Plese tell me about emergency C sections because labour hasn't progressed

[ontheedgeofwhatever]

I have it into my head I'm going to end up having one this time.

With DD I was induced at 38 weeks and wasn't progressing. They were saying they wanted to do a c section but I kicked up such a fuss they agreed to another hour during which time I went from 2cm to them being able to see baby's head so I didn't need c section. I will be induced again in 2 weeks time at 38 weeks this this time and I'm really frighted its going to happen to to the extent i'm having terrible nightmares about it and waking up screaming in tears

I know if baby really needs it I'll agree but selfishly I'm really frightened scared witless by the idea and what will happen with recovery afterwards.

So if you've had one under these circumstances will you tell me about your experiences and what actually happens and if you can reassure me so much the better

By the time it got to mine i was delirious in g&a, had been in active labour for 14 hours and was just pleased to
See an end in sight. I can honestly say i was so off my face I wasn't scared at all, and it was a calm weird but pleasant experience. So much so im trying for an ELCS this time, the induction was worse than the section for me.

I recovered reasonably well too if thats what you meant

Ive just seen that is indeed hat you meant! I was on my feet by 7 am the next day (DS born at 11.36) although that was not overly a choice thing. Obviously wasnt walking far but the second day i managed a shower, and once my stitch was out i felt pretty back to normal, i wasnt running marathons or anything, but could manage a 20-30 minute walk by two weeks post section, so by a week for example i felt reasonable good

Why would you think your second labour will not progress? Second labours are often faster and progress more quickly. You probably already know to stay active, upright and mobile.

The last time you listened to your instincts and asked them to wait and you were right because within an hour things progressed really quickly...you did really well there...and you will again. Try and be positive as it reallty does help.

I don't really know Wizard just got this horrible feeling it won't though logically I know it should be quicker. Its actually my third labour though the first time was horrible as lost baby at nearly full term. Last time because I was on drip and monitor I wasn't really allowed to move about and I don't think that helped.

I think I'm just frightened of labour and its outcome in general after what happened the first time. Stupid but almost as if I'm looking for problems :(

BB thanks for telling me about your experience it is little bit reassuring

I had EMCS after failing to dilate. Was on syntocin for 24 hours and DD started getting distressed.

The procedure itself was relatively quick. I had an epi sited and catheter put in. I shook and trembled from the epi in my left arm but otherwise I was reasonably calm.

DP was then allowed in and sat up near my head holding my right hand. The Anaesthetist held my left hand (bless him!!) After they tested to make sure I couldn't feel anything they told me they were going to start. No pain whatsoever but you can really feel them moving you around, pulling and tugging etc. Then they apply quite a bit of pressure on your bump to squeeze baby down. It's all very surreal. Kind of like someone doing their washing up inside your tummy.

Within 15 mins they announced they had DD and lifted her up over the blue screen. She was cleaned up and weighed and bought over to DP and I (obviously no skin to skin at that point) whilst they stitched me up. Anaesthetist took photos for us and DP took her out to see my Mum (who'd been with us pretty much all week as my failed induction to 6 days) who they'd let wait outside the theatre.

It was prob only 10 mins before I was wheeled out to recovery for skin to skin and first bf.

Recovery was ok. Hard for the first few days but I was up and walking after 8 hours. Had 2 nights in hosp then home. I did pick up an infection in my scar (weeping and nasty smell) and ended up back in hosp for 3 nights on IV antibiotics.

All in all, it wasn't my 'dream' birth experience or how I'd planned it but it was relatively straightforward and I feel great now. Little bit of an overhang but I think my bikini days were well and truly over anyway!!

Please don't worry too much. It's a relatively safe mode of delivery. I have a friend who had an awful v. delivery, with 4thdegree tear and colostomy bag. You'll hear good and bad stories from both sides.

I had an Emergency Section. My DD was born about 6am and I was up and able to walk to another room in the hospital to get my lunch on the same day.

I feel like I recovered fairly quickly and didn't have much pain in the wound.
The Dr who performed the operation advised me to take any painkillers I was offered even if I didn't feel I needed them and I think this was good advice.

