Wonderful ELCS experience!!

[gemmakate]

Following a recent post on here where I was unsure about a ELCS v natural birth with epidural following a 3rd deg tear with DS1, I wanted to update everyone kind enough to give advice and info about going for an ELCS.
Last Tuesday I had the most wonderful ELCS experience that I could have hoped for!
After a relaxed morning in my own room at the hospital, at 12.30pm DH and I walked down to theatre. Our DS2 was born at 1pm weighing 9lb 5oz (so think he'd have been another whopper if allowed to go 2 wks over like DS1!)
The whole experience from arriving at the hospital to the safe delivery of our baby was calm, relaxed and enjoyable. In comparison to my first birth experience (Induction, no progress, syntocin drip, 31hrs hard work, epidural, 3rd deg tear etc etc) this was wonderful from start to finish. As a result, I am enjoying my baby far more than last time, I feel well, elated and very happy that we made the decision to opt for ELCs.
I stayed in hospital for 2 nights, was walking about and had a shower the following morning, (the lovely nurses passed baby to me whenever i fed/wanted to cuddle him and gave me a bed bath in the evening following the csection) I had my dressing removed on day 5 and have amazed family and friends at jubilee celebrations over the weekend with how well I look and feel!
I have a small scar, similar to a pencil line drawn at bikini level, some stiffness when I stand, similar to a bruised feeling, and it's a bit sore when I laugh or cough. Otherwise I feel a million dollars!!
I cannot emphasise enough what a better option the csection was for me this time and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again if we have a 3rd child in the future.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to post, you helped me make an informed decision.
Gemma.

Conngratulations on your boy!!

I also had a ELCS for DC2 and it was amazing! A wonderful experience, and I even enjoyed the hospital stay afterwards. Last time I hada very long labour ending with a EMCS and it was horrendous.

Congratulations!

I will be passing your words onto a friend who is debating over VBAC/ELCS.... personally I think an ELCS sounds pretty damn attractive :)

By the way, I had a 3rd degree tear with DS1 and was firmly told with DS2 (currently at 33+1) that I would not be considered as a candidate for ELCS because I don't have faecal incontinence.

I was sorely tempted to lie

That sounds like a really nice experience, enjoy your new little one :)

Herrena, if an ELCS is what you want, you have the right to see another consultant. I saw three before my ELCS was approved and booked in!
The first mentioned it as an option to consider, the second then tried to dissuade me saying I would most probably re-tear but she could then repair the damage in 6months time (something to look forward to!) and told me that I was millimetres from tearing the anal sphincter so not "that bad a tear".
I insisted that I'd read into the procedure, knew the risks and for me that they outweighed the unknown risks of another vaginal birth, and that I'd made my mind up.
She then referred me to the third consultant, a lovely woman who admitted that she would offer every woman an ELCS if she could.
I was duly booked in and can say it was one of the best decisions that DH and I have ever made!
Good luck.

What a lovely experience yours sounds. Mine was very similar, when I had DD. I suffered SPD to the point where I was wheelchair bound, so the pain post-section was a breeze! I was only taking paracetamol from day 2, and that was only for a week. I certainly advocate it now!

Congratulations Gemmakate!

My DD2 was born by ELCS on April 19th and ours is a very similar story to yours. I damaged my tailbone during a long pushing phase with DD1 in 2009 which is why I elected to have the section. I was given the alternative option of labouring with an epidural and if I hurt my spine again, having pain relied after the event. However, it worded me that I might do even more damage and not feel it during the labour.

Anyway, I much preferred the CS birth experience! Calm, controlled and beautiful :) Like you, if we ever have another child, I would elect for CS again.

Worried me, not worded me! blames autocorrect on iPhone

I get what you're saying gemmakate. However I feel like I've got my head around going through the whole VB ordeal process again now - I still don't particularly relish the thought but it's down in the calendar IYSWIM.

At this stage I don't feel I could cope with the emotional uncertainty of 'Will I get an ELCS? Will they still say no?' as I've sort of prepared myself for the VB. I prefer semi-certainty even when it is unpleasant....and besides I just can't manage to argue with doctors/consultants; they could tell me to hop on one foot and rub my stomach at the same time and I'd do it

If I could do it all again I would argue my corner at 20 weeks but there you go!!

I argued my corner at 11.5weeks and won! Reading this has assured me in making the best choice I could. The consultant attempted to talk me into VBAC but didn't really try iyswim. Soy ed more like a 'i have to say this' than anything else!

Really lovely to read your experience as I am booked in for an ELCS in under a week following a 3rd deg tear with DD1.

I had a wonderful consultant who offered me an ELCS immediately - I went into the appointment all prepared with NICE guidelines etc and didn't have to say a word! He said that if this was what I was happy with, he would be recommending it as a further tear would be far more complicated to repair.

Enjoy your new baby :)

So glad that all went well for you :) What hospital?

Thank you do much for this post! I'm having a section next Tuesday as DS was 11lbs and it took a horrible 2 day induction and forceps to get him out. As it draws closer I'm getting a bit nervous but do great to read how well it went for you. Fingers crossed I'll be the same next week!

Congrats on your new baba!

I know the question wasn't directed to me but I just wanted to take this opportunity to say that I had my beautiful baby at Birmingham Womens Hospital. My consultant was Alexander Pirie. I can't say enough good things about the hospital and Mr. Pirie. Fantastic experience all around!

Very glad to hear your experience was so good, gemmakate - congratulations.

Congratulations!

I also had an emergency section after induction and hours and hours of horror first time around, followed by a blissful elective section second time around. Recovered quickly, too.

Get plenty of rest and enjoy your new bundle of joy

Lovely to hear your comments and good luck to all those having csections in the near future.
I'm sure your experiences will be as wonderful as mine.
Sarry, hospital was Queens Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent. Wonderful midwives and staff in general.
Baby blabber, please don't be nervous, relax and you'll enjoy the whole thing! I keep re-running the day through my head and wouldn't change a minute!
One thing I forgot to say, the anethatist assured me that I shouldn't have pain at any point, and I didn't. I swapped the co-codeamol for ibuprofen though to avoid constipation (which is a known side effect!)
Good luck.

So pleased to read this. Congrats!!! :)

I'm having my elcs next thursday after almost identical first birth story to you... I fought hard to get my elcs and finally had it booked at my 35 week consultant appointment!!

I hope it goes as well as yours x

Wow, I never look at Childbirth, except I remember your last post. I had a real dilemma about asking for a ELCS with my 2nd DS. In the end I went for a VBAC, which was touch and go but worked out in the end.

Glad it went well. Congratulations!

Gem,

thanks soo much for posting this update, I really hope I am also posting the same thing in 5 months time, I have my consultant meeting on tues of next week. Reading about everyone elses experiences on here has given me so much info and empowerment, thank goondess for mumsnet and info sharing.
Knowledge is power.

Well done you and so so pleased it was so fab for you!