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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

2nd time C-Sections - the good the bad and the ugly please

20 replies

shoobaloo · 24/04/2007 15:09

Am preg with DC2 - DS1 was a c-section because he was breech. he was also quite big being 8lbs 12 two weeks early. Anyway, not sure whether to go VBAC or another section so would like to hear experiences of others. My recovery from the section last time round was very very quick - luckily! DS1 will be 2.2mths when this one is due.

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RedFraggle · 24/04/2007 15:13

Hi Shoobaloo, can't offer advice just wave and say that I am in a similar situation!
I'm pregnant with no two. dd was an emergency section as she was brow presentation. I am going to have a section this time. dd will be 2.1 when this one arrives. I did contemplate a VBAC but to be honest had such a nightmare first time around that I was freaking out just at the idea...
There is a lot of pressure on women to have VBACs at the moment so do check all the angles.

Original poster

shoobaloo · 24/04/2007 15:16

Congrats RedFraggle. Sorry to hear about the emerg section - from what I've heard they are horrible. Planned, like mine, it was almost a pleasant experience - staff were calm and lovely, got to choose what music was played in theatre ect! Are you not concerned about not being able to pick up DC1 for a long time after the 2nd section?

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FioFio · 24/04/2007 15:21

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fridayschild · 24/04/2007 15:21

I had 2 unplanned sections and shoobaloo you are right on the money - not being able to pick up DC1 is the hardest. Of course you end up doing it, and pushing heavy double buggies (well I did) and that makes the second recovery harder and longer. My friends who managed VBAC recommend it.

RedFraggle · 24/04/2007 15:23

Hi Shoobaloo, it was not a good experience at all. I am looking forward to a nice, calm planned section this time! Not being able to pick up my daughter was my only concern to be honest. But I really could not cope with another set of incidents like last time. Had terrible problems after the birth and issues bonding with my DD. I do not want to have problems like that again. I'm already struggling to be able to pick DD up at the moment as I have terrible SPD and back problems so it is weaning her off the being carried already! Also my DH and parents will be around to give me lots of help. My recovery was very fast last time so fingers crossed, this time will be the same!
What does your consultant recommend for you?

Oblomov · 24/04/2007 15:25

I had a cs section with Ds. As a diabetic, it was planned, and I had a date. Then he started coming ! So I was rushed in and had one that night. Was best thing I ever did.
Quick recovery. Felt great. No complications, as such. Brilliant.

Oblomov · 24/04/2007 15:27

I could pick ds up immediatedly. Very calm atmosphere. I, like shoobaloo had music - ds was born to Marvin Gaye - Lets get it on

RedFraggle · 24/04/2007 15:40

lol Oblomov! Was there a reason behind the song choice or do we not want to know!

Oblomov · 24/04/2007 15:47

No, no that was what was on the radio.
I was well chuffed. Atleast he wasn't born to something naff like...... the cheeky girls , or agadoo

Holymoly321 · 24/04/2007 16:21

HAve not yet had any consultation yet. Have got ante natal apt at hospital in a few weeks. It's very hard trying to make a decision (although I know it's early days yet). I keep thinking that a VBAC would be the way to go, but then I think about tearing, pain, intervention, emerg sections etc!

RedFraggle · 24/04/2007 17:51

I know what you mean - the indecision is a nightmare! I kept on changing my mind up until about a month ago. (I'm 33 weeks now, so I was indecisive for a long time!)
I saw a lovely midwife last week and we had a chat about it and I said I had decided - she said that was good as changing your mind all the time can spoil the pleasure of the pregnancy. She is absolutely right, I wish I had decided sooner! Got my appointment in 3 weeks to pick a date - can't wait!

Holymoly321 · 24/04/2007 17:53

RedFrag, how will you cope with DC1 afterwards? You must let me know how it all goes! I've still got months of indecision ahead of me! what did your mw say about vbac versus section?

