Elective C-Section

[newbie1955]

Hi Ladies,

I'm looking for positive stories and no judgement please. I know the risks and recovery for both vaginal birth and C-Section and for me personally I'd much rather the section. This is my first baby.

I just don't have a great relationship with 'down there', with previous vaginismus, recurrent thrush & cystitis.

The thought of a magical fairytale water birth does appeal to me but that rarely happens. The fear I have in terms of being induced, intervention, forceps, tearing, episiotomy etc does not. Having a history of severe depression and anxiety I really think I would struggle with these things happening without my consent and coming to terms with it, which I've heard of happening very often to women.

All I seem to be doing right now is worry about having the baby.

Have any of you successfully managed to get an elective in Scotland with the new NICE guidelines? I'm just terrified they deny me this and I end up having a terrible experience.

Thanks in advance x

[mintcorneto]

I had an elective section in Glasgow. My first birth was traumatic and I did all my research thoroughly before deciding I wanted a section. I told my midwife who referred me to a consultant and after two appointments (both of which they gave me all the negatives) I was then given a date. They will try to put you off but if you are sure it's what you want then just stick to your guns as they have to give you it.

I don't want to influence your decision but my section was the best thing I ever did. It was a lovely experience and recovery was a doddle compared to my natural birth. This isn't everyone's experience though so you never know how well your body will respond to something

Good luck

[Selfsettlingat3]

ELCS is rarely magical and straight forward too. Maybe read the positive birth book, it has a section on c section.

[Booboostwo]

I had two ELCSs, both straight forward and fairly magical although no one was sprinkling me with glitter which would have made it truly fairy like.

All birth choices have their risks and benefits which are for the individual mum to weigh up. I think if you explain the reasons for your choice and show that you are informed about the potential risks of a CS, they should listen to you.

[starglass]

The blog Forever Amber has lots on it about the author's elective c section. She is also in Scotland, you might find it helpful :) I had an emergency section with my first baby, and have asked for a ELCS with my second, I know it is the right choice for me, and have actually had less resistance from medical professionals than I expected. Good luck!

foreveramber.co.uk/elective-csection/

[eeyore228]

Discuss it with your midwife so that they can talk you through it. I had an emergency and then elective C-Section and tbh I personally wish that I had managed with the natural labour. My recovery was slow and painful and disrupted my time with my baby. That said others will tell you differently. Labour is so very different that for you it may be great or it might not, it’s all about circumstance and your own bodies way of dealing with recovery. Good luck

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

I had an ELCS as my baby was breech and I looooved it. 10/10 would recommend. It was such a calm controlled experience, so stress, no panic, just lovely. I knew exactly what was going to happen and when, which really eased my anxiety around birth. The recovery was also really easy. I felt a bit sore and achy, but I was up and about within 24 hours and happily pottering about my house/down to the local cafe within a week.

There is no way on God's green earth I would ever do a VBAC if I have another baby. The thought of a 4th degree tear/forceps/episiotomy brings be out in a cold sweat, so ELCS all the way .

[Goingbacktokansascity]

From the other side I was given the option (in Scotland) of an elective c section or induction (or neither) at 39 weeks due to having a fertility treatment baby (there’s some studies which say there may be an increased risk in IVF babies past 40 weeks). I was terrified of induction because I didn’t want forceps and was pretty set on elective c section, but then changed my mind last minute.
I was induced, in labour for 3 days, then he turned the wrong way and I had forceps. If I’m lucky enough to have number 2 I’d still go for the natural delivery over a section because it really wasn’t bad and I actually have quite fond memories of labour 😂

[AutumnGlitterBall]

I had a third degree tear after a shoulder dystocia with my first baby. I opted for an elective section with number two (also in Scotland) but I went into labour a week early and progressed so quickly, a natural delivery was the best option. I had only a couple of stitches and was home twelve hours later. Was out and about the next day. I opted for the section because I was worried about doing further damage to myself but I was pleased I didn’t have it in the end as my recovery was so much quicker.

[LittleDoveLove]

I'm not in Scotland but I had an elective section. It was very calm, very straightforward and I recovered well. The mums I know who also had planned ones have also recovered well. My baby was a bit mucusy so had to go in to special care for a few hours to help breathing but he was absolutely fine after that, no health issues and is now a happy little 7 month old. I had a lot of people question why I wanted one and it's a personal reason and nobody should challenge or make you feel it is not your choice. When I have another child I will also have another elective.