Caesarean stories please

[Jackofallmasterofnone]

Hello, I'm 37 and I'm 36 weeks pregnant. Just found out today that the doctor is recommending caesarean at 38 weeks or induction at 37.
Baby is already massive at estimated 8lbs.

I've had two vaginal births already and I know the pros and cons there.

Can you all enlighten me on the pros and cons you experienced with csection please? The procedure and healing process would be really handy. Then I can make a more informed decision as currently, I'm not getting the personal touch from the leaflets they're plying me with!

I'm surprised they are recommending section if you have already had two VBs.

It's surgery, pretty major surgery. Some people report positive experiences, others less so. Personally, I hated every second and just treated it as something to endure, like most medical procedures. Recovery wasn't too bad but I am pretty sure I have scar tissues adhesions internally as I have odd pain at ovulation and period times.

The baby got through it fine though, which made it worth it.

Don't rush recovery, hold a bed pillow to your scar when you cough/laugh/sneeze and apply a little pressure to stop some of the pain. Keep on top of painkillers when you first go home.

Hello! I have had both a vaginal birth and C-Section births.

My C-Section was planned and comparable with checking into a hotel! So calm and I was very much in control to a certain degree.

Pro's:

Calmer than (in my own experience) my vaginal birth

Dr's on stand by should anything go wrong, I felt so safe!

Calmer for the baby. My vaginal birth baby was an awful sleeper, C-Section babies were always both so calm.

A better opportunity to rest after birth. With my vaginal birth it was very much, get up and get on with it from the very moment after giving birth. C-Section I rested for 10 days and during those 10 days I ate so well. After my vaginal birth I was up making my husband lunches and dinners within the week, housework expected as normal etc etc.

So much less bleeding, very light the whole time and it had completely stopped within a week.

It took me 14 months to recover after my vaginal birth, I was never given the chance to rest and felt in a 'fog' for 14 months.

I felt like my self emotionally and mentally after only 3 / 4 weeks after both C-Sections.

The things to do are to ensure rest, bed rest mainly for at least 10 days. Good food, multivitamins etc.

Do not miss pain medication for 10 days. Set your alarm at night and do not miss a dose. I had paracetamol, 2 hours later I had Iboprofen and kept this up for 10 days.

Get up and move, short walks etc. Keeping ontop of your pain medications will really help you to keep active, as it does helps with a quicker recovery.

I was back to normal activities 4 / 6 weeks after the C--Section.

@eurochick it's because of the risk to the baby as he's so big. They're worried he'll get stuck.

@CherryGarcia23 @eurochick great tips! Thank you. After seeing some awful csection comments about people's experiences I was getting very worried!

Loved the procedure. Funny tugging and pulling that I could feel but felt no pain.
Healing took longer than expected - Laughlin really hurts for first couple of days and you will fart a lot so want to laugh. I didn't know.
It's also v hard to scoot across in bed for the first week you might need help getting in and out of bed. Basically enlist support and expect to do nothing, then if you can do stuff then it's a bonus.

How big were your other babies?
8 lb isn't massive.

Anyway, I had four caesarean sections and they were the worst, most painful experiences of my life.
Recovery took ages and the painkillers were inadequate.

I’ve had two c sections and both were good experiences. Pain was the worst for the first 3 days or so, but completely doable if you stay on top of your pain relief (take it regularly rather than waiting for it to wear off). I’m now 6 days after my second c section and am off the painkillers, but am taking it easy.

With one, I had the post birth poo and dealing with that was difficult as I couldn’t strain so was on the loo for around an hour getting it out. With my second, I deliberately ate foods that make my poo more loose in the run up to the c section, so I had no issues after the op.

They do try and get you on your feet as soon as the epidural / spinal wears off, which is actually a good thing as it aids recovery. I ended up staying in hospital for just one night with my second.

The theatre was calm and staff lovely.

It is a major operation, but as long as you don’t expect to be fully recovered in days and accept you need to take it easy, it really isn’t that bad.

Re painkillers, definitely check what your hospital offers as routine. I gave birth in two different hospitals and both offered decent pain relief and gave me the option for stronger if needed. However, I have heard stories of some hospitals offering only paracetamol and ibuprofen, which is far from adequate.

