Elective C Section Stories

[Lunamoon23]

Hello ladies,

I'm currently 19 weeks pregnant with my first child, 20 weeks on Monday and have a meeting with a consultant at my 20 week scan regarding an elective c section.

I've chosen this route because I suffer from tokophobia, I've delayed becoming pregnant because of it and knew before we started trying that this would be the route I'd wish to go down: however, I'm still petrified.
I have abit of a fear of hospitals, I'm needle phobic and the whole thought of childbirth in general sends me into a state of panic. I've done lots of research regarding c sections, the pros, the cons, I pretty much know the procedure step by step. I guess I'm just looking for a hand hold. I don't have a friend who's had a child via c section so really hard to relate (and they've been quiet judgy so don't really want to express my feelings as I just get, 'just do it the normal way' dismissing my feelings) my mums been super supportive but again, hasn't experienced one. My husband has been great, but then again, he's not going through it so I think it's hard to relate or find comfort in his reassuring words.

Just wanting to hear from women who've been through it personally... elective wise. As I know an emergency section and a planned one can be very different experiences too.

Thank you in advance xxx

I've had 2 vaginal deliveries and 2 sections, one emergency and one elective. The sections were a lot harder to recover from mentally and physically, especially the first week. And theatre is a lot more intimidating than a quiet room on the delivery suite. It's brightly lit, noisy and there are a lot of people in the room.

Childbirth is probably the most brutal process you'll ever go through but it's equally the most rewarding and once that baby is placed on you, it's a distant memory already. The female brain is very clever for that!

Another elective here. Was a good 10+ years ago now but I still remember it positively despite it being major surgery.

I was so terrified of pregnancy and birth I swore blind I’d never do it from the day I found out how it worked age 7 or something. Eventually DH gave me an ultimatum and I risked it but only if he’d support me in asking for a section. None of my family seemed to understand just how crucial it was that the doctor agreed to this. My DM and DH tried to talk me out of it, the NHS made me go through an assessment for CBT and the consultant barely heard my concerns and past trauma that had also partly led to me asking and refused my request.

I had a panic attack outside the doctor’s office and remember feeling like the whole room was caving in and that I was going to die. The midwives were amazing and one of them took charge of me, said something to the consultant who changed her mind on the spot and basically said “there, there don’t worry you can have one if you really want one.” And that was that. I was fuming that doctor compromised my choice as a woman so much that it could have put my baby at risk but the weight off my shoulders got less from then on. Although my twat of a MiL delighted in telling me I’d probably go into labour first anyway.

Everything ran perfectly to time.
I remember the spinal block being a bit of a mess - it was a Junior anesthetist and he did something that spattered some blood but I wasn’t concerned or in pain.

my own playlist on in the background

No pain at all really until the night after when the air pockets trapped inside from the surgery really hurt - I was guzzling peppermint water to try to help!

recovery was fine. My stitches took a long time to heal in one spot but I don’t remember it being an issue. I did lots of walking.

fight for what is right for you but it isn’t an easy option by any means.

I had loads of injections into my spine because anesthetist couldn't find the cavity. Like, loads. It's unpleasant but it's not super painful like you think it will be so don't stress about that bit. I had mine sitting on the operating bed with my husband beside me.

I had a private elective c section in an NHS hospital. I was due to be done at 9am but was delayed 3 or 4 times due to emergency sections coming in
I'd been nill by mouth since about 2am the night before and hadn't had a sip of water for hours. By 12pm I was dehydrated, unwell, dizzy and sobbing with a headache. Only then was I given a drip and then also a glass of water. My c section went south due to a big blood pressure drop that saw me struggling to breath and DS being resuscitated. Surgeon thinks being dehydrated contributed to the situation.

If you start getting delayed for your c section DEMAND fluids. Don't be polite about it. Same if you feel like you can't breath during the section say NO I CANT FUCKING BREATH ACTUALLY LOVE, don't get fobbed off, gaslit etc.

I’ve had two. Both were perfectly good experiences.

The spinal I found weird, uncomfortable, but not painful.

