Would you opt for a c section second time around?

[cherrycola66]

My birth was relatively quick but extremely painful, I was refused an epidural the entire way through and when they finally agreed I was 9cm so it was too late. I really dread going through that again, would I be silly to ask for a c section?

You can definitely ask for a c section. But if you would like a vaginal birth if it was to go better then I'd consider getting a birth debrief to talk it through, doing some hynobirthing (the science is sound, you can ignore the hippy dippy bits) and have it in your notes you want an epidural as soon as you're in active labour.

C section was so much worse in my experience.

I will be having a c-section second time round

Can I request an epidural the second I’m in active labour as this was the issue last time, I was only 1cm when they checked me and they refused to check me again after that they just kept saying it’s too early and then 3 hours later it was too late

not unless I need one.
This time round you have not only a newborn but also a toddler to care for who will need picking up, bending down to play with, perhaps driving to places, them jumping on you. Hard to do after major surgery,

I had a c section followed by a vaginal birth. Though the second was painful the pain was short-lived and a preferable method of birth imo.

I think in your situation I’d be tempted to give birth in a different hospital where they have a different (better) attitude to women’s pain and bodily autonomy. My c section experience was very good but the recovery was painful so I’m not sure it’s the answer to what you need here.

I had c section with my third. Two vaginal births were absolutely fine but I was much older with my final baby so they offered it to me and I was swayed by the convenience of being able to plan etc. I regret it so so much. The recovery was much longer. I was doing the school run within 24 hours of my second vaginal birth. And my body has changed irrevocably. Scar area is still
numb after 2 years and the pouch it has left behind won’t go without further surgery.

I would definitely go for another c section. I had a vaginal birth for number 1 and then a planned c section for my 2nd. I would choose the planned c section again. I hated being out of control during my first labour (nothing terrible happened but I dilated slowly and it took 4 days in the end and was extremely painful). I did need more help with our toddler afterward the operation but found I recovered more quickly (I had a bad tear during the vaginal birth). It was very painful initially but I went back into the pain killers for a few days it soon subsided.

I found that my original hospital said it was pro giving women the choice but in reality they weren't so I changed at 36 weeks to a hospital where they were really supportive of whatever choice I wanted and it was a great decision for me.

I asked for an elective section with my second after a 5 day failed induction, emergency section and 8 days in hospital with my first.

Elective was so much better, much less pain as I hadn’t been poked and prodded for days and days beforehand and we could sort childcare out and explain it all to DC1. One night in the hospital and I was walking (very slowly) round the park the next day.

I had my last 2 by C section, 1st emergency and 2nd recommended. I've been left with surgical adhesions ever since that have left me with chronic pelvic pain, and I've got a horrible numb area/overhang that isn't remotely attractive. If I'd known, I would never had agreed to the 2nd one. They are bandied around on here as the magical answer to labour but recovery is tough especially if you have older children. And no surgery is without risk.

Can you have it in your birth plan you want an epidural? I had a horrific birth first time round with limited pain relief, second time I had a wonderful, calm relaxed delivery due to the epidural. So much so I planned and fell pregnant within 8 months of DC2 being born. Now 28 weeks pregnant and planning the epidural again for my final go! C-section recoveries for a friend of mine was extremely hard and the physical and mental toll of not being as able-bodied as she was used to made her recovery really challenging. Although Dfriend did have an emergency c-section, I’m not aware if planned are any different.

Yes, I was induced and had a 40 min labour, so no time for any pain meds (and gas & air did nothing for me except make an irritating noise).

Forceps, 3C tear. Absolutely had a c section next time! No questions asked, in fact it was recommended by the Birth Choices midwife.

ETA sorry don’t know why I quoted OP 🙄

Yes I did. Really great experience.

I’ve had easier recoveries and fewer ongoing issues from two c sections than friends with difficult vaginal births, but harder than friends with easy births. How either will affect you is very difficult to tell.

You can opt for a c section. Have you discussed it with your midwife? Some people find the hospital birth reflections service helpful. Its worth talking through why you didn’t get the epidural last time and what you can do to make sure you get one this time, if that’s what you go for.

