Tmi: vaginal recovery v ELCS recovery

[ChocolateBiscuitCake]

Ive had three previous vaginal births (very large babies) with varying damage to lady bits...plenty of discomfort post birth from constipation/piles etc too. All long labours and resulting in vontouse as last attempt pre EMCS. A significant period of "healing" has been required! I think I may have a small vaginsl prolapse and I am currently suffering from enormous and painful varicose veins (down there). I feel like four pregnancies and three labours (so far) have taken their physical toll.

Seriously considering a (private) ELCS for a multitude of reasons but one motivating factor is "preservation" of my lady parts. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I don't want any more stretching, tearing etc. And I never want to have episiotomies etc, which thankfully I have avoided to far.

Am I right in thinking, there is no "vaginal healing" post an ELCS? I assume there is still bleeding (from the process of the uterus healing?) but the lady bits don't need to recover, as such?

I am trying to weigh up the recovery and long term picture...my bikini days are long gone, so a scar doesn't bother me and the appeal is that as a controlled op, the recovery should be straightforward?

Any thoughts and experiences would be so welcomed please?

[MyDarlingClementine]

btw the lochia was nothing compared to normal birth, very light, little etc but my goodess first period was a shocker, thought I was heomoraging!

[MyDarlingClementine]

choclate my downstairs feeling totally normal was a brilliant side bonus of my elc..after 1st vag birth I was crying in pain for a wee....for 10 days, scared to drink coz of wee, scared to wash myself down below.

my pelvic floor and all rest feel normal as did before elc..its been brilliant.

the whole thing was brilliant but a few things, get a co sleeper cot so your not twisting with the baby unless co sleeping, moses is not the same, its not....

do get lots and lots of help lined up for two weeks after....give yourself two weeks..of total rest..air the scar as much as poss, lie on bed, let air get to it etc...

I just couldnt risk being that person, in the room when the bell goes, and am so glad I went for and was indeed allowed an elc.

good luck op...I think you will enjoy it, I really do"!its a wonderful way to bring a baby into the world, and being saved from labour you will be awake and alert enough to enjoy

[OliviaRinHerts]

Excellent news chocolate biscuit cake. I'm glad you are relieved and excited

What's the date?

Good luck!

[ChocolateBiscuitCake]

I watched an obem episode last night (I know!!!) and there is a bit where a mum is pushing and the midwives press an alarm and suddenly the room fills up with doctors and they announce that the baby is getting tired, we need to go to theatre. It is a mad panic and the parents look white as sheets and terrified as suddenly things take a worrying turn.

That mum has been me. All three times. I burst into tears and I realised that this is what haunts me.

I met with the consultant today (privately) and before I said anything, he looked at my history and said that if I have an elective induction, it is most likely there will be a similar outcome!

So without hesitation (from him or me!), we booked a date for ELCS.

The prospect of a calm, controlled delivery has left me overwhelmed with relief and excitement.

(And "downstairs" is very relieved to have no more trauma!!!).

Thanks again for your help ladies x

[OliviaRinHerts]

I see. Thanks for taking the time to post and explain. I actually had a traumatic birth (failed ventouse and forceps eventually) and struggled to breastfeed initially so this makes sense . I think the fear of a repeat traumatic birth will hinder my ability to give birth naturally again. I was in hospital for three nights so not that different to a c section but we will see when the time comes. Lot is interesting to hear both sides. Thanks again!

[ChocolateBiscuitCake]

Thanks omni

[OmnipotentQueenOfTheUniverse]

Which I see you are going to do having reread the end of your last post

Good luck with it all

[OmnipotentQueenOfTheUniverse]

If I were you I would just go for it then and not think twice to be perfectly honest.

[ChocolateBiscuitCake]

Thanks for all your lovely, thoughtful responses - I am very touched.

I fought hard for a CS with dc3 (large baby and debilitating spd) - it was an emotionally exhausting process culminating in me having to persuade a board of the (Central London) hospital midwives & doctors. They agreed but I bottled it at the last minute (fear of a big op and recovery) and we settled on an elective induction at 39 weeks.

The experience was "fine", but it was still long (40 hours from first gel), still painful, still drawn out and still culminated in going to theatre being prepped for EMCS, ended in vontouse and sheer exhaustion although thankfully with a healthy baby.

But 4 babies in 7 years and I'm just a bit "over" contractions, pushing, tearing and piles!!!!

I don't have the energy to fight for an nhs ELCS. I've tried it, and they don't make it easy! And I am very lucky that we could afford the private route...no battle, date tbc and agreed, an experienced surgeon (not the SHO learning on the job!) and some privacy afterwards!

I am still nervous about the surgery aspect but I have had spirals, epidurals, catheters, theatre etc with all the others so it should be quite familiar.

I meet the consultant this week to discuss so thank you all for your positivity and support - I feel reassured that this is the right decision for me.

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Threeshoes I don't have any links. I found information on it in various places when I was concerned regarding whether opting for an elcs this time was going to impact on my ability to bf (had enough trouble after a vaginal birth - so was scared c section would rule it out all together).

[OmnipotentQueenOfTheUniverse]

I have had an emcs and elcs and both were fine. I found the recoveries straightforward - obviously you've had an operation so you need to be prepared to take it easy, I mean it does hurt obviously. But yes fine.

So in answer to your question:
No damage to vagina or other ladyareas as baby didn't get anywhere near them
Going for a poo / wee afterwards I don't remember as being monumentally awful. Uncomfortable maybe?
Sex with DH was off the table for a while as you need to heal right up inside and we tried it and it was uncomfortable deep inside but then my sex drive fell off a cliff anyway so it wasn't an issue
You do still bleed out getting rid of all the gumph inside

Agree with others that 1. preservation of ladyparts is no way frivolous. You'd never get a man being told that wanting to avoid something that could totally ruin his penis and testicles was frivolous and 2. you should be able to get on NHS esp with your history.

