Any C-Section stories?

[Starlive22]

I'm booked in for a c section Monday for my first baby! Although I was warned early I might be advised of a c section we didn't actually know until yesterday.

I trust my Dr knows what's best, but it seems whenever I look for stories of c section it's either bad stories or people telling others not to have them and to ignore Dr etc and the natural way is best.

I'm a bit nervous, but would have been even if I was just being induced normally like I thought was going to happen, just wondering what to expect in a way, and if it really feels as weird as people say!

I've had an EMCS and an ELCS. Both were lovely positive experiences.

I was aiming for a Vbac for my second, but made the decision at 41 wks to go for an ELCS (failed induction first time round and generally fed up) and I was massively relieved to not have to face a Vbac!

I started off in natural labour and it was painful and traumatic. They eventually decided I needed EMCS and from the second I received the spinal everything was pain free and calm. I didn't feel panicky or stressed at all, just relieved that the pain had stopped. I lay down and DH held my hand until they lifted DS over the screen. Then I was wheeled to recovery, then to the ward.

My only regret is that both DS and I were doped up from the pain relief that had been given while I was in natural labour so we were both drowsy and didn't get to cuddle until the next day. I wish I'd just had ELCS from the beginning, but I'd been listening to all the 'natural birth is best' stuff and had been convinced by the midwives that I could birth a 10lb rear facing baby naturally.

Re. the dressing - mine was a waterproof dressing that you could get wet in the shower but not soak in the bath. The midwife removed it at home several days after the operation. I also had some non dissolvable stitches that the midwife removed after a couple of weeks.

I had a c section with my second and it was great. I was meant to have an ELCS but went in to labour before that. The whole thing ws super chilled and very relaxed. My son was out very quickly, they didn't lower the screen but they did ask my husband if he wanted to look over the top when our son was born (he likes to keep telling me that he's seen my insides ). DH cut the cord and DS2 was snuggled up on my chest while the surgeons finished up. This was first thing in the morning and I was up and about (gently!) later that day and home the following evening. Recovery was straightforward, I took it very easy but still kept active, didn't just lie around! I'm only left with a hardly noticeable scar.

The C section was the absolute best part of my long and very difficult labour. I'd take an elective over labour any day of the week.

Oh and I was walking about the next morning (section done at 7pm in the evening) and totally pain free after a week.

I had a planned ELC as DS was frank breech, tried to turn him but was wedged so had a section 2 weeks later. Out of my NCT group there were 3 EMC's for undiagnosed breeches.
Apart from totally unrelated complications (post delivery preeclampsia that meant I was in hospital for a week after) it was a very calm experience.
I had a lovely doctor whose only job seem to be to whisper very softly to me what was going to happen and what I was going to feel next. Not to be woo but it almost felt like an incantation and kept me so focused and calm. The radio was on and Jefferson Airplane White Rabbit was playing. DS didn't cry for a good 5 mins and they whisked him to the other side of the room but told me he was pink and breathing so I wasn't panicked.
I remember thanking everyone profusely as I was wheeled out and telling them had all been amazing.
Apart from the unintended hospital stay I was up and about the next day - I was wobbly for about 2 weeks but that was more likely the blood pressure than anything else.
My only regret was spending £250 for a hypno birthing course that I never needed.
I have another baby due in August and fully intend to have that one the same way.

I had two elective sections. The first was under general anaesthetic and second under local. Recovery and pain was about the same with both. Both on a Monday morning, first on the list ( my request!)
The worst thing I can recall is having the drain taken out after the second section ( can't remember if I had one after my first) and it was bloody painful. Oh and horrendous constipation after the second.
I didn't have a dressing so wore big knickers and put a sanitary towel over the wood to stop it rubbing.
First experience was marred by an extremely ill baby but I was still looked after very kindly. The second experience was much more lighthearted and actually quite jolly and happy

Wound not wood as that would be quite weird

These stories are amazing! So comforting when I'm feeling a bit daunted by it all. I know things can and do go wrong, I just wanted to hear a few good stories to offset all the bad!

I'm in at 7:30 on Monday so hoping I'll get in as early as possible but they did say that emergencies of course take precedent. So nervous and excited! I'm going to be a Mum on Monday!!!!

Starlive, watching this thread with interest as today, I have been booked in for a slightly unexpected C-section on Wednesday. I have had two vaginal deliveries and feel a bit daunted by the prospect of a C-section.

My first dc was an emergency c section and was chaotic and scary.
My second planned c section was wonderful. It was so calm and relaxed. I was introduced to all the medical staff and it was a super positive experience.
I was a little sore on day 3 post-surgery but paracetamol covered it.
Good luck

@Lavenderdays mine was somewhat unexpected too, only found out Tuesday so we are in the same boat!

