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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Worried about c-section

17 replies

hoppyfarmer · 20/07/2017 18:13

Hello, I had my daughter in 2014 by textbook vaginal delivery. In August last year my son was stillborn at 37 weeks and he got stuck during induced labour (he was already dead) and I ended up with a burst womb and being knocked out for an emergency caesarean and repair work to save me from a hysterectomy. Not my finest hour but I am pleased to say I am now 13 weeks pregnant with another baby.
I have to have a caesarean birth again, no questions asked, as the risk of labour and the scars in my womb rupturing is just too high.
I remember going into theatre when the poop hit the fan last year but it was all so quick and adrenaline just carried me through til I was knocked out, which was all of about 3 minutes.
Can anyone tell me what it's like to have a planned caesarean? I am nervous about the spinal anaesthetic but they've said it's best for me and baby if I can avoid a general again.
My husband will be able to stay with me this time which will help, but I don't know what else to expect apart from there being loads of staff in there as it'll be between 35 and 37 weeks.
Anyone reassurance would be really gratefully received - I feel like I'm plodding along already but hopefully we will have a better outcome this time.
Thank you.

OP posts:
mimiholls · 20/07/2017 18:38

So sorry about your experience. Please don't be worried about elcs. I found it to be a really lovely calm experience and I think you will find it very different to your emergency experience. The staff are all lovely and relaxed and talking to you throughout to let you know what is happening. The spinal is fine, will be done in literally a few seconds, and that way you can experience the whole thing and possibly have skin to skin straight away unless baby needs extra checks. I felt very in control during the whole thing, they had music on in the theatre, dh was right by my side and was able to stand up and see baby being born. You will meet the consultant and anaesthetist beforehand so you will be familiar with who is in theatre. Best of luck with everything.

Original poster
hoppyfarmer · 20/07/2017 18:54

Thank you for replying mimiholls x

OP posts:
DuggeeHugs · 20/07/2017 23:21

Sorry you've been through such a difficult time, but congratulations also on your pregnancy.

DD was born by ELCS a week ago and it was a lovely experience.

On the day we were walked down to theatre and greeted by the theatre team who were all friendly and supportive. We'd met the anaesthetist in the morning to go through the procedure so when we reached theatre I already felt comfortable with the plan: cannula, spinal, drip, anti-emetic if needed and antibiotics at the end. Once I was numbed it was a matter of minutes before DD had arrived, at which point I was completely distracted from what the surgeon was doing! DH was encouraged to cut the cord and by the time we had all the measurements/times and she was skin to skin with me, I was ready for transfer to recovery.

Once in recovery we started breastfeeding - there was a midwife on hand to support if needed - and again the staff were great, reassuring about my blood pressure and happy to answer any questions.

Best of luck with everything Flowers

BogQueens · 20/07/2017 23:28

I didn't have a VB to compare it with, but my ELCS was lovely. Calm, cheerful, quick, pain-free, skin to skin immediately. Keep up with your pain-killers afterwards and don't overdo it.

Original poster
hoppyfarmer · 21/07/2017 06:19

Thank you all x

OP posts:
sandgrown · 21/07/2017 06:29

I really did not want a CS and was very nervous. The staff were all great and I had a lovely midwife holding my hand. The surgeon told me baby would be out in less than five minutes and he was. I was able to have him next to me straight away. Good luck x

welshweasel · 21/07/2017 06:33

There won't necessarily be loads of extra people. I had a section at 35 weeks exactly with DS as he'd stopped growing and my placenta had partially detached and the only extra people were a paediatric doctor and nurse. As soon as DS was delivered they took him to a resuscitaire in the corner of the theatre to check him over. DH went with him and as soon as they were happy with him (literally a couple of minutes) he was wrapped up and brought over to me, then they left. Other than that it was no different to a section at term. The whole thing was an incredible experience. I'd had fairly extensive pelvic surgery before so everything took a bit longer as they had to negotiate scar tissue, but as a PP poster said, once the baby is here you lose track of time!

GuntyMcGee · 21/07/2017 06:55

Hi OP,
Sorry to read about your previous experience - it's totally understandable that you're really quite apprehensive this time around.

First thing, I'd recommend the Caesarean Section book by Leigh East as it goes through every aspect of CS.

