To ask about your elective caesarian experience?

[AbbeyBelfast]

Hello folks!

I would very much like to hear your stories and experiences with elective sections.

What was your reason for choosing elective?

How was the procedure itself?

What was your recovery like?

Bonus points if you had an elective after a vaginal birth and can provide some insight into a comparison of the two!

Thank you 😊

You could have a pops out without a scratch v birth, or a cs with every complication in the book. Usually it’s somewhere in between.

Whilst true, the likelihood as a FTM of having that sort of vaginal birth is around 10%, so that's an approx 90% complication rate.

I don't know what the chances are of complications during a planned section, but certainly not 90%. The most common complication is an infection and that's around 10% I believe from memory.

The average vaginal birth isn't straightforward, and does involve tears, and stitching, so surely that's the sort of birth we should be comparing with the average planned section.

Thanks to everyone that has posted, it really has given me a lot to think about. I'll write a little about my own situation and why I asked the question, but it's not at all important really so feel free to scroll on 😂

December of 2016 I had my little girl, after what I can only really describe as a perfect pregnancy, not a days sickness or any issues at all, I considered myself very lucky.

I was induced at 39+2, which was the start of a horrible 12 hours. Because of the induction drip I needed constant monitoring with the belly band, I was incredibly uncomfortable and unable to move around freely. The pain relief made me utterly away with the fairies and I felt very detached from what was happening. I eventually asked for an epidural, which was straight forward and blissful when it kicked it! With all the drugs still in my system it was just a blur, and it makes me sad I recall so little of my birth. All I know is I was very uncomfortable and miserable.

After the birth I had a haemorrhage and was taken down to theatre. They gave me a spinal block and a manual removal of the retained placenta that was causing the bleed.

For me... THAT part, being in theatre was the nicest bit of the whole thing! I was mentally aware, not drugged up, it felt calm and the surgeon and doctors/nurses were so funny and kept me distracted and laughing.

So now I am expecting again I can't help but think that an elective is something I would much prefer, and is why I posed the question. I know some have said it's going to be a biased response but I worded the question based around my own experience looking for some insight so if it weighs to one side then that's ok because it reflects my own situation 😂

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who has shared their experiences! Honestly it's such a big help.

The pain relief made me utterly away with the fairies and I felt very detached from what was happening. I eventually asked for an epidural, which was straight forward and blissful when it kicked it! With all the drugs still in my system it was just a blur, and it makes me sad I recall so little of my birth. All I know is I was very uncomfortable and miserable

Unfortunately this is my ELCS experience. The spinal dropped my blood pressure so much I wasn’t capable of thought, or speech, i just remember a primal need to fight through the dizzyness and sickness and not sink into unconsciousness. I don’t remember DH taking dc away for weighing etc or anything about the dr’s.

That feeling lasted a few hours and meant I threw up for hours after, including the pain relief. I also lost a lot of blood and was borderline for a transfusion which didn’t help.

Just to counter all the “blissful” stories. It depends on you and your body. I hated that feeling.

To add, if it was just the drugs that mean you are considering a cs, why not have an early epidural. If the birth itself was ok, best of both worlds, pain free and faster recovery :)

@bluebluezoo

To add, if it was just the drugs that mean you are considering a cs, why not have an early epidural. If the birth itself was ok, best of both worlds, pain free and faster recovery :)

Not just the drugs.. the huge uncontrolled bleed and being unable to change positions for 12 hours didnt help

I had an elcs after a long traumatic birth that ended in a emcs under general anaesthetic.

No way was I going through that again.

My elective was a dream. Calm, controlled, no complications. BFing was easy, I was up and had the baby out in town 3/4 days after delivery. Felt pretty normal after 10 days.

I have had two elective sections. Reason for both was HG, I unfortunately suffer the whole pregnancy so need them out asap. Mentally helps to have an end date. I was due for a induction with my first but DS turned breech. Just went straight to CS for DS2.

My recoveries have been amazing both times. First was in two nights, 2nd home in 24 hours (this was 8 weeks ago so mid pandemic). Very little blood loss and driving in just under 4 weeks for both.

My bmi is 33 sadly and I dont think it has hindered my recovery. Was unable to bf DS1 but bfing DS2. Excellent bond with both.

Actual procedure excellent. Staff are very attentive, explain whats happening etc. I have a severe needle phobia and it has been handled really well each time.

Good luck!

First child was a emerg section. Recovery took months, was in alot of pain. Needed 3 bags of blood transfusion at the birth, was completely out of it on painkillers in the hospital for the first few days.

Second child was a planned section. Completely different experience. Was lovely walking into the hospital all calm, no labour, all planned. Recovery was much, much better and faster. I couldn't believe the difference.

Great Post OP. I had a traumatic first birth ending in failed ventouse, successful forceps and episiotomy. I was left to push for far too long, 7h off and on, baby was back to back. Would have been an emergency c section had the two Dr's agreed (and taken into consideration my wishes!)

I've opted to have an ELCS for my second. Consultant is in agreement. Also a size 14 with a bmi of 28. Size hadn't been discussed at all.