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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

If your first delivery was an EMCS, how did your second delivery turn out?

29 replies

paleandinteresting · 19/12/2013 14:33

If you had an EMCS for DC1, did you go for a VBAC (and was it successful?) or did you request an ELCS second time round? Also, did your scar hurt during your second pregnancy?

The reason I'm asking is that I had DS by EMCS a year ago and have started thinking about TTC #2. Not pregnant yet, but spend a lot of time thinking about what my birth option would be. I got to the pushing stage with DS, but he was stuck, and I was taken to theatre when he showed signs of distress. Ventouse and forceps failed to get him out so EMCS only option.

DH doesn't want more than two children, so if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again and the consultant agrees I would probably request an ELCS. I also had pregnancy-induced hypertension so was continuously monitored and administered drugs during my labour so that's something I have to take into consideration if I decide on VBAC (guessing PIH could be a problem again). But I did find recovery after the EMCS pretty bad, although with hindsight I think that might have been the shock of it more than anything. Just interested in hearing what you decided for birth #2 and maybe your reasoning. Thanks!

OP posts:

WeeTeaJenny · 19/12/2013 16:19

Hi Pale , I had an EMCS for my first due to being undiagnosed breech ( not diagnosed til fully dilated !)

My second was a VBAC , I was given the choice of whether to pre book another c section due to already having one before and I went with that. I read a lot on threads here where women have to fight tooth and nail for sections but I was booked in for one due to previous section with no bother... baby no 2 had other ideas! I went into labour two days before the section date and my labour progressed so quickly I ended up delivering normal birth with only gas and air. I didnt even have enough time to get a painkilling jag never mind an epidural. I was in hospital just before 1pm, had baby just after 3pm, very quick and totally not what I had planned ...
But now I am SO glad I did not have a second section, I was out the same night and home in my own bed.
The recovery is So much better, bit sore down below but I was able to drive, drop my toddler off, pick him up , bath him etc which otherwise I would have not been able to do..
I actually felt quite pleased with myself that I had actually done the whole birth / pushing/ delivering and would totally do it again!
Second babies/ deliveries can be totally different to the first x

MrsVaughnRice · 19/12/2013 16:22

I had a VBAC, with an epidural and forceps. It pretty much sucked, and if I was doing it again I think I'd go straight for ELCS.

Zamboni · 19/12/2013 16:32

I had EMCS with my first. Under GA, never got into labour/had a contraction. Decided on an ELCS for my second. Was very good, much more chilled, I was very comfortable and well and recovered very quickly. It's still major surgery though. I had initially wanted to try for a VBAC but wanted to avoid another EMCS/GA at all costs. My decision was based on the likelihood of successful VBAC (given to me as less than 40% for me whereas for most it is more like 70%). Also I made my final decision immediately after a scan at 36 which predicted a "10 or 11 pound baby". He was 8lb7oz in the end, but the predicted weight cemented the decision already made!

Chocchip88 · 19/12/2013 16:34

I ended up with an EMCS with DS1. Conceived again when he was about 12 months old. I wanted to go for a VBAC as didn't fancy the longer recovery whilst also trying to wrestle with a toddler. I went into labour at 37 weeks and ended up with another EMCS. Pretty much went the same way as first time round but a lot speedier.

Recovery was fine, I think prob a bit easier than first time round, maybe I knew what to expect a bit more and wasn't so shell shocked with having to deal with a tiny baby.

My first choice would have been VBAC, followed by ELCS but we're all well and healthy : )
No problems with my scar whilst pregnant.
Good luck!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 19/12/2013 16:38

I had an ELCS.

I was examined when I went in for my section to see whether things had started, or whether an induction might be possible but my cervix was high and closed so we just went straight to section.

It was a totally different experience to the EMCS, I was feeding DS2 in less than half an hour and by the time DH went back to work after two weeks I was fit as a fiddle and pushing DS1 up the hill to playgroup in a buggy with DS2 (weighing 10lbs!) strapped to my front in a sling.

Golddigger · 19/12/2013 16:38

I can only answer part of your question. And bear in mind that it was quite a long time ago!
I had an elcs for first delivery for a specific reason that wasnt at all relevant to my second pregnancy.

So a normal birth was decided upon. All went well. But I did have 2 midwives instead of one, as one had to watch that my scar didnt split. It didnt, and neither did it cause me any pain or bother at all.
I went on to have a third normal delivery, and exactly the same thing happened again. No problem at all except that she was 8lb 13oz, and I only just managed to get her out without having to go to theatre as she was a bit too big for me.

BikeRunSki · 19/12/2013 16:41

DC1 - emcs, undiagnosed breech
DC2 - went for vbac, had crash section due to uterine rupture

Original poster

paleandinteresting · 19/12/2013 19:39

Thanks for your replies! Sorry to hear about that Bike , sounds awful, hope you and DC2 were okay after.

OP posts:

scratchandsniff · 19/12/2013 19:45

Watching this with interest as I had emcs last year and might think about trying to conceive again in 2014. I think I would want to go for elcs next time. Don't think I could bear to go through the same thing again and end up with an emcs anyway.

