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Childbirth

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

Original poster

How bad is a c-section?

84 replies

rosepetalsoup · 13/03/2015 09:24

Hello,
I am about to have a second child - first was born vaginally (but not easily!) but it looks like this one is breech. I think the midwives and Drs will offer me a c-section and I am feeling very frightened about the possibility. Can anyone tell me how bad it is? My first labour was about as bad as it gets, the whole cascade of interventions except c-section, so I'm no naive spring chicken, but also worried about the unknown.

Thanks.

OP posts:
azayaj · 13/03/2015 13:12

I have had all 3 types of deliveries, EMCS, assisted delivery with no pain relief and normal delivery with an epidural. Each one has its pros and cons but ultimately, the goal is to focus on the end result of a healthy mum and baby and all my deliveries eventually ended that way.
EMCS is least painful method during the actual delivery. You will feel pretty sore after the drugs wear off but its controllable with medication. The only major downside is it takes longer to heal and if you have older kids, you will need lots of help in those first few weeks or months. Bf is usually not affected if you are full term. Best of luck xxx

PannaDoll · 13/03/2015 13:12

I had an EMCS and breastfed no problem. I asked for skin to skin as soon as possible and they were great at getting the baby to me fairly swiftly.

I had no pain at all that I recall, in fact, they sent me home WITHOUT THE PAIN MEDICATION and I had to go back and pick it up at the hospital 3 days after discharge. I was up and walking around as soon as possible (nobody had told me not to do this).

My fear is now that I am approaching my due date with DC2 that I will have another EMC but end up with all the pain and bother that other's complain of with CS's. Surely I won't be that lucky twice?

Anyway, don't stress, you get a lovely baby at the end of it whatever happens :-)

OOAOML · 13/03/2015 13:12

I'm not a fastidious waxer, and because the CS was unplanned ended up with the hospital dry shave experience. If you know you're having a CS you might want to sort that out in your own time, I found my skin was pretty uncomfortable especially with the regrowth.

HootyMcTooty · 13/03/2015 13:13

My scar is quite long, which I think is common for EMCS as they're only really bothered about getting baby out, but it's very neat and very low. I was astounded at how neatly they stitched me up afterwards!

Original poster
rosepetalsoup · 13/03/2015 13:18

Pannadoll - I guess it just depends on which nerves they cut across. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

OOAOML - thanks for the tip! I hate that itchy feeling - like being 14 again!

OP posts:
Showy · 13/03/2015 13:23

Pannadoll, I found recovery from my first emcs a doddle. I was convinced it'd be harder with the second. My first started school 4 days after her brother was born and I knew I'd have a school run to do and a 4yo to run around after. The recovery was even easier. Smile I was extremely lucky.

PannaDoll · 13/03/2015 13:25

Ah wow, that's good news to tuck under my knowledge belt.

fiftyshadesofgrot · 13/03/2015 13:34

My first was a natural birth, 38 hour labour, ventouse delivery. Nasty and hell compared to my 2nd planned C section.

The C Section was so very easy it makes me laugh to this day. We were booked in for 8.50am, walked to theatre, had an injection in my back, laid down, felt like people were washing clothes inside me (odd feeling but no pain), then out comes healthy baby screaming : ) Low risk, no pain as long as you keep up with pain meds, breastfeeding was no problem and recovery 1 week at most.

Enjoy your Elective C Section.

Original poster
rosepetalsoup · 13/03/2015 13:41

Ok fiftyshades I think you nearly (along with panadoll and showy) almost have me sold. It's hardly a dream vaginal birth if you can't feel your vagina and its being manipulated by what feels like a whole ER's worth of drs at the time (as per my first).

OP posts:
fixedit · 13/03/2015 15:19

I had DD2 on Friday and was pushing her to do school run on the Monday. Was lovely Smile

PassTheCremeEggs · 13/03/2015 16:41

My experience pretty much identical to fifty shades (except first ended in EMCS under GA)

2nd birth - ELCS - amazing. Just amazing. Ask if they'll lower the screen for you to see the baby being delivered. You can't see anything gory because your bump is in the way so you just get the first sight of your baby. I had DS on my chest the whole time I was being stitched (although only because anaesthetist agreed to remove monitoring pads and wires for that time on strict condition I told him if I felt even slightly weird). ELCS vastly preferable to a bad natural labour in my view.

