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....

oh yes of course and the c-section overhang, which i didnt have from my 2 vaginal births.
Accordsing to my gynae it can be reduced with weight loss (true I am back to pre-preg weight now) but its still there and it looks awful.
The only way to completely remove it is by surgery and Im done on that front

i didnt have a lot of pain afterwards but i took ALL the drugs

and i didnt lift things, especially lifting and twisting which is meant to be the worst

hated struggling to turn over in bed and get out of bed

i went home after 24 hours and had no infections

baby bf really easily

i knew it was my last baby so no worries about future fertility

CS was fine (and I was really worried about it). First 2 days later poo was one of the most painful 20 mins of my life.

1st emergency CS was blardy awful. 2nd elective cs much better because I was prepared for the worst bits.

Worst bits:

pain of moving around - make sure the physio shows you how to move around, get yourself out of bed etc. they didn't come to see me until about three days later, by which time I'd figured the right way out by comparing it with the agony of the wrong way

make sure they check your blood - I needed a blood transfusion first time, but it wasn't picked up for four days. Loss of blood affects your pain threshold, so make sure you complain if you're in a lot of pain.

breastfeeding - lying down was much more comfortable for me. I bf both babies, and was able to establish bf fine.

Oh, and I am not crazy about the overhang, but haven't figured out a way round that yet!

Personally I thought my EMCS was amazing, and I'll be doing my best to opt for an elective with our next DC early next year.
The spinal was absolutely fine, felt nothing and was over and done with so quickly-and that's coming from someone who is terrified of needles. After they put the dividing sheet up, the operation got underway immediately, felt nothing again- not even the 'washing up in the tummy sensation'. I looked over at my DH to ask what was happening, has she been born? As I'd felt somewhat lighter IYSWIM...he was in floods of tears and he told me yes, she's out. Seconds later they handed him a bundle of towels with our DD inside! No pain, no pushing, no tearing, perfect!
I was up and walking the next morning, catheter out and breastfeeding. I took all my drugs and generally took it VERY easily. You do shuffle around a bit after-I was scared to stand up straight with the stitches. The healing couldn't have been better though, 10 months later I have a grey line and am expecting DC2.
You will always hear the scary tales, but I thought I'd share a more positive angle with you. I just hope that it goes as well for me next time. Congratulations on your pregnancy OP and all the luck in the world for your CS xx

Have only skim-read the thread, so apologies if I am repeating what others have said.

I had an emergency c-section with my first child, and the worst thing about that was going through the exhaustion of a long, failed induction, then a major operation, then having my baby handed to me and being left to get on with it. Physically and mentally the toughest thing I have ever gone through.

My second section was elective and nothing like that. It was a very positive experience. The 'worst' thing for me was the surreal feeling of being under a spinal anaesthetic - being completely numb from shoulders down - so odd! Not unpleasant just very, very odd. I also found the operating theatre (huge!) and the amount of people in the room (loads!) overwhelming, even the second time around. And I hated the idea of the catheter both times, although actually, I didn't feel it being inserted and it caused me no pain at all - just the idea was icky.

Obviously, recovery is slower than a straightforward vaginal birth, but after my elective I was up and about and feeling myself much more quickly than a friend who had had a third degree tear, so not always the case.

All in all, my elective was a calm, happy experience and I would do it again.

This is a great thread! I'm having an elective CS (first baby) so am reading this all with interest. Please keep them coming folks!

great thread I have an elective c-section for 1st baby on 26th aug and very nervous about it all but less than would be if giving birth naturally as much more risk to me with that.

Also - I make it a rule to come on every single CS thread and say:

Big pants. That's what you'll need. The bigger the better. Get ginormo belly warmer ones from Asda and then you can throw them away afterwards without spending too much money.

But they have to be BIG. If they look like anyone under the age of 78 might consider wearing them - they are TOO SMALL.

(Anyone who has worn normal size pants with a waistband that land directly on their CS wound will understand exactly why this is important)

lol!@MrsMalcolmTucker. Definitely agree. I got enormous black pants from Asda and they were so comfy that, to my shame, I still own a few pairs of them (19 months on!). Come right up over the scar and feel blissful compared to normal undies or those scratchy old paper knickers.

My best piece of advice to anyone having a c-section is to please try to plan as much help in the days and, if possible, weeks afterwards. You may well feel up to doing loads within a few days (I definitely did after my elective section), but honestly, the more you take it easy, the quicker you will heal. I don't mean you shouldn't be active - you definitely should be walking and limbering up a bit within a day or two - but please, no heavy lifting and housework and donkey work. I recovered much more quickly second time around because I (and my DH!) took this more seriously thamn first time around.

Not everyone has bad stories to tell. I have had 2 and did not experience hardly ANY of the troubles listed.
Infact I am struggling to name something negative.
I took all the painkillers given and was in no more than minor discomfort. I knew before so had little planned for the next few weeks anyway. No problem going tot he toilet. No problem establishing bf'ing. I was up and about and had no problem picking up baby. But I did take great care when doing so. I did have terrible wind and was in pain, but this went instantly when the midwife gave me peppermint. Christ if thats my worst memeory, it can't be bad.

yes - take ALL the drugs. Remeber to take them home and keep taking them. Once you notice the pain and it starts to intensify it's very difficult for the painkillers to bring it down again quickly. Better to keep dosed up.

hi, my 1st was emergancy s-section, 2nd born by gas and air (could tell as soon as i mentioned it when arriving midwife was against epidural). the pain from 2nd was horrible and lasted a week or so. after c-section you're looked after with pain relief. personally id much prefer a c-section, strangely feel i recovered quicker. have a neat scar (like a big smile) right at bottom of tummy on knicker line)

hi, my 1st was emergancy s-section, 2nd born by gas and air (could tell as soon as i mentioned it when arriving midwife was against epidural). the pain from 2nd was horrible and lasted a week or so. after c-section you're looked after with pain relief. personally id much prefer a c-section, strangely feel i recovered quicker. have a neat scar (like a big smile) right at bottom of tummy on knicker line)
ooh, but yes, constipation (went 7 days and stank) and wind (v.embarassing as when you hold it in you can hear it very loudly in your stomach)