Planned C-section - what is it like? recovery times?

[charx]

Hi,
I had a horriffic first birth with DD1 - now 3.5yrs. Have had to have post traumatic stress therapy (I know, it may a bit pathetic, because I'm pretty sensible, down to earth and able to cope - but everything was awful - the duration of CB, the constant intervention - the crap, downright grumpy, rude midwives (the final 2) I saw about 5 through their shifts . . .

Anyway, I was planning to have 3 children but just won't because it was so awful - this pregnancy was planned but later than we would have both liked 'cos I had this mental block.

I know 2nd one may well be easier - but I'm not sure I can take the chance - for one thing it ruined any thought of a sex live for 18 months or so.

What is a planned CSection like? What is recovery like? Pros and Cons? Please - any experiences of yours greatly appreciated.

I had basically the same situation. Traumatic first birth, PN PTSD, therapy, AD's etc. finally felt able to try again when ds1 was about 2.6. I scheduled a c-section and it was so different from my first birth! Everyone was lovely (having heard my history), my recovery was much faster as I had no labor beforehand and I felt as if I got to experience mothering a newborn for the first time. It was a very healing experience for me and now I have good birth memories which kind of overlap the bad ones iykwim.

It isn't an easy option by any means, although if all goes smoothly it certainly won't be traumatic.

I had a long failed induction followed by an emergency section first time round, which wasn't fantastic, but an elective second time around. Actually, it wasn't strictly 'elective', as I had hoped for a VBAC and ended up with the section because of complications in my pregnancy. Nevertheless, it was planned and very calm and civilised in that respect.

My recovery was good, but I stress - I really believe this was because I rested completely for the recommended 6 weeks. I didn't lift or bend too much and had a lot of help with my 3 yr old and housework etc. In fact, the week that I did start doing a bit too much (about 6 weeks afterwards) I did have some pain in one side which set my recovery back a bit. So, lots of physical rest is definitely needed afterwards.

It is major surgery. There are risks and you do feel like you've had a big op for a while afterwards. You have a very deep incision which needs to heal and it can be quite tough with an older child to take care of.
However, I only say all this in order to present a full picture of how you might feel , but actually I loved my planned section and found it positively euphoric compared to the trauma of my first birth.

The best thing I can advise is to discuss all of your worries and thoughts with your consultant and wait and see how you feel. There is absolutely no pressure on you to make a decision now, but because of your traumatic first birth, if you are adamant that you do want a section, I can see no reason why you will not be allowed to have one.

My situation is similar to MrsMattie - had long failed induction followed by EMCS for DS. I had a planned, elective CS for DD, now 8 months.

Things that threw me a little were:

• CS was brought forward by a week with little notice due to pregnancy complications, which made me very ner

I had a planned cs as ds was a footling breech. It was very calm and relaxed. I was able to hold ds in theatre while they stitched me up and then I was able to feed him in recovery.

My recovery was pretty good actually. I actually kept forgetting I'd had such major surgery. The day after I got home (so four days post cs) I went for a walk with ds, striding down the road. After about ten mins I did have to remind myself my abdominal muscles had just been cut, as I was a bit achy. But apart from that I didn't really notice any other effects. I was able to pick ds up easily enough. It did give me an excuse not to do anything too strenuous for a while, I got my mum to come over and do housework for me etc, but I was able to drive after a couple of weeks (got clearance from gp and insurance co first).

I think the cons are for me more emotional. I did feel that somehow I'd missed out on something. My oh so sensitive sister kept reminding me I'd done it the easy way and I did think perhaps I'd cheated. With hindsight though I started life as a mother pretty well rested, not having laboured for 2 days or so, pretty calm and relaxed. We knew what day it was happening so we were really sorted when ds arrived.

If I end up having a cs next time I think the only thing I'd change would be to insist the screen was lowered so I could see the baby being born. I do feel I missed out on not seeing ds in his totally newborn state. He was handed to me cleaned and dressed. Next time I'll be swiping the baby out of the mw's hands so I can feel some of the sticky new baby vibe

Sorry - mental blip there. I'll start again shall I?

