Struggling to decide ELCS or risk further damage below?

@pampam24 Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me! And congratulations on your third pregnancy. So good to hear that you have been symptom free! I'm still very on the fence. I much preferred VBAC to c-section- it felt obviously less medicalised and less scary in general. Plus I think helped with bonding and my VBAC baby had no issues with allergies, eczema etc which my first did (could be coincidence). BUT I'm still v worried about another vaginal birth making my prolapse worse or just in general having a worse vaginal birth (forceps etc- my birth was actually very straightforward but nonetheless ended up with prolapse 🙄).Such a tricky choice and nobody seems to have any solid evidence on it. Lots of luck for your pregnancy.

I know this is very old but what did you go for @pampam24 and how did it work out?

I had a CS for first birth (breech), lovely VBAC for second but ended up with minor prolapse. So although the birth was better and initial recovery easier- the long term recovery was much much harder and have this constant prolapse issue to worry about, Has got worse already in third trimester with final baby so I’m considering C-section to hopefully avoid any further damage. Interested to know your experience

I’d have the c section if it’s been offered.
I can’t answer your questions relating to second baby/birth as I’ve only had one baby who was born by planned c section, but in answer to your final two questions-

I haven’t got a “pouch” (despite being a bit overweight), my scar is thin and neat - visible but I actually love it and it’s in no way a problem for me (clothed or naked!)

No issues bonding with baby- he was placed on my chest as soon as he was taken out and that first cuddle in theatre covered in blood and amniotic fluid and vernix was just magical. Lots of skin to skin and help establishing feeding. Sadly breastfeeding didn’t work out for us (I had an oversupply problem so he kept getting violently sprayed in the face which upset him and led to his ultimate refusal to continue breastfeeding, also it was hugely painful for me. I don’t think this was anything to do with having had a c section though, as I think under supply is supposed to be the potential problem there).

Overall a lovely experience and whilst I totally understand the loss of excitement going into labour, on the flip side it was also lovely knowing my son‘s birthday in advance and counting down the days to meeting him 😍

Congrats and good luck with your decision! Whatever you choose I’m sure it will be the choice that’s right for you

I had an ELCS second time due to concerns over DS’s size, he ended up being pretty much 10lb so it was the right decision!

An ELCS is a more medical experience I can’t lie, I had a natural birth with DD and was in the birth pool most of the time with my own music etc. However, hand on heart, both experiences were magical when baby arrived. With DD I was exhausted, I ended up needing an episiotomy and had a second degree tear plus internal tears, I felt rough. But meeting her was amazing and I felt so proud of myself. With DS I had been happily chatting to the anaesthetist about my DD’s first day at school, totally relaxed and then DS arrived. I was overwhelmed at how quickly a baby could arrive and so happy to meet him. Both different, no one less amazing and magical. I feel lucky to have had the chance to experience both types of birth. It is a hard decision I agree, but if bonding with baby is one of your concerns I wouldn’t worry at all.

I decided not to breastfeed DS due to lots of previous issues with DD but I know if I’d have wanted to I would have been very supported.

I had no labours at all - 2 C-Sections, and I still have prolapses.

(So it might improve once I've lost weight)

Oh, though I do have a slight pouch! It's not at all visible through clothes and not too bad when I'm naked, but I don't love it. I did put on quite a lot of weight while pregnant though, having been very slim beforehand. And I still haven't lost all the weight (2 years on...)

I had ELCS, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Really calm, lovely birth, breastfed my baby for the first time on the operating table after she was handed to me, and having had the baby after lunch, i was up and walking around (though very slowly and carefully!) by that evening.

(My main reason for wanting an ELCS was to protect my pelvic floor. I think not fancying a prolapse is an excellent reason for a CS!)

I had similar issues with my first DC. Induced, forceps, 2nd degree tear with repair in theatre after PPH. Felt very battered and bruised and had prolapse symptoms and some incontinence afterwards. Was unsure what to do about second birth. Went for a vaginal birth in the end and avoided induction. Had a very quick Labour and pushed him out in a couple of pushes. Only one stitch needed for a tiny tear. Despite another PPH and a trip to theatre, things down there feel surprisingly normal and absolutely no pain or discomfort. Ultimately I’m glad I chose to try for a vaginal birth as luckily it worked out well for me, but I also appreciate that a c section would have been more of a certainty in terms of further symptoms. Good luck with everything.

I had a third degree tear, some incontinence and really painful sex for at least a year after my first. Second I was given the option of ELCS, which I took, and it was so easy in comparison. I was fine walking around outside by 2 weeks (not the case at all after a third degree tear). Also dd latched on straight away and was much easier to feed than my ds had been. Way less pain, no issues feeding and no c section overhang. It was definitely the best decision for me.

