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

Crash CS with first child: terrifying.

"Elective" with second - fantastic.

First child was in dire straits and had to be got out quickly after a fairly prolonged labour. When they brought me round all I had to see was a polaroid picture as he was in SCBU. We had our first cuddle 20 hours after he was born; I wasn't well enough to be taken to see him after significant blood loss which left me anaemic and he was too poorly to come to me.

Second child born 9 years later - I'm sure the trauma of the first birth had an impact on my fertility - I considered a VBAC until a late scan but changed my mind. Late scans suggested he was going to be large and I was counseled about possible scar rupture because of his size. He turned out to be 10lbs 10oz so I think it was the right decision. The op was really straightforward and my enormous, lovely DS was delivered safely, which in the light of our first experience was an absolute priority. No problems at all with recovery and started driving after about a fortnight when I felt like I wanted to face the world again.

Planned CS's are fine imo, if you are advised they are the best way to deliver your child, based on my limited experience.

I've had 3 cs, 2 emergency 1 elective and I was fine after all 3. recovery was pretty quick. I feel I had an easiertime than people I know who have had vaginal births

I had elective CS with DS at 32 weeks; it was terrfiying as he was under 2lb and had a 50% chance of survival, but the procedure itself was great. Having colleagues who I knew well doing the surgery was superb, of course; the drape was down so I could see him emerge, and I spent most of the time calmly discussing my ridiculously high blood pressure and his attempts to control it with the anaesthetist. It was all a bit surreal. But I recovered very quickly. 8 years on I never did regain completely normal sensation in the (very small, neat) scar, but it is hidden within the pubic hairline so who cares?

VBAC with DD (now 3) was all fine until she started getting distressed. Delivered in theatre (all prepped for CS) with ventouse and a 'generous' episiotomy. Very painful afterwards from the episiotomy for 4 weeks or so; MUCH more pain than following CS.

If we have a third, I'd like a vaginal delivery (secretly hankering after a waterbirth, as of all the babies I've delivered, then have been the loveliest deliveries). Despite the pain, the whole experience of vaginal delivery was wonderful. But in our circumstances, the section was fantastic too.

Agree with wantanotherbaby. I found that after my birth with full on episiotomy and forceps delivery I was in more pain following the birth because the staff at the hospital generally don't believe that if you have given vaginally that it it painful. I was in pain for about 3 weeks.

Following cs I had so many drugs even if I was in pain I didn't realise it. In some ways I think the cs (even though was an emergency) was much better managed.

4 electives here - all very nice experiences comparative to what I imagine labour to be! 2nd one though went a bit skewiff - they cut too far to my left and damaged some nerves - I've had a LOT of medical problems since then, which may or may not be attributable.
I personally would go with a VD first though - now I've had four, I don't think I'll ever fully recover. But as others have said, it's personal to your circumstances. With each progressive birth, the pressure's risen for those around me to take up the slack while I've recovered, so that's something to bear in mind.

First one emergency, very worrying, with pre eclampsia.

Second one, very calm, got the shivers after though.

I was also in labour for four days (induced) with first which was horrendous and resulted in EMCS. Second labour shorter but also resulted in EMCS and I really wish I had asked for an ELCS.

That said your second labour is very unlikely to be as long as your first. I would discuss your previous birth, how you feel mentally and your options available with the midwife. Some hospitals are happier to offer ELCS than others.

As for recovery it did take about a week before I could walk around properly and it is important not to overdo it for at least a month. I recovered well both times but do have a scar plus an 'overhang'.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I had three normal vaginal births, including 2 at home. I was very scared of C sections.

Then I had a crash C section for my fourth as her heart rate dipped to 40 (turned out later she was so utterly, utterly mixed up in her cord she would never have made it out alive).

Whilst I would never advocate a C section (increased breathing difficulties for the baby, potential extra problems for the mother) I was extremely lucky and nothing went wrong for me whatsoever.

My scar is virtually invisible 19 months on and I have no overhang. For me that caesarian was the easiest of my 4 births and took the least time to recover from. It also forced me to rest properly for several weeks which was an added bonus.

I had an emcs after 2 days of induced labour with DD. I didnt feel 'right' for about 10 months. And only completely back to normal after DD turned 2. It really felt like recovery from major surgery, which ontop of looking after a new baby is very hard going. Unless you medically need one, I would say to avoid.

My friends who have had VB were all up and about much quicker than me, even the ones with difficult births involving instrumental deliveries. If your vain and want to get back into training like I did, it can also be more difficult. Im 34 pregnant with DC2 atm, and Im planning a VBAC, not that I have any burning desire to give birth and fully expect to tear, but the recovery and being able to look after the baby clinches it for me.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I had an elective CS planned but it ended up as an emergency one three weeks early. I must say I did not find it a bad experience at all, although the feeling of rummaging around inside you is definitely markedly unpleasant. Maybe I was just really lucky but recovery afterwards was fine and uneventful.

