CS - What are your views

[SavannahRose]

Curious...

Am 29 weeks, getting anxious about the birth. Was in labour for 4 days with 1st and considering a CS? Is it too late to ask? What is the experience like having a CS? How many weeks do they perform a CS?

Thanks

I had a CS 10 days early when i had DD mainly due to a traumatic birth with DS 5 years before. I asked at 32 weeks although it had been mentioned at 26 weeks too. I found my CS was so much calmer than the ventousse delivery and 19 hour labour i had with DS. I recovered alot quicker too......was up and about 3 days later with DD and with natural birth i was in hospital for 7 days and not right for 6 weeks as episiotomy didnt heal. after the CS i was up and fine after 3 weeks!

ASK.........thats all you can do. make sure you explain yourself.

I am due my DS2 in 5 weeks and have had a CS agreed from 12 weeks and will get my date next week!

My previous was an EMCS so slightly different. It isn't the easier option it comes with it's problems but so do some natural births.
It is a major op which leaves a scar. You will be confined to bed after here it is 18 hours. You will need a cathater. You can't drive mine was 4 weeks with permission from GP for insurance purposes.
I don't know what your previous birth was like, so this could sound like a walk in the park campared. Just makes sure you know the risks and research it.
As for being to late, I don't think it is, but speak to your midwife.

Hello Savannah
I ended up have 2 CS both after very long labours. CS is major surgery. My first wound became infected and I got heamatomas (sp) which were really painful until they burst open . I have a very ugly hangy over bit of fat/skin which I have put down to the CS, (nothing to do with me being fat and lazy ) My second was alot better with no infections and healed quicker. It is more difficult to attend to your baby as at first you will have a catherher (sp) in and won't be able to move, then once its removed getting in and out of bed is hard. I found moving around painful for a whole week. Then you need to think about being stuck in hospital for 4 days possibly in a ward with other Mums and babies, I would soooo get a private room next time.
There are positives though, with an elcs you would know exactly when to expect the baby, which would help with childcare arrangements for DC's. Also the actual birth would be relativily pain free......

Actually in out hospital for an elcs you are out after 24h!!!
The midwife was very clear/ blunt about that!

I would rather be in labour for 4 wks and give birth vaginally than have a CS.

I had 2 normal deliveries followed by a CS with my 3rd, the recovery was far more difficult, i was not sewn correctly and 5days later at home my scar ruptured and i ended up holding my insides in the bathroom, i was blue lighted in for emergency surgery, had mrsa infection, have been left with continuing pain, ptsd, bowel problems, unattractive scar and the cs overhang.

If its any consolation my 1st was 25 hours but my 2nd only 6 hours in labour

I was only in 48 hours with my EMCS and was out the same day as women who had ELCS at the same time. Here it is 2 days unless complications.
But DS was born at 10.30am so that was counted as a day, if he had been born after 12 it wouldn't if that makes sense.

I have had 2 ELCS. Back driving within 2 weeks first time and 8 days second time times and back out running after 5 weeks. Really good recoveries and no pain and tiny scar.

Had a couple of nights in hospital each time.

SavannahRose -

You will find good and bad experiences of both CS and VB on this board, as I'm sure you know. I had an ELCS for my DS recently, 1st DC, due to primary birth phobia, and it was a wonderful experence with a very quick recovery. It is worth bearing in mind that planned CS's and emergency CS's are very different experiences. Many of the problems, esp with baby's health at birth, and mother's recovery, are associated with emergency CS's not planned ones. So just bear that in mind when reading responses.

You can ask for a CS whenever you want - maternal request is not a reason for one being 'granted', though. You will need to see a consultant, as they are the ones who agree it. You can usually make an appt with a consultant yourself if your MW is not helpful - normally they will refer you.

If you are requesting a CS because of a previously traumatic birth, then the main reasons they are normally granted are physical damage and the risk of making it worse (e.g ongoing incontinence, although it's mainly bowel incontinence that's taken seriously) - and psychological damage, such as PTSD following a traumatic birth, and the risk to a mother's mental health os another unwanted VB.

'Simply' having had a difficult or long labour with your first DC is unlikely to be seen as a reason for a CS. You will probably be told 2nd births are normally easier, and not to worry. If you feel there is a strong mental health issue for you here, I'd recommend both mentioning it to your MW and your GP, and asking to be seen by the perinatal mental health team. They are likely to want to explore counselling as a first option.

