Elective C section due to breech baby

[Rainwaltz]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone had any experiences they could share. I’m 38 weeks and just had to elect for a c section due to a breech baby. Unfortunately he is ‘bum down’ so consultant wasn’t prepared to entertain the idea of a breech birth since it’s my first.

I’ve known he is breech for a while as we were having growth scans since around 32 weeks, although there’s no concerns about his growth after all.

I had ‘planned’ for a natural birth, with as little pain relief as I could cope with. I had been keeping an open mind though, having never done it I was open to things changing.

Finding the experience of now knowing it’s going to be a c section all a bit strange. I thought he would move but after failed ECV and being so late in the game now Ive accepted I need to prepare for the section. The idea I know the day he is arriving very strange and I can’t help but feel like I’m going to miss out on the normal experience everyone else gets.

Not sure if I should tell my family the date - I wasn’t planning on telling people I was in labour as I just want it to be my OH at the birth until I felt up to visitors (I’d let them know the baby had arrived safe when I could face people visiting as family will he naturally excited to see us). However I feel a bit mean / dishonest not saying we have a date. Any thoughts?

OH will do whatever I want and is supportive so it’s up to me really.

I worry that as I’m not booked in until 39+5 I’ll go into labour beforehand and end up having emergency c section which is my worst nightmare. Is it normal to leave it so late?

My only recent experience is my sister who had both of hers pre 37 weeks (naturally) which is making me worry a tad.

Any tips / ideas of coping with recovery after a C section or what to expect / how to make life easier. My OH is great and will be at home with me for as long as I need but it’s a big unknown for both of us and it’s hard to know how to prepare.

Your date may have been booked late because bum down babies can be delivered in an emergency (frank breach) while footling breaches absolutely can’t. So compared to the other c-sections you might not be seen as urgent. Suggest you ask your labour ward / consultant to ensure if they definitely know the reason why you need the section and get their opinion on what to do if you do trigger naturally.

I wouldn't worry about going into labour and having an emergency C section. That happened to me twice and they were only an emergency in name. I went into hospital as soon as I thought I was in labour (I was in really early labour but I was right) and they had plenty of time to get theatre ready and I think the only difference was there was a paediatrician present as it was officially an emergency. There was nothing rushed and both were calm.

So emergency c sections aren't all bad. They are bad if for example baby is in distress so it all happens really fast, or you've been in labour for days and are exhausted etc and when they come as a shock.

I had a c section planned due to breech birth and went in to labour before my date. Labour progressed really quickly so it ended up being an emergency one but because I was already mentally prepared for a section and didn't exert energy during labour it really was ok. I'd had a terrible first birth (vaginal) and the section was a breeze in comparison, including the recovery!

Take really big pants in your hospital bag and loose fitting pjs or clothes to wear afterwards. Dont be afraid to ask for all the pain relief you can have! Take extra cushions/pillows in to hospital so you can get comfy when you are in pain. You will need to inject yourself for 10 days after so decide if it will be you or oh. If you are planning on breastfeeding, talk to your midwife about harvesting colostrum beforehand. I did this Time round and am so glad I did!

When pregnant with my DTs they booked my elcs for 38+2. They did say if I were to go in to labour before then, to get straight to the hospital and they’d do the section on the day.

For recovery, I’d recommend the biggest black pants you can find, and pop a maternity pad over your wound on top of your pants - it’s bliss when travelling! Make sure you keep up with your painkillers, and stay hydrated/take a stool softener for your first poop afterwards! Don’t overdo it movement wise, but keep active as well.

Good luck!