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

Original poster

Attempt natural or elective cesarean

15 replies

betsy26051 · 28/04/2020 18:29

Hi, I'm am due my second baby early july. So far this pregnancy hasnt been kind due to having hyperemesis gravidarum along with all the covid 19 worry.
Anyway, my first baby was eventually delivered after 3 days in natural labour- baby had gotten stuck.
Because of the first delivery I can opt for an elective cesarean or attempt natural again. I just dont know what to do.... the decision has been worrying me since day one of my pregnancy. I was a bit deflated that my first labour ended in a section... however the thought of going through a similar labour again absolutely terrifies me. I just wish I didnt have to make the decision. Can anyone relate or offer advice? Thank you in advance xxx

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Mummyspider27 · 28/04/2020 18:36

Been there. Had an EMCS after a traumatic labour. Before even being pregnant again I couldn’t decide what to do next time! I did a lot of research and have decided to have an ELCS (will be in July). The main thing I found was no-one who had an ELCS regretted it, but the people who tried and failed at a VBAC wished they had gone for an ELCS. Of course there are plenty they had a successfully VBAC, and I still have my moments wondering if I should try, but I know I won’t cope well (mentally) if it failed again, plus I know how to heal and what to expect from a section, but when I read the bad stories of vaginal birth, I am sure I could cope with it (physically) xx

Original poster
betsy26051 · 28/04/2020 18:42

Thank you so much for the reply, that makes complete sense to me.
I know myself that it would devastate me if it was another non successful natural delivery.
I was so terrified of labour again it took 4 years for me to decide to have another xx

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SquidgyPeach · 28/04/2020 19:10

I have also decided to have an ELCS as I just couldn't stand the thought of being induced again or ending up having another EMCS anyways or different intervention. I will definitely feel more in control with another CS.

I'm glad I did now, because with the current covid situation I don't really want to be in labour for days on end. I often wonder if I've made the right decision and if I should try for a VBAC but I told my consultant that if I went into labour before my section I would give vaginal delivery a go but I would not be willing to be induced or have other interventions.

Reading all the statistics and information about VBAC or ELCS I felt most comfortable with an ELCS.

Original poster
betsy26051 · 28/04/2020 19:44

Thank you so much.... I'd already decided on no intervention as well. Its just horrible having to make such a big decision. My first thought was to try natural if I'm early as well xx

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RoosterPie · 28/04/2020 19:47

I have never had a caesarean but my first birth ended in forceps which was horrific and I still haven’t recovered. I am going for a section because I don’t want to risk forceps or another birth injury.

I think If your main fear is another emergency section, sadly the only way to be sure to avoid that is to have an elective one.

Bienentrinkwasser · 28/04/2020 19:50

I had pretty much the same first labour and am pregnant again (also with HG).

My plan is for a booked elective at 41-42 weeks as I don’t want to be induced or augmented but hopefully for a trial of labour on the low risk unit, no CTG monitoring, as active as possible (I’m a midwife and am well versed with the statistics regarding uterine rupture, and happy to take responsibility for that risk. Others obviously might not be), with a low threshold for bailing out to cesarean if things aren’t progressing well.

Original poster
betsy26051 · 28/04/2020 19:57

Thank you all for your messages.... its just nice to not feel as though you are on your own with it! Xz

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Twigletmama · 28/04/2020 20:09

I initially requested an elective c-section during my second pregnancy after a horrific birth with my first, resulting in forceps and lasting damage. The hospital rejected my request. Not all hospitals follow the Nice guide lines and allow you to have a section with out a good medical reason. I was absolutely livid at the time and very stressed by it all, but as it turned out I had a completely different labour to my first, five hours, water birth, home on the same day. I'm so glad that I didn't go for a c- section and got to have a much more pleasant birthing experience. In many ways I feel it healed a lot of the trauma from my first birth. Of course there are no guarantees that things will go smoothly with a second birth but it is much less likely to require intervention than the first time around.

RenegadeMrs · 28/04/2020 20:12

I'm booked in for an ELCS at 40 weeks (1st July). I had a EMCS perviously due to a placenta previa bleed, so not off the back of established labour and it was all very calm and I healed well and I am not at all worried about another (and I was scared the first time).

As I have never laboured, I will try the natural way if I go into labour spontaneously, but like other people have said, I am not up for an induction, as it seems to be the worst of all worlds.

I was stressing about this decision as well but felt so much better once it had been made and confirmed by the consultant.

Good luck with whatever route you decide to go down x

TheresALight · 28/04/2020 20:28

I was a bit deflated that my first labour ended in a section... however the thought of going through a similar labour again absolutely terrifies me.
This was me 2 years ago pregnant with my second, very similar first birth to yours. For me, not having any control over the first birth floored me and having ELCS for the second gave me back some control as I knew what would happen.

Original poster
betsy26051 · 28/04/2020 20:33

I cant tell you how much all of your messages are helping. I was starting to feel really irrational for worrying so much xxx

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OutComeTheWolves · 28/04/2020 20:43

I had an elcs for my second. Initially I didn't want one at all. I cried when after looking at it logically it became apparent that it was the right decision and in the days leading up to it, I really hoped that I would go into labour anyway so the decision would be taken out of my hands.

Anyway I bloody loved my c-section. I look back at the months of hand-wringing and indecision and I don't know what I was thinking. The hospital staff made me feel at ease and completely in-control (would I like music? Would I like the curtain up or down? Who should they pass baby to?). The whole thing was calm and lovely; not clinical and cold which I'd been worried about. It's honestly one of my favourite memories and I haven't ever regretted choosing a c-section for even one second.

Umnoway · 28/04/2020 20:57

I’d always opt for an ELCS, I loved mine.

Piesandpants · 28/04/2020 22:26

Had forceps first time, had elective second. ELCS was definitely the best decision, healed much quicker and the whole experience was much, much, much better!!

Original poster
betsy26051 · 29/04/2020 09:18

Thank you all! Xx

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