I need honest opinions, What would you do?

[nunnie]

I had my first baby in 2007 1st and 2nd stages were great, DD was out in 2 hours and 5 minutes. The placenta however didn't want to play ball and had to be manually removed in theatre, was told it was stuck to womb lining and took a few tugs to loosen it.

My last baby was born in October 4 weeks early last year, 1st stage was fab arrived pushing all was looking hopeful and had a smiling midwife because she thought simple labour to end the shift on. Anyway after 3 and half hours of pushing and numerous internal checks and a scan the Registrar decided it was time to contact the on call consultant as heartbeat was becoming abnormal. Consultant arrived had a rot and said he won'y be coming vaginally as he is brow and stuck, off I we went for an EMCS. Because of a complication with the spinal I had to have a GA.

Now pregnant again and due in September so before my DS will be one, had already decided I would like an ELCS really, but there had been a niggling feelingat the back of my mind that I would end up having a VBAC due to DS being premature, and expecting the same to happen here, and with my progression history, expected to arrive holding a baby this time really.

Anyway I was sent to hospital yesterday by my GP due to some pain I had, had just above my section scar and swelling.
Anyway I was told that it was likely to be a piece of scar tissue stretching whilst my uterus expands. However on examintation there was a problem spotted with my cervix and some swabs were taken, and also guarding in my side, which he thinks might indicate an urine infection, samples taken and sent off, will ring me with results.

My panic now is as my scar is already causing me issues and I'm only 16 weeks, I am petrified that if I go into premature labour then I will rupture possibly before I even make it to hospital. The consultant who did the checks yesterday never mentioned it being an issue it's just my worry.

I am still not 100% certain I want the ELCS as I would probably request it be done under GA and with the risks already attatched to an ELCS then adding in the risks of the GA.

I don't really know what I expect people to say, just need to vent if anything, I am 31 and still am not capable of making a decision about my body.

hello. :) No wonder you've got a lot to worry about.

I would go for the elcs, finish work early and try and get my feet up - easier said than done of course with 2 young children! I know two friends who were booked in for elcs went in to labour - one at 37 weeks and one at 42 weeks. Both delivered fine by elcs and one of those had previously had an elcs - the other although a first timer turned out to have a 4lb (!) fibroid on her uterus!

Is there any reason why you couldn't have the spinal this time so you're at least aware of what's going on around you?

But obviously talk to your consultant about all your worries and given your history you'll be under one I'm sure.

The spinal only numbed my legs and not my torso last time, so I felt them cutting, so I don't think I would be happy, trust or relax for a spinal again really.
I have a Consultant appointment on Monday, so hopefully I will be a bit wiser after that.

Hello, Christ, you have been through it! Completely understandable that you need to vent.

From what you say, you need a lot of answers before you can start even thinking about making a decision. I would write everything down, be really clear about what information you need and take it from there. It may be that you don't get all your answers in one go but you can slowly build up a picture of where you stand.

In terms of the spinal, it sounds as though something went wrong. I'm assuming you know that it's normal to feel things during an elcs under spinal and that it may be uncomfortable but not painful. You must have been in agony if your torso was unaffected by the anaesthetic. Presumably this is something that will be in your notes so they can see what went wrong last time.

Take your time, be really methodical and hopefully in a couple of months you'll feel that you've found out everything you need and will be able to make a considered decision.

Best of luck.

It sounds as though you've got a lot to ask the consultant and that you don't really yet have sufficient information on which to base your decision.

But the whole system tends to be so risk averse that I doubt you'll be offered the option of a VBAC unless a rupture is very unlikely.

Thank you everyone, I really don't know what happened with the spinal, just know a felt them cut and it hurt, then waking up and feeling lots of pain in the stomach and scar and touching was painful as I kept having to have the pressure dressing changed due to a bleed, and that hurt, I just remember pain really and then morphine being prescribed thankfully. I am sure I will get more information on what went wrong on Monday.

I think I will write everything down, as my brain is mashed, it is bursting with questions, and I admit I've googled and scared myself even more.

It would be nice if they said no option you must have this or that to be honest as that way I don't need to decide.

Thank you for letting me vent.