Why did you have a C section?

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Recovering from an emergency c section for “failure to progress” (my waters went, I got induced and made it to 7cm and couldn’t get any further) and curious about others.
Struggling to come to terms with it so hoping this might help!

So if you had a c section, was it emergency or elective?
If an emergency, what was the reason?
If elective, what made you choose a section?

I'm so so sorry you went through that! I'm so pleased you got your rainbow baby xx

One of each.

First was similar to you. Went in for an induction at 42 wks. Tried for 2 and a half days, forcibly broke my waters, put on drip and nothing. Doctors all looked at eachother, shrugged and then said "c-section?" to me.

Second was headed the same way so at 41+ wks and no sign of baby I suggested c section as I didn't want to be induced (and probably a failed one) again.

EMCS due to ‘malpositioning’. Got to 10cm within three hours but then spent four hours pushing with little progress, baby was back to back and at an awkward angle. I do feel like I should / could have done more to deliver vaginally (first born was vaginal birth, also back to back with long pushing phase) but keep reminding myself that ultimately the doctors made the decision and they are the experts. The consultant refused to attempt forceps as he said baby was in such an awkward position it would be risky, so I know deep down that it was for the best, I just can’t help feeling I could have done more so I do sympathise.

That said if we ever have a third I’m 100% having an elective section rather than risking going through so much pain and pushing again only to end up in surgery anyway!

Didn't want to aggravate a previous vaginal birth injury.

Loved my surgical birth.

I had an emergency c-section at 42+2 after 3 different inductions 72 hours of stop start labour on my own due to lock down. I never got passed 4cm.

DS was so chilled every time he fell asleep they couldn't get a read on his heartbeat so I had to keep moving to keep him awake, then he presented his face only discovered when the midwife put her finger in his mouth 🙄.

Then the doctor decided enough was enough and time to get him out. Had to do that alone as well as DH has PTSD from DSD birth when she was born at 28 weeks.

Currently 30 weeks and have elected to have another c-section because I'm not going through that again

Also, on this topic, something that I noticed while pregnant is that every woman I spoke to that had a c section seemed terrified that they might be judged and without being asked offered a reason that they had to have one. I made note of that and told myself I wouldn't do this or apologize it's no one
Else's business. Funnily a few people (colleagues especially!) have been quite direct about asking 'why' it happened. Closer friends have just double checked if I knew it would happen and if I was ok which is nice (as some people really seem to mourn the opportunity to experience vaginal birth which I respect but didn't have that urge myself)

I had a crash Caesarean as my baby's heart rate was dropping rapidly. I was rushed into theatre and they had me under and baby out in 10 minutes. Turned out she had the cord wrapped twice around her neck. She is a healthy happy 10 year old now so all was well.

I struggled for years with not having been the first to hold her and not having heard her first cry as I was still under the general anaesthetic.

My husband was amazing and refused to dress her so I could see her as nature intended when I woke up - she pooed her way through three hospital blankets!

It helped to have a debrief with the hospital a few weeks after the birth where the doctor made it very clear that her life was at risk and there really was no other way to get her out. I also know of similar situations to mine where baby's have been born with life changing disabilities so I now thank my lucky stars that the medical team were so amazing.

It does get easier to deal with over time

Basically I was told I needed to because of preeclampsia. My blood pressure was through the roof.

3 reasons for my first planned c section: Low lying placenta, twin 1 bum first and twin 2 was lying over twin 1s head. Second birth I could have had her vaginally but all the healthcare professionals panicked last minute during my VBAC and so had another c section. But everyone was healthy and perfect so I'm pretty happy with that. Wouldn't have gone for VBAC if I'd have known how twitchy all the midwives would have been about it.

T

Low lying placenta for me plus "older" mom (I was 39 when DS was born). My recovery was so straightforward, and aside from the blood thinners, it was pretty easy. So many of my friends had serious tears with childbirth, so very happy the decision was made for me by my lovely placenta (we nicknamed her Penny 😂)

My heart goes out to every mum who had a rough journey to motherhood ❤- believe me I understand how blessed/lucky I was!

1: fetal distress (emcs)
2 Accreta (elcs)
3 prev c section (elcs)
4 Accreta and prev c section (elcs)
5 prev c section (elcs)
6 prev c section (elcs)

Emcs. There were so many reasons. I'm not even sure what they noted it as.

I was enduced due to high blood pressure but already a week overdue. Waters were broken and I was put straight on the drip.

Reasons were:
Fetal distress - baby's heart rate was dropping
My heart rate was increasing (we both caught an infection during labour) and both ended up in for 6days on antibiotics
Failure to progress, I was only 3-4cms after 14/15 hrs of labour and she was back to back
They thought my placenta was coming away.

Second one was meant to be a planned section but was semi emcs. Waters broke 3wks early and full on contractions right away she was born less than 12 hrs after my waters broke. Despite the first midwife I saw saying they were going to send me home 🙄 4hrs later she was in my arms!

My waters broke and I didn't go into labour. Was induced by pessary and drip and still didn't go into labour. 36hrs after my waters broke I was given a (very calm, non dramatic) c section.

It's absolutely your choice - if a consultant refuses, they have to find you someone who will do it. I didn't get any resistance when I requested one, but if you do, push back. They can't force you to have a vaginal birth if you don't want one.

Emcs with identical twins at 31 weeks due to placental abruption.

I was booked for a planned section at 36 because they were identical and had had ttts during pregnancy.

If I was ever to have another child I would want a section again.

My daughter had a section. The baby was breech and the cord was too short to turn her. She knew from about 20 weeks she would need a section because of the cord.

EMCS for me.

I was induced at 41+3 after going in for a growth scan (due to static growth), they took my BP after the scan and it was high. It had been high for a few weeks and I was being monitored twice a week already.

Failed to progress past 3cm and I was put on the sepsis pathway as either I or my daughter had an infection, I was tachycardic and my temperature was spiking, her heart rate was also elevated.

I turned out to have strep b.

It's something that upset me for a long time (my daughter is now nearly 27 months old). I blame the c section on an uneeded induction. We plan on TTC again next month and I fully plan on trying to have a VBAC.

Emcs due to preeclampsia at 35+0. A few days prior the doctors told me to consider induction and I said yes to it, however the labour ward was busy so it was a case of waiting 24-48hrs for space. Then while waiting I felt no movements all afternoon and his hr was static. The doctor didn’t think he would cope with contractions so we switched to emcs. It was a calm and pleasant experience.

Im happy I had a C-section. Sure it was a few weeks of pain recovering but knowing my luck if I had induction I would likely have had a hard recovery anyway such as a tear or a retained placenta (I had retained products after a miscarriage).

If I ever have another child I’m 95% sure I would opt for a elcs over vbac.