To Be Weighing Up Elective C-Section vs Epidural Birth

In your shoes I’d absolutely go for the elective c-section. The most positive birth stories I know have been from women who chose this option. Yes it is major surgery, but my “natural” birth (with epidural) ended with a massive post-partum haemorrhage, third degree tear and horrendous GBS infection meaning I couldn’t walk without pain for weeks and couldn’t have sex for over a year. My SIL who had a c-section was driving again before I could! Be prepared to stand your ground when the NHS try and talk you out of an ECS though.

There is a very slight bump and it doesn’t feel exactly the same as the rest of my skin. It feels like a scar The thing is, it is a scar. It won't stretch, so if you put on a weight you develop an overhang, But it goes away once you lose weight again.

I had an elective c-section. Very positive experience, no regrets.

I certainly feel the same as you. Scroll near to the end of this report and find your hospital and see where they sit for things important to you.
maternityaudit.org.uk/downloads/RCOG%20NMPA%20Clinical%20Report(web).pdf

Stitches in stomach seems a better option than stitches down there.

Oh wow sorry you’ve had a tough time too. What are you choosing this time then, I guess vaginal? I had a mega tear with the forceps, then (don’t read this OP!) elective section went wonky and the trauma (blood loss) gave me an autoimmune disease which took me 5 years to get a handle on! Then DC3’s pregnancy worked wonders and I felt much better during and after. It’s a crazy thing we put ourselves through isn’t it!

How many children do you want in total OP?

if it’s more than 2 I would be hesitant on c section. If it’s 1 or 2 do the elective

When I spoke to the doctor in my first pregnancy he actually advised me not to tell anyone I was having a planned c-section because of the judgement.

As it happened, I did because I thought his comments were funny and I am a blabbermouth but I usually prefaced it with ‘my doctor told me not to say anything because….’. So if I have received any judgement, it was behind my back and I don’t really care, but you might want to take that on board with your decision in case it helps.

I’ve had neither type of birth but based on what you’ve said your reasons are I would choose an elective section in your shoes.

Congratulations btw.

This has really helped me, thank you. We’ve had the same two births. But my recovery from the forceps/spinal was an absolute breeze, compared to my c-section recovery which was really hard. I’m going in to my third birth soon and it’s really good to know that what I experienced isn’t ‘standard.’

My first birth I had an epidural and eventually an emergency section. My second was due to be a planned section but he arrived too quickly for the section or an epidural - so I've managed to try most ways! Based on what you've said, I would opt for a planned section. I was lucky and didn't find the recovery from my EMCS too bad, and have heard than it's even better from a planned one - and I was out and about within a week or so, so isolation doesn't necessarily need to be a worry. So long as you keep on top of pain relief (don't be brave about it!) it's fairly ok. Good luck with your lovely baby!

Do not rely on the NHS to give you an epidural promptly and on time. Chances are they won’t. Please bear this in mind if you are making a choice.

Given all that you've written, I'd say a c-section would be better for you. I was induced with my twins, and so much can change in the blink of an eye, that, if control is important to you, this is not probably not the best way forward.
I wanted an epidural, but had to wait hours for the anaesthetist to finish up in theatre. He then put it in wrong, twice.
I ended up with an emergency c-section anyway. I didn't find the procedure itself that scary. Recovery was fairly quick. The lack of mobility wasn't too much of an issue either. There were a few things I wasn't capable of doing, but it wasn't the end of the world.
I don't have any sensation around the scar anymore, but I can't say it's ever been a problem. I don't think I've ever given it a second thought!

I was going to have a planned c-section. It was brought forward as an emergency c-section.

I had a very easy recovery which I put down to the fact that I was a) mentally prepared for a c-section and b) didn’t go through days of exhausting labour before having an emergency c-section.

It was a calm and controlled experience.

To address your specific concerns -
I was encouraged to be up and about as soon as possible which was about 12 hours later. I just walked very slowly for the first 48 hours.
I was doing grocery shopping 5 days later (DH was driving) and I was ready and able to drive after a couple of weeks. The six weeks thing is a myth - check with your own insurance company.
The scar is low enough to be hidden in even the most revealing bikini. I haven’t had any abnormal nerve damage. Two years later, it just feel like a long (3.5 inch) straight scar. There is a very slight bump and it doesn’t feel exactly the same as the rest of my skin. It feels like a scar - less sensitivity but I still have feeling there.

There is only one study that I know of that distinguishes between emergency and planned c-sections and it supports my belief that a planned c-section offers the best outcomes for both mother and baby.

I’d very happily have another c-section. In fact, my doctor (who remembers me from last time) didn’t even ask me about VBAC and just gave me a c-section date.

Good luck with whichever option you choose.

Congrats on your pregnancy! I had a vaginal birth first time, with an epidural that didn’t work. I had an elective section with my second. I’d choose the section - in an ideal world I’d have loved a successful vaginal birth with both but my experience first time made me pick section for second. It was a really positive experience, recovery was painful but manageable and as long as you stay on top of pain meds it was fine with me. Good luck with whatever you choose but if I had a third I would choose elective C, it was a great experience.

My first birth was a birth with a spinal block because they got stuck and I needed help. My second birth was a c-section because baby was breach. I’ve got a third on the way, and I have no idea what to do at all.
But, I will say to you, my overarching thought whilst I think this through is the recovery. The recovery from a c-section is huge. It was by miles, rougher and tougher, than the epidural birth. The first few days post c-section are hard. It took a good year for my scar to not hurt any more, 4 years on it’s still numb. Yes, it was controlled and calm. But the c-section recovery is so hard compared to what an epidural recovery will be.
You need to also consider any future births, and the risks that can increase with each c-section. As you will know, you could go in to labour and due to how you progress/an anaesthetist being available, you may not get a chance for an epidural. Could you ask for a spinal block on arrival instead? I’m honestly not sure if that’s an option, but you could ask your midwife for a consultant appointment where you talk this sort of thing through.
Honestly I think you need to weigh up the hardship of a c-section against your reasons for having it. I think we’ve had fairly parallel lives reading your words. Honestly it sounds like your reasons for having a c-section probably do warrant having one as they seem more prevalent compared to not having the c-section purely because of the recovery.
I’m currently in a place where I feel like I’ve made a decision, and then a few days later I have a panic and change my mind again. I’m constantly back and forth.

I had a really positive birthing experience with an epidural and would recommend it to anyone BUT I’m not in the UK and I’ve heard far more stories about people there being left without their epidurals and also being given episiotomies as standard (which is no longer best practice AFAIK).

If you’re going to go for it, you need to have a partner or maybe even a doula who can advocate for your needs, understand your birth plan and get you what you need as you progress.

I've had two epidurals. They are very effective pain relief. The second was a "walking epidural" and was not as good as the first full epidural but was topped up promptly when I said it wasn't enough! I would make it very clear when you call the unit and when you arrive that you would like an epidural as soon as possible. I did have a wait the second time due to emergencies taking priority. The gas and air was quite good whilst waiting on the epidural. My recovery was quick and fairly painless. Ventous deliveries with episiotomies.

I’ve not had an epidural but have had a spinal for each of my 3 births - one vaginal, 2 elective sections.

To be totally frank, I have long term issues from the first 2 births (first was induction, forceps with no pain relief (spinal for stitching up), second was elective section) but would always vote section. It’s so controlled and calm. And recovery an absolute breeze compared to the forceps birth.

Haven't had either, I delivered vaginally, but did have very painful stitches from an episitomy, imagine c section is similar. Was really hard to breastfeed!