C Section, Is it that bad?

[fairysnuff]

They say that next time I have a baby, I am unlikely to be able to give birth naturaly a strange shaped cervix or something.
I was not too worried, after having a rather traumatic birth (ventouse, shoulders stuck, and placenta needing coaxed out by hand) I was not too keen to repeat the experience.

They will monitor me more closely to check on the baby's size and , if it looks like it will be another 8llb'er, then I will be given two options to consider
Either induce me a couple of weeks early, in order that I may cope better (but of course may not)
Or a C section.

I had been feeling that a C Section was the way to go, as I felt that way I could carry full term and not risk any complications.
Now I am worried that it may not be the best, it seems most people are against them? Intrusive and long recovery times etc.

Any thoughts on either side?

If you need a caesarean birth because of the shape of your cervix etc then no it's not a bad thing. There are plenty of mums on here who can tell you how easy it is to recover from them.

I can forward you some tips to make a caesarean birth more personal if you like.

I'm sorry your first birth was so traumatic.

nope .. had 2 .. thought they were fab .. both were elective

I was told I had a tilted pelvis or something during a scan. At an appt during my 2nd pregnancy with the consultant, I was told by that they can't tell by a scan and I shouldn't have been told that. The consultant did agree that after a first birth being a brow presentation which ended in an emergency section, that an elective section would be best 2nd time due to a tilted pelvis

The recovery was hard for me, but I haven't had a natural birth to compare it to. But if there was another pregnancy for me, I'd got for aother section on medical advise.

I also have to have a section in July - had a section with my first although that was emergency and I was knocked out - biggest regret being knocked out and not having DH with me

I've had an emergency CS, fairysnuff, and honestly it is nothing to worry about. All surgery carries some risks (as does all childbirth) but it is a very safe operation, especially when it is planned. It will take you a bit longer to recover afterwards because of the stomach wound, but you'll have painkillers and you'll be able to take care of your baby.

There are good reasons to worry about the population rate of CS (not least cost to the NHS etc) but in your individual case it sounds like a good option and I'm sure you won't regret it.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Some tips on making it personal would be nice Marslady.
Thank you
I have a good memory, in that it is very bad and I don't really remember the details of it all really. Poor DH was more traumatised than me. He didn't get the feel good endorphins!!!

loved mine-as an elective you have time to plan for your recovery. Really you will be pretty much ok after 3 weeks. I was able to do everything for my baby-just not much housework! and couldn't walk very far.

I had an emergency c-section,I thought it was fab.I recovered much quicker than when I had episiotomy with dd.

have had two section, both great, second one was excellent, recovered really quick... was home the following day and driving by 4 weeks, really, recovery was brill... would have another

I'll still get those, right?

email me on lovelymarslady at aol dot com (put Mumsnet in the re: bit or I'll delete it as spam ) and I'll send it to you.

I have had 3 section, 2 elective and one emrgency and all 3 where fantastic and I have no regrets about any one of them.

Oh my god, home the nextday!? I was in for a week after my birth, they didn't wantto let me go! I am figuring they will be just as bad with a section!
Butthat is nice to hear, thatthe recovery can be so quick.
What about when you are in, and you have the drip in the back of your hand, how do you pick the baby up??
I could barley pick up a glass when I had a drip in.

Well practically having an elective section gives you the best opportunity in sorting out care for during and after the birth. Personally i would avoid induction more than an elective c/section just because inductions seem to so often end in more complicated births.

People have very different experiences of c/sections. Both of mine were positive, even though one was under ga. I was fully back to normal within 4 weeks each time. Some heal faster, some slower.

Is that lady muck fae stoory castle?
Sorry, your name just made me think of that, my mum called me it as a child!

Yeah, I have heard stories about inductions being more painful so that did kinda put me off. And I guess, had I thought about it I might have realised the bad stories do seem to come after inductions, I guess it is cos they are forcing your body to do something it is not quite ready for?

I just never thought I would choose to have a C Section, but then I am not really getting to choose, as such, am I?

Looks like your consultant has made the decision for you. I've had 3 sections. The first was an emergency one after a failed induction - not a good experience and the recovery was long. In hospital for 10 days and complications.

However, the elective ones were such a different thing. There was a feeling of calm rather than panic! Recovery was much quicker and I was doing the school run (walking not driving!) after 3 days!

Just take the painkillers and accept any help offered. Good luck.