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Childbirth

Any elective C section regrets.

41 replies

Bellini28 · 21/08/2013 14:03

I am currently 28 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first was born eight years ago vaginally. I am scared this time around and would very much prefer a c section. I have been reading and researching and I feel that I have weighed up all the risks and definitely have a preference for an elective delivery. I live on the continent and pay private health insurance so will not have to fight for such a delivery. I guess what I am asking is has anyone regretted choosing a Caesarian after having a natural delivery. Obviously I am talking to those who had the choice. Medically there is no reason for my decision, it is my preference after a pretty traumatic delivery eight years ago. Thanks in advance.

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zgaze · 21/08/2013 14:08

I had an elective after a traumatic experience culminating in emergency section the first time around. I did lots of research and really believed it was the right decision. Lots of people said that an elective is a lovely calm experience after the drama of an emergency. What I didn't really ever think about was if things went wrong with the ELCS...and they did. My blood pressure crashed and there was a lot of rushing around by the medical team rectifying this. I was fully aware and literally felt like I was dying. Very traumatic to hear the heart k

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zgaze · 21/08/2013 14:11

...whoops, fat fingers pressed send too soon. As I was saying - v traumatic to hear the heart monitor slow down to almost nothing. Then once the baby was out I had a haemorrhage, again I was fully aware of what was happening and it was terrifying! At least with the emergency section I had had so many drugs and hours of labour leading up to it I wasn't aware of much if what was happening.

To cut a long story short - go for an elective if you feel it's right but still be aware that its major surgery with all the risks that entails!

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Xalla · 21/08/2013 14:57

I had a brilliant C-Section with my first baby - everything went perfectly and I was pretty much 'back to normal' 10 days afterwards so when I had my second, I didn't even consider not having another section.

Second time around, for no obvious reason (I was healthy, same surgeon, same hospital), was very different. The wound got infected, I got a uterine infection, I reacted badly to the anaesthetic and then to the anti-emitics they gave me. It was a good six weeks before I felt well.

I'm 30 weeks with number 3 atm and looking into having a VBAC because I can't face another section...

I think it's luck of the draw at the end of the day. There's no good way to get these babies out imo!

Good luck.

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Blueberrysoup123 · 21/08/2013 17:17

Hello,

My first pregnancy, currently 19 weeks and want a csection due to a very bad fear of birth, always visualised a csection and mentally it would make me feel more comfortable and relaxed. No medical reason. If you believe it is the right choice, then I think you should be happy and go for it and stay positive. I have my nhs consultant appt soon and will consider private if I'm refused. Hope you have a successful and happy birth whichever option you choose.

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Jenny70 · 21/08/2013 17:27

I had 3 elec c/s - not for same reason as you, but I did have the choice of vb each time if I wanted to. No regrets, no complications - no regrets about not choosing vb.

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PoppyAmex · 21/08/2013 17:28

I went to the NCT classes, did the hypnotherapy course and was all set for a "natural" birth, but when I was 30 weeks it became impossible due to medical reasons.

It was uneventful, calm and I felt very safe and able to focus on my baby and share the moment with DH. Having a second section in 3 months and no regrets.

Having said that, my main objectives were for both DD and me to leave the hospital alive, healthy without any major trauma and preferably with breastfeeding established.

I don't think it's a particularly popular opinion on MN, but I saw the birth as a very minor part of becoming a mother - much like I saw my wedding vs being married.

Good luck with your birth, whatever you choose Smile

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MunchkinJess · 21/08/2013 19:26

32 weeks pregnant. ..my first baby and im having ELCS. . my choice and I am completely happy with my choice. have had alot of judgementel comments. .not really bothered as its my choice and I have no regretsSmile

everyone is different and everyone should do what is right for them Grin

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galwaygirl · 21/08/2013 19:39

I had a traumatic first birth two years ago so after a huge amount of soul searching had an elective section for DC2 ten weeks ago.
Honestly for me it was a healing experience, to have my baby in my arms and be able to concentrate on the baby and enjoy those first moments. I can't even remember those with DD. I don't think I got over DD's birth til I had DS. My physical recovery from the section was much quicker than the previous time, my mental health was incomparable.
Yes there are risks but there are risks with vaginal births and having been through a traumatic first birth I think my mentall state would have prevented me ever having a relaxing second birth.
All the best OP, hope you feel as fantastic as I did afterwards xx

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lucybrad · 21/08/2013 20:34

I think in terms of a fair assessment you'd need to ask this question the other way round too - has anyone regretted the the vbac choice. You are only going to get peoples bad reactions - not the good ones.

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Procrastinating · 21/08/2013 20:37

No regrets here. My c-sections were lovely.

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BumPop · 21/08/2013 20:46

First ds born by emcs after 4 day labour incl induction. Result = pnd and nightmare est HR.

2nd Ds elcs, which despite wound infection was fantastic. I knew exactly when ds2 was going to arrive, could plan childcare for ds2. Knew what to expect. All in all a great experience.

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Bellini28 · 21/08/2013 21:49

Thank you so much everyone. Lucybrad I actually thought of that after I posted so I am pleased that despite the question people have been kind enough to post anyway. I secretly want to hear no regrets maybe ;)

Galwaygirl I too have hopes that this birth will heal the scar from DD's birth. It was a few years before I was able to speak of her birth without crying. I also feel I missed out on a lot and am hoping that by opting for an elective c section I will get the calm and beautiful experience I am craving... Even though I am aware there is no such thing as a risk free birth.

