Section, what would you do?

[icedaisy]

Hello

Just had phone conversation with consultant and am booked in for second section December.

First baby was planned section because we were told we wouldn't have children. Multiple losses and failed IVFS. She was born 2018 and a section was recommended as the safest and easiest way to get her here. I was in for a few days, she had jaundice and I recovered well.

This time she said it was up to me but happy to do another section. Risk slightly higher but better than if natural complicates and I end up in emergency.

What is second time recovery like? Should I give it a go this time or stick with what I know. I have Dd to consider as well and want to be home and with her as soon as I can. Especially at Christmas, although any time really.

What would you? There's no real medical basis for section other than safer due to previous losses, which were all before 12 weeks.

Sorry I've never had a section to advise you but wanted to encourage others to comment on your thread haha.

If it were me I think I'd want a natural birth so the recovery isn't as bad etc, you can always have a section if things get complicated albeit not as straight forward in these circumstances.

Have they said what the risk would be and why to have a normal birth?

My second section was much easier (first was blue light emergency) I recovered really quickly and would do the same again. Which I did for number 3😉

I’ve had two sections with absolutely no problems. Was 4 years in between each.

My second time recovery was better - I was very aware of when to take it easy, balanced with the need to gently move little and often. Got out of hospital with 24 hours as well.

Because I knew what kind of recovery I was facing I also prepped e.g. changing table at standing height, pre-cooked and froze loads of meals, had a few new activities for my oldest DD, made sure I had everything I might need.

I planned for it to be really difficult and it was easier than I hoped. I was very lucky with no complications

My second section was absolutely fine, in fact recovery was if anything easier because I know what I could/couldn't do and how best to move. I was in a few days with my first (EMCS) but home less then 24h after second (ELCS), so not necessarily any longer in hospital then for a viginal birth.

Thank you all so much, really helpful.

They just said recovery from failed natural and emergency section hardest. Risks from natural would be tearing to first wound, tearing generally.

It's also interesting to hear from people who say second recovery easier. I think with first part of the problem was the utter shock at having become a mum. I felt like I had been hit. I couldn't sleep or eat. I never thought it would happen so prepared nothing.

I got home and had to start shopping and thinking about where baby would sleep.

I was a total idiot with hindsight but so terrified and sure something was going to take her last minute.

I still remember standing crying because I was so unprepared. I then slept in the kitchen sitting room for three monthsin an arm chair watching her.

I was booked for second section for baby due last December. I had an emcs first time was told I wld have to have another with more kids. Consultant said though it too was my choice. I went overdue with my first and was included at 41wks. This wld have put second baby very close to Xmas day delivery if I hadn't gone in to labour naturally.

Anyway, she came early at 37wks. So it was another emcs but not a proper emergency. I was in so much pain I kept thinking thank fuck I'm having a section 😂 However the recovery I felt was worse second time round. The first 5 days were awful I felt so I'll and was in more pain than first time. I at least healed quicker as first time round I got an infection in my wound.

I do not like the thought of opening that wound again and if I was sure I was going to have a third I would have tried for vaginal delivery first.

I have had three elective c-sections- all for different reasons. I found them a really positive experience and coped well afterwards, I was lucky that my DM was amazing. With my last I had a 4 year old and 2 year old at home. I initially did too much but once I accepted the help offered and relaxed my expectations it was fine.

Jumping on this thread, I hope you don't mind OP, I don't have any info to give re a second section but will be having my second section in November, had my first last August! Found my recovery to be excellent and cannot fault the hospital at all, they were amazing from start to finish with my care, nervous how ill get on this time around but I'm very much looking forward to the experience again as I only have positives to go on😊 good luck OP!

Could've written this myself! Due early December with number 2 and currently trying to decide which option to take...I'm changing my mind daily at the moment! Wishing you all the best with whatever choice you make x

I had an emergency section with my first, and planned section with my second. I also had a two year age gap between my two DC. The recovery with my second was much easier.

I was very like you with my first, a very anxious first parent (the delivery did not help one bit!) and that didn't help my recovery. With my second, I was a lot more laid back. I remember the MW laughing telling me she could tell he wasn't my first. I got him fed, DH put him in his fancy outfit for some pictures then got him changed into a baby grow. I said to DH I'm going to sleep now and wake me up when you go home.

We sent our eldest to the childminder full time for the first month after our youngest was born. It helped to keep him in a normal routine, meant he was getting interaction, could play with his friends etc. It also meant DH and I could get a lot more rest. In the evenings and weekends, we took it in turns to make sure each child got one to one time with us.

