Should I have a csection with second baby?

[Kerryjane93]

Hi everyone! I just wanted some advice what I should do or if anyone has experienced what I’ve been through..
I had my daughter 3 years ago my I had a PROM at 39+5 my labour didn’t come on I went hospital and they told me to go home and come back after 24 hours of nothing happens, I went back the following evening they kept me in triage over night then took me down the following morning to induce me at about 7am. Labour was very slow I was left with student midwifes I was told at 4pm I was 4 cm and hopefully at 8pm I would be 8cm.... the midwifes swapped shifts and the new one examined me at 8pm turned out I was only 3cm!!! I was so upset and exhausted by this point and asked for a epidural, during the insertion my oxygen levels went very low And had to have help to breath, I slept for a while then woke up with a bad fever and vomiting. It was around 7am the next day and was time for pushing I had to have stirrups and an Episiotomy, after I had her at 8am I was left in the bed in my own urine and blood till 6pm me and my daughter also had an infection and had to stay in hospital for a week on antibiotics, I was 22 but I looked really young I felt they looked down on me and didn’t help me atall. Now me and my husband have decided that we want one more but I have so much anxiety about giving birth now and am wondering if it would be best to go for a csection or would they even suggest it themselves after my first traumatic birth? Long story but would appreciate some replies

Also what are your experiences with csections? I know there are risks but do you think they are safe? I’m terrified of dying 🙈

Didn’t want to read and run - I had my second section a few months ago. First was emergency, second elective. I didn’t die.
Yes, there are risks, but they are small. It differs from trust to trust, but under mine you have to request a section, and a consultant agrees and signs it off after chatting with you and making sure you are aware of the risks. If they don’t, you can then request another consultant and so forth. But mine was incredibly supportive and agreed that after a traumatic first labour that it was a good option.
Hope that helps!

Thank you! I think it’s what I would want I’m just doing lots of reading and research on it just want to make my mind up and ease myself Also I am very petite only 5foot and carried an 8 pounder which didn’t help I was having growth scans as she was on the large size so maybe that why it all happened and there is a chance a second baby could be bigger!

Yes. Go for it (if you want).

I had an emergency section after v long back to back labour with DS1 after he got stuck and elected for section with DS2.

Had to go through a patronising session with the “birth choices” midwife, where she spent 30 mins trying to make me choose her choice (VBAC), but I held firm. There’s no way I wanted to go through another horrible labour just to have an emergency section anyway.

No regrets. Yes, there are risks but there’s a reason that a very high proportion of female obstetricians opt for electives themselves .

Good luck!

Had a crash section with baby one. Was desperate for vbac with baby 2 but due to problems with the labour I had to have an emergency section.

Recovery is bloody hard after a section. Both times I've ended up with terrible infections and anaemia. Not being able to so much for weeks on end is shit and now you have to inject yourself for 10 days after it is even more shit!

Honestly, it's a bit of a crapshoot. If everyone was guaranteed a straightforward vaginal birth with no lasting health problems for you or baby then it would be a no-brainer. But there's no such guarantee. Some people sail through C-sections. Mine was an EMCS and I had been set on a vaginal birth, but I was actually v pleasantly surprised by how easy and quick recovery from the section was, especially compared to a friend who had a gruelling labour and a forceps delivery with an episiotomy that then became infected, etc etc. If I did have another (not planning to), I would opt for another section as I don't fancy rolling the dice again. But some people get infected C-sections or find the surgery a lot harder to recover from.

An elective section is generally very safe for you and baby and is a lot different to an emergency section. For one thing you won't be exhausted from hours in labour! And it's just a different kind of atmosphere, I imagine. If you feel like you want control over your labour after an experience like the first one, I'd think it was worth considering.

I know the pain from a csection would be painful But if it would put my mind at ease it would be worth it! I also caught a bad infection and had anaemia after and had to have the blood clotting injections so I’ve already experienced a lot the terrible things

You might be pleasantly surprised by the pain, particularly after your first experience. For me, it was sore afterwards but not horribly so and easily managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen. I was up and walking about after six hours, showered, and able to tend to baby fine on my own. Home just over 24 hours after surgery (it was in the early hours so I stayed one night)

Of course, some people do struggle with the pain and if you do, they should be able to prescribe stronger medication. But the key for me was keeping mobile. If I stayed in the same position for ages, it was then a lot more painful when I eventually got up.

But everyone's experience is different.

Thank you so much cerebelly your reply has made me feel better about my choice! I still have anxiety 3 years on what happened so I don’t think I’m ready to try a natural birth again it really doesn’t appeal to me. And I’m the same as your friend I went natural and me and baby was very sick after it... I do think her huge size for my body played a bit part in what happened and it will probs happen again

I had a horrible first birth - 3rd degree tear and issues for years after. I found the whole thing so awful that I only even considered having DS2 5 years later. I had an elective section and honestly, best decision I’ve made. It was a really wonderful experience, I most certainly didn’t die and it was a really cathartic experience for my husband and I. Recovery was a breeze compared to what I went through with DS1.