Thanks again ladies for taking the time to reply. And best of luck for your new additions.... I really cannot wait to meet mine :)

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Moxiegirl · 21/08/2013 22:01

1 emergency section and 3 elective. No regrets here Smile

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phlebas · 21/08/2013 23:15

god no! Three electives (+ dc1 which was an emergency section) & no regrets at all.

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yoniwherethesundontshine · 22/08/2013 18:10

I have had both and a big factor for me was weighing up, if the baby got stuck vaginally how would i feel to there being a problem v in a theatre with staff right there to help.

In the end I felt safer on the operating table with the team all there clearly able to see what was going on, than if something happened during labour....

I had ELC it was the right decision for me. My first labour left me with trauma, mental for years. I do not give a second thought to the section.

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purpleloosestrife · 22/08/2013 21:01

There is a lot of pressure at the moment for natural births.However, you get the same ecstatic "i have a newborn baby feeling" however baby arrives. Vaginal births do not get the monopoly on this.

The most important end result of a pregnancy is a baby. In your arms.

It doesn't matter how the baby you have carried for the 9-ish months gets there. I wish you all the happiness with your next little one. Enjoy your new little one. If a Csec is right for you - then it is right for your family.

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Mozzamum47 · 22/08/2013 22:19

Had two ELC's for serious medical condition - both were a lot less stressful for me and saved my DS1's life as I had an internal haemorrhage which the clinical staff didn't pick up until the big day. Had I tried the natural way the result would probably have been neither of us would have made it. I was fine when I finally woke up, DS1 was small but fantastic and husband had passed out on the floor. Having DS2 was amazing went to sleep 30 minutes later I held him in my arms and out of hospital in 48 hours.

What ever you decide good luck. I don't think I missed out at all.

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motownmover · 22/08/2013 22:35

Tore badly and lost blood first time.

Second time I still had a natural delivery - which I very much regret as it was brutal to my body.

I wish I had been stronger and pushed for a C section.

Nearly 7 months on and I am not recovered.

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Xalla · 23/08/2013 07:07

I think this thread just convinced me to go for a third section after all!

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noblegiraffe · 23/08/2013 07:14

EMCS first time, absolutely no regrets about my ELCS which went swimmingly.

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Oblomov · 23/08/2013 07:27

Both my ELC 's turned I to emergencies. But both were more calm than hysterical. No regrets at all and am happy with my births.

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bishboschone · 23/08/2013 07:43

I have 'tried ' both and I would say if I had another child I would have a c section but the recovery is much much worse . With vbac I was up within hours despite a traumatic birth and ventouse / episiotomy , however after the c section the pain was horrendous . Remember it's major surgery ( it really really is ) .. There are pros and cons for both but I put off having more dc for 7 years because I was too afraid to give birth again so I understand your fears .

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Wingdingdong · 23/08/2013 08:09

EMCS first time, absolutely horrendous (for a start, there wasn't enough time for the anaesthetic before they started cutting). I woke up most nights for two years after the birth, shaking and crying as the aneasthetist's words replayed in my head.

Second time round (different hospital!) the ob was fantastic, gave me the choice. I asked her to make the decision for me, and she advised ELCS, as she thought that it was extremely likely that any attempted vaginal delivery was likely to end in EMCS anyway. She said that although it would be under very different circs, and at the earliest sign rather than the last, she felt that a) I would have the thought at the back of my mind throughout labour, which may hinder progress, and b) there was a real possibility that I'd lose the plot entirely (she didn't use those words!) if wheeled down to theatre, and that the risk to my mental health and the baby's well being was high.

I think she was absolutely right. The ELCS was a completely different experience and although I still get upset remembering DC1's birth (or rather the fear, the shouting, and the pain), having such a controlled experience the second time round stopped all the nightmares and helped me immensely. As it turned out, she was also totally right about the need
for intervention, the same circumstances arose but at least there was a plan for a CS which then went ahead at 38w.

You have to do what's right for you, but in my case in retrospect I feel that the ob's instinct that the fear of a repeat experience would slow down a natural labour/delivery and thus increase the chances of a repeat, was spot on, despite my willing it otherwise. Good luck!

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Billy11 · 30/08/2013 01:28

NO, HAVING ANOHTER ONE ONE IN A MONTH
I DO REGRET AVOIDING ONE THE FIRST TIME ROUND...THE NATURAL BIRTH LEFT MY JOINTS DISLOCATED AND MY TAILBONE BROKEN DUE TO LONG LABOUR....NOTHING NATURAL ABOUT THE NATURAL BIRTH FOR ME AT ALL...!!!

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Mutley77 · 31/08/2013 09:35

It is very difficult. I had a lovely ELCS with DC2 and so opted for the same again with DC3 (my obs was not at all keen on VBA2C anyway).

However DC 3 did have a lot of fluid in her lungs and had to be resuscitated for several mins after birth. It was horrible. She is absolutely fine and they maintained her oxygen levels through a mask so there is no risk of future damage but it did make me think twice about my decision.

I suppose it is a balance though as at least with a C/S you are in a theatre with millions of HCP's including a Paed. If there had been a problem with a VBAC I wouldn't have had the same professionals on standby and therefore more risk potentially with any arising problem?

It's a million dollar question but in terms of myself and the op/recovery - no question it was fine. I just wanted to highlight my experience for you as I know it is a known risk with C/S and is therefore perhaps not totally unexpected.

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