I've had 2 c sections, first was an emergency under general anesthetic which was scary but I was beautifully looked after, second was an elective c section (I went overdue and there was no way I was being induced after number 1), for me the absolute worst part was having to take lactulose because I took heavier painkillers after number 1..... wind under your rib cage is vile!! Beyond that take it easy, cough with a pillow over your scar, listen to your body, don't lift anything heavier than the baby and let yourself be looked after. Elective c section was very chilled, the anesthetist was telling me rude jokes through the whole thing and trying to convince me to name the baby after him 🤣 (laughing with an epidural is a bizarre experience!)

I had an EMCS ... it was great, obviously I remember nothing as I was knocked out but recovery was fine, some minor pain but nothing serious. I had been terrified of a VB so was delighted with the CS ... but still made 100% sure I never had second baby .

The biggest thing I think I wish I’d known is the permanent nerve damage, it’s been 8 years and I still have no feeling in the skin around the scar
which is mostly just annoying. As it’s healing it’ll be insanely itchy too, that lasted about a year both times. I also have the stereotypical apron belly - the scar pulls my tummy over it so it flops. I can improve it marginally by losing weight but even at a very average BMI it was still there. The two side effects, numbness and floppiness, together can be quite uncomfortable, especially in the summer, and
i’m quite self conscious of it.

I wouldn’t take it all back, because it gave me two healthy babies but I do wish I’d known so
it wasn’t a shock during recovery!

I've had two. My first baby was born at 37 weeks weighing over 10lbs, snd second at 38 just under 10lbs. I have type 1 diabetes (developed during first pregnancy).
The first one was ok, couldn't really move for 24 hours but after I left the hospital I was ready to get out there and we had lots of visitors and we went out for lunch the day after. I did as told and did not drive for six weeks but I got out walking every day (babies are pretty boring to be honest).
Second one i lost a lot of blood snd had a drain. She was poorly and went in to NICU for a few days. Fortunately we still managed to establish breast feeding even though she had been fed by tube first couple days. Healing was a bit slower, but again getting out and walking most days helped. I was in my 40s for both.
Even though we lived in an affluent area there were no health visitors, but to give purpose to my walks I'd take them to the local clinic most weeks for a check. I think getting moving and out of the house is key to a faster recovery.

I had gd and baby was likely to be big. He was 9lb2oz. I was recommended vaginally delivery but I decided to go for planned section since I wasn't able to have a lot of the birth plan I'd wanted and I was worried about induction and shoulder dystocia.

My planned section was great, really smooth and I was still able to make a birth plan for it which made me feel like I still had some control. Really glad I went for that option.

I've had 2 c sections, second was elective. It was brilliant. So quick, so calm, absolutely wonderful. Recovery was fine, as long as I kept on top of pain relief. Don't be shy about asking for extra in the first days/week - it's crazy how they can encourage you to get by on paracetamol and ibuprofen after major surgery!

The catheter caused minor issues both times, but nothing that wasn't easily resolved and not painful. I was moving around with ease after 2 weeks, felt well recovered by 6 weeks. Obviously, it took longer to heal fully, but I think that's the case for lots of births, and it's also about recovery from the pregnancy! No problems breastfeeding immediately either time, if you're wanting to do that. Got skin to skin straightaway with both.

You'll need a lot of support for those first two weeks at least, with moving/lifting. Important not to overdo it, even if you think you're alright. I set myself way back the first time doing that. I also have some residual numbness around the scar; regular massage in those early weeks really improved tightness and numbness for me.

Good luck x

I had emergency c section at 37 weeks as I reacted badly to induction medication. The procedure itself was fine and I was on my feet around the house carefully cooking and taking care of the baby since getting home. I left cleaning and food shopping to my DH for first 3 weeks and after that I probably overdid a bit as I started bleeding more. I haven't had vaginal birth so cannot compare but I did find the recovery long and hard but it was influenced a lot by me having to take care of the baby most of the time as my DH was working night shifts and the nights were the most difficult time as DD was awake a lot.

I've had two sections. Everyone has a different experience. I find that people aren't always that forthcoming about good c section experiences and most people I know in real life who had one are overwhelmingly positive...

Mine were straightforward, very clinical, quick and calm. The baby is out so fast and that made it all worth it for me. The process is weird but not painful. The recovery varies. I was fit and healthy beforehand and tried hard to be up and moving soon after the surgery, which all helped. Constipation can be an issue especially if you take codeine, so I would suggest starting with over the counter pain relief and see if you need anything stronger. I was able to go for walks and do laundry etc in the same week but it does take a while to get back to normal and you have to be careful lifting older children etc. Bf was not an issue for me either. Six months on and the scar is flat and small - hardly noticeable.

