Elective c-section?

[Sunflower26]

Just interested in everyone's thoughts on elective c-sections in secondary / later pregnancies. I had emergency c-section under general anaesthetic with my son, and probably going for VBAC this time around, but very nervous - anyone got any thoughts or experiences to share?

not much help but im in the same situation at the moment. Im 28 weeks tomorrow and really really confused. id like to go for a vbac for 2 reasons my ds is will only be 20 months so a quicker recovery would be better and im due 30th dec so 1 week before would be christmas. i know i could end up going into labour then anyway but the thought ive not spending christmas with my family is really worrying me.

My first labour was horrible 53 hours not progressing then failed forceps then emcs which resulted in me needing 3 pints of blood after and our son spending a week in neonatal with sepcis.

If its going to be anything like that labour then obviously id go for elcs its just the length of stayin the hospital after thats bothering me.

I just dont know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!

That makes mine sound like a picnic! Poor you - can completely understand. Most people seem to think it's worth trying naturally but with the proviso that if it's not progressing quickly that you have a c-section sooner than first time. Who knows... such a hard decision! Am leaning towards VBAC but as you say, it's tricky. Sorry, no help either!

Only had the one, she was born by elective caesarian and general anaesthetic. Lovely.

yeah id definately specify that if somethings nt going right it would be straight in for section no hanging about. The surgeon even said id been left to long with my son.

Had emergency c, ds1, ds2 emcs with GA, 3&4 elective. The length of stay is wonderful!! It was the only place I got any rest.

DS1&2 are 14 months apart!!

One DS, born by elective section, under GA, wonderful, and would have that again if i have more.

"Most people seem to think it's worth trying naturally.." Actually, it's the other way round. After a section for the first birth, only 25% of women try for a VBAC with their second. Of those, about 66% succeed in getting a vaginal birth, so it's a slightly lower rate than normal (75%).

I had an emergency cs and then an elective cs 2 years later. They were poles apart - horrible experience with my emergency one, lots of pain needing morphine and a long recovery time. My elective was wonderful, pain-free and I had an amazingly quick recovery.

Look at all the facts and statistics and then make your decision based on what's right for you.

gemhandley,

1- I think the quicker recovery might be a myth. I know VB people who have needed months to recover... some never did. REally truly horrible consequences regarding bladder infections, pelvic floors, and bad tears. And I know section people who were back to normal in a week or two. I am having my second elcetive section in December. Walk in the park next to my emergency one.

2- If I were your baby I think I'd rather have my birthday before and not after Christmas. I am due on the 25th and have scheduled section for 16th.

I had an elective 2nd time around. It did what is said on the tin. Very efficient recovery. Driving after 2 weeks (I felt able).

If I had wanted to have more than 2 children, I would have given VBAC more serious thought. Then again, I know women who have had 4 cs with no problems.