Anyone regretted an elective c-section?

[somethinganything]

Got a date today for my ELCS. Had appt with consultant a month ago, she said she was happy for me to opt for ELCS based on all that happened last time but I'd get all the support I needed if I wanted to go for VBAC. Told me to come back in a month and let her know what the decision was.

I decided to opt for ELCS but at the appt today I saw a registrar who was much keener to push VBAC. I stuck to my decision and booked a date for CS but more or less on my due date, the rationale being that if I go into labour before then, it's meant to be, so to speak. But she kind of left me feeling like I was making a crazy decision and I feel like I'm somehow taking the 'easy' option and that I should be trying again for a natural birth.

So has anyone gone for an ELCS and then wished afterwards they'd tried for a VBAC.

It's not an easy option and if it was, so what. I have had three and not regretted any, although I had them for the same reason each time. Why don't you try to see original consultant and discuss it again. And isn't a consultant further up the pecking order than a registrar. However this is a very personal decision and I do not know your history. It would be best to discuss this with a medical person you trust, if possible

I think that the most important thing for woman when giving birth is that they feel like they are in control.

I dont think I have heard of anybody regretting having an elective caeserean but plenty who have been traumatised by an emergency caeserean or a complicated / instrumental vaginal birth.

I personally had two horrible emergency caesereans and then opted for a VBAC2, I felt like I needed to have a vaginal birth otherwise I felt like my body had failed but this is not necessary for other woman and they like I said just feel like they need some sort of control.

There are some lovely ideas on how you could plan an elective caeserean for you on this site, caesarean.org.uk.

Try and book an appointment with your original consultant as she/he appears more supportive of your choices.

Thanks, both.

Happy yes, def true re the pecking order and I did trust everything she said. The doc I saw today was fine too, just came at it from a slightly different angle and I suppose just made me question my own choices but I have done a lot of my own research on this and it's not a decision I made lightly.

Last time round was EMCS after long failed induction with longish stay in hospital for me and DD afterwards because of various problems. So I do know that CS recovery is not easy but I just feel it will help me to feel more in control, as you say Toady. I've come across the site before but not looked at that section so thank you!

No, I didn't.

DS was an em cs, great op but crap recovery and care.

DD was a planned cs, straightforward op and easy recovery.

I've had 4 c-sections (none through choice) - first was emergency c-section, my second child was 10lbs and hosp were worried scar may rupture and I developed cholestasis with my fourth.

I truly believe, having never had a contraction in my life, that the outcome is what matters. If the journey is not quite how you'd imagined it but your baby is healthy then try not to dwell on it.

Good luck!

Thanks meglet - that's what most people seem to say which is why I opted for planned, my EMCS recovery sounds similar to yours. Started the thread really to make sure I wasn't just hearing what I wanted to hear IYKWIM

and brandybutterfly - I completely agree with you about outcome. I suppose my doubts are because a C-S may not be necessary and I'm voluntarily opting for surgery (albeit because I don't feel my chances of having a straightforward natural birth are very good)

I had an elective section second time around and it was a great experience compared to first time. I had doubts right up to the day but have never ever regretted it. If it feels like the right decision then go with it. I remember a midwife saying to me that if I did happen to go into labour then I could choose to try vbac or go straight to cs (thanks to my lazy offspring that didn't happen)

Thanks northender - that's really helpful. That's why I booked the CS v close to my due date, I suppose part of me hasn't completely given up on idea of a VBAC and I figure if the baby is that keen to get out that he/she comes early then so be it!

I think it's far from the "easy" option and cotrary to everyone else I found my elective section much harder to cope with that the emergency one.

For me I felt that the labour hormones really helped me through the emcs. I was quite frankly terrified before the elective. It did not help that I was waiting on the ward from 7am until 5pm as emergency sections bumped me further and further down the list. DD was born at 6.20pm. This was an unusually long wait but be aware that it can happen. Recovery was the same with both sections.

Also consider whether you might want further children - as it is likely after 2 sections you will find little HCP support for a VBA2C.

It might be a good idea to read Michel Odent's The Caesarian, if you can get hold of a copy. I found it helpful.

Good luck with your decision. If you are clear what you want, don't feel pressured one way or the other.

Thanks mazzy helpful to have another view. I have thought about whether I want to have more children but I think it's very unlikely that we'd ever want more than three children and the consultant at the hospital says they regularly do 4th and 5th sections although obviously the risks increase each time.

It's an interesting point re the labour hormones, last time I was so knackered after two days of induced contractions that I didn't think twice about being cut open, was just terrified that DD was in distress. I can see how it would be difficult without all the adrenalin that goes with that.

