Considering ELCS 2nd baby / 1st birth trauma

[Shazafied]

Hi all,

Looking for advice/experiences/sport from mums who’ve been through similar please.

I have a 10 mo DD and am 3 months pregnant with DC2.

My labour with DD was extremely traumatic, after a couple of days of early labour (mild contractions, cramping, loss of mucus plug) I then had 73.5 hours of active back labour (I mean 2-3 strong contractions every 10-12 mins). Baby was back to back and had her head tilted to the side, it took 60 hours of these contractions to get to 3 cm. I was sent home 3 times over 3 days as I wasn’t 4 cm, the 3 rd time I was inconsolable as I had not slept in days and wasn’t offered any pain relief at all (aside from the 1 codeine I was given on my first visit to the birthing Centre). The 4th time I went in I was delirious and unable to stand, had not urinated in a long time (I couldn’t) and was basically lying on the floor vomiting. I was given another stretch and sweep and had my bladder emptied and “observed” for an hour (60 hours in by this point). I was then admitted as was “close enough to 4cm. This was at 6am. Through sheer exhaustion I had an epidural at 8am and was given anti emetics and drank lucozade / snoozed. Started pushing at 5pm and baby finally came out with forceps at 7.30pm. Had second degree tears. Stayed on postnatal ward for 2 days before deciding to leave (it was so loud, everyone rushed in and out of my bay, I hated it and still hadn’t slept by this stage)!

Since my baby was born I’ve had a moderate posterior prolapse (for which I am eligible for surgery) and have been unable to pass bowel movements without “splinting” (I’ll explain if people really want) and have a slight cervical and bladder prolapse too (these have all been diagnosed).

I’ve also been told I have an anterior placenta this time and am aware this can increase the chance of back to back baby...

I’m thinking more and more about the birth with utter utter fear. I don’t want my prolapses to get worse, I can just about cope the way things are currently and I know that rectocele surgery can fail.

I never thought I’d say this but considering asking for a planned c-section. I know that this is major surgery and will mean recovery, but surely it’s more predictable than the unknown / possible damage and trauma of another vaginal delivery.

I understand that I have the right to and ELCS these days ... but in practice am I going to be met with doctors who make this extremely difficult?

I’m not 100% sure I want a c-section yet, but it’s a strong option I think. I plan on raising this with my midwife at my next appointment. She is aware of my prolapsing and has said she’s referring me to gynae to “discuss how this might impact the birth” but nobody has mentioned c-section yet.

Has anyone been through similar ? I know that second babies can be a lot easier ... but what if it’s not?! Psychologically I couldn’t go through those few days again, never mind physically.

I’m not sure if this is relevant but Dd was born at 38 weeks and I’ve read that they will only plan c-sections for 39 weeks. So if I went into Labour before that there is a chance I’d be having a VB anyway (if I don’t get to hospital fast enough, right ?)

Thanks all, scared and confused !!

OP, I was on the same position and put off trying for baby 2 for 4 years. When I fell pregnant about a year later I was horrified and depressed. Read everything I could find about c sections and even went to the GP to ask what would happen to me.
In the end I got my section agreed at 12 weeks. On the form it says "not discussed with consultant".
Every time she broached the topic of a VBAC I just said, politely, "no".
Unfortunately it depends who you get, how sympathetic they are and so on. I don't think going in with statistics and guidelines matters. It is part luck and possibly down to how much they think they can persuade you.
If you have decided on a section, just go in and tell them you won't be dissuaded, and If they refuse just ask to see someone else.

Hi OP, I was a little nervous but the staff were great - an elective is VERY calm (and quick but not too quick), and people talked me through it.

I had an ELCS for my second after a scary emergency section and a lot of heartache. It was agreed with no fighting (Birmingham) and was a beautiful, healing experience for me. I healed we'll both times and DS1 was remarkably resilient about not being picked up for a week or so.

I know a friend changed hospitals to allow her to have a section in the same circumstance.

figment there was a report in the last 3 months about it and after reading it I searched for ad many anecdotes from pregnant women or women who had recently had babies in that area about it. I'll see if I can find it again and link it here.

Here is the maternal request cs report by birthtrust, I started there and found other bits but it makes interesting reading nevertheless. I live in a 'green' area now and the stats on which birth choices seem to back that up.

www.birthrights.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Final-Birthrights-MRCS-Report-2108.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2ckACcMLQWNy_PkPN1sgSGFjWFAkvvLX9NbicyqYu9GHeo9tBatPviZSA

Sorry, this helps as well, I thought it was in the original report but apparently not:
www.birthrights.org.uk/maternal-request-caesarean/

@queenofcatan thanks so much. I live in an amber area , there is a green hospital nearby , not sure how easy it’d be to go to the green one if I wanted to....

