Scared of having C Section!!

[Lotsofqueries]

Baby is breech at 36 weeks. Got to see consultant about the option of having them turned which scares me - only 50/50. Could distress baby. The drugs to relax. Could turn back after! Baby has been breech for weeks and weeks and I know because I can feel the head which they confirmed at scan. So I think baby must be comfortable here. So I think to go straight for C Section but this also frightens me!! So worried about it all. 2nd baby and 1st was not breech, easy natural birth.

My third baby was breech and I had her turned. If I'm honest it wasn't a pleasant experience but she did turn (only one of three performed that day). I went into labour normally however it was very painful and felt out of control. I ended up with an ecs as she got stuck. If I'd have known I'd have booked in for a c-sec in advance! In any case I had her on the Tues, lost half my blood and had transfusion, stayed in 2 nights and was back in the school run on Friday so in my experience recovery was not any worse than vaginal births!

Can you get yourself on and off the bed to see to the baby afterwards, and also getting in car for journey home?

Out of interest has the option of delivering vaginally been discussed?

You keep the catheter in overnight IME, so you're stuck to the bed until that comes out. I know some folk have it out earlier, as soon as feeling returns fully to their legs. Better not to move in and out of bed for that 24hrs IMO - MWs very helpful, one of them changed my baby's nappy in the night.

I was mobile (slow and steady mind you!) less than 24hrs after the section.

You will need support and someone to amuse/school run/exercise your older child.

Having a feeding newborn that needs you is a perfect excuse to be staying on the sofa recovering

And actually, I mostly kept the baby in the bed with me overnight when DH wasn't there.
Catheter was out early enough for me to stumble to the breakfast room using the cot as a Zimmer frame!

Yes the bed can be lowered down etc. And was fine getting into the car. I was up and about before hubby went home the first night so was fine getting baby from his cot.

No they haven't discussed vaginal birth.
With people that have had babies turned successfully but then go on to have c section anyway - is there a link?
So for the hours you're waiting for feeling to come back and can't leave bed. Who is caring for baby?

If you've had a baby before and baby is in a good position then breech birth might be a shout, the RCOG recently updated their guidance on breech birth last week so worth a discussion.

They will only consider natural breech birth if there are qualified and experienced staff on and as it hasn't been given as an option, I think that means there isn't likely to be. Plus I would then worry about trying to give birth and having to have section anyway.

I've had an emergency section which was no walk in the park but I'd choose it in your situation as it sounds like the safest option for both of you.

Baby is whippped out surprisingly quickly (3 mins from first incision!) and takes 30 mins or so to put you back together. As for afterwards, take it very easy! My consultant said the best thing was to stand up straight, easier said than done!! But seriously, take things slowly and continue to for a good few weeks. (No whizzing down slides at the soft play like my sister did and then wondering why you're wiped out and achy!). I'm not sure how long it took for the feeling to come back as I was pretty poorly in the 24 hrs after (not as a result of the section) so I wasn't up and about anyway. Will your DP/DH be there?

It's a wierd experience, but sections are ten a penny. The people who do them do several every day so it's a very standard procedure to them, especially a planned section. So don't worry, it will be fine!

Post birth baby was either in my arms or my husbands. He changed him and passed him to me whenever I wanted. I mostly cuddled him unless I was wanting to sleep. Once he left, I rang the call bell and someone came to my bed. I think the longest I had to wait was 30 seconds. I was literally hanging off the buzzer the first night, getting someone to come and pick him out, put him back, change him because he'd spewed, and even when I had got myself into an awkward position. But there were loads of people about. On fact, I think they were auxiliaries or something? Were there and seemed to be solely there for patient comfort as they came round regularly to replace water, bring tea etc. Importantly, at no point was I made to feel a bother. In fact when I was apologising for calling someone yet again to move the baby from me to crib I was told firmly but kindly that I had just had an op, and that is what they were there for.
But yes, practical care of baby is done by your partner or the staff. You just get the cuddles!(I was personally quite happy with that!)

