C section and next birth positive stories please

[ImaginaryLobster]

3 months postpartum with my first baby
I had blood show admitted to hospital over night zero sleep due to nosie then after holding off on Induction started labour naturally next day
Baby was back to back (didnt know that till after the birth as partner over heard midwife tell another)
After having my water broken contractions became very intense and midwife convinced me to have pethidine which knocked me sideway and made contractions even more painful, I fel so put of control i hated it
Due to being so tired I finally asked for the c section as I only at 3cm
So had the elective c section just before midnight, 15mins after I asked happened so fast even thou it wasnt an emergency

The recovery felt like it took forever at 6 weeks just started to feel myself way less pain, able to walk longer then 20 mins but I really struggled in the early days

I really want 2nd child but the thought of c section scares me but also vbac comes with so many issues too
Can I hear good stories wether you had a good 2nd c section or good vbac

I feel like I keep ruminating about 2nd birth despite it not happening for another year and half if I do, so be good to have some positive stories might help me please 😊 I really want more children but the anxiety round birth is high

Also hope this starts a thread that might be positive for others that feel the same as me

Sorry I've had neither, but had a very positive elective c section for my first birth. But I think the difference is that I went in fully expecting a c section and a long recovery time, whereas it sounds like you weren't feeling in control of your labour at any point and didn't expect a long recovery time (which is reasonable if you wanted a natural labour)

My point is that if you elected a c section the second time round you may be surprised at how it may be a more pleasant experience because you'd feel more in control? For me it felt like going to the dentist's almost, except less painful (during the procedure) and I got handed a baby at the end! The nice part about it being elective was that I didnt start motherhood exhausted or traumatised

I had an amazing VBAC. There’s a really good podcast called VBAC birth stories, I listened to all of them and it helped so much. It’s Australian so some differences with the healthcare systems but brilliant regardless.

Ive had 2 ELCS. Both went smoothly with a few days of soreness and then just having to take it easy for a couple Of weeks. After probably 2 weeks I felt fine and obviously did no heavy lifting etc as per advice but I could carry on as normal.
I know a few people that had have had a CS, recovery is normally pretty fast! A friend of mine that had one elective and one emergency said the recovery of the emergency was way harder.

Yes definitely wanted natural stupidly didnt even look into c section and recoverys even thou i aware its all out of our control I suppose being my first I went in to it laid back and was humbled

ended up tired and fighting off doctors for Induction, they suggest epidural but I had feeling it would end with me being far to tired to push so just wanted the light at the end of the tunnel and ask for c section

Hospital was so noisy by the time we got home after being in for 5 days I was running on nothing
If I chose the elective next time noise cancelling ear bud are first on my list!

If I chose it yes I may feel like im more in control and well rested may make a big difference

I didnt feel fully recovered till way past 8 weeks, so thats really good to hear that some cases can be quicker

My friend was back in gym lightly exercising after her at 3 week pp it made me feel like I wasnt going to ever heal and there was underlying problems

I kept active as much as I could not pushing it for too long or over doing it but not sitting still all day

Guess I felt alittle cheated, like it over shadowed my little ones early days because I was in so much pain

That good idea thank you, might help me think more positively about baby 2

If I pur my head in the sand and then have another I feel my anxiety during the pregnancy will be bad so I really wanna nip it in bud somewhat now

My first was a c section, as I had hardly dilated after 18 hours labour. I recovered slowly but without any real issues.
For my second, I saw the consultant on the due date and he said I wouldn't deliver her vaginally, so he booked me in for another c section. That night I went into labour and she was born vaginally in 3 hours!

I was so disappointed to end up having an emergency C-section and, like you, I worried about future births. I started to prepare for a VBAC when I found out I was pregnant and that was plenty of time. It gave me a lot of focus throughout the pregnancy and I found it empowering to take some control back. Right now it’s worth booking in with a women’s physio to check your scar continues to heal really well, but otherwise try and put future births out of your mind and enjoy your baby 🥰

I had an emergency c section, it was a very close call for us both. However, I still look on the day as one of my best as I met my son.

Second time around I had an elective section and it was DREAMY. Recovery was fine.

My advice would be, if you can, try not to fixate in there being a "right" way (easier said than done for some people). You want a second, they've gotta come out one way or another. If you don't want the potential drama/trauma, I would opt for an elective.

I did have extreme hyperemesis with both babies though, so I'm aware I might look at this slightly differently to the majority - I was just so, SO pleased to get them out! Both c sections were a walk in the park in comparison to the 9 months of constant vomit.

I had a section for my first as she was breech and knew I wanted a VBAC and had a successful VBAC with my second. Found all the information overwhelming whilst I was pregnant the second time as it was this big choice and I found I was bombarded with the risks for a natural birth (which bar the scar rupture are the same as a first natural birth). I think as no issues with trying for a natural birth the first time, it was just that my eldest was breech, meant there wasn’t any reason I was unlikely to be successful with a VBAC. You hear all these stories of vaginal births that are terrible but I was fortunate in that it was all very positive (even though my youngest passed meconium). All the worries of tears, interventions etc didn’t happen for me and so I can only speak of how positive I found the birth. I think birth reflections is really useful to go through your birth. I will definitely opt for a vaginal birth again this time.

Emergency C section with needing blood transfusion, was also so close to having an operation with first. Second, they said would be safer with elected C section but declined. Natural VBAC (amazing experience). Did have to have epidural for placenta issues and a smaller blood transfusion but it wasn't as an emergency as first labour.
Got to say the VBAG was amazing from start to finish.
Second time around I knew what to expect and could manage it much better.

I hear you, wanted a 2nd baby so much but was scared of another CS. First was a breech baby and I’m tiny.
For nine months I worried but second baby had read the book and presented head down. Throughout the labour and delivery, I resisted several offers of a section. Baby was safe, I was determined to have a VBAC and I did.
A positive story for you as requested.