A week tomorrow I'm due to have an ELCS and I'm rapidly questioning this decision.
In May 2010 I was induced at 40+9 and had a 3a tear. No forceps or ventouse. I was stitched in theatre immediately and told that the "3rd degree but was minimal". Stitches never healed. Three months later I went for a full restitch under GA and whilst under the consultant did a minor rectocele repair.
Fast forward to this pregnancy. I've been adamant I wanted a section, still scarred from the carnage of the last birth (also had PPH and MROP). I've discussed it with a consultant three times who has supported my decision and the consultant who did the repair surgery wrote in my discharge letter that a section should be granted.
But now, with 8 days to go I'm really questioning it. I'm petrified of the op, I mean totally and perhaps irrationally paralysed by fear. What would you all do? Try a vaginal birth with a very strict and concrete birth plan for if things show that tearing again is inevitable? Have the ELCS?
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A week to go and doubting my decision :-(
Tea1Sugar · 07/04/2014 19:48
Thank you for everyone's support and encouragement. Baby Emilia was born on 15/4/14 weighing 7lb 13oz. She's beautiful 
I have been thinking of you today.
I hope you had a positive and productive meeting today and are feeling better about what lies ahead.
Ah, Tea, you poor thing - I hope you find a way to get your head around this.
Speak to the most senior medical person available to you - somebody whose judgement you trust.
The numbers quoted in studies vary so much because there are so many variables to consider.
Also, risk preparedness does vary from consultant to consultant, so they can only discuss statistics for you, maybe make a recommendation, but they (IMO) won't tell you what to do.
Just to add to the positive CS stories: I had what technically was termed an 'emergency' CS ('emergency' as it was not planned, but there was 6 hours between decision to deliver and DS2's arrival, so everything was nice and calm). The numbness from the spinal was weird (I've compared notes with my dad in the meantime who had one for his prostate surgery 
and agreed it was a v strange sensation. To have no sensation, I mean..), but there was no pain at all. DS2 was out v quickly, the stitching up took longer. I had a catheter in my bladder which I did not mind at all. DS2 was whisked off to SCBU (he was 9 weeks premature) and I was transferred to the ward. I had a 'patient controlled analgesia' pump with morphine which worked a treat for pain, shame that opiates make me itch (just like in the Pink song ). I was glad to be rid of it the next day, I had Paracetamol and Diclofenac for a few days, then nothing. Pain was really not a huge issue for me although sensation around my scar was not quite right for about a year; no pain, just odd.
WRT to incontinence in later life: Pregnancy is an independent risk factor for incontinence, often many years after delivery; the mode of delivery can make a difference, but women who have only ever had CSs also get incontinence. Having said that, listen to what your consultant has to say and if you like/trust them, go with that. I also think that you reached the decision for elCS after due consideration and may have got yourself in to a bit of a tizzy right now - if I'm wrong, tell me to get lost 
.
I hope you have a fruitful meeting with consultant and that you can approach meeting your baby in a more peaceful frame of mind.
I had a third degree tear the first time round - complete shock to me as it was a scenario I had not thought about or planned for. I was whisked off to theatre not long after dd was born (although did get to hold her and cuddle her etc while they were debating if it was a second or third degree tear!). I had a spinal block and was stitched up in theatre. I healed well but it took a long time (and I mean over a year) to feel 'ok' or anywhere near normal.
Most of what I found traumatic was the unknown. I just didn't know what was happening. I was high on adrenaline of having a baby but felt completely out of control and what I thought would happen after giving birth.
I'm now 33 weeks pregnant and am planning on having a vaginal birth. I have discussed it at length and want to do it again as it doesn't mean it will happen again, I feel I know what to expect and also know that i probably pushed too hard and she shot out of me which is why i tore! I considered an ELCS but actually felt more scared about that than a vaginal birth - I think because I have done it once so know what it is like whereas I don't know what a ELCS is like.
But that is me. I think you have to sit and really think about what you want. Not what you think you should want or what you would want in an ideal world, but what you feel most comfortable with in this situation.
Good luck and I hope whatever you decide it all goes well!
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