For anyone worried about having an ELCS...

[Lightsoutandawaywego]

Hi all,

Had an ELCS this morning and just wanted to share my experience for anyone that's worried about giving birth this way.

Went into hospital this morning around 8am, was getting changed into gown at around 10am. I was incredibly nervous, this is baby number 1 so no idea what to expect. I was scared of having the spinal but also the idea of what was about to happen (I.e. Being cut open whilst still awake and a tiny human being pulled out of me!). Was seriously nervous walking into theatre, but the staff were lovely and really made me feel relaxed and at ease. Had the local anaesthetic, which I thought would hurt but was actually only mildly uncomfortable, and then the spinal which I hardly felt at all. Within 5 mins my legs, stomach and torso had gotten very warm but most definitely numb. I was worried that at this point I would feel sick or panicky, but it was actually very relaxing!

5 mins after this the surgery started and I felt lots of pulling, which felt weird but not painful at all and only a little bit uncomfortable. It literally only took minutes for baby to come out, and it was the most amazing sight! Baby was checked over and cleaned and then put on my chest for skin to skin. I was also worried that at this point I would feel panicked at the idea of being seen back up again, but I really was far too in awe of baby to care about what else was going on! Took about 3 minutes to finish stitching me up, then I was cleaned up by a couple of midwives (again, really didn't care what they were doing and was more bothered by watching baby being cuddled by DH!).

Wheeled down to Obs Ward after this where I stayed for about 6 hours. No pain at all, just numbness which started to wear off about 3-4 hours after baby being born. Even when the numbness wore off, I didn't have any pain which I think was due to a painkiller suppository that I was given in theatre. When I did start to feel a bit of a dull ache at the incision I was given paracetamol and that seemed to keep the pain under control.

It's now 14 hours since I had little one and it hurts to move. It's not unbearable pain, just like a bad ache, but I definitely need help with lifting baby. Catheter is a bit uncomfortable too, but not as bad as I thought it would be. All in all, this has been a hugely positive experience and I can't believe I wasted so much time feeling anxious about the birth. I don't believe it matters how your baby comes into the world, just do whatever is best for you because ultimately that's likely to be what's best for baby too. I certainly did, and have no regrets at all.

[Piewraith]

Thanks for sharing. Its wonderful to hear a positive birth experience. Congrats on your little one!

[SecretFreebirther]

Congratulations! It would definitely have taken longer to sew you back up but good to hear you were so wrapped up in your baby you didn't notice (I've been in theatre for many, many sections)

[Sallywiththegoodhurrr]

Thank you for sharing OP

I have had 3 calm and natural births but I'm expecting twins this time so a c-section could very much be on the cards and I've been worrying a little okay a lot...

[Lightsoutandawaywego]

Oh, I meant to write 30 minutes to sew me up!

Sally - there is literally no need to worry at all! I won't lie, today has been quite a bit more painful than yesterday (as I was still numb for most of the day yesterday) but totally manageable. If I ever have another baby, ELCS is definitely the way to go!

[dobbyclub]

thank you for sharing, this is helping me :)

[farfarawayfromhome]

lovely stuff - i LOVED my ELCS too, calm, controlled, yes painful in the following days but nothing i couldn't handle.

i'd choose it again in a heartbeat.

[TheLegendOfBeans]

Your post is identical to my experience except I'd had a 100 hour failed induction before my CS BUT in 28 days I'll be getting an ELCS and meeting my baby, and this thread has just made me MORE excited about it all x

[BillBrysonsBeard]

Loved my two sections! Sorry if you've said this already as I'm in a rush but get some peppermint oil capsules, it gets rid of all the trapped wind that will be building up. Day 4 I was in a lot of pain still, got home and took some capsules, farted all night and then felt like a new woman the next day I couldn't believe how much of the pain was because of a little thing like trapped wind!

[JustSaying99]

Thank you for sharing this. I have a breech baby (currently almost 37 weeks) and talk is now about ELCS at 39 weeks. As it wasn't my original plan, I've been really worried about it all. This has helped give me a bit or perspective!

[Lightsoutandawaywego]

I'm glad my experience has helped a couple of you feel less anxious about having the c sec. I can't even tell you all how nervous I was for months before hand, and now I just wish I'd have enjoyed my pregnancy and not worried so much.

Day 6 post-section for me now, pain is still there so I need ibuprofen and paracetamol 3 times a day, but it's a bearable pain. Bleeding stopped around 3 days after, which is fantastic as that was something else I was concerned about (I don't do so well with blood!). Dressing removed yesterday and I have a nice neat scar that's slightly bruised but much nicer looking than I was expecting!

I really can't say enough how positive this whole experience has been. The day my child was born was completely magical with no stress or pain, and I'm so grateful that I can look back on it now with nothing but good memories. Even the song that was playing on the radio when she was born will always be special to me now (the midwife turned the radio up as soon as baby was born! FYI it was 'Red Red Wine' by UB40! ). I really hope that those of you having ELCS's have a wonderful experience just like I did. Good luck to all. X

[SpongeCake23]

Sounds like such a positive experience. I'm hoping to have an elective c section when and if I get pregnant (currently on cycle 5 of TTC)
May I ask how did you get an elective c section and was it on the NHS? I'm worried I'll be refused.

[Ponyboycurtis]

Just came on to agree with you Op. I had an ELCS with my I'D twins and it was a really positive experience. For those who may be worried/anxious, don't be. I had skin to skin with both, then they went to their Dad straight after. It was really lovely.

[Lightsoutandawaywego]

Spongecake - I have back problems so was insistent from the beginning that I didn't want a vaginal delivery as I was worried it would exacerbate my problem. I didn't even bother speaking to my midwife about it (she was a bit of a judgey cow!) and went straight to my GP, who referred me to birth support at the hospital. I spoke through with her about having a c section (make sure u do ur research so they know that you know the risks) and she referred me to a consultant who agreed for me to have the ELCS. I don't think all consultants would agree to do it, but you have the right to request a second opinion with another consultant. I felt fully supported in my decision the whole way, but make sure you stand firm and know your facts. It was on the NHS. I was worried for ages that I'd be refused too, and I definitely got some raised eyebrows from a few MWs who asked me what my reasons were for having an ELCS, but I think you are in the best position to know what's best for you, and that's the most important thing. Good luck.

[LAtoLDN]

Thanks for sharing! and congrats!!

[Bornfreebutinbiscuits]

The day my child was born was completely magical with no stress or pain, and I'm so grateful that I can look back on it now with nothing but good memories
Thats how I felt,

I was traumatised after first birth even though MW called it amazing for first timer and a perfect birth. I burst into tears going back into the same hospital when I saw the lift doors I had went through, remember hte sheer pain I was in. It stayed with me for years until I had the ELC and its amazing it all sort of melted away and I too have nothing but good memories of no 2. well done op,

[NowApparently]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'll be having an ELCS in about 9 weeks and it's my first child so it has me a tad nervous (though nowhere near the level of anxiety I felt over the prospect of a vaginal birth).

I hope you've recovered well and congratulations on your new little one!

[Helbelle75]

Congratulations and very good if you to share your experience.
I had an emcs after a very long drawn out and failed induction. It was great. Very similar to you - i felt calm and in safe hands. And the best bit - a healthy baby.

[user1493413286]

Thank you for posting this. I had a very traumatic emergency c section under general anaesthetic and a difficult recovery. if i have any more babies I’ll need to have a c section but in a planned way so it’s reassuring to hear how different and positive the experience of a planned section is and how different it will be next time for me.