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

Hi Op

First birth (he is now 2)I had a 36 hour completely natural birth which resulted in 4th degree tearing among other things. I was wheeled into surgery a few minutes after giving birth. I missed skin to skin and the first 5 hours of my sons life. I then had to have two more operations one when he was 6 months and then again at 9 months. The recovery was brutal.

Second birth (just 11 weeks ago) I had to have a c section due to the previous birth. Totally different experience. Completely calm and couldn’t feel a thing. I also got to do skin to skin etc.10 hours later(that night) I was up,walking,cather out and had a shower. I can honestly say I had no pain and my recovery was a complete breeze. I was off pain medication by day 5.

If you do happen to have a c section walk as soon as you can and keep your medication topped right up while in hospital. My two sisters advised me of this and I can honestly say I would do it again tomorrow. This is just my experience. The second birth almost healed the emotional scarring from the first.

Have a good talk with your doctor ask them their opinion. Best of luck.

I’m so happy you got to experience a better birth this time I appreciate all your replies!

Do what you're comfortable with. Explore your options and maybe get a debrief to help you cope with what happened.

I had an emergency c section at 11pm. The c section itself was fine (I was totally knocked out as my epidural didn't work enough so I lost out on that initial seeing my baby immediately for the first time part of it), but the care I received after was dreadful.

No sympathy, midwives telling me I should be up and walking hours after I had it, telling me I shouldn't be in so much pain, etc. The first few days of healing I found really hard. I really relied on my partner during the daytime to help me. At night I cried and struggled alone.

However, once I was home it was fine. A bit sore and tender but I could deal with it. My scar healed nicely and buy 12w it was fairly well healed, not sore and I could do most things myself again. I've regained all feeling in my tummy 9m later, and have a fairly pale, even scar with no discomfort.

My c section experience would have been fine if the aftercare was better. If you're going for an elective, try and find a hospital with the option to have a private room (at least then if you need to stay in a few days, you'll have privacy and get some rest). Always push for what you want/need. I didn't and as a result I felt deeply vulnerable and depressed. Tell your partner exactly what you want/don't want so he can speak for you if the midwives try to make decisions for you/not listen.

Honestly? Be selfish. This is your birth. Do it your way. Call the shots. You deserve it. So don't be afraid to stand firm. Your health (physical and mental) is just as important as baby's.

Wasn't the Ulster was it, Pepe?

Your first experience sounds very similar to mine, although I never got past 2cm and ended up with an emergency C section. We were also kept in for a week after. The whole experience was so awful, I was left with a lot of anxiety for the second time, 3 years later. After lots of going back and forth with the decision, I opted for vbac, which was a long, drawn out process again and a part of me did think maybe I should have gone for the elective C section! The exhaustion factor after 3 days in hospital being a big part of it.

I think if you are anxious after the previous experience (understandable!) then go with your gut. I found the c section recovery was not as bad as recovery from episiotomy stitches, to be honest!

Wishing you all the best. Trust your instincts and do whatever makes you feel most confident and calm in the run up to the birth.

Also, I did have a debrief about the first experience when pregnant with my second. They went through my notes and I had the chance to talk through what had happened. I cried buckets, but at the end of it, felt like I could move on, so I would definitely recommend that, as pp said.

I had a straight forward birth with DC1, DC2 was breech so I had an ELCS which went wrong and then the aftercare was terrible, left with the catheter for over 12 hours with no one offering help to get me up from the blood soaked bed all the while on minimal pain relief. DC3 I opted for a ELCS as I wasn't confident in the scar, confirmed in surgery that the scar was v v thin so good job I did. Aftercare was much better in terms of pain relief and getting me mobile. Overall I found vaginal delivery far easier but ELCS can be a nice experience depending upon the hospital. Also they have to give you an ELCS if that's what you want, you might just have to be passed between a few people.

I had an elective section.
The consultant took me through the risks and asked if I was happy to go ahead.
When I agreed he said 'yes my wife had sections with ours'
I later asked why do doctors so often opt for a c section themselves or for their wives.
He said the reason is although there are risks these risks are in a very controlled environment of an operating theatre whereas during a natural birth there is so little control and the outcome not as predictable.

I had a traumatic vaginal delivery with DC1 and an ELCS with DC2. I found the c section way easier to recover from as my first delivery left me in pain for many weeks. I was also home the following day after my c section whereas I was in for a week following DC1. I'd highly recommend an ELCS- yes, there are risks but there are with either form of delivery and I think many people don't understand or minimise the trauma and potential complications a vaginal birth can have.

I had a failed induction and C-section due to maternal distress (very high fever, allergic reaction to the epidural and bleeding bladder because Dd was poorly positioned) with my 1st and had a VBAC with my 2nd. (A 3 year difference)

I found the recovery from the C section rough also likely due to long labour prior.
I found the opposite with my 2nd. I was on such a high post birth I walked back to the ward and found the recovery good.
I had a late term ultrasound to check positioning, I agreed to a labour time limit with my care team after which it was straight to a c-section and any interventions I agreed to. (None except Gas and air and my waters were broken)

I had a very active labour and dd2 was born in a short labour (4 hours) with no tearing.

You should not discount how long a Full recovery can be from abdominal surgery. I’ve had to do it more than once with other surgeries and with a csection. just because csections are common doesn’t mean they are any less invasive. It is not something I would recommend for anyone who has a viable alternative.

I get the recovery won’t be easy but this time I have a better support system and I believe I will receive better after care, with my daughter I had to be cut I was exhausted after 4 days of labour and I needed help with my daughter it was painful to move but I felt as though “just because” I’d been vaginally cut they thought my pain was fine! I even remember crying to my husband how much pain I was in from it and also my stomach contracting back and I was pleading for some pain killers and the nurses didn’t give a shit! Never gave me anything! Whereas they bent over backwards for the csection mums..... I had her at wythenshaw hospital and I found the midwifes so rude and not compassionate atall! It was such a horrible time I just felt so alone that week in there.... next time I was thinking about st Mary’s what are all your experiences with the two hospitals?

Yes definitely do a planned c section

I had a really positive experience. Calm and in control

@Kerryjane93 I'm sorry your after care was so bad, that kind of thing can lead to pnd. There weren't great when I had my first either tbh but I think something must have said by others, there must have been complaints because second and third time round they were a lot better and I had someone independent from the hospital come round to ask about my experience etc. Also, second time round you arent such a nervous mum and know to stand your ground a bit more. I hope it all goes well whenever you go for it x