Elective CSec after Natural

[londongirl2701]

Hi, looking for some advice on elective C section after a previous natural birth. Long story short my first labour was long and hard 33 hours and my baby girl was on the large side 9.4lbs. The thought of birth and labour again absolutely petrifies me and we have been told this baby is also looking to be on the larger side. I was so worn out by the time it came to pushing last time that I literally could not do it and was pushing for 1.5 hours until she finally came out. I’m seriously considering an elective as I just have so much anxiety over the whole natural birth scenario again, but on the other side also have anxiety about c section recovery… my recovery with my first was pretty straight forward and quick thankfully so that’s the only plus. Just wondering if anyone was in the same sort of predicament and questioning having a possible c section for their 2nd baby and how the recover was as I’ve read some horror stories…

Sorry for the long post x

I had a c section (emergency not elective) after a really easy birth that took very little recovery - sk not quite the same but when it comes to differences in recovery… I think my c section was a straightforward recovery for the procedure but very different from vaginal birth.

Difficulties in comparison for c section - not being able to lift much or drive especially with a 3yo, rural area, and I’m not built to sit still!! Even with 1st in lockdown that walk around the neighbourhood was essential. Things use your core a lot more than you think - even a shopping trolley I realised at four weeks pp was painful.

however if you’ve got someone willing to give you lifts or are quite happy having a 6-week fourth trimester then it would be easier. You all know the date with elective so could plan online shops, childcare etc.

I was sore and stiff for several weeks, even moving around in bed pulled the muscles. Feeding baby from next to me cot hurt to get up and get him out from that position at night.

BUT this lasted around six weeks and I was able to drive after that, and had made sure I’d have support while it was difficult. Paracetamol took care of most of it. Not lifting the toddler was the hardest bit but he was also a bit traumatised by the experience of being left unexpectedly long and we hadn’t prepared him as we weren’t expecting it. he did get that mummy’s tummy needed gentle care.

4 months pp, scar has healed well and is even reducing visibility. I have numbness across my tummy but I think it’s improving a bit and I notice it less day to day - it felt like sunburn for a while which is apparently nerve related

I’m not sure vbac would be a sensible option if I got pregnant again, and I wouldn’t be afraid of an elective but I would plan some things differently

long post sorry! And I guess even elective might come with more complications but that’s my experience of two decent recoveries from the two birthing methods!!

I've not done vaginal birth but I did have an elective c section, and found the recovery fine. Day 1/2 was difficult but not painful due to pain relief, but I was walking out the house on short walks by day 4 and off the painkillers by day 7. I did lose some core muscle strength but it came back very quickly (they part the muscles on the tummy rather than cut through them). I think it's hard because everyone's experience is different, and a lot of the stories you hear about c sections are after someone has laboured and they are more urgent where the surgeon has less time to be careful with getting the baby out. I think in these cases the recovery is harder because you're recovering from labour too. In my NCT group 6 out of the 8 girls are planning an elective c section next time (after experience of inductions or "emergency" c sections).

Only you can decide but I liked the experience and would do it again, and I wouldn't want to go into labour feeling fearful of the experience as that will make it much worse and slow down progress. The other thing to look into might be hypnobirthing, I've heard that works really well for people to get in a good mindset.