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

Elected c section

19 replies

Mothertoone2 · 31/12/2019 23:46

Hi all!! Happy new year to you all!!

I just have a quick question. I'm only 8 weeks and 2 days currently and I see the midwife on the 2nd. However, with my first born I had complications and was rushed for c section as I was in labour for 11.5 hours and had only gone up to 2cm but loosing loads of blood because my body was telling me to push even though I wasn't ready. This then resulted in my baby's heart rate dropping dramatically so they tested his oxygen levels and rushed me in for c section as he was already below the minimum. When he was born he wasn't breathing for the first 3 minutes of his life.

I've decided that this time round I am electing for a c section as I do not want to risk this happening again as I had lost loads of blood myself aswell.

What will be the difference if I choose to have an elected c section? Will I just be given a date on when to go hospital etc?

Any advice would be great. Thank you

OP posts:

Clevererthanyou · 31/12/2019 23:50

I don’t know much about the process of elective csections after emergency ones but when my elective was planned I was given a date based on my due date :) I went in at 6:45am and my son was born at 9:38am, it was straightforward and well planned. Best of luck and health to you 🍼

Esspee · 31/12/2019 23:53

I wasn't given the choice in similar circumstances though I would have preferred another section.

Rubyroost · 01/01/2020 00:25

I'm allowed another c section after an emergency one. I've been told thisbwill be discussed and a date made at 36 bweeks

KTyoupigeon · 01/01/2020 00:30

After a traumatic and scary first birth I also elected for a c-section for my second. I was given a date 2 days before my due date and was admitted the evening before and had my elected started at 10am the following morning

Original poster

Mothertoone2 · 01/01/2020 15:07

Thank you all for your help, helped me understand a little more! Was you all awake!? My first I got put to sleep but this time round I'd like to be awake x

OP posts:

allfurcoatnoknickers · 01/01/2020 15:15

I had an Elective for my baby because he was breech.

We picked a day a few days before my due date, I arrived at noon and the baby was born at 4:30. I was awake the whole time and my doctor actually gave me a running commentary of what she was doing . Recovery was really easy for me, but YMMV on that.

Rubyroost · 01/01/2020 16:19

@Mothertoone2 I was awake for my first emergency c section. Yes, I will also be awake for the elective. I think they only put you to sleep when it's a super emergency one, I think it's becausebitvworks faster than epidural, though I can't be sure.

KTyoupigeon · 01/01/2020 18:27

I was awake for my elected c-section - had an epidural

Lizzieee2727 · 02/01/2020 00:08

I'm having mine first thing tomorrow! This is our first baby but due to a late diagnosis of gestational diabetes, reduced movements and SPD I was induced (which hasn't workedbdesoute 4 pessaries... ) and so I'm booked in for a C section instead. As it's classed as an elective, we can take our time getting ready and should be fine to have a spinal (topped up if needed) as opposed to general.

Fatted · 02/01/2020 00:18

I had an emergency for my first and was offered an elective for my second. I was awake for both sections. The elective was much better than the emergency.

With mine, I had an appointment with the consultant and a VBAC specialist. It was really helpful because they went over everything that happened with my eldest, explained the chances of it happening again, pros and cons of a section and my chances of a successful VBAC. I was then given the final say, but even then they were quite relaxed about it all. I was able to decide when I booked my section in for, if I wanted to try and go into labour naturally, I could have waited until I was 42 weeks. The only thing I was advised not to have an induction so if there were any complications meaning I had to have him early, I would be going in for a section.

I booked in to have him at 39 weeks. As it turned out I had him at 38 weeks because I developed pre-eclampsia.

LouH1981 · 02/01/2020 07:09

I had an emergency cs with DS so elected with DD.
The process for me in Shropshire was that I had an automatic appointment with the consultant at 30 weeks. The main issue for us was DD’s size as she was charting big. Went away and had another appt at 36 weeks when I confirmed I wanted an elected cs.
Was given a date during 39th week which was great because I could plan childcare for DS.
The actual operation was so much calmer than the emergency.
Me bring me still had the usual anxieties of what if she arrived before the date or what if the surgery goes wrong but that’s because I’m a natural worrier 😂

LouH1981 · 02/01/2020 07:12

And yes I was awake for both which was great 👍🏻
You can feel ‘tugging’ but obviously no pain. The operating theatre will be full of people but all very very friendly and reassuring.

Justasconfusedwithnumber2 · 02/01/2020 07:20

Hi OP, I had a similar experience to you, 3 day labour, failed forceps, fully dilated but baby got stuck on my narrow pelvis. Emergency c section was emotionally very tough on me and my DH. This time we spoke to a consultant at 21 and 36 weeks to plan our birth. We have opted for an elective at 39 weeks, I could've waited longer if I really wanted to but I only have a 30% chance of successful vbac so we are airing on the side of caution in case I go into labour naturally before I am full term/overdue. I am going in next week as far as plans go I will be awake, will have immediate skin to skin this time (HUGE deal to me this didn't happen last time) and supposedly quicker recovery. Fingers crossed!! I hope it all works out for you too

Coffeeandtv1983 · 02/01/2020 07:24

I had an emergency section for my first and elective for my second. Like others, saw consultant at 36 weeks and agreed to have section at 39 weeks. Waters went at 38 weeks so ended having section earlier than planned. Was awake for both.

TartanMarbled · 02/01/2020 07:33

Yes, they will give you a section if you ask - make this clear to your midwife at 12 week appointment, insist that she arranges an appointment with the consultant at this stage.

Yes, you will receive a date for 39 weeks (plus one or two days if that lands on a weekend). You just rock up to the hospital on the morning of the section (fasting), hang around and wait your turn, then get into your gown and head up to theatre. Baby will be out in first 10 mins, then another 30 to sew you up. You'll stay in hospital for one night.

Good luck!

TartanMarbled · 02/01/2020 07:35

P.S. Yes, you'll be awake. When you go into theatre, they'll give you a spinal injection while you're sitting up. This numbs you from the belly down. Then you'll lie back and enjoy the whole thing, it's very relaxed. Your partner can be there the whole time. Your baby will be brought over for you to hold while they're stitching you up.

corduroyal · 02/01/2020 08:10

That sounds hard OP.

They wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't talk you through the downsides of CS though. Overall, risk is lower for vaginal birth, I suppose it depends on why the problems occurred with your previous birth as to your individual risk.

Having considered elective myself after an emergency CS, it's easy to go 'make it definitely not a repeat experience', forgetting that any option has its risks.

If I were you I'd take time to weigh up pros and cons carefully rather than just automatically go for CS. I'm not saying don't go for CS, but take time to think it through.

And congratulations!

Rubyroost · 02/01/2020 13:39

Actually there's a recent study which pretty much confirms that an elective c section is less risky than a vbac and op has had previous c section.

Rubyroost · 02/01/2020 13:41

There's other studies and this is not the only one, but it certainly helped me decide that I'd be having c section, rather than vbac.
www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/planned-caesareans-safer-women-past-history-caesarean-sections/

Flip