Thanks l so much for your experiences. I’ll update this thread when I have updates, and thoughts! My mw appt is in a few weeks and no idea when I’ll see gynae so it may be a while.
So much to think about , I lay in bed last night with it all going through my head.

Thank you QueenOfCatan. Both my local hospital and the one 30 mins away are amber. So I may need to fight but at least it not a definite no.

Please let us know how you get on OP. I hope you do get your choice, whatever it is.

I’ve asked on a local mums FB (closed) Group this morning and many many women have had an ELCS agreed for 2nd baby after VB with first. Mostly birth trauma but some less serious and just want an ELCS due to fear (totally understandable). I’ve had about 13 positive responses re my local hospital (in that they were granted the ELCS without a fight) recently... and this is the amber hospital. So I feel a lot more hopeful now.

My closest hospital (where I had DD) is 5 min from my house. There is another 15 mins away and another 30 mins away. The one that’s 30 mins away is ultra modern and apparently all CS women get a private recovery room. My closest hospital it’s pot luck - many of the ladies who responded were on the large postnatal ward, which was hell in my experience.

Keen to have a tour of the 30 mins away hospital. Just concerned that if I go into labour before 39w (v. likely) then I’ll need to get somewhere fast. It can get a bit too far along for a CS in my understanding.

So some good feedback so far and lots to ask the Dr!

I would not hesitate to go for a ELCS in your shoes! I had and emergency CS for DD1 and am now planning to have a planned CS for DD2 in a few weeks time. I have a consultant appointment this week but no one as yet has said I can't have one.
I know everyone is different but I found the recovery relatively easy. I was in pain for about a week then felt much better. I was driving after about 3 weeks as I felt pretty much back to normal. I hope I will be the same this time round.
I was able to leave the hospital after just 1 night in the post natal Ward. I hadn't slept in 3 days and was desperate to go home. If no problem there's no reason they would make you stay longer.

I'm glad that the responses were so positive for you op!
The ward is my idea of hell too. I was lucky to get a room last time (paniced at the midwife when I came in. I have misophonia and snoring and eating noises set it off and it got much worse during my last pregnancy), the ward at my hospital allows dad to stay too and they are very cramped so I knew I would be triggered and would struggle. If I'm unable to get a room again this time I'll pay for one if that is available. Or start sobbing if I have to sit and listen to snoring, which is my usual response 🤷

Going to try and have it in my notes that I found the ward extremely stressful last time and really I need a quieter room

I’ve opted for an ELCS after two previous traumatic deliveries and a traumatic missed miscarriage last year (almost died due to haemorrhaging). Have been told my uterus has effectively lost its tone so is unable to clamp down which causes the haemorrhaging. I’ve had two blood transfusions and almost lost my life twice, almost lost DC1 during delivery due to shoulder dystocia. I figured opting for an ELCS this time was the safest option since I’d be in a controlled environment surrounded by experts on hand should I start to haemorrhage again. I wanted to avoid buzzers ringing and everyone rushing in from all angles.

HOWEVER I have had an awful experience obtaining an ELCS. I had five different appointments in total before it was finally agreed two weeks ago (when I was 35 weeks pregnant!!) that I can have one. It may be a woman’s legal right to request a c-section now, doesn’t mean they make it easy to obtain.

I had to see three consultants and a consultant midwife, all of them were incredibly negative and have drilled in the negatives of a c-section. I’ve been told I WILL haemorrhage again and this time they WILL give me a hysterectomy . All the scaremongering tactics imaginable, it’s been awful and very stressful. Some trusts make it almost impossible to get one so be prepared for that. You have to be certain it’s what you want and push it through, don’t just roll over and accept what they say should they attempt to deter you. Good luck .

@outpinked... my goodness. I cannot believe they have tried to decline your c-section. Have you looked at the link above ? It sounds like you are in a “red” trust ?? It sounds like you are doing the most sensible and safe thing opting for a section. Have they agreed to it now (I’m assuming you’re currently pregnant)? Thanks for sharing your experience and good luck

Sorry I’ve just re - read - it has been agreed and you are 37 weeks! Sorry I’m vvvvvvv exhausted today. Good luck xx

That sounds awful OP.

I can’t believe they sent you away. I had a similar situation to you but they let me come in after 24 hours for some pethidine so I could sleep. When I was only 1cm. I have nothing to compare it to but I remember the sheer pain of the back to back contractions, not being able to sit down etc. I only got to 3/4cm before an epidural. Luckily for me i look back on it in a positive way but only because of the care I relieved.

Can you change hospital? I see why you would want a c section but maybe with better care you would be able to have a more positive delivery this time around?

Thanks @summer ... I still cannot believe it myself. If I’d been given a little pain relief and some supportive after .... ooooh 30 hours or so, it might have all gone differently :-( I think they could have helped me more if they wanted to. I’m really not taking any shite this time. I was so naive, confused and bewildered 1st time round x