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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Could I have some lovely ELCS stories please?

32 replies

noitsachicken · 11/08/2014 20:26

I am trying to decide between VBAC and ELCS, at the moment leaning towards ELCS, but aware this is not best for baby.
Can I have some positive stories please? Breastfeeding went ok, great recoveries, coped fine with older child (I have a two year old DS), bonded with new baby no problems etc etc.......

Thank you

OP posts:

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MrsSpencerReid · 11/08/2014 20:30

I had an elcs 7m ago, it was great, recovery was fine, it was way easier to look after my toddler post section than heavily pregnant, pain relief compatible with bf, bonded loads better than with ds1 (emergency section) I can't lie and say baby was totally fine but he was born at 35w and I have pre existing medical conditions that were almost certainly to blame for the minor blips, no problem with his breathing or feeding. It was an experience I wouldn't think twice about another section, I would another baby

Vajazzler · 11/08/2014 20:31

I've had 5 c/s. 1st emergency and the rest planned. For all the planned ones I've had the screen lowered so I could see them being lifted out as well as skin to skin once the initial checks have been done and I was back in recovery. I've always healed well and it has always been love at first sight.

SmileAndNod · 11/08/2014 20:33

Absolutely. Had an elective with my second (breech). Was delivered, placed on my chest under towels and started feeding whilst I was being stitched up. Was out of hospital 24 hours later, no trouble bonding (despite having had PND previously and since). Recovery was much easier than my first VB, had a 2.9 year old at the time and it was great.

I had planned a home birth, and beat myself up about having to have a section but it worked out really well. Very calm, relaxed.

Is that what you needed to hear

WinterHasRuinedMyFace · 11/08/2014 20:34

My elective c section was a breeze. Healthy baby, breast fed fine. Can't comment on looking after an older child at the same time though. At least with an elcs you get a date and can line up people to help you for the first couple of weeks.

Only1scoop · 11/08/2014 20:35

I had an elcs.... totally amazing calm and almost serene experience....
Wouldn't even think twice.

Original poster

noitsachicken · 11/08/2014 20:38

Thank you, this is helping!

OP posts:

rainbowfeet · 11/08/2014 20:41

My 2nd elc in 2012 was a dream... So calm & well organized. I'm a lone parent elder dd spent the day with her grandad & my mum was my birthing partner. Op itself went smooth & ds was very well after elc.
I could have attempted to be up & about same evening but didn't feel ready so asked if I could wait til morning. Health care assistant was lovely, she fed & change ds for me & then before she left next morning she removed my catheter & helped me up so I could shower. From then on I was fine no pain at all & went home following day.. (48 hours after elc)

My mum stayed with me until I had finished the course of antibiotic injections (so she could do them) by day 5.. 7 days after elc I was back to doing everything by myself including school runs.. Lifting car seat etc.. Very glad I took it easy first 12 hours & didn't rush recovery.
I didn't breast feed but don't think it would have been a problem as I was easily able to lift ds & no problem at all bonding as the whole op & recovery was so calm.

Sweetshop · 11/08/2014 20:41

Hello I had 2 ELCS after emergency first one and was a nightmare during both pregnancies as I kept thinking about VBAC and I couldn't decide what to do. I ended up with the ELCS for my 2nd, mainly as my DH thought I should as it would be likely to go wrong again (DD1 got stuck at 10cms) - I think if he had been more supportive I'd have liked to VBAC. The ELCS was fine and calm and the hospital staff were lovely and I felt we had a nice experience. Then the next pregnancy I was really put off VBAC by the hospital staff as I'd had 2 before and I got the impression they wouldn't have been very supportive if I'd tried. The 3rd CS was not as nice as
I had to wait til 4.30 as busy and the staff were stressed. Each CS has been easier to recover from and not as hard as after the EMCS so that's a positive. On reflection I would have hired a doula for my 2nd birth and tried a VBAC as I do feel like I've missed out on giving birth naturally. Also something I didn't consider - after the 3rd one I have a nasty overhang and lots of cold dead scar tissue which I can't feel and it looks so ugly. I had none of these problems after the first and didn't know what an overhang was - just telling you as wish someone had told me! Good luck with your decision there's a good vbac group on yahoo which is really helpful and supportive and I think a doula would be great to help you if you VBAC.

Steben · 11/08/2014 20:41

Same as only1scoop, lovely exp. was hard with recovering with a two year old, but I was out of hospital within 24 hours, DH did everything for the first two weeks and I started driving week 3.

Sweetshop · 11/08/2014 20:44

.... I should also add bonding, breastfeeding and caring for toddler went just fine after ELCS and recovery was fine

KnottedAnchorChief · 11/08/2014 20:47

I had ELCS with DC2, an exciting but relaxed experience. Great recovery, no pain afterwards and lots of really good quality time with my new contented baby that I just didn't get with DC1 (VB which was awful for everyone). I was fine coping with 3 yr old and the baby on my own after about a week, although needed help for the first few days as couldn't lift or push buggy. BF hasn't been v successful for me with either of mine so can't comment on that, no difference in experience there.

Actually I was looking for my scar in the shower the other day and noticed it has disappeared completely after 2 years of me showing it off! I would do it again tomorrow, no question.

