C- Sections - are they really *that* awful ?

[mojomummy]

I am 35 weeks now & have had terrible problems with piles, swollen front bits & then a couple of weeks ago had a thrombosed external pile. This is an external pile that has burst & filled with blood & bulges out of your bottom

I take soaked linseeds everyday to help with not straining on the toilet, but I've had a little flare up again.

I am getting very nervous of straining to get this baby out - had a ventous with DD1 & am seeing the consultant next week.

I am thinking of requesting a c-section....but feel nervous - major surgery etc, would it endanger baby, am I opting for the easier alternative, how long would I be in pain for & how long would I be out of action ?

Any advise/suggestions would be great please...

Hi mojo..i don't think planned ones are particularly awful.I had an emergency one and my physical recovery was quick.Other women take longer to recover physically.You can be awake for the procedure and yes as with all ops complications may arise . When you Have a chat with your consultant you could tell him how nervous you are especially since having a ventouse.I have to say i would rather have an elective caesar than ventouse!

Both of mine were awful, due to post operative complications. I was in hospital for a fortnight after the second one, as I developed a soft tissue infection which the doctors battled (successfully thank god) to prevent gangrene !

Then again, other people I know had fairly straightforward c sections, so everyone is different.

I have had 2 c-sections and they were fine. Despite dd1 being an emergency c-section.

Took arnica second time round - helped with healing seemed to heal quicker.

Was driving at 3 weeks post surgery due to the successful healing. 2nd time also went home to non walking dd1 who has sn and was almost 2 1/2. No probs either time.

I have had 3 sections, all of which have been fantastic with no complications.

Oooh mojomummy, I predict you will get some heated opinions on this one!

All through my last pregnancy I thought C-section was the worst thing that could happen to me, but I ended up having one, and you know what? It was fine. I felt traumatised by the long labour which preceded it, but the actual operation was pain-free and incredibly quick.

Recovery is longer than for most vaginal births, but it was better than I expected. It depends what you mean by "out of action", but I was up and walking at 11am the next morning after a C-section at 8.45pm, and felt fully recovered after 2 weeks (obviously my body wasn't totally healed by then, but I felt fine in myself). Some people say you shouldn't drive a car for 6 weeks, but I rang my insurance company in desperation after 4 weeks and they said "If you feel up to it, you can drive" and they didn't even require a doctor's note.

Are they the easier option? It depends what you're comparing them with. C-sections are major abdominal surgery and they are not easier than straightforward and quick vaginal births. But they are a walk in the park compared to difficult vaginal births like some of my friends have had with forceps deliveries, 3rd degree tears, faecal incontinence and sometimes surgery afterwards.

i've had 2 electives- 1st was fine with no complications, 2nd went very well but i didn't recover as quickly and was in pain for far longer and so in bed for 4 weeks. as a result of that i've got back/buttock pain every day (9m on) which is being investigated at the moment. i had no choice with having c-sections as i had placenta praevia both times and fater the 1st i'd have recommended it to anyone - but maybe not so readily after the 2nd! BUT everyone is completely unique and everyone also has their own pain thresholds. your piles sound absolutely horrible and if you did have a vag birth that might be something that plagues you for ages after anyway. i think you just have to be aware of the risks all round. both babies were absolutely fine, btw, the births were calm and quick and the medical staff 2nd to none.
good luck x

On driving, there is no 6 week rule as such, this seems to be a myth. Ask your doctor (or gynae) if there is any reason why you can't drive. As long as he doesn't say you can't, then you can as soon as you feel up to it. I was back in the driving seat in less than 3 weeks after my c-section.

I had no probs after mine, at all.
I also think it's much nicer for baby. DS was born quickly and calmly, I always think being pushed down the vagina must be so traumatic! And his head was lovely and round, not all squished.

You poor thing Mojomummy
Ok, how is your weight (outside of being pregnant) and your general fitness?
If you are normally overweight and not very fit you are likely to take longer to recover from a c-section, tbh. Pain management post section is excellent, don't worry about that.
Have you had surgery before so you can compare the feeling and recovery time? I am convinced that some people are better suited physiologically to invasive surgery/anaesthesia, and they are the ones who are lucky to recover fast and happily.
They aren't awful, they are very safe when done in an elective context, but yes, complications and side-effects do exist and they can be serious.
Grill your consultant on some of your hospital policies. Is it usual to have a drain in the wound post-surgery? How long do they catheterise you for? Is the surgery done under epidural or spinal block? It is a lot less fun being mobilised post-surgery if you are still temporarily catheterised, with a wound drain and also being transfused . And also trying to hold your baby.
I don't want to be doomy, honestly - I am fine now and have two gorgeous children, but I am a good example of how electives can actually be unexpectedly unpleasant and difficult to get over.

I've had 2 electives, both fine and a swift recovery afterwards too. Breastfed both babies immediately after too with no problems
It is major surgery but I think the new baby really does take your mind off yourself and helps you to get over it fast.
It's quite possible to have a c-section with little pain after BUT it's such an individual experience.
I think your 'easier alternative' question is the least important one. You need to do what's best for you and for the baby.
Good luck with the decision and sorry about the piles - they sound awful.

Had emergency section with ds and, as with TuttiFrutti, the only real trauma was from the awful labour beforehand. This time around it's a scheduled section for me. I actually feel great relief knowing that I won't go through labour this time. Recovery wasn't too bad, although I think it is longer if you have laboured for a long time first like I did. I have a friend who had an elective and she bounced back very quickly.

Also, I too had thought beforehand that it would be just the worst thing. But, not at all. I think you are being quite reasonable in considering it.

I had an elective and was suprised at how long it took me to recover.

The birth itself was fantastic but the recovery was hard. I think because I hadn't gone into labour the 'right' hormones weren't present. DD also took a long time to get settled breastfeeding which again I think was due to her being 'plucked' rather than being born when she was ready.

But... the vaginal birth I had with DS (my first child) was sooooooo hard.

I kind of feel it's 6 of one/half a dozen of another!

Do be brave and get the consultant to have a look at you - however squeamish it might make you feel. I'm going to see mine next week as I am expecting number 3 and am not sure how this one is going to get out. I want everything looked at before we discuss the options. Last time, everyone was saying 'oh yes, you can have a homebirth, everything is fine' until the consultant actually looked and said 'I think a c-section would be more advisable'!

OOh thanks - lots of different experiences - which is good.

My weight is fine - I am 5st 3 & about 9st 10lbs. Baby is measuring small at the mo. I'm 37 & neither fit/unfit

Can really recognise the bracing for the toilet feeling...

After DD1 was born, I don't think I had trouble with the piles at all, apart from when I had codeine & I became blocked up.

Yes, will see what the consultant has to say...I'm no good with pain, that's for sure, but this time I have a different kind of feel.