ELCS stories please :)

[jacksmamx]

Hi!

Pregnant with my second, birth with DS was extremely traumatic, very very long painful delivery that ended up forceps delivery with episiotomy that got infected, could barely walk for weeks.

MW told me yesterday that I can have an elective c section if I didn't want to give birth vaginally again, and may be the best option for myself as I'm extremely anxious and petrified of giving birth. I didn't even realise elective c section was a thing and tbh I'm absolutely over the moon that this is an option.

What's everyone's stories with elective c section. I'm 35 weeks now, is it too late to say I want one because I know you have to be referred to the consultant? (haven't done birth plan yet). Anyone on here preferred the elcs to a vaginal birth? Really really swaying towards it, the anxiety I'm getting from thinking about giving birth vaginally is just making me miserable :(

If you’re feeling that much anxiety about the prospect of experiencing a vaginal birth again I’d say go for it and say you want it now. I’m having my first (36 weeks) and have asked for one since I was 6 weeks 😂 Had it approved and booked at 29 weeks. So glad they are a thing or I wouldn’t have had children. The idea of a natural birth to me is just everything I couldn’t cope with. I think I should stop reading things about c-sections now though because I’ve only got 3 weeks left and I see so many positive stories then one negative one and it’s all I think about 🙈 The recovery is obviously the biggest bit but for some reason my main concern is the cannula and the spinal. I think it’s just the fact you need to walk into theatre fully normally and just allow them to do it. Most people do seem to say they are completely fine though

It's not too late, especially if the mw is saying so. I knew I was probably heading towards one because DC1 was breech from 32 weeks, but my trust doesn't confirm them until 36 weeks.

It is a major op as you will no doubt be told, so you need to consider the risks and there is a period of recovery. The first few days are painful and it's hard to move. You may not be able to drive for six weeks and you can't lift anything more heavy than the baby. So not DC1 and not the baby in its car seat, for example.

However with the right preparation (search on here, lots of threads) it can be straightforward as I found it. I do still have tummy overhang above the scar, but I feel my long term physical effects are actually less than many of my friends who gave birth vaginally.

I had a very similar experience to you with my DD. I was in labour for 23 hours, pushing for 2 and ended up needing forceps and episiotomy- same as you, I was in a lot of pain and discomfort for weeks after and it was just an awful experience. Second time around I tried to stay positive and completed a hypnobirthing course because I was convinced that a natural birth can be positive and I really wanted the chance to experience that. However, I developed gestational diabetes and scans were showing that he was going to be a larger than average baby so I ended up opting for an elective c section based on the advice of the consultant. My lovely DS is 4 weeks old today and overall I do think this was a much better experience than first time around. The recovery is longer and the worst part about it is the lack of mobility. So the first 1-2 weeks it wasn't so much the pain that was a problem as this is manageable through pain killers; it was the fact you can't move much or even lie down in bed properly. I need my DH to pass me our son when he needed feeding, change nappies ect. but after that it's ok so I think as long as you have someone who can help it is in my opinion a better experience. The first few days with a newborn don't feel as brutal either because you go into hospital more rested and you haven't had to endure hours of pain and tiredness leasing up to it either. Breastfeeding can be a bit tricky for reasons mentioned above but again, it was bloody awful first time around having to sit on the area that's so painful 😖 this time around it's definitely not as painful just more tricky. I don't regret my decision at all. Best of luck whatever you decide.x

I've had two c sections. One emergency one Dec 19 and one elective 4 days ago! I have to say whilst the elective was more calm and I went in well rested I still found the entire operation, stay in hospital and recovery afterwards to be really tough. Both times the op has caused additional bruising on my bladder meaning I've had to
be re-catheterised for an additional 24hrs post op and this time around I also had a catastrophic drop in blood pressure meaning I passed out on the hospital ward and had to have additional iv fluids. Recovery wise the pain is manageable but there is swelling all over my body, there's so much I can't do with my toddler due to my wound and generally I feel pretty rubbish! I definitely wouldn't choose a c section as my first birth experience if there was a chance I could deliver vaginally. My EMCS was a result of a failed induction at 42 weeks so I lost faith that my body could even labour naturally and I got too close to losing the baby to risk trying to have a natural birth this time. I've heard in many cases there is less intervention the 2nd time around if you managed to give birth vaginally first time. I'm glad I'm not having any more babies because I don't want to put my body through this again!