C Section Information -Real Life xperiences

[Chynah]

After getting more and more annoyed by the amount of misinformation and scare tales surrounding C-sections I really feel the need to start this thread in order that others who either have to have, or chose to have, C Sections for whatever reason can read the real life experience from those who have been there and done it and make their own decisions.

Please no trying to talk of VBAC or for first timers 'giving it a go' - this is not a place for annecdotes of someones sister or cousins experience this is for first hand experiences only (good & bad) so people can read and make their own minds up.

Be helpful if you could include (obviously up to you):

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference. (NHS or Private)GA or Spinal

Why - if not personal.

time in hospital.

Could you lift/change baby etc

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.

Infections - if any

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)

Whilst I appreciate a C Section is major surgery I also consider it a valid choice. This thread is not here to justify that chic but ONLY to provide real life information from those wo have been there to those who are going there.

Hope this is helful to some.

Elective section, for breech presentation, in an NHS hospital and under spinal anaesthesia (morphine was included in this).

I was discharged exactly 48 hours after DS was born but could have stayed longer had I wished.

I was unable to lift or change baby unaided the first night so had to buzz midwives to help, but thereafter I could do it by myself. It was, however, slow and painful. I managed to breastfeed without too much difficulty but had to ask MWs to help repeatedly (busy night).

I was walking a couple of miles at a slow pace within 2 weeks but I think that was too much. Would have really struggled with a toddler too. I took co-dydramol for about 10 days at a reducing dose, and the pain was significant but not unbearable. Trapped wind was actually a real problem, causing really severe pain. Also it was so painful to go to the loo that I ended up with an anal fissure when I eventually managed a poo.

No infections or wound problems at all.

I was probably totally normal within 2 months although I am sure I have an adhesion because I get occasional pains to one side of the incision and these were worse during the subsequent pregnancy. 6 weeks before I was comfortable with sex.

Overall, despite being perfectly straightforward, calm and complication-free it wasn't a pleasant experience for me (I am a control freak at the best of times and was very, very scared) and isn't a particularly fond memory but DS is here and healthy, as am I, which was the point of the exercise.

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference. (NHS or Private)GA or Spinal
Emergency, epidural, NHS

Why - if not personal.
Failure To Progress - baby was back to back and stargazing - got to 9cm over the course of 3 days but that was it. Surgeons had one helluva job even getting him out the sunroof, there was no way he'd have come vaginally given the position he was in.

time in hospital.
Baby born 3.17am Sunday, discharged 4.30pm Weds, but spent all day Weds waiting for a paed to redo baby's check, and someone to show DH how to do my Clexane jabs, so could have been out sooner.

Could you lift/change baby etc
Didn't have a choice! Midwife/HCA did it while I was back on delivery (didn't get back from theatre until about 6am), then was taken down to postnatal at around 9.30am. I don't remember anyone doing anything for me once I'd demonstrated I could get out of bed without keeling over (so pretty much once the epi had worn off)

But actually, it was fine. Don't know if it was because people seemed to expect I could manage, that I assumed I'd be fine (IYSWIM), but it was.

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
DS first baby, so no lifting toddlers. I drove myself to the shop after 3 weeks, but didn't drive with DS in the car until 6 weeks. That was more to do with getting the car seat in and out though (no rear doors) than the actual driving.

I rang my ins co to ask if it was ok for me to drive, they seemed totally bemused that I had bothered to ask, and said as long as I felt ok it was fine.

I developed severe anaemia after my CS so got tired very easily and a bit breathless, but picked up quite quickly once I was home and sleeping/eating properly. Took about 5 months for my iron/ferritin levels to come back up, but I felt normal within a couple of weeks energy-wise.

I was pottering about doing basic house stuff (washing up etc) within a few days of being home. Didn't try anything like baskets of washing/hoovering for a few weeks.

Walked probably a mile in total the day we registered him, so 9 days later. To be honest it was the tiredness from the anaemia that was more of a problem than the section scar.

Infections - if any
No infections, but my uterus sustained some damage during delivery. Due to position DS was in they couldn't get him out through the horizontal incision, so extended the cut vertically (like an inverted T), then my uterus tore downwards towards my bladder too. From what I can gather,made a sort of wonky cross-shape. Took a long time to repair (DS born 3.17am, was still in theatre at 5.40am cos I remember seeing the clock and asking what time DS had been born, and was it Saturday or Sunday!) and means any future children will be born by elective section due to increased risk of rupture. I was told on the way out of theatre that a hysterectomy had been a very real possibility.

