C sections, just wondering

[overprepper]

We will be trying to conceive soon and I am attempting to research all aspects of pregnancy, birth & beyond so that I and we are fully prepared and embark on the journey as informed and clued up as possible. I’m reading books, but thought it would be good to gain some opinions too from here

I understand there are lots of variables in pregnancy & to expect the unexpected.
I am wondering if a caesarean section is a preferable choice over natural delivery, given how unpredictable the latter can be. I know a straightforward natural birth is best but you can’t be sure you will have one: two close relatives had horrific first births and for their second both opted for an elective section. Among friends I don’t know many people that actually had a straightforward first birth. This might be anecdotal though.

I am petite and little over 5ft, whereas DH is 6ft 3 and he himself was a very big baby and always on higher percentiles. Of course this is an unknown before pregnancy but I would imagine there’s a fair chance any future babies will be big like he!

The stats for both our nearest trusts maternity departments aren’t the best, lots of assisted deliveries & most the inductions lead to emergency sections. Again one relative (maternal side) birth needed instruments and baby was left with damage from forceps. I don’t like the idea of going through labour and being exhausted then having unexpected/rushed major surgery, when if that’s a likelihood anyway it might be better to just plan for the section and go in well rested.

I understand recovery from major surgery is a lot for anyone to handle. That said we do have a lot of support and I am maybe naively thinking that dosed up on painkillers it might not actually be that awful.

I know you can’t plan before you’re in the situation, but knowledge is power so I’d be grateful for anyone weighing in with their own thoughts and experiences.

I had a c section for the only reason being I wanted one I had a huge mental block to giving birth naturally ended up going into labour but still had my section was recovered within 72 hours home within 48 had to keep reminding myself to be careful.

I had 2 c-sections, first emergency due to failed induction and second planned. The recovery from my first was pretty rough as I had been awake for 24 hours once I had the surgery. I also lost a lot of blood. I was really exhausted. I remember being encouraged to go for a shower and i was in so much pain I couldn't bend down to pick up my clothes off the floor. It was pretty bad.

The recovery from second was much better, it was quick and very relaxed but to be honest my body has not been the same since. Possibly due to adhesions but have had ongoing pain, bloating etc.

That sounds really difficult. I suppose at least the second time you had somewhat an idea of what to expect? X

2 planned sections here. Both very easy and I was up and walking the next day. The only negative was that for the first night you need help and, in my case, the midwife’s were shit. Ask if you can have someone stay with you at your hospital. I guess that would be the same if you had a difficult natural birth though.

I've had two emcs and was up and about within 3hrs of both. I didn't need any help with the baby and was home after 12hrs with one of them.

There's a spectrum of experiences and at one end, a cs is a very straightforward recovery. Sadly, there's no way of knowing where you'll sit on that spectrum.

It's such a difficult and emotive topic isn't it? I was so against the idea of having a c section! I was offered one both times-I was 37 for the first and 41 for the second. I'm not very big and my partner is, and both my babies were big -9'9 and 10'6. But I was so determined to deliver vaginally and I was lucky enough to have a consultant prepared to go further with me than many would. It was over 20 years ago, and I still remember the extraordinary sense of power and euphoria I felt- and I think it carried me through the first 3 months with my newborns. I know I was lucky I had no problems and I have no idea whether I would still have had those feelings if I had had a C section.I am an old hippy, and probably would have wanted to give birth in a yurt to whale song if there'd been one handy, and I am anecdote not data. But, barring risk to the baby or me, I would not have missed that feeling for the world.

I had an emergency section with DC2 and found the recovery so much worse than my vaginal birth.
Going from lying to sitting was really painful (and difficult as I had to stay on the postnatal ward for 2 nights without DH)
After the first week or so I felt ok ish but my core is still really weak a year on, despite doing exercises. My scar still gets itchy/ uncomfortable sometimes.
I was definitely up and about much faster after the vaginal birth, despite the episiotomy!

My consultant last week told me the safest option is a natural birth, followed by an elective c section, followed by an emergency c section.

Obviously, the difficulty is not being able to predict if a natural birth will happen or not.

If the odds are against one, booking an elective is wise.

I'm personally hoping for a VBAC this time around to avoid the painful recovery I had after my emergency c section. Its major abdominal surgery.

I’ve just had my second planned c-section a week ago and I’m recovering well, I’m up and about and pain not too bad. My reasoning was very much the same as yours, although my choice was induction vs section.

I will also add that I think the mental recovery from a section is very often easier than a difficult vaginal birth. I have a lot of friends who were quite traumatised by their birth experience- forceps or a very rapid induction or being whisked off for an emergency section- and both of my sections have been planned and calm

Had an VB with a few stitches & a CS for breech. Would chose the VB everytime but it's personal preference.

One thing to note that many places discharge you after 24 hrs (often I see on here longer) & pain relief really varies. I was told to just take paracetamol.

oh & from a vanity perspective I don't love the scar. Yes it's small and near but still a scar.

