Positive elective section stories please !

[Onebigmama]

Booked in for an elcs tomorrow. Not sure how I’m feeling at the moment. But I know reading positive stories is helping so far. I think I’ve trawled through all the previous posts, so would appreciate more to read !

Mine was elective, really pleasant. Most annoying thing was being last and not eating all day.

Section itself was fine, spinal block wasn't as scary as I thought and they used a freezing spray first so I didn't feel a thing. The sensation is strange, but not scary.

Plenty of people in the room which can be a little daunting but everyone was friendly. Whole thing was done within 45 minutes and I was in recovery cuddling my little one.

Good luck xxxx

Mine was amazing and would recommend it to anyone! First was natural and will never do that again, second was elective section and makes me think I could have another baby!!!

I've had two elective sections. Both were fine. I agree with poster above for the 1st one I was last on the list and was so hungry but 2nd time I was second on the list. Try get your legs moving as soon as you feel the tingling in your toes after a few hours and bring snacks! I recommend bringing your own nice marks and spencer sandwich for the ward after baby arrives. Good luck it will be fine!

Thanks for the replies ladies ! It really helps, think waiting will be the worst past I’m not due to the hosp til gone 11. Hoping all goes well so I can be back home ASAP, I feel so emotional about leaving my son, even though he’s going to be spoilt rotten !

Mine was “elective” in the sense that we scheduled a time, not in that I chose that method.

One good thing about it was the surgical staff were so mellow. I had spent a lot of time in maternity triage because of complications and I had come to hate pretty much every nurse on staff. There was very much a this is the way things are done, no exceptions approach, even when they were medically required. Something as simple as requesting a particular iv placement because I knew from experience it worked better was met with arguing and phone calls
To superiors. In surgical prep, they placed the iv as I requested and when I asked if they had the tape that caused the smallest allergic reaction for me, they didn’t get angry, they went and tracked down an even more gentle tape because I shouldn’t have to put up with a rash at all. That is just one example, but the entire day was like that. The care was personal, not assembly line.

Mine was absolutely fine. Went into hospital at around 7am ish and was the first one to go into theatre. I had lots of anaesthetists as they weren't too busy. It took quite a while to become numb and I kept saying 'don't start as I can still feel that' for quite a while although turns out I was meant to be able to feel something (not the cut). Baby was born, we had delayed cord clamping, was wheeled out of theatre and sat with baby attached to my boob until there was space on the post labour ward. Honestly it wasn't stressful or scary in the slightest. I didn't enjoy the post natal ward though - had been expecting that but I was home within 24 hours of having her.

My hospital had an M&S in it so sent Dp there for food once we were on the ward.

I’ve had four sections. All very positive wonderful experiences.
Good Luck!

I had an elective one in feb this year and it was lovely and calm; baby was out very quickly and the rest didn’t take long but I can’t say I noticed as I was too interested in my new baby. We had the sheets lowered a bit so we could see our son as he came out although careful not to show my sqaemish DH too much. Everyone introduced themselves either before the surgery or when I went into the room so although there’s quite a few people it made it less daunting.
I had my son on a Tuesday at 3pm and was out of hospital on Thursday at 11am. The first 5 days of recovery were tough but after that it felt much easier.

Mine was fab. Baby out within 90mins of getting to hospital (no panic, just efficiency), I was walking that evening and felt 100% recovered within a week. Baby was totally fine, and BFing like a champ.

Oh yes, I'd heard that I'd struggle with breastfeeding following a section but it was all okay. My experience was very similar to my friends who breastfed but had vaginal deliveries

I’ve had 3 DC, first was induced due to Pre eclampsia, 2nd I was waiting to be induced because PE again but came naturally very quickly and traumatically, 3rd was an elective C Section and by far the best for recovery for me personally.

I had a emcs last time and tbh I found it okay, I’m deffo finding this experience very strange as I know what’s going on rather than it being a rush and a blur.
I wanted to have my own music but DP says it might distract them - bit on the heavy side haha

Loved both of mine - the people who make up surgical teams are amazing amazing amazing!! Great positive experiences. Two healthy daughters.