I had a planned section for a breech baby, I'd had an em section before, so they couldn't try to turn the baby. So, I don't have a normal delivery to compare to, but it was so much more civilised than going through labour and then an emergency section.
Usually you go in the morning having fasted since the night before and meet the Dr who's going to do the section and the anaesthetist. I found getting a grey venflon in was surprising sore - I hadn't even noticed it going in during the throes of labour! For the epidural you have to curve over hugging a pillow on the side of the bed, which is a bit tricky when you've got a big bump and a head pressing under your ribs. I just felt a lot of prodding and pushing at my back and it wasn't too sore. Your legs go numb quite quickly and they spray your tummy with cold stuff to check your numb.
One thing that surprised me was the number of people in the room, they routinely have a paeds Dr for the baby, 2 obs Drs for you, plus anaesthetist, a couple of midwives, a couple of theatre nurses/auxiliaries.
They put up a screen so you can't see them operating, but I could feel them pushing on the top of my tummy as they pulled the baby out. They then lowered the screen so I could see the baby before they took them to get them cleaned up.
Getting sewn up again took longer, about 40 mins maybe. One of my arms was stretched out on a board with the drip in. I felt a bit sick when I was getting sewn up, not sure if due to the drugs they were giving me or if my BP was a bit low. I was worried I was going to vomit, but said to the anaesthetist and he gave me something and also tilted the head of the bed down which helped.
Then the baby was brought over to me for a quick 1 handed cuddle before my DH got to hold baby, whilst they finished sewing me back up.
Afterwards I was in bed for the rest of the day, and got up in the early evening I think.The catheter stayed in overnight, then was taken out in the morning. Hobbling to the bathroom with a catheter bag is a bit rubbish, but once it was out I felt much better. I got home 2 days after the section.
My top tips would be - make sure you've got the bed control and nurse buzzer to hand, maybe lodged behind a pillow before your partner goes home and that you stick anything you might want overnight in easy to reach places on top of the table or cupboard, so you're not having to try to reach too far for anything that first night. Take any painkillers you're offered and hold your scar if you need to sneeze/cough.
Good luck - you'll be absolutely fine.

I have had three sections (2 ECS 1 ELCS) and never needed to use the buzzer to call the midwife. I was able to lift baby out of the crib and hold them/feed them etc. Absolutely the help is there if you need it but you might not.

Thank you. Any tips to make things easier/less sore? What about showering/bathing after? I bet that's sore?

I'm so grateful for this thread! I'm due to have an Elcs tomorrow due to failed induction. I've beaten myself up about not being able to give birth vaginally.

So many positive stories in one place. It's really helped. Thank you!

I have two possibly helpful comments.

The first is that my mum had 3 babies and always spoke most highly of the c-section - lovely, calm and civilised were her words I think!

The second (far less relevant) one is that our very own Queen Elizabeth was born by c-section, so your new baby will be in good company

Good luck!

ECV is brilliant especially if you've had a straightforward birth before. All the research shows it is the safest option for mum and baby.
It gets a lot of bad press (I'm not sure why) and is a bit uncomfortable. If it works, you are over 90% likely to have a straightforward birth (higher if you avoid induction).

Ask about a natural delivery, my first DD was born breech (bum first, they didn't know she was breech until I was ready to deliver). Luckily the consultant on shift was hugely experienced in delivering in this way although it's not a common way to deliver anymore. I did on gas and air with an episiotomy, was no harder than I expected labour to be in the first place and he was fantastic, they were ready for ECS if I needed it but I wanted to try so did.

If you're worried about having a CS I would explore the other options first however I would comfort yourself with the knowledge that you're making the best choice for you and baby.

I had a c section. It was easy and painless.

He was born at 4pm and I was up and about getting changed into my pj's at 11pm.

Before that while I was still numb I could reach over and pick him up to cuddle and feed him.

I left hospital at around 3.30pm the next day and genuinely did not have any pain.

I would do it again tomorrow.

