what's the worst thing about having a c-section?

[sotough]

I had a horrendous labour and birth with my DS (now almost three) and various pelvic floor issues afterwards. i have since had four miscarriages but am finally - yipee - 14 weeks pregnant.
There's no evidence my MCs were related to any damage done to my poor old body during childbirth but i'm more anxious than i would otherwise be about giving birth again; not keen to repeat the nightmare experience i had giving birth to DS, (a 32hr ordeal on gas and air and some pethidine; the latter was not in the birthing plan needless to say.) and am considering an elective c-section this time, depending on medical advice of course.
Before anyone jumps down my throat i'm under no illusions about what a serious operation a c-section is; don't for a minute think it's a bed of roses or some kind of easy option; am certainly not too posh to push (indeed, i tried the whole hypnobirthing thing last time, to no avail); have a reasonable knowledge of the medical risks involved etc.
I'd just like to hear the 'what they don't tell you' things about c-sections, so i'm fully informed. please hit me with your experiences....

The worst things I experienced...

The first time it was the pain afterwards. There was a distinct lack of help at the hospital so walking to the shower carrying a bag of wee and clutching an ST with my thighs (couldn't get my pants on over the wee bag) and then having to climb into the bath. All of this about 7 hours after the op. Grrr.

The second time it was that after my catheter was removed I could not pee. No urge at all. My tummy swelled up and I had to be recatheterised. Sensation came back about 24 hours after that but there was a risk it might not (scary).

Also the second time the hospital decided that I would be fine on paracetomol and ibuprofen which is the biggest load of bollocks ever.

And in general I am told that the first cs might have caused adhesions that have caused problems conceiving. As it was an emcs I didn't have a choice but certainly with my first pregnancy I don't think I would have opted for a procedure that could affect my future fertility.

The best thing was that I have 2 lovely children who could have been dead or very damaged if cs did not exist. And while there are downsides, I expect that all of our bodies are changed by having babies one way or another and it is a price that is well worth paying.

Many congratulations on your pregnancy

For me it was the lack of mobility after the operation. DS was in a moses basket beside me and it was just at the wrong height for me to be able to sit up and just lean over and twist to pick him up. Therefore for a good week or so I had to wake dh up so he could pass ds to me. I'm not sure why exactly I found that manouvre painful as I recovered really well.

No, actually on reflection, the worst thing was being expected (by pretty much everyone) to just get on with it (looking after a newborn, the house, the chores etc), nevermind that I had just had major surgery. And I must stress that my dh is a really great and sensitive guy, but I really felt like NO ONE took into consideration what I had been through (it was an emerg csection as well)

I was also very annoyed that I was never told the whole list of con's about having a csection (possible future fertility problems, higher risk of needing a hysterectomy, scar tissue adhesions etc etc.) To be honest, as my section was an emergency I still would have chosen to have a section, but I didn't find out about the possible side affects from a healthcare professional, but from MN, and that really annoyed me.

sotough, have you had a debrief of any kind since you had your DS? sometimes it can help to come to terms with what happened and why, and that in turn can help you think more clearly about how to give birth this time

not really the right thread for this I know, but seeing as you seem as tohugh you're making a very informed decision i thought i'd add it anyway.
i had a fairly hideous labour and birth with ds1.
i then did as you are, and got as informed as I possibly could and had a fantastic second birth with ds2 (vaginal birth again , but so, so different)

lastly, HUGE congratulations on your pregnancy, it must feel fabulous (and worrying too i expect) after your MC's. I hope all goes well

Pain afterwards

Constipation afterwards

Wind afterwards

Can't lift

Fragmin injections afterwards

Takes ages (took me ages) to get back to normal

Can't drive afterwards

They can cut your baby by mistake

Risk of wound getting infected

Risk of bleeding.

I could go on (you did ask!). The thing is, it's a major operation, but one where you are expected to recover very quickly. Every operation has risks.

But then a vaginal birth has its risks as well. An most of the time all is fine

I really had no major problems after my (emergency) CS - I was knocked out by GA so can't remember anything and obviously was not able to hold my baby immediately; also it took a while to be able to breast feed - apparently this can be a problem with having a CS but once I got home I was able to establish breast feeding. I was quite 'numb' afterwards until the GA wore off and needed a cathetar - also remember cringing with embarrassment as I was bleeding and couldn't reach any STs - asked the nurse to pass them to me and she put them on the end of the bed - out of reach! But really that was the only down side - I had no problems once I got home, no scar, no discomfort, tummy muscles no different - having actually asked for a CS in the first place and had it refused I was secretly pleased. Just as with vaginal delivery - everyone's experience is going to be totally different.

thanks everyone - this is exactly the sort of information i'm looking for. keep it coming!

worse thing I found was the pain afterwards and not beging able to care for my DD on my own for a few days. I couldnt even lift her from cot when crying
I has VBAC on second go and was a dream compared to CS.

Goodness, some of you had real problems - how awful. Re; the no driving rule - do check with your insurers, I was told by mine that it is an 'urban myth' that you are not covered by insurance, if you feel comfortable driving then you can - obviously you must check with individual insurers.