Externally I have a very neat scar and had no problems with healing. Around 4 inches above it was numb for about 6-9 months and still feels not quite normal now if I prod it (DS is almost 14 months)

Overall, while totally not the birth I was expecting, it was not a bad experience. The thought of having future CS doesn't bother me, although I'll be going for a different hospital next time as our other nearest hospital has almost all single rooms not wards.

Although I ended up with some uterine damage, I think that was just the luck of the draw given DS's awkward positioning and how much rummaging they had to do to get him out.

Elective or emergency- serious emergency in NHS hospital
Why- major foetal distress due to cord entanglement
Time in hospital- 6 days after the birth- baby was in nicu and I wanted to establish bfeeding so they let me stay close
Could you lift/change baby etc- I could have done after the first three days but was very wobbly before due to general anaesthetic
Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving- I didn't drive for 5 weeks but probably could have from 3 weeks- was too woozy and fuzzy headed before that
Infections- none. Scar is a little longer than I'd have liked, but very thin and healed very well

All in all I feel that my CS was very well managed and was by far the easiest of my four births (I know I shouldn't say that- I was a committed nature's route birther before but frankly I can see the attraction of CS now). Plus no bits to turn back the right way after the birth as no baby had passed that way. CS saved my baby's life and probably mine too- without it as a possibility (ie before about 60-70 years ago) we would both have died- her quickly and me very slowly and painfully. So very thankful for the possibility of not dying.

Elective or emergency

Semi-elective (not a crash, but not by choice)

NHS or Private
NHS

GA or Spinal
Spinal. Took 40 minutes to get it right, hated having the needle in my back, but the anaesthetist looked after me well I think.

Why - if not personal.
Baby was growth restricted and card was not functionaing properly. Scan showed things had got worse and consultant decided he was best off out and too small to cope with vaginal birth, so had a section to give him the best chance (I was 27 weeks and he was 1lb 4oz).

time in hospital.
I was discharged after less than 48 hours, they were desperate for the bed and I wanted out of the postnatal ward.

Could you lift/change baby etc
If I had had a full term baby there is no way I could have done this by the time I was discharged. I could just about shuffle back and forth to SCBU.

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
No toddlers. I asked to be signed off for driving at my 6 week check (as you are not insured otherwise I think) and doc made me wait until 10 weeks. I could have driven about 3-4 weeks after.

Infections - if any
None and my scar is lovely and neat.

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)
I think about 4-6 weeks after.

Thanks 1944girl!

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference - emergency

(NHS or Private) - nhs

GA or Spinal - spinal

Why - if not personal.

A myriad of reasons but primarily an abrubtion. ( and I was only 27 weeks, and be was breech, and I had a shirodka suture in my cervix)

time in hospital - discharged on day 3

Could you lift/change baby etc - I didn't need to, he was in Scbu. I suspect I would have been fine though.

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving - I did a big shop on the way back from the hospital and was driving after 2 weeks.

Infections - if any - none

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc) - I was back to normal in a couple of weeks.

Loving this thread! Hope it keeps going for a while.

Ds was born in southmead hospital, bristol in april 2009

emergency - although as me and ds weren't in distress it wasn't like an episode of er!
NHS
spinal - i'd already had epidural so spinal was just like a top up.

Why - failure to progress. i got stuck at 9cm, even with a full hormone drip dose.
ds was in op position and stuck
he was pretty big too - 8lb10. i'm a 5 foot 2 size 10.

time in hospital - not enough. ds arrived at 21.57 sunday. i was home by 15.30 Tuesday. they suggested it and we couldn't see why not. with hind sight i should have stayed longer as i was still quite wobbly and fragile.

Could you lift/change baby etc - not until the catheter came out and i got feeling back in my legs. i had an up/ down electric bed which made getting in/out easier.

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
as it was dc1 no toddlers. i did as i was told and stuck to the 6 weeks suggested but probably could have pushed for driving sooner. not sure how i'll lift my huge toddler this time!
i have an almost invisible scar now. i'm very impressed with how it healed!

Infections - i got a water infection an day 4/5 which crippled me as my back ached! antibiotics sorted me out fast! think it was from the catheter

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)
i did a post natal exercise class at 6/7 weeks. it was ok but i did go very gently!
i got other people to do the housework i said i couldn't manage! think i milked that one a bit!

FWIW i'm almost certain i'll do an elcs with dc2. i don't want to go through the same labour again but know what to expect from a cs.