One thing I found very reassuring was that the anaesthetist was there for me - explaining what was happening, concentrating on me not baby. Both of mine chatted inanely, which really helped me. I believe that keeping you talking helps them to continually assess you, but it works brilliantly as a distraction technique too. Being in theatre is intimidating - like you I’d never had surgery or a hospital stay before - but just concentrate on the person in front of you.

Honestly the staff in these teams are brilliant. I will always remember one nurse who, knowing that her patients would have a side view of her, had her name written along the arm of her glasses - “Hi I’m Jane” and it was such an empathetic gesture I was really moved by it.

I was surprised at how quickly everything happens! They do prefer for partners to not be present until they’re ready to go - I was worried that they would forget to get him, obviously they didn’t. Once your partner is in, expect baby to be out in a couple of minutes. Baby can come straight to you, and stay with you when you go in to recovery (for about an hour) and then back to the ward.

I got really nauseous and shaky - that’s a really common reaction to the drugs, if it happens to you just tell the anaesthetist (they’ll probably notice first) and they can give you something different.

Make sure to stock up on ibuprofen and paracetamol - my top tip is to set recurring phone alarms before you leave hospital for the max dose, take them religiously for two weeks, don’t wait until you’re hurting.

I didn’t have any trapped air, I know other people find that painful. Make sure you get up and move around - slowly and gently - as soon as you can and keep moving. Take care of your incision - that will depend on your instructions, if they offer you a PICO dressing then take it!

2 sections here too, one emergency & one elective.

The emergency one was terrifying but the elective one was really calm. Very fast in & out. Don't remember much of the experience in itself though, just the room was unreal bright & lots & lots of people.

Recovery on my elective was a bit tougher than my planned as had recurrent wound infections- probably because after first I could just sit all day with baby, but with second was home with baby & a very busy toddler!

I'll never forget on day 2 though my husband cracked a joke about something & I started to laugh & the most excruciating pain ever shooting up across my shoulders. It was agony. I literally went from laughing to sobbing my heart out.

All in all though a good experience, bonused by the fact the ward was full so I was given a free upgrade to a private suite for my 7 night stay!

I've had one vaginal birth and one planned c section. The planned section was advised by the consultant after my natural birth with dd1. It went well. I was home after 48 hours and breast fed successfully. Initially lying on my side to bf. I recovered fine.

I was terrified of birth and the unpredictability, chaos, pain, thought of stretching and tearing etc..
So I had my 2 by section, and they are the best decisions I ever made. Yes there is pain after BUT it's calm pain you can just deal with as you like. I have no after effects aside from the scar/bulge but most I know who had vaginal births have some kind of long term issue that can't be resolved. Incontinence, prolapses, piles, sewn wrongly, back pain etc.
Seriously I'm so happy I made my own choice. Only YOU are in your body living your life, so only you decides.

And mine were both under general anesthetic

Just wanted to add, my husband was in the room when I had my spinal, he was holding my hand whilst wittering on to the midwife.

Have you spoken with perinatal mental health? They helped me write a list of non-negotiables (I'm autistic so my list had no unnecessary touching, describe what you're doing, tell me as soon as baby is breathing, room on my own etc etc) that was distributed to the theatre and recovery staff and the postnatal ward in advance. Your tokophobia will be something the staff are well versed in, so if it's really important that your partner is with you then perinatal mental health might be able to help with that ❤️

@MulberryBushRoundabout thank you, that's really reassuring to know, does the anaesthetist stay with you in recovery aswell? Or is it a case of just when you're in surgery and then it's taken over by nurses?

I've heard a lot about the trapped wind, I've brought some peppermint capsules and tea to pack in my hospital bag to be ready incase. My mums had this before after surgery and she did say it can feel horrendous!

