Positive stories of C-Sections to calm my nerves please?

[DinosaursArentMakeBelieve]

I'm trying to prepare myself for the need to have a c-section due to having a rather curvy baby!

It's something that has always been a fear for me as my mother had an emergency section with me and suffered really bad post-natal depression for years after.
Our relationship is nothing like that of hers with my siblings and it really worries me.

Does anyone have any positive stories of c-sections to share?

[FallenSkies]

I had a c section. I had skin to skin straight away afterwards and don't feel like I could have bonded any differently with my daughter if I had given birth. I'm sorry that your mum suffered after hers, but that isn't the norm. No one I know who had a c section feels less attached to their child.
I didn't want a c section- was desperate for a natural birth. What matters though is bringing your child in to the world safely.

[LilaGrace]

Hi dinosaurs. Look up a thread from late 2015/ early last year, entitled "elective c-section booked- tell me your stories". There are loads of positive stories on there- it's really encouraging! Sorry - I don't know how to attach the thread

[Figgygal]

I had one in October emcs as ds was too high and gone back to back as labour was progressing too fast (0-8cms in 2 hours) we went to section pretty quickly. I stayed in hospital to establish feeding first thing I did when I got home On day 3 was a load of washing, I stopped painkillers after about 4 days and was driving in 3 weeks but could have done sooner.

Ds1 was born by forceps and the recovery this time was much easier. Absolutely no difference in the bond with either of mine

[Graphista]

The mechanics of a baby's birth don't have an effect on pnd as far as I'm aware.

I had an emergency section with dd but even though an emergency was able to be conscious as I'd already been given an epidural.

Was up walking the next day, bonded fine with dd even though she was also in scbu for a week (not related to manner of birth).

Good luck and congratulations

[mouldycheesefan]

Pnd and c sections are not linked.
It will be fine.
Good luck

[welshweasel]

My section was great. Good sleep the night before (well as good as pregnancy sleep gets!) so you start off well rested. Section itself was so calm and lovely, we watched DS being born (drapes lowered) and DH has got v graphic photos of the entire thing! Skin to skin and BF in recovery. Pain very manageable, we were in the pub having lunch day 5 (including half mile uphill walk) and I was driving within a week or so. I honestly can't think of anything that I would have changed about the whole thing. I won't be having any more babies but if I did I'd be doing the same again.

Do you see your HV for a visit before the birth? If so have a chat about your concerns. If you're worried about PND sometimes it can be helpful to know that someone will be on the lookout for any signs things aren't going so well. Good luck, hope you enjoy it!

[ElphabaTheGreen]

EMCS and an ELCS here, no PND but more importantly, I'm alive and so are my DSs which wouldn't be the case if I hadn't had them.

When you say 'rather curvy' baby, you mean large? That in itself is not a reason for an ELCS. It was in my case, but there was no way of knowing that was going to be an issue without my first attempt at a natural delivery. Case in point: I myself was 10lb 4oz at birth, my mum delivered me naturally. My boys were positive tiddlers by comparison at 9lb 4oz and 9lb 6.5oz respectively, but the issue was my tiny pelvis, which only became apparent once labour failed to even fucking start progress and they cut me open and saw that my anatomy was just not cut out for large babies. You could be absolutely fine - definitely worth attempting a natural delivery if size of baby is the only issue.

[ExplodedCloud]

I had an elcs and I did possibly have PND. However I know what caused it (long story) but it wasn't the c/s!

[unlimiteddilutingjuice]

I've had an Emergency C-Section and an elective C-Section. They are not alike at all!
I can well imagine your Mum found her EMS traumatic. After all, she probably had to have it because everything was going wrong!

My Elective C-Section was, if not exactly lovely, pretty non dramatic.

The only bit I disliked was the part where they do the spinal block just before surgery. That was a little bit uncomfortable. The rest of it was absolutely fine. You will be aware that they are doing something in your abdomen but you wont be able to see or feel it and the nurses will chat to distract you.