My husband wants another now and it’s look me a long time to realise I do want another but I am not going through that again!😅 your experiences have reassured me so much I just overthink things I know it’s major surgery but I think for the sake of my mental wellbeing through the pregnancy panicking about giving birth again it out weighs the risks! I want to know what’s happening and when

Sounds like you had such a difficult time of it, I’m sorry. Have you thought about talking it through with a midwife for a debrief and then putting some things in place for this time would be good, ie no students if that was something you felt contributed to your poor experience, being upright and active, using the birth centre/pool if that would be a positive experience etc - even if you went and then decide on a CS it might be a really useful chat. Absolutely ask if you think an elective section would be better, in an ideal world it wouldn’t be a battle but it might be because generally (not always) second births are usually quicker and easier with you having done it once before. However you end up having your baby, something like some hypnobirthing or relaxation techniques will be really helpful. Good luck!

Also what are the sort of questions do they ask if they try to push back? What are the risks they tell you?

I've had 3 sections now. First was an emergency when ds got into distress after a ridiculously long labour, second I went for a VBAC and didnt get past 8cm so ended up another section, 3rd I went for a VBAC again, desperate for a natural birth but my awkward little bugger didnt want to come so at 42weeks I had to have another section (you cant be induced after previous sections).
1st baby I caught an infection but it wasnt too bad a recovery, 2nd baby caught an infection and was harder to recover, 3rd was absolutely fine, up and about in public less than a week after. In my opinion the difference was that the 3rd wasnt emergency, it had to be booked in advance just in case I went too overdue so I went in having had a goods night sleep, well and ready for it. The birth was so much better because I hadn't had a traumatic lead up to the section, I was able to properly enjoy my dd after.
However, just a couple of things to consider: you cannot drive for about 6 weeks after, even if you feel ok as your insurance wont cover you, it is hard in the first few days when baby cries in the night and you cant just sit up and soothe them, moving is harder and yes painful. But then sitting down isnt a problem so I guess that's a trade off.
I'd been desperate for a natural birth but never scared of a section, i think they are pretty safe. Good luck x

Thank you! Yes fingers crossed if we are blessed to get pregnant again I would definitely be up for having a chat with the midwife what they think etc and am open for counselling, last time I think I was just fobbed off didn’t get to do skin to skin I Wasn’t even asked and they just gave her a bottle when I did want to breast feed, but when your younger you don’t know what is right or what to say this time round being 26 I would not stand for any shit atall!

I had a crash CS with my first after a v long and intervention heavy labour. Second time round, first choice was a vbac, was terrified of a repeat emcs but knew I couldn't have my ideal without risking the same as with dc1. I tried for a vbac. I had another emcs! BUT I found it so easy to recover from. Discharged after 12hrs, no pain, was up and about 2hrs post surgery and needed no help at all. Did the school run at 4 days and was back running by 9 weeks. If I'd been lucky enough to have a third, an elcs would have been my only choice and I would have looked forward to it even.

I’m sorry you couldn’t have the birth you wanted either! But it’s nice you had a better experience with your 3rd! And I just don’t want a long labour again or to be induced!

I'm exactly the same as @Blondiemama. Do it. Great experience compared to my first and it wasn't painful at all for me.

Thank you mummy’s! I feel better about my plans! I want to experience happiness seeing my baby this time as last time I was so out of it I couldn’t even hold her I don’t remember much it was such a blur, it was a bad experience but I do think it made our bond so much stronger which is good!

My other option was to have a epidural on my birth plan which is all right said and done but the day could come and be so fast there isn’t time for one and I would be in such a mess

When I had my daughter also my mum lived in Scotland so I had no help really, she’s just recently moved back and she would be such a big help with me in recovery so I would have good support

I’ve had 2 c-sections op, one because my dd was breech and one semi emergency section recently. Both were calm positive experiences and the births themselves were trauma free.

C-sections were definitely not in my game plan when I imagined having kids when I was younger but both times they were necessary and I am grateful.

A friend had a very traumatic vaginal delivery and I’ve advised her to consider a section next time. It also came up as an option in the debriefing session she had with her hospital. Is this something that might be open to you? I know it’s helped a few people I know.

Healing wise, it does take time and put you out of action for a while. I’m 4 weeks post partum and feeling myself again, but the first couple of weeks were a bit rough at times. That said, nothing that couldn’t be managed with good support, rest and pain relief.

I’d second what @Celebelly wrote - if you were guaranteed an effective vaginal birth with no major fuck ups, no one would ever want surgery, but vaginal births have complications too.

If you’re seeking a calm environment and want to avoid having to relive a traumatic experience like your last birth I think asking for a c-section is entirely reasonable and advisable.

Best of luck.

Thank you Laura! It’s taken a while to know I’m ready for another and just want it better! My pregnancy was shit as well last time and next time round I just want a stress free pregnancy also and I think knowing I have a plan to have a csection it will put my mind at rest overthinking what the birth will be like!

I had a emergency section six weeks ago. I've never felt pain with it tbh and stopped paracetamol/ibuprofen at about 2 weeks pp- I don't know if that's common or if I was just freakishly lucky. I'm a wimp pain wise so it's not a case of me just having a high threshold. You also don't always need to wait six weeks to drive post surgery. Many insurers are happy for you to drive once you can safely perform an emergency stop. Obviously check with yours if/when the time comes!

Now immediately after was a shit show- I was moved to the ward from recovery in the middle of the night after a failed induction, c section and severe blood loss plus no sleep in 36hrs whilst still being unable to feel or move my legs, and told to get on with looking after my newborn. But that was due to a perfect storm of timings and lack of communication between staff. I doubt it would happen with a planned section and that's why with no. 2 I will be going for another caesarean. However you do still need to be able to advocate for yourself as my experience shows.

Thanks @Kerryjane93 they are all healthy though so that's all that really matters x