My elective was lovely. Especially after a very traumatic emergency c section first time around. My recovery time was much quicker too, and I was not exhausted when the baby arrived, so the whole thing was so much more pleasant. Have never regretted it.

Well I had two elective cesareans and then decided to have a VBAC for my last baby. I wouldn't say I regretted the cesareans exactly, because I think at the time with the information I had, they were a reasonable choice for me. However, when I got pregnant again I really, really wanted to give birth vaginally and because I'd had two sections it was more of a big deal.

Now having done both I'd opt for a vaginal birth for any subsequent babies (not that there will be any!)

Thanks, both.

Daisymoo what made you so keen to have a VBAC third time around and why was it so much better? And if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose CS for the first two?

Hi i had a traumatic experience 1st time round with my DS..ended in a EmCS and long recovery!! This time i was offered Elective at my 1st scan app!! itz a decsion which i have not taken lightly and 1 which i only finalised 2 wks ago (still not 100% sure im doing rite thing tho) made the decision mainly based on personal circumstances and time of yr really...My section is booked on 22nd of dec DD xmas day so there is a chance i still might go myself!!

I would love to have a trial of labour but feel i have made the rite decision (hoping i still feel the same afterwards) so i shall kp u posted on whether i have any regrets or not!!

xx

I had an ELCS with DC1 (malpresentation- not breech, but in a position which made me v unlikely to deliver), but had a VBAC for DC2 - although even when I was in early labour I was discussing with DH whether I should ask them for a CS!

For me, the VBAC was - even with a ventouse delivery and stitches - a hundred times easier than the CS (it's definitely not an easy option!). As others have said, I think having the labour hormones made a difference - especially with the Bfeeding (my milk took 5 days to come in after the CS) and it made it so much easier to come home and be able to look after my DS.

My hospital booked me a CS date for about 10 days after my due date, so I had lots of chance to deliver naturally (although actually went into labour at 39 weeks) - would that be an option for you if you're not sure?

I have a horrible long labour and emergency cs the first time, then an elective cs second time around which was fantastic: no pain, calm delivery and easy recovery.

Not everyone has the same experience though, and you will find women who regret having elective cs and also women who regret having VBACs and wish they'd opted for the elective. Childbirth is really unpredictable!

I agree with a previous poster who said it's all about feeling in control. Do the research, decide what's best for you, then stick with it.

No. I had two electives and they were fab. Great drugs, no pain AND they give you a baby to take home.

My first baby was born vaginally after being induced for postdates and it was a horrible, traumatic experience. I felt I couldn't go through that again and when my second baby went overdue and was predicted to be 9lbs+ I requested a cesarean, which the consultant agreed to. It was fine. A bit clinical, but not traumatic and I recovered fine. I decided to do the same thing with my third baby and that too was OK.

In the space between my third and fourth pregnancies I ahd decided to train as a midwife and had done lots of reading about birth. I also had a friend who'd had homebirths and talked about her births as being these amazing, enjoyable experiences. I came to the conclusion that part of the reason my first birth had been so awful was because of how medicalised it ahd been. I had really bad pains from the Prostin and then opted for an epidural as soon as I could and never considered doing it without pain relief. The epidural didn't work properly so I ended up just being drugged up with other things, in pain, unable to move and just felt completely powerless.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I decided I wanted to try giving birth on my terms and feel more in control. I had a lovely waterbirth at home and it was just magical and I really enjoyed it!

I now work in maternity services (although not as a midwife) and totally recognise that vaginal birth isn't the right choice for everyone at all, but for me it was amazing and I do still feel a little wistful about what might have been if I'd done things differently with my first baby...

nope. mine was the right choice for me. my milk came in no worries and recovery was straightforward.

but everyone is different.

In the long run I can't imagine why anyone would regret any choice as long as their babies were healthy and well. In fact I was offered an elective first time around and declined it to try for a vaginal birth, I wish I hadn't, it was awful and ended up with an emergency C section. So that is my only regret, the emergency c section in the middle of the night after 30 hours of labour and no sleep was hideous, I would have done anything to avoid that again.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Think it's probably the right decision for now but will keep an open mind.

And Dramalittlemamma - v best of luck for 22nd.

brandybutterfly...snap, we are in an exclusive club!

I can't think anyone holds their baby and thinks damn I wished I'd risked myself or baby more just for the feeling of squeezing it through their vagina.

DH said two nights ago that we never had that moment and then retracted anything before I lifted my top to remind him of my scar!!!

4 css.