With an induction option you could end up with an emcs, which is much tougher than elcs. But then you might avoid surgery entirely! It all depends on which risks feel more acceptable to you....

I had a wonderful experience of C-section. Pain free, healed quickly. Really calm and pleasant. Friends who had vaginal births in comparison had tears, infections, all sorts of pain afterwards and horror stories of being in labour for days, exhausted and hungry and ignored.

But - big thing they don't tell you - it massively affects your milk coming in. Mine didn't come in properly for about two months. I had some milk, but not enough, and it was weeks before i got that underarm prickling feeling. You can take turmeric, milk thistle and some mild medication to help start the milk. Ask your medical team about this in advance.

I had an emergency c-section. It was awful. I was really sick from the epidural. Didn't meet baby for over an hour. She was already dressed when I did meet her. I was gutted.

Horrendous infection after birth lasted 5 months. Have the horrible overhang despite not being overweight. No one told me to wear compression pants.

My milk never came in. Apparently c-section can cause this.

Sorry to sound so negative but if I had the choice I'd never have a c-section. 8lbs isn't a particularly big baby. Are you very small?

I'd also question how they're measuring the size of your baby. I was told mine would be 9lbs. She wasn't even 8lbs!

I'm sure you'll be well looked after whichever you go for.

I had a crash section but was lucky enough that they had time for a spinal (not epidural) as I'm terrified of anaesthetic. They were spraying me with water and as soon as u didn't feel it, they cut.

The c section itself is fine. It feels like your body is your handbag and someone is scraping around to find something. One sad thing is that I wasn't able to hold DD until a bit later. Not exactly sure when but definitely not before I was stitched up. I did get the shakes which I've been told since is a reaction to the meds so that may be why I couldn't hold her but you'll notice c section pics are usually the baby being held over the mother.

Back then we stayed in hospital three days after. I had to have a few doses of oramorph the first day but after that paracetamol and ibuprofen was enough. I do remember them asking if they could put some ibuprofen up my bum when I was on the table. Standing up is very painful for 2 days or so but it's honestly amazing how quickly your body recovers. I also had to inject myself with something for seven days. That's harder than it looks.

You'll need a supportive partner but I think you'll need one anyway. Day 5 I took her for a walk in her pram and around 2 weeks I somehow found myself walking 5 miles to town and back. For years after, if I'd done too much my section scar area would hurt. It's also numb.

I think that's everything. Wishing you a safe delivery

Avoid the induction. They usually lead to sections anyway. If you've had two births your body probably knows what to do but first timers, avoid avoid avoid!

I'm guessing 8lb now means huge when the times right.

Hey lady.

I had a c section due to a big baby.

I'm scared of everything but I survived. The spinal block was ok, the cannula is the hardest part ha.
I did lose quite a lot of blood but they were prepared.

My recovery has been straightforward and I wouldn't be afraid to do it again.

Good luck and congrats.

I've had two lovely ELCS. Lovely experience in theatre - spinal is the best thing ever after the last few months of pregnancy. Afterwards had no problems healing so long as I took the drugs regularly. First CS I had a bit of a haemorrhage (being in theatre it wasn't such a big deal) and the consultant prescribed dihydrocodeine along with alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen. This kept things under control. Second CS all went well and no additional drugs. Was sceptical but actually didn't need anything else. I have no overhang or issues with the scar. Yes there are risks, but with an elective the risks are fewer than emergency and you never know how a VB is going to turn out either.

With a c-section I liked knowing roughly when it was going to happen.

I loved not suffering any pain, just going in and a little while later your baby is in your arms.

After a traumatic first birth that went horribly wrong for my and my dc1 I felt great about knowing I was being cared for by Doctors and the process was much more controlled, it took a lot of the anxiety out of it for me.

Cons were not booking a private room - first night on the ward was hellish with loads of screaming babies waking us up and a very loud BF consultant who didn’t seem to care that mums and babies were trying to sleep in the middle of the night. I hadn’t experienced this with dc1 as we were in nicu and it was very quiet. I got no sleep and was determined to get out of there the next day.

The following few days at home were hellish at night ….on strong painkillers, elasticated stockings, limited range of movement so dh had to help a lot at nights….it was a blur.

By the end of the first week I was up and about, taking it easy but able to walk around etc and within about 4 weeks felt fine.

Also tie a rope to the end of your bed to help pulling yourself up when you get home. Going from laying to standing is tricky.