To ask about your c section experience?

[myfavouritetractor]

Sorry, posting for traffic.. I'm starting to panic because I've got to make a decision soon and either book elective c section or go completely naturally.

Dc1 birth resulted in bad 3rd degree tear, haemorrhage and surgery was required afterwards. I do find myself having less control over bowel movements, I have to rush to the loo ASAP. So I'm worried about long term damage. Friends keep suggesting section but have never had one themselves.

What was your experience? I'm terrified of the recovery and having to stay in hospital away from dc1.

Oh, and buy some MASSIVE knickers that come way up over the wound. I wore my maternity leggings until it healed as any waistband feels horrible for a bit.

I got DH to inject me - he'd pinch one leg, inject the other and then I got a chocolate

I had my twins by emcs, 3 weeks before my scheduled one. The actual surgery itself was absolutely fine. The recovery was very straightforward. The first 24 hours were tough but they were very happy to give me the pain relief I needed. The pain comes on gradually as the spinal wears off so if they keep on top of it then it’s very manageable (I’ve had seven keyhole abdominal surgeries and this wasn’t much worse apart from slightly trickier to move in the first day). Within a week I forgot I’d had surgery at all to be honest and had to keep being told to slow down! The worst part for me was the spinal, which was not good but mine wasn’t typical.

Had an emcs a year ago. I was discharged after 24hours and felt pretty normal after a couple of weeks although I was still a bit stiff at times. The key is not to overdo it too quickly, take your pain killers and take the time to heal. I laboured for 28 hours before mine so I was exhausted which I wouldn't expect to the situation with an elective

No real issues with my emcs.
I do still have a mothers apron though, 20 years on!!!

Two medically advised electives under GA - very different experiences. First one there was very little pain but I was so weak! Couldn't lift a glass of water let alone a baby. Second I was much stronger, but pain was worse; and difficulty getting pain relief from hospital (combination of procedures and understaffing). After a couple of days I was off the post-op ward and on to the post natal ward and by then seemed to be in about the same level of discomfort as the mothers who'd given birth naturally.

Much prefer stitches in my stomach to the alternative.

Took a long while to completely recover, but one I was at home I felt OK, and although I knew I wasn't back to normal, it didn't get in the way of life.

Had the same issues after 3rd degree tear as you. Had an elcs for next birth, back in Nov. It was brill!

You can get an appointment at the birth choices clinic. A nurse took a load of stats etc from me and calculated my personal chances of tearing to the same degree again. I had more chance of tearing badly again than not so went for a c section. Post c section I had much more mobility than post-tear.

I was in 2 nights because I lost half my blood volume (veins in the wrong place, not normal at all and it was absolutely fine as ELCS is such a controlled process). Otherwise, I could have gone home after 1 night. DS1 was absolutely fine with DH at home being spoilt and has been obsessed with his little brother since they first met.

Thank you all so much for your replies!

It's definitely going to be a case of suck it and see. I'm just terrified of going through another exhausting labour and then end up having a spinal and surgery again to repair another tear, which could then leave me incontinent.

The docs have told me I'm only at a slight increased chance of another tear. Normally 1 in 30, now being 1 in 20 due to previous but I don't find those statistics very reassuring to be honest.

Another factor that isn't helping is that my baby may need surgery at a couple of weeks old so I'm worried about how it's all going to work out.

I've never been away from dc1 for more than a couple of hours so I'm beating myself up about that as well. Completely irrational I know!...and breathe!!

Oh and I have big babies apparently! Dc1 was big and this one is looking like a good 9-10 pounder also.

I had an emcs for failure to progress. Turns out it was a good decision as DS was swimming in merconium. I was in for a week but that was due to DS needing antibiotics rather than my medical needs.

I was sore for a few weeks after but I was up and out with the pram after a fortnight and driving after 4 weeks.

I've discussed with the hospital the options for a second birth. My feeling is that if someone could guarantee me a straightforward vbac I would go for it as I accept the recovery would be more straightforward, but they can't. With that in mind I would rather take the known risks of a section and go with an elective rather than take my chances with a vbac that might go brilliantly or might be more complicated and end up with damage/another emergency section.

I figure I can also plan in a section and so make arrangements for DS (extra nursery, grandparents etc) which I think will help me to be calmer.

It's a very individual choice though, best of luck with whatever you decide.

My DC2 was an elective. It was honestly the best birthing experience I could have asked for. Totally relaxed. Everyone super friendly. Went home 2 days later and there was nothing I couldn't do (other than drive). Good luck with whatever you decide!

You’re at risk of it occurring again. Personally I’d go for the ELLSCS (elective lower segment Caesarean section).

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/pi-third--or-fourth-degree-tear-during-birth.pdf

ELLSCS do have risks associated to them, however the experience will be much better if you end up in theatre for a 3rd or 4th degree tear.

To make an informed decision I’d look at the evidence that’s out there.