It will all be over in a few minutes and then you will have your baby. I found the recovery very easy both times.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

we were in the pub having lunch day 5 (including half mile uphill walk) and I was driving within a week or so.

Yikes!

Please don't attempt a half mile uphill walk five days after a section if you do have one! It would place you at serious risk of a post-partum haemorrhage.

Similarly, you are advised not to drive for six weeks after a section. You can only legally do it if your GP authorises you to do so. My GP point-blank refused to do it after my first and I had to wait six weeks, living in the middle of nowhere, no bus service, no taxis, no DH or family around to drive me and not even any footpaths to walk a pram on! It was crap, but the GP wouldn't be budged. I got a more sympathetic GP the second time around, who very, very, very reluctantly authorised me to drive after three weeks, but stressed it was for necessary, very short journeys only.

[savagehk]

I think there's a huge difference between an emergency section and a planned one. Echo what elphaba said though about c-sec for large babies.

You can have a pretty calm elective c-sec as well, I thought it was called a 'natural' c-sec but not sure.

[ScarlettFreestone]

I had a section with my twins (they were apparently quite comfortable where they were!) and bonded beautifully with them.

No PND either.

I also breast fed them (in case that's a worry).

It sounds like your Mum had a difficult time but that doesn't mean you will, please don't worry too much.

[Bloopbleep]

I had an emcs and had no pnd, not even the day 3-4blues. I had immediate skin to skin and bonded really well with my dd. You can never say you won't have pnd but a section isn't a guaranteed reason for getting it.

[Backhometothenorth]

I have had two planned sections- surreal and a little nerve-wracking on the negative side but on the positive side (and they were both overwhelmingly positive experiences for us) very calm ,quick and safe deliveries for my beautiful girls. I had skin to skin contact as soon as possible and had no problems establishing breast feeding. All the best to you

[welshweasel]

That's not true about the driving. Even the NHS website says you can drive as soon as you can do an emergency stop. Which was very quickly for me.

[welshweasel]

Always check with your insurers but the vast majority will say you can drive when you can do an emergency stop. If everyone had to see a GP to get signed off to drive after every operation the NHS would be in an even worse state than it is. People recover at very different rates, I was just pointing out that it doesn't have to be weeks until you do stuff. And walking within your comfort zone is fine even the day after a section. If it hurts, you shouldn't be doing it. COI I'm a surgeon and get asked a lot about this sort of stuff for my job so I do know the legal stand point

[ElphabaTheGreen]

welshweasel I was told verbally and in writing not to drive for six weeks - both deliveries in two different hospitals in two different trusts, one in Wales and one in England. This was blanket advice given to all CS patients in both hospitals - it wasn't just based on my circumstances. I was allowed to resume driving after six weeks without seeing the GP, but was told that if I wanted to return to driving sooner, I should speak with my GP, as I had been given medical advice not to drive, which was documented in my notes, therefore leaving me driving uninsured for those six weeks, should I have taken it upon myself to get behind the wheel. I only went to the GP to basically get the original instruction overruled for my insurance's sake.

I appreciate that your understanding as a surgeon plays a part in your choosing to return to drive, but this was a legal issue, imposed by both trusts where I had my babies. I don't think it's that uncommon either. It's probably worth the OP finding out what the procedure is in her area. She may get given a post-CS leaflet telling her not to drive for six weeks that ends up unread in the bin, but may still have 'advice given not to drive' in her notes, invalidating her insurance for that period.

[Daisypopslop]

My mum also had horrid emergency c-sec x2. BUT
I had 3 amazing electives the best 3 experiences of my life!!!
Awake lovely calm team, music of my choice. I watched my baby's come out ( that was my choice you don't have to) skin to skin and breastfeeding whilst I was being sawn up. Honestly go in positive they try so hard to make it lovely and mine truly were and I had much better recovery than many of my friends who had normal births!
My mums were emergencys literally life or death and she had a general anesthesia both times mine couldn't have been more different.
Good luck and enjoy! X

[ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay]

You have no more chance of pnd after a section.

