Having a wobble about c-section

[Porridgeislife]

I’m having a planned section next week at 39w as I’ve had significant previous abdominal surgeries with scarring and baby is currently measuring huge (head and tummy) due to late diagnosed GD.

I’ve been quite calm about my choice all along but am suddenly having a massive wobble, eg. what if they can’t site the spinal (I have a small lumbar scoliosis that the consultant wasn’t worried about), what if I react really badly to the anaesthetic and can’t take care of my baby, what if my insides are in poorer shape than we estimated and I end up haemorrhaging.

Can you please share your stories of your lovely calm ELCS to cheer me up? And anything you wish you’d known before you went in? Thank you ❤

My first (vaginal) birth was an horrific experience, I knew I just couldn’t go through again, so I opted for a C-section with DD2, supported by the Registrar. It was amazing. It was all calm and planned, unlike DD1s emergency birth. A theatre assistant said he loved it when the couple don’t know the sex as then it’s a surprise for everyone. The staff were friendly, chatty and put us at ease. The Registrar said you will feel some pulling and then you will have your baby, when I didn’t even know he had started. My recovery was really quick, I didn’t really need pain relief when I got home. I was driving by 4 weeks. The one think I would say is that I got bumped down the list a few times due to emergency’s so I waited all day. And take really massive knickers so they don’t sit in your scar. Good luck OP.

I had an elective c-section at 39 weeks in January.

I also had GD, a large baby and previous surgery to the area which may have resulted in scar tissue.

My section was a really wonderful calm experience. They struggled slightly getting the spinal block into the correct position, which wasn't pleasant but that was the only difficult bit. There was some scar tissue around my ovaries from my previous laparotomy (cyst removal) but it didn't get in the way at all.

My first labor was really long gruelling and ended with forceps delivery. The section was a far nicer, less stressful experience and I also healed from it quicker than my first birth. My mobility returned really quickly and I was able to manage baby by myself that first night.

Everyone's experience is different but hopefully it will all be straightforward for you, and you'll soon be cuddling your with little bundle. Good luck!

I had an elective on the 17th. It was calm, lovely, DD came out to Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. We got a lovely photo of the three of us immediately after delivery.

I feel almost back to normal, I am back driving, can get on and off the floor with no issues, can move around fine, no issues getting off bed or sofa. Home after 24 hours on the dot (policy you have to stay at least 24 hours - I felt fine to leave before then).

I had a previous EMCS where I thought recovery was pretty easy but this time it's been an absolute breeze. My scar is super neat and small.

I have GD and will also be having an elcs in a few weeks. Dd1 was born by emcs, DTs were elcs and so I have no choice this time. My planned c section with the twins was a really calm experience. Once everything is ready to go, everyone in the room introduces themselves, and I found this an overwhelmingly emotional moment. All of these people there to help me have a baby.
You can choose the music (I didn’t but some people like to), have the curtain lowered, still have skin to skin etc.

Hi OP! I’ve had my ELCS 14days ago and honestly, the experience itself was the most positive! I’m my previous birth and miscarriage I lost a lot of blood (needed blood transfusion) and with the CS I only lost 200ml. Which was very surprising. I was able to look after the baby the same night and nurses in hospital are very good and understanding. 14 days after I’m still in pain but not unbearable. I’m out for a short walk every day. The only help I need is with my 5 year old - as he’s quite boisterous and I can’t walk him to school and back just yet.
you can always change your mind, if you decide that CS is not for you. For me, I don’t regret that decision one bit. Good luck! X

With first child I had an emergency section after 35 hour labour, by which time she was firmly stuck in my pelvis (9lb 10oz and back to back) had to have a T incision to get her out so couldn’t deliver naturally after because of the risk of rupture. Second section (planned) was amazing. Calm, baby was lifted out facing us so we got to discover his gender for ourselves, skin to skin contact immediately after, music on throughout. There are ways to make a section a lot more parent friendly, talk to the midwives beforehand and write it in your birth plan. You can also request a combined spinal/epidural so that they can top up your anaesthetic if you’re worried about complications. That way if the surgery has to take longer you’ll stay awake rather than having to have a general anaesthetic. Prepare yourself for resistance to that and explain your concerns and why it’s important to you. You may have to explain this repeatedly to numerous medics along the way. In terms of recovery keep on top of your pain relief and take something to prevent constipation (painkillers can cause this) also stay in pj’s for as long as possible, as soon as you’re dressed the expectation is that you’re fully recovered. Good luck and enjoy the snuggles with your new baby!

