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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to just want to say having a c section for me was a wonderful experience

121 replies

diamondlizard · 01/03/2014 17:15

when i was pg alot of people told me i didnt need a c section, not drs no, they recomended it,due to previos 4th degree tear and birth injury, just aquantances etc
mums on the schol run etc
even though they do not know my medical history

i was told i wouldnt be able to bond sowell etc

but for me and my baby it was a wonderful experience
Calm in control nothing went wrong, he came out pink and crying at 37 weeks
He was placed on me while I was stiched up

Then we spend the whole entire rest of the day, he was born before 10am
Having a massive snuggle in bed skin to skin, the whole day, it was bliss
Really really lovely day

And a very very positive experience for us

in fact i still need to write to the hospital to thank them

anyway it just annoys me that noone ever warns you of the dangers of vaginal birth like i never even knew what a 4th degree tear is
let other things that can go wrong

yes neither way is without risk
i just feel all risks should be pointed out so women are actually making informed decsions

OP posts:
Burren · 01/03/2014 20:55

How nice to see a positive thread on C sections. I've nothing to compare mine with, as I have only one child, but it was a calm, quick, peaceful experience, with an uncomplicated recovery.

The downside was occasionally nasty comments from virtual strangers afterwards. I've told this one on here before, but a few months later, I used the phrase 'when I gave birth' at a dinner party (someone had asked my opinion of the hospital where I had my son), and a woman I'd never met before leaned across the table and said 'I'm sorry, I'm going to have to correct you there. You didn't give birth.' I was stunned into silence.

Obviously, the vitriol of a total stranger doesn't mean anything, but it depressed me that she (she had otherwise seemed a perfectly normal person) felt entitled to make that kind of comment.

whatareyoueventalkingabout · 01/03/2014 21:03

Burren, I hope you leant across the table and punched her stupid face

Tiredtomybones · 01/03/2014 21:16

YANBU. My elcs was amazing.

PisforPeter · 01/03/2014 21:25

YANBU, I had an Elective section for our daughter, brought my own music & it was a wonderful calm birth. It certainly hasn't put me off having more Grin
I drove after 3 weeks & recovery was much easier than many of my friends who had complicated vaginal births.

PinkandPoo · 01/03/2014 21:50

I enjoyed my ELCS too. Breastfed straight after, no problems with recovery.

I've got to say the 1st 48 hours post csection was grim though, mainly due to crap care on busy, noisy postnatal ward.

Pollaidh · 01/03/2014 21:54

I had an ELCS at 37.5 weeks. Reasons were: Initial reason previous 3b tear, causing major PPH. Later in pregnancy got gestational diabetes and macrosomic baby. So was told no way enormous baby was going through already damaged passage. Out at 37 weeks due to diabetes risks.

Experience excellent. Very calm, relaxed. Scar looks and feels fine. Recovered actually quicker than I did following the tear, possibly due to forced inactivity. However the first day after it was bloody painful to move. Wind pain was bad in shoulder for first couple of weeks, but so much better and quicker to heal than bad tear. Baby ok but spent time in NICU due to breathing issues. Not clear if related to c-sec or other issues.

Tiredemma · 01/03/2014 22:00

I've mentioned before on another thread that I actually felt like the most important person on earth when I was in the operating theater.

I really must write a letter to the hospital at some point to thank them.

BrennanHasAMangina · 01/03/2014 22:01

And why wouldn't it be? Smile. I had three straightforward vaginal births but could certainly have done without the fear and pain of labour....and the tearing and the stitches and the wonky bladder afterwards. YANBU.

hazeyjane · 01/03/2014 22:04

And why wouldn't it be

There are lots of reasons why an elcs might not be a wonderful experience, Brennan.

I am really glad that the op, and so many people have had such positive experiences, but it is still a major operation, and that can have downsides.

Balistapus · 01/03/2014 22:05

I had a elcs, thoroughly enjoyed it. No problems bonding or bf afterwards.

Burren, you're well within your right to say you gave birth to your child and that woman was extremely rude. I say that as someone who describes my dd as having been delivered by cs.

Slainte · 01/03/2014 22:09

I had an emergency c-section and it was really good, no complaints at all.

Greentriangle82 · 01/03/2014 22:15

Yanbu my section was a doddle in comparison to first vaginal birth.
I'd look forward to the birth knowing itd be another section if we have anymore dc's.
Congratulations!

stopgap · 01/03/2014 22:18

I've had two fantastic natural births, no stitches, no tearing, and back to running within a few weeks. Had I experienced a traumatic vaginal birth, I would have contemplated an ELCS, too. I don't blame you, OP, and so happy you had a good experience this time round.

quietlysuggests · 01/03/2014 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sonlypuppyfat · 01/03/2014 22:24

My first was born after an emergency section I had a general I had no problem bonding with him I'm so glad you've had a happy birth. My next two I had normal births which I found better I didn't like the long recovery after a section.

Joysmum · 01/03/2014 22:25

I'm glad yours went well. Mine was a catalogue of problems and I still feel like a failure for not being able to have the natural birth I was hoping for.

rainbowfeet · 01/03/2014 22:26

I've had 3 & my last was fab!

Calm, organised & a quick recovery. Grin

My 1st was an emergency & not as nice, 2nd was planned because of problems so very stressful.. Ds now 2 was a surprise baby & I did for a while long to be allowed to try a vb but my lovely midwife said she thought because I was so anxious after dd2 (now deceased) that an elc would be best & she was right. For my circumstances it was the right choice. Smile

Silkyandmoonface · 01/03/2014 22:32

2elective sections (for health reasons) here. Both amazing, calm, wonderful almost spiritual experiences. Both placed on my chest straight away, breastfeeding whilst I was stitched up then cuddled non stop in recovery.
Didn't feel any pain during the two week recovery period because I was careful about staying on top of the pain meds. Scar is practically invisible today.

Ludways · 01/03/2014 22:37

I've had two emergency sections, one was horrid, the other perfectly fine. Def wouldn't call either of them wonderful though.

YarnyStasher · 01/03/2014 22:41

Mine was wonderful too :)

AmericasTorturedBrow · 01/03/2014 22:48

I had 2 home births with no damage but also pleased for you - I really fucking hate the vitriol and judging as surrounding birthing choices. Every option has risks, we all try to just choose what we feel is right for us personally and beyond asking others' advice it's not really anybody else's business.

Seriously, congrats!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 01/03/2014 22:53

Oh and YANBU - more positive birth stories for everyone

Mootime so sorry for your lossSad

blueshoes · 01/03/2014 23:37

I am proud I only ever delivered via cs. Happy to tell anyone.

DarlingGrace · 01/03/2014 23:42

Have to say OP - CS is the only way to have safe, happy, without PND hysteria. I had three of them.

Zingy123 · 01/03/2014 23:43

Mine were both lovely too. I had OC too Dd1 was EMCS at 37 weeks Dd2 was EMCS at 35 weeks.

I have never felt I haven't given birth like I have heard so many say.