Ah ok @Shelby30 interesting to read. I'm sorry that happened. Do you think the pain was from old wound or just the experience overall. I can't remember much pain the first time, just shock.

Not at all @lionsmum and @NoNameIdeas , I also have no name ideas and the more the merrier. Happy to hear all thoughts.

@lorisparkle and @Fatted yes the help and accepting it is a good and valid point. New baby at Christmas and all that goes with it I'm going to need to lower my standards and take some help.

I think my anxiety is probably more of a worry than the physical side at the moment but I'm still having counselling and a, feeling slowly stronger. Still can't believe I have a daughter but getting there.

I'm leaning towards the section just now as have always just gone with what consultant said. Keep mulling it over though. Knowing my luck I would go into labour Xmas Eve and end up with and emergency Xmas day and ruin everything for Dd. Gah.

My third ds was due just after ds1's 4th birthday. I decided I wanted to be home for his birthday and got the consultant to book me in for a c-section with the maximum earliest and safest gap between the c-section and ds1's birthday! As I had already had 2 c-sections I knew what the midwives and Drs were looking for so I could go home quickly. In fact the day after coming home I was at Curry's with DH and DS3 buying a new washing machine! My wonderful DM was at home with DS1 and DS2 and had to explain where I was to the horrified midwife! DS1 had everything he wanted for his birthday - a baby brother, a chocolate cake and a helium balloon!

As others have said the recovery from my second section was much easier; I think it helped that I knew what to expect and got prepared for it.

My second section was planned and I felt more in control, less exhausted and more me than before. It was however still very painful.
However there is a part of me that still longs to give birth. Sounds silly but something to consider. I just feel I didn't do it properly. I know I did but still...

I’ve had two elective c-sections.
Both recommended by the consultant who heads maternity at a major London hospital which has NHS and private and he is an academic too. I really trusted his advice and he said the second time round that it is definitely safer to have a section versus vbac. I ended up being very thankful that I’d had the section the second time because it turns out that the placenta was attached too deeply and so I would’ve needed surgery anyway but it would’ve been riskier for me had I gone Vbac.

Second recovery was really similar to the first for me but less scary as I knew what to expect. Both were fine and I didn’t need to take many of the painkillers they sent me home with.

Good luck and enjoy your new little precious bundle whatever you decide! 😊

I don't think it was pain from the old wound but it def looks worse now so I wldnt fancy having it opened up again and they took forever to stitch me bk up.

I managed mainly on ibuprofen and paracetamol first time round. Mainly coz they told me I wasn't entitled to anything else at hospital until one night I was crying with the pain. I was 6 days with first section. This time I was adamant I was staying only 1 night ended up going home with a catheter still in coz I didn't want to stay any longer. I was on the dihydrocodeine every day for about 5 days. First time round I hardly used them.

It's hard to know what's the right thing to do. For me I just wld have kicked myself if I had gone overdue and through another full labour to end up with another section.

My consultant though did say if I wanted to wait until my due date to see if I went in to labour naturally and if I didn't then I cld have a section. I think the Christmas thing really played a big part for me. I didn't want to be in hospital over Christmas, it was the first proper Christmas my little girl was excited and understood what Santa was.

I've had two sections.

First time EMSC, I'd laboured for 36 hours. I was exhausted, traumatised and (with hindsight) depressed for several years after.

Second was a planned section on the basis that I didn't feel my mental health would cope with a repeat of the first time. Recovery was a dream and I was doing the school run within ten days, albeit very slowly with a long rest afterwards. I did develop a suspected infection around six weeks postpartum but I took a course of antibiotics and that was that.

My first section scar was keloid and the surgeon cut it out and redid it when I had my second section. It definitely hurt more for the first few days, I had to lie down to recover from going up and down stairs which I don't remember from the first time round. However after the first week it was basically the same as the first time, if not a bit quicker because you have to get on with life a bit more with a toddler!

2 elective section. Both absolutely fine. Recovery similar for both .

I dont have my consultant appt for a few weeks yet but I am in a similar situation. I had a section 3 years ago, elective as he was breach. I am very unsure and feel like whatever decision I make will be the wrong one.

This is my last baby so feel sad at not having given birth naturally if I go for another section. But I worry about tearing, and waiting to go into labour with a vbac. I'm due Nov 25th and really dont want to stray into December if I can help it.

Sorry, no help really..

I had an EMCS with DC1 and ELCS with DC2. Much easier and better recovery second time around - I guess you are better prepared with what to expect? No regrets, was absolutely the right decision for me. Good luck!