CS's are not normally carried out before 39 weeks.

Normal hospital stay is 48 hours these days. You can drive as soon as you feel physically able and comfortable. I'd read so much about 'you can't drive for 6 weeks! You need permission from your insurers!' but when I rang my insurance company, they didn't know why I was calling. As far as they were concerned, if I felt well enough to drive, then I was fine.

I took things gently after my CS - stood and showered 12 hours later, felt fine, was pretty mobile after day one, although sitting up from lying had to be done carefully - had stitches out 5 days later. I was careful not to do anything too strenuous - friends who'd had CS's had felt better so quickly they did things like clean the house from to bottom, and then felt quite achey (unsurprisingly). In general I'd say I had a great recovery - I've had my appendix out, and that was much worse (although I'd had acute appendicitis beforehand for 2 days - maybe if I'd been in labour for days I'd've felt awful after a CS).

I was induced for first birth - absolutely awful experience as dd's heart rate dropped, ventouse, episiotomy, lost 1.5l of blood. The pain from stitches was horrendous.

Second birth elcs - absolute dream. Had zero pain from scar and 3 weeks on, scar barely visible, v quick recovery, mobile much quicker, controlled circumstances.

1emcs, 1 elective cs. I found the recovery after both very easy - up after a few hours, able to walk around comfortably, lift toddlers, do hoovering etc no problem. Friends who had a natural birth took much longer to get back to normal.

yes the scar is there but so low I can wear a bikini, yes the skin is a bit flabby but if I did a few sit ups it would not be so bad.

I had an elective section at 39 weeks for DD (footling breech) 3 years after giving birth vaginally to DS. They just don't compare - they are entirely different exeriences. For me the c-section was absolutely awful. The op took 90 minutes, I kept losing consciousness throughout due to how much blood I was losing, and now, 9 months later, my scar, although pale, is still around 9 inches long. I am still absolutely gutted I didn't get to give birth to DD vaginally and cry about it at least once a week. But then I really enjoyed the experience of giving birth to DS. You must do what's best for you but a c section is by no means an easy option if you ask me, and carries real and very serious risks.

I have had 2. First was a breeze, no problems, quick recovery. Second was awful as I ended up with a \link{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_headache\spinal headache}. I had two blood patches as described in the link, neither of which worked. I ended up lying flat for about 2 weeks before it went away. My dh was given 2 weeks compassionate leave (paid) on top of 2 weeks paternity leave.

First time round I was given metal clamps kind of like staples, which were a bit sore to have taken out. Second time was a running stitch thing with a bead on the end, as soon as the community midwife left after taking it out, I had bleeding, she had to come back and fix me up.

The best advice I had and did use was to stick a sanitary pad horizontally to an old granny pair of knickers as it lies nice and flat against the wound as you recover in the first few days or so.

I had dd at 38 weeks and ds at 39 + 6.

I've had two elective sections.

DD was born, almost five years ago, at 38 weeks and the whole experience was wonderful, although they did need forceps to pull her back as she was so well engaged. We were in hospital for six nights, due to DD's jaundice and my PGP.

DS was born seven weeks ago, at 39 weeks. A fairly traumatic time, but we are both okay. My blood pressure kept dropping very low and making me feel weird. DS was back to back and presented face first and then got stuck and not even forceps could shift him. In the end another surgeon was called in to assist and didn't even have time to scrub, so a bit scary. We were in four nights but were given the option of leaving after three.

My tummy looked ok after the first one,but after two I have the typical shelf of podge above the scar,like wearing knickers a couple of sizes too small.
The actual op is ok.strange,but alright.Although I crashed after DD1 and had the crash team,lights on,bells ringing,very frightening as I was back on the ward,holding dd,and only just managed to hand her to DH-who was about to leave-before I passed out.I still go cold thinking of her landing on the floor if he'd gone.I was very frightened of another one,but the second was fine.I am still slightly numb in places (nearly four years on),which is common.I took quite a while to recover,at least it was all manageable but it was sore for a long time.

I had DD1 at 40 + 16, I was pretty big by that time

They'd tried to induce but she wasn't having any of it so delivered her by c-sect.

Had DD2 at 39wks with an ELCS where they gave me two dates to pick from to have her, which was weird choosing her birthday.

Having not even had a contraction I can't imagine what a natural birth is like, but I can honestly say that I found the c-sects to be an amazing experience.

