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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Fear of 2nd labour- elective c-sec vs induction?

17 replies

Fredfred · 07/08/2010 14:28

Sorry this is going to be a bit long!!!

I am currently 21 weeks pregnant with my second child. I think it is fair to say that DD's birth was a rather horrendous experience. I prepared well, read lots of books been to antenatal classes etc. At 39 weeks my labour started but I did not know I was in labour as I did not have contractions as I expected, but just one long continuous pain. I eventually realised that I was either in labour or there was something seriously wrong so DH took me to the hospital.

To cut a long story short DD was back to back, took nearly 4 hours pushing stage (whole labour lasted 8 hours) ending with a ventouse delivery, an episiotomy, a haemorrhage and a retained placenta which needed manual removal in theatre. The whole thing was my worst nightmare.

I had to have 2 blood transfusions and DD was jaundiced and had to go in a UV incubator. They made me give her top-up bottles against my wishes which made BF extremely difficult once I left hospital because DD wanted a bottle and would scream and starve herself rather than BF. She also had reflux and colic. Had difficulty bonding with her initially.

I tried to try to forget about it and get on with things, but since becoming pregnant again, I've had flash backs and nightmares and am completely terrified of going through it all again. I've been to the doctor and been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and am getting counselling. I've been offered an elective c-sec or early induced labour. I think I would prefer a c-sec as absolutely terrified at the thought of anything going wrong again, but am not sure and am trying to weigh up pro's and cons.

Just wondered what people's experiences were with either inductions or elective c-secs? Thought it might help me to decide.

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sotough · 07/08/2010 15:08

oh goodness, i'd definitely go for the elective c-section! i also had a really bad experience with the birth of my first child, and am worrying about birth of second, but don't sense anyone will be receptive to the idea of a c-section. i had an incredibly long drawn out labour (from start of contractions to actual delivery was 32 hours!); several failed ventouse attempts, and an episiotomy. it was ghastly, thouugh not as bad as yours sounds. i had no instinct or sensation of wanting or needing to push at any point.
i've not heard anything positive about being induced, whereas there are lots of good things about having a c-section. (and some downsides. see an old thread of mine from a few weeks ago where i asked people to say what the worst things were about it!)
did you have an epidural last time? i didn't, and am definitely planning one this time. i think (hope) it will make all the difference.

herjazz · 07/08/2010 15:17

I'm 34 weeks and facing similar choice, albeit for different reasons. My first dc was v poorly after the birth and spent weeks in nicu. Actual birth was quick and easy for me but she was distressed. She still has lots of probs and needs 24 hr care, nurses at night etc. So aside from paranoia, there are the practical advantages of control and timing re c section. But then the recovery... I still don't know

Should add dd's probs haven't all been caused by birth. There is a genetic factor. Also had nice birth after with ds. Tho bit of a drama few weeks after

Have you spoken to specialist birth anxiety mw at yr hospital?

Original poster

Fredfred · 07/08/2010 15:45

Thanks for replies. Its nice to know I'm not alone! I did have an epidural, but very late on as I didn't get into hospital until quite late.

I saw a birth anxiety midwife earlier this week who is writing to my consultant as she was concerned about how traumatised I still am. She went through DD's birth with me and assured me the epidural had nothing to do with everything that went wrong (which was something I was worried about). She actually said that all through my notes it said I was pushing well it was just that DD wasn't moving down as she should have. If I have an induction I have been told I can have an epidural from the start, but am still terrified that I will have a repeat of what happened last time.

If I go for the c-sec I am worried about the recovery time, about being away from DD for at least 3 nights (DH travels abroad for work all the time and so I always do the night time routine with her)and also about not being able to pick up DD (she will have just turned 2 and not sure how I will explain it to her), but I think my fear of complications with a VB are making me prefer the option of a C-sec.

OP posts:

sotough · 07/08/2010 17:12

if you can organise help for after the c-section i think it would be the least frightening option for you...the thing that puts me off is the long recovery but lots of people say they're up and about within a couple of days.

sarahscot · 07/08/2010 17:36

Although the birth of my first child was nothing as horredous as yours, in fact I suppose you would call it straight-forward, but I feel the same about giving birth again. I was induced and the pain I felt was unbelievable. I honestly believed I was dying and I was terrified of having no control. When I asked for an epidural I was dismissed by the MW who told me I was still in early labour. She continued to tell me this until finally someone came and checked and told me I was already 10cm dilated! I really want to ask for an elective c-section but I think I might be told to stop being so pathetic and get on with it.

sarahscot · 07/08/2010 17:38

Oh, also, I tore and ripped so badly that the recovery was far longer than a friend who had a c-section in the same week I gave birth. I couldn't stand up for longer than 30 seconds or the pressure became agony. This lasted weeks. I couldn't pee without seeing stars with the pain and had to drink gallons of lactulose in order to GIVE myself diahorrea as it was the only way I could go without passing out.

