C-Section?

[Shallow07]

Hi,

Up worrying about what the morning might bring and hoping for a bit of clarity.

39+4 with DC1, and was induced Friday night after weeks of reduced movements and very regular monitoring. It's Monday morning, and 1 pessary, 3 lots of Prostin gel and 2 very painful sweeps later, the induction has failed. Still only 1 cm and contractions have totally halted.

I've had counselling throughout the pregnancy for tokophobia following childhood sexual abuse- I was offered an elective c-section at 16 weeks but decided to try for a vaginal birth. As lovely as everyone is here, the repeated painful vaginal examinations are now starting to upset me and I'm very sore. Gas and air is no longer enough for me to get through them as my cervix just isn't opening enough.

My options are: go home for 24 hours and start this all again in pursuit of the vaginal birth I've worked so hard in hypnobirthing/therapy etc to aim for, or to have a c-section. Worried the recovery from c-section will be worse, but am lucky my DH is off for 3 weeks and is very supportive (I don't drive anyway but where I live that's fine).

I would be very grateful for any advice or experience you might have.

I think that's a good call. Sometimes the cervix is just not having it. You gave it a go. You can't force your body to be ready for labour.

I had a surprise elcs with my DTs due to pe. It was an absolutely wonderful experience, so calm and I felt completely in control despite being at my most vulnerable.

Recovery was fab, I was out shopping after 5 days, dh was back at work a week later so I was on my own with the babies, and back to driving after two weeks.

We were in hospital for two days afterwards, but that was mainly due to being kept in to monitor the babies blood sugar levels (they were slightly prem) and our section having been late in the day.

I’d defo recommend getting in something for the first poo after your section now, that was the very worst part! Sorry for the tmi, but I had no idea 😳 Popping a maternity pad over your knickers above the scar but under your trousers was absolute bliss, and made life so much more comfortable.

Wishing you all the best! 💐

Hi there !

Please don't stress I had a c section two weeks ago due to failed induction. Had 4 of the tablets up the noon and then down to labour ward for 12 very tiring hours and wouldn't go past 2cm !
Then eventually the doctors came round and said they would section me due to being in labour with no progression.
It was honestly the most calm experience and by then I was ready to meet my baby.
The only really scary part for me was my OH wasn't allowed in the room while getting the spinal block but I honestly felt nothing .. and I was crying getting a canula in my arm ! Don't stress and good luck :) x

Elcs all the way! It's a very calm experience when it's all planned and I felt very much in control. All the best op!

And please update with beautiful baby pic! Hope you’re feeling better

Still waiting- today was a difficult day. After waiting until after 5 pm without any food or much water, the doctor came round and tried to persuade me to try again and have an examination to either break my waters or put in another pessary. Total opposite to everything I'd spoken about with the midwives yesterday.

I totally broke down and couldn't stop crying. The thought of anyone else putting their fingers in my cervix literally makes me feel sick at the moment, and I was starving and sleep deprived. I felt bad afterwards but tbh I think they needed to see I'd reached my limit. They soon backed down and booked my section for tomorrow. So no baby yet, but by this time tomorrow I hope to have a picture of her for you ♥️

I'm glad they've listened to you and hope you've managed some sleep now. I've had one vaginal birth and one section, and my section was wonderful. Best experience ever. The recovery was fine- more linear and predictable than my vaginal which was a car crash.

Enjoy meeting your baby today.

I had an emergency section after a long, crappy labour. The recovery was pretty straightforward and I have no long term problems. The section was the best bit of the whole birth, even though it was an emergency!

I’m (only a bit) pregnant again and will need an ELCS this time, which I am overjoyed about. A section is usually far calmer and more predictable than a difficult vaginal birth. Wishing you all the best for today.

Ps - I also did hypnobirthing and it helped me keep calm during the section.

Good luck with the section, I had an emcs with dd1 and an elcs with dd2, it was such a different experience and so lovely. The staff in the theatre were all wonderful and in recovery, it's amazing how different they were and I do not regret it for a second! I hope all goes well for you and that they don't keep you waiting too long today!

Oh, and I also found the hypnobirthing helped massively with both sections, especially dd2 though and especially for the bit where they did the epidural, the midwife I had talked me through the hypnobirthing breathing during that point too which was great.

@Shallow07 good luck for today 🤞

Your last post has made me 😠 though. I experienced not dissimilar with a doctor trying to persuade me to do something I'd already discussed with other staff and agreed I wasn't going down that route. And with toko all over my notes (I'm assuming you have that too) - they should have taken that on board... Grrrr

I would personally pluck for an ELCS. I had one 14 months ago and it was the best birth experience I’ve had, so much calmer and easier than the three vaginal deliveries I had. Yes you’re restricted and in pain for a week or two afterwards but I was after my vaginal deliveries too tbh.

Sorry for the lack of update. Baby is here and we are besotted with her. C section was definitely the right move- am on day 5 and recovering fine. Stayed in hospital the first few days as had trouble establishing breastfeeding and getting the pain under control but things are much better already.

Mentally, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted because I am so happy with the birth we had. It was beautiful. Thank you all for your kindness and sharing your experiences with me

She is beautiful. And I hope you have a quick and easy recovery.

She's gorgeous! Congratulations op

Congratulations 🥳

Congratulations! Beautiful baby