Any tips for ELCS? I'm nervous!

[PipIsOutNow]

So my VBAC has gone out the window due to high bp and I've been booked it for a section next Friday. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/experiences? My first birth ended in EMCS due to fetal distress so hoping the whole thing will be a lot calmer than last time anyway!

Hi, I had an ELCS due to high bp and breech birth and I have to say that it was actually a great experience (if that's not too controversial). I think if you've already had an EMCS then there aren't really any tips I can give you as you will know all the obvious ones like big pants!

Hi
I found this thread the other day in the childbirth section of mumsnet looks like good advice - not had a section myself but 90% likely hence looking for more information.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/217414-if-you-are-having-a-caesarean

Hello!

I am also booked in for a section on the 11th January!

How many weeks will you be?

I also had an emcs previously as my dd was just refusing to move no matter how hare i pushed!

Thanks for the link emsy

tinkle I'll be 37+1 what about you?

Will be 38+1. Cannot wait for it all to be over I've had an awful pregnancy.

Do you know if your having boy or girl x

oh Pip, ELCS are great!

As Mulled says, you've had the EMCS already, so you know how the physical stuff goes. Except for this time you won't be exhausted from labouring and any distress will be minimal by comparison. I think I recovered quicker with DC2 (ELCS) than DC1 (EMCS).

It WILL be lovely and calm, you'll be amazed at the difference.

roobs thank u for such a positive post!!!

tinkle yep I'm having another boy (ds is 2.5) I've had a horrific pregnancy too. I've been in and out of hospital since 27 weeks with all sorts of complications. Rubbish rubbish. We're nearly at the end now!!!

Hi Pip, I had an ELCS with my DS due to him being breech and despite the fact that I had previously been desperate for a lovely natural active birth helped along with hypnobirthing and aromatherapy, I found my ELCS to be an incredibly civilised and calm experience. I walked into theatre myself, was untroduced to the surgeon and the surgical team, who chatted to me and my DH throughout the op. I was able to breast feed in the recovery room as soon as I was done and I was off all painkillers after a week. The recovery was much easier than I'd expected. DH was able to trim the umbilical cord and I just lay there and had a rest while everyone else did the work.

I am planning a VBAC this time though

Great to hear lovely experiences I have been worried about it

I know me too emsy sometime the unpredictability of labour is better than actually knowing and having to prepare. I over think and worry about everything mind. When is your section?

I'm trying to think of all the positives and obviously the final result. I have a feeling this is going to be a very long week!

I hear you in the long week!

although i have lots of appointments for pain injections (pgp) and then next week steroids injections.

Also have a dd who will be 3 in march she goes back to pre school on Wednesday so i am hoping it breaks the week up nicely.

Have you got all your bags packed?

I had one for my twins at 38 weeks. As others have said, calm, civilised, an amazing and surreal experience. Recovery was fine. One thing to note: I had to wait all day on no food or water as we were bumped to last in queue to make way for emergencies so be prepared for that!

I've got the baby's bag packed but not my own. Just written a list of bits I need to buy then will pack it this weekend. What about you? Are you all ready?

I can't believe how long this pregnancy has been now all of a sudden, in a week we'll be new mums again! I will be so glad to get my body back though, I've not had an easy time at all.

We must keep in touch! This time next week we'll be in exactly the same boat!

Defiantly i will send u a private message x

I had a vaginal birth last time and loved it but this time have complications and unless there is a miracle will be ELCS but not till feb/march if I can go full term.
Operations scare me so have been trying to come to terms with it gradually but good to hear the nice experiences I haven't actually heard any bad.

I second everything rooob said. Elcs so much easier than emcs, you know what to expect but you go into it without being tired and stressed from labour.

emsy be sure to tell your consultant about your anxiety with operations and also the anethitist when you have the section, they can give you a little something to calm your nerves and relax you.

Thanks I will I saw them last pregnancy as local anaesthetics don't work well with me so had to have a plan in case of emergency prob best I see them again eek

Good luck! Write down everything you want to ask, I am rubbish at remembering and get all nervous in front of professionals so I have an ap on my phone that I type questions in as I remember them!

Elcs are a walk in the park! I've had both and me elcs was so civilised and calm it was untrue! I was off all painkillers in a week and walking a mile within 2. That being said my emcs wasn't bad, actually the best part of my failed vbac due to many reasons, but the recovery was longer and the pain lasted a little more time.

You'll be fine.

I had an CS due to transverse breech. The birth itself was amazing and everything others had said, calm, relaxed and I wasn't tired when he did arrive.

Afterwards I had to have a transfusion but I would have probably needed that if I had had a traditional delivery.

I was up and walking 2 miles within a week and didn't have any issues lifting DS straight away. Recovery time was very quick even though I was 37!