I need to make a decision...

[CathyandHeathcliff]

Elective c section
OR
Vaginal delivery

It’s my first baby...I have the option of an elective caesarean due to my anxiety and pre existing mental health problems. However, I’m torn between that and a vaginal delivery. I have a huge fear of hospitals and anything medical, my partner pointed out that the c section would be more medicalised than the vaginal. I’ve been listening to hypnobirthing and feeling a bit calmer (at times) then others I feel really overwhelmed and terrified by it all, so I just think a c section would be better for me as it’s more controlled and less ‘not knowing’ what might go wrong.

I have a high BMI so I have growth scans, baby is head down, I have an uneventful pregnancy so far, no complications, Baby is measuring on the top line, but following his line so far.

@CathyandHeathcliff I don't know to be honest but you are surrounded by a lot of medical professionals and it's the anesthetist's role to monitor you throughout. Mine was lovely and stayed by my head the entire time. I was also allowed a CD of my choice playing while it was happening.

@puppymouse I’m definitely leaning towards a c section. I’m just scared of potential things going wrong:

1. bleeding out
2. blood pressure problems during
3. panic attack on the table
4. milk not coming in quick enough
5. being in an operating theatre, awake on the table, being cut open!
6. the surgeon cutting me wrong/perforating my bowel or bladder etc.

I like the idea of my choice of music. How about the radio? I’d find the familiar sound of that reassuring.

Any idea if they can administer a sedative or anti anxiety drug if I feel too panicky before or during?
And how long beforehand can’t you eat?

I had an ELCS on Thursday due to my baby being breech. It was fantastic. Super quick, there was some blood loss which was quickly controlled. I was breastfeeding within a couple of hours, milk came in when it should, back home the next day. I’m not in any pain, wound is looking good. Would go for an ELCS every time.

I seem to remember I was nil by mouth from the evening before so I was climbing the walls a bit. I'm sure radio would be fine.

There are risks with either option. I just knew I could cope better with the ones caused by a section than vaginal.

Oh. And I was EBF from word go too.

The best thing for my MH and anxiety, was feeling my babies be born

I was no food after midnight, no drinks after 6am. Baby born just after 9am and I was eating toast in the recovery room, so it was no biggie

Can I ask what happens if your blood pressure goes too high or low on the operating table?

Mine crashed when the spinal was administered with my 2nd. Had a really wobbly minute or two when I was "I don't feel very well" but they did something to the angle of the table and I felt fine very quickly.

And how long beforehand can’t you eat?

I was told I could eat up until 3am and I could drink clear fluids all the way up to theatre and I was meant to drink some orange juice at around 7am (I was originally planning a GA and the only difference was they said no drinks after 7am). They recommended a carb heavy breakfast around 2am but I was in labour by then anyway.

You'll have a good birth whatever you decide.

What a bloody stupid thing to say.

There's a fashion & lifestyle blogger called Forever Amber who has just had a baby and who suffers from tokophobia. She wrote a lot of posts about it through her pregnancy, and had to make the same decision. Here's the one where she describes what happened in her c-section:

foreveramber.co.uk/c-section-birth-story

It might be helpful for you to have a look through.

Best of luck with your decision.

I also had to decide between a vaginal delivery or an elective section due to back problems. I changed my mind constantly and really struggled to make a decision. In the end I booked an elective section for when I was 39+2, and decided that if I went into labour naturally before this date I’d go with it and deliver vaginally, other wise I’d have the section.

I’m now 6 days post having the section and recovering well. The section took an hour, but baby was out after 20mins so I was focused on him, and not paying attention to what was going on with the operation.

@Weathergirl1 Thank you for adding that link. I just had a read through and it’s safe to say I’m a blubbering wreck now! However, it does make the elective c section seem more appealing. I suffer from health anxiety like her too.

At 31 weeks and 3 days his head was measuring at 303.3mm. Does this sound too big?

Regarding blood pressure etc.. they just sort it there and then.

Basically the anaesthetist is stood there, they are not performing the op but are watching your vital signs the whole time.

They said something about my womb being "floppy" (charming!) and it was difficult to stitch. But cos you have a line in they just give you meds into it straight away and sort it all out.

I got the feeling this was not unusual, they were very relaxed about it and didn't seem surprised or worried.

They are doing these ops all the time, so know what to expect and how to handle stuff.

Apart from the weird coughing thing, I didn't feel worried about what they were doing etc

I've never had a section but had two inductions. The first was complicated by severe pre eclampsia, although it did go smoothly. I was nervous about the second time but despite it being another induction it actually felt really natural and (I know this sounds cringey) really empowering. If you've been doing hypno birthing that sounds like a really positive way to prepare. I definitely found moving around and using different breathing techniques helped me feel more in control.

OP, have you met with an OB to discuss your fears? I ask because I am also terrified of birth to the degree that I have paid for OB visits with the OB who will assist at birth to discuss the risks associated with birth, both C Section and vaginal. I am in Australia, where private health covers delivery, but in England you can pay to see an OB privately, the only difference being that it won't be the OB who is there at birth. I looked into it when living in England after DS 1 was born.

My fear is based upon a previous vaginal delivery but really is that (a personal fear that I don't want to use to increase yours although I will say he was 10 pounds and his head was 39 cm. He is 2 & still has a huge head 😂).I'm a nerd, so got a subscription to medical articles online, made up a file of relevant articles, then have met with an OB throughout pregnancy for his views.

At my last visit (26 weeks) we decided to go through a C section even though baby is a lot smaller than her brother. He spoke me & DH through all the risks, including higher risks that baby get asthma/eczema. It has really set my mind at rest, being informed.

Have a look on Facebook Worcester Cartoon as they have filmed an operation so that you can see what really happens with the staff talking you through the whole thing.This might be a bit better than hearing others varied experiences.

Worcester Csection,sorry autocorrect going mad again!