C section after natural Labours?

[Bythefire90]

I was wondering if anyone has had c sections after they’ve had straight forward births previously?

I suffer from PTSD from my previous labours (both ended in safe deliveries with no interventions). Because my PTSD is so severe I want to request a csection for my 3rd Child and I was wondering how people coped with theirs (I will have a 5 yr old and an 18 mo). Did you wish you’d had a vaginal labour and regret it? Was you happy with how it went? Did you bond with the baby the same as your natural labours?

So many questions, but basically I’m not eating, sleeping, sick etc.. with worry about the labour and it’s still several months away so my midwife supports my decision for my MH.

@Handsoffstrikesagain sorry should’ve said I went from 4cm to 10cm in 15 mins and DC2 was out so only pushed about 5 times and he was out, when I think about those 5 huge pushes I still feel sick to my stomach because the feeling was awful, I wish I had a lovely birth story for either but they were just filled with the most horrendous pain

No sorry.. the labour was 16 hours in total, it was the last 2.5 hours I couldn’t handle, it was unbearable

A huge shock!! Didn’t help it was all during covid (first lockdown) so all scary. I had a homebirth planned but 4 days before I had DC2 it was cancelled and I was told I had to go to hospital, I was devastated

Can't comment on vaginal births but have had two very different sections.

First emergency c section after induction that failed to progress at 42 weeks. The surgery itself was fine but I'd been in labour for around 2 days, hadnt slept or eaten for a couple of days and had the shakes really badly during and after the surgery. Found the whole thing quite traumatic and the recovery was tough. The first 10 days painful and depressing not being able to do anything and having to inject myself daily.

Second baby was during the pandemic and I could have opted for vbac. But considering my DH wouldn't be allowed in until established labour and the thought of it going the same way as DC1 I chose an elective section and it was a million times better. Had my date in advance, was well rested. No labour before hand. Laughing and joking in surgery with DH. No shakes. Recovery was still tough but I asked to stay in hospital another night so I could rest and establish feeding. Didn't expect too much of myself and kept on the ball with painkillers. Probably took 3 weeks with both births to feel better and I was exercising again (swimming) by 5 weeks.

@Handsoffstrikesagain no it's ok. I was honestly left traumatised by my first birth and hadn't realised how much so until I got pregnant with DC2 and literally stopped sleeping.

DC1 was a non instrumental vaginal delivery, however it was 4 days on induction ward and 5 days on postnatal ward (due to complications from epidural going wrong). When I got home recovery was really really hard- in comparison the section recovery has honestly been a walk in the park.

The main thing though is that I was just so in shock by the events in my DC1s birth that I felt numb when she arrived. I don't look back on the experience with any fondness at all which is incredibly sad. With DC2's birth I was fully aware of the whole thing, it was incredibly calm and I cried with joy when she arrived. Just worlds apart in experiences.

I had two normal vaginal births, followed by a section, because I'd had pelvic floor repair after dc2. It was still elective though as I could have risked pushing it back out had I so wanted. My DC were 2 and 6, and I stayed in hospital 3 days. By the time I got home I was back to running the house and found ways to manage my youngest dc, so far as getting in and out the car, etc was concerned. I didn't bond any less with dc3, I never even questioned it beforehand to be honest, he was still coming out after all. It was harder to recover from in terms of what you can do, but certainly not impossible. I had tears and an episiotomy with first 2 dc that became infected, so in different ways they were both hard to recover from, but you can do less with the section immediately afterwards. My section scar has healed lovely and is not really visible at all now, however natural birth left some real damage. Dc3 is 7 now. I'd say if that's what you want, go for it, and had I had any more that's exactly what I'd have done.

I had normal delivery with 1st and then a section with 2 days notice with 2nd, both were small babies. I was devestated to need a section with the 2nd but it actually worked out really well. It was very calm.

I suspect because dc was small and it wasn't an emergency I had a relatively small scar so recovered well. By 3 weeks I was walking over half a mile up hill with baby in sling to take first child to playgroup.

I understand exactly where you're coming from OP and although I had a short notice section for a sick baby it was much less traumatic than my NVD.

I would say get prepared for the section, get as fit as you can, so your body recovers as quickly as possible. Depending on how old your other 2 are prepare them for being more independent in advance.

Good luck.

This sounds so similar to me OP. I am 38 weeks with DC3 and think I'll be booking my section date tomorrow. Hoping for Monday next week 🤞🏻
My reason is purely down to anxiety, I had quick labours with my first two DC and they both had to be resuscitated. I am terrified of something like this happening again and I've decided that the risks and recovery of a section are still worth it for me personally.

Normally the date would be agreed way before 38 weeks but there has been issues with my referral to my chosen hospital as it is out of my immediate area.

NICE guidelines state that you have every right to request and been allowed to have a section if that is what you wish. If the doctor you see refuses they have to refer you onto someone else.

Unlike the above poster I didn't have to inject myself with anything after both sections so maybe she had a medical need for that is not standard procedure with all the people I know that have had sections.

I thought it was normal to have the injections?

Could you work on a pain relief plan? if you have birthed 2 dc without much pain relief or intervention the chances are no 3 will be quick. I've had a VB without intervention & a elective CS, VB is way easier to recover from.

@Bythefire90 my pain was ridiculous with the VB because I went from 2cm to 10 or whatever so quickly, zero time for pain relief. But the pain was then over whereas the CS pain lasts longer then a few hours & Im not a patient person so wanted to do things asap.

It is normal to have the injections, they prevent blood clots which is a risk after c section.

I think it's fine if you know you have to inject yourself every day for 10 days after but I had no idea so it was not a good going home present! OP if you're okay with needles you should be fine and you can always ask someone else to do them x

my mum had to do mine as I couldn't do it 😆

@mars2 I'm so glad you've said that as I'm opting for a vbac for my second! I mean a section isn't awful but it's true that the recovery isn't easy.

Also the c section "shelf" look (if you know you know 😂) put me down a bit

@mars2 my husband did mine with me lying on the bed eyes closed 😂😂

fuck that little indent pisses me off so much! I don't mention it because it's vain & baby was transverse so CS was the best option for him but not for me.

@mars2 so many sit ups and a hint of shelf still remains 😂 no idea how to get rid of it. I found some nice high waisted bikini bottoms though so you can't see it at all :)

I stupidly thought that the recovery would be the same as my VB as in up & about in no time. I did not expect to be sent on my way the next day with paracetamol, I was like "keep me in, give me hardcore drugs!"

I think it's only with more surgery 😩

Same 😂😂 I think at one point around 2 days post op I asked if they could just give me an epidural for the pain so I could get some sleep they were like... no 😂

After my appendix was removed I was in hospital for 5 days on morphine but after a CS it's like "see ya, oh & look after a newborn too"!

Starting my post kids fund to repair the shelf now! 😂 the boobs may also need some assistance