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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what a c section is like?

94 replies

thefutureisfemale · 12/07/2017 18:03

Hi x

I am a FTM and booked in to have an elective c section at 39 weeks. I am really scared. Can anyone tell me what it's like?

OP posts:

TheLegendOfBeans · 12/07/2017 20:59

Ps: congrats on the baby and get down to Primark for cheap dressing gowns pronto!

camelfinger · 12/07/2017 20:59

Planned section was lovely (emergency was also ok). I liked the fact that you are really well looked after as there are so many people, especially the lovely anaesthetist. I haven't had a vaginal birth but would opt for ELCS if I had the choice. Make sure you have as much as possible within easy reach for when you get home. I had prune juice every day in the week leading up to the op and had no problems pooing afterwards. I shaved beforehand so they didn't need to go there. The incision is lower down than I anticipated so that might be worth asking about so you know what to expect. Hope it all goes well for you.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 12/07/2017 20:59

So sorry to hear your update op

I agree with a pp - they might want to shave you a bit - so id have a little shave yourself the day before - it's just the top bit where they're going to make the cut.

Are you going to have someone in theatre with you? That might also help with the feeling of being in control.

I found though that they always took the time to explain what was happening before they did it. It was very calm and I knew what was happening every step of the way.

IzzyWizzyFizzy · 12/07/2017 21:00

I've had an emergency and an elective. The emergency was stressful but ok. Recovery was uncomfortable, but not unbearable.

The elective was absolutely fine. It was relaxed, calm, and I was kept informed about everything. Recovery was similar, uncomfortable but not unbearable. I think the recovery was slightly easier with the elective, but that may have been because I'd done it before and knew what to expect.

I never planned to have sections originally, and really didn't want it first time, but I'm really ok with it. If I was to have another baby (not a chance!) I'd choose another section.

user1485166754 · 12/07/2017 21:00

Thanks for asking this as I too am a FTM with ECS next week! Crapping myself!!

JustDanceAddict · 12/07/2017 21:11

I had emergency and then elective with my 2nd. Emergency was horrendous - esp after hours of labour, no sleep, pint of blood lost, anaemic and much more pain and slower recovery.
Elective was fine. No labour, had baby by lunchtime. Felt much more in control. He was lifted up over the screen so we could see the sex ourselves. I felt more human, more quickly!!
Both times I'd say was about 3 weeks before I felt totally back to normal physically, even though I wasn't as bad with the elective. Then I didn't drive for another couple of weeks.

Backhometothenorth · 12/07/2017 21:13

I have had two ecs- amazing experiences for the births of both my daughters. Feels surreal and nerve-wracking at first but the surgical teams have been so amazing both times- calm, happy and wonderful are my overriding associations looking back.

Recovery-wise, take your time and take your painkillers. I have been lucky to have had no problems both times. Good luck

Babbitywabbit · 12/07/2017 21:15

Bloody brilliant. Wasn't an emergency but was semi urgent (i.e. Baby needed to be delivered same day and was prem) The spinal was fine, and although it's a
Weird sensation having someone rummaging inside your belly, there's no pain just pulling and tugging. This was my second birth. Way easier than my first which was a vb with gas and air.

zaphodbeeblebox · 12/07/2017 21:17

Mine was fine, I had an Emergancy c section. Barely remember the spinal block needle going in so mustn't have hurt too much. Everybody was lovely, it was a bit overwhelming because they had to take the baby away without me holding him as we were both very ill. They gave me morphine immediately afterwards. I recovered really fast and was toddling up and down the corridor (like Percy penguin) 36 hours later. 48 hours after I had it they forgot to give me any pain relief for the whole day and to be honest, although it was obviously sore I managed fine without the pain relief. I remember describing the pain to somebody as being like bad sunburn on my tummy.
The worst part I encountered was that I couldn't turn over in bed for AGES which was really annoying.

gingergenius · 12/07/2017 21:18

Havehad 3 sections: 2 planned (both breech) and last one emergency. Planned is better. Childbirth is uncomfortable no matter how you deliver. It's scary but upyou will be looked after. Don't be afraid to ask for pain relief and take advantage of any help if it's offered. Wishing you all the luck in the world x

Blowingthroughthejasmineinmymi · 12/07/2017 21:18

Op not read the thread but it is better to differentiate between a calm, planned booked in ELC to one where - to save your and your babies very life you are rushed into theatre and ripped open in minuets!!

