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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your experiences of c-sections?

65 replies

Deliberations4 · 20/05/2021 12:02

I know it's quite personal so no pressure to share ofc, I'm just looking for some perspective.

I'm expecting my third baby in October. My last birth (induced) was traumatic and resulted in sepsis and PTSD, I also developed a mild prolapse.

I'm unsure whether I want to deliver naturally again and risk the prolapse worsening, or opt for a c-section so I have more control over the birth which i think might be quite healing mentally but have a higher risk of infection (I think?) which scares me.

I know each birth is different but I'd really appreciate hearing from others who did opt for a section. How was the recovery/pain/experience as a whole?

OP posts:

Spekoppar · 20/05/2021 12:15

My first was a crash c-section, not a good experience and took me a long time to get over. Healing was ok though, much better than expected.
I had a planned c-section with my second, it was an amazing experience. So calm and I knew exactly what to expect. Healed quickly with no issues at all really. I don’t even remember much in the way of pain afterwards, the key I think is to ask for pain relief before it gets bad. Both mine were NICU babies and I stayed in hospital for a week for the first and two for the second so I did have easy access to pain relief and medical support though.

CathyTre · 20/05/2021 12:17

Similar to the above - first emergency section so traumatic I didn’t have another baby for twelve years! Younger two were both elective sections and absolutely fine - was walking a mile and a half each way to take middle son to pre school when youngest was four days old 🙂

EnglishRain · 20/05/2021 12:17

I had an elective section with my first last summer. It was wonderful. Really calm and the recovery was alright. I don't know how much of that is luck, but I didn't get an infection, wound healed well, was happy driving by three weeks after. I'd have no qualms having another one tomorrow!

BinocularVision · 20/05/2021 12:19

I had an elective c-section which wasn't my choice originally, but I had gone very overdue and my consultant felt I was a poor candidate for induction and would most likely end up having a CS after a failed induction attempt so I chose an ELCS and it was lovely. Calm, pleasant, rather surreally fast, nice, happy atmosphere in the room, straightforward recovery other than a minor infection in the scar which cleared up almost immediately. I have no vaginal birth to compare it to, but it was fine. Only downside was pain in getting up from low furniture for a couple of weeks, and not being able to step over the side of the bath for a shower.

ForgedInFire · 20/05/2021 12:19

I have had 2 c sections. My first, breech baby, very very easy and smooth but terrible care on the postnatal ward and I stayed for 3 days because of a high pulse. Then a VBAC which was a scary, traumatic birth. And an elective c section which was slightly more difficult because of scar tissue from the first cs but still pretty easy and straightforward, had better postnatal care that time and I was out the next day. I much prefer c sections to vaginal birth, yes healing did take longer but overall much less painful for me

LadyOfLittleLeisure · 20/05/2021 12:19

@Spekoppar

My first was a crash c-section, not a good experience and took me a long time to get over. Healing was ok though, much better than expected. I had a planned c-section with my second, it was an amazing experience. So calm and I knew exactly what to expect. Healed quickly with no issues at all really. I don’t even remember much in the way of pain afterwards, the key I think is to ask for pain relief before it gets bad. Both mine were NICU babies and I stayed in hospital for a week for the first and two for the second so I did have easy access to pain relief and medical support though.

Came on to say exactly this!

Frazzledfranny · 20/05/2021 12:23

Yep same as above. First section was an emergency one and I had a panic attack on the table and was given a GE. I was traumatised after and very low for about six months after.

Second one was calm but the epidural went on a nerve and paralysed half my face and stayed in my body for 48 hours so I had to have a catheter put in. Couldn’t get out of bed. I picked baby up and because I was still numb split my scar open.

You’ve got to remember even though many many women have c- sections and they go very smoothly it’s still major abdominal surgery.

Make sure you have lots of good pain killers at home and please rest!

Fitforforty · 20/05/2021 12:23

I had an EMCS (cat 2), ended up with spesis and PTSD symptoms although not enough to hit diagnosis threshold. 5 years later I still have aches from the site. I have a horrible scar and over hang. I went on to have a VBAC from with a small scar from my being cut.

AyyMacarena · 20/05/2021 12:24

So sorry to hear about your last birth.

My c section was an emergency crash section after induction and wasn't ideal but was handled by the medical team with perfection. The atmosphere was great.

I personally wouldn't attempt a natural birth again and understand anyone who considers elective c sections.

The recovery is fine. I do think I was lucky as I was young back then. I was never in extreme pain but standing up after is 6/10 on my pain scale just take it slow and you will need more help at first as you'll be a bit slower. I walked my baby in a pram along the streets at day 5. You also have to have your wee measured and the ask to look at your sanitary pad to make sure you're clotting correctly. All very awkward but you get over it.

Whatever you decide, break a leg.

Frazzledfranny · 20/05/2021 12:25

I just want to add - I’ve had a vaginal birth and I’d chose c-section again!

AyyMacarena · 20/05/2021 12:26

Keep up with the paracetamol and ibuprofen. You will be sore after and they work remarkably well. I stopped taking them thinking I was fine and without them I really wasn't. I also had some oramorph straight after.

