Second baby, elective c-section?

[misselainey]

Hi this is the first time I've posted on mumsnet and would be really grateful for some advice.

I had my first baby in March 2012 and had to be induced at 42 weeks. I delayed the induction by three days as I was absolutely petrified of being induced (and about giving birth generally).

I had an epidural and a VB with forceps. I had a second degree tear, two tears in fact, which turned out to be a third degree tear (this was discovered a week after the birth). I got an infection in my stitches and had an internal infection and was losing a heaps of blood for the first week after the birth.

It was identified that I had blood clots or placenta left over that needed to be removed. I went into theatre 10 days after the birth under spinal anaesthetic and got my stitches re-sutured, the third degree tear stitched and what I think was something like a D&C to evacuate anything remaining.

I was in absolute agony after the anaesthetic wore off and was up all night climbing the walls in pain, had to be given morphine. My son stayed with me in the hospital as I was breastfeeding and was hooked up to IV antibiotics most of the time which caused my son to be very sick - constant projectile vomiting, which was eventually diagnosed as reflux when he was 6 months old.

I was unable to stand or walk for 9 weeks because of the pain of the stitches and unable to sit down for 3 months at least and had to breast feed lying down. It is still incredibly painful and uncomfortable to have intercourse with my partner and I've had to take very strong painkillers so that it is bearable. I also feel that when I was re-sutured that I was stitched up too tightly and this is part of the problem along side the tear.

I was completely incontinent after the birth which the midwife has since told me that this was probably caused by the forceps. There has also been damage to my lower back and coccyx. These issues have slowly been resolving over time but not completely.

I am now 11 weeks pregnant, the pregnancy was unplanned and I had an initial meltdown about it but have got to a better place and feel that it is meant to be.

However at my booking appointment yesterday I was told that because baby number 1 was 16 days overdue, I would most likely go overdue again and will be induced.

I do not ever want to be induced again, I cannot go through that and will not go through that. I had to wait for nearly three days in the hospital and did not sleep for 2 nights before the actual birth. All my strength and resources were gone by the time I was taken to the labour suite.

I know that I will have to wait until my 20 week scan (another 8-9 weeks) before I can discuss the birth with the consultant. I am needing reassurance of some kind because I do not want to be induced. In my experience and based on what I was told by the midwife before the birth, induction = epidural = forceps.

I just do not want to go through this ever again and for that reason I would not have planned another pregnancy.

I was told by a midwife at the third degree tear clinic that I would be offered an elective C-section. Although I know this has risks and is not to be taken lightly, I just know that I absolutely cannot go through another induction ever again.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Apologies for such a long message. Elaine

Hugs. What you went through sounds awful and it's no wonder you don't want a repeat. I'm sure in the circumstances you could be offered an elcs if you want one - or if you'd still like a natural birth as long as no induction, maybe you could ask to schedule a c section at the point when they would have induced, and if you go into labour before then it's a bonus? My dd was born by elcs as she was breech and though I was gutted at the time, my experience was a walk in the park compared to yours and I've healed and recovered well.

I have requested an ELCS for my second child due in October after my DS was an induction which then resulted in an EMCS due to failure to progress. I had a very painful labour which in hindsight was due to a lumbar disc prolapse which left me with 8 weeks of neuro probs in my left leg & 10 months of horrendous back pain.
I have been told by my midwives that it is very likely to be approved by the consultant at my 34 week appt and I'm sure you would be in the same position. Good Luck with the pregnancy

My first baby is due October 18th and I am having ELCS booked and confirmed on 10th .

I would discuss it with your midwife as soon as possible or at your next appointment. its never too early to start discussing these things.

my ELCS wad confirmed due to anxiety, a gastric bypass and a pass ovarian tumour surgery.

I think the earlier you discuss it the more at ease you will feel that its been talked about and be pushy if you have to be.

I am so sorry you had such a traumatic time of it and I dont really see any reason for them not to discuss it through with you and approve it. my ELCS was approved at 28/29 weeks. o was very pushy and insistent on referral appointments as my doctors have a tendency to sit on them for weeks. even booked myself in to see the obstetrician before thw referral came through and I haf my partner at every appointment for support as due to my server anxiety I tend to fall apart at those sorts of appointments. xx

Hi. I don't have any experience of natural childbirth as I had a c section with my dd - she was breach. It was uncomfortable afterwards but I managed on paracetamol and I was up the next day moving around (from late afternoon). My scar healed well and I had the odd twinge if I twisted in bed. I think the worse thing for me was not being able to drive for 6 weeks. Overall my experience was very positive.

I had a traumatic birth the first time around resulting in emergency c section..i won't go into details or hijack the thread but ended up with ptsd. I am having a elcs in 5 days with dc2. I would advise you talk to professionals look at all your options but if you feel strongly you want a elcs say so from the beginning and be a bit pushy for what you want. We pretty much knew we wanted something calmer after last experience but listened to all options. I really feel for you, it sounds like you had a horrid time and I am sure you will get the support you nee but you do need to be assertive to get what you want from my experience so far....

I had a three day induction which failed and ended in an EMCS. When they don't work it is soul destroying and you are already knackered, I really do feel your pain! I'm pregnant with #2 and one thing I am definite about is NO induction. Can't decide about another section though as I found it all quite traumatic, I think I'm still hoping someone's going to magic it out. I do think DIY's idea is good though and may go down this route myself.

So sorry to hear what a horrendous time you've had. I had a pretty traumatic first birth and am pregnant again and am considering an elective c-sec. The hospital are desperate to persuade me against it. If I do go for it I know I will have to be insistent. I feel they are not really listening to how affected I was by it last time, they seem to think 'well nobody died so it's fine' but for me it wasn't fine. They will probably try and fob you off but if it is the right thing for you then don't take any crap and insist on it. Your physical and mental health is really important, you've had a dreadful time of it with the last birth and YOU are the one having this baby, not them.

I had a similar situation though not half as bad as you, you poor thing
with dd I gave birth naturally, was terrified of epidurals so just had gas and air, got 3rd deg tear, and then my placenta didn't show, so 1 hour of surgery manually removing then restitched
stitches agony, then 10 days pnatal, as they'd healed, had a huge bleed had to go in for another d&c for retained products, completely unstitched and resitched; unbelievable.

for my 2nd I had an elective C-section. It was wonderful, even though I did it with a broken coccyx from a fall. The team were calm and confident and I was more excited than nervous.

A bad vaginal birth is far worse and more dangerous than a C-section IMO. Have a section. Relax. Congratulations, and hope everything goes well for you.

ps Ive just found out am expecting my third, going to have another section.

I think on reflection in your case I agree with choc chaffinch. I hated my section, it certainly wasn't one of the calm, serene, up and walking fairly quickly ones but all the problems were solved pretty much by the 6 week mark. Your situation sounds much much worse and if you want a section for your own peace of mind you should push for one. You may find when they review your situation that is what they suggest anyway. Good luck!