I had your exact issue but was due twins second time round. It was awful and I regretted it for a long time. The prolapse is still there anyway.

Should have added, I am exclusively breastfeeding. My milk came in on day 3, took until day 5 after my vaginal birth. No issues with bonding.

@pampam24, yes tightened up nicely down below. It took about 4-5 months of squeezing, with pelvic floor exercises every time I was sat in the car. The whole process was super easy and I wished I could have had one for the first two births. So much easier, no contraction pains. As you already have some damage I'd not be risking any further damage. I was awake through the process and didn't feel a thing. I got my baby given to me immediately after birth then whisked off as premature.

I could have written this myself....

1st baby. Induction, forceps, pph, multiple blood transfusions, prolapse that needs surgery. But no incontinence.

2nd baby wasn't sure what to do. But my number one priority was no more damage. Uro gynaecologist strongly hinted that a c section was a good idea. Had an elective c section 3 weeks ago. Recovery has been significantly easier than my vaginal birth. Only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen. Feel pretty normal at 3 weeks. Occasionally my scar aches if I do too much, ie a 3 hour walk. But not enough to take painkillers. Frustrating that I can't pick up the toddler but it's a small thing.

I have zero regrets. It was a calm, peaceful experience and I can remember it all.

I had two ELCS. Up and about in a day or so, short walks within a week, basically fine in two. Bf all of them (second birth was twins) and no issues at all with bonding. And best of all, everything down below functions exactly as it did pre-babies. No looseness, loss of sensation or incontinence. I did have nasty complications with haemorrhoids during my twin pregnancy and got them operated on while still 34 weeks pregnant. Compared to that, both sections were an absolute breeze. If you've already suffered damage with a VB, why risk making it worse?

ELCS is generally a much faster recovery than EMCS.

I wouldn't take the risk.
My elective was amazing and I would do it again any day over risking damage to myself that could last the rest of my life

I would choose ELCS.

First birth was vaginal and horrendous.

Second was ELCS. I was scared beforehand but it was really positive and SO calm.
No lasting damage. No c-section pouch and I recovered so much quicker than I thought I would (and much quicker than my first birth).

I won’t have another but if I did I would go for ELCS in a heartbeat.

I had a c section for my twins.

No issues with either bonding or breastfeeding - fed them just as long as my eldest, who.was a textbook easy vaginal delivery. No overhand either.

I did find recovery tougher for c section. But in your case... I certainly didn't find it as tough as what you've been through!

Didn't feel that it robbed it of spontaneity. I think I was just relieved that I could sort out childcare for my eldest so easily. My DH got her settled with my parents (I had to be admitted the previous day) and then came to join me in plenty of time. Very relaxed. So defintiely less spontaneous, but I didn't feel that was a loss second time round.

I do wonder about sex.... opting for for vbac this time (assuming all goes to plan). But I do wonder if its going to make things looser.... especially as I'm 7 years older than for the first one.

I had two vaginal births and had a lot of internal stitches but didn't tear. Babies weighed 6 lb 8 Oz and 7 lb. I was looser even after exercise to tighten up. I was told my third baby was very large. I was offered a C Section and was trying to decide what to do but got pre eclampsia and had to have C section. It was so easy. Baby born 3 1/2 weeks early and 9lb. I was home 2 days later. My Mum came to stay for a month to help with my other DC. She did all the cooking and cleaning and most of the shopping and childcare. I didn't have any problems bonding with any of them. I breastfed them all. I was walking about the day after section and had a shower. I had this bead thing that had to be cut but really if I'd had another baby I'd have begged for a section. It was all over in about 3 minutes. My Midwife told me if my baby had gone to term or a week over like my first two it would have been up to 11lb. I'm sure I'd have ripped. C Section is safer for baby too. I've got a small overhang but had that after first vaginal birth.

I had a nasty third degree tear with my first after long labour and forceps, very large baby. Went for vaginal second time as had healed well and had second degree tear. I have healed very well again and can't say I think it's caused any long term issues.

The head wasn’t engaged with my emcs it was too big to engage.
Im fine after the VBAC, it’s not as good as it originally was but better than after the emcs. More time has passed though
i had similar issues with wettting myself. It did stop though and I had no issues after the VBAC at all.

I did get much better care second time round. Very senior midwife in during delivery and they would have intervened much sooner than the did before.

I had an elcs after very nearly losing my first baby during an emcs due to a combination of circumstance and medical error. It was an absolute breeze. I have had such a strong bond with my little girl from the moment she was born. And I was able to breast feed her. We had a little blip in her feeding but that was because she became week after falling ill with meningitis. A bit of perseverance and she was breast feeding again.