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'd just like to pop in with something. I had 2 great VBs, all lovely and natural with no pain relief blardy blah (ok I used gas & air love that stuff) BUT I HAVE OVERHANG I don't think its just a CS thing, I think its just a carrying a baby thing.

You'd have to be mad to carry on as though nothing had happened straight after a caesarian- far more likely to cause complications. Mosschops is right to say it's not a bloody competition. And if you're still on strong painkillers you almost certainly shouldn't be driving. You also shouldn't be driving if you've had all the layers of muscle on your abdomen recently cut through as there are quite a few things that you won't be able to do properly, such as check your blind spot effectively and do an emergency stop without pain.

I'm not saying it to brag...just telling the truth...i did the whole labour thing with DS..and yes it bloody well hurt...but the C-section didn't...maybe it was due to the pain killers, i don't know...i'm telling the truth because some women may be truly gutted / terrified at the prospect of a C-section...i'm just saying it needn't be all doom and gloom

That's the problem paddy- they give you way better drugs for pain after a CS than after a VB and I think it's easy to forget that you've just had major surgery. Just because you feel well doesn't mean that you are well though. I look back on the things that I did and thought straight after DD3 was born and I know I wasn't myself. I felt absolutely fine though even though I had had a GA and major surgery. Luckily I heeded the obstetrician's very strict advice and mostly stayed in bed for the first 2 weeks, and my husband did everything except feed the baby.

Fair point..i guess for the few days immediately after the birth i shamelessly sat and read magazines..had cups of tea brought to me...and did nothing but feed the baby! If i'd have had a vaginal delivery i'd have been at home running round after DS!

I had a EMCS a year ago following failed induction required as baby had stopped moving. Very quick, civilised experience. Baby out in 5 minutes then I held him while they stitched me up. It was very wierd as I could feel the doctors rummaging around inside me and pulling DS out, and also was very shivery. I think this might have been tiredness as had been in hospital for 4 days by this point. The operation was performed by a registrar and a junior doctor who did a great job.

My only issue was that I suspected the induction would fail, and I had been asking for a CS for nearly 48 hours by the time I had one. DS was also very tired by this point and I had a lot of problems feeding him, which I think would not have been the case if he had been born sooner.

If this is what you want, I really hope you get it, and whatever sort of birth you have I hope all goes smoothly.

I had a lovely ELCS - twins. It was very relaxed, absolutely pain free before and after, and healed incredibly quickly - just as well, because i was run off my feet with two boys. I was up and walking about after 14 hours. I'm sure I was lucky, as several friends who had natural births were in agony with infections and problems afterwards, whereas the C-section was the easiest part of the whole pregnancy and early months of having the babies.

Only thing I disliked was that they whisked the babies off to be cleaned and dressed, whereas I'd have loved to have a cuddle with them first. But they were doing stitches then.

My first was an emergency CS following a failed forceps delivery (he wasn't moving down). DS has CP, almost cerainly related to birth trauma. Was very uncomfortable after birth.

Wouldn't have considered another DC without elective. Treated wonderfully throughout pregnancy, d.o.d. given at very early appointment with Consultant (arranged by GP). Had DD at 38 weeks, delivered by said Consultant and walking her in pram 5 days later.

My own recovery was much quicker when I had not also laboured.

I had an emergency section after 18 hours of active labour (and three days of gradual contractions, a sweep, and then induction). The surgery bit was fine, but the recovery was horrible, I got an infection and was back in hospital a week after being discharged. I found it really difficult to look after newborn while feeling sick and weak and had painful tummy issues for weeks afterwards. I'm now 6 months PP and JUST starting to feel normal. I'm told recovery is much faster after a vaginal birth?

I am happy to be honest about my positive, happy and almost entirely pain free, speedy recovery C section because it's the TRUTH - my birth, my right to talk honestly about it. Same as every other woman and their birth.

I think that some people who have had bad experiences simply don't understand that a really positive one is possible. But you don't have any right to claim people are making it up. How extraordinary. And what all of this agressively dismissive nonsense about 'being competitive' is about, I have NO idea.

I felt so much better during and after my CS than I'd been lead to believe I would. I'm obviously not the only one here.