By itself its a straight forward operation, its weird because your awake and also there is a happy buzz because its a happy amazing occasion bringing a baby into the world! As a first timer for operation, I got really scared when in the actual theatre, but I was jollied along, the spinal was fine, and they soon cracked on. There was so much talking, and buzz the baby came out quickly so your occupied with that. The worst part of the operation was the part they warned me about when they do something early on with medicine I think its blood pressure, it suddenly drops and I felt awful.

Then they quickly rectified it.

The first two weeks I went slow, didn't lift anything bar baby, had lots of help DH was off work etc.

Compared to labour - it was an amazing wonderful - brilliant experience that we are so lucky to have access too.

Pushing a baby out - was not for me personally I had a brilliant so called text book labour first time, I was told I was lucky but for me -it was awful and I would like to see a day when all women can choose to have an ELC if they want.

It was a wondeful way to bring a baby into this world, having done both I feel the same about both DD and in fact BF my elc baby for three years and my Vag baby for 3 months. Good luck op you are not missing out.

Jengnr · 12/07/2017 21:25

I had a section then a VBAC. If I was likely to have another child (I'm not) I'd have a section all day long. :)

I was driving within 4 weeks (and it would have been 2 if I'd had my way), could carry the baby and was slow but mobile.

My scar did get infected but anti-bs and my husband having to blow dry it (whilst I held my stomach up) was a low point but it didn't last :)

The one thing that surprised me was the amount of people in the room. It's also quite violent; not painful in the slightest but there is a lot of pulling and tugging. The pp who mentioned washing up inside you is spot on.

It's a very civilised way to give birth. Make sure you get the good drugs and don't expect too much of yourself. As childbirths go you can do a lot worse.

Good luck.

IceLemonGin · 12/07/2017 21:26

I had an EMCS with my DD after a failed induction and found the whole experience very positive, my recovery was good too. I'm having an ELCS in 3 weeks and I'm looking forward to meeting my baby this time rather than being anxious about labour.

I highly recommend reading Caesarean Birth: A Positive Approach to Preparation and Recovery by Leigh East, it explains explains each stage of a csection, recovery and beyond with interesting stats.

scissormister · 12/07/2017 21:27

Elective here for medical reasons (wasn't given the option to labor). Absolutely fine. I didn't choose it but in the event was so glad I didn't have to give birth. Am sure you will also be fine. X

scissormister · 12/07/2017 21:31

And yes there will be about 6 million people in the room, probably listening to the football on the radio because they do 4 of these a day and are such experts that they are completely blasé about it! :) you will be safe.

JustMarriedBecca · 12/07/2017 21:33

I had two. One in London which was super slick. In and Out. One in Manchester where the surgeon went missing and I was left having had the spinal for 30 minutes whilst a student nurse kept shouting 'I need butterfly clips'.

Recovery wise I was up and hiking around the national trust after 3 days. Take the drugs. And ask for peppermint water for the trapped wind. All that moving body parts around creates some movement

Topseyt · 12/07/2017 21:58

I have read most of the thread including your updates.

It is your choice, not your mother's or anyone else's. Your reasons are totally valid.

Your bits will be fine. Your pubic area has to be shaved because the incision is normally made along your bikini line, but that is it.

I had two vaginal births for DD1 and DD2,and an EMCS for DD3. The c-section was far and away the best of the lot. If I could have my time again I would want to have them all by c-section. I recovered so much quicker too.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 12/07/2017 22:05

I was completely knocked out and came around about 45 minutes later to a 9 pounder and high on morphine. Never again. That EMCS though.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 12/07/2017 22:06

Also I had an epidural that didnt work beforehand that left me with nerve damage.

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