Oh bless you, it is a daunting thing for sure.
I had a c section at 39+5, planned due to my joints being an absolute fiasco and a ‘natural’ birth running the risk of significantly damaging my hips/pelvis… and the rest. Anyway! I loved it. The spinal was awful, not going to lie, they struggled to site it, I have a twisted pelvis and my spine is a bit skew-whiff (plus I ride so my back muscles are like rock 😂) and they just had a hell of a job BUT once that was in and done, it was so great. So calm and relaxed. Had my own music on, was chatting to the team and my husband about everything and nothing, bit weird with the rummaging feeling but nothing uncomfortable at all. Baby was out in two and a half songs 😂 as it turned out, a c section was the best plan as he was a big old boy and had the cord around his neck.
while they sewed me up, I just snuggled him and cried. In recovery, the loveliest lady helped me to feed him for the first time (cried some more). On the ward, I was up and picking him up etc by 7/8 hours post section. I was perfectly happy to go home the next day but something held us up (unrelated) so I was in two nights but once home I was off the painkillers and felt 95% normal (no struggling to get up etc). Walked my dogs when I got home, husband carried baby. Was walking with baby in sling from about 6 days old. I had the best time. My scar is lovely and neat and you can barely see it now 8 months on.
Sorry that turned into a stream of
consciousness, more thoughts just kept coming to me 😂 best of luck!!

Hi everyone - thank you so much for all of your kind advice.

I had my daughter by c-section this week and it was an incredibly positive experience. I was really scared of the spinal placement but the anaesthetic team and theatre practitioners were amazing at calming me down. The procedure went smoothly & baby was born with a high APGAR score and I lost very little blood.

We were ready for discharge after 24 ish hours & now at home establishing feeding and having lots of newborn snuggles! Pain isn’t really that bad, I managed by myself overnight in hospital but I am keeping on top of my painkillers religiously! (only thing to fault in hospital - I needed to badger them for doses of painkillers). I’d definitely do the ELCS again if needed, it was such a positive experience.

Mine was wonderful. I had a spinal only as I managed to get a significant dural tear several years ago (no injury, just woke up with it! Months of recovery) so anaesthetist checked me before the op and advised spinal was the best course (otherwise it would have been GA). This put a time limit of 45 minutes from spinal to stitches - they were done in 38. Spinal didn’t hurt - less than the canula they put in my hand!

I lost 500ml blood (minimal), my scar healed nicely, slept on my side on day 3, and I was driving within 2 weeks. i will absolutely opt for c section again, even when the drugs wore off it wasn’t as painful as I expected, and was manageable without painkillers by day 5.

Oh cross post! Congratulations! Xx

It’s such a routine op for the staff involved. They get blood ready as well so if anything does go wrong they are already prepared etc. I had two and they were both fine. Tell them you are nervous and they might be able to put you first on the list for the day.

Congratulations!!! Enjoy your beautiful baby and all the precious newborn snuggles… and remember that no night is endless, no matter how much it feels that way at the time 💗

I also had an elcs because of extensive previous abdominal surgery. I have enough scarring that midwives struggled to work out if DD was head down (she wasn't). It went well and I didn't haemorrhage. I lost about 300ml blood. The first week wasn't easy, but my recovery was pretty good compared with friends who

Had an emergency section.

Sorry, pressed send too soon.

My elective c section was a calm experience. I felt pretty well afterwards and recovered quickly.

My previous birthing experience was anything other than calm and I took quite a while to recover.