AND, you will note, as someone who has had an overwhelmingly positive CS birth, I in no way try and stop, argue or 'eye roll' when people post about their negative CS experiences. Or accuse them of LYING. How ridiculous that I'm even having to type that.

I got the shakes afterwards too. The recovery nurse said it was adrenaline.

I also had no ill effects after my ElCS. I was in quite a bit of pain afterwards but I don't think the midwives were that interested in getting the drugs in me on time - I had to ring every single time I was in pain, and most times I was due something! If I do it again I shall find out when I'm supposed to get each one and ring them 15 minutes beforehand.

No, it's not a competition, and nobody said it was. Just some people have less pain than others. Painkillers help, especially if you take them by schedule rather than waiting for the pain. And of course you shouldn't run a marathon 2 daysafterwards, but nobody said you should.

Why is it ok for women with vaginal delivery to be able to report the whole spectrum from orgasmic birth to traumatic horror, but people refuse to believe that a spectrum exists on CS?

Yes it is abdominal surgery, but not all surgery and recovery is equally painful. After my laparascopic appendectomy I suffered lots more pain and discomfort, for example. I was surprised how well I felt after my CS.

I also was encouraged to move as soon as possible, as getting active helps recovery and reduces risk of clots. By moving around I mean going for walks, not strenuous exercise.

My CS x 2 were not what you would call painful at all. The first one, I decided to opt out of the morphine as I was scared of what it might do to me... however as the pain started to kick in I soon changed my mind and then was fine. I felt a little weak as I keft hospital after 5 days (because of the twins not me). Second CS, my blood pressure kept dropping making me feel weird, but was soon rectified once I had told the aneathatist when it happened. Again no pain at all, just stiffness and dizzyness making the first move out of bed difficult. Once I was up and about I was fine, although again weak. I went in and had her on the 23rd dec and was out xmas morning. Its the weakness that affects me, not pain. I could have driven if I hadnt have been feeling faint was unfortunalty for me was doing the house work on boxing day lol.

I found recovery from having appendix removed far worse than recovery from c setion-took it easy in bed for 4 days afterwards and then avoided walking too far for a few weeks.So delighted my baby was healthy I was grateful to have one.

I loved both my CSs. First was emergency and I couldnt believe so straightforward after all the bad press suggesting baby and I would be ruined for life. Tiny scar (surgeon said he was showing off to juniors) and I was running around after couple of days. Also in the extra day I had in hospital had lots of time with a lovely midwife who taught me how to breastfeed properly. second was elective and even better. calm and lovely. I think there is a bit of conspiracy to keep the benefits quiet in case we all want one. There is very little research available on the impact of very difficult natural births on mums, incontinance, peroneal repair, trauma etc (friend of mine still having nightmares about a shocker) compared to the reams and reams on the appallingness of Caesarians. you might have a fight on your hands. colleague of mine had to fight fight fight for a CS after shocking natural birth including being seen by hozzie psychiatrist (male) who suggested she didn't really want a baby if she didnt want to go through it all again. she thought it would be social services next........

I had 2 vb 20+ years ago and another 4 years ago to my fullterm stillborn son :( First 2 were painful but nothing that wouldnt put me off doing it again. Giving birth to Jacob cannot be described. 15 months later our rainbow was delivered at 36 weeks by Elective section. Was terrified of a section, but even more terrified of other possibilities and after she turned transverse in week 36 we had 2 options, wait and hope she turned back or a section. Waiting was out of the question for my mental health. Jacob had died at 37 weeks. Consultants weren't keen but we convinced then we were entirely informed with help from our fabulous bereavement midwife. Spinal for section was the worst part and not because it hurt but because I am a fraidy cat! The team were fabulous, they told us every movement they made. It was calm and wonderful, the surgeon lifted her straight from my tummy to above the curtain to show me. My recovery was wonderful. Cathetar for 24 hours although out of bed after 6 and no pain relief at all after day 1. No pain (aside from removing the dressing!) Was fine straight away and would have been home within hours had it not been for jaundice. We discovered afterwards that her cord had been around her neck and she had a true knot. We lost Jacob to a UCA :( A VB does not bear a thought even now. There are good experiences in both, as well as bad. I hope whatever you opt for you get but mostly I hope your baby is safe and well :)

I don't really agree that all you hear about c-sections is negative. When I was trying to decide whether to have an elcs or 3rd vb (after 3rd degree and 2nd degree tears), I remember only really hearing positive stories about planned c-sections, maybe I closed my ears to the negative stories.

