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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

POSITIVE c-section experiences

32 replies

NicMac · 28/04/2007 09:10

Hello Everyone

I posted a few weeks ago as I am now pregnant with one child (having had twins 4 years ago)and expecting this baby in a week and a half. I had a horrid experience last time, had a caesarean and was incredibly poorly with thrombosis, severe anaemia and a bladder infection. I also didn't see my boys for 5 days as they had breathing probs despite weighing 7lbs each. Anyway, I am going to have another c-section, my pelvis is very small, the baby is apparently huge and the doctor is concerned that the uterus might not stand up to contractions. I am disappointed but I do have faith in the doctor as he really didn't push me into the decision. Anyway, I wondered if anyone could kindly give me some tips on how to make the whole experience more positive, I am fed up of reading negative c-section stories (though know it isn't always the best option). I really adore the doctors and midwives at the hospital who are wonderful and respectful. I was thinking of writing a birth plan even if it is not a 'normal' delivery.

Thanks so much in advance

NicMac

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lulumama · 28/04/2007 09:19

caesarean site is a good place to start

can email you some info re a c.s birth plan.....no reason why you cannot have lots of skin to skin straight after birth, or even see the baby born....where are you having baby? have you read about natural caesarean ?

vitomum · 28/04/2007 09:27

yep, i was on that site yesterday following one of lulumama's links - thank you most kindly lulumama. the site is really good. i got to it through the birth trauma info you posted. i am seriously considering caeserean but still have the other option too, so have duly ordered Michael Odent's book on caeserean as well as the Ina May guide to childbirth. hope that should be a good start. I've been lurking a lot on these threads but feel it is time to say many thanks to lulumama for being such a wealth of info. And lots of luck to you too NicMac x

Original poster

NicMac · 28/04/2007 09:34

Yes, thanks so much lulumama, these are excellent resources. I'm having the baby in France in fact, I am going to one of the most 'natural' mother centred hopsitals in the country as in general birth in France is very medicalised. The father is allow to have skin-to-skin with the baby for two hours as well as being allowed in during the operation - this is completely unheard of in France.
Thanks so much again for all your fantastic support

OP posts:

lulumama · 28/04/2007 09:36

that is fantastic nicmum!!

vitomum....glad to be of help x

blueshoes · 28/04/2007 09:49

Hi NicNac, I have had 2 cs, 1st emergency and second scheduled. After the first 48 hours (get loads of support and painkillers ), it got better. At 90% once stitches out on 5th day. Driving and back on school run at 2 weeks - but always listen to your body and medical advice.

There are advantages to a planned section. Ds' birth will always be remembered as a calm time, with our being able to ease dd into big sisterhood gently. And I don't even think of the birth 7 months on, quite different when I was traumatised and disappointed with the crash section.

All the best, whatever you decide.

Twinmummyx2 · 28/04/2007 10:24

Hi Nicmac- i have had 2 c-secs after both sets of twins and i found them fine. Just because you had probs first time round dosen't nec mean you will the second, and this time the medical team will no what to look out for. I found having the epidural put in first time round really painful and it took ages. That is what i was dreading the most 2nd time round. But the different anethatist (really spelt wrong!) did it painfree within seconds!

For me c-sec were much easier than vaginal deliveries..but thats my experinces!

Good luck and think positive, just keep remebering you will have a beautiful new baby before you know it.xx

Ags · 28/04/2007 10:54

NicMac, I have had two csections. The first with ds (now 3.5) after a non-progressive labour and the second with dd (14mths) which was elective.

I have to say that I can speak no more highly of my experiences of birth even with the emergency c.section. I had a really quick recovery and with the second was out of hospital on Sat having given birth on Thursday. You have, IMO, the most important ingredients for a happy birth experience which is confidence in the people who will be helping you.

Also remember that the last time you were not in very good health so that will have impacted hugely on your experience and your recovery. This time should be very different and much more positive.

I am sorry you were separated from your babies for 5 days the last time, but again, I hope that this time all will be well and therefore you will be able to have your baby immediately.

I would definately write a birth plan. It is just as important as with a vaginal birth to decide exactly what you want to happen once the baby is out.