When you say the spinal felt uncomfortable, what do you mean? I'm so nervous about that part but also don't want to be put to sleep as I want my husband to be there for the birth and I want to be present, I have read that they can give you some sedation before hand which I may consider but will need to speak to the anaesthetist about that i guess. X

This is very much me!
And agree with you so much regarding the pain after - I feel like once I'm settled and home I can handle the pain in my own surroundings, at my own pace without the chaos. It's the thought of all the medical interventions being unknown and reading about how so many FTMs have to have some sort of intervention or end in a EMCS I wanted to try to take the unknown out of the equation.

I haven't spoken to anyone besides my midwife regarding the mental health side of it, but maybe this is something I should enquire about. Xxx

I had an elective section for similar reasons 8 months ago and it was amazing. I genuinely wish I could go back and relive it without the fear of the unknown!
Recovery was a bit of an annoyance but nothing horrendous. Go for it! Good luck xxx

I haven't no - I've only expressed it to my midwife. I feel like sometimes my downfall is, that if on the inside I'm falling apart which I do feel like when I think about stuff, I don't show it outwardly. So to them, I seem very together and rational but inside I'm screaming and my minds racing.
Maybe this is something I should ask my midwife about - she's been great so far. I expressed my utter fear of my husband having to leave me overnight in hospital after major surgery and possible further interventions and how important it is to me that he be with me for my whole duration in hospital and she has emailed the head midwife at my delivery place to ask if it's possible for me. Although I'm terrified they're going to say no.

@OhMaria2 oh wow - that's my worst nightmare. I pray they get it first time! Why were they having so much trouble? Reassuring to hear your husband was there with you though.

But thank you for the additional information, I appreciate that xxx

I've not gone through all the replies but just thought I would give you my experience which was a little different , I had an elective 2nd birth after after a horrible 1st birth , it was a very relaxed experience going in , they really put you at ease and joke around in a respectful way . My husband was still in the room for when I had my Slovak if that is something you are worried about as I think all hospitals do things a little differently.
Unfortunately my spinal only worked down half my body , the other half was only half numb - I was quickly given the option to try and stay awake but if it gets too much be put to sleep or be put to sleep before they start .
I chose to go straight to sleep - I woke up after an hour or so and my husband introduced me to baby which was lovely ! I felt pretty woozy for a while so had a cuddle after about 2-3 hours meanwhile the baby was fed my pre pumped colostrum .
Not the planned birth I had thought it would be but I really didn't feel I missed out to be honest.

Spinal not Slovak ! Auto correct !

I've had 2 c-sections, 1 emergency and 1 elected. Elected was far calmer, waddled down to theatre and threw myself on the bed 😀
I had a GA because I'd persuaded my consultant to sterilise me at the same time. Wonderful experience and relatively easy recovery.
Write a list of your concerns and talk to your midwife.
Wishing you a healthy, calm and safe pregnancy and birth

I had two planned, for non medical reasons. It’s not what most women would choose, but it was 100% the perfect choice for me.

I went into it relaxed and well rested, and knowing what to expect. Once you’re headed to theatre, all you think about is baby arriving and I didn’t worry for myself at all. By that point, it’s just got to be done and your eyes are on the prize! 🤓

The theatre team were really nice, not stressed or rushing at all, chatted to me. The anaesthetist puts painkillers through your iv which makes you feel quite chilled. 😎 I asked them not to tell me what they were doing at any point, but I think they would talk you through if that’s helpful to you and any anxiety you might have. It was super controlled and predictable which is just what I needed.

The local anaesthetic goes into the skin near the spine, then the spinal into the spine itself. It’s a weird feeling but not really painful. I remember it being like a little electric shock. The cannula into the hand I think is worse!

They let you play music of your choice if you like to, and can request to have your partner cut the cord etc, but for me personally I just did as I was told and let the staff get on with it.

Within 90 mins of going to theatre I was having a big coffee and a mars bar. With my second my blood pressure was slightly low and I felt slightly drunk, but overall I felt great. I remember everything and felt that my delivery was as joyful as anybody else’s. And recovery was super quick as well, possibly because I was on board with my choice and the implications of that, so I accepted any discomfort from the surgery. I moved house 2 weeks after my first and MIL was cross because I forgot myself and carried the hoover up the stairs?! Everyone is obviously different but for me personally there wasn’t a lot I couldn’t do. Certainly no trouble picking baby up, or climbing stairs. I only had paracetamol and ibuprofen. Didn’t need morphine or codiene.

