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

It is different for everyone but it's still not a decision to be made lightly.

I have had two elective CS due to a medical condition however I would have much rather had a VB and do feel I have missed out on that.

My first ELCS was awful with them forgetting to put the screen up, problems with my DS when he was born, back into hospital after being home for two days from passing clots and it was all very painful (I was sent home with a staple remover to take my own staples out!) generally there were alot of mistakes and I suffered as I had not been prepared for how ill my DS could be (ELCS at 35 weeks).

My second with my DD (at 37 weeks) was lovely didnt bother having the screen up as I had seen it all before, she was fine and all the team (I had quite a large team with cardiac specialists) commented that it was the nicest one they had done.

Although I am aware that should I have anymore I would have to have another ELCS I wouldn't want that at all.

x3 elective C Sections -
Felt faint & yukky through 2 of them, 2 of them got baby straight onto my chest - lovely, after that didnt care much what they were up to. Worst bit in my opinion is catheter - yeuch, problems with it blocking etc & stayed in for days one time.
My experience has been they have hurt progressively more each time - first I was up & about with only paracetamol after 24 hours, last one I was crying turning over in bed still a week later. Also had to go home injecting self with heparin.
I feel sad to have missed out on birth experience, also feels crazy to walk in as a perfectly healthy person, lie down on the operating table & medicalise yourself. On the other hand, I have 3 healthy children & nothing is more important.
By the way, overhang is yukky, also area of numbness around wound never goes away, AND I still have pelvic floor weakness,apparently most of damage is done just carrying the babies, not necessarily by vaginal delivery. (Just to cheer you up!)

I second the granny knickers.
EMCS for DS1 - a complete relief after the nightmare of a 3 day back to back labour where I only dilated 3cm.
ELCS for DS2 - calm, enjoyable - all done to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.
Scar got a bit grotty afterwards, but nothing a few antibiotics couldn't deal with. My mistake was not to get the granny nix on asap - the scar was irritated by rubbing elastic (and being too active).
Just booked another ELCS for 9th May for DS3. Bought a five pack of granny nix from Asda and thinking Led Zep for the birth (although may go for the 90s party compilation I was going to have for my 40th but didn't as I m/c'd a baby about 2 weeks before this one was conceived).

I am 1000 per cent grateful to the NHS for delivering my babies by C-section. I am small and have big babies and have always been terrified of natural birth. I tried and failed to give birth the proper way and C-sections totally work for me. Not everyone is the same.

OK here's what it's like (haven't read all posts so sorry if I'm repeating)...strolled into operating theatre (even though technically it was an "emergency" as not planned for that evening), the doctor asked what music I'd like to listen to (we chose Dido - it was a while ago), anaesthetist was particularly gorgeous, had the epidural which was fine (they numb the area with a small injection first), my husband stayed up at the "head" end and we chatted nervously, my main memory was of how incredibly calm and unlike ER it was - the midwives, doctors etc were all chatting about this and that, had no idea that any incision had been made until I got the "rummaging around at the bottom of a handbag for loose change" feeling - obviously didn't hurt at all but felt a little strange, then I saw a baby on some scales to my left and thought "gosh whose baby is that I wonder, how odd" - of course it was my son who was quickly brought over and given to me, really a wonderful experience with very little pain and no scary moments! Got back to normal pretty quickly - the scar wasn't really painful, in fact I remember thinking that the pain of breastfeeding was FAR worse! DS2 I had a planned caesarian which was equally wonderful although i do remember being very nervous just before as I knew what was about to happen. Go for it!

stillfeel18inside, I think that maybe you should read some of the previous posts, and then change that to ' here's what it was like for me'!

Don't be too hasty to go for CSection after your traumatic 1st birth experience. My first labour lasted 63 hours, had drips, epidural, ventouse, lots of painful stitches, infection etc etc. My 2nd labour lasted 6 hours from start to finish, no pain relief, unplanned at home and by far a more pleasant experience. I had seen a consultant and had agreement that if not progressing after 12 hours in labour I would have an elective CSection, but to go with it first and see what happens.
So it can go better the 2nd time, I was really scared, but it worked out - hope it does for you too.

