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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Having an elective c section

29 replies

CathyandHeathcliff · 14/09/2018 19:18

I’m hoping to have an elective c section. I have an appointment with the consultant midwife discuss this next Friday.

Is there a higher chance of haemorrhaging during an elective c section? This is one of my biggest fears.

I have bad anxiety and suffer with panic attacks, plus the scans are showing a large baby which is obviously part of my reason for wanting a section.

Do they normally do them at 29 weeks?

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Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 14/09/2018 19:18

Sorry I meant 39*

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Kezebel · 14/09/2018 19:27

Hi OP

Is this your first pregnancy?

There's a chance, as with a vaginal birth, as with an emergency caesarian, of haemorrhaging. However, these risks are small. And, they will be on hand with a transfusion if needed.

Unless there is an immediate risk to baby or you, they are unlikely to deliver before 39 weeks (I am having an ELCS after a previous EMCS and am booked in at 39 weeks) a baby born at 29 weeks will be very premature and will need to spend a great deal of time in NICU.

I would recommend you research the pros and cons, safety and risks of all birth options, so you know what to expect in every scenario and are prepared for your midwife appointment.

Have you been receiving support for your anxiety this pregnancy?

Kezebel · 14/09/2018 19:29

Ah just seen you meant 39! Yes, they prefer to deliver after 39 weeks so their little lungs are strong enough and they're as fully developed as can be.

Since2016 · 14/09/2018 19:33

As PP have said the risks are small. Be aware though that there is a chance that your request will be declined - a large baby isn’t grounds for a section. Good luck!

Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 14/09/2018 20:54

@Kezebel Yes it’s my first pregnancy. My friend recently had to have three blood transfusions after her induction turned into an emergency c section.
I just can’t stop thinking about which route to take. I feel sick trying to make the decision. My biggest fear is the haemorrhaging and has been intensified since my friend’s experience.
I always thought an elective would hold less risk of major blood loss because of being more controlled.

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Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 14/09/2018 20:55

@Since2016 it’s not just for the big baby, also my mental health. I really hope they don’t refuse me.

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Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 14/09/2018 20:58

Oh and yes I see a MH Midwife.

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eastie1122 · 14/09/2018 21:01

I'm not sure a c-section will benefit your MH. I just delivered my 3rd 3 weeks ago and I had discussed an elective section for that been reason. Discussed with both my psychiatrist and obs/gynae consultant and they both said that the post natal period can be more difficult after c/s. Pain, longer recovery etc which may keep you housebound for longer, I have found taking short walks each morning and afternoon has really helped me post birth. (I was induced for static growth)

Since2016 · 14/09/2018 22:10

Hope you get a sympathetic consultant but be warned - c section recovery can b v v tough. I know what I’m getting myself into but I know several people who have really struggled and wouldn’t have chosen it. As long as you’re prepared for the physical recovery - not much is said about it. That said I am having an elective section this fine as I had an EMCS last time and given the history no one has challenged me, but it’s no picnic!!

jubbablub · 14/09/2018 22:10

The risk of a PPH is higher with a c section. I have other health factors that make a bleed more likely for me and am having a planned section due to breech position. My consultant is going to ensure that there are a few units of cross matched blood in a fridge in theatre. This is purely because of medical history and a planned section.

Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 15/09/2018 08:29

I know it’s not the easy way out but it’s more appealing to me than the natural route, Even with the longer recovery.
It’s the thought of emergency scenarios, baby getting stuck because he’s too big, rushed off for an emcs and all the while me having a panic attack or close to it.

I definitely read online when researching that haemorrhage is less likely in an elective c section as it’s more controlled.

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Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 15/09/2018 08:31

I really really don’t want internal examinations and I know that’s one thing they’ll want to do if I have a natural birth.
Plus I’m terrified of forceps.

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Fatted · 15/09/2018 08:34

I've had two c-sections. First was emergency following complications with the induction. Second was an elective.

Based on the experience of my first, I chose a few elective for my second for exactly the same reasons you mention. I didn't want to attempt to give birth naturally to risk getting into that emergency situation again and still needing a section anyway. The second one was much more chilled out and relaxed. My first was a nightmare!

villainousbroodmare · 15/09/2018 08:38

I've had an EMCS and an ELCS. Both extremely positive experiences for me, three healthy babies. Recovery was rapid and uneventful with pain v well controlled by ibuprofen and paracetamol only. One neat low scar. I'd highly recommend.