My tips would be to get moving as soon as possible after the spinal wears off. Often, getting up in the morning, rolling over in bed feel the hardest, but a hot shower and get moving will ease things up.

Also, as the spinal starts to work in theatre your blood pressure will drop and you will probably feel sick. Tell the anaesthetist this, and they will give you an anti-sickness through the iv which will work instantly so you don’t have to suffer! Someone told me this before my first section and it was great advice.

The consultant might try and put you off, and get you to do some reading then come back at a later date with final decision, but if it’s what you want then just be clear on that. Nobody really fought me on the decision and my midwife didn’t even blink when I mentioned at my booking appt! Yes, there are risks, but these can be controlled to an extent. I felt there were also risks with a natural birth. 🤷🏼‍♀️

good luck x

I think because I was very dehydrated. They do it in pairs and I had 8 goes, 16 flipping jabs! But it's only about as rubbish as a blood test, perhaps a bit more like pressing a bruise? And I'm sensitive to things, I've git fibromyalgia, so please don't stress about the needle.

One consequence was that the anasthetic went up really high so I ended up with numb hands, do tell them if this happens. This can also affect your blood presseure/ breathing etc.

It was nurses in charge in the recovery room for me, and the surgeon came and had a chat.

For the spinal, I guess it was kind of like someone shoving me in the back with a finger. Not painful or sharp, just not very pleasant. Though the second time I was in early labour (baby decided to turn up ahead of schedule), so I had gas and air and was finding the whole thing rather funny!

I'm defo going to take some Elma cream with me for the cannula, as I've heard they're quite painful! So I'll keep rubbing it on my hand until it's time 😂 I'm a wimp with pain unless I'm in total control of it if that makes sense? Like the pain after the surgery, once home, I know I'll handle that ok, it's the being poked and prodded and it being painful while I can't navigate it that freaks me out. Im just a big baby really!

I really hope that on the day I am able to concentrate on the positives that will be meeting our baby, but I'm so worried I'll just be overcome with anxiety and fear it'll override any thought of that..

Ohhh, what pain killers is it they give you? Does it make you feel slightly sedated? I think I'd like and appreciate that 😂

@OhMaria2 what do you mean they do it in pairs? Sorry for 21 questions.

Sorry that happened to you, sounds awful.
Sadly I even have blood tests, I'm just a massive wimp. 😂
And ah okay, am I right in thinking I should feel numb past my boobs? X

Oh gosh really? That sound scary! I've heard some horror stories about the spinal not being effective and people feeling everything?!! Do they check well that you are completely numb? And when they say numb? What exactly does that mean? I've never experienced anything like it so I don't know what should feel normal or not tbh!

Glad you still had a wonderful experience though.
Really hoping my hospital allow my husband to be with me at every stage (unless put to sleep I know that's not allowed, but I'd be none the wiser). Hes my comfort especially with my anxiety so would hate to have the spinal without him there.

I’ve had 2 ELCS, the second being very calm and healing and highly recommend it. I’ll tell you about the first but only if you actually want to hear about one not going entirely to plan, given your phobia? Don’t know if you want the whole picture or just positives, let me know! (Sorry not read all your posts, they might answer my question!)

@Lunamoon23

So it should feel completely numb although I've heard there is a sensation of something going on inside your tummy when your actually have the operation , the first test is that they pick up your leg and drop it and if you stop it slow it then there's still feeling . The second test was pinching with big tweezers which I could still feel on one side .
Even though it wasn't ideal and they needed to sort it out quickly it was very calm and I was literally asleep within a minute or 2 of realising that I could still feel stuff .
Just as I was given the medication to get me to sleep my husband left the room and it really was treated as no big deal and with humour which really helped keep me calm ( although my heart rate would say otherwise !)
They even kept baby next to me for a little while once born even though I was asleep which I think is a lovely thing to do .