Well I was at the hospital in crying pain only 2cm with DD1, unsympathetic mw's - after 6hrs of gas and air had first pethadine shot, then the next one however many hours later you can, had epidural and was only 4cm, wasn't told at this stage she was back to back - I was in so much pain I thought I was dying!
After next pethadine wore off I had epidural but got told off by MW for having my gas and air still my epidural wasn't working properly.....put on hormone drip, baby in distress...
My waters had broken on the Wed at 5am, this was Friday night at 8pmish....
they went back and forth for ages drip on drip off.... finally I got to 6cm...
by 11pm I was 9cm, they decided they would keep going..although they thought she might be stuck, then I was prepared for theatre for ventose twice, followed by forceps 3 times if that failed it would be a c-section.
Now I did NCT birth classes they did the whole scare you about c-sections or mine certainly did (not just me all the mums in our group felt the same way) so I didn't want to have a section... I don't remember at the hospital being told the risks of ventose or forceps...
the only thing I remember form the NCT class about ventouse is it can cause a slight cone head and nothing bad about forceps..
Well ventouse failed twice, forceps on the third and final try was successful, BUT my dd's face was very badly bruised and she suffered a cosmetic issue with her eye, it is only noticible when she is tired! We were referred by the HV to the hospital for it so its not a PFB thing! it is cosmetic and I won't be doing anything about it not unless it bothers her enough when she is older and I would avoid doing something if I can!
I do not remember anyone telling the dangers of forceps, in the NCT classes I remember their being jokes about them being big salad servers....
Not only did DD have bruising to her face she had massive blood blisters from the ventouse! Poor thing!
then the stitching i was being sewn for what felt like forever, and it was horrific driving for the first 6months if I broke suddenly I coudl feel the pull where the stitches were!
2nd time around I had an ELCS, was lovely calm, initially when pregnant I was no I'm going to do the hypno birth thing (the womans voice on the CD wound me up!) I think I was so scared about the same thing happening again, I had long discussions with my MW who was supportive in whatever direction I went, was very pro natural but understood my reservations...
Consultant agreed straight away.... when I went to see the registar at 36 weeks she tried to talk me out of it.... my hubby had to stand up for me and say no she wants the section and be quite firm about it!
I had my section it was so peaceful, if not a bit surreal! but the best decision I made for my person circumstances... I don't get the whole bull people spill about if you don't have a natural birth its not the same/natural/you don't bond....
the love for both my children is overwhelming nothing will change that all I wanted was healthy children the delivery method natural or through the sunroof doesn't matter as long as you love and cherish them!
The not driving thing for 6 weeks was the hardest for me personally, but you know what I had my shopping delivered, after 2 weeks I was able to get to the high street one way and taxi back.... we got a lot of taxi's initially much to my DD1's delight! It wasn't ideal but my recovery was quicker and less stressful than my "natural assisted birth".
Things I didn't realise - you can refuse ventouse and forceps... I went with it as I thoguht it was better to avoid a c-section and I was advised she was too far down, I think you have know in yourself what you can and can't cope with!
It is well worth going through your notes with the hospital on your last birth, makes you realise how much is going on....
good luck with you decision.