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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to hope my baby girl stays breech so I can have a planned C-section and skip the pesky labour and pushing business?

77 replies

Cressida1979 · 12/08/2011 15:49

I am 31 weeks so loads of time for her to turn but I am getting really into the idea of a planned CS. I have done labour and natural birth twice (once to get my DD1 and once with a less happy outcome last year which did not result in a baby being brought home) so it's not like I'm too posh to push! I know quite a few mums who have had planned CS and they all rave about them and the convenience of being able to schedule childcare for existing DCs and knowing exactly when the baby will arrive, and none of them have had long healing periods afterwards/bad pain/nasty scars.

So, please tell me what the cons of planned CS are?! Otherwise I fear I will be rather gutted when the little one does turn, and of course the odds are she will!

OP posts:
skybluepearl · 12/08/2011 18:45

what do you feel most comfortable doing? having had such a hard time in the past, I'm sure they would consider you emotioanl needs too

LordOfTheFlies · 12/08/2011 20:44

Cressida I'm sure your consultant would be supportive to a CS after what you've been through{sad}
Your main concern I would imagine is the safe delivery of your baby. That would be their primary concern-that and your physical and emotional well being.

I've had 2 by nvd so no experience of CS but it's not as though you want to avoid NVD for the sake of it, it's a safety issue.
Talk to them. And Good Luck with your baby Smile

beancounternomore · 12/08/2011 20:50

I had a c/s because DS was breech. It was without doubt the most wonderful day of my life. I was lucky that I recovered very quickly too.

I'm so sorry for your loss. In your situation I wouldn't hesitate to go for the c/s and like others would be surprised if your consultant didn't support you if it is what you want.

Thruaglassdarkly · 12/08/2011 20:59

OP, so very sorry for your loss. After that I'm not at all surprised you think a C-section might be safer. Statistically, of course, they're not. Most people I know have had them and been fine, that said.

I've had 2 c-sections: one emergency (which knocked me about), the second elective which was wonderful (as major surgery goes). As yours is potentially an elective one, it should be fairly straightforward, although I do know people who've had elective ones and have had complications of some sort. It's birth though and there's always that chance with any type of delivery.

After my second (elective) one, I was home in 2 days and on paracetamol only. I healed really well, although had some on/off lochia and a big clotty thing that stopped my uterus retracting straight away, but that sorted itself.

They also couldn't stop me bleeding for ages after birth (vaginally), but I think that was because my DD was massive - her placenta too - and they only gave me normal amounts of syntocinon. As soon as they upped that, I was fine.

Long term, I now have a large umbilical hernia as a result of my sections. It started after my first, but is now quite nasty looking and I'll need more surgery. Had a lot of back pain both times and needed physop about 8 months after as I was doubled up and struggling to walk. Again, that soon got sorted. Also the surgeon last time said my adhesions were bad in my abdomen from my first section, so goodness knows what a mess it is in there now after another section. I only hope I never need abdo surgery or that might complicate things a little.

So, in short, yes, the op went well and I've been lucky, but not escaped some side-effects iyswim.

It's best to read up on C-section risks a bit and discuss all this with your obstetrician.

Good luck with your decision.

hairfullofsnakes · 12/08/2011 21:10

It is completely understandable you would want a c-section after your terrible loss (so sorry). Gather as much info as you can and talk to your midwife and doctor. Best of luck x

TrompetteMilitaire · 12/08/2011 21:46

I had a very traumatic VB (supposed to be a HB) that ended up with all sorts of horrible complications (for me, fortunately, not for DS). Second child was ELCS, and it was marvellous by contrast. The recovery, while slow, was far quicker than with the VB; nine years on, I am still struggling with the aftermath (physical and psychological) of the VB, whereas the ELCS is a relatively pleasant memory.

TrompetteMilitaire · 12/08/2011 21:48

(Should add that I requested ELCS the second time. The Registrar turned me down, despite all psychological and physical reasons, so I wrote directly to the consultant, who called me in and said yes on the spot!)

nappyaddict · 20/08/2011 18:48

Are you worried this labour will remind you of your last one and you won't cope with it very well? If that's the case I'm sure they would agree to a planned CS :)

Pamplemoussse · 20/08/2011 18:55

I am so sorry Sad

I had a VB for DS1 crash CS for DS2, I was back to fitness after the CS by 6 weeks

Talk to consultant, your views matter

SardineQueen · 20/08/2011 18:58

I have had one emcs and one elcs and both were great. Easy recoveries, BF both in the recovery room and had no probs establishing BF etc, scar is hardly visible etc etc.

I think that you should have a talk to your midwife as you say, just tell her what you have told us, and that for those reasons you want a CS. I would imagine that after your terribly traumatic time with your last baby, they will be agreeable to you having a c-section.

If not, then please do another thread as I am sure there are women on here who have pushed for and got C-sections which they wanted for a variety of reasons.

Smile
SardineQueen · 20/08/2011 18:58

Oh and congrats Grin

rhondajean · 20/08/2011 19:01

I had a VB with my 1st and an emergency CS with my second.

Both high risk pregnancies because of some medical issues of mine. DD1 was an induction; had an epidural because the speed of the labour was too much pain wise and a relatively easy delivery. Afterwards I felt like a rung out discloth, had stitches, was in a bit of pain for weeks from that, but nothing major.

