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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

having elective section this time? am i a wooos???

49 replies

lillaura · 21/01/2007 14:52

i had a very traumatic birth with my ds both me and my partner suffered from post natal depresion and our whole family got torn apart (this included his dd who lives with us calls me mummy, and was only 2!!) after heartache and breakups it got so bad tht i made him come to gp with me so we had to hear each others feelings he couldnt bond with baby for months so i pushed him out - he felt guilty about the pain i went thru and not being able to help - we managed to build a stronger relationship than ever wen our ds turned about 1 - but now found out we are having another baby the consultants have agreed to an elective cs to help avoid probs again - am i a wooooos?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

fruitful · 22/01/2007 22:12

Depends on you and on the baby. If you're both well they'll probably want you to go home after 3 days; SIL had a cs last Sunday evening and went home Tuesday evening. They give you pain medication to take home with you and its not as if they do anything (medical) to look after you in hospital anyway, after the first 24hrs!

If you're ill or the baby doesn't feed well you'll be in longer.

You may be desperate to get home (to where the only baby waking you up is your own) or eager to stay in (rest from toddler).

Kelly1978 · 22/01/2007 22:25

A planned section is far more rlaxed, but it does take longer to recover from. If I was in your position I would probably go for the section, but be prepared to be uncomfortable afterwards for a while. It isn't really the easy option at all, so don't feel that you are being a wuss. I've had both and I foudn taht natural birth + lot of pain during the birth, whereas with a section you get the discomfort afterwards. Though it is manageable, and I was up and about pretty quickly. I hope it all goes well for you.

BuffysMum · 22/01/2007 22:33

My last birth was fantastic and it removed so much of the pain and unhappiness of the first 3 births (all inductions, all VB, all pretty hideous for different reasons) but I wouldn't recommend having four dc to get to that point .

Biggest difference for me the last time I was relaxed about the whole thing accepted that I couldn't have what I wanted ie go into labour naturally, have a home birth etc etc. If you feel relaxed at having a planned section then that will make the biggest difference.

You are not being a woooos at all it's major surgery not to be taken on at a whim, which you're not doing.

Anglaise1 · 23/01/2007 06:50

I managed to get out after 3 nights after a c/s by proving I could walk OK, luckily there was no problem with the baby feeding. I couldn't bear it in the hospital maternity ward, the noise, the heat, impossible to sleep, I did my best to get out asap. I'm in France now and looking forward to having my own room so it should be easier if I have to stay in longer.

jabberwocky · 23/01/2007 06:58

Another traumatic first birth here. I never thought dh would agree to even try for a second child - or that I would want to in any case.

After being on AD's and lots of therapy we finally conceived again. I had an elective 8 weeks ago and what a difference! As others have said, a lot of ghosts have been laid to rest. Being in control of things was critical. I am over the moon about the whole thing

Good luck!

Original poster

lillaura · 23/01/2007 08:08

i asked consultant how long you stay in hospital and he said without complications its 4 days minimum it mite be diff from area to area tho

OP posts:

northender · 23/01/2007 19:25

lillaura, it does depend on your surgeon and/or hospital policy how long you have to stay in. Here it is 2 full days after c/s (if you have c/s in the morning). For me that was c/s Wed am home Sat lunchtime. 1st time round it was c/s Sun home Friday

lloydie · 25/01/2007 09:01

I had an emergency CS with DD as her heartbeat was dropping with every contraction and I was only 3cms dilated. As it happened they put me to sleep for the Section and all in all I have to say I'm pleased they did. It all happened so quickly that I didn't really have time to worry about the CS and my DD was full term plus 3 days, so there was no need for SCBU.

Im now 12 weeks pregnant again and am going to opt for a CS, but would really like to be put to sleep again. I don't think they will do this, as (hopefully) it won't be an emergency this time. The thought of being awake through the CS is really freaking me out though. Any words of reassurance?

I don't think that having a CS makes any of us "wuss's".