If you're on Facebook there is a video on there about what happens during a planned C section; search for Worcester CSection and it'll pop up. The video is good because it's filmed by the maternity staff but presented in a relaxed and non medical way and takes you through exactly what will happen step by step.

Fortunately a planned CS is far more relaxed than an urgent one.

Think about taking some music with you that calms you that you could listen to while in theatre - ask the midwives if you need it on a CD or if an MP3 player will work.

Hypno birthing concepts could also help you with focus and relaxation to try to reduce any anxiety you might be feeling later in your pregnancy.

Original poster
hoppyfarmer · 21/07/2017 07:28

Thank you for the tips that's really helpful x

OP posts:
Original poster
hoppyfarmer · 21/07/2017 07:31

Thank you - I would be really pleased if the consultant will agree to 35 weeks but I think they'll try and push me to 37 which is 2nd January. Lovely that you could hold your baby so quickly. I've been warned about potential for a bit of NICU treatment but hopefully it won't be necessary.

OP posts:
DaisyDaisydoo · 21/07/2017 07:34

Sorry to hear what you have been through.

I had an emergency c section (although nowhere near as traumatic as yours it sounds) and am having a planned one this time.

As the last experience was difficult both me and DH have felt apprehensive. We were offered a private tour around the theatre area - even allowed to stick our heads in to the empty theatres, where a midwife explained the process in detail. It was beyond helpful for us so I would definitely recommend if something similar is available to you.

LegoLady95 · 21/07/2017 07:57

DS1 was an emergency CS under GA. DS2 was a vaginal birth and DD was an ELCS due to placenta preavia.

The ELCS was such a different experience from the emergency one. Apart from a bit of panic when they couldn't get me numb at first, it was all quite relaxed.

LegoLady95 · 21/07/2017 07:57

DS1 was an emergency CS under GA. DS2 was a vaginal birth and DD was an ELCS due to placenta preavia.

The ELCS was such a different experience from the emergency one. Apart from a bit of panic when they couldn't get me numb at first, it was all quite relaxed.

ImNotReallyReal · 21/07/2017 08:41

I'm sorry you've had such a terrible time.

I had my first daughter by EMCS. Her heart stopped and they had to get her out quick. They made a mess of me and I had to have quite a bit of repair work done.

VBAC wasn't an option for me. My second daughter was a planned section at 38 weeks.

I went to the hospital at 8am. My hospital usually schedules 3 a day according to complexity. The toughest cases go first.

I was second on the list but got bumped up to first and the woman in front of me had blood pressure issues.

I walked into theatre, the radio was on. The staff were jolly. I spoke to the anaesthetist and they put the cannula in my hand then did the spinal block (I hugged the midwife as it went in) which was pretty painless.

DD was born 20 minutes later and I was out of theatre 40 minutes later. I got to hold DD straight away and then went into recovery for a couple of hours (holding her). It was all very calm and so unlike what happened in the EMCS.

I got out of hospital at 5pm the next day. I was ecstatic. Everything went to plan and over time the mental scars from my previous experience started healing. It was a very good experience for me.

I hope everything goes well for you Flowers

Original poster
hoppyfarmer · 21/07/2017 08:56

Thank you everyone I feel a lot happier already. I will definitely ask if we can see the theatre before the day. My husband is pretty nervous too so it'll help us both.

OP posts:
Changerofname987654321 · 21/07/2017 09:04

I had an EMCS but with a top up of epidural. I found doing some exercises from hypnobirthing kept me calm so maybe some sessions with someone who teaches relaxation techniques will be helpful.

Can you ask for a longer session with a midwife or a specialist birth midwife/birth reflections to discuss your concerns. This is definitely something they should offer with your history (flowers).

Phillipa12 · 21/07/2017 09:08

Speak to your consultant about a compromise at maybe 36 weeks. I have had 1 emcs and 3 elcs, on my last they sectioned me early at 38 weeks due to severe anxiety (dc2 died suddenly 10 days after dc3 born) i was scared that history was going to repeat itself. They were happy to do it then and had steroid injections prior to delivery, they hurt by the way. I know that this baby will be earlier but considering what happened with your son you will be monitored closely and any concerns anxiety that develop or get stonger during this pregnancy will be listened to and acted upon. All the best and im so sorry about your son. Xx

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