Experiences of elective c sections (not interested in responses from the natural birth cult thanks! 😂)

[Lauratwelve]

Hiya ladies,

For those of you who have requested c-sections for your first. What are your experiences? I don't want to give birth vaginally so i'm just looking into requesting a c-section. I have nothing but respect for all woman and how they choose to give birth but vaginal delivery is just not for me. Ive had abdo surgery before so I know what to expect. Thanks guys 🌺🌸🌺

My first was an elcs as was my 2nd but that was for medical reasons. They really dislike you having them, I had pre-natal depression and was at very high risk of pre-natal depression which was why mine was okay'd. Both my sections have been amazing experiences and I wouldn't change a thing.

I always wanted a ELCS op. Thankfully we had twins and it was an easy argument. But I believe with research you can have the birth you want.

My ELCS was a great experience, calm and controlled. Easy recovery. Back driving and first shag (ok not important within the scheme) within 14 days. Have an overhang, but never had a sexy tummy to start with. Pain well managed.

Most importantly DTs and I safe and well with no scares for the future.

No one ever puts on your grave stone if you had VB or EBF so i guess it’s not the most important thing in life

Hope you get the birth you are seeking xx

SonicBoom in my opinion people do feel that vaginal birth is better, I have even heard women say that a section doesn't make you a real mother because you haven't suffered for your baby.

Almost 100 years since women got the vote I am glad they are finally getting control over their own bodies.

Hi

I had two elective sections - first one failed induction/no labour/closed cervix. 2nd pregnancy again no signs of impending labour at 41 weeks so didn’t want to go through to 42 weeks with more failed induction. Both very straightforward. Was difficult to move around easily for 2-3 days but after that recovery progressed quickly. Took a couple of weeks before could walk any great lengths-particularly uphill as you really feel like a heavy weight is pulling down on your stomach. Biggest issue was first time I had a bit of blood loss so was particularly weak for the first day or two. Second time no issues at all. Babies both had AGPAR score of 9/10 and skin to skin contact followed by breast feeding straight away. Good luck!

Ps have never had any regrets about lack of vaginal birth whatsoever.

I'm a midwife.

Before granting you an ELCS they will want to make sure you are aware of the risks. You incorrectly state that it is safer for baby. Look up RDS you will see it's actually not. Vaginal birth is safest, then ELCS then EMCS. It's also more risky for you,

I'm not saying you shouldn't have one I totally believe in choice and what suits one dosnt suit another but you will have to understand the realities of that choice and accept the risks.

It's just I can see the conversation you will have when you say about your friend having a stillbirth. Babies die during c-sections that may have been saved in a vaginal birth, it works both ways, and they will likely do all they can to put you off. Know the facts and you stand a much better chance.

Not aimed at you written

a section doesn't make you a real mother because you haven't suffered for your baby.

But how the fuck do people get to this conclusion

I think you’ll really struggle getting an elcs for your first without medical reasons. Good luck though!

Catching I find that incredible hard to believe a vag birth is safer!, billions of pounds are paid out for botched births, vag births.

Op just keep asking, formulate argument, ask to see another consultant if necessary.

Sorry op both ways here elc was by far better way to have baby. It was fab.

Most consultants wont allow this unless you have a 'reason'. It's a bit of a crap world when women have to go through the torture of labour without much choice imo.

Not all vaginal births are 'torture' and not all elcs are 'fab'......either way can go well, either way can not go well.

Catchingbabies - that simply isn't true.. I know MWs like to believe that a vaginal birth is safer than CS, but the facts don't play along.

First off, safer for who? The mother, or the baby, or both? And safer in terms of preventing death? Injury? Long-term health issues?

The actual Nice guidance is here and here are two handy Excel tables showing the effect of vaginal births vs cs in women and effects of vaginal births vs cs in babies.

There is genuinely little to differentiate them. We all have to deal with perceptions and the cult of "natural birthing", but I've had some terrible experiences with MWs and believe they have a moral duty to educate themselves better when they exercise such power over women in vulnerable positions.

Bisquick I'm in bed now but I'll link to the research tomorrow. Like I said I have no agenda, I firmly believe in the right to choose.

And that news article actually misquotes the NICE guidelines. I'll link to the actual guideline tomorrow also. X

I’m not pregnant yet but I feel exactly like the OP in that the thought of vaginal birth fills me with horror and makes me feel physically sick. I’m going to start ttc next year and I’m terrified that I’m going to be forced to push it out

In fact here you go, DD just woke up so not sleeping at the min anyway.