Wow so many posts!!!! Good and bad but I suppose you get that with CS or VB. I'm still in two minds. OH doesn't agree with CS but at the end of the day it's my choice, my body right? He doesn't have to go through it in as much as me? Or am I being selfish? It's his first, my second so should i let him experience a VB? But then I'm putting my fears a side? :( confused xx

I had cs 17 yrs ago now & remember the feeling of someone 'washing up in my stomach'! They had to watch blood pressure afterwards as mine was going a bit low ... Spent a week in hospital which I really needed except for bad food but then had vaginal birth 4 yrs later. Latter was over v. quickly, left with that run over by a bus feeling but recovered far quicker...With a first child to manage I'd go for a vb but whatever way I would stock up with arnica tablets, nice round cabbages for your bra when the boobs come to life and a rubber ring for those hard chairs! Oh yes, a few packs of fave biscuits to take in with you cos us ladies always give birth when theres no hospital food about.

i had planned sections for both my DCs due to a psychological fear of childbirth.

first one was a breeze tbh. i was up and about the next morning with hardly any pain.

the second one was a bit more painful afterwards, not sure why.

and the scar and overhang is not a great look although i am slim and look fine in clothes, i hate my stomach :(

however, and here is a BIG plus, DH says i am very very tight "down there" - in fact when we met (we met when i already had dc1) the first few times we did it he couldnt last more than a few seconds as i was so tight compared to his ex who had had 3 dc via the usual route

I wouldn't be so quick to go for a c-section. My first birth was a awful 50 hour labour, followed by 2 failed attempts at ventouse and then dreadful forceps delivery. Number 2 was 5 and a half hours from first niggle to baby out and just a little bit of gas and air.

"however, and here is a BIG plus, DH says i am very very tight "down there" - in fact when we met (we met when i already had dc1) the first few times we did it he couldnt last more than a few seconds as i was so tight compared to his ex who had had 3 dc via the usual route "

Oh dear no hope for those of us with saggy fanjos then, let's all have sections in the future., keep us nice and tight down there to keep our menfolk happy. Thanks for that interesting piece of information

oh god flippin i was in no way intending to insult anyone :( it was meant jokingly, i am really sorry if it offended!

anyway twas probably just dh's excuse for being a bit crap in the sack to start with

Have had 2 CS. First was classed as elective as DS1 had IUGR & had stopped growing so was booked in for CS after 5 days of foetal heart monitoring at 36 weeks. Second was classed as emergency after 36 hours of labour & DS2 gettuing distressed. Ironically all through my second pregnancy I had told consultant that i wanted a second CS but was forced to go for VBAC.
ELCS was worse than EMCS- was nil by mouth for 12 hours beforehand, v dehydrated in operation, blood pressure kept dropping & was prevented by midwives from drinking for about 4 hours afterwards.
EMCS was much much better- having the spinal after hours of labour was such a huge relief.
Recovery both times was fine-i think the negatives of CS are over exaggerated in a lot of cases. Was able top lift DS2 from cot on first night to feed (DS1 was in SCBU when born). Of course it is painful for the first few days & have to avoid heavy lifting but i was out pushing a double buggy within 2 weeks of DS2 birth. I think it just depends on the person, the events leading up to the procedure & possibly the skill of the surgeon. i have friends who had a nightmare after CS as well as friends who had a nightmare after normal delivery...think everyone is different.

thanks super, I'm probably a wee bit sensitive

I had an elective CS with the first and was induced but had a very quick labour with the second dd. Both experiences were great but I had none of the exhilaration with the CS. With the CS I was out of hospital after 2 days and had no problems whatsoever, I made sure dd1 latched on within half an hour..catheter wasn't nice, but I didn't have piles like I did with dd2 (LOL)
I loved giving birth to dd2 - no pain relief..I'd done lots of anti natal yoga re breathing and it was fab fab fab! The senstaion of her slipping out of me was the best experience of my life. I would do it again like a shot if I wasn't now so old!

