Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Anyone have any experience with an elective section?

17 replies

ThorsMistress · 14/06/2018 21:57

Currently 25+4 with baby number 2.

When DS was born there were complications which resulted in a shoulder Dystocia and me haemorrhaging. Due to this I am consultant lead at hospital.

I saw the consultant today and she has said that as DS was a big baby (8lb 15oz so not abnormally big) I would need a growth scan and if this baby looks to be big than I should consider a section.

How accurate are growth scans? And what should I expect with a section? How long would I need to stay in hospital?

OP posts:

Jammycustard · 14/06/2018 22:05

A lot of people will tell you growth scans aren’t accurate, but they always have been for me. My first two children were born vagiballt amd were over 9lb even after being induced at 38 weeks. I’m pregnant now with number 3 and the scans have suggested a big baby with large shoulders and I’m choosing a c section. I don’t want to risk my baby getting stuck. I can’t advise about the section itself as I haven’t done it yet. Good luck.

Jammycustard · 14/06/2018 22:06

*vaginally

Muffin7 · 14/06/2018 23:06

I had an elective c.section with my second (induced with first baby, nothing happened after 60hrs so had section, then got pregnant quickly so went for a section due to risk of internal rupturing). Both of my sections were absolutely fine, I was out of hospital within 24hrs, the pain was there but as long as I kept up with the pain killers it was absolutely manageable. As long as you have a good support network then you will be fine. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

blibblibs · 14/06/2018 23:15

I had what they called a semi elective section with my first and an elective section with my second 15 months later.
The second was far more pleasant, arrived at hospital at the appointed time, checks etc done and then taken down to theatre.
With both I was out of the hospital within 36 hours and recovered at home in my own bed.
Pain was manageable and was up and out within a few days.

JuicySwan · 14/06/2018 23:19

Emergency section with first - huge - baby resulting in elective section with second (also huge).

All went a bit pearshaped due to rupture so ended up staying in for a week (I think) as opposed to 3 days with first.

Up and around within a week.

Chocarocker · 14/06/2018 23:24

I had an elective section with my daughter as growth scans showed she was measuring big. They tried inducing me at 39 weeks to reduce the risk of shoulder dytocia but Induction failed as didn’t even dilate 1cm and so took the option to have an elective at 40+5 where my daughter was born weighing 10lb 2oz.
Personally I’m happy I went for the section in the end as didn’t want to put her at risk. Recovery wise I was sore but came home after 2 days and managed on ibuprofen and paracetamol at home although it was very painful to move around for a few weeks but others I know seemed to recover much more quickly than I did.

Spudina · 14/06/2018 23:30

I had an elective section with DD2, due to complications with DD1. Having done childbirth both ways I much prefer the section!! In 2 or 3 nights (sorry can't remember) and no pain relief at all after I went home. Was up and about really quickly. And no labour which was amongst the worse three days of my life with DD1. You will be fine. X

Pascall · 14/06/2018 23:39

I had an Emergency section which was horrific. General anaesthetic, baby resuscitated given blood transfusion, then in scbu. 3 days till I could see her as I was so poorly - horrific scar, massive blood loss etc etc. Took 6 weeks till I could get out of pyjamas or push the pram.

Elective section - amazing! awake the whole time. baby had great apgar and was put skin to skin immediately. Breastfed much better, out and about and driving within 3 weeks. beautiful scar that corrected the first one - very long still, but very neat and virtually invisible (rather than the angry red dogs-hind-leg I had from the first section). My only gripe was that they wouldn't let me watch!

Fightthebear · 14/06/2018 23:41

I had one with DS2 as DS1 was so big.

Discharged after 24 hours with a packet of paracetamol.

It was great.

villainousbroodmare · 14/06/2018 23:45

EMCS with first baby and ELCS three weeks ago with twins. Both very positive experiences (once DS1 was out of trouble) and up and about the same day, no real pain and neat smallish scars. I got to watch the last one in the mirror backing the theatre light... it was great
Best of luck.

Pitapotamus · 14/06/2018 23:50

I had an elective c section with my third, other two were normal deliveries. It was all lovely and organised, very calm and pleasant experience. The actual c section bit felt a bit weird but that lasts literally one minute whilst they get the baby out. It was painful for the few days following but I took all the pain relief and was up and about within about 4 days and driving and feeling perfectly normal by 3 weeks. The length of recovery for me was similar to the first two normal deliveries, albeit I was in slightly more pain for the first 4 days or so.

They also looked after me really well in hospital, they would pick the baby up for me to feed etc whereas with the first two babies I felt horrendous after long difficult labours and I was basically handed a screaming baby to manage on my own all night. If I did it again I’d go for a c section!

BoiledFrog · 14/06/2018 23:53

I've had one emcs and two elcs. Was in for two days with first elcs, 24 hours with second (discharged self). Elcs were both fine during and after, absolutely hated the epidurals both times, but what can you do, plus getting the line into my arm was a massive faff second time, two anesthesiologists having a go at my arms at the same time bruised to fuckery.

I do think they have improved the after pain care, had a couple of shots of morphine after first elcs, none at all after second and was fine with standard painkillers. Best to get up and showered as soon as you feel able, you will feel a lot better. It's actually quite surprising how quickly you recover seeing as it's major abdominal surgery.

BigGrannyPants · 15/06/2018 00:16

I had an elective c section with my twins. Had them on a Tuesday afternoon and we were out of hospital by the Thursday afternoon. Growth scans aren't usually amazingly accurate. They were concerned my girl twin was very small and she came out the weight of a singleton baby! My boy twin was only slightly smaller than her.

frasier · 15/06/2018 00:37

Out on second day, up and about in less than a week, hardly any painkillers (they gave me some but think I only had two days worth and then forgot to take them so couldn't have had pain!) and you can hardly see my scar. I remember it was itchy a week or so later, think someone said that meant it was healing. Whole op was so simple didn’t realise it had started until a voice said “it’s definitely a boy!”

bunnyrabbit93 · 15/06/2018 07:08

My growth scans were about right. My DD1 was 5lb 9oz so had growth scans with DD2 and 1 week before I gave birth they said she was 6lb 1 and she was born 6lb 2oz

coastalchick · 15/06/2018 07:15

Following with interest as an considering an ECS myself!

Original poster

ThorsMistress · 15/06/2018 13:07

Thank you all for sharing your stories.

I didn’t think that a section was going to be suggested. So it took me by surprise. I just want what’s best for the baby and after the previous complications with DS I think it’s the right route to take.

OP posts:

Flip