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.

[Pimmsypimms]

I suffered a 3rd degree tear with my first dc and it probably took me about 4 months to recover. I decided on an elective Caesarian with my second dc, Best decision ever for me.
My recovery time was around 5 weeks and the whole experience was so much calmer.
I was extremely anxious as soon as I fell pregnant with my second dc as the birth of my first dc was so traumatic and I was really worried about tearing again.
I was under consultant care due to cholestasis and the consultant did try to persuade me every time I saw her to try a VB again, but I stood my ground and I’m so pleased that I did!

[myusernameisnotmyusername]

I had a section with my only child. I had no choice as I had placenta praevia stage 4. I couldn't fault anything about it. The student midwife was fantastic calming me down when I had the spinal block. The operation went fine- dd was given to dp then me as soon as I was stitched up. I loved they had that time together. My scar healed very well- I was out and about a couple of weeks later. My only 'annoyance' was my op got delayed so I was starving and could only have tea and biscuits after delivery because by the time I went back to the ward it was really late but that's just one of those things.

[bertiesgal]

Mid cavity forceps with DD1. her clavicle was broken and I couldn’t sit/walk for 6 weeks. I felt as if my insides were falling out. So sore and I’ll never feel the same.

Section with DS1 and DTs(DS2/DD2). Sections the most life affirming experiences of my life.

I went long walks, sat comfortably and rejoiced in my babies.

It’s not about the birth, it’s about the rest of your life. Sections are awesome 😎

[shirleyschmidt]

I had a rubbish vaginal birth and had been very worried about losing more control 'down there' by giving birth a second time. I ended up with an emergency section due to unusual heart rate patterns, and I'm SO glad. It was a very calm and painless procedure and recovery was easier than the natural birth. I remember feeling very daunted going into the room but this was nothing compared to the pain and trauma the first time around! If there is a third, I'll be having a section, no question, and in your circumstances would definitely choose that option.

[HoobleDooble]

I had an emergency C Sec under a general anaesthetic and it was a horrible, traumatic experience HOWEVER, with it being unplanned, I didn't know what to expect, how to look after a newborn, how to look after the wound and ended up with severe PND from sleep deprivation and a dehydrated baby due to delayed milk and a MW insisting I kept on trying to feed. If I'd been lucky enough to have a second child it would have been an entirely different experience. Don't be afraid to ask anything if you choose this option OP, can laugh about it now but I even freaked out when I touched my belly and it was totally numb, nobody warned me about that and I thought something had gone terribly wrong!

[DownstairsMixUp]

I had an elective in 2014. I had no problems and healed quickly. I spent two days in hospital.

[Tipsylizard]

1st was a natural delivery which was good for the most part (with a bit of a dramatic ending involving episotomy/forceps etc) recovered well - out the next day but stitches got infected and took a while to heal but overall positive experience. 2nd 18 months later ended as an emergency section which wasn't ideal as i was a bit knackered by the time they took me in for surgery (undiagnosed breech after 12 hours if labour ) but was a good experience overall in that it was quick and initially pain free . Was a bit more painful post birth but i was moving around the next day and was fully recovered within 4 weeks. Scar is tiny and healed well. Numbness round scar took about 12 months to return but no biggy. Just felt a bit weird.

If your first birth was very traumatic i wouldn't hesitate to go for a c section. Good luck! Xx

[LoveAlwaysx]

My first pregnancy was an emergency c section because my girl was getting stressed and I was completely out of energy and only got to 7cm. Took a couple of weeks to recover but I had her on the Friday and out of hospital on the Sunday.

[Mybrainisfried]

@Awwlookatmybabyspider i had a csection then my second I wanted to go for natural birth near the end of labour they wanted me to go for c section but I asked to hold it for a hour and within that time I gave birth . Emergency c section with my 3rd dd 12 weeks premature an planned c section with my 4th xx

[LoveAlwaysx]

@Mybrainisfried I’m pregnant with my 2nd and was wondering if they offer u a c section because uv had 1 before? I am thinking about going natural but not sure. Got my first midwife appointment on Wednesday.

[Mybrainisfried]

No dd was in distress as she had pooped and they where worried so only wanted me labouring for x amount of time think they where more than happy for me to opt for the c section but I really wanted to try my self for at least a little while they hooked me up on to a drip that brought my labour on stronger and sped it up alot . Was you c section emergency? @lovealwaysx

[SpandexTutu]

DC 1 was a 10lb blob who tore her way out of my body. 3rd degree year and prolapse. Was advised to have a section for dc2 and compared to a natural birth it was a doddle. Easy peasy. And I got to hold dc2 and enjoy it, whereas with dc1 I was completely out of it with exhaustion and pain.

[kmmr]

Planned c-section due to medical reasons, but it was at 33 weeks so pretty early. My waters had gone so I'd been in hospital for 3 days previously as they tried to extend the pregnancy. Quite a long operation as I had so much damage from earlier surgeries, but all went well in the end. I got a kiss from a breathing and alive little boy before they took him to NICU. That was the only thing on my mind, so I was happy. Then they upped the drugs and the rest is a blur.
I can't remember recovery to be honest! I was quite poorly with an infection, as was baby, so I didn't see him for 12 hours. But then I was so focussed on him I totally forgot about me. I think I was in for 3 or 4 nights, but I was in NICU all the time really. I was on IV antibiotics which was the only hassle. He was home after 2.5 weeks and I'm pretty sure I was perfectly well by then.
I'd had enough surgery by that stage to know that pain meds are so important. I was on Paracetamol and ibuprofen only quite quickly, but I kept them up every 4 hours until I was sure I was ok.
But thinking back I seriously can't remember any dramas for me. The next morning my mum came to the hospital and I walked to find her at the cafe. I remember how shocked she was!! It amazes me how well the human body recovers.
Knowing I'd have a C section made the pregnancy easier in lots of ways. No stress about delivery, and I wasn't stressed about surgery.

