How different are elective c-sections to emergency ones?

[BibiTwo]

I am only 15 weks pg but am already panicking about the c-section. I had an emergency section with dd last October and have decided to opt for a planned this time.

Being to total 'fraidy cat some of you will know I am, I am already having dreams about it and worrying that I'll feel something, the spinal will hurt like hell, that I'll have a massive bleed etc. It sounds silly, but I don't want to talk to my midwife about this, she doesn't seem to know very much about anything. When I asked for a bit of info on sections the last time in case the situation arose, she poo-pooed the idea and told me nothing (pretty similar to the hospital classes and most other midwives I spoke to).

Before my dd's birth, I had some wonderfully supportive advice adn reassurance on here about what would happen if I ended up with a section, so I thought I'd ask again.

TIA

I had a planned section with DD1 and I was terrified beforehand but the actual procedure is ok - it was all very relaxed, friendly and personal. Having a spinal block is just like a big injection (not that bad) and is easier if you try to relax - you dont feel anything (maybe a slight pulling on your tummy). I got to hold my daughter after about a minute and breastfed after 20 mins. The medical professional will probably try to persuade you to go for a natural birth but stick to your guns. Good luck!

I had a planned section with DD1 and I was terrified beforehand but the actual procedure is ok - it was all very relaxed, friendly and personal. Having a spinal block is just like a big injection (not that bad) and is easier if you try to relax - you dont feel anything (maybe a slight pulling on your tummy). I got to hold my daughter after about a minute and breastfed after 20 mins. The medical professional will probably try to persuade you to go for a natural birth but stick to your guns. Good luck!

I had an emergency the first time and a planned one the second time.

If you dont mind me asking bibi, why did you have the emergency section?

fwiw i enjoyed my planned section, it was much more straight forward, healed quickly, was mobile and discharged from hospital quickly and recovery was better. i had a very traumatic emergency section first time round and I was very concerned about birth the second time around. think it quite natural if you have had such a negative experience first time.

Try not to worry

One of the main differences for me was that there was a lot of waiting around for the planned one as emergencies take priority. So I came into hospital at 8am for a 9am slot, and ds2 was born at 7:15pm. I had to be hydrated by a drip mid afternoon.

But it is more relaxed, and you get to walk into theatre and hop up onto the bed. If there is any problem with the spinal they can pop you under with ga very quickly indeed. Without wishing to freak you, I wasn't happy with the spinal for my elective so had ga. This did mean that ds2 had formula for his first feed (adminstered by a very proud and happy father, sitting in chari beside me!), but beyond that he was happily b/fed thereafter (well I did eventually wean him!).

for me - the difference was waiting all day for the elective. No1 was an emergency c-section and I really did not have time to think about anything NOR did I have anything with me ie hospital bag etc.

No2 - was due in theatre at 10.30am finally got in around 3.30pm. SO a lot of waiting which is not good for an impatient madam for me. Made child care planning much easier ( although obviously did not need it 1st time round) Had all my stuff organised. Was able to nurse and hold dd2 whilst they stitched me up and had her with me in recovery. Dd1 had to be taken straight to ICU and then spent time in SCBU. I also knew what to expect in terms of the op instead of not really having any idea. Recovery was better and quicker.. as again I knew what to expect in terms of what I could and could not do.

My emergency section came after a l-o-n-g labour on syntocinon drip and a cr*ppy epidural that only worked down one side of my body. In 47 and a half hours I never got past 8cm dilated and dd got v distressed so was rushed into theatre Holby City style at 1am.
I was knackered, emotional, v upset and stressed to say the least after being promised a pain-free labour when they convinced me to have the epidural (ha!) and don't want to put myself, my dh or my db through that ordeal again.
I have had the "there's no reason you can't have a vbac this time, give your bodya chance" talk from the midwives, but I refuse to discuss it, just like they refused to discuss emergency sections with me the first time round. Not that i'm stubborn or anything...

I was scared before my planned c-section too, but I agree the procedure is fine and I had a good birth experience.

I've had 2 sections, (after a vaginal delivery that resulted in my daughter being born still), and so long as your baby is born alive, does anything thing else really matter??

You know - I wanted a VBAC as I had a then 2 yo with DOwn syndrome who was not walking and I figured the six weeks etc of recovery not lifting, not driving etc would make life difficult if I had a c-section.... dd1 had therapy etc to attend. I sw a few docs during my hospital visits and they were all pushing for a c-section - the only one not - my GP and my named consultant. Another thing the consultant told me was that as dd2 was 1 1/2 times dd1's size - the pressure etc on the scar could be an issue. I ended up 10 days overdue having my c-section- the decision for the section was made after a l ong discussion with my consultant who was brilliant.

I did not want a VBAC to be some woman who feels cheated as I did not experience labour etc - i wanted it for practical reasons... have no issue with never having experienced labour of given birth to my two vaginally.

I have two beautiful amazing girls that to me - the birth process is but a small part in their lives.

The only thing I can remember from the spinal was the warm sensation as the drugs were injected that came over my body - felt fab. NO massive bleed although you will still have some locchia after the operation.

2nd time round I was organised enough to be taking arnica that I htink helped me heal quicker than with dd1. Something considering dd1 stayed in until she was 3 weeks old and I did not have to do a thing but sit by her humidicrib whereas with dd2 - had dd1 to care for as well as dd2.

IF you are getting no support from your midwives etc - I would ask for an appointment with your named consultant and put it to her/him what you want and ask that it be noted on your notes etc. I did that here in Aus and it was great - even though I ended up with the c-section. I was so glad in the end - I just was sick of waiting and anticipating dd2's arrival once the date was set - I was so much more relaxed, especially as I knew what to expect in terms of the c-section.

BibiTwo - I'll be able to let you know how they differ after the end of November. I know we had similar births in October and I have an elective booked towards the end of November for db2. I have had all kinds of worries about this but the way I look at it is that at least this time I won't be so completely exhausted before I even give birth. Ds was born by section after 48 hours of labour and in the week I spent in hospital I had a total of 8 hours sleep. The whole experience was the worst time of my life and I even had counselling afterwards. That's simply no way for you to start your new life with your baby. Of course the recovery will still be hard but tbh I'm not sure that having stitches in your nether regions and not being able to sit down/pee/poo for days/weeks after a vaginal delivery is much fun either.