Original poster

noitsachicken · 11/08/2014 20:53

Thank you so much for sharing your stories

OP posts:

lisbapalea · 11/08/2014 21:01

Agree with many previous posters. I've had two ELCs and I can highly recommend them.

Both times they were very calm, relaxed experiences. I recovered well and was driving within 4wks for my second one. My milk came in within two days of each and bf-ing started well. I had a 4yr old to contend with as well as the newborn for the most recent CS and my scar didn't cause any issues with dealing with the older one as well as the newborn.

Good luck!

HappyAsASandboy · 11/08/2014 21:28

I had an ELCS with my twins at 38+1 weeks.

Straightforward op, I saw the babies being lifted out. Baby one dried a bit and then handed to DH, baby two born one minute later, dried a bit and put in my arms (I couldn't move much, but midwife propped me and baby two safely so we were nose to nose :) ).

I didn't breastfeed for hours and hours afterwards (13+ hours!), but only cos no one told me to, not because of the CS. Once we did feed, feeding went well and I fed both babies on demand until they sf weaned at 2yrs 6mo and 2yrs 9mo. Bonding was no problem - I instantly became like a mother bear in a cave. Gone were all my Gina Ford ideas once I had them in my arms.

I recovered pretty quickly. Two nights in hospital, then took it easy at home. Walking round large garden pushing pram at 4 days, lunch out (at a baby friendly, quiet, no pressure cafe!) at 10 days and driving at 2.5 weeks (including lifting double pram in and out of car boot).

Don't get me wrong, you'll feel like you've been hit by a truck the morning after the operation, but get up and start moving/have a shower etc and your recovery will be off to a good start :)

Good luck, whatever you decide. It's a hard decision (I am also having to make it now, about DC 3), but I am also leaning towards an ELCS given how smoothly it went last time.

Original poster

noitsachicken · 11/08/2014 22:14

Thanks again. Such lovely stories. I wish it was an easy decision, I have a back problem which complicates things and last CS was under GA which I really want to avoid. I think ELCS is the bet way to avoid GA but there is still a little niggle saying just go for the VBAC, it might be ok!

OP posts:

SomeSunnySunday · 11/08/2014 23:10

Actually ELCS (at 39+ weeks) is very likely to be best for baby. It's just not always best for the mother, and for subsequent pregnancies (as compared to a successful VBAC). The RCOG guidelines have a lot of info on this, and I have been very clear that an ELCS has been the safest option for my DCs 2&(impending)3 (after an EMCS with DC1).

Anyway, my ELCS was great. Lovely, calm, no feeding issues, easy recovery. Am hoping for a repeat performance later this year!

Original poster

noitsachicken · 12/08/2014 06:56

Thanks, I'll look for the guidelines.

OP posts:

Only1scoop · 12/08/2014 07:25

I also was led to believe safer for baby.

1944girl · 13/08/2014 13:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YorkshireTeaGold · 13/08/2014 13:39

Ive had 2 elcs... Totally fine, bonded from day 1, recovery ok, second time I had a 2 year old to look after and I was getting her dressed day 3. Was sore for about4 weeks but nothing major, hardly needed painkillers after the first week.

Fairly sure that ELCS is the safest for dc if all other factors are equal. Nice guidelines are good, they have a summary if I recall. Don't know why there are so many myths about cs! If you've already had an emcs I'd go forit.

Fuckalella · 13/08/2014 14:07

I had a CS with DC2, the actual procedure was very calm and relaxed, a week before Xmas so the radio in the operating theatre was playing Xmas songs and there was a really nice atmosphere. Getting out of bed for the first time was a bit uncomfortable, but feeding was fine.

I did develop a minor infection in the incision a couple of weeks later but a course of antibiotics sorted it out quickly. The scar isn't really noticeable now (it has been 4 years though!)

I have to say I much preferred it to DC1's natural birth, if I ever had another I would opt for CS if I could!

grove10 · 13/08/2014 14:23

Had an ELCS in June and was miles better than I expected, don't regret my decision for a moment. As others have said it was a calm and controlled experience with no complications at all. Even the epidural didn't really hurt and over in a second. Other than a 2-4 days of soreness which was very treatable with painkillers, not much pain at all and scar barely visible now. Hope you have as positive a time as i did.

Original poster

noitsachicken · 13/08/2014 17:30

Lovely stories. I think this is the way we will go. I think!

OP posts:

KnittedJimmyChoos · 13/08/2014 22:47

I thought ELC was best for baby but not as good for mum?

I certainly felt much safer in a nice controlled room surrounded by many professionals and equipment and so on.

The birth was beautiful. I could not say my first labour was beautiful, because it was painful and horrible, and btw, I had excellent care, moved round, two great MW, its just not something I could enjoy, I was tired, exhausted, in every sense,

With the section, it was just so exciting, I could feel excited, and enjoy the build up, ( waiting round to be called), The actual birth was lovely, calm, great environment in theatre, I just felt safe.

I enjoyed being bundled up with her for days after the section, and felt better able to come at her if you like, having had good sleep, being able to prepare and so on, I thought it was great.

The recovery was not easy for me, I have never had surgery, it was hard. But I had lots of help and a co sleeper cot, which helped beyond imagination.

Its a brilliant way to have a baby.

KnittedJimmyChoos · 13/08/2014 22:48

sorry loads of x posts there re safer for baby.

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