You're uncomfortable and very sore but nothing too painful

Ragwort · 20/05/2021 12:28

I had an EMCS and it was fantastic ... I'd asked for a CS and was told I couldn't have one but very early into the (induced) labour the midwife could see things weren't progressing and I was given an EMCS ... to my delight ! No serious problems at all, slight discomfort for a couple of days but I was well looked after in hospital .. no pain or discomfort... as soon as I got home I was up and about back to 'normal' ... no scar .

But, as this thread shows ... every woman's experience is different.

SunnyCoco · 20/05/2021 12:28

I've had both, and I would choose a planned C-section NO QUESTION!

Calm, positive, gentle experience for me.
Best of luck whatever you decide

Echobelly · 20/05/2021 12:33

Two planned C-sections due to a hip issue - 2nd was officially 'emergency' as I went into labour abour 14 hours before my planned c-section time, but it was very relaxed!

Emergency c-section after hours of pushing is a very different matter from a planned c-section or the kind of 'emergency' I had though, as obviously mum and baby are exhausted at that point.

But planned I found pretty easy and a positive and meaningful experience - a lot depends on obstetrician, as some are better are doing the stitching up than others and complications can arise.

I recovered quite fast and there was no sense, after my second, that I couldn't pick up/interact with my toddler normally while recovering from that. Pain was fairly brief - I was OK with ordinary over-the-counter painkillers after 2 or 3 days I think.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/05/2021 12:35

I've had both a vaginal birth & a c section. I found them to be pretty similar tbh in terms of recovery. I found the restriction on driving & limitations on movement/lifting especially really annoying after the c section as my baby was in NICU for 2 weeks. It was 35 minutes away, so I was reliant on taxis and family/friends driving me there & collecting each day (we wanted DH to save his paternity leave for when she was home as he she had tubes all over her and I needed to be with her a lot to try and establish bf).

I was actually up and about much quicker after the c. I lost a lot of blood during the v birth and was horrifically anaemic, could hardly get out of bed. With the c section I was determined to get down the stairs to be with DD in NICU (she was prem & tiny), there weren't enough nurses to take me down on a bed or in a wheelchair so I just had to get up and get on with it and I think I recovered better as a result.

Happycat1212 · 20/05/2021 12:36

I have had 2 emcs and they have both been fine. If I was to have another child (unlikely) I would choose to have one again.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/05/2021 12:39

Oh and my c was probably a good experience as because DD was prem and tiny (3lb 9) I reckon I got a really crack team in the operating theatre, as she was high risk of stillbirth/complications (I hadnt been given a choice about having a c). There were loads of people, about 6 for DD and about 6 for me and it was very smooth and quick, I have barely any scar.

brushlaptop · 20/05/2021 12:40

I originally had an elective booked for my first due to him being breech but I went into labour early so had an emergency c section which given its categorisation was relatively calm. The recovery was tough- it's not easy recovering from major surgery when you have a newborn to look after too but if you have the right help and support you should be ok. Second I'm going for a VBAC. I guess just weigh up whether the tough recovery would be worth knowing that the birth itself will all go to plan? I wouldn't worry about the infection thing I actually don't know anyone who had an infection after having a c section.

Sosososotired · 20/05/2021 12:41

I've had 3 c sections, 1 emcs and 2 planned. Tbh I had a lot of anxiety around c section from the 1st experience, and panicked during my 2nd. However all went smoothly. I was in real pain for a few days. After about a week I felt more human again, and was moving round the house fairly ok. I had to take things easy for 3-4 weeks. Had a bit.of numbness on my belly each time, but that healed after around 6-12 months.

BorderlineHappy · 20/05/2021 12:46

I've had 4 vaginal births and 1 crash c section.
The section was the worst,I was really I'll after it.
2 blood transfusions.
Scar healed well,little or no pain.
But I definitely had PND looking back now.

I think if I've had that experience on my first I'd have never had anymore.

Dreambigger · 20/05/2021 12:47

Similar 1 emergency (stress) and 3 planned. Planned ones were ...fab back to normal in less than a fortnight. Nothing but positive things to say about the experiences.

PeacefulInTheDeep · 20/05/2021 12:48

My first was a crash section under GA - not an experience I'd wish to repeat.

I asked for CS for my second. It was lovely - calm but cheerful. DH was with me, and I had baby in skin to skin and feeding as soon as I was in recovery.

I alternated paracetamol & ibuprofen for pain. I don't remember being in pain as such either time, just a dull ache and general soreness that got worse if I was late with painkillers. I just moved slowly and carefully for a week or so afterwards.

If I was to have another baby, there's no question that I'd have another CS.

frogswimming · 20/05/2021 12:50

I've had natural (with forceps), breech natural and section. Section easiest. Quick recovery, less bleeding. Over with quickly and no pain.

BogRollBOGOF · 20/05/2021 12:55

I'd go for an ELCS over another 3rd degree tear or a third labour ending up in theatre. Most of the recovery of my 1st birth which ended in EMCS was caused by the labour rather than the surgery itself.

As much as I'd love to gently breathe a baby out to whale music, I would not further trash my body trying to do it again

theadultsaretalking · 20/05/2021 12:56

Had a traumatic first birth (with a PSTD afterwards) and an elective c-section for the second.

Planned CS was a breeze in terms of both physical recovery and general mental wellbeing afterwards. In fact I was up and about much quicker the second time round.

I think there is a huge difference between planned and emergency CS though, so do bear that in mind when reading the replies.

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