[LoveAlwaysx]

@Mybrainisfried yea my was an emergency c section. I was induced on the Thursday and her heartbeat was up and down got my waters broke on the Friday morning, I got to 7cm and she was stuck and stressing. For some reason they wanted to do blood tests on her or give me a c section and I went for the section to get her out quickly. I’m now pregnant with my 2nd and was wondering just if they offer u another section or would they rather me go natural.

[villainousbroodmare]

I had an EMCS after a horrendous pukey fifteen-hour failed induction with DS1 nearly three years ago. ELCS this time nine days ago with twins @ 38wks. Both CSs were terrific; up within 12 hours, minimal pain controlled fully with paracetamol and ibuprofen, last time a neat tidy scar eith a small numb patch below my knicker line, and this time doesn't look bad either though skin edges are not quite apposed at one end. No problems in moving about or breastfeeding, milk in at 3d post partum both times. The ELCS was obviously better in that it happened at 7am and I was fresh and hadn't gone through any trauma. Babies were in my arms within 5 min and bf in less than an hour. Stayed in 4 days which is routine here.

[Polly2345]

Had an emergency c section after a long labour. Went v smoothly. Was in hospital for two nights (I think this is the minimum no of nights they keep you in after a c section).

I recovered well, but I think more slowly than those who I know who have had a natural birth. I only have one so I was able to sleep when the baby slept which I think helped massively. I was mostly in the house til about week 4, then started doing short walks into town with the pram Recovery def speeded up once I was getting out and about.

I did have an infection in my wound about two weeks later, but midwife spotted it and it was treated with antibiotics at home. I know others who have had to go back to hospital with an infection.

[Ohsuchaperfectday]

Between a good no stitches short first labour and section the elc was a wondeful way to bring baby into world.
No question. It was harder after but. Worth it I really dislike how it's presented as the worse thing that can happen to you

Far worse down below can happen. Stuck mid Labour with baby heart beat dropping..

[Ohsuchaperfectday]

Also you can't possibly compare an emergency section... Done in minuets to calm planned.. Elc.

Air wound regularly.. To watch for infection. I was definitely best off in my group!! By a long shot

[therealposieparker]

I've had four.

No regrets. DH spent lovely bonding time with DCs when I was in hospital too.

[MrsPeacockDidIt]

I've done both. My first was natural labour with forceps delivery and stitches. My stitches got infected and I was in a great deal of pain and generally very unwell. I also had lasting damage to the soft tissue in my thighs from straining with an epidural.

My second was a planned C/S (for medical reasons) at 37 weeks. It was a lovely experience and i recovered very quickly. I took paracetamol for a few days and didn't need anything after that. I took things very very easy for those first few weeks and that may have helped my recover.

[Roomba]

I've had two c-sections. No vaginal births to compare it to.

The first one was an emergency section due to severe pre-eclampsia. It was absolutely brilliant as it happened, though I was terrified. No pain, everyone very calm and explained everything that was happening. I won't lie though, recovery was hard - but this was mainly due to me being very ill and in shock! DS was in Neonatal as he was prem and I developed a huge haematoma around my wound (picture a giant blood blister, quite painful!). The doctors did say this was very unusual and they'd never seen one as bad. I was in for 13 nights - I was fine to go home after 9 nights but DS was still poorly.

Second time around was an elective - couldn't bear the thought of going through a long labour and then ending up with another section. It was absolutely brilliant! People say electives are much easier to recover from than emergencies and I never understood that, it's the same operation aft6er all. But in my case it was very true. Was discharged after 3 nights (purely because DS refused to cooperate with his eye check, it would have been 2 nights otherwise). Out for a short stroll in the park on Day 5, driving after 2 weeks, kept waiting for the pain to arrive and it never did - I had paracetamol and diclofenac for a couple of days but nothing stronger, which was unexpected.

I know several friends who had birth injuries after vaginal births - so neither is the 'easy option'. I think the worst of all worlds is an EMCS after a long labour though.

[CoatsProtectionLeague]

In your shoes I’d go elective.
My first birth was awful and recovery was slow with the post tear etc. I then had twins with the next pregnancy so had a planned C-section and then again with pregnancy 3.

So much easier and I knew what to expect in terms of recovery etc.

[Candace1185]

Hi. I just found out I'm pregnant and yet to go to the Drs tomorrow. Can you CHOOSE one have a c-section?? Keep seeing mixed answers and I'm terrified of a natural birth....I can't even explain. My dad was 11lbs3 and the story has terrified me by my gran from a young age. Hence I NEED a c-section. Thanks for any help

[tanqueray10]

I’ve had two elective sections and honestly they were both fantastic experiences. I stayed in hospital for 1 night, only took paracetamol afterwards as the pain was minimal and was driving after 10 days with the first and 6 days with the second.
Recovery was harder after the second because I already had a two year old to look after as well but I would imagine that’s the same of a natural delivery as well.
Best of luck OP x