DD2 arrived in the middle of the night foot first at 32 weeks. The emergency made the situation quite scary. I would say the first 6 hours after were awful. I was also very scared to move/cough in case my stomach split (I know they say it wont but you are not meant to be sliced open in the middle!) By lunchtime I was walking the length of the ward. Four days later I was in my own clothes and makeup and fine. The scar has faded to nothing and I had a great start with both babies in terms of bonding.

I know everyones situation is different but I would say there wasnt much difference between the two and in fact I healed more quickly from the CS. I am a fast healer though!

I was hell bent on not having a CS until it happened the way it did and it wasnt safe to try delivering her with an inexperienced team in the middle of the night. So it wasnt the way I wanted; but it was fine and I was well looked after.

The biggest con - you cant get waxed over a c section scar (mines is very low, dont know if thats normal or because I was in full blown labour when I made it in) for 6 months!

ThePosieParker · 20/08/2011 19:05

Definitely push for a c section, statistically it is safer for the baby (as I'm sure you know) and mother.

ThePosieParker · 20/08/2011 19:06

I am very sorry for the loss of your second child.

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 20/08/2011 19:07

Talk to your consultant. Fear is a decent reason in a lot of cases. A friend had a crash section for her first after a very traumatic attempt at a 'normal' birth. When she explained that she was having anxiety attacks and nightmares about having to try again they agreed to an elective for her second.

ThePosieParker · 20/08/2011 19:09

Fear is also one of the major reasons that labour is unsuccessful.

Icelollycraving · 20/08/2011 19:49

I had emcs after being induced. I always thought of cs as a convenient option but wanted to try vb (I had a big baby). The baby simply wouldn't fit in my pelvis,surprising as I have hips made for childbirth :)
I had a local but could feel too much sensation & started panicking so ended up with a general. I felt I'd let myself & baby down as I wasn't awake for the birth. I did feel v wobbly the next day but ok. I did really want a shower & so 2 hca did kindly hose me down after I was too weak to do it after hobbling to the shower,had low bp & high temp but actually felt ok,however my c sec incision was a bit oozy & they did swab it.
I felt really unwell for a few days once home but everyone said you've had a baby what do you think you will feel like? I ended up in hospital for a week with an infection in the wound. My baby stayed at home with my husband as I felt too unwell to even bf. I caught a bug in hospital so the combination left me feeling so rough I can't begin to tell you. I have district nurse out every day to redress it,I have left home twice since having my baby,he is 6 weeks old.
I had another swab done & now have staph infection so on my millionth dose of antibiotics. They have left my stomach quite sensitive.
I have a lot of back ache which possibly is still the trapped wind which is a fucker that I didn't have a clue happens with a c sec.
I wish I'd stayed in after the cs,then a lot if this would have been resolved much quicker.
Sorry if that's put a big downer on the thread (I'm feeling quite forlorn). On the plus,planned sec seem to be less problematic amongst people I know. Whatever you decide,good luck x

Icelollycraving · 20/08/2011 19:54

Ps sorry for the essay & congratulations!

rhondajean · 20/08/2011 19:55

Aw lolly thats awful, poor you, I do hope you start feeling better and get to enjoy the baby properly soon.

Like I said, everyones experience is different, I might have just been lucky.

You take care of yourself x

Icelollycraving · 20/08/2011 20:01

Thank you,it's getting better every day.

dementedma · 20/08/2011 20:51

3 c-sections here. first was emergency one, second was elective but anaesthetic didn't take and ended up with vicious spinal headache, 3rd one was absolutely fine. Scars all healed no problem but you do end up with a gunt Grin

Sofabitch · 20/08/2011 20:57

A csec is safer for baby. But not always the best option for mum. I think to loose a baby in labour is a very difficult thing to do. Did they give you any explanation. ? Was it because of the birth or was it crap excuse just one of those things? The cost to the NHS is significantly different as well which shouldn't be a factor but I guess at this time it is on pct 's minds.

ShoutyHamster · 20/08/2011 21:02

OP, so sorry for your loss.

It's NOT a rubbish reason for requesting a CS at all - far from it. It's totally unsurprising that you will associate a vaginal birth with the trauma you had to deal with. Don't play it down.

Talk to your MW and consultant. As I would think that at least some of your distress is also due to the fact that you went through an induction with no pain relief on top of everything else, I would remind them of that fact... hopefully they will have the humility to discuss your options in a supportive manner, and leave the choice to you.

FWIW - I have had one EMCS which I found absolutely fine, a walk in the park after the previous 40 odd hours in fruitless labour - and I healed fine. For me, great support from my DH, me just staying in bed feeding for what felt like about 6 weeks really helped! So, even an EMCS need not mean a tricky recovery.

Wishing you all the best x

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 20/08/2011 21:26

One option could be an induction with planned epidural??

Mare11bp · 20/08/2011 21:43

Sorry for your loss OP.

I am sure that bearing in mind the background you could request a CS. Stand your ground however as they will try and talk you out of it (expense, statistics).

Had my second CS (elective) a week ago, DS1 was emergency. I am up and around and walking fine. No need for painkillers. Stitches are healing nicely. I can't recommend a CS enough, so push for it if you need to (no pun intended).

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