Anglaise1 · 25/01/2007 10:46

I really enjoyed being awake and chatting to the medical team whilst they were doing the operation!

jabberwocky · 25/01/2007 12:41

Me too!

lloydie · 25/01/2007 16:55

Thanks for the reassurance Anglaise1 and Jabberwocky. Will try not to worry too much.

mojomands · 25/01/2007 17:00

Just got back from my pre-op appointment and been told that due to other emergencies my section (which was scheduled for 9 in the morning) has had to be postponed till Monday - i'm gutted! People I know who have had planned sections do say that it's a really relaxed atmosphere in theatre so i reckon you'll be fine staying awake.

lulumama · 25/01/2007 17:07

lloydie......the reason that a general is not usually given is that it crosses the placenta, and the baby has to be taken out very quickly..it also has an effect on you obviously, more so than an epidural or spinal block. also, with a GA, you might not be allowed to have your DH in there ...

also, if you are awake, you can see and hold baby immediately, and give skin to skin contact....you might feel a bit of rummaging, as it were, but not pain.......

mojmands...that is a bit disappointing....

lloydie · 25/01/2007 17:19

Thanks for the post Lulumama. You're right, my DH was not allowed into the theatre whilst I was having the CS but cos I was asleep I wouldn't have been aware of him being/not being there anyway. I did have to stay in hospital for 5 days after the CS and was quite "out of it" for about 48 hours after the op.

I guess I'll just have to see how this pregnancy progresses, and try not to dwell on the fact I'll be awake for this one!

Mojomands - sorry you have to wait for your op. that must be a nightmare for you. Good luck for Monday.

lulumama · 25/01/2007 17:22

Lloydie..you might be awake, but you won;t be able to see anything, or feel much at all..and you can meet your baby straight away. and be able to come home sooner, which is a point when you have another child at home

you should look at why you are anxious about it and try to work through it before you get the the birth, IMO....

fizzbuzz · 25/01/2007 17:27

Being awake is great, it's the best bit, honest! Once yu've been through it, you will know what I mean.

It is not scary, staff are really lovely and know you are scared. Your baby is delivered really fast (felt like 2 mins to me)and after that you have your baby, and don't care.

Look forward to it, it's fantastic!

lloydie · 25/01/2007 17:31

I agree. I have "white coat" syndrome! Every time I'm in any medical situation I start panicking. It doesn't help that I faint at the sight of blood. I think its the thought of being able to hear all the squelching as they are "rummaging" around that puts me off.

I'm sure that by the time it comes to having the CS the doctors etc will have reassured me that I won't be able to see/hear anything, and i will have DH in there to talk to me all the way through.

When I had my emergency CS last time, all the doctors/midwives etc were very good and took very good care of me, so it can't be all that bad.

lloydie · 25/01/2007 17:32

Thanks for the post Fizzbuzz. Its nice to know that other people have had pleasant experiences whilst being awake for CS.

fizzbuzz · 25/01/2007 18:01

Don't remember any squelching at all, just a discussion about the weather.

I was terrified as well, but it was the best experience of my life ever.

You will be fine.

twoisenoughmum · 25/01/2007 18:12

Only just seen this so a bit late in the day. You are not a wooos for having an elective caesarian lillaura. And lloydie, its so much better being awake than under gen anaesthetic imo. My first birth like yours was a crash c/s under general anaesthetic. There was no way I was going to risk going through that sort of trauma again when I found out I was expecting no. 2, so I requested an elective and the hosp. agreed without hesitation. But I have to say, it seemed like a walk in the park after what I went through with no. 1 and I positively enjoyed the experience. The rummaging feels a little weird, but it just felt so right to be there for little one the moment he was born, hear his cries, etc. It was a joyful and uplifting experience, honestly!

lulumama · 25/01/2007 18:35

lloydie....should have said , i have had an emergency c.s , under epidural.. i did not hear anything, and felt some rummaging

i was so sure i would feel it, that i was going to ask tehm to check again my epidural had worked, when the doctor told me to look up, to see my baby being born! i had not felt the incisions, it was being stitched up after that i felt some rummaging ! but got lots of morphine for that

if you like, nearer the time, can give you some good info i got from another doula, about an elective c.s birth plan, to make it more personal.....

MsMoo · 26/01/2007 22:02

I totally agree, there is nothing wrong with having an elective caesarean. Fear and trauma is increasingly being recognised as a reason to elect for a caesarean. Check out www.csections.org for more info about planning a caesarean and for info on how to help ensure the best possible recovery. Best of luck.

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2007 09:35

If you are really nervous, ask them not to tell you when they start. That's what I did, and I felt about 2 mins of a feeling of someone drumming on my stomach (not at all unpleasant bty), and then SHE WAS HERE!

Good luck!!

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2007 09:35

bty should be btw of course....

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