Elective c section

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I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant and want to ask my midwife at my next appointment about an elective c section. My first baby was a normal vaginal birth.

It was very traumatising and I found it hard to bond with him afterwards. I had PPD (which of course I know isn't related to having a section or normal delivery) but it's weighing heavy on my mind about giving birth again.

My hospital has also stopped the use of gas and air

I'm just looking to hear about people's experiences with an elective and if you would recommend it or not. Thanks!

Yip, my baby was breach and I was more than happy to go down the ELCS route. Honestly it was great. Recovery was no trouble at all. Not having another but would repeat that kind of birth in a heartbeat. PM me if you’d like anymore info.

I've had two elective sections: first due to breech presentation and the second they asked me if I wanted to go for a VBAC or another c-section and I opted for the latter as it was a known entity. Recovery was a bit sore - actually better after my second section - but nothing major and the procedure itself was very calm and I felt really well looked after throughout. No regrets here!

I had an elective c section for mental health reasons (birth phobia) and it was definitely the best choice for me. Knowing exactly what would happen when and having it all go smoothly was perfect for me.

My recovery was also very easy. I was in pain for about two weeks after but it was completely managed with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. I was up and walking six hours after surgery and was doing my usual mile or so walks within a week.

I'm concerned about the hospital stopping the use of gas and air, I'm pregnant and will banking on that. Is that your particular hospital or lots of hospitals?

I've heard it's happening in a lot of hospitals. My hospital notified me last week. It's madness that they can take that away!

Apparently there is an issue with it not being ventilated out properly and the long term risks to the staff. So lots of hospitals have stopped its use while they sort that issue out. I loved gas and air during my first Labour if I wasn’t having to have a planned section this time I’d have been very disappointed if it wasn’t available

I had an elective section, lovely experience! Knew the day, was discharged the following day, no problems at all. And recovery very quick, I would absolutely recommend it.

I’ve had two elective C sections due to mental health (high anxiety/ need for predictability) and they were both enormously positive experiences. For both I went in around 7.30am, had the section around midday, was walking by the evening and home the next day. The 36 hours in hospital I look back on as incredibly special and calm times spent with my new babies. The procedure itself felt very calm, friendly and organised and recovery was quick (I felt ‘normal’ physically about a week later, and after my first, I went on a 6K walk two weeks later).
After my second I found I could pick up and cuddle my fairly robust 3 year old within a week - although this went against official advice.

the hard part was the nervousness beforehand and after my second I had a lot of nausea afterwards, but I was also very tired and run down for my second. Going into theatre also wasn’t the most pleasant experience, but I’m a total wimp and I managed it.

I might have just been lucky, but compared to some of the scary vaginal birth stories I’ve heard from friends, both sections felt very smooth.

I've had an emergency and an elective c section, both due to failed inductions.

The elective was much nicer experience and felt like a birth. Everything was very calm while waiting, knew exactly what to expect. Recovery was better than the emergency, although still major surgery. Only thing I would say is that there's a lot of expectation on you straight after to be up and about with no help.

Would recommend to use the pain relief, and say if a particular type isn't working for you, there are other options.

Hello, first post here ever!
Im not sure what im looking for here but just wanted some advice really. I have 2 boys and am 38 weeks pregnant with my 3rd boy. 3rd baby and me are under consultant care as he has problem with one of his organs, spotted at 20 weeks and is ongoing. After i had the diagnosis i have to say i went into panic mode and my anxiety has been through the roof. Going to the hospital and having any sort of appointment or scan is filled with days or weeks of dread, although i have good prognosis i cannot help but feel very very worried and anxious about anything further going 'wrong'. My first birth was nothing short of traumatic, i was left too long, not offered much pain relief and kind of given the get on with it attitude (this was 10 years ago) after nearly losing my little man, forceps and an episiotomy cut i was left shaking in pain, unattached to my son, throwing up and unable to walk or move. I wasnt able to walk properly for 10 weeks due to the healing (sorry for the information). I had no idea that this was considered a bad birth or a traumatic birth, i had nothing to compare it to. the black bruising from the cut took a further 4 weeks to go and i couldnt really enjoy being a mum for such a long time. The only reason i know this now is because my 2nd little boy was delivered in a birth unit/ pool with Gas and air and it was nothing short of perfect.

The reason for my in depth post is because i am strongly considering a C Section with my last and final baby. I have weighed up the pro's and con's and although i am less anxious now, the knowing 'when' and that my little man will be born fast without as many complications - starved of oxygen, shoulder dysplasia etc is weighing up that a C section is the right path.

