Hi - i just wanted to update people with my recent c-section as I (like many others on this site) agonised over whether to try for another vaginal birth (after 2 pretty horrific ones) or to go straight for the ELCS. I had a pretty horrific back to back delivery of large baby first time round (long labour, instrumental delivery, lots of blood loss and pain) and then a better birth second time round but with a retained placenta requiring manual removal and resulting in PPH and severe anemia (and another D&C at 3 months).
Initially my consultant tried to talk me round to giving VB another shot, seeing as this would be my third birth, and she thought that the risks of another morbidly adherent placenta (50%) were pretty good odds as there was a chance I could have a brilliant birth and be up and about the next day. In the end we compromised with an elective c-section date at 39 weeks but the agreement that i would give it a shot if I went into labour naturally before then (which I never had before, so to me, I felt that if this occured then it would be a "sign" that it was meant to be). In the end, I got to 39 weeks and DH and I rocked up at hospital with our pre-prepared birth CD and a little bit of anticipation. I was really worried re. whether or not I had done the right thing, and whether or not it would be a case of "out of the frying pan and into the fire". I really needn't have worried. The operation itself was magical, probably because it was calm and pain free.....I had a wonderful aneathetist and a brilliant obstetrician who made the experience really enjoyable. The spinal block didn't hurt at all, and the canula was remarkably in the back of my arm so it didn't cause me any pain when my hand moved.....the experience of being numb was not frightening as I had experienced it before with my manual removal. It was a truly magical moment to see DD (a healthy 7 and a half pounds) emerging from my tummy (funnily enough, I was asked to push, which was quite strange - didn't expect that!) and after a quick check she was placed on my chest so I could get a first cuddle. She then when to DH who was crying with emotion as this point. It was all very lovely. They then went off to the nursery to do the weigh in while I was stitched up (while discussing the music choices on my mixed CD!!!) As it turns out, the placeta was morbidly adherent again, but as they were already inside me, it was easier to get the pieces out and stem the bleeding as efficiently as possible. My obstetrician remarked "it seems that fate was on your side - this would have never come out manually - we've made the right choice" which made me feel quite vindicated.... Then it was back off to recovery and some class A drugs!!!! I won't lie and say the recovery was pain free as day 2 was painful, especially when you are told to get up and go for a shower (and take the bandage dressing off!!!!).....I was very glad of my drug cocktail! But it really does get better by the day, and I was able to do home after 48 hours which is the fastest discharge I have ever had! My blood loss left my slightly anaemic but nowhere near to the levels of the other 2 births and there was no talk about blood transfusions. If I was to compare it to my other births I would say the pain was the same as the pain I felt following the instrumental delivery but it seems to be getting better quicker (and in some ways is easier to deal with as stitched on the abdomen are more palatable to me than stitches on my lady bits if you get my drift). I was in less pain after my second birth, BUT the amemia was crippling (i.e. I couldn't get out of bed for 6 weeks) and had heart palpitations when i went to the toilet!! I am home now and it is day 5 and I am due to get the staples out today. My stomach is a bit nippy, and I am still quite tired, but on the whole I feel a lot better than I have ever done on day 5 with my either of my previous births. Maybe it is because my expectations have been met/exceeded this time? I am in no doubt that my recovery is going to be harder than someone who has had a very straightforward vaginal delivery, and I still believe that this is the best option if you are lucky enough to have a body that can do this!!! However, for me, the decision to go with the c-section was the right choice and I have absolutely no regrets. In addition, knowing that this as an option that i had from quite early on in the pregnancy has helped to make things less stressful in the lead up to birth as I didn't spend the whole time petrified about what "might" happen during the birth.
So - for all of you who are currently in this dilemna, please go with your gut instinct and don't let anyone else try and bully you into making a decision that you are not comfortable with. All births are different and people have different coping mechanisms. For me, the certainty of the the ELCS outcome was the deciding factor in my choice though I totally respect that to other women, who are perhaps more comfortable with taking a chance, the possibility of that "fantastic" vaginal birth is the incentive to give it another go.
Good luck with all your choices!!!!