Elective c section! Pros, cons and opinions

[NLW08]

I’m only five weeks pregnant but I’m already thinking and I feel at my booking in appointment I’m going to say I want a C section. I had a very bad after mass from the birth of my daughter. She was a drip induction and forceps birth. I had sepsis, a prolapsed cervix and torn pelvic floor muscles after I had her. I was in a real state for a year after she was born and still have a couple of on going problems now.
I loved labour though. I had 12 hours of back to back contractions with a tense machine but I loved it and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I could guarantee I wouldn’t have the problems afterwards that I had. But there’s no guarantee of that and I just can’t go through an entire year of that again when I have an older child as well. I can deal with 6 weeks of not being able to walk and feeling like my stomach will fall out versus a year of not walking and my vagina falling out
So please pros and cons of an elective c section? Did anyone regret it? What’s good what’s bad? Is it hard to get one?
I was told a couple of years ago that if I wanted a c section next time I should be allowed one given the issues I had but I don’t know if I will have to fight for it.

Can't speak for any other birth other than a section but I've had one emergency c-section and two planned after that. The planned ones were superbly managed and other than queasiness from the anaesthetic I felt very well afterwards and was up and out of the bed that afternoon. I think the trick is to really listen to the advice on gentle walking when you can but not overstretch it or moving after the birth to allow your wound to heal. No stretching overhead to lift mugs out of cupboards etc. No big movements to fold and unfold buggies and so on. Take all the painkillers you get prescribed as they help you during the night when it can be trickier getting out of bed. Roll your legs out and then get out.
Most important thing is that you do what's best for you and baby. Good luck.

I find it very hard to believe that any consultant would decline your request for a c section given your history. In fact they will likely recommend it.

I had an emergency with my first. I was up and about within 6 hours, discharged at 24 hours, and my recovery was really straightforward. Not everyone finds it so easy! I’m aiming for a VBAC this time but it’s an entirely different set of circumstances from yours and in all honesty it’s for fairly vain/selfish reasons (I want to be able to run sooner!).

I had 2 elective sections, both such wonderful experience. Part of me wonders I would have coped with labour and vaginal birth , I sometimes feel like I took the easy option. However everything went super smoothly and controlled . Managed to breastfeed etc and recovery was good both times too.

About to have my second ELCS. My first one was such a calm, positive experience. I was up and about faster than friends who had natural births. I would absolutely recommend it.

Im in a similar quandary OP; im 8 weeks pregnant and DD is 3 yo. Her birth was prolonged, back to back, failed ventouse and finally an episiotomy and forceps. The midwife said i would be eligible for a c section next time and I said never again! But hey ho I'm going again. I had significant birth trauma which led to therepy. It helped, a lot. But although my body recovered well I experienced a lot of pain and sex and a smear test was painful for around 18 months. Not sure whether a c section would be a better alternative for me this time around.

Im worried I wouldn't be able to breastfeed after a c section. Is that myth?

I've had 1 election for breach baby and booked in in 10 weeks for my second. Definitely a myth on breastfeeding. I fed DS for 3 weeks. I did have to stop, but I had flst nipples, the nipple shield things were a faff and I get easily flustered.

With my newborn screaming he was hungry and suffering 9 months of HG my mental health had enough and I switched to formula. But was it not for that I would have continued.

I see the pro for me as choosing the date baby will be born, better able to arrange childcare and plan. With loads of homeworking at the mo I am also assuming DH will be around so I will be able to properly rest and take it easy. I was driving by 4 weeks last time and running, albeit slowly, at 6.

I've had two electives, one a week ago today. It was very painful for 2 days after, but bearable as long as you keep topped up with pain killers (codeine, pararcetemol and ibuprofen worked a treat on me)

Day 4 I left the house for a short stroll, day 5 I went out for lunch locally and now at day 7 I am almost back to normal. Occasional twinge when rolling over in bed but doing housework, going out with my toddler etc. Will start driving at the weekend

X

Ps deffo a myth about breastfeeding. I fed my first for 18 months and sat feeding my new one as I type :)

I had an emcs after a prolonged labour and healed just fine. Then a vbac with 3rd degree tear and double prolapse. This time I’m having an elcs, definitely the right choice for me. At 36 weeks I can feel my perenium bulging and the pressure building, I’m so glad I have it booked.