I work as a doctor so have seen the best and worst of both options. Also pregnant at the moment. I think vaginal birth is the lesser of 2 evils and plan to opt for this. I have seen first hand complications due to gynaecological surgery, scars, infections, unsightly aprons and hernias although both options carry the risk of complications of course!

I had an emcs after a very long and unfruitful labour cos my baby was in distress. I was so delighted when they told me I needed a cs as I could not take anymore of the labour.
I was not myself afterwards but i think that was more the labour for 2 days and no sleep then the cs. No probs with scar and as long as you take it easy(which you should be doing anyways) it's fine. No painkillers needed for me.
I'm now pregnant with number 2 and am hoping to have elcs, could not face the possibility of that labour again.
Personally I would rather have surgery and a scar on my tummy(which you can't even really see anyway) then have my undercarriage ripped to shreds!!
But if there is no medical reason for it you may be refused. good luck whatever happens!

I've had both and I would go for natural birth every time. That is my experience though. I'm now listening to birth relaxation/ihypnobirth on my iphone and I feel so calm now. Birth is a natural experience and I found getting into a calm state is really helping. Good luck.

why would your undercarriage be ripped to shreds? Mine isn't.

I ADORED my two electives after a HATEFUL first birth,walk in the park and my tummy was fine,I also have no over hang xx

Have found this really interesting as for 'long story' reasons I am in the position where I will be choosing between VB and CS (26 weeks at mo).
Docs all signed off on CS at 39 weeks but encouraging me to think carefully on VB, which I am, and have to inform them at 32 weeks what I'm going to do (for birth planning, know anything can end up happening).

Can I ask for further opinion on something - (not to hijack SavannahRose!) -Choice is about balancing minimal physical intervention (you'll need to read between the lines there! so a CS), with not wanting a restrictive/long recovery - I dont want to miss out on previous moments for my first baby that I could maybe avoid by having a VB (but here is where my dilemma starts as the reasons behind not doing VB are quite complex).
I know no one can make my choice for me, but any thoughts are of real interest. Thanks for any thoughts.

I had a VB with DD and totally missed out on her first days and even weeks, ass those I spent crying in bed from intense pain. The first time I changed her nappy was when she was three weeks old - when I started feeling human again.

I had an elCS with DS and I enjoyed every moment of his first days. He was in my arms and on my breast within half an hour of his birth. There was some pain but it was only for about a day. The second day, I could do everything for DS, and by the third day I was absolutely fine.

These days, CS cut is done under the pubic hairline so there is no overhang. When done properly, it should not lead to haematomas, hernias, or bursting stitches.

I've had 2 CS, the 1st was an emergency, the 2nd was elective.
Even in the 3 years between my CS, the procedure changed a bit. With the 1st I had no say in anything that was happening (that could be due to it being an emergency!) I also had to lay down for 24 hours and wasn't allowed any food.

With the 2nd, I got to pick the date at my appointment at 36 weeks, could choose the music playing in the operating theatre, could walk or be wheeled in, offered to have the screen lowered as DS was lifted out (No thanks!) and I was out of bed within hours and eating within a couple of hours. I had some aniseed liquid before they did the op to prevent me being sick but the first thing they gave me to eat was pineapple and that came straight back up!

Recovery took me a long time after both CS but I think its because I was discharged from hospital too soon (4 days / 2 days) and the fact I tried to do too much too soon.
I was allowed to drive straight away but I didn't feel up to it so chose not to.

Some poeple have the attitude of a CS being the easy option, while I can't say what a VB is like, I do know that a CS is not easy. I did go through a long labour 1st time round so I know what that part feels like. But I don't regret my births, why should I as I have 2 lovely children

The "emergency" of having an emergency c-section was the most traumatic thing.
Afterwards I was a little tender but the super pain killers knocked that on the head pretty quickly. For me the thought of the procedure was the worst thing. Both before having it and then thinking back to it. The catheter was fine - one less thing to think about. The sensation of needing to go to the loo was a little annoying when it came back once the catheter was removed (funny the things you remember!).

My friends described a c-section as "it's like someone washing up in your tummy". That is exactly how it felt!