To be petrified that I am now facing a C Section? Any advice, hints or tips gratefully received

[SadAndWorried1]

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. My DD will be 2 years old at the end of January and I know that we are so blessed to be in this position now after a long history of infertility and recurrent miscarriage. I had a natural (and long!) back-to-back labour with my daughter, ending in epidural and ventouse delivery.

However, this time I have excess fluid and the baby is still breech. The consultant thinks that it is unlikely he will get into a good position for birth as he has too much fluid to move around in. They have said that my options will be ECV (turning the baby from outside) and then a quick induction to try and get baby out before he turns back or a c-section.

I don't fancy the ECV as I have read it can distress the baby and I have also read that inductions often end in c-sections anyway. All that matters to me is that the baby is safe and well. Therefore, I am facing a C-section and it absolutely terrifies me. I think it is the thought of the operating theatre and being cut open as well as, what I imagine to be, a very painful recovery and long hospital stay.

The baby also has to go to special care to have a tube passed down his throat to make sure there is nothing wrong with his digestive system (hence causing the build up of fluid). This is also a really upsetting thought for me as I imagine he will be taken away from me straight away.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or any advice regarding C-sections. Anything at all would be very gratefully received.

My ELCS was surreally calm and pleasant from the moment the anaesthetist showed up at my bedside to discuss drugs to the moment they held my son over the screen and he peed on my husband. No pain, though I would urge you to talk to the anaesthetist in advance about anti-emetics if you have a history of anaesthesia making you nauseated. My baby emerged at 10.40 am, I was walking around by eight ish that evening, and out of hospital in less than 48 hours in total. Uncomplicated recovery, minimal scar.

It didn't even happen in anything I would recognise as an 'operating theatre', more a small, ordinary-looking treatment room I was able to walk into myself. All staff calm and pleasant, the whole thing deeply undramatic and all in a day's work for them.

Don't worry, SadandWorried1!

I had a section with dd 11 weeks ago after having ds naturally 3 1/2 years ago.

Mine was because baby was breach and too little fluid.
Mine was planned so lovely and relaxed. The staff were all lovely and calming. I didn't really dwell too much on what was going on and before I knew it ds was in my arms.

She was taken off to scbu, but so was ds previously and that is just something you have to deal with. Not ideal but they're in the best place.

I was sore for the next 24 hrs only took paracetamol but after that didn't bother. I was walking down to special care 12 hours after the op to see dd.

The hardest thing is getting out of bed but I developed a sort if rolling trechnique. I was driving after 3 weeks ( doctor signed me off) and scar is all healed.

I think the pain of giving birth naturally and being stitched back together downstairs was far worse!

Please don't stress too much.

Well, from my POV you've hit the jackpot in not having to do labour or natural birth again. Apologies for the flippant start, that's genuinely my reaction to ELCS though.

I had a back to back 1st with instrumental delivery and fought for an ELCS second time. It was the best decision I ever made. Pros from my perspective:

• no labour, so no pain and exhaustion for a prolonged period
• no uncertainties, you know the exact risks of every eventuality. You know the date and time in advance.
• It was calm, I was attended by a team of professionals at all times (not left alone or attended by agency staff with poor English).
• The pain of my CS scar was much preferrable to my episiotomy. Sitting for hours bf (or ff) a baby is not conducive to being pain free or healing stitches in your most sensitive area. Stitches in tummy are fine when sitting!
• No fear of going to the loo, no pain when I did.
• No incontinence post-birth (hurrah for me!)
• I was forced to rest (medical advice post elcs) so I relaxed and bonded with my baby instead of feeling I had to act like everything was normal
• I had to steer clear of heavy housework (medical advice) for the first few weeks - again the rest aided bonding and recuperation.
• Baby was not traumatised by a long difficult labour and instrumental delivery so she breastfed from the off, (unlike my first who ended up being tube fed)
• My recovery was quicker. Every day I felt significant improvement on the last and felt normal after 2-3 weeks (it took months for my broken epi wound to heal and even longer for the incontinence to subside). Scar still pinched and was tender but I was not in nausea-inducing pain like the epi.

Unfortunately our culture is to treat ELCS as something we endure, something to avoid, a failure to give birth 'naturally' instead of the medical miracle and scientific wonder that it is. Although it's a major operation it is one of the most routinely done, so well practiced and statistically incredibly safe (it's the safest method of delivery - fact. Perhaps you can look at it as doing the best for your baby?)

You've had some great advice already. I didn't find looking after my toddler (2.5 at the time) a problem at all. For the first few weeks when I couldn't lift her:

• I'd trained her to get in to the bath using a step (with me supporting but not lifting) and get out by balancing her bum on the side then landing on my lap (again so I didn't lift, just supported so she didn't fall).
• I anchored myself to the sofa so all cuddles were delivered from there!
• I used DH to full effect during his paternity leave (housework, care of toddler etc)
• I did have a cleaner, although for the few weeks of major recovery you could manage just getting the bare minimum done by partner/any kind friends/family / visitors who offer to help. It's really only washing and vacuuming that are an issue.

After such a difficult 1st labour I'd genuinely see this as a blessing. I was praying for breech presentation after my 1st consultant refused my ELCS!

Should say "safest method of delivery for baby - fact.)

I was you 3 months back. Breech baby, no choice re c-section and all booked in for 39 weeks. So - DS decided to appear even earlier, waters broke in the middle of the night and just 1 hour 40 mins later, including getting to the hospital, there he was.

DS was baby number two and compared with a third degree tear last t,e round, I'd take a c-section every time. Yes, it's a major operation, as everyone and his wife will tell you time and again, but it's also the most commonly performed operation and hence your Dr will be very experienced. I was up and driving two weeks later and looking after an active toddler. As I've said on previous threads, I'd also rather have stitches in my stomach than vagina!

Emergency CS with DS1, Elective with DS2. First time around it wasn't great; very much 'if you don't get this baby out then this is what we'll do to you'.

Elective was a breeze. Banter with the anaesthetist re choice of music; nausea which was counteracted in seconds. The advice is not to lift anything, but when you go home with a 9lb baby & have another under 2 you learn to manage.

You will be fine.

Had an emergency and elective and both were fine. Elective means you know when baby is coming so you can prepare and recovery much quicker. But I had no problems with either.

In my experiences the anaesthetists were fantastic. Very nice and calming and helping to explain to you everything that is happening so feel relaxed. Apparently this is part of their training, so they will be able to help you.

I had a planned c section. I really enjoyed it too. It was at 10.30 in the morning every one involved was jollly and friendly and chatty..

I felt we were all part of the team and I remember my husband thanking the theatre staff when my son was born.

I don't recall it being particularly painful or disabling afterwards.

I am watching this with interest. I had a wonderful natural birth 2.5 years ago, which was back to back but involved zero tearing and stitches, and I was doing long walks with the pram five or six days later.

But I am looking at induction next week, and fear so much having a c-section, but this thread does allay my fears a little.

You must let us know how you get on.

I had an elcs with dc2, she was an unstable lie, moving between breech and transverse depending on what mood she was in that day!! It was a lovely and relaxed experience, I held her within a couple of minutes and bfed in recovery. I did throw up a few times afterwards, but if I'd listened to the mws and waited for someone to give me an antiemetic before I stuffed my face with cake then I'd probably have been fine

The recovery was quick, and I milked the advice to rest for a couple of weeks longer than I needed to just so I got snuggles with dd while dh got to do all the housework
The only thing I found hard for a couple of weeks was getting up from our sofa because it's quite low. I had to have a cushion under me and one behind me for the first couple of weeks.

The fact it was planned meant I had the chance to spend the couple of weeks before teaching ds (2.5 at the time) to climb in and out of the bath and car with me just supporting instead of lifting him.

oddly I was far more worried about a vaginal birth . I was really relieved when due to a relatively minor complication they gave me the option.

As for doing walks with the pram after the initial shock of there being a baby there at all as far as I can recall I was up and out in about a week.

Have only read part of thread so sorry if I'm repeating anyone else's comments! Here's what I have to add...

• check with your insurer but I was driving after 3 weeks with both CSs
• if you are giving birth in a busy London hospital be assertive about getting your pain relief on time and not when you are in extreme pain (yes Homerton hospital, I'm talking about YOU!!)
• M&S black cotton Lycra humungous pants, two sizes bigger than you normally take
• if you are a homeopathy fan, ring Helios and get them to send you their CS concoction, I took the pillules for both sections and both times I had stunned comments from midwives etc about how quickly my scar healed and no infection.. But some people think the pills are placebos so who knows!!!

For me the hardest part second time round was managing the toddler when she needed to be lifted. Planned it so that I wasn't on my own with them for at least six weeks.

Honestly if it is planned it's a breeze.

I've had two.

First for my breech(fluid issue too).IVF twins.It was non negotiable for me after years of fertility treatment I wouldn't have contemplated any risk and would have been a freakin nightmare in natural labour.

Second with dd it was a year after and dd was breech too,they were worried about my fairly recent c/s scar.

Anyhoo I had two lovely births at two very different hospitals.I am the biggest chicken out and tbh I found it waaaay easier to go through and recover from than Laporoscopies,ovarian drilling,egg collecting etc.Very peaceful and lovely.

It is so quick and fairly routine.I was up same day with both(I am quite hardy) and was in far better shape than the ladies who had vb on my ward.

Dp had 2 weeks off then I think I had mum for after a week.I was then caring for 15 month old twins and the newborn on my own.Physically I was fine.She did spend a fair amount of time double barricaded in her Moses basket within the a Baby Dan though.

Definitely recommend C.sectn. I had 1 EMCS and 1 planned. In hospital 48 hours And driving 10 days later.

I had an emcs after 3 days of failed induction and was so relieved when told I needed the emcs! It was a breeze. In hospital for 3 nights after but was out n about with pram day after I got home and felt perfectly fine. Biggest problem was first poo .... keep taking the lactulose!

I've just had a second baby and was worried about the same thing although from what I've read here it sounds very positive even if you do have the c-section!