For Olivia, I BF both mine in the recovery room after the CS, and fed both for over a year, so IME no probs with BF due to CS.

[TheEagle]

threeshoes, check out the KellyMom website - "when will my milk come in?" article has some references to studies done regarding delays in milk coming in.

On phone so can't link.

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Olivia if you have a traumatic birth it can delay milk coming in, obviously those having emcs are more likely to have had a traumatic birth. Also people having cs are more likely to be those whose baby has a problem and needs time in scbu, thus affecting bf. That's where this idea of cs causing bf problems comes from.

Delivery method in itself makes no difference what-so-ever as its the placenta being delivered that triggers milk production. However trauma experience during or shortly after birth or being unable to have skin to skin does effect it, regardless of delivery method does.

[TheEagle]

I don't think you made it up olivia - sometimes when you've had a CS your milk may be delayed in coming in by a day or two (my milk came in on Day 5, usually people experience milk coming in on Day 3).

Physiologically your body mightn't "realise" as quickly that you've actually had the baby because of the method of birth.

Also with a CS, you might find the initial few days uncomfortable because of your wound. Pillows help!

Fwiw, I fed DS for 13mo and only stopped because I was pg again

[OliviaRinHerts]

Thanks muffin mclay. Useful to know.

Did I make it up (I do that sometimes) or is that what some people say?

[MuffinMcLay23]

OliviaRinHearts - a section won't give you a breastfeeding problem - I BF'd DC1 for a year, no issues at all, milk came in around about 3 days I think. Its the removal of the placenta that triggers milk production so a CS makes no difference whatsoever to that.

[GetLow]

I have had two sections (emcs and elective). I had a slight prolapse after the first pregnancy, as well as piles and constipation and those lovely afflictions with both.

I recovered well from both sections. I was up and about within 24 hours both times, out and about for short walks to the shops etc within a week the first time, a few days the second time. I have no vaginal labour to compare to, but it wasnt a hard physical recvery. Maybe I was lucky? I was chomping at the nit by my six week check to get back to exercise!!

I think for you, you also need to weigh up the psychological effects of both options, OP. You cant underestimate how surgery can make you feel. With my first section, it was quite terrifying. I felt totally out of control. The shock of having to recover from surgery with a newborn was also quite brutal - having a catheter, a drip, feeling very much that I had been cut open (not pain wise, but the whole area just felt so raw and weak). It did make me feel quite shocked and brutalized the first time (second was fine as I knew what to expect).

I'm not trying to scare monger you! I adored my elective section. It was so serene and recovery was quick. But will surgery - ie. a new, quite invasive physical experience - really be an easier option for you? I dont know. I think you are absolutely within your rights to discuss this as much as you need to with a consultant, though, after having quite rough previous vaginal labours.

Good luck x

[Zsazsabinks]

It's not ridiculous to potentially favour ELCS due to a wish to preserve your lady bits! Goodness me, women are expected to just suck it up with incontinence, prolapse, damaged sexual function etc. and I think that's so wrong!

[OliviaRinHerts]

This is interesting.

I had episiotomy and a third degree tear. It was awful. Ds was 6Ib 3 so not big. Stitches only came out at three months. Ds is five months and we still haven't had sex. Not sure what I will do for number 2. I can't run due to poor pelvic floor muscles whih is really sad for me as I run part of my journey to work to cut down travelling time. I know it can't take a while to recover but I would consider Elcs for my next one although I would worry about ability to breastfeed after Elcs as I love breastfeeding .

Just my thoughts

[ireallydontlikemonday]

I have never had a vaginal delivery but have had an EMCS. Surgery at 10pm, T1 delivered 10.09, t2. 10.10 and back in recovery at 10.40pm. I had a placental abruption so it was very emergency if there is such a term.

I was up and in the shower at 11am and able to walk to the NICU at lunchtime.

My scar is practically invisible now, could easily wear a bikini - not that I would inflict that sight on the world!

No damage to pelvic floor or lady bits even with the weight of a twin pregnancy.

[Idefix]

I have had an emcs and a elcs and had complications with both surgeries, with my first emcs I haemorrhaged during procedure, bleeding was stopped but had to go back to theatre 12 hours later as they thought I was bleeding again. Ended up needing blood transfusions and think it took about 3 months before I felt better. My second elcs went better in terms of actual procedure but I went on to have a horrible uterine infection which took several weeks to clear.
It is not a always clear cut that an elcs will the best/least traumatic option. From a lady bits point of view I was left with a recto and cystocle and piles from pfbs birth that I am dreading having repaired. I also had long term loss of strength in my abdominal muscles.
Obviously love my dc but wish the their arrivals had been easier.

[WilsonWilsonWoman]

One thing, they cannot say no to you. It is your choice! Read up on the NICE guidlines and go armed with the facts and your rights. :) I had an EMCS and have chosen a ELCS this time round. At no point did I meet any resistance and in fact when I met my mw for the first time and she asked about what I wanted for delivery and I told her I wanted a section, she said "I do not blame you" quite cheerfully.

Good luck! I'd have a CS any day of the week!

[nutelladipper]

I'm 8 weeks and keen to have a csection based on two assisted deliveries with episiotomies with both and 2nd degree tears with both - all in opposite directions!!!
I'm seeing my mw next week and nervous about requesting it incase they say no - I can't afford private!

I don't want anymore physical damage as still have sore scars and have scarred badly apparently!! Also this will be my last baby and I don't want the feeling of failure and the panick. I want a controlled positive experience.

X