My situation is similar to MrsMattie - had long failed induction followed by EMCS for DS. I had a planned, elective CS for DD, now 8 months.

Things that threw me a little were:

• CS was brought forward by a week with little notice due to pregnancy complications, which made me very nervous.
• I had to wait for about 4.5 hours for my CS as emergencies take priority and they had a few. Again this added to my nervousness.
• Once I was taken down to theatre it is nerve-racking waiting for it all to kick off (takes about 15m). You're obviously wide awake and you have to be very still for them to get the epidural in.
• You're not allowed out of bed for a few hours afterwards and, when you are, you're still attached to drains for about 24 hours, so it's hard to deal with your baby during that initial period.
• You have had a major operation so you do need rest (although I recovered brilliantly from both of mine) and your needs are sometimes forgotten because there's a new baby to care for.

Having said all that I loved it and was also euphoric. I didn't even notice that they started and it was all over really quickly and DD was in my arms. You then get the chance to cuddle and get to know your baby while they sow you back up.

We have an amazing pic of the moment DD came out and was held up - it's very special.

I have had 3 sections, 2 emergency, 1 planned. Much preferred even a difficult natural birth, found surgery horrid. With my planned section, the birth was 'great' as it could have been, abit clinical/weird and scary being awake etc while they are rummaging. The hard part is recovery. I guess it is alot better if your hospital is better than mine was. I had quite bad pain for 3 or 4 weeks after. The worst thing is not being able to pick your crying baby up/sit up and having to keep ringing the bell for midwives when you know they will be funny with you. I was desperate to come home after 3 days. I recovered much quicker after my 1st but was only in my teens. My middle one I suffered massive blood loss and needed further surgery. Took me 3 months to recover, was in hospital 8 days in HDU 4 days on drains/oxygen etc. I had to manage after 3 weeks though as DH had to go back to work.

sunshine - I know what you mean about the nerves. Dh and I were waiting for a couple of hours in our gowns and were slightly giggly/hysterical. Still we do have lots of pictures of us posing and looking silly in our gowns

Charx - I was fortunate enough to be given a cot for ds that clipped to the side of the bed so even though I couldn't stand up the first night as I was still catheterised, I could easily pick him up. Actually as I think about it, I slept with him on my chest most of the time anyway as I couldnt' take my eyes off him. That did make bfing easy as I just kept him on or near the boob at all times.

HeadFairy - we have those pictures too!

Actualy one thing that helped me was I had one of those bi g v pillows and I took that in with me. I put the sides up on the cot and DD and I slept in the middle of the Big V, which meant I didn't have to keep lifting her to feed.

I had an elective CS for my second DC, exactly 4 years after my DS.
I have posted before about it - it was so great and I had fantastically quick recovery - and feeling perfectly normal after about one week.
Which was great as I run my own business, and couldn't take much time off.

I wouldn't hesitate to go down the same route again - only I am not planning anymore DC.

My CS was first thing in the morning, got to hospital around 8am with DH (dropped off DS at nursery on the way). After settling in and changing, you just walk yourself down tot the theatre. Then they just were all talking away to me while they got everything set up. By the time you get the spinal thing, and the anti sickness thing, its all really quick. You can chat away to everyone throughout - it was great.
DD was born just before 9.30am

I was lucky was able to get a private en-suite room, and they let me stay for 4 nights, which was nice and quiet.

pinkjenny.

MrsBoo, although I was a bit disappointed to have a cs and miss delivering ds, I did have a moment of gratitude when I walked in to theatre and could hear all the women labouring in rooms all around. Didn't sound much fun, but then they didn't get to see me having my catheter taken out the next day

One thing that is very different in a c-section vs other major surgery is that the hormones from pregnancy help you heal much faster than normal. A surgeon once told me he wished he could bottle it for all of his surgery patients!