Elective section after traumatic birth

[cocochoola]

Three years ago I had a long drawn out labour which started with waters breaking and meconium present, resulting in induction by drip and a failed epidural which was replaced later and worked, then the baby showed signs of slow heart rate so I was eventually prepped for an emergency section but the baby was born by forceps in the end and I had an episiotomy.

To be honest, I wasn't overly clued in to birthing options at the time with it being my first and I was already so anxious about being a mum that I very much left the actual birth to the professionals to guide me.

Fast forward to now - I've had three missed miscarriages and, by some miracle, I am currently 18 weeks pregnant. I know I still have a long way to go, but im trying to advocate for myself this time round if I am lucky enough to get there. I am strongly considering an elective section and I just feel I will need to get my decision sorted before I go to my 20 week scan.

I imagine there's a few threads on this already but I couldn't really find any.... im just so scared that after this long journey that if I got to the birthing stage, imagine a traumatic birth led to me losing my baby and at least a section may provide some degree of stability or control?

What would you recommend in my situation?

Thank you.

I asked for an elective section after a very traumatic first birth and it was agreed without argument by the consultant I saw. It was a long time ago (2003) so I can't remember how it came about or exactly when in the pregnancy but I did have to have a meeting about it.

But I have never for one moment regretted my decision. It was a completely positive experience and I consider my DS's birth to have been absolutely wonderful. I recovered very quickly and was able to look after my toddler DD just fine with help from DH and my inlaws.

I have a very similar birth and other complications afterwards. Do the c section it’s worth it. Also head up the brith is easier in its own way, almost healing but the recovery is something else. Make sure you have some good support in place x

Having been in a similar situation myself with a traumatic first birth, I asked for and got an elective c section birth last year. It was fantastic, I honestly could not recommend it enough. My midwife discussed it at my booking appointment and I had to have a meeting with the consultant at the hospital. I didn’t find the recovery too bad, but I recommend preparing as best you can to make your life as easy as possible at home (batch cook, stock up on painkillers etc) and once home sticking to a regular schedule of pain medication to keep on top of any discomfort. It can feel a bit brutal in hospital when they first get you up and out of bed, but the key thing is to gradually increase your movement and also drink plenty of water. In my case I was determined to get home and not have to stay in hospital longer than needed and found this helped to motivate me through any pain.

Are you consultant led after your miscarriages? I had three as well between baby one and two and my consultant would have been very happy to plan a section for me. I asked for a natural birth and ended up with an emergency section and I also had forceps with my first 🤦.
Wishing you lots of luck for a smooth delivery.

Elective section. Maternal request, read the NICE guidelines and tell your midwife/consultant. I did this for various reasons and it was agreed without any issues. Wonderful experience.

I've not had a traumatic birth, but I did have an elective section for my first baby, no regrets at all. Everybody kept telling me I'd regret it but it was honestly great. I know not everybody is the same but I felt back to normal after 2 weeks, had paracetamol for the first week and that was all. Good luck x

Also in the traumatic first birth camp, which ended in an emergency section, and also in the very shit miscarriages camp. I asked for an elective c section (which ended up having to be a planned section anyway due to pregnancy complications) and can honestly say it was the best decision. It was so calm compared to my first birth, and after years of miscarriages I was so happy to feel safe and secure that my baby would be here safely. Recovery was a bit rough but I think that was due to it being my second c section and they also had to make a longer than normal incision due to the pregnancy complications. And I also had a 4.5 year old to look after! Wishing you all the luck in the world and hope you get to hold your lovely rainbow baby soon ❤️

It won't necessarily be the same but I'd speak to your mw-you could maybe ask for intervention earlier if the labour doesn't go well. I had to have an emergency CS with my second and had problems after, never managed a successful pregnancy after that, and reading in the Times, CS apparently can do that. But then, I do know people who have had kids after CS, so obviously it doesn't affect everyone, but knowing how easy it had been to carry before a CS for me, it does seem that it caused me problems. Plus you can't do much after a CS, like you can't pick up your older child, which I found upsetting, but again, other people might not. I'm grateful for the emergency CS otherwise my daughter would have died, but with the problems I had, I'd feel terrible if I'd chosen that, and what I will say is that they will do an emergency CS very quickly if your baby is in danger, if that's one thing worrying you.
Weigh up what matters to you most, once you've spoken to your mw to get some expert advice related to your individual situation.

Thank you so much to you all for your answers - this makes me feel so much better. Yes, I am consultant led so I will let them know my feelings and request the section. I still have 22 weeks to go, but if i get that far, it would be so reassuring to have a stable environment for the baby to be born 🙏

I also had an elective c-section for my 2nd baby after a traumatic 1st delivery. My advice is to ask your consultant as mid-wives tend to be very negative towards this.

My c-section was a very positive experience and I recovered for faster than after my so-called natural delivery.

I requested a C-section with my fourth baby because I mentally and physically couldn't cope with an induction ( I had one with my second child which was horrendous), I was under consultant care anyway because of GD and he agreed to it straight away and I had my baby at 39 weeks and everything went great and I was up and walking about as soon as I could feel my legs. I am very glad I chose it rather than be traumatised yet again with another painful induction.