Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Did you regret your ELCS?

19 replies

StarSB1712 · 20/10/2025 09:23

Currently booked in for an ELCS with my second baby.

Had a vaginal delivery with my first and found labour, birth and recovery very traumatic. I had a reaction to the epidural as was given too much and gave birth on gas and air in the with an episiotomy, ventouse delivery. Cord was round baby’s neck 3 times which they were unaware of.
Recovery came with piles the size of grapes, a mild prolapse and very little mobility and anaemia as well as not being able to sit down comfortably for 2-3 weeks.

On this basis I have made the decision to have an ELCS which has been granted but now I am having a lot of panic whether this is the right decision and if I should should just try for a V delivery again.
Is this normal? Am I being selfish by choosing the ELCS? Baby was fine on first V delivery, it was me that had trouble recovering and is what I’ve based my decision on this time for the c sec.
The more I think about it the more I am worried about the spinal and if I’ll have a similar reaction to the epidural.

Looking for any positive ELCS stories after vaginal births to help calm me down. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Misspacorabanne · 20/10/2025 09:27

Absolutely not! My first labour was very traumatic and I booked in for elective for my second! It was an absolute breeze in comparison! I didn’t regret it! I found it helped get over the trauma of my first birth in some ways! I was able to bond with baby straight away, where as with my first I was in emergency surgery and wasn’t with it at all for the first 24 hours.
Don’t feel bad, just do what you have to do to get your baby here safely!

anytipswelcome · 20/10/2025 09:29

For me personally it was the best decision I ever made, genuinely. I enjoyed every minute of the experience of the section and felt really relaxed and calm. Wishing you all the best Flowers

Yellowe · 20/10/2025 09:30

Well, surely you tell the team in advance about your reaction to the spinal and explore options ahead of your CS? It’s not a reason not to have one. The first time I had a general anaesthetic, I was violently nauseous for hours after coming round, so I’ve had that put on my medical notes, and they’ve put in an anti-emetic in subsequent GAs.

Why on earth would you ‘regret’ something that avoids considerable physical and psychological trauma, not to mention significant negative after effects on your health on an ongoing basis? In your shoes I would give a vaginal birth a second thought.

Greybeardy · 20/10/2025 18:08

anaesthetist PoV.... sounds like it may be worth asking to speak to an anaesthetist ahead of the usual pre-assessment date. The whether the epidural issue is likely to be a problem for having a spinal for an elective depends what the problem was.

EarlGreywithLemon · 20/10/2025 21:51

No regrets at all. It was a great decision, so much so that I went on to have another ELCS for my third baby.

I also felt very nervous before the first C section and wondered if I’d made the right choice, but it was just fear of the unknown. I actually really regretted afterwards that I had been so nervous and hadn’t enjoyed the run up to it more. I wasn’t at all nervous for the second section. Both recoveries were so so much easier and quicker than the aftermath of the vaginal birth.

dollygray2 · 20/10/2025 22:10

I had a semi elective first time (failed induction) and elective second. I was so worried second time as I’d chosen to do it. But was absolutely fine. Someone told me it feels like someone rummaging about in your handbag and it does lol. Recovery was fine. The worst part for me was the glue residue from the plaster over the scar which keep sticking to my pants. You can get medical adhesive remover fyi. Also you bleed heavily afterwards like a vaginal birth. I didn’t realise this (dont know why) and a lot of people have spoken to didnt know this either. You’ll be absolutely fine.

MrsBucketHat · 20/10/2025 22:13

I’ve only experienced a c-sec so have nothing to compare it to, but for me it was a totally positive experience and I wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision again. Hope everything goes smoothly for you, whatever you decide to do!

FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease · 20/10/2025 22:15

All my children have been elcs.

If my daughter chooses to have children, I will strongly suggest this is how she has hers. I suppose I can't give it a higher accolade than that.

Boudy · 20/10/2025 22:20

I had a 'natural' birth with my 1st at 33 weeks..it was awful and baby died at 2 weeks. I asked for a section for my 2nd but was told by consultant to 'see how it goes' after being in labour for some time baby was stuck so had emergency
Section. My 3rd was elcs and was FANTASTIC!

Mistyglade · 20/10/2025 22:21

I had a caesarean after a vaginal, please don’t worry, I think you’re absolutely doing the right thing, why go through the ‘natural’ hellfire again if you don’t have to. I had no issues post op and but pretty much jogging for the bus a few weeks later. Baby was tiny admittedly as prem. Good luck you’ll be fine. Flowers

MyAcornWood · 20/10/2025 22:22

Not for a single second have I ever thought I made the wrong choice by opting for an ELCS… twice. Both were, although not perfect, thoroughly good experiences overall.

Pepperedpickles · 20/10/2025 22:26

I had a c section after a traumatic first vaginal birth (67 hours in labour, failed epidural etc). I don’t regret my c section at all. It wasn’t the walk in the park I thought it was going to be due to undiagnosed placenta prévia and 2 litres of blood lost (!) but I’d take that any day over my first birth. I found the recovery straightforward and at least I could actually sit down comfortably (had huge episiotomy with first birth).

InsolentAnnie · 20/10/2025 22:27

I haven’t regretted it for a second. First birth experience was horrendous, resulting in forceps, PTSD, and struggling to bond. ELCS was an absolute breeze, recovery was a lot easier and faster, I wasn’t sleep deprived when I met my baby, and it was just overall a far better experience.

SchnizelVonKrumm · 20/10/2025 22:31

Another here with no regrets - it was a lovely experience compared to my first birth and the recovery was much better as well.

BrunchBarBandit · 20/10/2025 22:33

Crikey, no. No regrets.

I had 2 elective c sections and had a great birth experience in both

plushcarpet · 20/10/2025 22:35

No regrets and I’d happily have another one. It was the best day of my life and sometimes I daydream about it. The moment they tell you you’re up next and not to forget to take down a little nappy along with the hat… 🥹

YouMightLikeCats · 20/10/2025 22:38

Had a tear with first birth and went for ELCS. Although I was scared as hell going in, it was unbelievably fine, just so different knowing that professionals were in control and they were so lovely.

Would totally recommend, and I was asking others beforehand who had had ELCS with their second and they all said the same thing!

NellieElephantine · 20/10/2025 22:39

Definitely not, both of mine brought dc safe and well to us.

ellenpartridge · 20/10/2025 22:41

Not not a bit. Super happy with it after previous EMCS.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page