I have had the unfortunate experience of already meeting a very anti c section consultant to discuss this which left me shaking and crying uncontrollably in a midwifes arms. I was told that the reason was that i wouldnt be able to walk to my babies bed side if i had a c section, the judgement was nothing short of horrific, i was already at my lowest point and worried sick and this just didnt help at all. The consultant i met with repeated to me over and over that she wasnt a junior doctor (there was a junior doctor strike) and that she knew what she was talking about. she didnt give me any information and when i did respond to her she dismissed me. I ended up walking out of the meeting.

I have another appointment with a consultant today and i am again anxious and worried about how the meeting will go and if my concerns about the baby are warranted to have abdominal surgery of this kind. I have no intention of going anywhere after the baby is born than home and i have a great husband and my boys are 6 & 10 so not babies that need me to to lift and comfort.

Sorry for the long post but i hear so many cons about C sections, - longer recovery , belly scar- over hang but really are they any worse than a normal birth? even my perfect water birth wasnt plain sailing with healing as stitches take a long time to heal and using the bathroom is bloody awful....

any help or advice or anything really would be much appreciated.

xxxxx

Sorry to hear about your first birth anc the anxiety in this pregnancy. I had a hellishly anxious second pregnancy so really feel what you’re going through.

I had elective c sections for both pregnancies due to high (off the charts) anxiety and both were enormously positive. There will always be people who had bad experiences and there is a huge cultural trend for vaginal births (they are also usually cheaper for the hospital) so I think the pressure is on for a vaginal birth.

my sections were calm, cheerful and felt very controlled. Afterwards I was walking slowly by about 6 hours, up and about properly the next day and honestly felt normal after two weeks.

it is major surgery and feels fairly intense when it’s happening, but it’s all over so fast.

you mention not being able to walk to your baby’s beside after - the only big negative to elective c that I can think of is if your baby was in a different part of the hospital, it might be 12 hours or so before you could easily walk to see them.

my annecdotal understanding is that the process/ recovery is a lot easier with elective than emergency

I had an elective c section 5 weeks ago. It was the most lovely experience and if I’m lucky enough to get pregnant again, I’ll be having further elective sections. It was so calm going in and I was home the next day. Only ever had paracetamol and ibuprofen and was driving again in week 3. I’d say after 3 weeks you’d never know I had a section at all!

Hi op, I had an elcs 5 months ago. I had gd and I was concerned about how big baby would get as I was a massive baby and my mum had a traumatic birth with me. You are right in what you are saying, traumatic birth experiences can increase your liklihood of having ppd ppa and finding attachment a bit harder. I would suggest having a debrief with a midwife around your first birth if you haven't already.

I met with the birth preferences consultant although I was late in deciding so I was already booked in by then. I just listed my reasons, they explained the risks around a section so I was fully informed , id already researched this all so nothing was a surprise and then they booked me in. They will probe a little to make sure you're making an informed choice and so they understand your reasoning but they'll ultimately go with your preference.

My elcs was great. Very smooth and I'd be much less nervous if we're lucky enough to do it again.

My tips are, bring slippers and a dressing gown for the surgery because you'll just be in a backless gown with no pants on!

Bring a phone with a calming playlist in with you for the start and end when your birth partner won't be with you so you've something else to focus on.

Arch as much as you can for the spinal and stay still as you can. It's not as bad as it sounds as they numb you before doing it but if they get the wrong place it feels like a wee electric shock in the spine which would have made me jump if I wasn't ready for it.

Air your wound as much as possible when your dressing comes off and keep it really dry, just rinse with warm water in the shower and dry with a cotton pad or kitchen roll.

High waisted everything and a pillow for between your tummy and the seatbelt coming home.

Take it easier than you think you need to when you're home. I felt good by week 3 then pulled my stitches trying to put my pram up by myself.

Make a section birth plan but don't be surprised if you'll only hear that morning what will/ won't be allowed at the surgeons preference.

Mine was great, the actual procedure very relaxed and recovery quick. 100% would choose this again over a vaginal birth.

Hi, I know it doesn’t directly answer your question but FWIW, I had a vaginal delivery first time around which was t traumatic but also wasn’t the best, and I’ve just had an emergency c section second time around. My hospital also stopped gas and air so I ended up with a very painful labour (epidural failed) and then a c section anyway. I was petrified about c section recovery but it’s been absolutely fine and to be honest next time I wouldn’t hesitate to choose an ELCS over risking another traumatic vaginal delivery.