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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

For what reason did people have elective c-sections?

51 replies

Phoenix · 12/04/2009 19:14

That's it really.

I ended up with an emergency c-section with ds (big baby-9lb 2oz, back to back labour and couldn't push him out) and just wondering what to do this time round. I'm quite scared of going through hours of labour again just to end up with an emergency c-section.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

peachygirl · 12/04/2009 21:07

I had a Elective due to DD being breech. I'm pregnant again and even though it still quite early on think a lot about what I want to do this time.

Meglet · 12/04/2009 21:18

DS was an em cs as it became apparent my cervix wouldn't dilate despite a hefty 12 hour labour (I had had 2 ops on it)

DD was a planned cs, recommended by the consultant and midwife. Op was scary, walking to theatre scared the willies out of me, but recovery was easy. I was rather control freakery about what help I needed afterwards, but I bonded with dd much faster as I wasn't in much pain or stress afterwards.

blueshoes · 12/04/2009 21:57

Phoenix, I went for an elective, rather than VBAC. It did what it said on the tin. No regrets.

I felt that I would labour like a first time mother, rather than second time, reducing my chances of a successful VBAC. For my first labour, I only got to 5 cm of painful induction before dd went into distress and was born by crash section.

I did not want a bad tear. I also did not want the risk of another emergency cs. Both of which are more likely because of continuous monitoring during VBAC and jumpier medical staff.

I already had the sunroof so might as well use it.

CS was the devil I knew. I recovered quite well from it.

I wanted the surgeon to cut out my bad scarring from the crash section and stitch it up carefully. They did and my scar has healed all nicely from the outside this time round.

Mostly, I had an intact perineum (the one good thing to come out of my crash section, apart from dd) and wanted to keep it that way.

suwoo · 12/04/2009 22:15

My elective was due to a few different reasons combined...if I list them, I am bound to forget one but I'll try and remember them.

The main reason was not wanting to worsen my 3rd degree uterine prolapse which happened after DD and is managed adequately using 2 ring pessaries.

The PPH and evacuation of placenta I had with DD. I lost conciousness and had to have a general anaesthetic and blood transfusion.

3rd degree tear

Hypothermia after DD's birth.

My elective went well although I still had hypothermia. I am having DC3 by elective section on 30th July and am consultant led care now and need to meet with the anaethstetist (sp) to discuss the hypothermia.

angrypixie · 12/04/2009 22:16

Had a planned c-section for dc3 after delivering an 11lb baby and sustaining some severe damage!

Was dead set against it - but loved it!

eidsvold · 12/04/2009 22:18

2nd one - for family convenience - worked better for us.

3rd one - obstetrician advised that perhaps it was the better choice. Again it fit into our family situation better than waiting for a vb.

dd1 was an emergency.

Dottoressa · 12/04/2009 22:19

I had an elective c-section with DD following the birth of DS (hours of back-to-back labour; stuck 9.8lb baby; ventouse x 2, forceps, massive blood loss, reconstructive internal surgery, memory loss, incontinence ... ah, happy memories).

DH won't have any more babies, but if he would, they'd all be el. cs! My original plan (before having DS) was a drug-free home birth; however, the el cs was - for me - relatively straightforward. Good luck, whatever you decide!

blueshoes · 12/04/2009 22:32

You reminded me, dotto. My dh was also very relieved I went for an elective. He was all gowned up and had his very own health assistant. He got busy with the camera and even peered over the screen at one point. What he saw he will take to his grave ...

LilRedWG · 12/04/2009 22:39

I had an elective at 38 weeks due to severe SPD (I couldn't have carried her any longer), and the concern of shoulder dystocia and the threat of a huge baby (she turned out to be 7lb 6oz).

mamamila · 12/04/2009 23:17

i had elec c-section with breech dd and have a date for another in august.
i'm hugely relieved, i had a natural birth without problems with first baby ds but i couldn't face another labour. the elec c-section was such a positive experience.
also i know it's frowned on to admit it but i've terrible stretchmarks covering whole abdomen, no stomach muscles, my poor boobs were ravaged by breastfeeding 17 years ago..and so i'm rather attached to my undamaged bits.

misspollysdolly · 12/04/2009 23:21

Had a el-cs because DS2 was breech and in no way was he turning - scan only discovered his position at 38.5 weeks!! With DS1 (VB) however, I had a quick delivery (15 mins of pushing) involving an episiotomy and then 3rd degree tear, so was nervous from the moment I knew I was expecting DS2. Discussion early in the pregnancy with a obstetrician suggested no cause for concern. Funnily enough though, when his breech position was discovered, every single professional I had a conversation with made a big point of reminding me how bad my tear was last time, even though until that point it had been ruled out as a risk factor !

Still, I can't fault my CS. If I go for number four , I might opt for an elective again...who knows!!?

MrsPurple · 12/04/2009 23:25

I had emergency section with first DC (2 weeks over but after 61 hours of labour and she arrives at 10Lb 13.5oz), it was decided by consultant as I was shattered.

Had elective with second DC due to previuos problems but also because I was on oxegen every other weekend due to asthma. Had DC2 at 38 weeks and she was 9lb 8oz.

I've had no regrets and IMO you should do what you feel is right for you.