I was calm and happy (poss the drugs? ), they were both calm and happy, and everything went smoothly.

I wasn't in that much pain afterwards and escaped from the hospital on day three after having them being able to do most things.

Good luck with however you get the little critter out

I had a c section with twins. I found it a very alienating experience. It was like an alien invasion - as if I wasn't there at all. Also either the epidural or the spinal knocks out your internal thermostat so I shivered for ages afterwards. I lost a lot of blood and couldn't walk. I felt a slight envy for the women who had the pain of labour but were then able to recover immeadiately. luckily i had someone to help me afterwards so i didn't have to lift, and for various other reasons i had to stay in hospital for eleven days so i could walk by the time i left.

but i haven't had a vaginal birth. i'm sure those are not much fun either...and the scar healed well and easily.

in the end, all that matters is a safe delivery. and my experience wtih the cesaerian was unenjoyable partly because the doctor who did it had a chat about holidays down my nether end, as if i wasn't there, and wouldn't let my birth partner look in case it put the doctor off her stride.

oh yeah. and they made a joke

"it's a boy!"

and laughed.

ha ha ha

I had ELCS with DD at 38 weeks due to severe SPD. It was very calm and civilised. The actual operation is a bit weird, someone described it to me as having washing up done in your tummy and that is a very good description.

For me, the SPD was so painful, the CS was a walk in the park. Only problem I had was the SPD got a lot worse immediately after the birth and I couldn't stand so was catherterised for nearly 3 days. I had DD on the monday, catheter came out on the Wednesday evening and I went home on the Thursday. MY recovery was very quick, had entirely internal stitches so didn't need them removing. Had one stitch get stuck so needed it surgically removing but other than that, there was no problems! They sent me home with codeine but I didn't need it - paracetamol and a hot water bottle was plenty

Everyones experiences are different, but for me it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it to be

My dd wee'd like a fountain all over the doctor lifting her out. She is nearly 13 and we like to roll this story out periodically

I had ELCS with GA for first child due to foetal distress, even with that I was up the next day for shower etc.
I had planned CS with DS at 38 weeks ( due to my kidney probs) and had absolutely no problems, up as soon as spinal wore off, shower and catheter out within 8 hours and home the next day.
The one thing I would say is after first CS I was quite sore, needed regular painkillers for a few days but really felt nothing after second one-the pain was probably comparable to mild period cramps.
I am no martyr BTW and would take analgesia if needed but I really didn't feel much pain at all and had no wound problems.
I know people say that CS is major surgery and undoubtably it is but I felt much much worse when I had my appendix removed.
Ideally I would have liked a vaginal birth for my second but don't regret my CS and it really was not bad.
Make the decision that is right for you and your baby

I had an emergency CS at 29 weeks. Was on a catheter for the first day, but after that no problems apart from not being able to see DD. Was quite glad to be completely out (had eaten a cheese sandwich) rather than conscious.

My CS for my second was a breeze compared with the nightmare I had with the first (and a few days of stitches was nothing compared to 6 months of double incontinence and physio that was the result of my first birth), but as everyone says you have good and bad experiences either way.

I imagine that persuading them to give you an elective will not be a walk in the park without strong medical grounds (4 days labour may not cut it if that is the only reason you have).

Oh, with regards to the actual 'experience', I second the 'shivering' experience, didn't expect to be tipped so far back, found it odd that a chap had his arm inside me up to his elbow and that I could sort of feel him scrubbing round behind my ribs, and I had the common nausea thing almost immediately (but that wasn't a problem - it's common and they have the injection ready).

I don't know if it was a very good or very bad thing that two of the nurses were drop dead gorgeous blokes who kept making me laugh at inappropriate moments (esp when they complimented me on my pre-CS waxing ).

I've had two, an emcs and an elcs. Both were perfectly fine, (the emcs obviously being stressful, considering I had pre-eclampsia and DS turned breech at the last minute) in fact I'm glad I had them. The only side effect I experience with mine was an awful itching caused by the anaesthetic. I was out 2 days after I intitally went in with DS (I self-discharged as I couldn't take it in there anymore) and the next day with DD after insisting. In fact, I had DD at 2.32 pm and was up and about by about 9.30 pm the same day.

I have a slight overhang which I hate, nothing I do can shift it, but I'll get surgery one day when I can afford it!