won't induce if you've already had a c-section. Or maybe you can find a doctor who will, but mine wouldn't.

Planned is definitely better than emergency! There's no comparison, but it's still not great, too many drugs to think straight and then the recovery.

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Plumpi · 29/06/2020 06:56

The physical recovery was about the same for me. I was less stressed overall though.

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Ratbagratty · 29/06/2020 06:56

I had a planned c section after an emergency. 2nd baby was breech but up to then iv was going to have a natural birth.

Recovery from second section was slower, you have to be prepared that it may not go to plan (I had allergic reaction to the dressing glue!). You will not be able to lift your toddler, prepare them by doing it less before the end of pregnancy and teach them to climb up on sofa next to you (we used a box to help her). Have everything to entertain toddler and to dress/clean nappy at waist height. Good luck

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crosser62 · 29/06/2020 06:58

Planned section after emergency was a dream.
I was given a date a time which meant I could make arrangements for childcare for older child.
It was calm, organised, an all round lovely experience.
I was home less than 24 hours later with tablets got pain which I took religiously.
Was pushing the pram through the snow to school about a week later.
Was fine.

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MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee · 29/06/2020 07:03

Yeh I’m in the same position - thinking probably planned c as I’m not sure I can go through it all again and maybe end with an emergency but I am a bit scared of another major surgery with that recovery again! But then wondering if the planned c will be less traumatic than the first as first time around baby was well and truly stuck in the birth canal! How far along are you? I’m 29 weeks

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Gotakeahike · 29/06/2020 07:11

I also wanted to go for a natural birth the second time after an emergency c-section the first, but ended up with a planned due to breech (who flipped the undetected the morning of the delivery) as well as needing to deliver early due to Cholestasis.

The planned section was such a lovely, calm experience, especially compared to the chaos of the first. I found the recovery much easier as well.

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Littlepoppet1 · 29/06/2020 07:13

Following with interest as we have just started TTC DC2 and I had a EMCS with DD so will have this decision to make at some point!

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KTD27 · 29/06/2020 07:15

I wanted a vaginal delivery for my second but ended up with a planned c section as nobody wanted me to go overdue for various other reasons.
It was an utter dream. Waved son off to nursery in the morning with grandparents all ready to pick up. Off we went and had a lovely baby and I was home the next day early morning. Recovery for me was the same. Kept on top of pain relief and wasn’t an issue. Sore but manageable. Only sticky point was the sticky hot weather and meant I got an infection in my scar but that was fixed with antibs

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Ouchjuststoodonlego · 29/06/2020 08:25

I am in the same position. First was a very long labour that ended in emcs followed by a tricky recovery and problems with feeding etc. I have been offered an elective for number 2, due in November.
Has anyone else struggled with the thought that they wouldn't have done it 'properly' if they went for the elcs?
I really am struggling with the idea of going in and just being handed a baby rather than going through the labouring process.
Please don't think that's any judgement on any woman's birth choices. It truly isn't. I am almost worried that it won't seem like MY baby if I have the elective section.

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lorisparkle · 29/06/2020 08:42

My first ds was an ELCS as he was breech. I struggled mentally with the idea that I had some how 'failed' as I had not given birth 'properly'. This did effect the way I initially coped after birth. It took me a while to get my head round it but realised that no matter how you have the baby the most important thing is the safety of you and the baby. An ELCS is not an 'easy option' but a planned decision for medical reasons. I planned for a VBAC for DS2 but unfortunately he was very late. I was offered an induction but after talking to the consultant made the decision for a second ELCS. As I was in a much better place mentally I coped with whole situation so much better.

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iddybiddymum · 25/07/2020 22:43

@MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee

I'm 24 weeks now and decided on a planned C Section