Planned C Section

[Cafeaulait27]

Hi! It’s really early days for me (6weeks) but I’ve always wanted a planned C Section as the thought of a vaginal birth freaks me out, and I’ve heard so many horror stories from friends about labour that ended in a traumatic emergency C section that it’s made me even more set on having one when the time comes.

I know it’s a major operation and definitely not the easy route with a longer recovery time etc, but I’m quite an anxious person and struggle with the idea of a lack of control, so a C section just seems much calmer for me.

I was just wondering how it usually works? Do they book you in for the operation around your due date, and if you went into labour early would they still do the C Section?

Would love to hear from anyone that has had or is having a planned C section.

Thanks

Hiya ☺️

Like you, I've got anxiety around a vaginal birth and the thought of it scares me! At my booking appointment they asked about my mental health and about whether or not anxiety occurs to me etc. A bit further along I discussed with the midwife that a vaginal birth makes me anxious and she referred me to speak to another midwife in the hospital which I am going. After talking to this midwife she referred me to speak to a consultant about wanting a c section and they were all so lovely about it!
The consultant rang when I was about 32 weeks and booked me in straight away for a c section and went through every detail!
I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant and far less anxious knowing I've got a c section date 😬

If you go into labour before or have any signs that you're going into labour I've been told to just ring the hospital and make my way there and they will still do the c section ☺️ If you have any other questions feel free to ask! Happy to help as I was in the same position and I know how anxious it can be. Good luck!

@ChickenDipper28 thats great, So glad to hear you’ve had a good experience so far and also that I’m not the only one that feels this way!

I have my booking appointment next week, I guess I could discuss it then?

I’m a little nervous of people/midwives thinking that I’m thinking it’s the easy way out or that I don’t understand the risks... I totally do, and I’m a bit worried about the epidural, but the uncertainty of a vaginal birth is just not for me!

Definitely mention it at your boooking appointment ☺️ It's your right to give birth however you feel most comfortable.

It's definitely not the easy way out and they didn't judge me at all, they were very understanding so I think it's more common than you think! I'm also scared of the uncertainty of a normal birth. So many people have said how relaxing a planned c section is because you're told the whole process before it happens so you know exactly what's coming!

I’m booked in for my c section on Tuesday, at 39+2 for the same reasons.
I spoke to my midwife at the 25 week appointment and then had to speak to the matron and a consultant just to make sure I understood the risks before it was booked in, and then it was booked at my 34 week appointment.

The midwives and matron were so lovely and understanding. I got a few comments from different consultants Throughout my pregnancy like ‘we shouldn’t just be handing out c sections because you fancy it’, ‘everyone else has already said yes so I’m not going to say no now am I?’ And ‘this is the only hospital that allows maternal request’ (even though i know it’s not!) but I just ignored them.

I’m worried about the spinal and the injections afterwards now, but I’m still happy with my decision and just hope it goes well on Tuesday!

My midwife has said that if I go into labour early then just to ring and mention on the phone that I am booked for a c section and they will sort it out so I still get one.

Can I ask where you are all from? I never even knew I could have requested this on either of my two previous births, second of which ended up in an emergency section.. just wondered if different where you are maybe? x

I’m in the midlands. The NICE guidelines changed in 2011, so now everyone has the right to request a c section and if the doctor is unwilling to perform it they have to refer you to someone who will.

I think it depends on the hospital as to how easy they make it, but as long as you demonstrate you understand your rights and the risks involved they can’t (theoretically) refuse.

I had a very positive experience of a c section in nov 2018. Recovery wasn't without its complications though. Do you have any specific questions?

I had an ELCS for my first birth for the same reasons as you.

I told the midwife at my booking in appointment that it’s what I wanted, which started me down the path to get it. I had to do a Birth Options meeting to discuss the risks, but was told that my trust has never said no to anyone asking for a c section. I was booked in around week 36 for a planned section at 39+3. They ask what you would like to do if you go into labour early so you have the option of sticking with your planned section if that happened or trying to give birth vaginally.