LittleRedDinosaur · 13/03/2015 19:00

Ooh yes, car journey home was a bit (lot) sore- take a pillow and press it to your wound when you go round corners (it felt like my insides were rattling round in there!) but I say again that the recovery was so so much better than my first "normal" delivery.
I did feel a bit cheated out of the whole going into labour naturally bit at the time but I'm totally fine with it now!

Kewrious · 13/03/2015 19:18

I had a semi ELCS first time. By which I mean booked in for one due to placenta previa. Went into labour and had an emergency one but wasn't an emergency per se. It was, dare I say it, FUN. So chilled, relaxed, people were joking. Baby born at 7:40 am, milk came in at midnight and I breastfed really easily for a year. Recovery was super quick. On my feet in less than a week, and utterly fine (ie not even a twinge of pain at the odd angle) at 20 days. Pregnant again, first scan on Monday but midwives have said, the choice is mine but they would probably prefer an elective because of my obstetric history. Which I am delighted about. Not because I am too posh to push or whatever, but because how pain and fear free it was last time.

PilchardPrincess · 13/03/2015 19:27

Not RTFT sorry

Have had 1 x emcs and 1 x elcs

Both marvellous. The first was just amazing when they put the spinal in and the pain stopped, just brilliant. Second was arranged so just rocked up to hospital, had baby whipped out, went home. Recovery fine with both, you have had surgery so need to look after yourself obviously, with the pain meds and if you rest up as advised it's just fine.

BF both in recovery room so within 1/2 hour of both and fed both for more than 1 yr.

HTH! Good luck Smile

cuphat · 13/03/2015 19:32

I had an ELCS due to DD being breech. They won't let you attempt a natural birth if baby is breech at our hospital. I cried when I found out (at 38 weeks) as I'd never had any operation before and was worried. I had an amazing experience. I had no pain during or afterwards (I just took paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly). I took it easy for weeks afterwards and recovered really well.

It was such a positive experience for me that I've opted for a second ELCS for my second baby (the best option for various reasons anyway but I'm really happy about it this time).

I bf DD for 17 months (she self-weaned when I was pregnant) so no problems there (although it did take a while for my milk to come in).

blacktreaclecat · 13/03/2015 19:38

My CS was lovely :) Really positive experience.
I healed up beautifully and little pain after about a week- for the first week you need to demand drugs. Good drugs. Don't take no for an answer and ask to see the anaesthetist if necessary.
Good luck!

Chunderella · 14/03/2015 10:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chunderella · 14/03/2015 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MissusThePoint · 14/03/2015 10:36

It's the only civilised way to give birth. And a damned good excuse to not go anywhere for a few weeks.

cuphat · 14/03/2015 19:46

Chunderella, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who found that re big knickers! I bought a load but didn't wear them as I found my usual low ones much more comfortable! I wore (bf friendly) dresses most days as I found those more comfortable than trousers.

Aestas333 · 14/03/2015 23:31

If you had a difficult first birth and this baby is breech then perhaps your pelvis is telling you something.

Don't be let down, the aim of this game is too get to the end whatever route you take. Lots of people are having problem free LSCS every day and they far outnumber the ones who have a difficult time.

Agree with the take your painkillers brigade, makes the whole thing less painful. Rember you can ask to have your oromorph dose tailored to you rather than the bog standard average dose so you get good relief and less side effects. 5-20 mg

RJnomore · 14/03/2015 23:34

My emcs was much much better than my vb with dd1.

The first 24 hours was worse, after that, it was great.

Mummify · 14/03/2015 23:48

First of all, I hope the birth goes well for you whichever way baby comes out!
I have had 2 EMCSs, the surgery was fine compared to the labours. I found a breastfeeding pillow brilliant both times - puts baby at right height, less lifting / holding / straining for you, protects your scar. Agree with other posters about making sure your other little one can do as much as poss to reduce need to lift them.

Mummify · 14/03/2015 23:51

PS - insist that they check with a scan whether baby is breach if they haven't already. My first was an undiagnosed breach - I got to 10cm (with several internal exams) before they realised....

TeamEponine · 14/03/2015 23:54

I had an ELCS due to DD being breech and it was fab. Just get and take plenty of painkillers, then the recovery is no problem. I highly recommend a c belt to help with recovery. Oh, and some huge granny pants Grin