I had a difficult pregnancy, I was an older mum due to many years of infertility and had an elective C section although it was refused at first but nothing was happening naturally following induction. Recovery for me was easy. Far easier than the pregnancy. In hindsight I would’ve waited and tried for a natural birth purely for cosmetic reasons as the C section decimated my stomach area and it really really bothers me. If I had known this beforehand I wouldn’t have pursued a c section.

If there was a clearly better option then there would only be that form of birth. Both have pros and cons.

Sizewise it's not exactly about how big you are, you could be petite but still have a large opening through your pelvis, which is what matters really.

Birth is a bit of a lottery, you can't choose a surefire easy option, whatever you go for.

I opted for sections for both my births and they are the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I still think back and feel so happy and relieved

I've had both and preferred vb. Birth bit hurt but felt fine once baby was out, even with episiotomy that took an age to heal. I was up and showering almost straight away.

Cs I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and was too shaky to hold the baby when she came out, milk took ages to come in as cs has an impact on hormones. I was stuck in bed for what seemed like an eternity with catheter, lying on a puppy pad thing, unable to pick up DC without calling for a nurse as I couldn't get up.

Cs also affects microbiome and slightly increases risk of various illnesses for the baby through life. My scar is still a bit uncomfortable, many years on.

I've had 2 c-sections. The second one (planned) the surgeon had trouble stopping the bleeding. I nearly had to have a full hysterectomy but luckily I just lost an ovary and fallopian tube. So please be aware of the risks especially if you are planning on more children in the future. Things can and do go wrong even in a non emergency situation.

I had an elective c section for all the reasons you describe- known risks felt better than alternatives. I also didn't have that maternal drive to experience labour as a womanly experience type thing that a lot of women do. My baby came out happy and healthy to a magical playlist I chose and I will always treatise that moment I saw him being lifted up and heard his first cry. I did my make up and got a blow dry the day before so I have lovely photos with him too 😂

I would recommend a 'birth choices' appointment with a midwife consultant who can answer all your questions you can ask for that at hospital (hold in mind that of course midwives are pro vaginal birth) as they can answer eveything.

Recovery was ok but 6m later I am still a little sore in the middle, can feel a little tight, so it's gradual. I stayed in hospital for 3 nights although they told me I could go after 1 night I couldn't see how I could hobble into the car park and up the stairs at home then and also stayed for more help with feeding (my baby wasn't latching well).

You do need physical support after c section for at least a week - it's hard to lift the baby in and out of the bassinet and scoot yourself across you own bed for the first week (you'll get some women here shouting that they were fine and I'm being pathetic and they were doing laundry and the school run the next day, literally have had this on other threads here, but that's my experience). You almost need one person to help you move about and with baby and someone else to be helping with the house making food washing up laundry etc. or your dp/support person will be very busy!

That's terrifying!! Did they tell you why that happened?

I never understand why people say a CS is calm & relaxing. Is it a personality thing? I'm a bit of a control freak so hated not been able to move my legs, having a catheter. I also didn't feel calm at the idea of being cut open!

I had an emergency c section due to baby being in distress. Although I had planned on a vaginal delivery, I was terrified at the thought of it due to the horrific stories of long term injuries. So, I was actually relieved when I was told I was getting a section.
I had a great experience. Only in hindsight do I realise how 'emergency' it was as the staff were so good at keeping everything as calm as possible. I did need help through that first night but the midwives were great. I was on my feet and in the shower the following morning (I delivered late evening). I needed support with some things in the week following but my husband was great. I was driving within 2 weeks, no infections or lasting ill effects and my scar is barely noticeable.
Not having another but I'd 100% elect for a c section again.

I think it depends on the circumstances. Mine was an emergency last time, so having an elective one this time will make me feel calmer as my baby won’t be in as much danger and I will feel more in control.

I had first DC by induction - went fine bar second degree tear but recovered fine. Had DS2 by section as 42 week monitoring suggested something wasn’t right. Section was fine - great experience and I recovered well. I have an almost 8 year age gap so didn’t have a toddler to pick up.

Have never regretted the section - it was my choice. I could have insisted on giving induction a go against advice but I’m not stupid. Cord was round his neck so it was the right decision.

If you have help in the first two or three weeks while the wound is healing you should be fine. DH did school drop off and after school pick up for those first three weeks. He did part time working afternoons after the first few days and stretched his leave out to almost 4 weeks which worked for us. By 3 weeks I was able to get the pram out of the house for short steady walks taking care over kerbs.

I came on to say this- had a vaginal birth of 9lb+ baby with forceps and preferred that to my c- section after failed induction BUT people I know who had planned c sections were more positive.

Not much help I know- sorry

PS my scar healed well - had no trouble with it and it was not very noticeable at 12 months.

My best advice for you is to get/stay fit before conceiving. I was pretty fit at 40 and healed well eg womb reduced quicker than the normal rate both times. I was the fittest in my c section ward judging by the size of some folks and what was being said to them about various conditions.

Being a healthy weight won’t guarantee you an easy birth but being significantly overweight will not help you.