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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

DS born via emcs, did you opt for elcs next time?

17 replies

Miffyonline · 07/09/2015 19:57

hi,
My son was born via emergency c-section. I'm pregnant again and wondering whether to go for elective c-section or do it the natural way. What are your experiences?

OP posts:

Blueberry234 · 07/09/2015 19:59

I had an elective, bloody loved it such a hugely positive experience in comparison the my first which was hideous

PermetsTu · 07/09/2015 19:59

Depends why you had an emcs, what impact that has on your next delivery and what you actually want to happen. Are you clear on the reasons for emcs first time round? Do you know how that impacts things? Do you have a preference?

I had an emcs with my first baby and then tried for a vaginal delivery with my second. I had another emcs.

MercuryRising · 07/09/2015 20:33

My experience was similar to blueberrys. I had a emcs with ds under general anaesthetic. With dd I had an elce and it was a positive relaxed experience.

VeryPunny · 07/09/2015 20:38

EMCS with DD, which was v positive. Went for VBAC with DS, had forceps but it was all fine. The way some people go on about VBAC I was expecting choirs of angels and dancing girls. I had a v good recovery with DD but recovery after VBAC was even easier, even if it took me a fortnight to sit down comfortably.

mewkins · 07/09/2015 20:41

I opted for elcs with my second. It was great. I couldn't contemplate going through a traumatic labour followed by an emcs again.

ICanSeeForMiles · 07/09/2015 20:49

I went for elcs second time around and it was like night and day. Fabulous, positive experience (only downside, I suffer from anxiety and having read the consent forms in the clear light of day it stressed me out massively- all went well though) and if I ever had another dc I would opt for elcs any day of the week.

HJBeans · 07/09/2015 22:08

15 weeks pregnant with second child now after EMCS with DS. I'm still quite ignorant about options - are you always offered an ELCS after an EMCS? If so, I'd certainly be tempted. Had a very positive experience once past the three days of fruitless labour to the surgery and am not at all fussed about 'experiencing' natural birth if alternative is as safe. Didn't know I'd have a choice, though.

DriverSurpriseMe · 07/09/2015 22:11

Electives are fantastic, I'd recommend it to anyone

PermetsTu · 08/09/2015 11:07

HJBeans, you should absolutely have a choice. If your consultant does not offer you the choice, then request somebody else. Chances are, you won't have to do that. My consultant basically said it was up to me and he'd support me in whatever way he could. He was absolutely bloody lovely.

Have a frank discussion about their expectations for a vbac (they'll have their own 'rules' for monitoring, length of labour, how long before they move to certain interventions, how long you are 'allowed' to push for etc) because you might find that given a picture of what will and won't happen in any given situation means that you want to try for a vbac. Of course, you have every right to reject any of their suggestions and opt for a homebirth for example, but I found the first appointment with my consultant very helpful in terms of learning what they expected from vbacs. It meant I wasn't weighing up a totally unknown situation against the known quantity of an elcs. For example, I knew I wouldn't have an 8hr second stage again which worried me immensely. With negotiation, we decided that 2hrs max would be it. All irrelevant obviously as I had another emcs after a 3 day labour but it was still nice to have that information!

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/09/2015 12:22

I opted for an ELCS but ended up with an unplanned VBAC so I'd say that whatever you decide its worth boning up on both as I didn't have a clue what I should be doing

It was all fine but recovery was slower than my EMCS and I wish I'd had my planned ELCS

notaprincessbutaqueen · 08/09/2015 12:40

vbac.
i had emcs with first. was overdue so induced, they broke my waters but nothing happened and she was beginning to get distressed so need delivering. I felt as though i'd had an emcs for no real medical reason (expect they wanted her out by the nhs timescales!) so insited on at least trying for a vbac with dc2 but being very aware it may not happen. after 52hours of labour, 12 minutes of pushing and every pain relief option going, ds was born. no tearing, just a minor graze so no stitches required. Was having a cuppa at café nero the next day. dc3 again was vbac but only just as he was breech until 37 weeks!!
it all depends on the individual circumstances, why you had a emcs in the first place, do you have the support for the recovery period bearing in mind you will have an older child to look after as well. its an individual choice based on many factors.
I'm hoping for a water birth this time in the midwife-led unit. after 2 perfect births they can no longer use the whole 'scar rupture risk' reason for being strapped up to all the monitors.

quesadillas6 · 08/09/2015 12:41

I've opted for an elective. I'll let you know in a week or so how it compares!

Thefitfatty · 08/09/2015 12:46

I was going for a VBAC until I got an irritable uterus and was literally having strong Braxton Hicks and contractions from 28 weeks on. Was hospitalized twice to keep her in. Finally, at week 37 I gave up hoping for the VBAC and opted to get her the hell out of there. Best thing I ever did, it was such a wonderful experience knowing exactly when she was coming out.

RooibosTeaAgain · 08/09/2015 17:22

I had an EMCS under general anaesthetic for dc1 and a VBAC for dc2.
The physical recovery was so different between the 2 so am glad that is how it happened now.

HippyChickMama · 08/09/2015 17:27

I had a vbac, it was important to me personally to try for a normal delivery and my emcs was only because ds got himself into a stupid position and got stuck during labour. I'm glad I opted for vbac as I had a positive experience but I did consider an elcs just to avoid having another emcs.

MyBoysAreFab · 08/09/2015 17:27

Had an emcs with dc1, living in a different town when pregnant with dc2. I don't remember any discussion about an elcs. In fact up had choice of two equidistant hospitals and the one I opted for is midwife led, so if I'd needed an emcs I'd have had to be taken to the other.

Second labour was reasonably straightforward, although I do recall being told if I went on for much longer they might need to take a view on whether I might need an emcs.

MazzleDazzle · 08/09/2015 17:55

DD1 born 7 weeks early by ECS as she wasn't thriving inside.

Fast forward 3 years and I was DETERMINED to have a vbac. Signed up for hypnobirthing, bought all the essential oils...15 days late and after 40 hours of on/off contractions I ended up with an ECS again as DD2's heart rate dropped.

I'm pregnant again and this time I'm definitely going for an elective!

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