Nice guidance:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132

Increased blood loss risk:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03267.x/asset/j.1471-0528.2011.03267.x.pdf;jsessionid=8BC692A7BA4507AF35502ED0FB7BEBA4.f03t02?v=1&t=j94sb4d0&s=6a1b8c9b8f035093c787cd25810b3606d80f14e4

Neonatal morbidity and mortality:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2475575/

Postnatal depression risk:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399917300521

Respiratory distress syndrome in the baby:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2453515/

Increased risk of allergies in the infant:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16297144/

I won't go on as I don't want to come across like I'm anti ELCS which I'm not. I am pro informed choice. If someone knows all the information, the risks and benefits and chooses to do something, absolutely fine! But we have to inform people of those risks as they have to know what they are choosing.

Haven't read all of the research, but looked at the neonatal outcomes and the differences do seem only marginally different. And I appreciate your measured response, thank you. I've had quite a few rather hysterical responses on threads and IRL about women swearing they'd never get sections because they believe in natural birth etc etc, and I do think mothers should just do whatever is best for them and the baby.. but there's so much needless judgement around it it's hurtful.

I was probably more aggressive in my response than I needed to be, I apologise.. I think I'm reacting to real-life conversations and anxiety on here and got a bit upset after reading VinIsGroot's post as well.

I have a rare condition and there are few reported cases of women having DC with it- roughly 50% of them gave birth naturally, the rest ELCS, no complications from either but too small numbers.

I was refused my ELCS on these grounds (after referral to hospital consultant by MW) but I felt I could have been in danger. Contacted an overseas (where my family is from) consultant and went via S2 route. I'm the living reason for Brexit - don't feel I have tricked the system though, as before being pregnant I have paid several years of contributions and still don't know how my GP looks like.

I had an ELCS for my first although it was for a medically necessary reason - baby was in breech position. It was fine but compared to friends who had normal delivery - even those who had tears and other issues - it too me longer to recover. Two weeks mostly in bed, and yes while I was up and about after that I do wonder if doing too much is why my scar formed a keloid.

I'm 34 weeks with #2 who is in normal position and currently the plan is another ELCS at 40 weeks unless I go into labor naturally before then. I feel a straightforward VBAC would make life easier especially with my older child. But I am not so committed to vaginal birth that I will take the risk to go overdue or try induction (which increase risk of ruptures).

I don't know if that helps but my observation is that with normal birth the pain is front-loaded, and then afterwards short of serious trauma it's easier. Whereas with ELCS there's no pain during the birth but then afterwards you need a lot of painkillers for a week or two.

My sister had a c section with her first baby.
She has a phobia of hospitals and was in a complete state over the thought of giving birth.

She paid and went privately to an obstetrician and explained that she wanted a section. That was at 20 weeks and it was the first time she breathed properly since finding out she was pregnant.
At almost every appointment and even on the day of the section, midwives were trying to talk her into having a ‘natural’ birth. All this did was upset her because she could not do that and was afraid they would force her, her obstetrician had her corner all the time and she totally relaxed as soon as he said she could have a section.

So she did, it went brilliantly, she was flying it afterwards, she was almost high for a while because she was so elated it was over and had gone so well.
She went on to have another baby too and did the same thing again.
I don’t think that would have happened if she had a ‘natural’ birth.

Very best wishes to you.

I meant to say that I’m the total opposite of my sister, I too was dreading giving birth and went in just wanting to survive it, but ended up having lovely experiences! I grew to love being in labur and giving birth and I wish I could do it all again.

Following as I'm also pregnant with my first and I want to have an elcs. My mum had a horrific birth with me, long labour, followed by forceps and no epidural (anethestist not avaliable). She has basically never recovered physically or mentally. I was over 10 pounds which perhaps was part of the problem.

My husband was also not a small baby (8 pounds).

I just can't bear to have that same thing happen to me if I can avoid it.

If I could at least be guaranteed an epidural I would be ok, but of course that can't be guaranteed. Everyone I know has had to beg and beg and wait hours while they screamed in agony.

I had an EMCS with my DS. I was overdue and induced, laboured for a long time, but it just didn’t happen.

He developed sepsis after delivery and had pneumonia. Although not directly linked to having a section, I was told that he would struggle to clear his airway secretions for a couple of weeks due to being delivered by CS.

I recovered fairly quickly and had no problems with my wound. It was inconvenient not being able to drive and had to be careful when lifting/doing housework. It was painful immediately after the CS, but MWs provided plenty of analgesia. I was told I would be offered a CS if I had another baby due to my ‘failure to progress’ (that phrase makes me feel like I’ve let someone down ). I’m not sure what I would choose, or if I want to be pregnant again at all!

I had an ELCS

Amazing experience, had a wonderful birth really calm and enjoyable.

Was a perfect choice for us.

Good luck