I found the experience of being in the theater much calmer than in the labour room. As routine in the hospital I was in, you get an obstetrician, pediatrician and an anesthetist all in attendance, as well as your midwife and the theatre nurses (This might be the same in all hospitals?) I found this number of HCPs very reassuring.

This was my first baby so I've nothing to compare it with, but overall I'm very happy with how it all went. If you want to ask any questions, I'd be very happy to answer them if I can.

Thank you, I feel very reassured reading what you've said. I know I'm being illogical, I just don't seem to be able to get this straight in my head.

Had an EMCS due to failure to progress and baby getting distressed and must say that once the decision was made everything calmed down, I felt better (synto made me feel sick) and less frightened, and the CS itself actually was a quite positive experience.

Was at home less than 48 hours after the section, breastfeeding worked fine, too, so have nothing negative to report. Indeed, the calmness of the CS part compared to the pain and fear of the labour part was for me a factor when I decided to go for an ELCS second time round

OP, I haven't given birth yet but my friend who had an EMCS first time round was so impressed she wants ELCS this time! My mum had two and coped fine after each, and I am sure techniques have moved on since then.

Not much help as don't have direct experience but all the women I know personally who have had EMCS couldn't feel a thing, stayed awake and alert throughout, healed fine with neat scars, and were reasonably active within a week or two of the birth.

I had an emcs when they discovered DD was poorly. I'd been in 36 hours of ridiculously painful early labour, not having eaten or drunk or slept (or even sat down!) so as awful as it sounds because DD was poorly, I was pretty relieved when they said I needed a cs, I was too far gone to even contemplate pushing.

I found my care at my hospital pretty shocking all round - but my cs was actually n amazingly calm, professional experience and the best part of my entire labour. Like widow I'm going to push for an elcs next time. I had neck ache from the epidural/spinal while they were finishing me off after DD had been born and the lovely anesthetist spent 10 mins giving me a neck massage! And like other posters have said, you are up and walking quickly after.

One thing that helped me was that we went through a cs procedure in our NCT classes and were told that there are loads of people in the room with you even for a fairly normal emcs (its something like two surgeons, a mw, a nurse, the anesthetist, a pediatric nurse, then there may be trainees as well). Without knowing that I think I would have panicked at the sight of so many people in theatre with me, but I knew that it was normal - actually, it meant I didn't even realise that there were nurses from NICU in theatre too as they knew DD was going to need to be rushed off!

I know an emcs sounds terrifying but if it needs to happen then try and stay calm, remember that they are doing it because they truly believe that it is in the best interests of you and your baby, and that you will be on your feet within a few hours. Good luck x

My VBAC didn't progress well - I started with my waters breaking and after 2 nights was induced to increase contractions. Had epidural, after another night I was only 6 cm so c sections was thought best and I just wanted LO our safely at that point!

It was quite calm as not an emergency as such. I spoke to the surgeon before hand and requested skin to skin while they sewed me up, which she was happy to do. Your midwife will come with you and stay with you chatting and making sure you are ok. The anaethetist did this a bit too. Of course your birth partner can also be present (wearing a natty provided outfit) They are very good at making sure you are completely numb before they start - they test you with icy cold spray or a sharp point. As PP said there is a tugging sensation but not painful. It only takes about 10 minutes from the first incision until baby is out so not long at all! You are too busy looking at your baby to notice the rest of the op.

Immediately afterwards me, DH and baby were left in recovery on our own for a good while which was a good chance to make a decision about a name and I had a go at feeding. The op was in the morning. The next morning I was sore but able to slowly go for a shower and get my own toast but wasn't really expected to at that point. I didn't like the diclofenac painkillers but took them initially, then just paracetemol. V.neat scar, no overhang, could function day to day after a couple of weeks and proper exercise from about 3 months after.

I can only speak for myself but it really was absolutely fine!

With ds1 I was induced at 38+6 due to diabetes and failed to progress past 8cm. EMCS after 18 hours of induction. EMCS itself not so bad, recovery was awful.

