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Original poster

Tell me about elective c sections ?

17 replies

Bethany0903 · 29/12/2018 19:14

With my first I have an emergency c section which was crazy and my second was a really bad vaginal birth so baby number 3 is going to be an elective c section I don't want a uterine inversion again! Just wondering what it's like to get one and how it goes ? Thank you x

OP posts:

Yakadee · 29/12/2018 19:46

I haven't been through it yet but have selected to have one this time as previous labour was terrible.

I was referred by my midwife to a consultant who read through all of my notes from previous labour (was actually really helpful to understand what happened fully) - there and then she confirmed I can have a section but didn't actually give me the date. This seems to differ depending on where you live but I'm going back next Fri (I'll be 36 weeks) to get a date for mine.

Just explain to your mw that you want one and they should refer you.

Good luck xxx

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 29/12/2018 20:02

My first c section was planned due to placenta previa and was amazing such a calm and stress free environment they talked me and my husband through everything they were doing, I picked the music I wanted on whilst baby was born also. I felt absolutely fine straight afterwards and healed really well

Ploppymoodypants · 29/12/2018 20:06

Have had 2 elective. No health problems. Actual procedure was great each time. Very calm, excellent kind staff and very straight forward. Took half an hour. 2 hours in recovery where is skin to skin and got baby latched on. Impeccable care in hospital. Only stayed one night, discharged next day by lunchtime. Could shower and walk slowly with codine.

Recovery depends. First one was quick and easy and was home on paracetamol and ibuprofen happily.
Second one I did too much too soon and set my self back big time.
My advice is to stay longer in hospital and then make sure you spend a week on space being waited on hand a foot. Literally. Good luck

LeeBird · 29/12/2018 20:21

Had emergency c-section with my first. Second- elective c-section. Second was much better: you get to choose the date, no pain beforehand, you just have to turn up at the hospital and wait your turn. Everything so much calmer and planned.
I had a misfortune to choose my CS's date one day before bank holiday weekend, so had it brought forward a day, when hospital realised. That wasn't ideal, as had to stay at the hospital during bank holiday with minimal and mostly agency staff.
Recovery was worse after second CS, too, as apparently, womb has to contract back, and it was very very painful. Do not remember being in any pain straight after my firs CS.

Roomba · 29/12/2018 20:24

I found I recovered so much faster from my elective section than from my emergency one. And the pain level was so, so much better! It makes no sense as it's the same op, but I suppose you may get tugged around less if it is calm and planned? It was brilliant anyway, I'd definitely do it again (not that I'm having any more babies). If you've had a previous section you shouldn't have any probs asking for an elective ime.

Bubbinsmakesthree · 29/12/2018 20:27

For better and for worse I found it a bit like a trip to the dentist. The procedure itself was very calm and clinical but I felt very disconnected from it and a bit emotionless. Baby needed a bit of attention from paediatrician and DH went over to see while I was laying there not having seen him yet calling over “is it a boy or a girl?” - only found out it was a boy because they were saying “he” to each other!

It was fine and the right choice for us but I still feel sad to have missed out on a natural delivery.

flintfoxy · 29/12/2018 20:29

Elective a walk in the park compared to emergency - was out of hospital less than 24 hours after delivering. Rest as much as possible in the two weeks following. I've been asked if I regret not having a vbac - the two women I know who attempted it massively ended up regretting it as they ended up with emergency sections after exhausting labours. It was such a positive experience for me.

TransposersArePosers · 29/12/2018 20:43

I had an emergency first then an elective second time. the thing I found the most strange about the elective was walking down to the theatre and being totally aware when the spinal block was put in rather than exhausted and just going with the flow a bit more. I asked for a hand to hold while they did that!

The elective was a really positive experience especially compared to the emergency and obviously much calmer. If I'd been pregnant a third time I would've asked for an elective but it didn't and now won't happen!

partystress · 29/12/2018 20:49

Just for balance, my emergency was much better than my elective. Had already been epidural'ed when they decided to get DC1 out by emergency C. All great and good recovery after. Two years later I was offered elective C due to age and having had one already. They gave me a spinal block rather than epidural, had to top it up because scar tissue from first C made it a long job, then had to add anti-emetic. I was completely out of it by the time they handed her to me. However, recovery still good and quicker than friends who'd had awful labours.

Dimsumlosesum · 29/12/2018 20:51

Fucking best decision for me. Emergency for first, which was horrific. No way would I ever decide to go for real birth again, even if my body would allow one. Elective was just amazing - no stress, no fear, no ptsd.

Yakadee · 29/12/2018 20:53

I know this isn't my post but I'm so glad I posted after looking at all these responses. I know this is the right decision but it's really encouraging to see how well these seem to go xx

flintfoxy · 29/12/2018 20:54

Don't doubt yourself Yakadee, yes there is worry and I second pp about the walking down and being aware of spinal rather than out of it but overall so much better. Also was so lovely when they gave dd to me, all the staff were in a good mood the radio was on it was just lovely.

Ploppymoodypants · 29/12/2018 20:56

Yep just to add to my post, I do not regret my decision at all. 2 lovely babies, safely delivered, no stress, Trauma and no long term health complications (unlike all but one friend who had natural deliveries).

Yakadee · 29/12/2018 21:19

Thanks ladies. I keep telling myself it can't be worse than first time around (vaginal delivery) as I was out if action for ages and recovery was LONG.
So glad I made this decision. Haven't got my actual date yet but only around a month to go 😍

Original poster

Bethany0903 · 29/12/2018 21:32

Wow I feel so much better about this decision! Thanks ladies I'm so excited now I almost died with my second so just want something nice for our last baby xxx

OP posts:

StillIRise87 · 29/12/2018 21:41

My elective was wonderful. Nicely rested before hand, all done by 9am , pain-free and easy recovery. No way would I ever consider a natural delivery. Science has improved on nature!

Sleeplikeasloth · 30/12/2018 11:36

Put it this way, the most painful bit for me was them putting the cannula in.

I'd never choose natural birth over a section.

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