Worst bits: Long waits (but I think it would be more weird to go straight in at the booked-in time)
Second time the injection took ages to get in position.
Hunger!! Take lots of snacks for afterwards, same as for labour

Just waiting to leave for the hosp. Any more stories/tips gladly welcomed !!

I had one 10 weeks ago, not my chosen method but baby was breech and I needed an induction so normal delivery wasn't an option.

It was fine, surgical staff were lovely and explained everything very clearly. The anaesthetist has to wear a mask and a respirator due to COVID so went over everything very clearly before and had a whiteboard to ask me to do things. Most annoying thing was having to wear a mask in surgery so when they gave her to me I couldn't see her at all - but that's obviously understandable. I also ended up being last due to issues finding a cross match with my blood but they let me have water when it became clear that it might not happen until the evening.

I wouldn't choose it again as my physical recovery was much longer than with my first. This may be skewed by the fact that due to the pandemic I was stuck with no help with a toddler that I couldn't lift after my DH went back to work. It was fine though.

I should say good luck! It'll be lovely and you'll be having cuddles by this evening.

Good luck!
Mine was a lovely experience. I did get very wobbly / nervous walking down the corridor to theatre. Lots of deep breaths!
I was home after 24 hours.
The worst thing for me was the horrific wind after! Get someone to buy you some wind ease today if you can - you might be glad of it tomorrow.

I’ve had an emcs and two elcs. All very positive. Elcs especially are very calm and staff were very friendly and relaxed. At my last one (4 months ago) I had skin to skin while they were stitching me back up, baby started rooting and I fed her right there on the table!

I hate the postnatal ward - that was by far the worst bit! Good luck today! You’ll be meeting your baby soon!!

Good luck! Hope baby is here already :D!
My elective was fantastic, I've had more stressful visits to the dentist. Hardest part was simply not being allowed to eat or drink for so long. I found the pain totally manageable when lying down but it definitely stings when standing up. The advice is to take your prescribed painkillers regularly and walk around. I decided to skip stronger painkillers and simply stay lying down most of the time, which may have dragged the recovery out a bit.

I didn't actually have a big problem with wind...drank a lot of fennel tea (better than peppermint which may affect milk supply if you're planning to BF). One of the best tips I read was to roll up a soft cardigan/towel and gently press that against your incision when going to the toilet. The abdominal muscles & nerves have been cut so everything feels a bit wobbly there.

OMG it was wonderful ! I still rave about it. I had had two EMCS and my god was an elective much better - I mean a proper nights sleep before, bliss, shorter recovery time, being organised with big pants.

I'll be honest CS's were never part of my dream and the second EMCS was a failed VBAC but it was wonderful third time round. So much calmer, immediate skin to skin after delayed cord clamping, just lovely.

I did find that my milk took longer to come in than when I had gone into labour, so we mix fed.

In fact it's so lovely that it's the only birth picture I have up - complete with a bag of blood in the background !

Husband looks stupid in scrubs and the hat though, that never changed. Good job he didn't opt for medicine...

@glassbrightly

Husband looks stupid in scrubs and the hat though, that never changed. Good job he didn't opt for medicine...

Haha, mine looked okay in scrubs, it was the head covering that made him look so weird.

They were also playing Magic FM which wouldn't be my choice of radio station. I was more concerned about feeling something though which thankfully, I didn't.

My 1st and 3rd babies (both DDs) were ELC and they were fantastic experiences. The anaesthetist and surgeon were both fab, answered every question (and there were many!), everyone was super cheerful and relaxed, there was a mixtape of popular songs playing. Delivery was quick and they chatted to me the whole time, I held my girls immediately while they stitched me up. All positives from me. My 2nd baby was emergency c-section and whilst that was more rushed because he was stuck and in distress, I can't praise the theatre staff enough for how calm they kept me and how lighthearted they kept the dialogue even though we all knew it was a serious situation. DS was born fit and healthy, thankfully!

Positives across the board from me.