Elective or emergency -
crash section/spinal NHS

Why - if not personal -
Baby in severe distress

time in hospital-
24 hours

Could you lift/change baby etc
Yes as soon as spinal worn off

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving -
Didn't drive for 4 weeks. Able to do light housework within a couple of weeks

Infections - if any -
Scar was a bit infected so given short course of AB

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc) didnt really push myself until 6 weeks but could've done more sooner

My scar is very neat and fading at one end only 7 months later. Main effects have been psychological because of the emergency nature of the birth, given that I had planned a lovely natural birth (yoga/hypnobirthing etc)and feeling like I had 'failed'
However DS happy healthy 7mo and I am still BF'ing
the recovery period was much quicker than I expected and had very little pain.

Emergency c.s due to failure to progess/failed induction

In hospital 4 days

could not lift /change baby for 3 days, too out of it with drugs and the pain.. epidural took 7 or 9 attempts, the pain in my back and my abdomen was unreal

driving - i waited 6 weeks, had no other children to lift

infection in my scar, needed ABX

back to normal , physically within 4 weeks, mentally and emotionally about 4.5 years. I had PND/ PTSD triggered by the birth and found it overwhelming and terrifying

Elective or emergency | DS emergency after failure to progress and very long labour including being induced etc. Had to beg them for a CS and eventually they gave in.
DD 4yrs later was elective, and my choice as i didnt want to go through all that again.

time in hospital.2 different hospitals in N Ireland, I was in for 4 or 5 days each time, which was the norm for all the ladies having CS

Could you lift/change baby etc - I had really quick recovery both times, although much more tired after the EmCS as was so tired after no sleep for nearly 48 hours.

Recovery time - really very easy, had a HV visit me at home, and had good advice from physios in hospital. My DH was in hospital at the same time for knee surgery, so I had no choice really but to get on with it.
Second time round was even easier, had a very relaxing time in hospital for first 4 days and then asked to go home, as was missing my DS and DH and some nice food.

The after pains were not so bad and anyway they were quite generous with painkillers if you asked them.

A bit constipated each time, and in fact they wouldn't let me leave hospital until i had done a poo!

Infections - I have a very neat scar - and it is very low down. Would easily be covered by a bikini if i was skinny enough to wear one.

How long back to normal - I was feeling fairly much back to normal within a week both times. I was driving after a week and just getting on with life. This helped me to be honest as I needed to get out or I would have got cabin fever.
It was fine walking the pram each time and I was exercising properly after around 6 weeks.
The scar used to hurt a bit when I laughed - but like when you had done toon many sit-ups.

If any of you section veterans had any scar discomfort in subsequent pregnancies would you please come and talk to me over here: Please talk to me about your section scar during subsequent pregnancies.

Thank you for this thread, its given me alot to think about.
I tore quite badly with DD & had 3 lots of surgery to repair the damage caused & am now pregnant again & contemplating an elective section. It seems to have its pros & cons. Have any of you had the section because of incontinence issues? While not incontinent I do need to go really quickly when i feel the urge iyswim. Thats my main reason for considering a section.....any advice greatly recieved

Jelly - Random witterings here, haven't slept much recently so I hope this makes sense and helps a bit! There are lots of people on the Childbirth Thread for those choosing an Elcs after a traumatic birth here and you might find those stories useful too.

I had my elcs in June because of incontinence issues with my bladder after an awful forceps birth where I tore badly beyond the episiotomy and internally. I have urge incontinence, a sudden need to go NOW. It comes and goes and has improved a lot, but given the menopause hormonal changes will worsen any incontinence issues I felt an elcs was my best chance at longterm decent health (and safer for DC2 as DC1 was very, very stuck and very lucky).

Check out the General Health thread on Childbirth Injuries here - sobering reading on how much damage can be done with 3rd and 4th degree tears (as you know all too well). With repairs already done I would ask your consultants the likelihood of it being undone by a vb. If you tore badly before perhaps that area is more prone to further damage this time? They must be able to advise. The current Royal College of Gynae and Obs advice is that there is no value in having an episiotomy just to help prevent tearing - it doesn't improve the odds.

There are scans that can be done to see how strong the anal muscles are if they were weakened by your previous tears. I don't know whether your tears affected your bowel control as well as your bladder (I was fortunate to avoid that, which was another reason I wanted to avoid badly tearing again) if it did I would personally be really cautious about trying for a vb. It is not impossible to have a tear so bad that a colostomy bag is needed longterm. Obviously that is an extreme worst case scenario, but I wanted to know all these things so I could weigh them against the risks of abdominal surgery and my previous history while making my decision.