Planned sections are brilliant. My first one was an emergency after an induction and long pointless labour and I was pretty out of it by the time he arrived at 3am but recovery wasn't too bad. My next 2 were planned and went so smoothly. I too had polyhydramnious with my last one, very regular scans towards the end. I was enormous. And when they cut me open to get him out the surgeon made a lot of wisecracks about tidal waves..

Now, I'm hoping baby doesn't come early like dd2 did and it all turns into an emergency scenario...so wishing time away...counting down the hours - it's a strange thing to say when facing an operation but the anticipation doesn't feel great!

Wishing you all the best Starlive...mumsnet has been a real life-saver for me during this pregnancy x

@Lavenderdays I agree, it's lovely to speak to others in the same situation, i only have one friend who has had a c section so it's really good to get tips/advice/support from people who have been there.

It's so nerve wracking isn't it! Obviously I have nothing to compare it to, but when I got pregnant I just didn't really think about c sections I just kind of assumed they were really rare! So naive! X

Sod anyone who tries to make you feel bad about having a CS! What a joke. There is no ‘better’ or ‘easier’ way to give birth.

I had an ELCS, best decision for me due to a few complications during the pregnancy. I shat myself beforehand and cried my head off during the op (total wimp + not much experience of physical pain or hospitals + it is pretty terrifying having your stomach sawn open!!), but the surgical team were so kind and relaxed and it all went without a hitch. 10 mins in I was holding my beautiful daughter and then I barely noticed being stitched up etc.

Recovery was so-so, definitely needed my painkillers, but please remember that if you’re breastfeeding, don’t take any codeine/morphine based drugs as they can knock out your baby due to the small molecules entering your breast milk. I found out the hard way when my baby slept for 18hrs straight and I had to have her readmitted to hospital at three days old. Terrifying and I’ve not really got over the shock and worry of seeing her like that, eight months on! Make sure you find out what they’re handing you, don’t just swallow them without thinking like I did.

Best of luck, it will all be fine I’m sure. ELCS basically as safe as it gets and so rarely goes wrong.

@user1495492391 terrified just about covers how I'm feeling at the moment! The nearer it gets the more exited I get but also the more scared I get. I'm the same, no real experience with hospitals or operations so it can be daunting. I kind of wish it was right now so the anticipation part of it would be gone!

Yes, I understand totally the anticipation bit Starlive. I was first on the list and have now been bumped to 3rd which is a bit frustrating as it means more time on the morning to gear up. I don't think it has fully sunk in yet...but I feel strangely calm as if it has all been taken out of my hands! A friend of mine had an emergency C-section and she has been good at chatting to me very reassuring and has calmed my nerves a bit...it is a strange feeling, thinking on this particular day, I am due to meet my baby (whereas spontaneous birth, you never really know)...time cant past quickly enough now...(except, I'm having to re-pack my hospital bag a bit).

@Lavenderdays oh that's rubbish, we won't know until the day, just depends on who is most urgent, it puts you on edge even more if that's possible!

I recently had an emergency section. Having had a long and extremely painful first labour I found the section a breeze by comparison! Being wheeled into surgery felt very overwhelming, daunting and 'alien', but I think most of that was due to the unexpected circumstances. The actual process was quick and calm, recovery-wise I was on my feet later the same day, and felt pretty good after about a week. I also found section recovery was on a par with the vaginal birth. Just being unable to drive has been annoying! If there is a next time I'll defo be requesting a planned section, which says it all really! Good luck on Monday!

That does make me feel a lot better, @Chocachoo if you would choose it again that's certainly something, especially if it wasn't planned!

I think the bit I'm worried about is how it will feel while they are doing the actual operation. I know you don't feel any pain but what do you actually feel?

Gulp! Haha!

You don’t really feel anything, you’re numbed from the shoulders down, and I do mean numb, as in it feels like that bit of your body is no longer attached to you! But then you can feel people touching you... it’s hard to explain really. If you’ve ever let your arm or leg go ‘dead’ it feels a bit like that.

The worst bit for me was realising they were starting to cut me open, I started gabbling at my H to ask me questions, maths equations, trivia pub quiz questions, anything to get my mind off what was happening! I suffer from anxiety (cue a million rolled eyes on MN, but I do actually have General Anxiety Disorder and suffer panic attacks) and have a very vivid imagination, so desperately needed something to take my mind off it! I think I was reciting European capital cities when DD was from my womb untimely ripped haha!

I’ve made it sound bad now, honestly, I wish I’d been a bit calmer as it was all fine, not a jot of pain during the op and it really wasn’t bad at all. I think the Drs were a bit bemused by my histrionics!!

The thing I regret a bit is not enjoying my last weekend as a free woman; you’re about to be thrown in to a mad world of no sleep, demanding child and just a totally alien life unlike ever before, so have a super duper long lie in tomorrow, eat a lovely meal, have a long bath... basically do anything completely self-serving and indulgent, cos on Monday, it really is all change, and you can kiss all that stuff goodbye at least for several weeks if not months!

I didn't even realise they were cutting me open til the surgeon said "congratulations your baby's been born"!