Am I right Ito have an elective c section?

[Mumm1993]

Currently booked in to have an elective c section in 2 days time (38+6). No medical reason, pure maternal choice.

ive had a p*as easy pregnancy - no nausea, no aches and pains, no tiredness. Literally nothing. Baby measuring in 50th percentile, is in the correct position. I’m still doing cardio and weights in the gym at 38 weeks pregnant I feel so fine.

Only issue is the severe anxiety surrounding childbirth. I’ve always always been terrified of birth. I have been seen by the perinatal mental health team for my anxiety throughout my pregnancy and my midwife was keen for me to have a section based on my conversations with them.

I saw an obstetrician 2 weeks ago who didn’t even try and persuade me otherwise - just asked what date I’d prefer (had the choice of 38+6 or 40+2 as they were too booked up otherwise).

I’ve been so set on it my entire pregnancy but now I’m sitting here having just got back from the gym thinking am I mad to have this major surgery in 2 days when maybe everything would be ok?

my perinatal mental health team have flagged up I would be higher risk of PND and bonding issues with baby if a vaginal birth went wrong (fyi I have had NO mental health issues prior to pregnancy; I’m level headed, have a successful career but just have a very specific fear of childbirth).

i would definitely like a 2nd child but wouldn’t want more than that.

what would you all do 🥲?

Good luck with your section.

I think you're making the right decision. I've had one of each and the elective section was WAY more enjoyable, calmer, safer and easier to recover from. Enjoy meeting your baby!

Good luck with your section! I think you have made the right decision. A good vaginal birth probably has a quicker recovery but there is a big tail of things that go wrong and some recoveries can be extremely difficult or you can end up with permanent damage (I did, it's more common than most people appreciate). With an elective C-section you know you are probably going to need a week or two to recover but the chances of anything permanently altering how your body functions are lower.

I had three elective c/sections. All attempts at induction failed with my first. I was having a big baby, and I had a small pelvis. I've never been in labour. My second and third babies were even bigger.

My kids are all grown up now, and I have never regretted it. Yes, it might not have been my first choice - I really don't know though as I was also terrified of giving birth!

Just be aware that there is a possibility of infection. I had a horrible infection after my first was born - my wound was literally on fire! I had midwives putting ice in plastic bags to cool it. Second time around, I caught on quicker, and third time, I got antibiotics through the epidural to prevent it.

It's very exciting that you will be meeting your baby tomorrow!! Very best wishes! x

Good luck tomorrow OP! I hope you enjoy the experience and are looking forward to meeting your baby soon!

To counteract some other posters I have had both & found recovery from the VB much much easier. I actually thought there was something wrong with me because I found the CS recovery hard but the doctors told me my recovery was textbook & I was out the next day. Some people stay in longer & have higher strength painkillers which I didn’t know at the time.

quick update to finish the thread - had my section 2 days ago. The spinal was horrible but after I’d recovered from that it was so enjoyable 🤗 baby is perfect, my wound is barely visible and I feel like all the anxiety from my pregnancy has washed away!
we got home within 24 hours and life feels very good right now! So glad I went ahead with it :)

Congratulations! Lovely update. So good that it went well. Hope you have a good recovery and early weeks with tiny new DC.

Wonderful news @Mumm1993 ❤️

Congratulations @Mumm1993 and enjoy the time at home recovering with your baby! Do accept all help possible and take it easy for the next few weeks if you can.

Congrats!!