Original poster

Fredfred · 07/08/2010 18:09

Sorry to hear you had such a horrid time sarahscot. The long recovery time that I had after DD's birth is why I've been thinking that the recovery from an elective c-sec might not be too bad. I did not feel right for around 3 months, and I also had friends who recovered much more quickly from c-secs.

I don't think they will tell you to be pathetic if you stress to them how worried you are and how long your recovery was. They will probably want you to see a MW to discuss your last labour and to go to counselling before they consider an elective c-sec which is what they said to me.

OP posts:

quaere · 07/08/2010 18:17

I think if you've been offered an elective you should grab it with both hands

Chynah · 07/08/2010 23:17

I have never been in labour or had a VB so can't comment on that but I can tell you that recovery from both of my ELCS was painless and quick. The actual op was not scary either and very good experiences.

HinnyPet · 07/08/2010 23:28

Have an Elective!
The difference between the traumatic vaginal birth of DD and the relaxed c section of DS is unbelievable. I wish I'd had counselling after DDs birth, and as I was getting hysterical about a repeat experience, (my babies were MASSIVE by the way) the consultant suggested I have a section.
My section was WAY quicker to heal than the first VB.
Go for it.

Original poster

Fredfred · 08/08/2010 07:46

Thank you all so much, you've been really helpful and made me feel more confident about pushing for a c-sec. :)

OP posts:

sarahscot · 08/08/2010 10:10

Me too. Thank you for sharing your experiences everyone.

beckie90 · 08/08/2010 10:27

fredfred this sounds so much like me.
i had my little boy nearly 2 years ago at 18, i was late and had to get induced in labour i started bleeding badly and after i had him it was just gushing out i had tears down there aswell had to be stitched up, my heart rate was going at 262bmp they thought i was heamorhaging inside my womb 2. and then 4 weeks after having my baby i started heamorhaging again, went back to hospital, it turned out my womb was badly infected, due to afterbirth been left in me for 4 weeks and was put on 30 tablets a day.
now ive just found out im pregnant again and all i keep thinking is omg im gonna die this time i cant give birth again its gonna happen again, im so scared its unreal

Original poster

Fredfred · 08/08/2010 20:36

Sounds like you had an awful time too beckie90. Hope things go better for you this time. Tell the midwife as early as possible how scared you are and hopefully they will take you seriously. Good luck. x

OP posts:

beckie90 · 08/08/2010 20:40

im going to book in at the docs tomorow and tell them everything, im absoloutly petrified this time, i had a phobia before before i got took into hospital i kept saying im gonna bleed to death, and i did bleed so this time omg is terrible.
ive been reading on internet about having csection, and it said that poses even more risk for bleeding, but i cant see how. so now i dont want to have a section or normal birth, the baby is gonna have to stay put lol, just really worried.
has having counselling helped at all

Original poster

Fredfred · 09/08/2010 07:39

Only had one session so far (NHS waiting lists), so not really, but hoping it might by the time the birth comes around! :S

I think an emergency c-sec is much more risk of bleeding than an elective. My understanding is that an elective is fairly safe, but I am not a doctor. I have an appointment with my consultant next week who will hopefully go through it all with me. Am terrified of going into labour and ending with an emergency section- have heard horror stories about internal bruising when they have to pull the baby back out of the birth canal etc etc. Not nice. :(

It seems that every method of child birth carries some risks!! I just don't want to go through anything like what I went through before.

OP posts:

beckie90 · 09/08/2010 09:20

no me neither fredfred, some women have such good births with no complications or anything. why cant that be us? i know that they prepare for if anything happens again, but to me preparing for it isnt good enough.
im trying to change alot this pregnancy i was low on iron all through last preg and had to have tablets, i had bad diet always eating junk, never did any light excercises never drank any water, so this time gonna eat plenty of iron rich foods, fruit and veg evreyday, and so on. dont think it wil change out but im willing to give anything a go

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