I had an EMCS under GA so no idea of the actual delivery stage. My baby was in distress and their blood ph was not good as they wasn't getting enough oxygen. The team were brilliant! I was in the anesthetist room with in 2 minutes (no room in Theater) and my baby born within 5. The doctors and nurses were fantastic they kept me calm and talking to me. The anesthetist held my hand and rubbed my forehead while I was going to sleep as he knew I was scared as there wasn't enough time to talk us through anything. Apparently I had a "bad birth" but you know what it really didn't feel like it. I wasn't with my baby while I recovered as they were in scbu but I had midwives checking up on me. The anesthetist came to see me to see if I was okay and how my baby was. Once my baby was well enough they were brought to me and again the midwives were fantastic they had a specialist breastfeeding midwife that showed me how to feed laying down. Everyone was so fantastic that I would definitely be having and ELCS next time.

2 things I would recommend 1. Don't be a hero and keep up the pain relief and 2. Lavender oil! I cleaned my wound with it diluted when ever I needed to freshen up and in the bath too. It healed my scar beautiful though it's not very pretty to look as, as they were in a hurry.

Xx

With regards to aftercare, my dressing stayed on for about a week afterwards. It was changed once or twice I think (I stayed in hospital for 3 weeks after delivery so I'm not sure if having the dressing on for 3 weeks is normal). It had a waterproof covering so I showered with it on. Just take care and hold the handrail in the shower. Also, drink lots and lots!! And have fruit/veg. That first bowel movement post surgery was NOT a pleasant experience!!! Largely cause I ate loads of stodgy food.....let's just say I will never forget going to the loo that day . Didn't make the same mistake with DC2.

lacontessa has given my favourite advice so far though! Good luck OP, it will be fine.

Meant to say dressings on for 1 week.

Hi OP, I had a CS with my DD who was transverse. I had been desperate for a natural birth and was very upset, but it wasn't too bad. She was my first though, so nothing to compare it to.

The weirdest bit is not being able to feel your legs, but the spinal goes in quickly with only a little pinch and it is 100% effective. You feel some pressure as the baby comes out but you can't see a thing and it's all very calm.They stitch you up relatively quickly with soluble stitches and that's that. You won't be able to get up until the next day so have to ring the bell if you need anything. I would recommend being organised and have all that you might need within easy reach. Don't be shy asking for help, even if you have to do it repeatedly. They may be very busy but won't mind.

It hurts to get up and have the catheter out the next day but it's not unbearable, just keep up with the drugs religiously and take it really easy. Drink plenty of water and peppermint tea (for trapped wind) and make all movements slow and deliberate. It will be uncomfortable getting in the car to go home (usually about 48 hours later), but I started to feel dramatically better after a few days. Hopefully your 4 year old will understand that you can't be too physical for a little bit, and can even be helpful and pass you things. (I'm due my second this year and DD will be 3.8, hoping she will be too!)

It will be a very different birth experience but try not to be scared, you'll be fine. Good luck!

My baby is also breech and i believe she is footling breech, which is the most dangerous, should you go in to spontaneous labour. They don't attempt ECV with these, so an elective CS should be offered if she doesn't turn. I am watching this thread with interest! The thought of a CS doesn't scare me, i just want my lo to arrive safely regardless x

I had an ELCS and it was marvellous! Calm, relaxed and chatty atmosphere in theatre. DH encouraged to take photos once baby was born and out from behind the screen, and able to cut cord to required length once over at table being checked. Delayed cord clamping still practiced and skin to skin as soon as possible. All very positive.
Spinal injection rather than epidural, so no drip left in during the procedure. 3 minutes to get the baby out and about 20 to close me back up - was in and out of theatre in just under an hour, but it felt like no time at all. I didn't even register having oxytocin drip in recovery as was having baby cuddles!
I was in pain that night but mostly because I took a reaction to the anaesthetic, vomited up my pain medication and didn't think to ask for anything else! Still able to lift and care for 10lb+ baby from the get go, went home the next day and recovery has been fine. Dressing stayed on a week with showers - no pain or stinging at all - until a bath to soak the dressing off.
Only issue is knowing what to wear for the weeks after as you won't want anything rubbing on your incision site... and my pubes were sore from growing through under the dressing!
I would recommend a section to anymore!