With the dts, they had just started pushing vbac due to nhs cuts, I was less convinced as they'd spent so long trying to convince me it was too dangerous. Unexpectedly went into labour at 33+4 and since they thought it was good for the babies was willing to give it a go. Completely different experience as pain was really bearable for a long time and I only had an epidural as they absolutely insisted. I moved around despite being on 2 drips and with 2 belts round my stomach and stood up for quite a while. Dts stuck at 4cm for about 6 hours and pain suddenly got worse, epidural didn't help and obs came back and said if nothing had happened in an hour they would have to consider csec. I was agreeing wholeheartedly and saying do it now, please!!! She said they needed to sort out my pain relief first so I didn't make the decision while under too much pain. Turned out I was in transition and had gone from 4-10cm without them noticing. Both born unassisted in theatre. Much better than the first birth.

The point is that the obs consultant I saw at 30 weeks was right. My body did know what it was doing as it had dilated before. Hypnotherapy and quite a lot of positive thinking helped too although there was this point in theatre when I thought how the hell do I get a baby out. I obviously hadn't completely believed I'd get to 2nd stage.

Good luck!

I think it is always the fear of the unknown, I had EMCS first time round, 25 hours of labour, stuck at 9cm for 3 hours on just gas and air "you will be giving birth any minute" they said so no epidural given at any point

To cut a long story short, ds1 was in distress, so was rushed for EMCS, DH almost didn't make it into theatre as they really did rush me in. Given spinal block, could feel them rummaging around but no pain.

Recovery was fantastic, I gave birth at 6am was up the next day. The first day is hard as you can't move to lift your baby but you just put the crib right by the bed side where you can lean over to reach.

I could drive after 2 weeks but chose not to, ie I went for a drive, it was fine, but I didn't need to drive so I didn't. I just wanted to know I could in case I needed to rush Ds1 to the doctors. They thought he had a heart problem, that's a whole other story.

I chose an elective CS for ds2, I was granted one at 20 weeks pregnant. Recovery was slower, mainly because I was a SAHM with no help except my amazing DH and was looking after a 3 year old so was exhausted before I had ds2.

Personally the thought of delivering vaginally terrifies me so I was glad the decision was taken out of my hands. At the time I just wanted my baby to be okay, my friend was a midwife and they had delivered a still born baby just before I gave birth so I didn't care what they did as long as I came away with a healthy baby.

I had an EMCS after 3 days of labour, contractions usually about 5 minutes apart and lasting 2 minutes. I won't go in to the reasons it took them so long to actually do something!

Is been pushing for an hour when they took me to theatre and it was such a relief. I hadn't eaten for over 2 days and was already on a drip as I was ketotic (sp?). The EMCS itself was lovely, very calm despite te numbers of people. I recovered quickly, and I think I had a shower within 18 hours. I did have a LOT of drugs during labour - G&a and three doses of pethidine so I struggled to feed as I was sky high and DD was dozy.

I will be requesting an ELCS when we have number 2. I don't see why I should go through all that to end up with major surgery anyway!

I was also induced as I had gestational diabetes (was induced at 40 weeks, on due date). Had the gel, no reaction, had waters broken, no reaction. Had syno drip and contractions went from nothing to constant almost straight away. Rather painful so had epidural.

Drip turned off as DS heart rate decelerating. Contractions stopped. Drip re started. Examined and was 1 flippin cm dilated, after 4 hours of solid contractions.

Combination of lack of progress and DS's falling heart rate with each contraction meant a c-sec was recommended and I obviously agreed.

Was wheeled calmly to theatre with DH. Met with anaethetist, epidural topped up. Taken in and procedure was explained to me. DH sat with me. My midwife came with us and took photos throughout, so we have photos of the moment DS was born.

He was delivered quickly onto my chest, then after a quick cuddle was taken away for DH to "cut cord" and for DS to be weighed. Then was wrapped and handed back to me.

I was shaky, very shaky during the c-sec and DH talked to me the whole time. It didn't hurt, but made me feel very odd. However, it was over nice and quickly.

Then through to recovery with DS with me where he was put to my breast.

Discovered that the reason for the lack of progress was that DS was trying to descend but was bashing the side of his head against my pelvis - born with a red swelly bump which went down by the next day.

Spoke to my obstetrician the next day and idly said "what would have happened if I"d refused the c-section?" and she said "well, you might have been all fine and your son might have twisted round and all been fine. Or on the other hand he might have died".