I was in exactly the same position for the same reasons as you at the beginning of the year and a decided on an elective c section. I am SO glad I did! I was terrified but on reflection didn’t need to be. The procedure was straight forward, relaxed and over quickly. As soon as I had my catheter out the next morning I was up and about and I was discharged that evening! It was painful moving around but the secret is to stay on top of the pain relief religiously and you will sail through. Within a week I was up and about properly and taking short walks, within 3 weeks I was almost 100%. Compared to the year of recovery and lasting problems after DD1, it was like heaven.

Good luck

I had an emcs for DC1 and VBAC for DC2, I take a c-section over VBAC anyday. Recovery from c-section just as quick.

Cesasrean section risks

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132/ifp/chapter/risks-of-caesarean-section

Had an emcs at full dilation with ds following failed forceps and 2 hours of pushing. Was up and dressed within 5 hours. Had a shower by myself and was using the stairs to get to NICU within 24 hours. Discharged on day 4 (would have been earlier had he not been in NICU as they didn't want to send me home without him) and basically carried on as normal. Didn't need pain relief, was pushing the trolley around Costco the same week.

Having an elective in around 2 weeks and have been promised I can leave after 24 hours assuming everything goes okay.

I had an emergency c-section last September due to a surprise breech baby. My experience was very straightforward and easy! We were out of the hospital in 2 days and recovery went really well. As long as you have an extra pair of hands to help you out that first week, so you can take it easy, you'll be fine. The only downside I found was the no driving part, although I have to say I was happy hibernating at home with my little one for those first 6 weeks!

I had an elective due to birth trauma, sadly my first daughter passed away before birth and was born very unexpectedly at home. I also suffered two post partum haemorrhages due to retained products after a failed d&c. My physical recovery, all told, took 16 weeks. I could not, would not and will not face a vaginal birth again.

My elective was a wonderful experience. The team were fantastic, once they found out our circumstances they went above and beyond to make sure I had a positive birth this time around. I had it done on the Monday, up and moving on the Tuesday morning and home on the Wednesday. Never had any issues lifting DD, I felt completely back to normal after 2 weeks. They only bit I didn't particularly like was the blood thinning injections I had to give myself. But needs must and it was only for 10 days.

Take the medication, stay on top of your painkillers, accept all the help offered to you and don't be shy to ask for it either. Good luck to you.

I had an emergency CS due to failure to progress. It was great, recovery was easy, up and about the next day, able to lift everything I needed to in a normal day (baby, kettle etc). From what I heard from my friends average recovery seemed about the same for CS or natural, and those recovering from natural were recovering from things a lot worse in my opinion than a sore tummy! I would recommend it and I'll definitely have an elective next time.

When I say up and about the next day - baby was born in the evening, I would have Ben up and about the same day if born in the morning.

In my experience, a planned section is straightforward and pretty simple to recover from (relatively; not trying to minimise the impact of giving birth by any method). I’ve had an emergency section followed by planned section, and they were vastly different experiences. With the planned CS it was a very calm and relaxed morning, I dropped my eldest at nursery, went into hospital, met the aneasthetist, went down to theatre at about 12, was in recovery within an hour, back up to ward with baby. My brother picked my eldest up from nursery and they came to meet their new nephew/brother at evening visiting hours, I was walking about that night, home the next day. I was pushing the baby to shops in the pram by day 4/5, driving after 2 weeks. Compared to some of the difficult natura births some of my friends have had, I think my planned section was pretty chilled and easy to recover from. I have friends who had natura births who are still suffering from complications 10yrs on, so I don’t think CSs are particularly ‘harder’.

I had two elective sections.
Amazing and wonderful and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Had DD2 at 4:50pm, and they wanted to send me home the next day. I asked to stay for another night to rest!
So glad I didn’t have to have a natural birth and everything that goes along with it. Would choose sections every time. You’ll be fine, and you won’t be as panicked as you would be having a natural labour after what you’ve been through. All The best OP

OP is there a consultant midwife at your hospital you could talk to?

First DC was born by c-section due to low lying placenta so this time round I got to make the choice. I was already leaning towards a c-section again but was able to meet with her to discuss both options, the stats, my concerns for both options etc and it was very helpful and I felt fully informed when making my decision.

My two c-sections although both planned were very different recovery wise, I guess like a vaginal delivery, no two are the same.

Good luck whatever option you decide to go with

Also to add, I had DD at 4:50pm, and that night at about 9pm I buzzed the midwife to ask her to help me out of bed. I walked three steps to the chair near my bed. Sat for about ten minutes and walked back. You need to get up as soon as possible, it helps with recovery! (Still cannot recommend an elective section enough!)

I had a similar experience to you OP with my first. For my second I had an elective c section and I'm glad I did. I thought about my future and life beyond this birth and I didn't want to risk losing control of my bowels completely and my life being ruined. The only thing was recovery for me was quite painful and I felt utterly useless about not being able to do much for a few weeks. But a few weeks of recovery is better than a lifetime of more problems