Pinktastic · 12/04/2009 23:31

With DD I was induced at 41 weeks, suffered a 20 hour labour, she ended up becoming stressed and there were concerns with her blood oxygen levels. It resulted in an emergency c-section. DD was 9lb 7oz.

I was strongly advised to have an elective section with DS due to the problems with DD. It didn't go too well, as when I was given the spinal it managed to numb all the way up to my mouth and make me very sleepy and quite ill. Luckily for the concerned anaethatist (sp?), all ended up ok!

stillenacht · 12/04/2009 23:43

Phoenix your first birth sounds like mine- i elected and was granted a cs at 38 weeks with my 2nd as he was rear facing and it was sooo traumatic to face it all again.

The elective cs was wonderful totally diff experience to emergency

Jic · 12/04/2009 23:48

I've had two elective sections because I was born with an anterior positioned anus which means that the gap between the vagina and anus is smaller than normal which would mean for a vaginal birth it would almost certainly mean a third degree tear and later incontinence, so the decision was made way back when I was a teenager that I was going to have sections. Also because it's quite rare, there hasn't been a study on women who have this condition to see how a vaginal birth would go so I just accepted that's the way I was going to give birth. My first section was fine, really calm but for the second I had a failed spinal and had a GA half way through after feeling most of the operation. Apparently one in 10,000 chance of it happening- not put me off having a third at all though!

Knax · 13/04/2009 08:19

I had CS during labour for undiagnosed breech. Have always been sure I want an elcs this time (due in a couple of months) but I always tell people I'm keeping an open mind so that they don't start with the disapproval! Was totally relieved when Consultant said it was my choice. Won't be telling anyone that in RL again as 2 people who have had vbs seemed annoyed and one (who is nurse) said quite confidently "you'll have to try labour first". No I f..ing won't because the consultant said I could choose.
Get annoyed with people trying to force their strong opinions on me when it's none of their business

suwoo · 13/04/2009 13:42

I also dislike it intensely when people imply that you are having a c section as 'you are too posh to push' or similar bollocks. I have had a vaginal delivery and soon I will have had 2 sections. Neither method is a walk in the park and I don't feel that a section is in any way an 'easy option'.

sarah293 · 13/04/2009 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Highlander · 13/04/2009 14:18

I had a gut feeling that DS1 would have a big head like his dad, so I elected to have a CS from the start. I couldn't face all the hassle of a VB. What I told everyone in real life was, 'I really don't fancy having my fanny ripped to shreds and being incontinent for the rest of my life'. Bit of a conversation stopper, usually stopped people sticking their beaks in any further.

Consultant wasn't too impressed, but didn't try and talk me out of it.

DS1 was then oblique from approx 24 weeks and didn't move. During the CS, his head was so awkwardly positioned he had to be ventoused and ended up with with a huge haematoma on his head.

The consultant said afterward, 'be grateful you didn't have to try pushing him out'.

Knax · 13/04/2009 20:20

Sorry to hear about yours and Dcs experience Riven
Highlander my DS head in 98th centile too and his dad a massive head, which is one of my reasons. The anti-CS brigade don't consider that a reason though! Like your approach but am too much of a wimp to say that in RL unfortunately

chequersmate · 13/04/2009 20:22

Highlander, can I just ask. What process did you go through to arrange your CS? Did you just ask to be referred to a consultant then tell them that's what you wanted?

Am considering asking for an ecs if there's a next time as DD was on 99th centile and ended up with failed ventouse and then forceps.

Original poster

Phoenix · 13/04/2009 20:26

Glad i started this thread now. I think it has helped me decide that i do want an elective. Now just to convince the hospital.

OP posts:

muppetgirl · 14/04/2009 11:59

chequersmate - for me I had to see the consultant to discuss me having had a large baby. (although ds 1 was 9lb 1oz at our hospital a large baby is only considered large enough to discuss possible future birth implications if they are 9lb 15ozs or over. Ds 2 was 9lb 15 1/2ozs so I qualified for a discussion with a consultant. Also ds 2 got stuck and I had the 3rd degree tear so this was all taken into consideration too) I directly asked him in this app and he agreed. I do think that unless you directly ask, you don?t get or even offered. I never asked with ds 2 and wish I had've now as then I wouldn't have the 'lady' problems I have now.

Hope that helps x

changer22 · 14/04/2009 12:10

I had one because DS (9'11 - elbow presentation) was a 3rd/4th degree tear and the consultant told me they wouldn't be able to repair me if it got worse by having a vaginal birth!

I had DD by elective c-section which was a great birth but I felt cheated and we felt she was too early (although only 6 days officially I think she could have done with being a bit bigger) - she was a hopeless feeder. I hadn't had any problems with the tear so...

...for the next baby, I hired a doula, burst into tears on the consultant who looked through my notes and was ready to book another c-section, and had a lovely VBAC. No problems, 2 weeks overdue and 9'5.

This one will hopefully be a similar good experience...

Highlander · 14/04/2009 14:15

I had DS1 in Canada where maternal request is apparently an OK reason to get a CS.

With DS2 back in the UK I simply told the midwife at booking-in that I was having a CS.

I never, ever 'asked permission' to get the birth of my choice.

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