Its major surgery, has slow painful recovery and can have long term complications. I had one at 39 weeks due to gestational diabetes and the day following the op was the most painful day of my life (have been in a horrific car crash and had kidney stones..so pain threshold is NOT low). Stitches got infected, overhand exists and also have adhesions. hurts on and off 10 months on. I shivered for a long time as well. But the lowest part was the pain I felt in holding, feeding and cuddling my sweetie-pie. I so wanted to hold him close and it hurt a lot and I was in floods of tears, wanting him but not wanting him close. I was back on my feet in 24 hours - shower, eat etc..came home in 3 days, but it was horribly painful and walking, taking a step in and out of the shower cubicle was also painful.

If you do go down the CS route, be mentally prepared for the long haul recovery process. I know both have good and bad sides..but i guess once you have the baby in your arms you want to be A-okay ASAP.

I had a planned CS at 32 weeks:

I had fear of the catheter and the spinal injection which were both ok, then felt like a pizza dough being kneaded as they wrangled the DCs out of my belly.

I have a feeling they gave me an extra nice dose of whatever to keep me free of pain (maybe you can ask for this) and it was only a bit uncomfortable with the scar for about a week. Scar healed fine and quickly, too.

Good luck.

I was told that I would be out after 24 hours but after both DCs was kept in for over 5 days (both times had to beg to be discharged) at different hospitals. What they say and what they do are quite different. They tell you what they expect is that you will have perfect surgery with no complications, you won't need any blood transfusions, your baby will feed fantastically and your scar will heal quickly.
The reality is that if there is any query about any of these things they will keep you in.
It might not be a bad thing. If you have other DCs it can be nice to have a rest with your LO in hospital before getting back to reality.
Just saying, it's not as simple as the consultant will make it sound.

My C-section was great...not a days pain...was in the shower within 12 hours then was up and about...didnt feel at all sick...was driving within 2 weeks and running round after a very lively 2 year old DS

Was a very positive experience

Savannah, hopefully you'll soon reach the kind of weird hormone based calm that I got when approaching due date. My best advice to you is to go with the flow, have no pre-conceived ideas as to how the birth will go.

I had an EMCS after not dilating properly. I had no complications, the scar healed well although there is still a slight numbness in it even after over 3 years. It is major surgery though, and I found it hard to even walk to the end of the road to post a letter for 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind doing it again, but I don't think I'll be opting for an elective with my second, I'll just see what happens.

I've had one birth, emcs, I have all positive memories of it really and wouldn't be worried about doing it again.
I was in labour a total of 13hrs, pushing for about an hour trying to get a back to back baby out with an epidural. It was all calm and fine until a horrid doctor waltzed in, shoved a hand up me and announced I was going to theatre for a section. I had a full on panic attack as it hadn't really occurred to me before that maybe I'd need a section. I was more worried about tearing or episiotomies.
The op was fine and I had dp next to me and mw and everything was explained as it happened, it was quite interesting. The only prob was I couldn't breathe very well after panicking. Obvioulsy this wouldn't be the case in an elcs.
Recovery wasn't too bad, after a week I was pushing ds round in his pram, scar fine, little numbb area and overhang (a year on now) but I don't mind it.
I quite enjoyed my labour so if I have a second I would seriously consider vbac but still the thought of tearing or an epesiotomy might sway me to elcs.

OP keep us updated on what you decide and what mw says too.

im 19 i had emergency c section wen i was 9 days over cos my daughter wasnt breathing in labour ... ive never nown what its like to give birth naturally but i was in pain for 7 weeks after, i got an infection then ripped my stitches at 5 weeks just by bending and pickin up a sock.
i personally wouldnt want one again but everyones different :)

i had an elective with dd 3. with ddd2 I had aa 3rd degree tear and the baby had shoulder dystocia so elected to have a c section with 3rd dc.
Went very well and glad I did. Recovery took longer than with vaginal birth but much better than with 3rd degree tear

'Not a days pain'

why the moschops? The pain I had after mine was pretty negligible, too. For some people it simply isn't painful. Doesn't mean it's the same for everyone, but still doesn't make those who didn't suffer liars.

From what I've read, mosschops had a truly horrendous CS experience.

I had a ELCS, and can honestly say the only pain I experienced was when the MWS cocked up my painkillers on day after the op, and forgot to give them to me....

I recovered very fast, and yes, would say I didn't even have half a day's pain, tbh. Was back to normal much faster than friends who had relatively straightforward VBs.

Different births, different experiences. Mosschops, I'm sure yours are genuine and you have every right to talk about them. As I do mine.

Im sorry but whetheryou have a good experience of CS or a bad i cant see how major surgery can be pain free!
Ive had two great vaginal deliveries but they were still bloody painful.

Its just like a competition, why cant people say 'yeah it was painful but ok' instead of bragging that they went running 3 hours after their CS, then came home hoovered the house, did all the washing and cooked a meal whilst simultaneously breastfeeding new baby!

mosschops had the most awful CS experience- about as bad as it could get, and almost definitely way worse than most bad vaginal deliveries.

Sorry mosschops, didn't see you'd answered as well- was working my way up the thread.