Finally, I wish you all that is good and positive for you and your baby. Look forward to the post hearing your announcement.

TuttiFrutti · 29/04/2007 21:54

I've had 2 c-sections, one emergency and one elective and they were both very positive experiences. The first birth was difficult and traumatic, but that wasn't because it was a c-section, it was all the stuff leading up to it. The elective section was a fantastic experience, totally calm and painless.

My top tips would be to plan for it as much as you can, both your hospital stay and the weeks afterwards. Cook lots of meals for your freezer now. Plan people (paid if you can, and friends and relatives) to come and help you.

I think a birth plan for a cs is a great idea as it gives you the feeling that you are in control. Choose some soothing music - it makes a difference to the atmosphere and you will remember that moment for ever.

alicet · 08/05/2007 17:04

Hi there Nicmac, I'm probably too late - you may well have had your baby by now! But I just wanted to add my positive experience to help reassure you....

I had planned (as much as you ever can!) a waterbirth but when I went into hospital my son was distressed. I therefore needed to be monitored and eventually despite getting to 9cm in 4 hours he needed to be born by an emergency section. Throughout what could have been a very frightening experience I was constantly kept informed and felt very involved in the decision making by all the midwifery and medical staff involved. I have nothing but praise for the staff who took care of us. And I also found th recovery to be very straighforward.

I am now 18 weeks pregnant and having the vbac v section dilemma for myself but that is another story. All the very best to you - hope you get the experience you want and that you and your baby are healthy

xxxxxx

geordiemacminx · 08/05/2007 17:41

Sorry - cant write much as in the middle of feeding - I went into labour on thursday night, after 12 hours of contractions every few minutes, g&a and then eventually an epidural the baby ended up getting distressed, and his head was stuck.

I was taken to theatre at 12.30pm on friday for a cs, and I can honestly say I found the whole experience very positive, was kept informed, and it wasnt half as scarey as I thought it was going to be... by the time it got tothat stage I wanted my baby, and would have done anything as long as he was ok.

Better than that, they allowed me out of hospital on saturday evening, bit sore for the first couple of days but I managed to get to asda yesterday!!! And am feeling great now!!

good luck!!

fizzbuzz · 08/05/2007 17:55

Always post on these threads. My c section was fantastic, best day of my life ever.

Lovely doctors and midwives, baby arrived in what seemed like 2 seconds, and quite fast recovery.

Compared to first vaginal birth it was a breeze.

AMAZING, AMAZING AMAZING.

Best of luck

fearscape · 09/05/2007 09:20

I had an em-cs (due to severe pre-eclampsia, no labour) with ds and was terrified, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be! The anaesthetist and her assistant must have been two of the most wonderful women on the planet, they were so kind and reassuring, and I knew and liked the doctor who actually did the op as she had been looking after me in hospital for the previous few weeks. I was obviously in pain afterwards, but was very well looked after by lovely midwives and hadn't had the pain or exhaustion of labour. Sadly ds went straight to SCBU so that bit wasn't so great, but nothing to do with cs. I am sure you can still write a birth plan, have music that you want, have the curtain lowered to see the baby being born (or maybe no curtain at all - I wasn't that brave!) etc - my experience was very calm and gentle (surprising considering someone was cutting me open). Good luck!

Hillls · 09/05/2007 09:29

I had an elective C-Section, and found it better than a trip to the dentist! I am/was needle phobic and really pooping myself at the thought of it all but I had a 3rd Degree tear with dd1 so decided a C-Section would be better for me.

The hospital phoned me two days before and asked me to come in a day early which I did, I saw the team and was really reassured and felt calm and positive, they were a lovely bunch, the surgen came and spoke to me, the aneithsnatist(sp?) spoke to me, I had a spinal block which I found much better than a epidural (had one of those first time around) I didnt have a screen as I am clostrophobic(sp?) My mum was in the theatre with me and had involvement with my dd when she was born. It was all very very quick. My bp went down and I felt a bit giddy for a minute but was given something to combat that and was fine.

Went into recovery and was given a cup of tea and a sandwich. They give you a painkiller up your bum when in theatre which lasts hours to boost you up. I had morphene day 2 had refused it but was rather sore.