My planned section was great. No waiting to go into labour. Didn't go past due date. Was able to be organised and plan childcare. Felt like the doctors were calm as it didn't need to be rushed like an emergency. I had skin to skin immediately and the whole town we were in recovery. She latched on after just 40 minutes. The nurses will encourage you to mobilise asap. It seems crazy but it helped my recovery so much compared to my emcs. This time I was up walking and catheter out within 9 hours. Within 24 hours I was able to shower myself, roll over in bed, get on and off bed myself. I was really surprised.

[namechange20050]

The driving advice is cobblers. It's not illegal to drive after a c section! You need to speak to your insurer to ask them their specific terms. Most will tell you that as soon as you feel fit and able to drive you can resume it.

[girlelephant]

I had an EMCS after my labour did not progress. The team were amazing - professional and friendly as I was scared about it when the decision was made.

The team was about 10 people, they worked quickly and I think the section took about 15 mins before my DS appeared healthy and happy! They cleaned him and the swaddled him up and he was passed to me so DH & i could cuddle him while I was stitched up. They had told my husband he could bring in his phone and took a lovely picture of us seeing him for the fish time - I cry every time I look at it!

I think they said the total time in theatre was about 45 mins.

The three of us and my MW were then in the recovery suite for a while (given sandwiches and biscuits!) until we were moved to the maternity ward.

A physio came round the next day to tell me how to stand/get out of bed etc to minimise the chance of hurting myself.

I was given regular strong painkillers & ABs to reduce the chance of infection.

My recovery was easy with little pain and my scar healed well, it sits within my bikini line so can't be seen.

The rule is you can't lift anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks, the first few days were the hardest trying to remember that! It was lovely not being able to hoover for 6 weeks 😃. I also couldn't drive for 6 weeks but that didn't bother me too much as all I wanted to do was have baby cuddles

[girlelephant]

Ps my insurer don't let you drive for 6 weeks regardless of how you feel

[Figgygal]

My insurers (Tesco) are happy for you to drive as soon as your doctor has agreed you are fit to do so Mine agreed at 3 weeks 3 days

[DinosaursArentMakeBelieve]

Thank you for all your replies.

I was told this weekend that baby is measuring at over 12lbs (by bump measurement) and that the midwifery unit won't allow me to labour there as originally planned.
I was told by a midwife to "get my head around" a c-section quickly as I have a ultrasound scan tomorrow and there's every possibility that I'll be put forward for a c-section.

I'm still hopeful that baby will measure more in line with "normal" sizes but I do think I need get my head around it now as a worse case scenario...

According to the midwife, the main reason for the c-section is due to the size of baby's head and shoulders rather than the large size in general and this will be confirmed tomorrow as part of the scan.

All the way through the pregnancy, especially during pre-natal classes etc, c-sections have been put forward quite negatively so this sudden switch has made me quite terrified!

I'll do whatever is required to make sure my little one is safe and healthy, so that's why this is more of a worse case scenario I'm preparing myself for!

[salsamad]

I had an emergency c-section due to my DS going into distress as my induction wasn't going well. I had a GA and the surgery went well and my DS was fine.
There was some strong pain in the 24hrs after the surgery when the pain relief wore off. There was also pain when I was first trying to move around and take a bath. After several days I was just taking paracetamol for pain relief.
I was reasonably mobile after a week and driving after 3 weeks.
My scar healed well, my only slight concern was that I continued to bleed vaginally for about 4 wks post delivery but my HV said this can be normal for some CSection deliveries.
I felt back to normal after 4-5 wks (sex life resumed then too ) and I returned to aerobics classes after 6 weeks (with Drs say so following 6 wk check).
I have a very faint scar that's low down in my bikini line. Good luck.