To ask for your experiences

[anonymous670]

Not sure why I’m posting anonymously for this one, but I’m after some advice/experiences.

I’m 39 weeks pregnant today with DC2. Have I left it too late to look into an elective c section? I had quite a negative experience with DC1, staff were fantastic, but the whole time left me feeling upset for months after. I’m not sure if it would be reasonable to bring it up with my consultant tomorrow.

DC1 ended up being two weeks late. I had 3 sweeps, gels, the balloon, waters broke and the hormone drip. I was hooked up to a machine for days so couldn’t move around and had to have an episiotomy. The emergency buzzer was also pulled as they believed the cord was wrapped around DS’ neck. They only knew this as I was being monitored. It righted itself but I’m also now terrified this could happen any time now and I’d be none the wiser.

On a practical level, DH is due to start a new job following the Easter holidays. If baby arrived ‘on time’ he would be at home to support/bond for 4 weeks, rather than two.

I think I’m being quite naive regarding what an elective c section involves, the recovery/scar and preparation. I just worry after my first experience I could well end up having an emergency one anyway.

Any advice or experiences (positive or negative) would be greatly appreciated.

You can ask about it, but be prepared for the fact that so late in the game it might be after your due date.

For what its worth my birth with DC1 was almost exactly the same as you described. Induction, gels, rods, drip, episiotomy, forceps, cord round her neck, I considered an elective when I was pregnant with my second but I decided to try again. My second baby is 4 months old now and wow I cannot express how different this time round was. I was induced again but rather than 4 days with my first my waters broke after 1 gel with my son and he was in my arms 4 hours later no other help required, no cut, I did tear but that was honestly no drama and so straightforward. I was up and around within an hour of him being born and genuinely 2 days later didn’t feel like I’d even just gave birth. On the other hand my friend had a section 3 days after me and it wasn’t until 4/5 weeks later that she felt she was feeling even close to normal, she’s had ongoing issues with the scar and infection up to now, it really hasn’t been an easy time for her.

Everyone is different but they do say second deliveries are typically easier and that was so true for me. Good luck x

@Jellybunny56thank you so much for sharing your experience. I keep hearing that second births are often ‘easier’ so I’m hopeful for the same! I might just ask them to talk me through all the options available- they want me to deliver between 39-40 weeks but that’s this week and no one has mentioned anything!

3 kids here first one traumatic (after I went to hospital) back to back labour, artificial rupture of membranes (for no reason), lasting injuries. 2nd came out no probs, 3rd pestered me for induction because she was 42 weeks +
...lovely home birth, cord wrapped around her neck twice, no issues.

Every labour is different but in my experience the cascade of interventions start with a sweep when you're "over due"
Why do they want you to deliver early? Is there a medical reason would be my question.