The pelvic floor muscle is also weakened through vb, the big stretch as the baby comes through is especially tough on the muscle, though pregnancy itself puts pressure on it as well. Incontinence is worsened by a weak pelvic floor and my physio said in my position after DC1 she would have gone for an elcs for that reason alone.

There are major risks with surgery, and the bladder and bowels can be damaged by pregnancy and an elcs as well (but that is much, much rarer than with vb or worse instrumental birth), but I weighed up my specific history and ongoing symptoms and thought it was the better choice for the longterm health of DC2 and myself.

Obviously go with your gut instinct, neither route is completely safe and they carry different risks to mother and child. A c-section can make it harder to have further pregnancies so perhaps your plans on how many children you would like might affect your choice (I wanted two so easy for me).

After all my reading and pondering I would just emphasize - think longterm health when viewing it all, not all incontinence can be fixed and it gets worse once menopause hits. You would know already, but it affects so many aspects of your life incl. your sex life, self image, and in some cases even what jobs people can do (if you have to be able to get to a toilet very quickly all the time, or if you have uncontrollable wind). It's no light thing and I found some people quick to shrug it off as a bit of stress incontinence that everyone gets after childbirth. In my head I was already weak in that area so I didn't want to risk worsening it - whereas my abdomen had never had any surgery so I thought it could cope better!

I have had 4 c sections. My recovery from the fourth was a bit slower than my first, but thats to be expected I suppose. I never had any infections and would have taken a bath in tea tree oil as often as I got the chance. The best thing I bought was a long handled dustpan and brush. But I would have tried to do housework that didnt require any bending, at least for first 2 weeks. I might have felt able to drive but there is no way I would have when my insurers said no.

Lovethesea thank you soo much for the post. Thanks for the links there really is alot to think about.
Part of me wants a vb as I think it would be easier to get over then I come back to earth & rem what I already went through. I only had a 2nd degree tear but messed up quite badly, gave birth vv quickly the MW kept dissappearing & I gave birth in a side ward, not del room!, then when she was sewing me up said, I cant see what im doing
I have good bladder control but urge issues the other end though it has got better. When DD was born I couldnt even hold in wind!!!, I thought that was normal Regarding the section I am also afraid of the dreaded overhang that I hear soo many talking about with a section, vain I know but.... I suppose better to have a bit of a belly than the other!!

I have had two sections

section one

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference. (NHS or Private)GA or Spinal
Elective spinal

Why - if not personal.

Previous shoulder dystocia nearly lost my dd1

time in hospital.
three days

Could you lift/change baby etc
at times required support for first week

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
eight weeks, traumatic as had a 18 month old toddler as well

Infections - if any

yes, developed within four highs internal infection that caused serious concern for 24hrs,coupled with huge blood loss lots of iv antibiotics required. Also wound infection in total 6 weeks of antibiotics. Was told that I was also told skin was very fragile and stitches had been a nightmare to complete.
Also spinalinserted incorrectly by student aneathatist so headaches for a couple of weeks.

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)

three months for all clear

section 2

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference. (NHS or Private)GA or Spinal

elective spinal

Why - if not personal.
twin pregnancy

time in hospital.
hree days

Could you lift/change baby etc
after 24hrs

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
was fine by two weeks

Infections - if any
none but was given antibiotics during section and for 24hrs after

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)
three weeks

The second section was handled very well to take into account previous one, They did have to cut through more muscles than normal as had to avoid previous scar completly so the scar is just below belly button and very obvious.

Well, I can't say I have had a c section but I certainly begged for one and after being told there was no need for one at my 41 week appointment I finally went into labour on my own at home, it all happened so quick, by the time I got to hospital I was 8 cm dilated and my beautiful baby girl was born shortly after but she passed away!

It was a straightforward labour, no drugs, no intervention, no tearing but boy do I regret it! I cannot handle people who frown upon c sections...I just wanted a healthy baby and as far as I am concerned, it does not matter how they enter the world...they certainly don't remember!

My baby died at Kingston hospital on Sunday the 3rd October and we are still waiting for answers....truly pathetic and horrifying that we have still heard nothing and after I begged for a section because I felt something was wrong but it wasn't a good enough reason!

such a good thinking, I had elective CS 4 yrs ago,cos of twins (I wanted one anyway)I had general anaesthesia (on request) cos I was was huge, up and about in 20 hrs,hospitalised for 3 days. a very good and easy birth in my opinion. back to normal just in 2 to 3 weeks.I will prefer a CS in future if I pg again. I am terrified of normal vg delivery...

Dimi

I am so sorry. Please take care of yourself now. There are no words.

