Option of ELCS

[AmyLou32]

I am 36 weeks pregnant with no 2 and have been offered the choice of having an ELCS due to 3rd degree tear with no 1.

I have had an awful pregnancy and up until now and was pretty convinced that would be the best option for me as I would def not be mentally and physically strong enough to deal with labour, let alone the further damage that I could possibly inflict on myself.

I attended Hypnobirthing classes first time round and felt that really helped to focus my mind, and no get stressed or anxious at all over the labour, (even though it ended up being heavily assisted. I was fairly battered and bruised and took a good couple of weeks to feel even the slightest bit normal! But I am not sure now if want to go through what will be the aftermath of an ELCS with a toddler and put myself through surgery.

Had anyone been in this position and switched decisions at quite a late stage, and anyone have any tips on what I can begin to do to prepare my mind (and body) for labour? I do still have the Hypnobirthing materials from the classes 1st time round, but am I leaving it too late to get into that way of thinking??
Thanks for any feedback ideas etc

It's not too late, you can refuse an ELCS right up to the moment you go into theatre!

As for your other questions, I'm not sure. You know your body & mind best, if you want to give VB a go then why not? The CS option still remains open.

Thanks Orangey - I guess it would be good to hear the experiences of those who also had 3rd degree tearing 1st time around and experienced little or no tearing the 2nd / 3rd time round, and found the labour much easier, because the body knew what it was doing etc!
I have my CSec booked, but am really in two minds about whether to sit it out and wait, in the hope that I can labour naturally without causing myself any further damage! It's also generally supposed to be quicker aswell - right?

All I'll say is that I found the recovery from an EMCS far faster than a Vbac with "minor internal tears" and extensive bruising from forceps. I couldn't sit down for weeks which was dead handy when feeding around the clock.
Ask about pain management after a CS. Paracetamol doesn't cut it, you need the good stuff and if you take it regularly, after the first 10 days you should be fine with the occasional paracetamol. The first week is a bit of a kick in the guts though - hurts to laugh etc. You'll be in hospital for 3-4 days anyway.

I had a third degree tear and then opted for a c section as a result. I recovered MUCH more quickly from the caesarean. In fact, still suffer some pain from the tearing now - eight years on. Pain following a caesarean is uncomfortable but NOTHING in comparison to doing a poo or trying to sit following a 3rd degree tear!!!!!

Agree completely with those above. I am four days post-section and I feel 100x better than I did one month after my first. I also had 3 deg tear, episiotomy and forceps and I was not only in pain from the injuries for a long time, I felt mentally and physically unwell too.

I was completely torn about the ELCS. On the one hand, I wanted to give birth naturally. On the other, I couldn't face the aftermath of a repeat performance of DC1. I was still dithering internally up until I went into hospital but I can only say, a few days on, that I'm glad I didn't back out.

The pain is so manageable - it only hurts when I move too much or stand up (or try to turn onto my side to sleep at night (cry). Bedtime and being in bed are the hardest. I am taking only ibuprofen and paracetamol and coping pretty well - well, apart from the fact that my DH has decided to become a comedian since Monday and laughing hurts!

So I am not trying to convince you one way or the other but give you an idea of how you might feel afterwards from someone in exactly the same position. I have a toddler and can't lift him but I am getting a lot of help from my husband and family members - you do need that support for an ELCS.

Thanks Geppa, fireandlife and oscar, it is really insightful and informative to hear about others experiences esp with ELCS as I am most scared about surgery and keep thinking it'll be a much harder recovery than natural birth even with tearing, the problem is, this is what all the consultants/midwives keep telling you, longer / harder recovery!! And you have noting else to base it on!

Anyway I have just over a week to my ELCS date and so a bit more time to mull things over

Thanks again

As well as comparing the recovery periods of each, don't forget to add in the actual birth bits - with elcs you will not be in any pain, the worst bit is the waiting around (or you might be called straight away) and you haven't had to go through a difficult, long labour to drain your strength. Though of course, the labour could be easy and straightforward! There is less unpredictability about the cs I suppose, whereas your labour could be marvellous or could be awful.

I had a shorter period of intenser pain due to a funny turn I did, and pulled something, it was short periods of pain, like a few mins here and there for a few days, and it waned off.

It was even with that, less painful than labour and after I was actually well from the section, I felt so much better all round, esp below than after the first labour. My back took a bashing first time round....so has been easier on that regards.....

I have my C-Sec tomorrow (if I don't get bumped) any last minute tips ladies - I'm still in two minds?

I would be so excited about holding my baby by tomorrow night, that I don't think I could wait! But then I've never had a labour so I haven't experienced both sides. It feels different to other surgeries because of what you are doing it for. I won't have a 3rd but if I could I'd have another section - the recovery (for me) was absolutely fine, and the pain was easily controlled - just be wary of sudden movements and doing too much too soon. Best of luck, and with whatever you decide!

Thank You for your advice, will def take that on board

How did it go? I had a 3rd degree tear with dd1 and am booked in for an ELCS in April for dd2. Petrified already but it's the best choice for me x