Planned C-section experiences

[pattiselmabouvier]

Hi, so first of all a little bit of background. In May I got pregnant but it turned out to be a scar ectopic pregnancy which is very rare and I sadly had a miscarriage at 9 weeks. It took 2 ops and a lot of heartache and recovery to put it right and I was told yesterday by my consultant that our next baby will definitely have to be a planned section because of the site of the scar being very thin and it’s risky for me to have a natural labour basically.

The thing is when I had my son 18 months ago, it was a very traumatic 30 hour induced labour resulting in an emergency section. I was traumatised and I felt robbed of the birth I wanted and I feel it contributed in a big way to my PND. Also when the section was performed they left a big mess and my womb was stuck to the inside of my tummy, only discovered after my recent operation to get rid of retained tissue.
I am absolutely terrified of getting pregnant again (we’ve been told we can try again in 8 weeks) because of the birth side of things. So I just wondered if anybody would like to share their experiences of planned sections to hopefully put my mind at rest.

I had one emergency followed by 2 planned. Far less stressful and you get a date in advance. So much more relaxed and organised! You'll be fine!

Thank you, I hope so. I’ve just had a lot done to my body this year and it’s made me feel quite traumatised. Hopefully if it’s all calm it can feel a bit more like it’s my choice and it can be more about me, my husband and the baby rather than about all the scary stuff that happens before an emergency section.

My planned section was awesome, totally calm and relaxed. Had skin to skin straight away and my dh got to watch the whole thing. Recovered really well. I know adhesions can be quite common after any surgery- is that what they're referring to re womb stuck to tissue? It can be a slightly longer op the second time round due to this I think.

I loved my planned section!! Was a bit surreal but calm, chilled experience. after the crappy time I had with ds1 birth, this was completely different, had skin-to-skin immediately - would thoroughly recommend!

I had an emcs after a long and rocky labour with DC1. They had problems siting my epidural then I think the baby was in a bit of distress.

The subsequent ELCS I had with DC was bloody magical in comparison! As mimiholls said, the op itself took a bit longer as I had all kinds of lesions and things, but being sewn up carefully was worth it!

I'm sorry you've had such a rough time of it. I was scared of getting pregnant again after just the emcs, never mind all the other operations you've had to deal with. No need to rush into this next pregnancy is there?

I think an emcs is very different to an elcs. My elective section was 3 months ago. I had a horribly traumatic natural birth for my first baby and the section was heaps better in comparison.

There were a couple of things I didn't like - I shook uncontrollably after the spinal, and I hate the part where they push down really hard. But overall it was actually a very calm experience - everything was explained to me as it happened, there was no rushing or panic. Doctors were calm and chatting/joking. DS was put on my chest and he latched on straight away and started feeding as I was being stitched up. Recovery has been really good too.

I'm not having any more babies but if I'd decided to have a third I absolutely would've chosen another elcs.

Thank you everybody for sharing I definitely feel better about things now. I’m not going to rush into having our next baby but my fears are assuaged now.
I didn’t have adhesions, but when they were strengthening the scar site, they had to remove my womb from the inside of my tummy skin if that makes sense, the join was where my c section scar had healed. It meant I was on the table for 3 and a half hours rather than 25 minutes! That’s why I was worried.
I’m starting to come around to the idea of elective now, especially if they talk you through it. I didn’t just want to feel like a slab of meat.

sad to hear about your loss. I had a planned c-section. I was pregnant last year. It was my first pregnancy. I was afraid of vaginal birth. But my family insisted me to go through it. In my 4th month, I asked doctor if they can c-section. they said me to look it in 8th month. In 8th month, they examined me again. I repeated my question of c-section. They measured baby weight and size. It was too much to give vaginal birth. They feared I wouldn't be able to give vaginal birth. Then they confirmed me for a c-section. I think it's not a big deal. You can handle it easily.

I had a planned section 2 weeks ago and it was the best experience of my life. On the day there was no pain or stress, it was completely relaxed and was a fantastic day. I spent months worrying about it and wish I hadn’t now, I wasted so much time feeling anxious.

Thank you Lightsout. This is exactly my MO. I always work myself up over nothing. May I ask what made it the best experience of your life? Congratulations, btw

My first birth was awful as both my babies have never engaged- induction for first was a disaster, pessaries am Sunday and pm Sunday then induction over Sunday night - by Monday I was half a cm
Her heart beat was dipping more with each contraction and she wasn't engaged so couldn't get any bloods from her scalp - I had an emergency section and all was well.

