I had an elective c-section AMA

[ellecf21]

Had an elective section last June - AMA.

I thinks there’s lots of us - if it’s not an emergency it’s elective, regardless of reason. No USP, OP.

Oh well!

Thousands performed in UK every year, not that rare tbh

Okay no probs. Just fancied answering some questions haha.

How did you find it? How was your recovery?

I've had 4 sections, 2 emergency, 2 elective. My last was lovely, and I got skin to skin with my baby (ha, he's 15 now, still my baby!) straight away. The recovery was so much better, a few weeks and I was back to normal.

I honestly can't believe how normal it all seemed and how calm I was! I'd never had surgery till that point so it felt very surreal to go through it all on the day. Recovery was harder than I thought it would be but overall I recovered well! How was yours? Crazy how quickly you forget how sore it is in that first couple of weeks. The worst bit was the clexane injections afterwards! Was back running after 12 weeks (very slowly haha) which then accelerated me getting back to feeling like my old self. Now look at the bub and can't believe she came out of that little scar!

Was it for a medical reason or just personal choice?

Me too. I don’t think we’re a rarity.

It was for mental health reasons. I didn't decide until 37 weeks so really tricky decision for me.

Yeah I didn't realise the AMA had to be something super rare. I'm not really experienced with mumsnet so no bother no one need ask anything. I feel silly for posting it now haha. Oh well.

You seem delightful.

I had an emergency c section and was so stressed after a long Labour and no sleep that I hated it. I would imagine an elective C-section is more civilised.
Did you have to wait ages to be taken to theatre?

Not rare (another c section mum here 👋) but I don’t think people should be specifically coming on to point that out! I’m sure there are lots of women on here that may have a section coming up who are nervous and anxious about who would appreciate this post. Just because it’s not ‘rare’, doesn’t mean it’s not daunting and scary to those who haven’t gone through it.

Thank you for your input.

Don't feel silly! While not massively uncommon, generally electives aren't encouraged here in UK and some women may find this v interesting and helpful!

Did you find it difficult to get the doctors to agree to it?

I had an elective booked for health reasons (blood clots) and needing to take blood thinners and them interfering with certain types of birth pain relief.

in the end I didn’t actually have it! I was induced due to reduced movements. Apparently it wasn’t an emergency so they couldn’t do my elective before the day it was booked in case an actual emergency came in and I was clogging up the theatre.

anyway! It was not the birth I expected to have, but I’m very glad it turned out the way it did. My recovery was better than expected.

a few questions from me, if you don’t mind OP. Was there any music playing? Boy or girl? Was your recovery as you expected? Would you ever consider a vaginal birth for any future babies if you want them?

and ignore any stupid comments. If you’re not interested, just scroll on by! 🙄

How do you feel about the scar afterwards? Did you get an overhang from incision? I'm debating on whether I should go down the elective CS route - I have to go with either an induction or elective CS for medical reasons and I'm soo nervous about either option.

Why did you need a c-section or was it just personal choice?

ive had an elective csection (breach baby) followed by VBAC. (Baby 2) I found recovery faster for csection which was unexpected

My consultant was strongly encouraging it for me, which surprised me (no real medical reason other than we did IVF and the baby was measuring large, but born at 8lb) - their second choice was for me to be induced a week early which ended in an emergency section. I'll be getting an elective one next time!

I wish I'd seen an AMA before my ELCS last year, this will be really useful for a lot of women. Ignore the snarky comments

I don’t agree with elective sections - sorry

And?

Nobody asked for your opinion.

Anyways my question - did you get really bad shivers?

I've had two emergency sections and the shivering was awful.

Still think it shouldn’t be an option
Unless there is a physical medical reason.