I’ve said this loads on threads, but my recovery was no worse (and in some occasions better) than friends who have given birth vaginally. I had it at 1.30, was up and about by 7pm-ish, and would have been home the next day had I not had a few issues feeding my baby.

The whole thing was very calm and positive. No-one judged me for it at all.

@User1927472940191 that’s great to hear. I have heard some others say that recovery from a c section can sometimes be the same or better than a Vaginal one.

Thank you so much!

I had traumatic delivery with first born, so opted fo an elective section as I was so anxious! It was much easier recovery than my first birth but I had complications and a lot of stitches so can't say how it compares to normal vaginal birth! But if I had a third, and had to choose again... A thousand percent I'd go for an elective!! It was calm, quick and everything was explained to me! A lovely birth experience.

@lc86 it seems like a lot of places don’t want people to know, because it’s more expensive than a vaginal and often includes a longer stay in hospital (I’m just assuming here).

I just remember someone mentioning it at my work a few years back, and it was like music to my ears as the thought of a Vaginal had always scared me.

Sorry if I was unclear, I mean, I had big complications with my first vaginal birth but a text book second birth (elective section) I wouldn't change a thing about my choice second time around. Was a much more positive experience than my first birth, but my first birth did have complications, so I can't say how an elective compares to straight forward vaginal birth. But for me an elective was the way to go after my first birth, no regrets! Good luck!

Hi
I have had both a V birth and an elective C section and I would take the elective any day. It was calm and lovely and the recovery afterwards was easier than after my v birth. I had one night stay in hospital and then just paracetomol and ibuprofen for pain relief. I remember speaking to the doctor before the operation asking what pain relief I would have as I had been told it was a major operation etc and she was like " oh it's not major surgery you'll be fine to go home with over the counter stuff". Also don't let the midwives make you feel bad for wanting this.

I had a planned c section last year after a terrifying emergency c section with my first. I would say be firm about what you want from the beginning, do your research in to recovery etc, tell them you are aware of the risks but still want the planned section. They offered me a VBAC class, I said no thank you as I already knew I wouldn’t change my mind. You may have to have several meetings about it with various people (I did although this was pre Covid) but the consultants and midwives could all see I knew what I wanted and were lovely, supportive, and didn’t push back or try and get me to change my mind. The planned c section was lovely - quick, stress free, I had skin to skin with baby afterwards and was home in less than 24 hours. The recovery was fine too, much easier then for some of my friends and family members who have had tricky vaginal births. Everyone’s different but I think all women should be able to say how they want to give birth and for me, the planned c section was definitely the right decision. Lots of luck to you x

@orangejuicer oh that’s great, could you say more about it? What were the complications if you don’t mind me asking? Xx

@Mollyboom that’s great! So good to hear you had a good experience and recovery.

@BabloHoney that sounds great, I’m so glad to hear your experience. Good to hear that your recovery was ok too. How long did it take for you to recover? Did you just rest a lot for the first few weeks?

It's the recovery that's putting me off an elective section this time. When I had emergency c section I could barely walk the first few days and just felt so unwell for the first two weeks. However I did also have a 3 year old at the time so wondering if that had something to do with it, though my husband was great. My girls at 10 and 7 now so wondering if c section recovery would be better as not needing to do much for them.. I have consultant Tuesday so will try and have a good talk then about the options. This is all really good to read ladies ☺️

Hey cafe I had a bit of blood loss after the procedure (not much during so I think it all saved up!)

DS had low ish body temps due to me having gestational diabetes so was in NICU for a couple of hours but nothing too traumatic.

I also had a bit of nausea for a few days once we got home but that was easily dealt with.

The op was amazing, recovery was fine on the whole. No issues with scar or infection. It was definitely the right option for me.

@lc86 yeah that does sound rough with your recovery. Do you think it might have been Partly because it was an emergency one last tome? You were already exhausted, and it was all such a rush? I have no experience of it at all, just a thought. Glad this thread has been helpful for you xx

@Cafeaulait27 yes definitely. Everyone I know who's had an elective has said how lovely and relaxed etc it was 😊