The first few days after a c-section is very sore I must say, you cant sneeze or cry/laugh etc but as soon as you get up and move about you heal, you cant lay in bed and harbour your wound or it will take longer to heal.

I would have another one no problem

LilRedWG · 09/05/2007 09:33

NicMac - I had a wonderful experience. I had a planned CS and worte a birth plan. If you'd like me to email a copy to me, just CAT me or post your email address here. DH had skin-to-skin with DD whilst they finished the surgery on me and everyone was lovely.

Rosetip · 09/05/2007 09:33

I'm having a planned c/s in a few weeks and it is so nice to read these positive and reassuring posts.

The whole business is so difficult and nerve racking...

whomovedmychocolate · 09/05/2007 09:34

I had an emergency C section because of preeclampsia after a failed induction and it was BLOODY FANTASTIC. The epidural went in, the pain stopped in ten minutes, the theatre staff made me laugh and two minutes in, a perfect screaming baby appeared (and they lowered the screen so I saw her emerge arse first) and I burst into tears.

Two hours later (and pain free) I was walking round the ward with my little angel and though a few weeks later I was a bit sore I didn't really have any probs (except for a plaster rash from the dressing).

RedFraggle · 09/05/2007 09:58

I had a c-section with dd after she got stuck during labour. The c-section bit was the best bit in some ways. I am having an elective with this baby in about 4 weeks time! I have my consultant appointment next week to set a definite date. I will be taking some music in with me and asking for DH to be able to have skin to skin with the baby whilst I am sewn up etc. I also want him to be able to take photos of her being weighed etc as I missed all that first time around as it was a crash section. (have to check with the consultant that this will be allowed though). I'm not sure if I am brave enough to not have a curtain - I'm not sqeamish but would hate to be upset by anything needlessly! I'll also be requesting dissolvable stitches as I had them last time and they were great!
I'm sure you will have a great birth experience this time around (fingers crossed for you)

phdlife · 09/05/2007 10:03

After being absolutely set on lovely natural water birth I ended up with an emergency cs - ds just stayed where he was, despite 2 hrs of pushing!

The section was fine. It was a lot to take in and I cried the whole time but hell, after being awake for 30hrs and in labour for 10 of them that's to be expected! What made it for me was the anaesthetist. He held my hand when DH went to change into scrubs and stood by my shoulder chatting to me the whole time, told me everything that was happening, asked about my phd, could not have been nicer. Best bedside manner I've ever seen in my life.

And the scar is healing beautifully too.

Sending wishes for a similar experience to you...

margoandjerry · 09/05/2007 10:25

I had a lovely semi-planned CS (was due to have elective CS due to scheduled hugeness of child. Waters broke 1 month early so no issue with size in the end but I didn't go into labour and didn't want induction).

It was a lovely, calm, pain-free experience. I can't say enough nice things about it. Skin to skin within moments and bfing in a gorgeous recovery room overlooking Big Ben shortly after.

Best experience of my life.

alicet · 09/05/2007 12:07

LilRedWG,

Saw you had written a birth plan for a section - I would be really interested to see it too if thats OK? Sorry for my ignorance though - I don't know what CAT me means!! COuld you put me in the picture? Ta!

Alice x

Original poster

NicMac · 09/05/2007 12:10

Thank you again - your messages are perfectly timed as I am about to go to hospital this afternoon and the section is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I am just enjoying playing with my boys and feel much calmer than I did before about the whole experience. I will let you know how I get on, thank you all so much again, am typing in tears as am so touched by all your messages.

OP posts:

Original poster

NicMac · 09/05/2007 12:11

And just wanted to say congratulations to geordiemacminx and hope you recover well!

OP posts:

alicet · 09/05/2007 12:19

Good luck Nicmac - will be thinking of you! xxx

alicet · 09/05/2007 12:21

Also meant to add that a planned section seems to be a lot more straightforward and easy to get over - my mate who had one was driving and totally back to normal by 3 weeks after so fingers crossed for a similar recovery for you!

LilRedWG · 09/05/2007 12:52

Good luck NicMac!

Alicet - there's a link at the top to "Contact another Mumsnetter" or if you'd like to post your email address on here I will happily email it to you.

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