I went for sections for number 2 and number 3. That’s despite being given an epidural at 1cm in the first, vaginal birth (she was back to back, it was extremely painful, and I was not coping). In my case there were other medical reasons, but the pain alone would have been reason enough for me too choose a section. I found labour beyond excruciating. The C sections were sore for the first few days to a week if I forgot to take my painkillers. But they were never for one second as bone crushingly, breath takingly painful as labour.

My view on this is unpalatable to some, but here goes. Labour is sheer luck of the draw, a combination of your own body physiology, the position of the baby, and how they work together on the day. Those who think they aced it because of hypnobirthing/ breathing/ positive thinking / fairy lights / dark rooms/ no doctors around were just lucky on position and body shape. Those like me, who had pain so bad words cannot describe, couldn’t even move and ended up crumpled in a corner screaming in agony were unlucky. Many - most? - are somewhere in between. But it really is down to luck. Even if the additional medical reasons hadn’t been there, I still wouldn’t have rolled the dice again.

Also, for me, c section recovery with one and then with two other children at home was still easier than the vaginal birth recovery with only one newborn.

I had an emergency c section first time and will be having a planned one next, not even thinking about a VBAC

@EarlGreywithLemon i agree. My first baby was back to back and there was no break between contractions, I wanted to die. I was screaming for my husband to kill me, I had no pain relief and it was actual hell on earth, hell. my second baby was in a perfect position, lovely breaks between contractions where I could talk and drink and a few easy pushes to get him out, also no pain relief.

@Minimalistmamaoftwo I’m sorry that you suffered too. Credit to my hospital that at least they recognised that and gave me the epidural at 1cm. But it took 18 hours to get there and 6 of those were, exactly as you say, hell on earth. Glad the second time was a lot better for you at least, and huge respect that you had the courage to try again.

No way would I choose a C section ever, that is for emergency only. I know two people who had c-sections and desperately wanted not to second time, three and a bit years later. One managed a natural birth second time around, albeit with venthouse, unfortunately the other girl had another emergency section but they didn't want that.

If you were quick last time you may well be quicker next. Try not to go into hospital too early, wait until labour is well underway. It's easier to manage at home, walking around and doing things in between contractions - as long as all is well of course. I went in as soon as my waters broke and gave birth a couple of hours later, easy peasy. Yes it did hurt towards the end but then it was over.

I wouldn’t ask for a c-section if I was in your position. The recovery is long, and it can go wrong and cause complications.It’s major abdominal surgery!

First c-section I had major issues with the pain meds not working that had me swearing she’d be an only child, then literally unable to sit up but still in pain because overdosed with a drug that didn’t work and then my milk was slow to come in as a result. Second time around I failed at not picking up my toddler (a small 21 month old) for 6 weeks and got an infection as a result.

You need to consider this issue if your eldest still needs lifting, it is very real. Also you cannot drive for 6 weeks after, which is also more of a problem if you have an older child.

You’d be much better to advocate for yourself to get an epidural earlier IMO.

I got an epidural as soon as I had my first contraction

How? I went in at 9 and the pain got unbearable at 12 when I first asked for one, I repeatedly asked for one constantly and they kept refusing as I wasn’t far enough along according to them, they finally agreed at 5:30 when it was too late

I wouldn’t have a cs unless it’s medically required. I’ve had one cs, there was no other way both of us would survive, and one VBAC. I had a near perfect recovery from the cs but was still in pain, had the numb area round my scar for years, nice shelf now, and sex was agony for a year. VBAC was painful during and I was sore afterwards but recovery was so much easier.
The best option would be to ask for the epidural to be given as soon as you arrive. You could ask for a consultant appointment to really push for this to be the plan for you.

I had an ELCS for my second , first was a vaginal delivery , no epidural ( my decision) but huge baby and a few issues during and lots after ( PPH requiring transfusion) . C-section was great , out of hospital quicker , moving pain free quicker , couldn’t fault it .