elective c-section with DC3 - worried!

[lumpasmelly]

I'm due to be having an elective CS with DC3 in April, but am starting to get a bit worried about it - just looking for a bit of reassurance.

Reasons for CS are because of 2 rather horrific births. DS1 was posterior and large for my frame (9 pounds - though I am only 5 3 and a size 6 - I can wear childrens clothes!!!)which meant I had a 2 day labour and a 4 hour second phase which resulted in ventouse and episiotomy to pull him out - ended up sitting on a rubber ring for 6 weeks following the birth and can still feel the scars!!! . DS2 was induced at term for fears of another large baby (also posterior) and birth was easier with him, but then had retained placenta with suspected accreta (as they couldn't get it all out during the manual removal). Ended up bedridden for 2 months with sever anaemia, and then needed GA to remove rest of placenta at 3 months which wasn't so great as I was breastfeeding. Now pregnant with DC3, and baby is already measuring large for dates, placenta is showing "indicators" for another accreta, and already settling into posterior position (I'm told it's because of my body shape as I am very short bodied and my babies are big) so have been advised to have a c-section this time. The main reason is the suspected accreta as consultant says that IF it is another accreta, it is much safer for me to be already open so that they can sort it out and (gulp) do a hysterectomy if need be - if it is an accreta and the right care isn't to hand, there is a real risk of maternal death.

HOWEVER, there is always the chance that I could have a straightforward labour, and give birth naturally with no complications....you can just never tell.

Anyway - I'm not sure what it is about a c-section that is freaking me out. In terms of the actual procedure it won't be any worse than a manual removal of a retained placenta will it?....and I have a maternity nurse booked for 3 months to help look after me, the baby and my 2 boys, so I'll have lots of time to recover....plus its not as if my stomach is going to be ruined with another scar as it is already stretch mark city!!!....and its not like I have ever experienced a nice easy recovery from birth before.

Would really appreciate a little pep talk from others who have had elective sections to put my mind at rest! Thanks!!

I had an elective section for dd2 following a traumatic 'normal' labour and delivery for dd1 after which I had to have repair surgeries, scar removal, physio etc.

The CS was a blissful walk in the park by comparison. My surgery was straightforward and recovery uncomplicated, and I know that this is not always the case, but for me, it was far better than my first delivery.

Staff were lovely, atmosphere in theatre was calm and relaxed and even though they had a lot of trouble getting the epidural and IV in, it was fine.

Recovery was less painful and quicker than from my first delivery.

I would recommend that you and DH tour the hospital and theatre beforehand so you know what to expect, our hosp arranges these for elective CS, it also gives you a chance to ask the midwives anything that's on your mind.

Make sure you have enough help afterwards, DH took 2 weeks hol and 2 wks paternity leave which really made a difference to me.

Good luck!

Heartily agree with JulesJules, I had a similar awful experience with dd1, and dd2 was born by elective section.

Both the birth and the recovery were blissfully easy compared to dd1's - which left me utterly traumatised.

It's natural to be worried, but I think given your history, an elective does sound your best option.

Finally, you'll see the consultant beforehand, so do talk to her about your concerns.

I'm really sure you will wish you'd had such a good experience with the other two!

I had a elective for twins (1st was breech) and compared to my two previous VB it was excellent . Worse bit was honestly the injection to numb the area where they put in the spinal block and that was just a stinging scratch!!

It was very relaxed, medics were very keen to let us know what was going on all through the precedure and I was back in my room with my DTs very quickly. Strangest thing was the feeling that my legs were floating in the air (obviously they were'nt).

I was terrified beforehand but definitely need'nt have been. The next morning, I was a bit apprehensive as they took me for a shower and the nurse got me to pull off the dressing that covered the wound and I was seriously worried my stomach contents would fall out . Happily they did'nt and I recovered very quickly, felt more or less back to normal after about 3 weeks.

You will be very good hands I'm sure so please don't worry and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

Thanks for the words of reassurance - feel a lot better now!....and I suppose I can revel in the relief that I won't have to go through all those hideous labour pains and worry about yet more cuts to my already shredded "bits"!!!!