Second baby was VBAC planned if all circumstances were ok but at 39 weeks his head was still in my hip, consultant said no tonsweep as it was prolapse risk and we'd already agreed a planned section if he hadn't arrived by 40 weeks ... she told me it's very likely she'll see me for a section the following Tuesday .... and she did - she said no toninduction thankfully as the first was a failure and myDS was less engaged than DD

Section was very calm and no stress at all, it was fine and so was he

To be honest I'm not sure why more people don't have electives ( oh yes I am - NHS bias) . Interesting article in the New Scientist recently that compared risks from VB to ELCS and they are basically the same level albeit different issues . If men we're the baby carriers everyone would have them ! Women are put through what is often a barbaric , painful process and have horrible memories from what should be an incredibly special time .

Yes I appreciate some people love natural birthing etc BUT it should be down to choice . Despite NICE guidelines I know it isn't always easy to get .

It was such an amazing experience because I got to totally focus on my daughter being born without any of the pain and stress of a vaginal delivery. I’d had a good nights sleep the night before so was totally rested and relaxed. I was so worried about feeling pain, and worried about the numb feeling (I’d read somewhere on a forum that it can make u feel like u can’t breathe!), but actually as soon as the spinal kicked in I just felt really warm like I was in a nice relaxing bath! The baby was born so quickly after that and I had skin to skin almost straight away, so didn’t even care about being stitched up cos I couldn’t stop looking at my beautiful baby! I felt no pain for the rest of the day so could totally enjoy being a new Mum and having cuddles with the baby. I did write a post on here about my experience, I’ll post the link so u can have a read. X

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/3028803-For-anyone-worried-about-having-an-ELCS

Op there is no such thing as the birth we want naturally. It means as much as saying the weather we want in August in the UK. We hVe no control over it.

A Planned calm elc is as close however as we can get to a birth we want. It's civilised wondeful way to have a baby and I agree it's about time that choice was made clear and transparent for pregnant women

lights I have pretty much written exactly the same as you on here years ago after my elc.

Coming at a birth, having slept the night before, no pain, planned orderly! Was also amazing for me. Ihave afar more fuzzy gorgeous memories of the elc than first vaginally delivered baby, days of contractions, no sleep three days, the horrendous pain and uncertainty of labour....

I loved my planned section. We knew the date, I could rest in advance (actually slept well despite the anticipation). The midwifes, surgical team and anaesthetists all lovely. They asked if a medical student who'd never seen a caesarean before could observe and his beaming face in the photos is a highlight. The birth was beautiful - watching the baby being lifted out. Had skin to skin straight away (after quick baby checks) in theatre. It was a fantastic birth experience for me.

Good luck OP.

Thank you so much everybody. I feel really reassured.
How cute about the student smiling in the pictures!!
I’m glad you all had such lovely experiences, seems likely that I’ll have the same second time around. I can barely remember the first because of the adrenaline. The most vivid thing I can recall is the doctors scratching my unborn son’s scalp for blood tests and being told he had blonde hair!! The rest is a horrible blur.

Also with the skin to skin, I felt really deprived as I didn’t get to! My arms up near my chest because of all the equipment and I just had to watch my husband swan around with that little bundle in his arms. I didn’t get to hold him until he was nearly an hour old and I’m told I was barely conscious

Had my first baby this year and was a planned C section due to breech. I remember saying to everyone after how relaxed it was. Everyone in the room was so lighthearted. Singing along to the radio and making jokes. Only thing I found was got reflux during but they can top me your meds up if you communicate. When the baby was given to me I was just in complete shock however I know next time it will be really exciting. My scar is small and neat and I was so shocked when I took the plaster off as was expecting something horrendous lol. I did a lot of reading and pretty much everyone says - emergency c section are traumatising but planned are amazing

I had a planned section. It was on DP’s birthday! By chance it was two weeks before my due date. I had placenta praevia stage 4. It was great. I had my hair cut the day before and on the day I went in and had it. Everything went smoothly except being bumped a couple of times due to emergencies etc. But I saw dd straightaway and it was really lovely for DP to have the first hold and I’ll never forget him talking to her when she was first born. Then I fed her and there were no issues with bonding or anything. Sorry if I’m going on a bit bit it was honestly a very positive experience. Recovery was really good too.