RedFraggle · 24/04/2007 18:05

I will definitely keep you posted!
To be honest all the midwives I have spoken to have been very positive about a repeat section. I have had quite a few say "off the record" that is the sensible option for me. (Please note - the for me bit, I'm sure they aren't advocating it for everyone!)
I had such a terrible time with DD's delivery and although I know that the chances of having so many complications again are incredibly rare - I just cannot put myself through it mentally! I had post traumatic stress and was, looking back, very depressed. I think I'd rather have a few weeks of struggling to pick up my daughter than 9 months of having days where I was not being able to cope with being in the same room as her!
The consultant I saw wanted me to try for a VBAC but I just said no and he said that was fine.
I also had terrible problems with my pelvic floor having been damaged and had to go see a "Fanjo physio" as my dh and I jokingly referred to her. I'm now back at physio with SPD and the physio was delighted I am having a c-section as she said that will minimise problems down there too. All in all, this is the right choice for me. I have had some pressure from others about it though - mainly the "you haven't experienced the joy of giving birth" brigade. I'm happy to give that a miss though to have a safe baby and hopefully an intact mental state!

Original poster

shoobaloo · 24/04/2007 20:44

D'ya know what, I really couldn't give a stuff about 'the joy of birth! As far as I'm concerned whatever I feel is best for me and the baby is what the joy of birth is all about! There is enough to worry about with 'the joy of looking after a baby with a toddler running around' to be faffed with vaginal childbirth! If men had to have babies, they'd all be born out of a jar by now!

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lulumama · 24/04/2007 20:48

well, if you had to have CS due to breech baby, there is no medical reason you cannot go for vaginal birth

had a successful VBAC myself and it was without doubt the best day of my life !

if you search the archives for VBAC with my name,then you will find my story and lots of good info !

NICE guidlelines to say a vaginal delivery shoudl be offered where not medically contraindicated

ForcesSweetheart · 24/04/2007 21:52

I too had an emergency CS after horrendous 3 days trying to be induced (am diabetic) and am currently TTC number 2, for which I shall be insisting on a planned CS. No way I'm going through labour just to end up with an emergency one again and all the problems that brought.

eidsvold · 24/04/2007 22:29

no1 was an emergency

no2 and 3 electives

all were brilliant. When I had no 2 I had a 2y4mo who has special needs and was not walking, toilet trained etc. I also had no family help when I got home. Just did what I could, healed really well. with dd1 - I just worked out ways to cuddle her and 'lift' her without lifting her whole weight.

3rd time I had a 4y 8 m and 2y 4 m to care for. This time I had dh at home for a couple of weeks but I was out of hospital in 2 1/2 days, home taking it easy but out and about by Wed - with section previous Fri.

Both 2nd and third time - recovery has been very quick - all done by 3 weeks.

For me - c-sections were best. No 1 I had no choice - but no2 and 3 were the best not only for me but also for my family.

Your body will tell you if you are overdoing it - mine always did and so just rested as much as I could the next day. By three weeks post section - it was hard to remember I had even had a section - wound healed nicely, no pain, no locchia.

hth

eidsvold · 24/04/2007 22:30

sorry meant to add - elective section s- very calm, and brilliant. I was lucky though - even my emergency was brilliant - very good surgical team w ho put dh and I at ease and the atmosphere in the theatre was one of calm and peaceful - despite the worries over dd1 and her being rushed to ICU (nothing to do with section).

RedFraggle · 25/04/2007 09:44

Good luck Forcesweetheart! I had to have counselling to get my head straight both after the birth of DD and before I could even TTC this second baby. Even then the counsellor recommended I have an elective section and have to admit that was the only way I could bring myself to consider having more children.
Shoobaloo, sounds like my attitude tbh. You have the rest of your life to enjoy your children, what difference does it make if they come out of your fanjo or through the sunroof! I am so looking forwards to a relaxed delivery of baby two and being able to enjoy having it with me, rather than spend all my time panicking that it nearly died...

Original poster

shoobaloo · 25/04/2007 13:00

Good luck RF - let me know how it all goes! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

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