My ELCS was awful. I had very low bp, lost a lot of blood, was allergic to the pain relief normally offered, spent ages afterwards, shaking and vomiting.I Had to have an ecg due to massive chest pains, my leg swelled up due to phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and I was covered in hives. Despite being on morphine and maximum dose paracetamol and codeine I found it very painful, the scar and also the horrendous build up of gas in my shoulders.

I was unable to hold ds when he was born as I was in such a state, and then he was taken to NICU because he had respiratory distress syndrome. I went off to my room with a breast pump and a photo of him and finally got to hold him 3 days later. He was in SCBU for 8 days.

I felt dreadful after the op, I managed to breastfeed for 8 weeks, but stopped when I got mastitis, thrush and an infection in my scar, which left me a sweaty, shivering wreck.

I was unprepared for just how brutal I would find the op. I felt as though I had been sawn in half. My scar still has twinges of pain 9 months on, despite feeling mostly numb across the lower half of my abdomen. Ds has ongoing problems and I have felt overwhelming feelings and nightmares about his birth, which my gp thinks is probably ptsd, so I am seeing a birth trauma counsellor at the end of the month.

Everyone has different births, and there are good and bad experiences of both cs and vb, but I think that if I had a choice and unless there was a very, very good reason I would avoid a csection.

I had FOUR C Sections. 1 emergency, rest elective.
Discovered at first delivery that i had narrow pelvic arch and Cons. said i would not be able to deliver naturally, hence 3 other c.sections. Personally I would have liked to have delivered naturally, (did get to 10cm on gas and air !)
CS is not a easy option, yes your sore for a few days but you just get on with things, had to drive two weeks after third and fourth cs as needed to get others to school- could not walk that(usually do but 45min round walk) far pushing a pram with sore scar. so slow drive in car -far quicker less painful in long run.)Was age 40 at last CS.(now ssh 47!)Don't be afraid of labour, every pain is a step nearer to holding that baby- explain your fears to your midwife-midwives they will help you all the way.

I chose an ELCS for both my births (o medical reason) - fantastic experiences - not day of pain, and 2 lovely children. Great recoveries both times too.

Had emcs, definitely about the granny nix you don't want anything near the wound. Healed up fine but scar feels odd (3 yrs on)
Painful andno way could have dealt with older kids
Staples coming out grim as was anti clotting injections ( think that's what they were for
Good luck either way

Hey, don't fixate on the birth too much - it is just the beginning of your life with a gorgeous new baby! :)

FWIW, I've had two CS's - the first emergency, second elective. (Both babies were breech, but tricked the medical staff into thinking they weren't! Clever, upright citizens )

I much preferred going into natural labour and would have liked to have my babies vaginally - but hey, it was not to be. I have two beautiful fantastic DC though, and that matters more.

If there's one thing certain about giving birth it is that you can't be in control - nature will take its course and you just need to go with whatever needs to happen. The most important thing is your lovely, wonderful baby - not the birth method.

Good luck, OP!

It feels like someone is doing rather uncomfortable washing up in your stomach. I also felt faint even though head was lowered. The aftereffects are considerably more unpleasant but at least you can sit down.

Ok there are lots of answers here but a few tips from me. I've had two emergency c secs, the first one after 2 days labour and the second one after 10 hours labour. When I say that to people they look sorry for me but really I don't have negative feelings about it at all. Not all deliveries go to plan, and I managed to recover well after both and had overall good experiences. I have very fond memories of their births and try to focus on the good parts. Also, I don't feel that I have missed out on a natural birth. I don't mind that at all, but I know that it does affect some women very badly.

First CS, DS stayed in the surgery suite with me (on a table next to me or being held by my husband) whilst I was being stiched up. It was lovely to see him/hear him. Second CS, different hospital, they took baby away almost immediatly to weight/clean/dress him. I was furious. There was no medical reasons to take him away, it was procedure. If you end up with elective c sec, just ask befor if the baby stays in the room if all is normal so that you don't have a surprise. Ask to see him/her as soon as he is out. try to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible.