Elective caesarian - looking for support and advice

[Lisak1977]

Hi, I'm new to this site but a friend suggested I get on here and ask for help from other mums in my situation.. I am due to have my baby on 11th nov 2010 by Elective c-section, this is because I have had two emergency sections 10 yrs ago and dispite my pleading to try for a vaginal delivery my consultant has decided this would be too high risk.. Obviously I totally respect this decission and only want what is best for my little bumps, problem is, I feel kinda left out of the loop a little.. My pregnant friends are off to antenatal classes learning how to breath and get comfortable for labour or they are going for visits of the delivery suits and making birth plans.. none of which really seems relavent to me so I haven't joined any classes.

Also, nearly everything I read about c-sections seem to make them out to be a negative thing.. I have read lots of info on how to aviod having one and why they are a bad option, how its harder to breast feed and bond with baby after, (I couldn't manage to b/feed other children and suffered postnatal depression so am starting to believe this to be true)

I would love to hear from anyone who has been through or is going through the same thing..

Thanks for taking the time to read my message.. Lisa K

I had an elective section due to placenta previa. It was a very relaxed and positive experience. Bonding has been no problem, I had problems BFing but I don't think that had anything to do with the section, and managed 8 weeks.

I think the stories about bonding and breastfeeding are often exaggerated to deter all those mythical women who request, and get, C sections. .

Have you tried something like this? It helped me come to terms with my caesarean.

I would recommend a pregnancy yoga class - it helps with relaxation during the spinal, and I'm sure it helped my recovery as I was more flexible. The teacher can give you tips and tailor the class to your needs.

Good luck :)

Second Shaz's advice to do a pregnancy yoga class. Some pregnancy yoga classes are really social too, and if you could find one like that you'd get many of the benefits of attending antenatal classes.

There's no research to show that mums who have elective c/s are any less able to breastfeed than anyone else, as long as they have the right support. Find out where your local bf clinics are and the names of local counsellors. You could phone up one of the breastfeeding lines, talk to a breastfeeding counsellor and discuss your concerns now - get some reassurance and some tips for how to get a better start with this baby.

And if it would help you come to terms with the decision, perhaps you could seek a second opinion from another doctor, or have some midwifery input (ie, talk to a senior midwife about your feelings).

Good luck with your birth!

Oh sorry - meant to add, have as much skin to skin contact with your baby in the first 5 days as you can. Lots of stripping off (you and baby!) and holding baby against your chest. May make all the difference to the breastfeeding!

I had an elective C-section.

I had absolutely no problems breast-feeding at all (EBF for 6 months, and continued beyond that). No pain, no engorgement, nothing (except pure pleasure with DS).

Re: operation, I was out of bed the same evening, walking about the next day and out shopping the day after that - no pain at all (that may be because non-emergency sections are medically easier than emergency ones).

Just relax, feel no pain and enjoy your baby!

I have had 2 emergencies and and 1 elective. The elective was by far the best. I have breastfed all three (still breastfeeding DS2 at 12months).

I found the pain relief was much better 3rd time round. I'm not sure if this is because things have improved since my first section nearly 10 yrs ago or because it was an elective.

Hope it goes well for you, try to get as much support from everyone around you with regards to the breastfeeding.

I would look on it as a positive not having to go to the antenatal classes!!

I had an elcective with my last child. It was a great experience. Very relaxed and chilled out. I was discharged from hospital 48 hours after my daughter was born and was back on my feet very quickly, far quicker than after my son was born with a traumatic shoulder dystocia delivery.

As it turns out during the operation they found a 3 inch tear in my uterus and I was told if I had tried to deliver my daughter naturally I would have been in big trouble. Thank God the consultant offered me the operation.

I've had 3 children over 10 years. The first was an emergency section, the second was forceps delivery but had shoulder dystocia too. The third was an elective c section, and it was by far the best experience.

I would tell anyone if they are offered an elective cesarean to take it.

You have nothing to worry about.

Thank you so so much to everyone who has replied to my post..

Is is so nice to hear that a c-section can in fact be a good thing and an enjoyable experience, I have taken lots of your advice on board and am now frantically looking for pregnancy yoga classes in my area..

Lisa xx

Hiya,

I had a fabulous ELCS 8 weeks ago which was honestly one of the best experiences of my life.

Lots of great birth stories, support and advice on this thread [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/954494-Support-thread-for-those-of-us-who-are-requesting-an here]]

Sorry, here

I've got nothing particularly new to add but just wanted to say my experience was the same as lots of other people's on this thread: my elective section was a fantastic experience and I had a very easy recovery. You're right, it does get portrayed as mainly a negative thing, but there are pros as well as cons and I would have another tomorrow (apart from not wanting another baby!).

There is no medical evidence at all linking c-sections with difficulties in breastfeeding. This is one of the many urban myths spouted about sections. I breastfed for 6 months with no problems after both an elective and an emergency section.

I have had 2 elective sections and they were great - very relaxed calm experience and to be onest once baby is out and on your chest (about 5 minutes in) you forget what they are doing to you and just enjoy the cuddle! I breast fed both in the recovery room. Back on my feet within 24 hours and can honestly say had no actual pain with either. I recovered very quickly - driving within 8-14 days (the 6 week thing is another urban myth) and back out running at 5 weeks post op both times.
Hope all goes well for you.

Hi Chynah,

I am curious about what you said about baby being on your chest within 5 mins as I haven't been told this is an option.. my first two (although emergency so thats prob why) were taken straight off, wrapped up and given to dad.. I didn't get to hold them untill back up on the ward, The hospital has given me a booklet about what to expect from an elective section and that says pretty much the same thing will happen.I must admit I have felt a little sad that I will once again miss out on that first cuddle.. My sis inlaw had her baby naturally and he was put straight on her, giving her amazing skin to skin contact which I have almost envied a little.. but after reading your reply I am wondering if this is in fact something I can request??

Thanks :o)

Hi Lisak,

Maybe you could ask your consultant if it's possible for you - maybe it depends on the hospital but it might be different for an elective as I can imagine it would be much calmer atmosphere than an emergency. With both mine they were lifted out and put on my chest with just a towell wrapped losely over them (it's cold in theatre). They were still mucky so apart from the person who removed them (so to speak!) I was the first to cuddle them and have a good look and then pass them over to daddy (sat next to me)for a cuddle too. They went in to a cot to be wheeled to recovery and then I fed them and they did their stats/weight etc. Neither of them were out of my sight from the moment of birth.

Hope you manage to get what you want.

HI Lisa!

Im going through the same thing as you at around the same time. Baby is due on 8th November, but am very likely to get an ELCS due to EMCS last time for multiple reasons (high bp, mild pre-eclampsia, baby never engaged, baby being distressed...)
I was pretty much offered an ELCS right away from consultant, but given time to think about it, so seeing him again at 34 weeks to discuss.

I've kind of swithered over it more recently - so many doubts in my head (is this the best thing for us? will I regret not trying for a VBAC?), whereas earlier in the pg I was so certiain that ELCS was the way to go. In my sensible head I know that it will be so much easier - planned care, possible quicker recovery, baby and I safe, being able to gear ourselves up for it (which is half the battle IMO).
In my pg head I am having other thoughts like, maybe I will go early so that I can have a natural labour, maybe I want a natural birth (or even just a go at one) as this will probably be my last baby. There's a wee urge, you know?
It's an odd urge that my rational head can't explain...I know that ELCS is better for us. But....you know....what if?!

I will go for ELCS. I have told dh to make sure I don't let fancy notions take me over (last time was horrific, traumatic and prob. the cause of my PND).
But I know what you mean about missing out. Just got to bear in mind the wonderful thing our bodies are doing of actually making a baby and that nothing matters at the end of it except healthy and happy mum and bub.

Hi, I am due to have an ELCS in two weeks time, having had an EMCS with my first baby (failure to progress and failed forceps and failed ventouse).
The registrar who did the EMCS said at the time that there was a mismatch between the size of my pelvis with the baby's head, and I asked if they could do a test to see if it is in fact my pelvis that is too small to give birth naturally.
Apparently there is no such test, and some things I've read say that there is no such thing as a pelvis that is too small, and that every woman can give birth naturally. I disagree with this, as when they tried forceps and ventouse with my first (after 36 hour labour) I was dragged down the bed - the baby was totally stuck.
For a while I wavered and thought I would go for a natural birth this time round, but in the end I am happy with my decision to have ELCS. I just couldn't risk the same happenning again with the second one!

I had an emergency c-section and have had no problems breastfeeding- quite the opposite, LO latched on straight away. I had alittle bit of help from the midwives but have been very, very lucky.
~

Bonding: go for skin to skin ASAP - this is where bonding really happened for me but it was delayed slightly as she was rushed off and given oxygen.... then dumped on me in a big towel. When we got back to the normal room they stripped me off on top, stripped her off and placed her on my tummy. She instantly stopped crying and I instantly felt much less scared,

With a elective c-section you will probably be far more relaxed - and the trauma of a emergency section is probably what affects bfeeding, bonding and PND- I still can't think about my own birth

I would probably go for an elective next time as do not want to go through the sheer terror before the section happened though part of me feels guilty and like I didn't try hard enough. I know several people who opted for an elective second time round and have very positive experiences of it.

Hi Lisa,

Congrats on your pregnancy. I have one DD, born last Dec by ELCS. It was a wholly positive, wonderful experience that I would not change for anything. I will have ELCS for future births also.

I would be a bit more insistent next time about wanting skin-to-skin, as I held her for the first time a good hour after she was born. At the time, it did not seem to matter, I was just so excited that she was here!

DD is now eight months and has never had formula, breastfed only. I know every woman's body is different, but just wanted to share if only to say it is possible.

I hope you feel that your ELCS can be just as valid and special and fantastic an experience as a VB. From what I have heard, there can be a big difference between EMCS and ELCS. Good luck!

Just wanted to say, as someone who has had an elective section (due to breech positioning) and who is planning a VBAC (vaginal birth) this time, please do seek a "second opinion" or a debrief of some sort from another source, such as a supervisor of midwives or another doctor.

I say this not because my elective was an awful experience - I didn't enjoy it, per se, but it didn't emotionally scar me or anything - but because you need to feel at peace with your decision, and from your OP it doesn't sound like you're quite there yet.

I am fairly sure (though I'll never know) that I would still have opted for an elective section with my first birth, but I do wish I had been better informed beforehand because I am left with a niggling doubt now. I'm planning a hospital birth with appropriate monitoring etc this time around and feel confident that I have enough understanding of the current evidence and research to have made this decision for myself, not just that I've done "what the doctor told me to do" like last time.

Best of luck and re the BFing, sections don't necessarily make it harder - I BFed DS for over 2 years following mine! Get yourself clued up and supported before he arrives, insist on early, early skin-to-skin and offer him a feed ASAP after he arrives. It isn't necessarily an obstacle to successful BFing :)

If you've had an em cs then you will find a planned cs a doddle in comparison.

I only took paracetamol for a week after my planned cs and bf was very very easy (skin to skin pic on my profile). However I did stick to the no driving rule and just slobbed out a lot at home for the first month, no housework, lots of ready meals etc, but it was worth it as I recovered well and was at the gym at 12 weeks feeling more than ready to exercise again.

Hope it all goes well. You have plenty of time to plan ahead and that can only be a good thing.

I am terrified of pain and so asked for an ELCS - which I had in february. It was wonderful. Very easy - no pain - baby was perfect and happy. Plopped on my chest after 2mins whilst they stitched me up then skin to skin in the recovery room where she started to breastfeed. I took one paracetamol and was walking round bed within 24hours. Scar is flat and unnoticeable.

I had a planned CS following 1 hospital and 1 home birth.

Fully intended to hate it having cast myself as lentil weaving homebirth type but in actual fact it was wonderful; calm, relaxed, friendly and the CS itself pain free.

My consultant encouraged me to write a birth plan (It IS a birth by the way) and I had all the lights dimmed (apart from main operating light) My baby held up for me to see the sex (everyone other than the consultant looked away so we would be the first to know) I was given immediate skin to skin in theatre and my ds was feeding soon afterwards.

I have very happy memories of the entire event. Good luck with yours.

I had all three of my children by elective CS so I can't compare it with anything else, but they were all very happy, relaxed experiences with medical staff chatting away to me. In all three cases I was up and about the next day and off all meds in a couple of weeks.

I fed all of them in recovery and continued breastfeeding for 12 months each time. Perhaps if you had difficulties before and want to try this time you could go to a breastfeeding class or see a bf counsellor to help you prepare?