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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

If only every woman could see the consultant I had today re: ELC

8 replies

elizaregina · 19/06/2012 18:57

For a long time now been totally stressing about birth - been drowing out every other worry, 2nd time round - I want a chance of a " lovely experience"! My first was text book, and only 23 mins pushing.

HOwever it was too traumatic, the not knowing etc the pain....

Today I met with the most human and lovley lady - to discuss it.

I got through a whole box of tissues and cannot imagine - in that emotionally charged atmosphere how it could have gone with an unsympathetic consultant.

A junior sat in too, and both were lovely.

She did mention risks - which she said were pulmonary clot, or cutting into arterty or something and more blood loss - and chance of cutting bowl or bladder.....but the last she admitted these were more common in future cections. She didnt ram them down my throat though.

I did ask her about getting out the placenta though and she assured me there was very little chance of any being left in as this is another huge worry and someone else has posted today about possible retention.

She said as i must have a good pelvis she thinks an epidural would work really well for me BUT SHE SAID

" I can put you down for one right now - the choice is totally yours, if you would like to see IF you can have a birth plan that works for you - you can try it - but at any time if you think you just want an ELC its YOUR CHOICE"

Now the pressure has been totally been taken off, I feel like I can now make a rational and calm descion!

Even though they were really sweet and kind, i still came out feeling like I had been through the mill, epecially after seeing the lifts and remebering the last time I was being pushed in a wheel chair into them....then going through my birth notes.....I cannot imagine what it would be like without that kind environment.....I am very very lucky!

Interestingly though there was no mention at all in notes of me requesting an epidural!!!!!!

OP posts:
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issimma · 19/06/2012 19:01

This reply has been deleted

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Lunarlyte · 19/06/2012 20:36

Eliza, are you NHS or private? Regardless, it's great that this was such a positive meeting for you :)

wasabipeanut · 19/06/2012 20:41

Hi Eliza, I'm glad it went well for you :)

HoneyBee1973 · 19/06/2012 20:47

Wow, good for you, that is fantastic to hear. Really happy for you. Having been in that situation - with unsympathetic consultants, I know how stressful it is. I got through a box of tissues too!
You got the best outcome possible. You will sleep soundly tonight!
Best of luck with rest of pregnancy and birth.

elizaregina · 19/06/2012 21:50

Yes I feel a weight has been lifted, so wonderful.
I am NHS, amazing isnt it - but the consultant is part of birth trauma association so perhaps a little more enlightened than the others can be.

OP posts:
Lunarlyte · 20/06/2012 07:26

Brilliant, Eliza :) When the NHS does the job well, it is s a wonderful institution indeed.

I'm concerned, though, that it was the discussion on my thread that may have made you worry (more?) about retained products. My first postpartum period was unusually long, but I don't think that there was anything like that actually going on as I showed no signs of infection (fever, foul smelling discharge, tender abdomen). The surgeon who performed my CS is a very senior surgeon at the hospital, and I trust his medical/surgical expertise.

It may well be 'one of those things' and I hope this will be proven by my next menses. What you don't often get on MN is a medical history, or emotional low-down of the OP. My DD2 was conceived on my 6th cycle of Clomid (adter 2y of TTC) so my body had been full of extra hormones before the pregnancy, with a thicker endometrial lining. I was stressed from about week 20 of the pregnancy with concern about mode of delivery. In the last 4 weeks, my blood pressure was high because I was so worried.

I suffered from an eating disorder from approx 2002-2008 which still has implications regarding my approach to certain things, and I don't think I gained enough weight with this pg, which of course affects how the body heals postpartum. Some members of my family - despite supposedly coming from a close family - have still not met my baby, and she's 9wo tomorrow. This has upset me tremendously, if I'm really honest.

So what I'm saying is that I have been under a lot of emotional stress recently which I honestly think has had a knock-on effect on my healing, and my bodys response to healing. I just thought that is was inportant for you to know that.

elizaregina · 20/06/2012 09:33

Argh thanks Luna

No your post didnt stress me - just alerted me to something else to watch out for.....I was going to stress it in my birth plan anyway - to make sure placenta is removed...I have heard of placenta being left in - even after a section, elc or emg sec not sure...

Its just my other hospital has a reputation for generally leaving bits in and I know of four women who have suffered really nasty blood poisoining and been on life support machines due to infections.

You poor thing re family! A birth rather like weddings and funerals can be fraught and people can behave very oddly indeed, my pil were so horrendous last time they are not even knowing about this new baby! Infact half my problems last time, were from other people.

Try not to let it upset you - as hard as it is....humans are strange strange creatures.....Your the mum and your health must be the absolute priority, to look after this small baby. Anyone who doesnt get that or respect it - isnt worth your time. Thanks so much for filling me in though.

RE : Consultant - it makes sense that someone who is counselling people over birth trauma is intereted in it - and is a member of the BTA. She said technically my notes look more second labour than first, but she stressed the difference between the technicalities and my brain and my suffering....

Really how can any other person help you make descions without this background?

I hope you get better soon.

OP posts:
Lunarlyte · 20/06/2012 10:51

Thanks, Eliza xx

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