Can you tell me your experience of an elective c-section please?

[ppandj]

I had a third degree tear with DS in 2015, it was quite poorly managed and I did have some effects for a good 6 months afterwards which are now, thankfully, mostly resolved. I am 30 weeks pregnant now with DS2, and have about a month before I see the consultant again to discuss my options. At my appointment earlier in pregnancy they said I could request a c-section and the midwife has been quite positive about this. My gut instinct is to request the section but I don't know anyone who has had an elective one and I'd really like to hear of different experiences, good and bad. So, if you would, please share as much info as you can to let me know what to expect?

I had an awful natural birth (3rd degree tear, bowel damage as a result etc etc) so really did not want to suffer more damage second time round.

However, my elective c section was not calm and carefree as described above and turned into an emergency after my spinal failed to work, I felt the entire thing (literally being cut open and feeling the surgeon's hands inside me ripping my insides out) and had to beg to go under general to finish things off. Never been in so much pain in my life (and I would have described first birth as painful as painful gets!)

I'm not posting to scare you, more to remind you (and anyone else reading really) that it is a major operation and things can (and do) go wrong at times.

For me, if I had a 3 rd child, I would go the natural route in a heartbeat (even if it meant more damage) My healing time was significantly quicker and emotionally, I liked having given birth. A c section was so detached to me (although admittedly, because I was in complete agony, and the surgeon just wanted me to 'deal with it' rather than going down the general route, I was not exactly in the best head space to bond with a screaming newborn as I was screaming myself!)

It took me 4 months physically to get back on my feet. Two years on, I am still completely numb from my belly button down. I have an horrible scar, which is also botched as they were in a rush to sew me back up due to blood loss etc, so no chance of me ever donning a bikini again. Mentally, I am still in a bad place, as I honestly thought I was dying when I came round from the GA in agony.

The thought of ever being left on a mat ward again with no support whatsoever and in agony also fills me with fear! I wasn't just in pain, it was like I'd been hit by a truck afterwards. Still astounds me that they leave woman to deal with a newborn and a section but if you have a hysterectomy (same op lets face it) you're given lots of support and help.

Another positive experience here. Mine was a semi elective section as my waters had broke but no sign of labour but they had to get my baby out one way or another, they wanted to induce me but I insisted on a section for various reasons. So pleased I did, it was calm and lovely and DD was quietly born with no trauma or stress I'd have one again in a heartbeat.

I had a third degree tear with my second child and then was offered a section on my third. I remember being quite shocked at been offered this. I was sent to a consultant to see if my tear had repaired properly, which it had thankfully. But even the consultant told me not to take the chance of tearing along the scar again as I would most probably not be so lucky on the next birth.
So long story short i opted for the elective and it was great. Its just stitches in another area.

I had a traumatic birth with my first dc, shoulder dystocia and 3rd degree tear. It was awful.
I took the elective c section option the second time around and it was brilliant. I prepared myself mentally beforehand and enjoyed the experience. Recovery was no worse physically than the 3rd degree tear and was considerably better emotionally.

Hi - I appreciate I am late to this but I am having an elective section in a few weeks. I think threads like this are really useful to anyone trying to weigh up what they want, especially when some people try and shame or scare people on the subject. So thank you all for posting. I personally am 100% happy with my decision and I feel really privileged to be able to have the procedure. I am now really excited for the birth as well. I will post again in detail after my ELCS to say how it has gone and how I found recovery and so on. :)