Elective C-section- why not?

[Dalooah]

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with my second and had an emergency c-section the first time around, nearly 3 years ago for failure to progress. My consultant has said I can opt to wait to go into labour naturally or have an elective section. Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't opt for the c-section? I like knowing all the possible cons!

Thanks!!

I think it's so personal however have you read the greentopped guidelines for birth following a c-section? They list all the risks/benefits of both methods. A Dr friend told me to read it before I saw my consultant in my 2nd pregnancy.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_45.pdf

Did you go into labour on your own last time or were you induced?
How old are you?
Do you want a 3rd child?

They are all factors I would consider.

If you are planning to breastfeed, c section can make it more difficult as it takes longer for milk to come in (more so with elective than emergency as the labour hormones trigger the lactating hormones.) Also having the incision can make feeding harder as you might find it more difficult to find a comfortable feeding position.

If you have an older child, you wont be able to lift them as it could cause too much pressure on your incision. How much do you lift your 3 year old - into the car seat, highchair, toilet, bed? Also being unable to drive for up to 6 weeks can be more of an issue when you have an older child who needs entertaining!

Of course this would be the case with an emergency section too, what is the likelihood you could need one anyway?

It may sound weird but personally I loved vaginal labour, in all its raw wild glory! I’d be gutted to have to have a section as for me it would be missing out on that experience. I’d also have concern about the research suggesting that allergies etc are higher in babies delivered by section. Of course if it has to happen can’t be helped and most babies are fine, but I’d prefer to reduce the risk if possible.

Well it’s a definite ‘go for it’ from me. Mine was bliss compared to my first traumatic birth. Lovely and calm. Could plan childcare for the first child. Recovered more easily from that than from birth injuries. You’ve already got a section scar so why mess up down below as well. You are more rested when you have it. Both my section babies took to breastfeeding easily - I feel it was because they weren’t knackered. Best thing for me was the lower risk of baby getting birth related injuries/ being deprived of oxygen etc.

The order of preference is easy natural birth, planned section, forceps/vontuse, emergency section ( debatable which is worst of the last two).

You can’t be sure you can get the first but you can be pretty sure you can get the second.

Negatives - can’t drive for a while, takes a bit longer to recover second time around, you don’t really want three sections ( are you considering no 3), you def don’t want 4 sections. Of course usual risks that come from major surgery.

Thanks for all the replies!
@Dinosauratemydaffodils Will definitely have a read of the guidelines, looks great!
@BeanBag7 I was concerned about the feeding aspect of things, I do want to breastfeed, and managed well the last time- but I do worry about milk not coming in if its an elective- rather than emergency.
@merename, I had a very reflux-y first and think it may have been down to the c-section/antibiotics- but who knows! But i agree about wanting to minimise the risk of allergies etc.
@Allegorical your account of your c-section sounds fab! I recovered from the first fairly 'easily' and sadly, assumed it would be (might be!) the same second time! We are thinking of #3, depending on how we cope with 2! Lol but my dr did say 3 sections was perfectly ok- but I don't think I want to have my 'choices' limited.

Its a difficult decision, so thanks for all your input!

I had an elective with my second baby after a traumatic vaginal delivery with my first. Both babies were refluxy, so I don't think the section affected it. And my milk came in absolutely fine after it. I did have it at 40 weeks though, so I don't know if that made a difference.
My recovery was miles better with my section, and it was extremely calm and chilled. I was home within 24 hours.

I’ve had four c sections and never had an issue with milk coming in.

My cons would be around picking up my older child but that’s it.

As I understand it if you failed to progress last time, it’s more likely to happen again. I think a recovery from a c section tends to be much more predictable than from a vaginal birth and you could end up with all the same cons you are worrying about anyway.

I had a Vbac 3 months ago. I had to be cut but even then the healing process was so easy in comparison to my csection. I stayed in hospital for 2 nights to get help with bf. DH and DD (3) came to pick me up and when DH was taking all the bags to the car DD obviously said she needed to toilet, if I had a c section there would have been no way I would have been able to help her get up onto the toilet. Breast feeding has been much easier. The rush of hormones when my baby was born was like nothing I have ever experienced and I bonded with her instantly which is miles apart from my Csection experience.

You need to take the decision which is right for you though. Weigh up all the options.

Again, thanks to everyone's posts- its really helpful to hear about your experiences. Have a week to think before I see my consultant again- looks like it may end up being a decision based on how I'm feeling on the day, but positive experiences with the c-section are making me lean in that direction, as it feels "safer"/less scary!

I had an elective for DS2 after an emergency one due to failure to progress with DS1
Although technically they were both emergency because the elective had to be brought forward as I had polyhydramnios and then my waters broke as I was putting my gown on for theatre
I had no problem with my milk coming in after either of my sections and managed to feed both times despite hardly being able to pick the boys up (not due to the section scar) more to do with the fact I had a post birth arthritis flare
The elective one was easier to recover from for a few reasons - I knew what it was going to be like, I wasn't exhausted and battered after 2days of full induced labour, I could prepare and it was a really relaxed birth.
I was up an about much earlier after the elective and managed to give my first feed to DS2 in recovery
I was given the choice but my consultant was relieved when I said I wanted an elective due to both the previous birth experience (she felt it was likely to happen again) and the fact that I have arthritis in my hips and there was a concern over damage.

I will add I opted for a elective section for a couple of reasons (dc1 got stuck at full dilation even though he was optimally positioned, I had very easy physical recovery and the risks of tears increases as you age). I did however end up with second emergency section as dc2 decided they wanted to come before 39+1.

I had a second very easy recovery (no pain killers post theatre, discharged the following day, out for lunch the day after that) and a lovely experience with that first rush of love which was missing from my first.

I would recommend making a plan for if you go into labour before a planned section if you opt for the elective whether that's waiting to see if labour progresses or the c-section as soon as possible. I didn't have one and my head was all over the place once I finally accepted I was in labour.

I had a planned section back in January and it was honestly amazing compared to my first labour (vb). I recovered much quicker than I expected (although of course everyone is different). I had a 2.5yo at the time so thankfully didn't have to pick him up all the time.

Obviously so what you feel is right, however if I was doing it again, I'd certainly opt for another.

Good luck xx