Yes I think you can drive as early as 2 weeks afterwards if insurance is ok, and some people are fine in doing this. I couldn't manage the clutch without pain, however, so didn't drive for well over 6 weeks. hth

OK I have only had elective c-sections so can't compare it to a natural birth but I don't think there are too many down sides.

Instead of just looking at all the negatives, couldn't you look at all the good sides and compare it to the negatives/positives of a natural birth?

Or are you trying to scare yourself out of having a section?

Tbh the worst thing about having 2 sections for me was being made to feel, by some people that I have not really experienced proper birth. When people sit around discussing their horror birth stories, I find it hard to join in.

But as you've already been there, done that, I don't think you need to worry too much!

Congratulations and good luck!

iliketomoveit the possible issues with future fertility are important to me as in an ideal world we'd like three children, if at all possible, though i'm hugely grateful for the prospect of having a second at this point! i've got a book somewhere, that i bought first time round, which i think may set out the potential impact of c-sections on future fertility and i'll dig it out and have another look. as i've had three ERPCs i'm already quite concerned about adhesions.... it may be that an epidural would be the best 'middle' way option for me this time.

For me it was the night sweats for weeks afterwards. Oh, and the first post-op bowel movement which was hideous - I thought my insides were coming out. Other than that, my recovery was totally fine - home after 2 nights and hoovering the day after (which with hindsight was probably a bit stupid).

I drove after 2 weeks and both my GP and insurers told me this was totally fine if I felt ready. Definately an urban myth.

As long as your dr says you are ok, you are probably covered by insurance (but check!). Before you start on a long drive, try a quick emergency stop. As long as you can do that without too much pain you should be alright to drive.

The worst thing is everyone making assumptions about you and being all judgey pants.
I had an emergence CS and and elective CS - both were fine. Obviously the emergency one was more stressful.

The not driving, not lifting etc is all a myth, the physios and midwifes will encourage you to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Recovery time varies for everyone, depending on what experience they have - whether they have a common cold, a tooth extraction or having a baby. You know your own body and so will know yourself how you will manage.

I had very quick recovery both times and if we could afford another baby/child i would not hesitate to have another CS

Not being able to turn over in bed

Not being able to pick up your baby

For me, constipation and terrible wind was the same with cs and vaginal birth.

I felt ds wasn't ready to be born because I didn't go into labour.

After cs I felt like I had been hit with a sock full of pennys for about a week.

Having had both, I would want an vbac next time due to speed of recovery, I have had a 40 hour labour but no tearing.

Its brilliant not feeling the pain of labour.

c/s babies are (apparently) more likely to have allergies which was a consideration in my atopic family.

Well I am booked in for an elective in 9 weeks so am hopeful for another quick recovery. I know at least 3 friends who have also echoed what Tennisfan says.

I had an emcs and I agree with so many points on here

Esp. the fact that it is major surgery but you expected to recover quickly and just get on with it. So much so that when I came home from hospital I spent a lot of the day trying to tidy up which was ridicoulous as I was in so much pain afterwards and I actually broke down and cried trying to walk up the stairs to bd that night. DH was fab though and from that point on he did everything while I just let myself recover and looked after the baby.

I think the inital pain is immense tbh, the first week was absolute hell, but by the end of the second week I was off all painkillers and felt perfectly well.

An ELCS is supposed to be easier to recover from though as your body doesn't have to recover from the tiredness of labour so your recovery.

My advice to anyone having a CS is to take the time to rest and recover properly, don't let anybody rush you.

Oh and Congratulations!!!

I've had a vaginal birth (first child) and a c-section (twins). For me the section was infinitely better. The vaginal birth didn't go to plan and ended up with rotational forceps in theatre. (there is a great thread in health - continued support for sphincter injuries, fistulae, and other childbirth injuries - where you can discuss your pelvic floor issues) All of the things mentioned above by moonstorm (fragmin, wound infection, bleedings) can happen with vaginal births as well as sections. My recovery after the scetion was much shorter than that after the vaginal birth and that whilst coping with toddler and twins!

I would say the worst thing about a section is feeling that you've missed out on something by not doing it"naturally" and this is compounded by other peoples attitudes that you "cheat" if you have a section. But in my opinion its the end result of a healthy baby that matters and not the way the baby was conceived or delivered that matters.

Congratulations on the pregnancy and I hope you come to the decision about the birth that you are happy with

I've had 3 c-sections - first was emergency the latter two elective.

Was fine after all of them, showered and up and about the next day and picked babies up in the night and bf them.

The only thing for me was that I'm very sick and shakey after a spinal but that soon wore off.

I had very good surgeons do them and have one very neat scar and recovered quickly after all of them.

The guilt. Not having done what nature designed me to do.

Personally, it was physically easy. Was discharged 12hrs post em cs, had full mobility and no pain. Took no pain killers, bfed successfully.

But the crippling guilt and ptsd? Terrible. That's an em cs though. V different I expect.