To ask for your experiences of c-sections?

[Deliberations4]

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?

Emergency c section back in March after 39 hours of an intense Bach to back labour - I was in bits! Had an epidural which helped!! Then it got serious quite quick - dipping heart rate, distress etc - turned out she was transverse and was stuck - got her out

I was home within a day and out walking by day 3! Recovered fairly fast - very good experience

If I go again I’m requesting c section - I couldn’t go through a labour like that again and I feel like I’d be so anxious for it that to the baby was in trouble

Elective section. Unbelievably awesome experience. Driving by two weeks, wound closed in days, no infection, wore a Belly Bandit which helped. Never felt unable to move.

Hi op I understand you are nervous but I’d say everyone’s experience is so different. I’ve had 1 emergency section with my first child which was pleasant and I was knackered and just pleased to be helped. I’d lost quite a bit of blood during it but there was other factors such as a long traumatic delivery of me pushing for hours to the point of exhaustion and having the forceps and vontuce used before doing my section, I needed a blood transfusion which made me feel immediately better and I was a bit sore but managed on paracetamol. Baby 2 was vaginal delivery all ok. Baby 3 was a planned section and was a really nice experience apart from my blood pressure going to low during the procedure but it was put right immediately with medication, sadly my experience with recovering was extremely painful and tough but it was more than likely because I’m not young anymore and it being my 3rd child and I tried to do too much and kept splitting myself. I also found out I’d had a uterine infection which is a risk and probably why I had lots of pain. Would I do a section again? Yes if it’s needed op. Please don’t ask how everyone section went because it will put you off and each experience is so different. I must admit it was so nice having a planned section it was calm and happy and I was uncontrol. The staff were lovely and with my most recent section I was out home with in 24 hours , my 1st section I was in 7 days and I basically had to demand to leave but there were factors such as I was anemic and a young first time mum , my baby had severe jaundice which required treatment. I wish you the best it will be fine op

First birth resulted in tears, blood loss and lots of complications. Second was an ELCS. It was calm, in control, and just lovely. The first few hours was perfect (while I had no feeling from my waist down), it was very sore that night and the next day, and from then on it got better. They give a prophylactic dose of antibiotics in theatre (I think it was co-amoxiclav) and pain relief after. Dihydrocodeine is safe to take while breastfeeding so take that, paracetamol and ibuprofen as often as your allowed while you’re in hospital, and get some paramol (paracetamol and low dose dihydrocodeine) over the counter for when you come home. And eat prunes daily! Get lots and lots of support (home cooked meals ready for the oven) for the first few days as you’ll be discharged the day after surgery at the moment.

Oh yes I forgot to add I was told not to drive for 6 weeks but I was naughty and drove at 2 weeks

Two planned Caesarians due to hip issues. Both deliveries pleasant and enjoyable. Was painful for the first day when I tried to turn to pick my baby up from his cot but manageably so. I needed a blood patch after the first one due to the epidural but that's a bit unlucky and not specific to c sections.

Home on day 3 for the first and the next day with the second. Recovery was fine, a bit sore for the first week. Driving after 2 weeks (with GP approval).

Oh and op please discuss on the day of surgery your options to be offered strong pain relief if you need it! I was given dihycidreine where you can breast feed

Reading everyone’s experience makes me proud to be a woman, we all go through such tough experiences! Mums rock !

A long time ago now but I had an emergency section after many hours of back to back labour. Had it at 11pm and was up and about 12 hours later, minimal pain despite the fact the staff kept forgetting my pain relief! Had to stay in for 6 days because DS was a bit poorly but I felt a massive fraud as I felt fine.

2 for me - first one an emergency and had to be started before the epidural kicked in - I suffered PTSD after that - DS was fine though so that seemed the most important thing.
Second was elective and much calmer.

I’ve had 2 elective sections (no previous births). Absolutely minimal pain with the first one, a bit more with the second. Apparently this was due to adhesions which you get from any previous abdominal surgery. But even so, it was pretty ok really. Hurt a bit to move around for the first few days but only about a 7 on a 1-10 pain scale, and that was only when I was moving about IYSWIM. Recovery was easy and straightforward with both.

I've had 2 EMCS.

The first was due to Twin 1 being breech. Section in itself was ok. But then developed an infection in the wound. Resulted in a 30 day hospital stay and further surgery to clean out the wound and pack it.

Second section was a failed VBAC. I cried when they said I needed another section due to the problems with the first. All seemed ok at the time. Was home 3 days later. Very sore as expected. Wasn't until 8 weeks later and a huge bleed that I was rushed to hospital. They had left over 50% of the placenta inside which resulted in severe bleeding and sepsis. Was in hospital for over a week and needed further surgery. This complication has since rendered me infertile and with extensive scarring in my uterus.

Neither of my CS's have been positive unfortunately.

Had both EMCS and a scheduled one.

Both amazing. Surgery and birth was great, recovery was fine. Not much pain, scar healed well. Driving within a week.

Similar first birth to you except I wasn't induced. Horrific recovery both physically and mentally and I have long term issues now with physical health from it.

Second was a planned but emergency C section - I had a c section agreed but went in to labour prior to my date, so ended up in an emergency section at 10cm dilated. It was a wonderful experience and my recovery was much faster and easier than my previous delivery, both mentally and physically - partly because I felt much more in control, had a much better idea of what to expect recovery wise and didn't have emotional trauma to deal with. I did also have a "good" c section recovery, I was up and walking within 6 hours (removed my own catheter because I was sick of it) and self discharged the following morning. I was able to navigate stairs and move around really well and I was back to doing usual tasks, sitting on the floor, carrying my toddler and basically all normal things at 2 weeks, I was a pallbearer at a funeral at 3 weeks PP - I couldn't have even attended the funeral after my first birth!

I think people under-estimate the role mental health has on recovery. If you don't want a c section, have a long and exhausting labour ending in the not wanted c section, recovery is going to be hard, you have emotional and physical tolls to contend with.

Emergency c section for twins. Not quite a crash section but they couldn't hang about.
So civilised and calm despite the emergency. Recovered quickly.
Then an elective csection on advice, which secretly suited me just fine. Again straight forward and calm. Speed recovery.