Hello,

I've actually just come on here for the first time in a year to find out about other people's experiences as I had my DS three months ago and am still not fully recovered (I think more mentally than physically though) but I think most people would say I have (apart from maybe DH).

So,

Emergency C-Section after 50 odd hours of labour, having my waters broken (I thought they had but apparently 'not enough') then the hormone drip (to 'regularise' my contractions which went on for over 12 hours before they admitted it'd had no effect apart from making them more painful), pushing for an hour (I had to wait two hours after being fully dilated as they hoped he'd move down) and then they checked and couldn't do suction on him.

Spinal as I'd already had an epidural for the pain from the hormone drip.

I'd wanted a pain relief free home birth and still believe if I wasn't made to go in (due to my waters having 'broken') I'd have been fine which is probably what my problem with it all is.

A week in hospital (6 days after birth). One day of labour, one day of labour and birth, five days of DS on antibiotics (seems I had an infection and they wanted to be 'careful') and another day to force feed him as he wouldn't latch properly which I think was due to me being on strong painkillers (I didn't realise what I'd been given) and the antibiotics for both of us. It took three weeks for him to breastfeed properly and a lot of stress.

Couldn't do anything for him for the first few days, he was handed to me to be fed and then I'd spend an hour trying. Got out of bed after 24 hours but didn't move much as was 'barrier nursed' due to infection so wasn't allowed out of my room! Was able to walk around properly after a couple of weeks but yet again, think if I wasn't in hospital I'd have recovered quicker as I had hardly any food, no sleep (people checking on us constantly and when they send DH home so I could rest all the staff would turn up), no exercise and improved drastically once I'd got out. Still have weird trapped wind tummy on and off but apart from that I'm pretty much 'normal' again.

My 'scar' didn't heal as I was stapled. They took the second lot out on the day I left hospital and it was only when I got home I realised it was weeping. Had to go to GP's every other day for a month (wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks) until the hole closed up and still have a dressing on it now which I'm allowed to change. Reckon it'll be another month at least.

Due to that (and generally not feeling too sexy!) still haven't had sex with DH. Got told off for walking 'too much' a month after birth as my wound suddenly didn't heal so well...

To sum up, my worst nightmare happened! If I had planned it (which due to DS's size and my lack of it was mentioned, then decided against) I would have been better prepared mentally and would have known about exercises and the pain of trapped wind before. The panic of being rushed through a busy hospital, a spinal block which gave me the shakes (poor DH thought I'd gone into shock) and more importantly, not being able to hold DS was horrific. I've been told I can go for natural next time and I think I will but, if it starts going wrong I'll ask for a c-section sooner.

Here's mine:

EMC, my waters broke at 26 weeks and I picked up an infection at 28 weeks, I was really ill, I was having contractions as my body tried to get the baby out.

General, I asked for an epidural, but was told (very kindly) by MW that there wasn't time.

I was in hospital for a week. On the maternity ward for 4 days and then stayed on SCBU for the rest of the time as I just could not handle leaving without my baby. She stayed in SCBU for 11 weeks.

Couldn't lift DD etc, because she was too poorly.

Recovery took a couple of weeks although I still get some pain now, 8 months later. and I am still numb in places.

Infection, yes, but not on my scar.

Back to normal in about a month.

Elective or emergency (I do believe it makes a difference. (NHS or Private)GA or Spinal

ds1 emcs, spinal and epidural. 18 hour labour, no progression from either of us. in the evening and so didn't get out of bed until the following day.
Could pick up baby but was very fearful of scar, having a shower and generally breaking. Came home after two nights, felt amazing and over estimated what I could do, including a trip to Waitrose on the way home!! BAD mistake. Baby fed for an hour in recovery. Milk came in after a couple of days.
I drove after 6 weeks.

ds2 GACS (some stupid person insisted VBAC, not me)
Eager to get home after two nights to see my 14 month old!! Couldn't lift him, but we had practised special sit down cuddles just in case this happened. I drove after 6 weeks.

dd1 elcs
Lovely, first on list, stayed in for two nights.

ds3 elcs
Stayed in for three nights in a private room, wonderful!!!

Recovery time -ie lifting toddlers - driving.
Recovery was similar each time, about a week of only lifting baby, another couple of weeks of taking it very easy and driving after six weeks.
Infections - if any, slight scar infection, cleared up with antibiotic powder.

How long back to normal (housework,exercising etc)

What's exercise?
Housework, I took six whole weeks!! My mother came to stay. I could do some stuff after a couple of weeks.

Had sex after three weeks...well the first couple fo times!!

The most scary thing is that you fell euphoric and think you cna do things that you can't.