123fushia · 15/09/2018 08:43

I had an elected c section at 39 weeks on doctor’s advice as baby was breach. No problems, all went fine. Recovery afterwards is more difficult but no problems at all with the delivery part. Good Luck. X

Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 15/09/2018 13:04

Thank you all, I’m starting to feel positive about this now. Was it strange being in the operating theatre wide awake? Do you hear anything?

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Kezebel · 15/09/2018 13:07

Yes you can hear everything...plus you can feel things too. Lots of pressure and movement. Just not pain! Also, I could see the reflection of my abdomen in the surgical lamp Shock

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 15/09/2018 15:29

@Kezebel I may have to keep my eyes shut then!
And I’m planning on bringing some music with me - either earphones or just on my phone to play through Bluetooth speakers if they offer that.
What is it that you can hear? So I can prepare myself!

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Kezebel · 15/09/2018 15:52

Honestly, there's so many people in the room, you can mainly hear them talking about surgical things. Movement of equipment. I didn't hear anything surgical happening as such - but my hospital had Christmas songs on the radio, which drowned most of it out.

I'm not sure if they would allow headphones - I had to remove my earrings.

Almost forgot - the best sound of all - your baby screaming!

Anm4 · 18/09/2018 21:04

Two natural births- 1st- 6 hours & 2nd- 50 mins. PPH with both, only 1 internal examination with both and stitches.
Third birth ELCS due to previous (unrelated surgery) & Breech baby. PPH again but lost more blood than previous births so not necessarily lower risk when planned. Doctor had to clear my womb manually on the ward as where i was never contracting i was still bleeding.

36 weeks with #4 & baby isn't breech but due to medical history i would need to be induced and the risk is higher of uterine rupture so have opted for a repeat section but due to previous one they are preparing for the bleed and will hopefully prevent.

The section itself was relaxed but is a completely different experience from natural & i would of prevented the sections if i could of as the recovery is harder.

I'd like to add my babies 1st & 2nd were big too and easy to birth, my breech baby was 2lb lighter and stuck so it was harder to get her out.
I dont want to scare you more than you already are but either way you won't be able to completely avoid intervention if needed.

Good luck with what you decide and i wish you a safe birth!

Original poster
CathyandHeathcliff · 19/09/2018 13:03

@Anm4 Sad is there something they can give you during the c section or after to prevent the bleeding out?

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Sipperskipper · 19/09/2018 13:09

Hope whatever you decide that the birth of your baby is straightforward for you.

I was terrified of labour, very, very anxious, particularly about tearing and forceps. I ended up doing hypnobirthing which helped massively - I felt so calm and in control.

On my birth preferences I actually put that I did not want forceps. When DD got a bit stuck they actually offered me a trial of forceps, or c section. I went for emergency section, which was fine.

Recovery was pretty quick, even though I was knackered from 24hrs of Labour preceding it, and it was an emergency section.

I feel like the whole thing was a positive experience.

Sipperskipper · 19/09/2018 13:10

Oh, and you can decline internal examinations in labour. I did until I really wanted to know how far I was dilated. The examination was fine! I thought it would be like a smear, but it felt much less invasive, and I can’t even say it was uncomfortable really.

Anm4 · 19/09/2018 13:14

@CathyandHeathcliff when i was still bleeding heavy on ward they inserted tablets inside to promote the cramping of my womb to stabilise the bleeding, not everyone bleeds though but they handle the situation quickly and calmly. When i had my pph after my natural births they gave me injection both times which stopped it quickly. Because i have a history of bleeding i believe they will give me an injection during surgery but because it may not happen they may wait to see if needed beforehand. I really feel for you as i suffer anxiety too and it can be debilitating but in both birth situations they will do their upmost to keep you calm, but the ELCS for me was relaxing because i wasn't in pain and couldn't see what was happening.

ingenvillvetavardukoptdintroja · 19/09/2018 13:18

EMCS and ELCS here. Both times have recovered very quickly with minimal pain. Was walking up to half a mile by end of week. Elective this time was lovely - anaesthetist talked to me and kept me calm the whole time.
Top tips - keep taking pain relief Even if not feeling pain. Peppermint tea for wind. Try and mobilise as soon as catheter out. Hope it all goes well