Meglet · 19/12/2013 19:49

It was a calm ELCS. I'd already decided on it and my consultant wanted me to have one too.

Recovery was much less painful because I refused to do anything for 3 weeks.

Original poster

paleandinteresting · 19/12/2013 19:53

I feel the same. If we were thinking of having more than two children I would be leaning more towards trying a VBAC, but although an ELCS is major surgery with it's own risks, I think this option would remove many of my worries.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 19/12/2013 19:54

Had an EMCS first time, baby then developed Group B Strep which cemented my decision to go for an ELCS second time around (to avoid antibiotics in labour).

ELCS was fine, and recovery was a piece of piss compared to the EMCS. I didn't feel up to driving till 6 weeks after the EMCS, but got myself signed off to drive 2 weeks after the ELCS, I felt so much better.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 19/12/2013 19:55

I have just remembered about one of my friends, who had an ELCS with her first pregnancy due to a specific medical problem.

Second pregnancy she went for a VBAC, and needed an episiotomy - AND suffered uterine rupture of her previous scar. She couldn't pick her toddler up for months, it took her so long to recover because all her muscles were cut/torn.

She did have a third pregnancy, but it was touch and go for a while - she had to have fortnightly scans and there was continual worry about whether her scar would hold. She had an ELCS with that baby

seafoodudon · 19/12/2013 19:56

I had emcs first time- sounds similar to your experience pale. 2nd time I was clear I was either going to do it with absolutely minimal intervention or elcs. I was absolutely not up for continuous monitoring which was what the consultant wanted. I floated the idea of hb but we compromised on special permission to use mlu including pool. In the end I got to pushing stage with g and a and water but was transferred to delivery suite as dd2 also back to back. Consultant manually rotated and then one pull using ventuose and she was out. Had she not been back to back it would have been a very straightforward water birth. Even with intervention a much quicker recovery than emcs.

seafoodudon · 19/12/2013 20:00

1944girl · 19/12/2013 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bonzo77 · 19/12/2013 20:11

DS1 emcs due to complete failure of induction (not one contraction after nearly 3 days of trying).

DS2 wanted ELCS. I did (and still do) sort of want to undergo the rite of passage that is labour and a VB. Ended up with a semi-ELCS, he had to come in a hurry prematurely as my placenta failed. I am supremely grateful for 2 healthy babies and unscathed nether regions.

Now TTC #3....

elvislives2012 · 19/12/2013 20:21

Watching with interest. Am 10 weeks pregnant with DC#2. Had a horrible time first time resulting in EMCS now thinking about this one. One the one hand I want a VB to experience it and the recovery/feeding is better. OTOH an ELCS sounds calmer and I like the idea of staying 'intact'!
I have an appt next month with the VBAC clinic so hopefully give me some more answers

feekerry · 19/12/2013 20:24

dc1 was emcs and due dc2 in 6 weeks. have opted for an elecs this time round as my hospital procedures for vbacs are no induction whatsoever (would be straight to cs) constant monitoring (no thanks). i ended up 42+1 with dc1 who was nearly 9lbs and this dc seems big as well so i just can't see me having a vbac without any intervention so would rather just opt for elecs now.
i do also know of someone who had a emcs then tried for a vbac and had scar rupture and the outcome wasn't good so that sealed my decision x

ToddleWaddle · 19/12/2013 22:34

EMCS with dd1.
Vbac with dd2 2.3 years later. Membranes ruptured and baby born 30 mins later with cord around neck. Scarily quick and very painful but a very positive experience.
Immediate skin to skin and feeding. Shower 1 hour later.
Not sure what I would do about a third though as do quick.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 19/12/2013 22:45

EMCS the first time after dd1 got stuck back to back. Nightmare, awful birth and I swore I wouldn't be having any more unless I could have an ELCS. Was shaking with shock for ages, just awful.

Half way through pregnancy number two I just changed my mind. I thought it would be difficult to recover with a toddler storming about. In the end I went into labour two weeks early. Felt a bit rough all day and then labour pains came on after dinner. Got to hospital with contractions about five minutes apart and dd2 came out an hour and a half later. Only had gas and air. Never even felt them stitching me up after my cut, that gas is good stuff.

My two are different in every way and their births were different too. You really cannot compare your first with your second in my experience.

loveolives · 21/12/2013 20:44

Emcs again

theborrower · 22/12/2013 20:38

Marking my place - EMCS with DD 3 years ago because she was undiagnosed breech - only picked up as I arrived at hospital in labour - and now pregnant with baby 2. I have an appointment with the consultant when I'm 20 weeks so we'll see what they have to say. I'd like to VBAC but anxious about what might go wrong. It's interesting to read about others' experiences though - you just don't know what will happen! That's where the anxiousness comes in.

Original poster

paleandinteresting · 24/12/2013 14:46

the borrower - it would be interesting to hear how the appointment with your consultant goes. If I get pregnant again I'm wondering how enthusiastic the consultant will be re VBAC vs ELCS. Suppose it all depends on consultant and how smoothly the pregnancy is going....

OP posts:

Original poster

paleandinteresting · 24/12/2013 14:47

loveolives - if you don't mind me asking, were you trying for a VBAC?

OP posts:

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