To elect for caesarian at a hospital further away rather than natural birth close by

[commuters30]

I'm really anxious generally about this whole pregnancy thing and thinking of going to a well known private hospital further away for an elected caesarian rather than natural birth at the local hospital.

A planned C-section just sounds so much less complex and painful and less drawn out, and also I just hear of horrors (and some good stuff) about labour wards locally and to be honest elsewhere too. This is assuming if it's planned, we can drive there beforehand and then drive back after a few days so no surprises.

Am I being completely unreasonable to have this preference and have I got the completely wrong end of the stick?

I had an ELCS 5.5 months ago, it went perfectly. I was walking without the catheter in 12 hours, driving in 2 weeks and working out within 4. However, this doesn't mean they are 'easier'

Labor has a HUGE spectrum, at best (vaginally) you get a minimal intervention postive birth at worst you end up with serious damage....the same range exists with a c section. I would absaloutley have gone for a vaginal birth but it just wasn't on the cards for me and the alternative worked out perfectly...

Look at every aspect and risk and then make a choice for you but they both carry risks.

I'll be going for planned C section too because I want to keep my ahem as it is.

This made me laugh out loud. It's the bit above your "ahem" that won't look the part any more I'm afraid!

I've had three sections, two emergency but tbh there's been a flap and unsightly scarring from day one, and if anything they've tried to make it look a bit better each time.

The adhesions are the worst, painful at odd times and they made it hard for me to conceive dc 3 and 4.

That said there's no other way out a lot of the time and I'm grateful for the care and attention I had.

C- section every time for me.. despite the pain, the wound drain, the not being able to walk.. it was all manageable and calm. What I couldn't handle was the unpredictable chaos of birth, stitches and possible tears, incontinence, prolapse etc.

And yes I wanted to keep my ahem unchanged too didn't and still don't care about section scars or tummy shelves.

“there's been a flap and unsightly scarring from day one”

I call mine my shelf

As someone who had an EMCS I get annoyed by people who think that it’s the “easier” birth option. It has its advantages over a vaginal birth but there are risks and potentially a longer recovery. I would have a serious talk with your Dr before deciding.

@CookPassBabtridge GOODNESS ME! I wouldn't want to hear the birth stories you know of 🙈

EMCS is a very non optimum way to give birth, as those of us who've done it know well. But the OP is thinking of an ELCS which is something quite different. EMCS isnt relevant here unless people are giving it as a reason to choose ELCS so as to eliminate the risk of an emergency one.

Can I share something about the 'trapped wind' issue. I think this is a spectrum. Some posters on here might have had something worse than trapped wind. I had what is called a paralytic ileus (ie the bowels stop working). No amount of peppermint water is going to do anything about that. It was horrific.
Obviously not everyone gets this, but according to my consultant you'd only get it from abdominal surgery around your bowels, including a section as they may have to touch the bowel. He and the other obstetric doctors have never witnessed it on anyone who had a natural birth.
might be worth discussing with your medical team op. They might have a different view (if they do please let me know! I've opted for a vbac in an attempt to avoid that horror again)

HJWT You only have to read the threads on here about birth injuries to see. I know it's not everyone of course but I didn't want the possibility.

Three births, vaginal for two, absolutely horrendous and ended up with ptsd and injuries that required multiple surgeries. 1 c-section, pain free, very fast recovery and no lasting effects. I know which one I’d pick again