unexpected but elective c section - reassurance please?

[mcflumpy]

Thought evreything was going according to plan until scan last week as baby was still breech. Discovered that placenta has matured early (I don't smoke!) as a result, baby is small for dates, weight predcited around 5.5 pounds, liquor is low and baby is definitely breech. First pregnancy so it's all a bit of a shock.

Baby will be delivered at 37+1 and I'm absolutelty convinced there is something really wrong with baby, bump feels smaller but may be psychological? DH says its the same size. Being monitored every day (CTG) and baby still active, I actaully haven't noticed any marked difference in movements, it's been active from very early in pregnancy. Also concerned about section, breastfeeding, all manner of things. Baby's health is biggest concern.

Not sure what I'm after here, just a bit of reassurance really that section is not too horrific an experience. Always thought I'd have natural labour, so finding it hard to get my head round all of this.

At 37 weeks, assume lungs etc should be suitably developed?

Sorry for the ramble, irrational fear is taking over!.....

mcflumpy - I had an elCS three weeks ago, at 39 weeks.

There was a possibility they would have to do the CS at 37 weeks due to dodgy blood test results, and consultant was saying he would then mature baby's lungs with steroid injections. I was told that CS babies born before 39 weeks can have breathing problems because water is not squeezed out of their lungs as they pass through birth canal. So you might like to inquire about maturing baby's lungs 48 hours before CS.

CS itself was very calm and quick. Spinal block took effect virtually immediately. I don't know what they put in the IV, but I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep as they were stitching me up.

Baby latched on quickly and is currently feeding like a champ. My collostrum and then milk came in quickly. Bonding was instantaneous.

I got up that first night (with help) and went to toilet. This was consultant's advice - he said the quicker I get up and move a bit, the quicker I would recover. OK, it was hard that first time, but doable. Next day I was getting up from bed with a bit of help but walking by myself. Third day I was fine. Really. I didn't need any pain medication from then on.

Comparing elCS to DD's "normal" (ha!) birth 3.5 years ago, I have to say this was by far the better experience, with a much faster recovery and much less pain afterwards.

Hi - you will be fine!

I had my DD (she was premature) by EMCS and then my DS 18 months ago with a planned CS at 37 weeks.

DS was 8lbs, but he really wasn't ready to come out and did suffer from respirtatory distress and fluid in the lungs and had to be ventilated in the NICU for a while, so not just a simple SCBU visit. He is fine now, but my advice -without wanting to worry you too much- is to ask your consultant about the steroid injection, and whether it's suitable for you + baby. I did not have the injection with DS (as I was told 37 weeks is considered term) and I wish I had asked the question.

Both the CSs - emergency and planned - were fine + I was up and about very soon after and looked after really well in the hospital. BF was fine as well.

Best of luck!!

I loved my emcs so much that I am having an elcs next time. Yes there are some horror stories but usually from people who have had a horrible labour full stop. Don't spend lots of money on big knickers, supermarket brands will do as hopefully you willbe throwing them away soon. Also, you have just had major abdominal surgery - milk it for all it's worth

With regards to b/f my LO was not interested AT ALL in the first 24 hours, apparently this is fairly common as they do not have the same wake-up call as they would be pushed out via the vagina. Don't worry about it just keep perserving, after the nil by mouth the first 24 hours I could hardly get him off after that.

Take your own pillow. You should be able to take camera into the op theatre with you for first photos. Don't be in a rush to get out of hospital, yes it's noisy at night but it's nice to be expected to stay in bed all day

Well its all over and we are home.
Had baby on tuesday and got out today hooray! baby was just under 6lbs but lost more than 10% over the course of the few days so they kept us in an extra day to ensure she was OK and would gain weight.
Home now and so happy.
Section was actually a really positive experience for me, staff were fantastic, kept us informed as to what was going on, had 'normal' banter throughout discussing work, music etc. baby was put skin to skin asap after neo natal checked her out and deeemed her to be OK, straight to ward with mummy. Such a relief.

Only thing I would say is that I don't think I was prepared for the intensity of the pain the day or two after, it was so painful. I feel great now, still sore, but healing a little better each day.

So as I'm now struglling with BF I'm off to that forum. Thanks so much for all the kind words and support, and best of luck to those still to go!

I actually had it on my birthplan that I wanted a section if he was breech, because my understanding is that a planned section is safer than an instrumental delivery. And try not to worry about the breastfeeding side. I had a completely natural waterbirth, no drugs other than gas and air, baby snuggled to me skin to skin for an hour afterwards, put to the breast lots... and breastfeeding was a complete and total disaster. Whereas I know many women who had sections who have breastfed brilliantly and are still going strong. Unlike me.

I do know it's sad when you want a baby-related aspect a certain way and it doesn't happen. The bf failure was so hard. But 37 weeks is full term, and a planned section really is very safe. You also know when it's going to happen, which is a definite advantage! Fill the freezer, stock up on whatever you want/need, and just look forward to it. I know everyone says it, I know it seems obvious... but I look at my sabre-toothed 8 monther now, and realise he's halfway through babyhood, and my teeny tiny baby is just a memory - that little person no longer exists. How he's born, how he feeds, it really doesn't matter as long as you're both healthy.

mcflumpy - I'm very happy for you that all went well Enjoy your little baby.

Sorry to hear pain was so bad. Could it be that you weren't given adequate pain relief? Were you just given paracetamols because you were breastfeeding?

I honestly felt pain only when I tried to move. Even then, it was very manageable. Comparing it to the weeks of relentless torture that was the episiotomy following my "normal" birth, I have to say CS was not painful at all. Or maybe there are factors here that differentiate one CS from another - stitching, hemorraging or not, etc.

Oh, congratulations! (I had the window open too long, clearly.) Enjoy your wee one.

Congratulations and I'm glad you enjoyed your delivery. Good luck with the breastfeeding.