Elective/planned c section stories needed

[CathyandHeathcliff]

I think I’ve made my decision due to anxiety, just need them to agree on Friday/next week now and get a date, but I’d love to hear some stories. Positive mainly, but please be honest too.

It’s my first baby and he’s measuring about 9lbs at full term.

Thanks in advance.

I had a wonderful first planned section with my first DC. It was very calm, the staff were wonderful, the radio was on in the background. Recovery was difficult but manageable. I had a third planned section with my third DC - second was an emergency under GA - and had a similar experience to the first at a completely different hospital. There was a possibility of serious complications with the third as there had been with the second but it was still calm. The staff all talked me through everything and were really kind to me even though my anxiety was through the roof. They all took great care of me and my DC.

I had an elcs with my DTs and it was absolutely brilliant. A really calm and quite cheery experience, I was terrified of having it done but I was constantly reassured, everything was explained and we were having a bit of a giggle for most of it.

Recovery wasn’t too bad, I was back to driving within 2 weeks.

I do sometimes think I’ve missed out by not having a vaginal birth, but I know if I were to have another child, I’d definitely have another section!

Is there anything in particular you’re concerned about?

Thanks for your responses. I just wonder why they don’t give you the risks of both (VB and CS). They only give you a one sided view!

I loved mine which was surprising because I agreed to it under duress.

The whole thing was really calm. The radio was on and the doctors talked to me the whole time. Once ds was out, dh cut the cord then we had skin on skin while they stitched me up.

My hospital do enhanced recovery so I was back on the ward, catheter out and on my feet fairly soon after.

I found the first few days recovery hard but could be managed by staying on top of painkillers and I felt back to normal by day 10.

I've had vaginal births and an elective section and as far as I'm aware, I don't think there's a difference with regards to bonding or the baby's temperament (these were my two biggest irrational concerns).

Thanks to everyone so far for your replies.
Anyone else?

Loved both of mine, fantastic staff who really try and put you at ease, it feels a bit like you're being poked and pushed but you cant really feel it, just a sensation then babies head is lifted over the curtain.
I had excellent recoveries both times and was out and about within a week. I think knowing I'd be having a section in advance made the recovery easier as I was mentally prepared for it.

I had DD2 by semi-elective. It was a true elective in the way it was carried out and that I wasn't in labour, but done as an emergency due to suspected growth restriction. It was a wonderful, calm experience (compared to an induction and emergency forceps delivery!). The worst part for me was having the spinal, not because it hurt but because there was no adrenaline or distraction (which is had when having an epidural first time round) and I was very much thinking 'they are putting a needle in my back!'....

Recovery has been a breeze. My incision was oozing quite a lot of blood in recovery and I had to have that poked and prodded with a threat of going back into theatre, but a pressure bandage did the trick. I didn't mobile until almost 24 hours after, due to the oozing and then timing getting up onto post natal late at night. But that didn't hold me back, I walked out of hospital 2 days later, and it was a looooong walk! Pushing pram round Ikea at 9 days, picking up horse poo from their field at just maybe 12 days and drove at 2 weeks. I rode my horse for the first time at 8 weeks, and tbh it would have been weeks earlier/I felt ready by 4 weeks, I just wanted my husband around as horse hadn't been ridden for ages!

Thanks for the further replies. These are very helpful.

I keep reading about women feeling like they can’t breathe when the spinal is administered. Is this true? As it’s sure to make me panic.

Anyone?

I’ve had three sections. Two planned and the first was an emergency.

My planned ones were okay. Not amazing like some people here have experienced. With My last section my spinal worked too fast and I thought I was going to die. After my second section I had a blood clot and an infection in my scar. First and third were fine in that regards.

I had a spinal for my forceps birth but it didn't feel any worse than any other injection. A little scratch and that's it. The midwife was distracting me by chatting about my job anyway then it was over.
I have a c section booked for 2 weeks time. Nervous too but as the last one was traumatic, I'm after a calmer experience this time!