I had loads of fluid too and he was breach for a long time but he did move himself in the end even at this stage there's bound to be a chance yours will too so don't rule it out completely :)

Funnily they did the diabetes test with me but after that came back negative they didn't make too much of the excess fluid other than to note it was very high.

Good luck it'll be fine whatever happens!

DD2 was in normal position up until 35w. Then she turned head up. So I was facing similar fears as you are now. I did spinning babies exercises and she returned to head down position one week later. Honestly, I have no idea if the exercises helped or it would have happened anyway. I had excess water as well, but none ever mentioned that it could indicate a digestive problem with the baby. Doctor told me that excess water was kind of good thing for the baby to turn again because it allows it to move around. That is how DD2 got herself in breach position in the first place.

I really wouldn't worry if you have a n organised pre planned c- section. Mine was so calm, civil and pleasant.

Do try moxibustion though to turn the baby. I regret letting the hospital try and turn the baby (was awful!!) but moxibustion is totally different and often effective.

Haven't read all but Showy explains it very well.

Get big knickers that come up to your waist, take your pain killers even if you think you don't need them, move loads once you are able to get up (trapped wind was the most painful bit for me, if you get it ask for peppermint water), don't sneeze, cough or laugh too hard if you can help it.

I also sort of enjoyed my section. Was a lovely experience.

Showy you deserve a medal!
What a fantastic post and almost spot on, very kind of you to take the time to write that all down saved me doing it
I had the most brilliant experience with my CS at 35 weeks, baby was transverse and very low fluid, she hadn't grown for two weeks so it was all decided very quickly. She also went into SCBU for three days.
Firstly, a CS after going into labour is COMPLETELY different (recovery wise) to an ECS. In the latter, your body hasn't gone into labour, had contractions or dilated, so that helps the healing process to go more quickly and helps your body to get back to "normal" sooner.
Just one thing to add, I had very bad shakes in my arms in theatre, it can be frightening, but just relax, it passes and is totally normal.
Oh, it did feel like I had swallowed balloons of air in my tummy for a while, uncomfortable but not awful.
I was up after 12 hours to visit my DD, it's a great incentive to get up!
Honestly, I couldn't believe how "easy" it all was, don't allow yourself to get worked up about it. Read this forum again and again before you go in, trust the professionals and keep thinking you'll have your baby in your arms soon! Good luck and keep us posted

Oh, and take the pain meds!!!
I took ibuprofen and paracetamol on a rota for 7 weeks afterwards.
I'm a complete and utter wuss it would seem

I have nothing anymore useful to add on top of the great posts already on here.

My DC3 was born by EMCS in september (previous two births were Vaginal). I have to say that whilst in the Op Theatre I truly felt like the most important person on Earth. Thats how the staff made me feel.

My recovery was great- in essence for me - C section was a positive experience.

"I don't fancy the ECV as I have read it can distress the baby"

It doesn't. A door opens and baby is gently taken out. Compared to hours of twisting and squeezing through the birth canal, a CS is a breeze for the baby.

I'm comparing DS's lovely relaxed 5-minute CS birth when he came out calm and physically perfect to DD's horrible induction, and I know which one was better by miles. DD was stuck at the end and squeezed so much that she had a cone head, with one of the plates of her skull overlapping with another. It took her skull years to expand to a normal shape It also took me weeks of sheer agony to feel well enough to care for her. I learned to change her nappy when she was three weeks old - previously, I was incapable of getting out of bed and staying up (huge episiotomy, haematoma, blood loss, etc).

DS's birth by CS was wonderful. He was born in just a few minutes, happy and healthy. I joined him once my spinal wore off and he was sucking at the breast right away. Bliss.

Recovery from CS was also a breeze for me, compared to the horrid aftermath of the VB. Having stitches on your tummy is so much better than having them down where it is impossible to keep clean and dry. I was caring for my baby Day 2, and had no pain whatsoever on Day 3. I was driving on Day 6.

My one advice is for you to get up and walk to the toilet in the afternoon of your CS (assuming it will be early in the morning). My doctor took off the catheter shortly after the operation, saying that he wanted me to use the toilet later in the day, because recovery is so much faster when you force yourself to get up that same day. He was right!

Cote I think the OP is saying that she doesn't fancy an ECV and an induction - ECV = External Cephalic Version (manually turning a breech baby by manipulating its position whilst in the womb)

There is a world of difference between an emergency section and a planned elective section.

An elective really is pretty straightforward. It is not birthing pools and back rubs (as I hoped to have with first DD) but it will be during the main working hours, lots of nice nurses to look after you and to help with aftercare. Main problem I remember is not being able to drink anything on the morning of the op. I was the last of my group to go in so was pretty thirsty!

Recovery was also easy after the planned section. DP and I were expecting me to be in agony afterwards (after the emergency I was exhausted and in pain a lot) but with the planned one I recovered much quicker and the midwife eventually told me off for not having left the house for a week after coming out.

The main thing is really to remember not to take it easy for the first 48 hours after the baby arrives.