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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Elective c section booked- tell me your stories....

389 replies

angelpuffs · 22/12/2015 21:01

I've got a date for my elective c- section when I'll be 38+6. Did anyone go into labour before their c section date? Any advice/dos and donts? I had a ventouse delivery with DD1 so would like to hear people's experiences of the op itself, post natal care and recovery- and anything else you can think of. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
zippyswife · 13/01/2016 12:24

Cloud mine are 5&3 too! I'm
Also happy either way (I think people assume I want a girl which is annoying me as genuinely happy either way). You're right about sleeping in the day when baby does. Ah bliss! Can't wait. Good luck with pre-op. I get my date next week- I'm 36 weeks so still have a while to wait. Out of interest when was your due date?/ how early are they doing the c section? Good luck!!!! X

CloudOfStarlings · 14/01/2016 06:21

off to hospital in an hour. So surreal!

zippy yes people think I want a girl too but genuinely happy either way! I'd be a bit scared of a girl in fact what do I do with her?? Grin
My due date is today..we could have had an earlier section but we opted for due date to give baby a small chance to arrive naturally though it was pretty unlikely to happen (both boys were 2 wks late & got stuck on the way out which is why we're having the cs but I've been in 2 minds the whole pregnancy about it so this was sort of a compromise!) Anyway, no going back now...!!

zippyswife · 14/01/2016 07:14

Oh brilliant! Best of luck for today (not that you need luck- all will go smoothly- you'll have your baby shortly!!).

IslaMann · 14/01/2016 07:16

Good luck Cloud Smile

BadgerFace · 14/01/2016 07:46

Hope it all goes smoothly Cloud, I'm sure it will!

LeoLemur · 14/01/2016 17:38

Just received this letter along with my booking appt... 😁
I sense I'll be facing an uphill battle to get an ELCS. Any tips?

Elective c section booked- tell me your stories....
Original poster
angelpuffs · 14/01/2016 18:38

Leo- this is so unfair! It really annoys me that women are not allowed the choice of a c section despite the new guidelines. Let us know how you get on. I'm sure someone will be along with good advice soon X

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 14/01/2016 20:11

I had similar and was referred. I stuck to my guns and got my Cs.

LeoLemur · 14/01/2016 22:32

Thanks angel and haggis that's what my OH said. I don't have the best reasoning- just can't bear the thought of the lengthy, uncertain, not always super positive experience whilst vulnerable combined with the internal exams by different people, never mind the horrors when it goes wrong, forceps etc and the EMCS...

SweepTheHalls · 15/01/2016 09:15

I would recommend that you take a friend /member of family with you to your appointment to argue your case as it can be very hard to stand up to medical professionals. My first 2 consultant appointments, I wanted a natural birth but they recommend a C section. By appointment 3 I had decided the they were right and opted for c section and the registrar but quite a lot of pressure on me to go for another natural delivery! If I hadn't been strong enough that day I wouldn't have had the delivery I wanted.

Icklepickle101 · 15/01/2016 10:33

I'll be going down to they're in about an hour, last on the list but the wait hasn't been too bad and it's been such a calm and lovely experience so far, not long till I meet little Ickes Grin

BadgerFace · 15/01/2016 11:34

Aw, enjoy those first cuddles Ickle!

Original poster
angelpuffs · 15/01/2016 11:38

Ickle- I thought you were booked for the 21st? Good luck! X

OP posts:
LeoLemur · 15/01/2016 13:02

Thanks sweep that's a good tip, and interesting to hear of the conflicting recommendations you got.

Any other tips gratefully received!

Exciting times ickle! Oooh! 😊

BadgerFace · 15/01/2016 18:21

Leo I think that letter must be a fairly new initiative as I gave birth at Kings (SE Lonfon) this month and did not have a similar letter at my booking appointment. My consultant could not have been more supportive about my decision to have an ELCS although maybe that's because I had a previous EMCS.

I would suggest start asking about an Elective at every appointment you have and stick to your guns. I thought that maternal anxiety was deemed to be a sufficient relevant factor. Good luck.

Ahrightsoted · 15/01/2016 18:39

I had a planned section booked for 39 wks as baby was transverse and too big to turn. My waters went at exactly 37 wks, I went into triage because I had a bit of spotting and never came out.
It was my sons b'day the day before and the house was a wreck as we'd had family over and all I could think about was my mil coming to take over Sad had absolutely nothing packed, not even a just in case bag for me.
All worked out fine and dd was an emergency section in end.
So get those bags packed now!!

Original poster
angelpuffs · 15/01/2016 18:44

Leo- was the letter sent before they knew you wanted a c section? Or was it sent after an initial meeting where you had discussed having one? If it was the former then maybe not quite as daunting...!

OP posts:
LeoLemur · 15/01/2016 18:59

Hmm that's interesting badger and good to hear they were supportive. Maybe they've got a new target to reduce CSs? I'll definitely take your advice and keep saying it at every opportunity.

angel actually it was in the envelope with the booking appt - clearly aiming to put you off even asking! I felt like they'd read my mind ha ha but it's just a standard letter -wasn't even addressed to me - so you're right, I shouldn't be daunted by it.

Original poster
angelpuffs · 15/01/2016 19:11

Leo- that's good. They clearly don't want women to have them and never tell you in birthing classes about the option of a C section as a new mum. It's my understanding that they have to allow you to have one if you want one- for any reason- is this right? Can anyone advise?

OP posts:
Firstmum24 · 15/01/2016 19:26

I had an ECS, the operation itself was an experience I didn't want to have but it was the only way for baby and my survival so it was a blessing in disguise!
Post op i had a great recovery, i thought i was dying at one point a day or so after the operation but it was trapped wind (tmi?) and i felt a lot better after peppermint teas!
I had help of husband and midwives to pass baby to me when she needed fed/changed but i couldn't lift her for a few weeks afterwards due to other complications during the labour - see cracked pelvis!
The wound healed quickly and didn't need stitches removed as they were dissolvable. I hate scars/wounds etc but it is is a place that you can't even see so didn't really bother me.
3months post op I am back to normal movement wise - just don't do any abdominal exercise just yet.
Hope all goes well for yourself and baby, best of luck, and remember that whatever ends up happening happens for a reason!
x

Original poster
angelpuffs · 15/01/2016 21:39

Thanks firstmum- great to hear another positive experience Smile
Ickle- how did it go...? X

OP posts:
Icklepickle101 · 16/01/2016 02:57

Angel they bought it forward because my hind waters were leaking and I was anxious of an emergency.

It truly was the best experience of my life, the spinal was bliss and I didn't even realise they had started when the announced he was about to arrive!! Baby Ickle was a little boy weighing 7lb13 at 38+1 after a growth scan yesterday measured him at 6lb6

Anyone who is anxious you honestly have no reason to be, I would do it again in a heartbeat!

IslaMann · 16/01/2016 08:00

Congratulations Ickle Flowers

Original poster
angelpuffs · 16/01/2016 08:28

Wonderful news ickle- congratulations! Xx

OP posts:
zippyswife · 16/01/2016 08:52

Ah congrats ickle. Well done!

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