I am absolutely gutted :-( ECV didn't work. Can't believe how upset I am and comments from friends are not helping. :-(

[CrapBag]

Had an ECV today. It didn't work. Baby has her bottom firmly wedged in my pelvis. The consultant really did have a good go at getting her to turn but I think he thought fairly early on it wasn't going to work. After an attempt in each direction, he knew she wasn't shifting.

Now having an ELCS in 2-3 weeks time.

After having a 3rd degree tear last time and deciding that I really didn't want an ELCS this time but wanted to do a natural birth, I am absolutely gutted to not have that choice. They did say I could try for a vaginal birth but I didn't want to risk it after having the tear last time so felt that an ELCS was the slightly better option.

I feel so down. I should be excited that my baby will be here in less than 3 weeks but this just seems to have overshadowed it and comments like "oh well, at least you can be prepared" and "at least its over soon" are really not helping. I am devastated tbh and I don't like these stupid 'optomistic' comments that are basically saying "never mind".

I know there is nothing I can do and I have to just get on with it. I am well aware of that but I am really upset about it and want to feel that I am justified in being upset and not think "oh well, never mind" because that isn't what I think.

I was looking forward to waiting to go into labour and even though I had a difficult forceps birth last time, I was really looking forward to giving birth again and now I'm not.

I know the outcome will be fine, the safe delivery of my baby but it doesn't stop me from feeling sooooooo down about it.

I know I can hope she will turn but given how the consultant really tried, I know in my heart of hearts it isn't going to happen and she is staying put.

I just want to cry tbh.

Recovery isn't that bad if you had a 3rd degree tear last time you probably won't find CS any worse.

With my first I came home from hospital and was cleaning the bathroom and loading he washing machine straight away.

My DH went back to work 2 weeks after each of my 3 CS, (2 EMCS, then 1 ELCS), I was totally fine by then, I was on my own with the children, doing school run (30 minute walk each way with a pram and buggy board with a heavy 3 year old on), just carrying on as normal, so if it will be a real strugle for your DH to have 4 weeks off he honestly doesn't need to, 2 weeks is plenty of time for you to be able to manage easily.

So please put any worries about recovery out of your head of course there can be complications but that is true of any birth and a normal straight-forward CS isn't as bad as is made out.

Hoping it will be ok then.

But I have M.E. so DH is going to take the extra time off as I want help as much as possible after major surgery. I definitely will not be up and doing loads. I want to take advantage of the fact that I can't. Last time I didn't rest nearly as much as I should have done and I feel pretty resentful about those first weeks after DS. This time is going to be very different.

I had ELCS with DD as she was breech - when I found out I would have to have a section (well not forced, but decided it was the best option in the circumstances) I went home and cried and cried. I felt so disappointed in my body and all the preparation I'd been doing for the birth, and I felt cheated. People telling me "it's for the best, as long as your baby's safe" just made me feel as if I was selfish for not wanting a section. However, the op itself was absolutely fine, and the recovery was not too bad. I spent 5 days in hospital but the last day was because DD not putting on weight, and in some respects it was good to stay in as I found the electric reclining bed really helpful.

I'm now 24 weeks preg and hoping for a VBAC, but in case I end up with another section there are a few things I'm going to put on my C-section plan. If you haven't already, you could think about how you can plan it to make it more what you want. When DD was born they didn't lower the screen or hold her up for me to see, and then whisked her onto the table thing out of my sight for a few minutes while they did the checks. Also there was a period where DD went outside the room with DH while they finished stitching me and then transferred me onto the bed to go to recovery - it probably wasn't more than 5 minutes but it felt like forever and I didn't know where DD was (I knew she was with DH, but didn't know why). If I have another section I will be very clear that I want (any emergency medical issues permitting of course): screen lowered/baby raised so I can see as soon as lifted out; kept in my sight at all times; skin to skin on operating table with blanket on top to keep baby warm.

I hope you are able to feel ok about it before it happens :)

My DC2 was transverse at 34 weeks and I was upset at the idea of possibly having to have a c-section. I read something on a an American Midwives website about doing handstands in the swimming pool to help babies turn. I did it and though he had turned which my mw confirmed the next day at my appt. I'm not saying it would definitely work but it is worth a trip to the local swimming pool (or maybe not the local one as you look a bit odd doing handstands at 8 months pg) to try

Just found this thread again and now I can't believe it.

ELCS was bloody amazing and if I have anymore, I will have another one. Just didn't compare to DS's birth and the pain and recovery after. It did help that I managed to get my own room with an on suite after (by accident). 10 days on and the pain is definitely less, I am up and about and have been out a couple of times and am feeling a bit stir crazy at home now. With DS I just didn't want to leave the house, now I can't wait. I am being careful not to over do it though, although I keep forgetting and reaching up for things and I lifted DH's small tool box yesterday, which he told me off for.

Makes me smile to read my post now. I worried for nothing. It was lovely to sit and calmly wait to go to theatre, then just lay there and I didn't even realise they had started when DD appeared from around the screen!

Glad you had a good experience! I had a great C-Sec. Loved every min of it, was home 2 days after and recovered fully within 2 weeks.
I went into labour 2 weeks before my planned ELCS - DS was breech. Went into hospital at 3pm, waters broke at 4pm he was born at 7pm. Loved it!!

:)

CrapBag, congratulations on your new DD!!!

Am so glad to hear that many of you had positive CS experiences and recoveries, and hope that you are enjoying your LOs! My ELCS is scheduled in less than 3 weeks unless the baby's head drops. Have finally eased my mind about it, but it was quite the emotional roller coaster! :)

How brilliant. Congratulations.

ckny, I had an emcs and the recovery was just fine. I was discharged after 12 hours and physically fine straight away, no painkillers, no problems. And that was an emergency. You do only what your body tells you to do and accept your experience as your own, don't feel any guilt about any of it but a cs is not always a 6wk period of pain and immobility. Mine was quite the opposite.

Exactly!

I was expecting to be laid up and in agony for weeks and it has been nothing like that. As long as I take it easy, I am recovering really well. Its been 11 days and I feel so much better than after the labour, 3rd degree tear and forceps I had with DS.

I was gutted after my failed ECV too.

I then I ran myself ragged trying all the bloody stupid, unproven ways to turn a baby that I could find. There's no research to back up any of them, by the way.

I felt much better when I "gave up" and accepted that my DD was breech and probably staying that way.

I did a vaginal home birth, BTW, but honestly, the relief I felt from just accepting her breechness was immense.

I hope all goes well.

Note to self: Read to the end of the thread first before posting!!!

Congratulations on the new arrival! It's lovely to hear positive stories about any variety of birth.

ShowofHands, so happy to know that your EMCS was not as traumatic as some of my friends'!

B, amazing that you delivered your breach at home, well done!!!!!

CrapBag, I'm delighted you had such a positive CS experience. What a great way for a thread to develop!

I had a planned CS and it was wonderful. Very quick recovery - great experience. I too will be having any subsequent DCs by ElCS if we are lucky enough to get pregnant again.

Thats what I have said too gloyw.