I have just been told there are two different ways of doing a c-section, and that I should request the second one.

[SilentBoob]

Not in UK
Private hospital, so yes I can request anything I like.

Have been told that some of the doctors at the hospital do a 'regular' c-section, while some do a primary incision, then a much smaller cut in the muscle and use their hands to stretch the muscle to make a hole to get the baby out. Apparently this second way is MUCH better and has a much quicker recovery time.

Obviously I shall ask my doctor about it when I see her in the week, but wondered if any MNers could enlighten me first?

(Plan is for vaginal birth (3rd baby, 2 prev vag births), c-section musings will only be in case of medical necessity mid-labour).

Hmmm i thought this was standard. My midwife told me that it was a myth that they cut muscle that they stretch it/tear it as it heals better. She was there at my c section too and im sure thats what she told me. But i thought it was incision in skin, pull abdominals apart, incision in uterus. Hmmm i'll watch with interest as im due a cs on the 6th.

normal practice here/

Not heard of this but am interested to see what people say about it as I had a CS 3 weeks ago and not sure which one I'd have had (am in the UK).

Just a thought but if this you end up having a CS due to medical complications will you have the choice? Mine was an EMCS after forceps didn't work and I'd imagine that the surgeon did whatever they were most confident in doing to get the baby out quickest and safest.

Have you been told that the recovery is better for the second type? I'm really interested to find out more about this.

Best of luck for your birth X

I thought the pulling/tearing method was standard anyway?

TBH if you're not planning an Elective CS then I don't see the point in trying to "plan" a type of CS just incase, in an emergency its the best the people there can do with whatever your particular emergency situation surely?

Thanks for quick replies.

Yes, of course in case of emergency c-sec it will simply be a case of doing what is necessary, but for peace of mind I shall ask my doctor if it will be her performing the hypothetical section, and if so what her standard practice is.

if it's an emergency it will be whoever is available and on duty in the next available operating theatre.

The NICE guidelines in the UK recommend using the fingers rather than scissors to widen the opening in the womb as "this reduces bleeding during the c section, the need for blood transfusion during the operation, and the risk of bleeding after the birth".

I got this from a leaflet I was given at an antenatal appointment, and it seems to apply to both emcs and elcs.

perhaps the old version is still about because people with a big gap might have a vertical scar that they need to go in through, similarly someone from abroad??

L2D4 - tick! (day 13 in total, cause if I don't post it here I loose track!)

I treated myself to a new sports bra to motivate myself just before starting shred and it's already too small! needed to hold myself in a bit today

those of you who've done L2 and L3, do you find L1 easy when you go back to it or just different?

oh and by circuit 3 L2 I CANNOT do any of the plankey things, I'm far too shakey after the first 2 circuits to hold myself up! so doing a kneeley leg swingey move from body balance instead which is a bit cheatey

oops this isn't the 30 day shred thread

Ha ha! I wondered why I was suddenly struggling with this thread! :)